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What separates war fighting from a warrior? Is it skill? Is it experience? Or is it something deeper that only reveals itself when it matters most?From the Pentagon, Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer and retired Command Sergeant Major Rick Merritt to discuss what it truly means to build and sustain warriors in the United States Army.CSM Merritt spent over three decades on active duty, including 25 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in every enlisted leadership position from rifleman to Regimental Sergeant Major. He conducted over 1,500 combat operations under Joint Special Operations Command and served more than five years in combat task forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. His experience spans the full arc of modern warfare.Together with the SMA, we unpack into the difference between technical proficiency and true warrior mindset, what commitment looks like when compliance disappears, and how leaders enforce standards without eroding trust. We explore whether resilience is built over time or revealed under pressure, and how purpose sustains Soldiers when motivation begins to fade.As warfare becomes more technical and systems driven, the SMA is challenging the force to ensure technology enhances the warrior. Future conflict will demand innovation and the technological edge, but victory on the battlefield will still be decided by human judgment, character, and leadership.This is a conversation about standards, commitment, mental toughness, and the responsibility of leaders to hold the line…not just to engage in the business of war fighting, but to forge warriors ready to close with and destroy our nation's adversaries.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast4:40 Defining An Army Warrior14:02 Compliance to Commitment20:02 What Is The Army Culture?27:18 Why A Warrior Mindset Matters38:52 How to Lead the War fighting ProfessionQUOTES“I see a warrior as the reason why we do it.”“Make a difference with your presence. Otherwise, why are you there?”“A warrior is a way of life.”“Technology is not going to make up for the foundation.”“A warrior is one that is dedicated, disciplined, willing to go the extra mile, will fight for those left and right, and never quit.”“The best recruiters we have are our service members, our veterans.”“How much is enough of these key attributes to take a risk on you and bring you in and start developing the rest of that?”“There's just some things about human beings that are going to be done on an individual's basic timeline in life.”“It's not normal for this generation.”“Combat readiness is a way of life.”“Although I took the uniform off, my oath didn't go away.”“The guys on my team know that they're in the right spot with the right people, with the right culture.”“You're consecrated into this culture that I got to find when I retire.” “What makes that culture is character and character development.”“That probably makes the difference in the world is where our NCO core is compared to other countries.”“I'm a firm believer that the noncommissioned officer is the keeper of the culture.”“I think that was our biggest challenge in Vietnam.”“This profession, we hand you a machete and we say ‘Take that path.'”“Grit comes through hardship.”“At the end of the day, guys got to go on the ground.”“We're struggling a little bit in that space.”“There's no time limit on honorable service.”“What is better than being a company commander?”“Don't be a pain in the ass. Be value added.”“This is a journey, not a destination.”“A legend is nothing but a man or woman who spent their life surrounding themselves with people better than them.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

War stories are easy to tell. There's action, adventure, and good vs evil. For most Veterans their service isn't defined or explained by their war stories. For most Veterans the story that is far most difficult to write...and to live...is the story they have to write themselves.In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Steven Grayhm, writer and director of Sheepdog, a film dedicated to telling the most difficult story of our Veterans. The story of what happens to us, our families, our friends, and those around us when the war stories fade, reality sets in, and the hard work must actually begin. Steven explains his 14 year journey to make Sheepdog, the thousands of hours he spent with Veterans of all walks of life, his embedment at VA hospitals across the country, and the reality of independent filmmaking; a blue collar process rooted in grit before the red carpet, where every dollar is raised face to face and every decision carries weight. The film confronts veteran suicide honestly while reinforcing a simple truth. Ending your life does not end the pain. It ends the possibility of it ever getting better.What drove Sheepdog was not an interest in war, but a responsibility to understand what happens after it. Steven and his team studied the realities of trauma, addiction, brain injury, generational differences between Vietnam and post 9/11 service members, and the long shadow that war can cast over identity and purpose. They went where the conversations were uncomfortable, where the answers were not clean, and where trust had to be earned. The result is a film that focuses not on combat, but on the war within. Veterans are not victims. Sheepdog recognizes that service members volunteered, took risk, and earned something that does not disappear when the uniform comes off. A Veteran's perspective matters. Trauma exists, but it does not eliminate the responsibility of Veterans to continue their personal and professional growth post service. Sheepdog is a story about redefining purpose, about post traumatic growth, and about the courage required to take the first step forward when the path is unclear. It reflects the reality that transition is not a checklist, that no two experiences are the same, and that finding the right sense of mission after service is critical.Highlights0:00 Introduction3:42 Why make Sheepdog?12:40 Addressing generational differences16:38 The idea of perspective21:34 Losing morality29:52 Veteran Suicide37:43 VA resources1:03:40 Was it all for nothing?1:08:34 Hope for SheepdogQuotes“The hardest thing I ever have done wasn't to become a Green Beret, it was to not be a Green Beret.”“They train you so well to do that job that you never really understand what the result of that job actually looks like.”“Whatever happens on the other side of this, I'm going to leave it there.” “One of the most challenging things in this journey of Sheepdog was getting it right.”“The warrior doesn't get to choose the war they go into.”“It haunted me in my nightmares for years that crack in the sheep pen wall.”“The guys that I learned to be more worried about were the guys that smiled through the pain.”“I get very nervous when people wax poetically about suicide because it comes in all different forms.”“All the resources in the world can exist, but it doesn't matter if you're not willing to use them.”“Veterans are not victims.”“In the film you would see, no one feels sorry for themselves.”“I think we have to do better as a veteran to remove the victim mindset.”“If we could save a single life with this film, that would be the greatest Hollywood success story."Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

The speed of innovation has long been the difference between military success and failure. Countries and militaries that rapidly develop, deploy and evolve technology thrive. Those who lag…flounder. America, NATO and the world order are being challenged…and innovated against…at a faster pace than ever before. From the Global SOF Symposium in Athens, Greece, I sat down with Ryan Benitez of NATO DIANA to talk about how innovation, technology, and rapid capability development are shaping the future of defense across the Alliance.As the DIANA's Chief Commercial Officer, Ryan explains her work inside one of NATO's most forward-leaning organizations. DIANA, the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, connects startups, researchers, and industry leaders to solve some of the most urgent challenges facing allied militaries. From emerging technologies to dual-use solutions, DIANA is helping NATO move faster, stay adaptable, and maintain an edge in an increasingly competitive global environment.Ryan also shared how her experience in the Navy and Venture Capital informs her approach to modern innovation, why collaboration between nations and private industry is more critical than ever, and how DIANA is empowering new ideas that can redefine readiness, resilience, and operational effectiveness to not only keep pace, but move faster than our enemies.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:37 Welcome to GSOF Europe3:06 Defining NATO DIANA5:25 Companies Supporting NATO9:23 Filling Technological Gaps11:15 Time to Technology13:44 NATO's Leading Innovators14:57 Compelling Countries To Invest16:49 Is NATO behind Adversaries?20:21 Defining Readiness22:17 The Next Battlefield24:40 NATO DIANA FutureQuotes: “We needed to access the emerging technologies that innovators were putting together.”“Does this technology align with a critical capability need that an operator and user has brought to the table?”“Team is everything.”“Interoperability has different scales.”“The flavor of the month is Counter-UAS.”“The Special Operations community has always been early adapters of streamlined acquisition and innovation.”“We've seen the Netherlands do a lot.”“We're keeping a pulse on the market and the demand signal.”“How can we help you with your innovation base?”“We're seeing a lot of lessons learned in Ukraine. The innovation cycle there is weeks.”“The word defense used to not be top of mind. It is now.”“We need to make sure we're acting as a bridge to the emerging technology market.”“Cost is going to become an issue.”“War isn't front and center every day like it is in Europe.”“You're going to start seeing our ability to really rapidly spin up.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Communication is the backbone of every military operation. How well our forces talk to each other across air, land, sea and space is what sets the American military apart from everyone else. Without communication leaders can't lead, and militaries can't win. From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Dr. Lisa Costa, a leading technologist, former Chief Information Officer for U.S. Special Operations Command, and the first Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for the U.S. Space Force, to discuss how innovation, cyber, and modernization are reshaping Special Operations across all domains.Dr. Costa brings decades of experience at the crossroads of defense, technology, and strategic innovation. From running one of the Department of Defense's largest IT enterprises supporting elite global SOF operations to spearheading digital transformation efforts in the Space Force, she has helped architect the future of how our forces fight, communicate, and adapt.She addressed the evolving threat landscape, including cyber attacks, space domain challenges and why staying ahead through technology, data, and innovation is no longer optional. She emphasized the importance of agility, integration, and forward-thinking capability as the bedrock of a modern force ready for tomorrow's missions.This discussion is about building advantage through technology, strengthening alliances across domains, and protecting America by ensuring the force evolves with the threat.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:36 Welcome to GSOF Europe3:15 USSOCOM CIO & Space Force's CTIO6:02 Communications Evolution8:51 DoD Civilian Workforce13:43 Special Operations LSCO16:41 SOF Space Cyber Triad19:24 The Space Battlefield22:17 Lunar South Pole24:35 War Today26:18 Combatting misinformation28:38 Defining AI30:22 Human in the loop31:33 Guardrailing AI Weaponization34:06 Advancing Time to Technology35:48 Citizen Based37:06 Ground Level Innovation40:46 Buying Commercial Resources45:10 The Next BattlefieldQuotes“I might be the only person wearing both a SOCOM and Space Force pin.” “Communications is absolutely critical.” “It has gone from big bulky equipment to a binary signal.” “Civilians are part of the force.” “I look at SOF as the tool and capability to prevent us going to war.”“The best battle space is the one we never have to put a boot into.” “There is not even a position, navigation, and timing capability on the lunar surface.” “Is it the person who discovered it or the person who gets there first?”“We're fighting for data.”“It's not there because we're using AI.”“I do not define AI as just Large Language Models.”“There are going to be mission specific incidents where AI is going to have to be trusted to make that decision.”“Don't sign up for Chinese AI.”“Operation Spiderweb was one pilot to every drone. That is not scalable.”“It's going to have to take everyone.”“It comes down to the operational planners that are doing that risk assessment.”“I believe that we will rely greatly on commercial assets.”“There are areas of space that we have not taken advantage of.”“I hope that the future of the battle space is much more cognitive.”“I always put the operator in charge of a project, not a PhD.”“Always prepare for the next unknown mission.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Who's more important? The operators on the ground or the aviators in the sky? It's hard to seize the objective without boots on the ground; but if you can't get to the objective in the first place, there's no mission at all.The reality is that operators need aviators and aviators need operators. Green Berets and the pilots of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment share bonds that transcend their MOS and their mobility platform. Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, I sat down with Chairman of the Green Beret Foundation retired Lieutenant General Ken Tovo and Chief Warrant Officer Sean McCormick to talk about what it takes to build true interoperability between air and ground units, and why there is no such term as “more important.”Chief McCormick served as a lead pilot in the 160th SOAR after a career in 75th Ranger Regiment; he also served as General Tovo's pilot while the General was the USASOC Commander. Their partnership and friendship provides a rare perspective on the leadership, trust, and relentless commitment that define Special Operations. Together, they shared how those experiences shaped their understanding of teamwork, mission focus, and the ability to take on any challenge. They also share an unknown secret about GBF's upcoming POW/MIA recovery missions with Project Recover.The Stars and Stripes Classic is more than a lacrosse game. It's a moment to honor the warriors who always step forward, the families who support them, and the community that preserves their legacy through the Green Beret and Navy SEAL Foundations. Special thanks to the Premier Lacrosse League for hosting another thrilling game. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:25 Service in the 160th SOAR4:57 Defining Interoperability6:15 Planning and Customer Centric in the 160th10:54 Building a SOF team14:08 Defining De Opresso Liber16:00 Honoring MACV-SOG18:30 Partnering with Project RecoverQuotes“It was a great honor, great experience, and a lot of good stories about that.”“Sometimes the most difficult and important part of a mission is actually just getting there.”“You are the RCO's representative when you're the LNO.”“We're going to plan and rehearse as much as we possibly can before that mission takes place.”“You can't be an expert if you do more than one thing.”“They're problem solvers who figure out “What do I need to do to do what I signed up to accomplish.”“No matter what happens, you're going to accomplish the mission.”“99% of the time, we're working through a partner force to accomplish whatever our mission is.” “Even in our own community, a lot of what MACV-SOG did is really not even part of the history because it's been classified until recently.” “58 Green Berets still are yet to be found in Vietnam from that era.” Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Lacrosse is a sport built on passion, precision, and community. It's also a sport that defines service. Live from the Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Mike Rabil, co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League, to highlight the PLL's partnership with the Green Beret Foundation and explore how the sport of lacrosse is intertwined with American Special Operators. A remarkable number of America's Special Operators come from a lacrosse background. The sport builds toughness, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. The same qualities that define an elite operator and a key reason why so many lacrosse players serve in the military.Mike shares his vision for building the PLL into the world's only professional lacrosse organization. Now in its seventh season, the PLL is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever, supported by partners who believe in the mission and the athletes who make it possible.Together, the PLL and the Green Beret Foundation are proving that sport can be a force for impact. This partnership honors the athletes, the warriors, and the families who give so much, and it strengthens the connection between two communities built on grit, excellence, and service.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:21 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic2:50 PLL Progression4:51 College to Pro8:32 Leading up to the Second S&S Game11:14 Lacrosse Discipline in Special OpsQuotes“50% of our games have been decided by just one goal this year.”“Now the pressure's on us to make it worthwhile.”“These are the best lacrosse players in the world but some of the best athletes.”“To incorporate endurance, strength, physicality, and the hand eye, those are things as a tier one operator you need.”“Practice is the payoff for the eventual game.”“The community is actually bigger than we think, the game means something to people and it's actually been misbranded.”“They're people of character.”“I think athletics in general will teach you a certain level of discipline, resiliency, and adaptability that become critical to your ability to succeed.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Romania is one of America's key allies in the fight for Eastern Europe. Romanian Special Forces are critical to the success of that mission; and the partnership between United States Special Operations and our Romanian counterparts sits at the center of that strategy.From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Claudiu Dobocan, Commander of the Romanian Special Operations Forces, to discuss how Romanian Special Operations are combatting Russian aggression and holding the line in Europe.General Dobocan shared his perspective on strengthening SOF partnerships, advancing interoperability, and building modern capabilities that allow allied forces to operate seamlessly together. He spoke about Romania's place within NATO, the importance of trust and shared mission across borders, and the need for Special Operations units to remain agile and prepared for the full spectrum of emerging threats.From combating hybrid threats to maintaining readiness alongside allied SOF elements, General Dobocan emphasized that success today depends on relationships, shared understanding, and the willingness to stand together in the face of uncertainty.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:26 Welcome to GSOF Europe 20253:21 Mission of Romanian Special Operations Forces8:45 Evolution of technology in SOF10:45 Eliminating Human-in-the-Loop?13:35 Changes in military tactics16:57 Romanian Special Forces Mission18:44 Why Join the Romanian Army?20:06 NATO Alliance Importance25:24 Leading against a Global ThreatQuotes“We were created by cooperation between Romanian Ministry of Defense and US SOCEUR.” “Interoperability, no one really talks about what that really means.” “Words carrying value carry meaning.”“Industry defines the speed of technological development.”“The strategic game changer is generative AI.”“I'm scared of the moment when everything is passed to AI.”“I don't think swarming is going to be the next way of doing battle.”“Our mission is to be a strategic level instrument that helps with reaction to crisis and building partnerships and capabilities in the region.”“10th Group and 20th Group came around and showed us what right looks like so I signed up.”“It's a tool that kind of prevents conflict.”“NATO is the umbrella under which we share a lot of things that otherwise we cannot discuss about.”“When you talk about the good work NATO has done, you have to talk about the standards.”“We have to be deterrent on our part, but capable to move from military assistance type of missions into a very kinetic one.”Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Send us a textWelcome to Country Proud Living, where nurturing spaces empower your life and every day feels a little more like home. In this cozy mid-December episode, LoriLynn shares designer-approved, stress-free holiday styling ideas to help your home feel magical, comforting, and beautifully pulled together—without adding more to your already full plate.From enhancing what you already have to creating visual harmony with a simple color edit, soft lighting, and intentional textures, these tips are designed for real life. You'll learn how to elevate everyday spaces—your entryway, kitchen, and living areas—so your home feels warm, welcoming, and deeply personal. This is holiday style rooted in simplicity, intention, and comfort, not perfection.Whether you're decorating for Christmas or adapting these ideas for any season, this episode will help your home feel like a calm, joyful hug for everyone who walks through the door. ✨Keywords: effortless holiday decor, stress-free Christmas decorating, cozy winter home ideas, simple holiday styling, Scandinavian Christmas style, intentional home design, cozy lighting tips, farmhouse holiday decor, holiday home edit⏱  Timeline & Highlights0:11 – Welcome & Winter Design Studio Vibes Snowy views, cedar garland, and setting the tone for calm holiday living.3:10 – Designer Secret #1: Enhance, Don't Add Why mid-December calls for simplicity and elevating what's already there.6:10 – Designer Secret #2: The Mini Color Edit Create instant cohesion by repeating one key color throughout your home.9:00 – Designer Secret #3: Soften with Light & Texture Warm bulbs, candles on timers, fairy lights, and cozy layers that matter.12:40 – Designer Secret #4: Elevate the Essentials Focus on daily touch points—entry, kitchen, living areas—for maximum imWelcome to the Country Proud Living Podcast, I'm your host LoriLynn. Thanks for stopping by today! Please subscribe to the podcast by clicking plus follow at the upper right. Click those three little dots at the top right & copy the link to share the show with your friends and family. Please leave me a review. This is truly one of the only ways to help my podcast grow. I just want you to know what it means to me that you're here today. I know everyone's time is valuable and it means a lot. Thank you. Love and light, Lori Lynn.Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and subscribe to never miss an episode! If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about, you want to work with me, or you have feedback both good and bad is welcome it can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.comSHARING ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME: : )IG: www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudlivingPODCAST:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014?i=1000645120377OR for Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found most anywhere you choose to listen:https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2247458.rssLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonloriMY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR

America is not the only nation in a fight for freedom, stability, and security. International threats are complex, the missions are critical, and the operators leading them must think globally while acting locally.The Philippines is one of America's longest strategic allies. From their geographical importance of World War II, to their front lines combating Chinese expansion in the Pacific, the military partnership between the United States and the Philippines is an important part of global stability. At the heart of this collaboration, is the Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A force that has been shaped by decades of counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and close partnership with America's Green Berets and Special Operations Forces.From the Global Special Operations Foundation Symposium in Athens, Greece, I sat down with the Commander of Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor, to discuss the evolution of Special Operations in the Philippines, the lessons learned from years of conflict, and the country's expanding role in regional and international security cooperation.General Villaflor shared his perspective on leading through complexity, building true interoperability with partners like the United States, and preparing the next generation of Filipino Special Operators to face an ever-changing threat environment.This episode is about partnership, professionalism, and the shared mission that connects Special Operations Forces around the world to defend freedom wherever it's challenged.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:45 Welcome to GSOF Europe 20253:30 Mission of Philippines Joint Special Operations Command5:28 JSOC Commander Challenges8:21 Large Scale Combat Operations in the Philippines11:48 Building relationships in SOF15:54 Philippine Armed Forces Culture18:22 Interoperability in the Philippines19:33 Philippines' biggest threat23:31 Future of JSOC PhilippinesQuotes“We're a family.”“The Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines was formally activated just last May.”“I am the force employer.”“The challenges will outweigh the positive impact of having JSOC.”“The engagement with the U.S. counterpart has been more aggressive than before.” “Our core mission is to work with other nations to achieve the combined goals of our nations.”“I'm very glad I was given the opportunity to train with foreign counterparts, especially the U.S.”“SOF are not only building trust, we are building family. We are family and we take care of each other.”“People mostly join the Armed Forces because of low economic status.”“I want to avail of the free education.”“We are always leader centered.”“We are now inculcating in our culture the word interoperability.”"Aggressive, illegal, dangerous, and coercive action of China is very visible in our country.”“It's still all about the mindset, attitude, and discipline.” Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Send us a textWhat happens when AI becomes powerful enough to diagnose—not just one disease, but entire fields of medicine at once? In this episode of DigiPath Digest #33, I break down four new PubMed abstracts shaping the future of digital pathology, clinical AI integration, federated learning, and multidisciplinary cancer care. Across every study, one message is clear: AI is accelerating, but human oversight defines its safe adoption.Below are the full timestamps, key insights, and referenced research to help you explore each topic more deeply.TIMESTAMPS & HIGHLIGHTS0:00 — Welcome & Opening Question How far can AI safely scale across medicine—and where must humans stay in control?4:10 — AI in Forensic Medicine: Accuracy Meets Ethical LimitsBased on a systematic review, we discuss:AI advances in personal identification, pathology, toxicology, radiology, anthropology.Benefits: reduced diagnostic error, faster case resolution.Challenges: data diversity gaps, limited validation, lack of ethical frameworks. 

Send us a textWelcome to Country Proud Living, where nurturing spaces empower your life and every day feels a little more like home. In this cozy, snow-day episode, LoriLynn shares how to spot the gratitude already living in your rooms—and how a few small rituals can turn your house into a warm reflection of what (and who) you cherish most. From worn-in chairs and kitchen islands to have a chat or gallery walls and porch pots, you'll learn simple, soulful ways to design for thankfulness—no renovation required. Try a Thankful Board, create a gratitude corner, add guest-ready touches, frame memories, and decorate with seasonal naturals that ground your home in the present moment. Your space becomes a hug… and a blessing.

In this episode, we're jumping into the Amazon world just like Mario jumps into a new level.I take you out to the limestone cliffs of Austin, where deep-water bouldering meets deep-data Amazon strategy. And while hanging off a rock face (because why not), I break down the real secret of how products rise through the ranks on Amazon: the Sales Ladder.You'll hear how to spot your position in the “level map,” how to analyze the players above you, and how to power-up your listing using reverse ASIN lookups, keyword strike zones, and smarter PPC. It's basically the difference between Mario without a mushroom… and Mario after the mushroom.If you're stuck at Rank 8 and dreaming of Rank 4 — this is your episode.And hey — if you want to climb that ladder even faster, you've got an exclusive 25% off Ad Badger software until December 5. A perfect power-up for your Amazon journey.

Few leaders have shaped the identity of America's Special Forces more than President John F. Kennedy. In just three years as Commander in Chief, JFK redefined how the United States would fight, lead, and prepare for an uncertain world, one that demanded unconventional solutions and elite warriors ready to face any challenge.As the Cold War escalated, President Kennedy saw the need for a new kind of Soldier, one trained to think, adapt, and win in conflicts fought not only on the battlefield, but through influence, innovation, and resilience. His vision for military modernization gave birth to the era of Unconventional Warfare and cemented the role of the Green Berets in America's national defense strategy.From his visit to Fort Bragg and the historic meeting with Brigadier General William Yarborough, to the moment he publicly endorsed the Green Beret as “a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, and a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom,” JFK's leadership transformed Special Forces from a small experimental group into a cornerstone of American military power.Today, that legacy continues, honored each year at the JFK Wreath Laying Ceremony, carried forward by generations of Green Berets who live by the same principles of courage, creativity, and service that JFK saw as vital to the nation's defense.From the USASOC History Office, Fran Racioppi sat down with two of the historians who've preserved and advanced this legacy; Dr. Troy Sacquety and Dr. Jared Tracy. Their work ensures JFK's vision is never forgotten. We explored the strategic thinking behind Kennedy's military modernization, the significance of the Green Beret endorsement, and why, decades later, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School still bears his name. We also discussed the legacy-building moment of JFK's recent induction as Distinguished Member of the Regiment and the enduring symbolism of the annual wreath laying at Arlington.This episode is about vision, legacy, and the enduring bond between a President and the warriors he inspired - the Green Berets.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:58 Welcome to the USASOC Historians Office2:57 JFK and Green Berets5:34 USASOC Historian role & importance10:57 JFK's vision18:11 USASOC capability in the 1960's21:05 JFK's impact28:24 DMOR induction33:54 A world with JFK?QUOTES“What really struck us was how great of a speech giver he was.” “The most important thing we could do is preserve the history of our organization.” “On any given day, I could be working on something that comes from 1774 to yesterday.” “Kennedy viewed the Army Special Forces as the natural fit to be able to fill that role.” “He's very deliberate in wanting to make Special Forces a part of his program.” “Can we do this as a nation every time there's a need to contain the spread of communism?” “During the Kennedy administration, the term Special Warfare was not very well defined at all.” “Without the Korean War, you don't have the ability to do Special Operations in Vietnam.”“It's part of the identity of Special Forces.” “Everyone assumes it was done. When we did the research and looked at it, we realized it hadn't been.” “It serves as a reminder for soldiers that are in the Regiment today.” “What would history be like if Kennedy hadn't been killed?”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast is an official program of the Green Beret Foundation.

In today's Cloud Wars Minute, I discuss Workday's acquisition of the enterprise knowledge and learning platform provider Sana, and what it means for customers.Highlights0:05 — Now,the understanding of the capabilities of LLMs has seeped from discussions among in-the-know business leaders into the general public. Personally, I don't know anyone who hasn't tried ChatGPT at least once. However, when it comes to leveraging LLMs and their associated technologies in a business context, it all comes down to the data that you can provide.0:34 — Essentially, it's about making internal knowledge useful. This combination of business data and LLMs is the golden ticket for companies that want to thrive in the AI Revolution. There are some standout examples of companies making that possible. One such company is Sana. Now, Workday has announced that it has completed its acquisition of Sana.01:17 — Gerrit Kazmaier, President Product & Technology at Workday, explained: "By bringing Sana's leading enterprise knowledge and learning to Workday, we're creating a single intelligent interface...We're unlocking a new era of productivity, focus and flow across our customers, organizations with a complete AI solution for the next generation enterprise."01:46 — Kazmaier is describing the combination of Sana's enterprise knowledge tools and Workday's unified cloud platform and formidable partner ecosystem. The vision is to create what Workday calls a "horizontal intelligence layer" across the enterprise. Within this layer, users will have access to deeply personalized experiences.02:34 — Now, as I've discussed many times before, cutting through the noise to identify the specific features, capabilities, data, sources and outcomes that a user needs is essential for thriving in this increasingly competitive, AI-enabled business environment. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Welcome to Erci Podcast (എർച്ചി Podcast)! Join us for engaging discussions, insightful conversations, and thought-provoking content that spans a wide range of topics. Our podcast is a platform for exploring diverse perspectives, sharing stories, and fostering meaningful dialogue. Stay tuned for exciting episodes that bridge cultures, languages, and ideas, all presented in a blend of Malayalam and English. Subscribe, like, and share to be a part of our growing community. Thank you for choosing Erci Podcast as your source for inspiration and enlightenment.0:00 Highlights0:55 Inspiration for writing his book 10:00 Revolutions before 192113:55 Tippu Sultan Influence17:00 Chemban Pokker lost in history20:40 Truth behind the 1921 revolt41:00 Why muslim scholars joined the Khilafat movement?1:05:25 - Mappilas sent to Andaman Islands1:18:15 Wagon Tragedy1:22:30 After effects of 1921 Rebbelion1:29:20 Was the Malabar rebellion history preserved ?Join us for another insightful episode where we delve into diverse topics, bridging cultures and ideas. Don't forget to subscribe, like, and share to be part of our vibrant community!

In today's Cloud Wars Minute, I delve into OpenAI's $38 billion partnership with AWS, giving Amazon a major role in powering and scaling OpenAI's AI workloads.Highlights0:03 — OpenAI and AWS have announced a multi‑year strategic partnership valued at $38 billion for AWS. This deal will enable AWS to provide the infrastructure necessary to support the operation and scaling of OpenAI's AI workloads. OpenAI is currently utilising computing resources through AWS, which include hundreds of thousands of NVIDIA GPUs and the capability to scale up to tens of millions of CPUs.01:02 — The infrastructure rollout for OpenAI includes architecture optimised for maximum AI processing efficiency and performance, with clusters designed to support a variety of workloads such as inference for ChatGPT and model training. This latest deal is yet another staggering example of the demand for AI services — a demand that companies like OpenAI must invest billions in to keep up with the pace.01:55 — OpenAI recently signed several significant deals with technology partners, including a remarkable $300 billion agreement with Oracle. While that figure might seem outrageous, it puts the $38 billion into a more relatable context. One thing is clear: wherever you stand in the AI revolution, whatever your role is — just make sure that you have one, because this unprecedented growth is touching every corner of the business world. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Send us a textWelcome to Country Proud Living, where nurturing spaces empower your life and every day feels a little more like home. In this inspiring episode, certified interior designer and creative soul LoriLynn shares how creating a vision board can help you design a life—and a home—you truly love.You'll hear her personal story of how vision boarding helped her rebuild her life and career after the pandemic, and why this powerful practice blends mindset, design, and daily intention. Learn the simple steps to craft your own board, connect it to your home environment, and use it as a visual compass for the dreams that light you up.Whether you're craving clarity, courage, or a creative reset, this episode will inspire you to dream again—with purpose.

Send us a textWelcome to Country Proud Living, where nurturing spaces empower your life and every day feels a little more like home. In this episode, Lori Lynn shares why fall—not January—is the best time to set your goals for 2026.Instead of starting the new year rushed and overwhelmed, you'll learn how to use this season to reflect on your year, release what's draining you, and design heart-centered goals that actually fit the life you want to live. Lori invites you to look at where you've been stuck, where you've grown, and what you're truly craving more of—whether that's more peace at home, more freedom in your work, or more joy in your everyday rhythms.You'll walk away with simple, soulful steps: reflect with gratitude, spot your energy leaks, envision your next chapter, and set a few clear seasonal intentions so you can enjoy the holidays fully and step into 2026 with clarity and calm.⏱ Timeline & Highlights0:11 – Welcome & Why Fall Is the “Real” New Year Lori shares how goal setting in autumn creates more peace and space for the holidays.3:10 – Reflecting on 2025 with Honesty & Gratitude Looking at what worked, what didn't, and how you've grown this year.6:30 – Spotting Your Energy Leaks Identifying people, tasks, and commitments that drain you so you can realign for 2026.9:15 – Envisioning Your Next Chapter Imagining your ideal 2026 day—how you want to feel, live, and show up.12:30 – Seasonal Intentions & Slow Progress Choosing a few simple intentions and remembering that how you spend your days is how you spend your life.15:30 – Encouragement & Next Steps A gentle reminder that you don't have to wait for January—you can begin becoming who you're meant to be today.Welcome to the Country Proud Living Podcast, I'm your host LoriLynn. Thanks for stopping by today! Please subscribe to the podcast by clicking plus follow at the upper right. Click those three little dots at the top right & copy the link to share the show with your friends and family. Please leave me a review. This is truly one of the only ways to help my podcast grow. I just want you to know what it means to me that you're here today. I know everyone's time is valuable and it means a lot. Thank you. Love and light, Lori Lynn.Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and subscribe to never miss an episode! If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about, you want to work with me, or you have feedback both good and bad is welcome it can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.comSHARING ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME: : )IG: www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudlivingPODCAST:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014?i=1000645120377OR for Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found most anywhere you choose to listen:https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2247458.rssLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonloriMY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR

There are few chapters in American military history as daring, secretive, and defining as MACV-SOG, the Military Assistance Command-Vietnam, Studies and Observations Group. A small band of elite Green Berets who operated deep behind enemy lines, often without acknowledgment, and always with extraordinary courage.These men were tasked with missions that had never been done before and might never be done again. Their work in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam forged the tactics, technology, and mindset that would become the DNA of modern Special Operations.But when they came home, many faced a different kind of battle. The Vietnam era brought with it a complex legacy, one of heroism and heartbreak, pride and pain. Some became business and political leaders; others struggled for decades to find peace. Yet through it all, the brotherhood forged in MACV-SOG never wavered.Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, we sat down with Doug Godshall and Jim Shorten, two veterans of MACV-SOG, to honor their service, preserve their stories, and remind today's Green Berets what courage, sacrifice, and innovation truly mean.This episode is about the origins of Special Forces as we know them today, the unbreakable bonds formed in war, and the duty we all share to ensure that the lessons of MACV-SOG live on in every generation of those who don the Green Beret.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic3:06 Defining MACV-SOG5:54 Who were the partner forces?7:20 MACV-SOG Losses11:27 Why Become A Green Beret?14:42 Life Post-Vietnam19:35 Leadership Lessons from MACV-SOG22:54 Honoring MACV-SOG VeteransQUOTES“We had no identification that we were United States soldiers.”“MACV-SOG had the highest casualty rate of any US Army unit since the Civil War.”“We were very dedicated to the Montangards.”“We wouldn't be alive but for our indigenous partners.”“Teams went out and didn't come back. They were overrun upon landing.”“The Vietnamese War was highlighted by a lot of enemy infiltration into our ranks.”“Our generation wasn't supportive.”“I'm one of those guys that likes to continue learning.”“You can never train up enough.”“You can be whatever you want to be if you put your mind to it.”“I think the modern GWOT soldier has a lot of history to look back on and they're going to be better soldiers."“If you really want to run the mission, get all the training you can possibly get.”“We're glad that you're honoring us, but you're honoring you and the rest of the Regiment as well.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

America maintains a promise to its citizens…we will never leave you behind. The realities of war and conflict challenge that foundational truth and today, regrettably, thousands of American service members remain missing in action; their stories untold, their families still waiting for answers. For most the reality that their loved one has passed has set in; but the promise to bring them home has never faded.Project Recover is dedicated to locating, identifying, and repatriating Americans missing in action. By combining historical research, advanced technology, and field expeditions across land and sea, they maintain America's promise to bring closure to families and honor the legacy of those who gave everything for those they will never meet.To expand the reach of this mission, Project Recover and the Green Beret Foundation have formed a groundbreaking partnership committed to finding Special Forces soldiers still missing in action, reuniting them with their families and ensuring that the sacrifices of America's Green Berets are never forgotten.Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Derek Abbey, PhD, President and CEO of Project Recover, and Charlie Iacono, President and CEO of the Green Beret Foundation, to announce this partnership and share how it's changing what remembrance and recovery mean for the Special Forces community.This episode is about honoring America's promise and supporting the families of our missing Green Berets, wherever their final resting place may lie.QUOTES“There's no expiration on that promise.”“58+ Green Berets MIA's in Vietnam and now less than 1,600 who are still missing, that's a pretty significant number.”“We're still working on cases related to World War II.”“This gets to the core essence of what Green Berets do.” “The work just doesn't end in Vietnam. I think this is just the starting point.” “We always work with a sense of urgency and acknowledge time is not our friend in any of these cases.”“Green Berets are such incredible communicators, particularly with the populations they have worked with.”“When somebody goes missing, they hold on to hope.”“The vast majority of the American public have really no understanding that people are missing.”HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:44 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic3:26 GBF x Project Recover6:45 MIA Recovery Process9:47 Partnership Timeline14:27 Bringing Closure to FamiliesThe Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

Send us a textWelcome to Country Proud Living, where nurturing spaces empower your life and every day feels a little more like home. In this episode, LoriLynn shares her designer secrets to transform your home into a cozy autumn retreat using color, texture, and intentional styling. These timeless designer secrets will help you transform your home into a peaceful autumn retreat—without clutter, overwhelm, or trendy décor that will be outdated by next season.You'll learn how to refresh your space with color, texture, intentional styling, and cozy layering to create a home that doesn't just look beautiful—but feels nurturing, restorative, and deeply connected to the rhythms of fall. Whether you live in the country or simply crave that slower, soul-filled lifestyle, this episode will help you turn your home into a sanctuary for this season and every season.⏰ Episode Timeline & Highlights0:11 – Welcome & First Frost Reflections A heartfelt look at seasonal transition and why autumn is the perfect time to refresh your home with intention—not excess.2:45 – Why the Autumn Home Edit Matters The emotional and spiritual power of creating a nurturing environment that supports your soul through the darker, quieter months.5:10 – Secret #1: Color & Texture Refresh How to choose a signature fall color palette and introduce cozy textures that instantly shift your home's mood without redecorating everything.9:50 – Secret #2 (Referenced): Layered Lighting A reminder to revisit Episode 80 for lighting secrets to set the perfect autumn ambiance.10:30 – Secret #3: Create a Daily Retreat Space The soul of the Autumn Edit—how one personal corner can anchor your peace, reduce stress, and renew your energy each day.14:25 – Styling Formula for Your Retreat Space Grounding + Mood + PWelcome to the Country Proud Living Podcast, I'm your host LoriLynn. Thanks for stopping by today! Please subscribe to the podcast by clicking plus follow at the upper right. Click those three little dots at the top right & copy the link to share the show with your friends and family. Please leave me a review. This is truly one of the only ways to help my podcast grow. I just want you to know what it means to me that you're here today. I know everyone's time is valuable and it means a lot. Thank you. Love and light, Lori Lynn.Please share this podcast with your like minded friends and family and subscribe to never miss an episode! If you have questions, ideas of topics you would like to learn more about, you want to work with me, or you have feedback both good and bad is welcome it can be sent to lorilynn@countryproudliving.comSHARING ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONNECT WITH ME: : )IG: www.instagram.com/lorilynn_countryproudlivingPODCAST:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/country-proud-living-nurturing-home-empowered-self/id1715855014?i=1000645120377OR for Spotify, iHeart, the pod can be found most anywhere you choose to listen:https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2247458.rssLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olafsonloriMY ART GALLERY: https://lorilynn-o-uter.pixels.com/PINTEREST: https://pin.it/3mX6xMNcR

Americans are valuable commodities. America's adversaries know it and too often, when given the opportunity, our enemies kidnap, arrest and hold hostage Americans in an effort to get what they want. The United States Government maintains robust diplomatic and military programs to bring Americans home; but the process is often slow and bureaucratic. Bryan Stern isn't waiting around for permission to act. He's the founder of Grey Bull Rescue, a nonprofit that specializes in pulling people out of the worst situations on Earth including conflict zones, collapsed governments, and failed evacuations where no one else is coming. Since its founding, Grey Bull has led over 700 missions in more than 70 countries, rescuing thousands of Americans and allies left behind.From SOF Week 2025 Fran Racioppi sat down with Bryan to talk about what it means to lead through chaos. They broke down the rescue of 117 Americans from Afghanistan in 2021, how Grey Bull makes life-and-death decisions with limited information, and why Bryan believes the phrase “No American Left Behind” isn't negotiable; for the government or its citizens.We also discussed the future of rescue operations. As global instability increases and our enemies get smarter, the need for fast, precise, off-grid capability is only going up. Grey Bull is filling a gap where the government can't move fast enough and showing what's possible when the mission comes first.This episode is about courage, clarity, and acting when no one else can. Because leadership under pressure means getting the job done, no matter how impossible it looks.Highlights0:00 Introduction1:57 Welcome to SOF Week 20253:58 The Mission of Grey Bull Rescue8:03 How do you choose who to rescue?11:48 Government Entities Relationships15:56 Founding Grey Bull Rescue25:03 Making Bad Deals32:45 Finding The Next Battlefield47:21 Overcoming Fears of Taking ActionQuotes“Our mission is to rescue Americans and allies from denied areas, war zones, and natural disasters wherever the government is not.”“I answer to two people and two people only: God and the families of the people we're trying to rescue.”"Bureaucracy doesn't bleed. People do.” “I deploy knowing that the first idea I have I know will fail.”“I'm not trying to be in the way. I'm trying to help.”“I live every day like it's September 12th.”“As an American, we move heaven and earth to get your back.”“We have never successfully negotiated with anyone.”“Right now, everyone should be deployed.”“We got the tools. We just have to think about the problems the right way.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business's most complex challenges today through the technology of tomorrow.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does the Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

The war for information, influence, and decision making is paramount on today's battlefield. Artificial intelligence is no longer a concept of the future; it's essential for America's national security and military dominance. From SOF Week in Tampa, Florida, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Green Beret and Co-founder of Accrete AI, Bill Wall, to talk about a fight most Americans never see.Bill is one of the leading voices redefining how we use AI and how our government is deploying it in the protection of America. Bill explains how Accrete's Argus platform is actively being used to identify foreign ownership and control in U.S. defense supply chains, and how more broadly AI is helping analysts detect narrative warfare and influence campaigns before they spread.He shared how dual-use technology is shifting the battlefield, why algorithmic warfare is already here, and how Accrete is giving government agencies the tools to scale human insight without losing control. They also talked about the dangers of siloed innovation, the gap between Silicon Valley and the Pentagon, and what leadership looks like when you're building tech that needs to work at speed and at scale.This episode is about changing how we think about war, technology, and leadership; and what it's going to take to stay ahead in the next fight.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to SOF Week3:45 Artificial Intelligence Defined6:53 AI in War Fighting9:07 Machine Learning10:51 Drawing the Line with AI14:48 Defining the Next Battlefield18:27 Combatting False Narratives & Misinformation22:03 Public Private Partnerships24:29 Accrete in the Corporate World29:11 Regulating AI31:05 Why Army32:55 Innovation changing SOF37:20 Transition from SOF51:50 Accrete AI's futureQuotes“Artificial intelligence is just using computers and data to think and reason the same way a human would, but just at a much larger scale and speed.” “Anywhere there's a decisional situation and they're overwhelmed by the amount of information they have to sort through, artificial intelligence should be there.”“Machine learning allows an algorithm or a program to continually absorb new data and learn from that data.” “Artificial intelligence empowers a human.”“We're not engaging in the narrative battle. We don't even know what's being said.”“We don't necessarily need the National Intelligence Community to tell us where our enemies are, they're broadcasting it.”“Is artificial intelligence a general category of something that should have a governmental review on it or not?”“If you want to know where the next salifist, jihadist, preacher who's going to lead an uprising in North Africa is, he's on Youtube.”“In our community, there's this ethos of being prepared for change and being able to take advantage of change as it happens.”“You are what you do. That's how you identify your self worth and who you are.”“Something that guys have to think about is what their personal risk profile is.”“If you're a checklist driven person that needs to be told what to do to understand your job, then entrepreneurialism is not for you.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business's most complex challenges today through the technology of tomorrow.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the second largest government agency. The Secretary of the VA has an operational responsibility to support our Veterans and a moral obligation to ensure that those who defend and protect American interests are returned from service as contributing members of society. To explore what it takes to transform one of America's biggest bureaucracies, Fran Racioppi sat down with the Secretary of the VA, Doug Collins. As a former US and Georgia Congressman, and a Chaplain having served in both the Air Force and Navy, Secretary Collins knows what a Veteran needs and how to navigate Washington to get it done. The Secretary and Fran broke down the pillars of VA support: including the VA Health Care System, the Disability and Pension process, education support programs like the GI Bill and Vocational Rehab, the importance of Veteran-Owned Businesses, and the no down payment VA mortgages. Most importantly the Secretary shared his vision to stop Veteran suicide and why despite spending billions to reduce it over the years, we must forge a path that actually works. Fran has personally leveraged almost every single pillar of support the VA has to offer. And although it hasn't always been perfect, Secretary Collins explains why the VA leads industry in many domains and how under his leadership the VA will be held to a defined standard of excellence. This episode is about bridging the gap between military service and civilian life, the responsibility the VA has in supporting our nation's most important asset, and why Veterans are critical to American strength. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:48 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast7:06 Leading the VA11:09 VA Healthcare15:12 Reducing wait times18:20 Partnering with institutions20:20 Addressing Veteran suicide29:45 Disability Benefit Claims Process39:17 Education Benefits43:10 VA Home Loans43:57 VA Reduction in size49:41 Is Veteran Capitalized?Quotes“Everybody's going to have a problem. I'm committed to fixing those problems.” “We're the largest physical department in the government.”“Defense and VA are fraternal twins.”“60% of every time the phone rings at a Congressman's office it's about a VA issue.”“The VA's not gonna be a whipping post for anybody anymore.”“There's some things that the VA does better than private healthcare.”“No other hospital system in the world judges wait time. They judge on quality and how they get it.”“We're the largest trainer of doctors in the country.”“The shorter the service time, the higher the risk for suicide.”“Are we getting them out of the DoD system in a way that we can help them?” “I don't want a day to go by that a Veteran that needs help doesn't feel like they have it.”“If you've just transitioned out, DON'T QUIT.”“The standard is we're going to be excellent.”“I learn every day here and if you quit learning, you're really in trouble.”“If you've been to one VA, you've been to them all. That's the biggest lie that's ever been out there.”“Is the word Veteran capitalized?”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does the Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Standards set the foundation for any professional organization. The baseline for professionalism in the US Army is Army Regulation 670-1; Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. This regulation dictates the standard for every Soldier, regardless of rank or position. AR 670-1 has long been a hot topic of discussion among Soldiers and leaders at every level; and too often left open to interpretation. Until now…At the direction of senior Army leadership, Army Directive 670-1 has been released to clarify these standards and provide shared understanding between Soldiers and leaders to know what ‘right' looks like.To explain the changes and how they will affect every member of the Army, Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer, SGM Laurin Nabors and SGM Alex Kupratty. The SMA shares the “why” behind personal grooming standards and the importance of doing the little things that develop a culture of commitment from compliance. SGM Kupratty breaks down the definition of professional soldier from the experienced warriors of 75th Ranger Regiment to the new Privates of 4th Infantry Division. SGM Nabors provides the details on what's changing, when and how the new standards are expected to be enforced. She also shares her journey from an Army Reserve heavy equipment operator to the halls of the Pentagon. This episode is about redefining what it means to serve in the greatest fighting force the world has ever seen and why development of a war fighting culture starts with how a Soldier presents themself each and every day.Highlights0:00 Welcome to the Jedburgh Podcast3:26 Army Directive vs Regulation in 670-15:30 Why Now8:49 Closing Gaps12:55 Changes to 670-121:08 Why Standards Matter28:25 Analyzing Data29:42 Beards34:30 Preparing soldiers38:10 Active Guard Reserve44:30 Joining the Ranger Battalion49:42 The Grace Period50:33 Daily HabitsQuotes“Part of the problem is our process is too slow.”“The first thing I had to figure out is are they educated?”“Do they understand the standards as they are written?”“Once you are emplaced in a leadership position, that's where the commitment piece has to be rock solid.”"If you can't do the simple things I'm asking you to do, how are you going to do the hard things in combat?”“We had to come in and really define “What is military appearance?”“It's a direct reflection of your willingness to be compliant to a standard in your leaders.”“The why reinforces one uniformity.”“We're part of something bigger than all of us."“Really understanding the generational differences that exist is arguably the most challenging thing that I found as a senior leader in the Army.”“I don't think anybody knows what large scale combat will look like.”“The camaraderie that exists in that formation is unlike anything I've seen before.”“Leadership's not about 'What did I do here today?' It's 'What did I do for everyone else here to be successful?'"“You're only as good as the time you put in.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

In today's Cloud Wars Minute, I explore how explosive AI demand is driving massive infrastructure deals like the one between Google Cloud and Meta.Highlights0:03 — Google Cloud has entered into a six-year agreement with Meta that's reportedly worth over $10 billion. The deal encompasses a variety of services, including use of Google Cloud servers, storage, and networking facilities. This is a significant deal in terms of the relationship between Meta and Google, both of which are continuously battling for dominance in the ad spend space.00:52 — As the demand for cloud capacity surges, such deals are not just important, but crucial, given the fierce competition among top cloud infrastructure providers. And my colleague Bob Evans recently reported on the explosive demand for AI services — and how this demand has led to four companies spending a combined billion dollars a day on capital expenditure in Q2.01:29 — Currently, Google Cloud holds the second position in the Cloud Wars Top 10. However, more deals like this — especially those that mean potential losses for Microsoft — could soon elevate Google Cloud to the top spot. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Supporting the Special Forces Regiment isn't just a job, it's a lifestyle. For over 15 years Green Beret Foundation has placed empowering Green Berets of every generation at the forefront. Creating opportunities from the unique needs of our Special Operators is the mission. Charlie Iacono is the President and CEO of Green Beret Foundation; a role to which he brought seemingly endless new opportunities for our Green Berets. From SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, FL, Fran Racioppi sat down with Charlie to discuss his priorities for the year, how the organization has grown over 44% and what it means to lead in the tasks you excel at. At the top of Charlie's list is preparing for victory in this year's 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic; the newest Labor Day tradition pitting America's Green Berets against their Navy SEAL rivals on the lacrosse field. Hosted by the PLL, this year's game is set to be even more physical, faster and sharper as the teams take the field in Philadelphia. Charlie and Fran also discussed how Task Force Tatonka is balancing mental, physical and spiritual health, why inducting President John F. Kennedy was a pivotal moment in Special Forces history, the growth of the Warrior Sportsmen program and new partnerships that are lighting the course for the remainder of the year.This episode is about giving back, creating opportunities for Green Berets to thrive, and laying a good stick on your rivals. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to SOF Week5:38 The 2nd Annual Stars & Stripes Classic12:08 Inducting JFK into the Special Forces Regiment16:55 Task Force Tatanka25:51 Warriors Sportsmen Program32:57 New GBF partners36:48 Looking forwardQuotes“We really live that first SOF truth, people are more important than hardware.”“In year two, the interest level of playing is through the roof.”“We are looking to help the Special Forces Regiment and the NSW Community to recruit the best athletes.” “If we can win one recruit at a time, we'll be totally fine.”“Everything in that evening that we experienced had a connection to the 35th President of the United States of America.”“If you run from the issues, they'll eventually catch up with you.”“I look at needs as well as opportunities.”“My goal for this foundation is to be the preeminent leader in the things we can do exceptionally well.”“A big problem that we have is we just don't get outside enough.”“It's the camaraderie that's built in those quiet moments.”“We need the support of the American people and industry to ensure that our mission can continuously be fueled.”“We really have to get ready for that next conflict.”“We don't want anybody to buckle under pressure.”“The American people's resolve to win has always been there since day one.”Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business's most complex challenges today through the technology of tomorrow.The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

For over three decades, retired Colonel Stu Bradin served on the front lines of some of America's most critical Special Operations missions from Central America and the Balkans to Northern Africa and Afghanistan. He led Special Forces teams under fire, built NATO's Special Operations Headquarters from the ground up, and ran multi-national, interagency fusion cells in the heart of combat zones.But in 2014, Stu Bradin saw a different kind of threat emerging: disconnected allies, stovepiped intelligence, and fragmented Special Operations communities. He knew the next fight against cyberattacks, transnational crime, and terrorist networks would require something we didn't yet have: a global SOF network. That's why he created the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation (GSOF); the first nonprofit dedicated to uniting Special Operations military, government, and commercial partners across the world.Fran Racioppi sat down with Stu during this year's SOF Week to talk about why he founded GSOF, what it takes to bring together over 60 nations and 85 industry partners, and how his experiences building NATO SOF HQ and leading interagency teams shaped the Foundation's mission. They explored what elite leadership really looks like at the global level, the danger of operating in silos, and why SOF must evolve its mindset as rapidly as its technology.Stu also broke down how GSOF accelerates innovation, helps SOF units and partners connect in real time, and creates space for public-private collaboration that can meet the speed and complexity of modern threats to answer the hardest question of today; what must Special Operations become to win the next fight?This episode is about global leadership, unity of effort, and how one Green Beret's post-military mission is helping shape the future of Special Operations across the world.Highlights0:00 Introduction2:02 Welcome to SOF Week3:17 Significance of Global SOF Foundation7:38 Prioritizing Small Businesses11:02 Defining the Next Battlefield19:00 NATO SOF23:05 American's Propensity to Serve27:33 Winning the Next Fight30:55 Getting Equipment to Warfighters35:35 What it means to be a Green BeretQuotes“What makes us different is we're international and we're joint and nobody else is that way.”“Part of what you have to do as a SOF commander in the joint environment is unite your tribes.”“The innovation comes from small businesses.”“Most small businesses fail because of catastrophic success not catastrophic failure.”“If you're wrapped in metal, you have zero probability of survival.”“You can't just assume that your enemy is ignorant because they're not.”“I wouldn't want to be on the modern battlefield.”“Our deterrent is having the best partners we can.”“We back into wars, we don't run to them.”“They're going to be our future whether we like it or not, so we've got to make sure that they are armed to do the right thing.”“I think we need to give the NCO corps a lot more latitude.”“If people know you can get to them quickly, they have to calculate for that.”“At the end of the day, most of the stuff we're fielding right now is not going to survive first contact.” “Ultimately, you have a less trained force.” “SOF, cyber, intel, information and economics. That's how you're going to win the competition fight.”“I just think this is the Special Ops time.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business's most complex challenges today through technology of tomorrow.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Memorial Day isn't about a long weekend and BBQs. It's about honoring those who gave their lives in defense of America…and it's about supporting the families they left behind. Across US Army Special Operations Command remembering the legacy and impact of the fallen is a daily duty. This Memorial Day, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Gil Ferguson and Dalia Munoz to share the story of the day that changed, and intertwined, their lives forever. The day SFC Pedro Munoz, Dalia's dad, was killed in action. General Ferguson was the officer charged with informing her and her family of his death. Delivering a message no one wants to receive and no one wants to give. Dalia, her mother and her grandmother have never been the same.In this emotional tribute, Dalia and General Ferguson recount that grief-stricken January morning; the planning and preparation behind the casualty affairs process; and the shock, disbelief and sadness that suddenly overcomes a family. Regulation says the casualty officer and the family shall never meet again; which was the case until General Ferguson became the USASOC Chief of Staff, a role that put him in charge of the Protocol office, the office in which Dalia worked. Confronted with the biggest leadership challenge of his career, General Ferguson had to decide if, and how, to tell Dalia about their encounter years earlier. This episode is about service. It's about leadership when it matters most. And it's about what it means to live a life shaped by loss, and still find purpose on the other side. It's raw, it's real, and it's one to never forget.Special thanks to General Ferguson and Dalia for their openness and willingness to share the rare bond they hold. Thanks to the USASOC Historian's office for hosting us. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:02 Welcome to USASOC4:01 The Importance of Memorial Day7:26 January 1st, 200511:31 Constructing a plan28:25 SFC Pedro Munoz32:30 Navigating Grief35:45 Dealing with loss of a Green Beret40:45 Reconnecting52:31 Gold Star Families56:25 Remaining a part of the Regiment59:59 Resources for Mental Health1:02:50 Memorial Day MessageQuotes“Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to stop, honor the fallen and take a moment to remember.”“It takes a deliberate effort to remember folks once there's no one else in the formation who personally knew them.”“The Army does such a good job of preparing people for what they tell you is going to be a task for which it is impossible to actually really prepare.”“You don't want somebody who's an early riser waking up and turning on the news and finding out there's a casualty, and then the next thing you know there's people calling around and speculation.”“That's the system. You deliver the message as the notification officer and then get off the X.”“Doesn't matter how much you prepare, you're not prepared.”“Everything you think you've known is completely shattered.”“You kind of only get one shot at things that you're doing and so you have to do them well.” “The leadership has to be able to understand how to give the formation the room and the space to grieve, but also how to channel that grief into the next step, which is the requirement to potentially go out the door the next day.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

America maintains a promise to its citizens. A promise to never leave them behind and stop at nothing to return them to American soil. Over 200 Americans are wrongfully detained or taken hostage each year across the globe. The Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs is responsible for bringing them home. Ambassador Roger Carstens served as the SPEHA from 2020-2025. A West Point Graduate, Green Beret, Army Ranger, and seasoned security leader, Roger and his team brought home close to 70 Americans during his tenure; including high profile cases such as WNBA star Brittney Griner and Wall Street Journal Reporter Evan Gerskovich. Roger joined Fran Racioppi from the McCain Institute in Washington, DC for a conversation on the role of the SPEHA, why countries take Americans for leverage, and just how America negotiates with terrorists. We explore the effects of wrongful detention and hostage taking on America's national power, how families are turned completely upside down, and why only a Warrior Diplomat has the character required to make deals with America's adversaries.Roger and Fran also share the mission of Hostage US; a non-profit instrumental in supporting hostages and wrongful detainees - and their families - through captivity, return and reintegration. Watch, listen or read our conversation. Special thanks to the McCain Institute for hosting us and sharing their mission to defend and enhance human rights across the globe. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to the McCain Institute5:23 What is the SPEHA?8:53 Terrorists vs nation states12:59 Deciding which cases21:38 Negotiating with terrorists24:38 Drawing the line27:14 No negotiation approach34:20 Family impact41:00 Why Serve In The Army50:05 Challenges In Transition57:32 Hostage US Impact1:00:47 Future of hostage securityQuotes“A hostage is someone held by a terrorist group. A wrongful detainee is someone held by a nation state.” “Every case is different. There is no cookie cutter approach.”“It doesn't matter if it's a nation state or terrorist group, if they take you, you're held hostage.”“You can never hand a bag of money to a terrorist group and say ‘we want our citizen back.'”“The United States does not negotiate with terrorists and yet I have.”“No one comes back when you call for their unconditional release.”“If we did not negotiate with Russia, they would just take Americans and you would see them stay 14, 15, 16 years there or they'd die in prison.”“We have to create new tools to be used to compel these countries to not take our citizens.”“If you want to stop evil. If you want to crush the next Adolf Hitler. Dial 1-800-USARMY.”“Every Green Beret will leave the service one day.”“If there's not that higher mission where you're allowed to serve and you don't have that camaraderie, you're going to have a hard time.”“If you have a mission you have to approach your next few steps differently than those who just want to be a thing or to have a job.” “The hardest negotiation I ever did was with the US Government.” The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret.

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment is America's most lethal and versatile projection of combat power. When our Special Operations Forces require precision insertion, extraction and fire support, the pilots of the 160th deliver. Born from the need to develop an aviation regiment capable of anything, anywhere, anytime, the 160th SOAR is the only Special Operations Unit to have been deployed continuously since inception.To discuss the critical role of the 160th SOAR, their command team of COL Steve Smith and CW5 Pete Sullivan invited Fran Racioppi for a ride on an MH-47 Chinook and demonstration of the AH-64 Little Birds in action. From the tail ramp, we discussed the mission of the 160th, their interoperability supporting Green Berets, Navy SEALs and Army Rangers; and the various aircraft in their arsenal. We also explored the recruiting, assessment and selection process for pilots, crew and maintainers; the culture of an organization that has a no fail mission; and how technology is changing aviation as they prepare to combat both near peer adversaries and terrorist organizations. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the workhorse heavy lift aircraft responsible for the delivery of personnel and equipment in the harshest environments. Highlights0:00 Introduction3:20 Mission of 160th SOAR4:23 Creating the 160th SOAR6:42 Interoperability of the 160th9:55 Assessment & Selection Process19:50 Support from Non-SOF21:50 Importance of Cross-training26:00 Preparing for the Next fight29:30 The role on unmanned aircraft31:18 Defining a “Nightstalker”34:38 Why join Army Aviation?39:35 Night Stalkers Don't QuitQuotes“Our mission is to provide precision rotary wing support and ISR support to our SOF operators.”“A plan is only something to deviate from.” “The backbone of any great organization and what makes DoD so successful is our non-rated crew members, non-commissioned officers, and enlisted team.”“Your importance has nothing to do with your proximity to the target.” “The standard is a standard. Regardless of what your job is, if you can't meet the standard, you won't be employed in the Regiment.”“You can't do precision if you do anything else.” “We can't always look at one adversary because something else might happen that we have to react to fairly quickly.”“If we can increase our range, survivability, and lethality, we have a major advantage for any adversary.”“Manned and unmanned teaming is the future.”“Don't let a speedbump become a roadblock.”“Not everything is going to go right the first time, but you can't make the same mistake three times and expect to be successful.”“Our people are critical problem solvers.”“I've had the highest of highs and lowest of lows in the regiment, but because of the people I'm around, they've made it the best of the situation that it could be.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

The Special Forces Groups are where America's Green Berets get to work. 5th Special Forces Group has been involved in every conflict, known and unknown, across the Middle East since its inception. Doing hard things isn't considered an ask; it's the standard. To dig into the mission of The Legion, Fran Racioppi traveled to Fort Campbell, KY to sit down with the command team, COL Gabe Szody and CSM Travis Esterby, to define what Combat Power means to Special Forces and how the Army's Warfighting Functions are applied across Special Forces detachments.They explained why Green Beret's regional affiliation is critical to expertise, how detachments are simultaneously preparing to combat peer adversaries and terrorist organizations, and how America is tying in cyber and space at the most tactical level. COL Szody and CSM Esterby also share their perspective on recruiting, how technology is changing the Special Forces teams, and how they are enforcing standards at every level. Watch, listen or read our chilly spring morning conversation from Gabriel Field as we honor 5th SFG's sacrifice and contributions to America's national security.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:22 Welcome to Gabriel Field5:01 Mission of 5th Special Forces Group7:01 5th Special Forces Group's Top Priorities9:45 Regional Alignment11:04 By, with, and through14:10 Crisis in the Middle East15:49 5th Group's impact in Afghanistan17:50 Defining LSCO22:01 SOF's role in LSCO25:32 SOF-Space-Cyber Triad27:30 LSCO decision making30:17 Terrorist attack32:28 Defining Standards and Fundamentals36:36 Reinforcing the Team Sergeant38:04 Why the Army45:13 Special Forces Recruiting Challenges50:57 Integrating New Technology57:36 Daily HabitsQuotes“25 Medal of Honor recipients. More Medal of Honor recipients than any other O-6 headquarters. Some divisions don't have as many.” “5th Group's job is to go forward and win our nation's battles, whatever that may be.” “The top priority is to ensure that whatever battalion is going out the door is trained and ready to execute their mission.” “One of the things we can't assume risk on is not being good at lethality.”“By, with, and through, that's where you gain your rapport.””I don't think there's a crystal ball available that could tell you what direction the Middle East is going.”“I'm just proud to be here. I'm proud to be part of this organization and to have the history that we have.”“If the big one kicks off, we will be what the nation needs us to be”“It's our access and placement forward the line of troops that's unique.”“In LSCO, you got to be thinking at least 96 hours out.”“I would rather train for my worst day than anything else.”“You're going to be held accountable and you're going to deploy. Those are my two guarantees.”“You have to have leaders willing to learn.”“I made the smartest decision of my life when I was probably the biggest idiot, and that was to join the Army.”“We are getting the right people. The people that want to serve, that want to be challenged. They're doing it for all the right reasons.”“Our secret sauce here at 5th Group is our people. That's really our superpower.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

In this episode of the Worship Drummer Podcast, I sit down with David Whitworth and Joe Volk — two of the most recognizable names in worship drumming. We talk about how they met in Redding, their years touring with Bethel Music, moving to Nashville, and what it was like to play with Brandon Lake on Jimmy Kimmel Live.We also dive into the heart behind their new project, Welcome to Sundays - a growing resource for worship drummers with templates, samples, and tools to serve your church and elevate your craft.

The Army physical training test has long been a measure of a soldier's fitness for duty and for combat. For decades it's been used as the benchmark upon which all other physical fitness has been evaluated. And for decades it has been hotly debated, modified and enhanced to best represent the current mission of the US Army. SGM Chris Mullinax has been charged with developing the Army Fitness Test; the newest version of the PT test that now replaces the Army Combat Fitness Test and its predecessor, the Army Physical Fitness Test. From the Pentagon's US Army Broadcasting Studio, and with a cameo from Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer, Fran Racioppi sat down with SGM Mullinax to breakdown the changes in the test, why combat MOS's are being held to different sex-neutral standards, and how the grading scale is designed to enhance and enforce a standard that ensures warfighting is at the forefront of every soldier's fitness. As a career 75th Ranger Regiment leader, SGM Mullinax also shares why America's national security is reliant on Rangers, and why Ranger School remains the premier leadership standard in the military. Watch, listen or read our conversation as SMA Weimer updates us on the Army's Blue Book and how enforcing the fitness standard is increasing Army readiness. Highlights0:00 Introduction1:36 Welcome to the Pentagon2:52 Why change the PT test?4:52 SMA Weimer drops in5:33 Distributing the Blue Book6:33 Upholding Army standards10:44 Implementing a Warfighting Culture14:53 AFT now five exercises19:14 Combat vs Supporting MOSs20:43 AFT Evaluation Metrics21:56 Gender-neutral standard in Combat MOSs22:41 Fitness is America's Advantage26:14 Ranger Regiment Standards29:23 Leadership Through Ranger School32:28 Is the Army Ready?33:43 Preparing the Army for combat35:50 Culture of Will37:56 Daily HabitsQuotes:“Changing the PT test is not a new idea. We're always assessing our physical standards.”“I don't like to start from the minimum standard. That to me is not a place you start any conversation, especially warfighters.”“You should be trying to exceed any standard.”“You can't put competition on a pedestal.”“Right now we're crushing retention. Soldiers want to continue to serve.” “This is a hard life. This is not easy. You chose the path that needs a machete.”“We exist to fight and win. We are not a jobs program.” "Your ability to recover in between them is the true test of your fitness.”“When we have physically fit leadership, it inspires our ranks.” “Our ability to fight and win our wars relies heavily on our fitness.”“As I look at my time in the Ranger Regiment..clear set of standards.” “Things have evolved, but the standard is still the same.”“The most important part about Ranger School is you learn a lot about yourself.”“We're in a space right now where we're transforming as an institution.”“PT might not be the most important thing we do today, but it's the most important thing we do every day.”“We have to be ready. That's just the bottom line.”“Service is hard. It wouldn't be service if it wasn't hard.” The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

The biggest threat to America today is too often the one we think about the least. Nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare has been around for decades and the effects of an NBC attack on the homeland or American interests abroad is a very real scenario. Retired Lt. Gen Leslie Smith spent a career in the Army as a Chemical Officer. He served as the Chief of the Chemical Branch and Commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School. He was the first Chemical officer to serve as the Commanding General of the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and the first Chemical officer to serve as the Army's Inspector General. He is now the Vice President for Leadership and Education at the Association of United States Army.With reports looming about Russian willingness to use NBC weapons in Ukraine, and Iran's constant desire to acquire them and put them into the hands of terrorist proxies, Fran Racioppi sat down with Lt. Gen. Smith to discuss the real threat America faces. We broke down the history of America's Chemical weapons programs, their use in various stages of conflicts, the implementation of international prohibitions, how the US Army prepares for NBC threats, and what we learned about their modern day use through the COVID pandemic. Lt. Gen. Smith also shared insight into the important role the Inspector General plays in maintaining standards and accountability within the Army, as well as the role AUSA is playing in supporting soldiers both active duty and post-service. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the Association of the United States Army HQ and don't miss the rest of our AUSA series.Highlights0:00 Introduction4:00 Importance of chemical warfare7:30 The likelihood of chemical warfare8:22 Anthrax on 9/1111:45 Will anyone use NBC weapons14:07 The lessons of COVID-1916:18 Joining the Army19:55 America's projection of power22:22 The role of the Army Inspector General27:36 Do Army Standards Matter31:11 Have we lost the mission?33:18 Maintaining the Army36:50 The role of AUSA39:26 Daily HabitsQuotes“The Germans used it, and the Americans were not ready to go.”“That's what CBRN stands for: Could Be Right Now.”“At the higher levels, it's all about building coalitions of people.”“We don't know what's next, we just have to be prepared to deal with the situation.”“The leader has to be at the decisive point.” “When you have boots on the ground, it sends a signal.”“ A leader's presence only matters when you are present.”“What leaders do is talk about what needs to happen in organizations.”“We have to make sure that the soldiers trust us, the nation trusts us, Congress trusts us, our leaders trust us and the things that we do.”“Inspector generals are training multiple generations of leaders.”“Every leader is responsible for enforcing the standard.”“Climate beats strategy.”“Everyone is looking for their sense of purpose.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

The directive given to our Green Berets is to win by All Means Available. To do so, requires a combination of ingenuity, understanding the environment, a clear plan and precision execution. Mike Vickers built a career on winning America's shadow wars by All Means Available. Mike started his career as both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer Green Beret before becoming a Paramilitary Operations Officer at the Central Intelligence Agency. Mike later served as the Undersecretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, as well as the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, where he served as the lead Intelligence official at the Pentagon. Secretary Vickers joined Fran Racioppi to chronicle his new book By All Means Available, Memoirs Of A Life in Intelligence, Special Operations and Strategy. He has been a part of almost every American known and unknown conflict for the past 50 years; including leading the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.We defined how America collects and uses intelligence in both national security and diplomacy. We discussed America's will to win large conflicts, when we've gotten it right and why we get it wrong. And we went deep on the real enemy facing America today.Mike sees the United States in a New Cold War that will challenge the nation like never before. He shares the reasons why America got here, and most importantly his Grand Strategy to rebuild a culture of winning global conflict to solidify America's position as the dominant world power for decades to come. Highlights0:00 Introduction6:29 Definition and Significance of Intelligence8:00 DoD intelligence use10:59 Joining the Army15:45 By all means necessary21:12 Politics in War judgement28:11 China & Russia38:00 Defining American power42:28 Nuclear Weapons in Iran & North Korea46:06 Mobilization of American troops48:48 Pakistan49:38 Media on disunity50:56 The arms race against China54:20 Covert action56:34 Denial of Service59:48 Regional and Global Deterrence1:03:07 Transforming out alliances1:10:49 The Next Threat1:14:03 SOF integration1:18:15 America's overconfidence1:20:51 10 Principles1:30:06 Daily HabitsQuotes“We are in dynamic times. We are in polarizing times.”“It's not just military and economic intelligence, it's economic, scientific, and technical intelligence that can make a big difference.”“It became the largest covert action program in CIA history.” “Drive them out by all means available.”“How are we going to win?”“Ammunition is what really sustains operational tempo.”“When America goes to war, we're going to bring everything and we are going to win.”“The more you put in it, the more you better win, and win quickly.”“America is arguably challenged right now, like never before.”“Once the sleeping giant wakes up, look out, they are going to lose.”“Strength is Power.”“There's economic, military, intelligence, political strength, the power of your ideals, and so you try to aggregate that.”"We will win the new Cold War.”“When you think your biggest enemy is another American or group of Americans something's wrong.”“Covert action is taking diplomacy operations, paramilitary operations, sabotage and others and just having it be done under title 50.”“Cyber is this unique weapon that it's used for espionage. It's a very powerful collection tool.”“You need survivable forward presence.”“I think the greatest threat is the combination of China and Russia and perhaps adding in Iran and North Korea.”Watch, listen or read our conversation from the Association of the United States Army as Secretary Vickers shares his leadership lessons learned through covert action; and don't miss the rest of our AUSA series.The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media.

Green Berets solve complex challenges in service because they're informed. Yet when they transition out, the civilian world often leaves them looking for answers. The Green Beret Foundation stands ready to ensure our nation's most elite soldiers continue to succeed post service. From the sidelines of the Stars and Stripes Classic, the first ever lacrosse battle between Green Berets and Navy SEALs, and the brain child of Green Beret Foundation, Fran Racioppi kicked off the game with Chairman of the Board retired Lt. Gen. Ken Tovo and Board Member and Green Beret Chris Robinette. With penalty markers flying, we talk about the future of Green Beret Foundation support and how the reduction in conflict is creating opportunities to focus on transition support, job preparation and job placement. We also explain GBF's position as the only VA accredited disability processing team in the Special Forces non-profit sector. Making informed decisions matters in service and beyond.Watch, listen or read our conversation from Gillette Stadium and don't forget to check out the rest of our series from the Stars and Stripes Classic and the full game highlights. If you haven't signed up for next year, stay tuned for more information. The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:30 Welcome to Gillette Stadium2:35 Launching the Stars & Stripes Classic5:31 Supporting VA disability claims9:03 GBF transition support11:42 GBF's acquisition strategy13:12 GBF's visionQUOTES“We approached this as an opportunity to help the military connect to society.”“Society needs to know their military.”“Every Green Beret is going to leave the force at some point.”“We're taking care of Vietnam veterans who didn't get their appropriate VA benefit 30, 40 years ago.”“For many corporations, the skills piece is less important than the heart and commitment to mission. Whatever the mission is.”“Green Beret's understand commitment to purpose and working hard.”“We're trying to create a broad, holistic support capability for the regiment.”“It's not a matter of if, but when the next major conflict arises.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

Welcome to a short and sweet bonus episode with Becca Worgan, the world's strongest natural woman (yep, she's literally lifting grown men overhead). If you haven't heard her full episode yet, go listen to that first—this woman doesn't just lift heavy, she drops wisdom like barbells.In this bonus round, we hit quickfire questions… but of course, with Becca being Becca, the answers run deep. From body image to battling self-doubt to daring big again after injury, she brings the fire and the honesty.Oh, and we're throwing in a dare at the end. Naturally.This one's for anyone who's ever felt "not enough" scrolling social media—this chat will put steel back in your spine.⏱️ Timestamps & Highlights0:00 – Intro from Michelle Michelle sets the scene for this bonus ep, calls Becca a badass (accurate), and lets you know it's time for a giggle and some gold.0:53 – Quickfire Kickoff Becca's billboard for the world? “Comparison is a thief of joy.” A phrase worth tattooing on your mirror.1:35 – Message to Her 12-Year-Old Self “Don't let people you wouldn't swap lives with define your worth.” Mic drop. Plus: body image honesty that every woman needs to hear.2:35 – Growing Up Female in a World of Filters Body dysmorphia, social media, and why most of us feel like we're not enough—even when we are.3:10 – Becca's 12-Month Dare The goal? Smash a 100kg axle overhead again—after injury and fear nearly stole her confidence.4:34 – Dare for Michelle Strongwoman training challenge accepted. (And yep, it's all on film. No backing out now.)5:24 – Wrap-Up Shoutout to Steel City Gym, building a sisterhood of strength in Middlesbrough. Michelle reflects on Becca's billboard message and shares her own struggles with comparison—and why we all need to keep our eyes on our lane.7:35 – Your Dare This Week Stop comparing. Start celebrating your own damn wins. Even the tiny ones.9:03 – Shop + Patreon Updates The shop's going seasonal, and Michelle's giving 10% off to podcast listeners with code POD10. Plus, sneak peeks and bonus vlogs now live on Patreon.Check out Becca's Main Podcast Episode Check out the shop www.shewhodareswins.comBecome a Patreon Member for exclusive content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congress holds the power of the purse. The United States Government is the largest business in the world, but to conduct business - and national security - Congress has to approve the funds and the money. Representative Jake Ellzey is now a 3-term Congressman representing Texas's 6th District. He's a Naval Academy graduate, a helicopter and fighter pilot, and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, where his decisions determine what the government funds and what it doesn't. He's also the co-chair of the bipartisan military Veterans alliance, the For Country Caucus. With the American government changing at lightning pace, Fran Racioppi asked the Congressman how the Appropriations Committee is prioritizing funding, what that means for national defense, rooting out fraud, waste and abuse; and if there's ever a way for America to balance the budget and stop overspending. Representative Ellzey also shares why we need to clearly define America's next battlefield, funding military readiness and innovation to combat both nation-state adversaries and terror groups, and the critical role he sees our Special Operations Forces playing in the grey war the United States is now in. Plus he shares his leadership lessons from the cockpit and the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan to the halls of Congress.Watch, listen or read our conversation from Congressman Ellzey's office. Don't miss our full coverage from Capitol Hill. Special thanks to For Country Caucus for setting up this series. Highlights0:00 Introduction6:20 Veterans in Congress9:12 Why the Navy?10:50 The Appropriations Committee14:45 Funding Executive Orders17:24 DOGE's impact22:41 Funding Military Readiness25:35 Role of SOF in the next conflict27:20 The sentiment of America31:50 Shout out to Green Berets34:08 Defining the Battlefield38:18 Why Was There An Open Border Policy39:44 Can America Balance The Budget?40:42 Is America Ready?42:41 Military Lessons Taken To CongressKey Quotes:“There's a thing about veterans: it really doesn't matter which era, what your uniform, or how well you know somebody who's a veteran…Nobody else gets into that world.”“With SEALS, Green Berets, most pilots; tell me I can't do something, and then watch.”“CR's are bad. Year-long CRs are terrible. Specifically for defense.” “Once we know what the priorities of the President are, we're not going to put something on the floor that ultimately he's not going to sign.”“It's broken. So let's break it. Let's break the whole thing.”“There's not enough money to do everything we need to do to be completely ready.” “It's absolutely essential that our adversaries know that we've got the best in the world.”“The sentiment of Americans is we're strong again, we're not to be trifled with, if you attack us, we're going to hammer you.”“I'm a huge fan of Green Berets.”“I see weapons of mass destruction as the compounds that are making Fentanyl.” “Never pass up the opportunity to shut up.”Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Veterans are once again dominating Congress. The start of the 119th Congress has 100 Veterans across both sides of the aisle. Veterans by and large focus on teamwork and getting results. To kick off the excitement behind the new Congress, Fran Racioppi spent a few snowy days on Capitol Hill with the members of the For Country Caucus; a bi-partisan group of House of Representative members who have each served across America's military. Representative Don Davis is an Air Force Academy graduate, a two term Congressman representing North Carolina's 1st District, and the Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. With the strength of American military power front and center, Fran asked Congressman Davis to explain just what the next battlefield may be, how ready the American military is to combat both terrorist organizations and near-peer nation states, as well as the role of Special Operations in the next conflict. They also broke down the efforts of DOGE, Elon Musk and the application of the age old military sayings “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” and “speed and violence of action” gets things done. Watch, listen or read our conversation from Congressman Davis's office. Don't miss our full coverage from Capitol Hill. Special thanks to For Country Caucus for setting up this series. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:05 Welcome to Capitol Hill4:02 Veterans leading Congress8:37 Expectations of Veterans in the Cabinet10:51 Joining the Air Force15:04 Joining State Politics before Federal Politics21:37 Military Readiness24:07 The Next Conflict28:28 Defining the battlefield30:43 The Terror Threat33:28 Investing in Special Operations36:01 Trump Administration actionsQUOTES“When the orders came down we didn't ask, ‘are these Democratic orders or Republican orders.' We executed the mission.”“The fundamental basis of that oath is to protect the constitution.” “What I think was most important going back to eastern North Carolina was an opportunity to really shape future leaders.”“There's these potholes people are craving to be filled.”“When there is a mission…are we capable?”“We have to make sure the innocent civilians are kept safe.”“Clearly there's a willingness to target us.”“Don't bet against America.”“At the end of the day try to make life better in communities.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Readiness is the ability to close with and destroy any enemy, anywhere, anytime. The role of the Sergeant Major of the Army is to ensure readiness. Command Sergeant Major Dan Dailey was the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army and the youngest Soldier to ever hold the position. Today, he is the Vice President of Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs at the Association of the United States Army.SMA Dailey joined Creator and Host Fran Racioppi to define what it really means for the United States Army to be “ready” to fight and win our nation's wars. To do so, they went deep on each of the components of readiness, including: Manning and the impacts of the recruiting crisis the Army has endured over the past several years. Training and the importance of the Combat Training Centers and our combined exercises across the components and with our allies.Equipping for the next fight and why the current procurement processes must change if America expects to remain ahead in the innovation race.Leader Development including why softening the messaging of warfighting hurts mission focus and how the Army is closing the experience gap as the Global War on Terror generation of Soldiers retire. They also cover the important mission of the Association of the United States Army and how as the largest organization supporting our Soldiers their work only continues to grow. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the AUSA headquarters and don't miss the rest of our AUSA series.The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.QUOTES“Individual readiness is when a soldier themself feels capable to accomplish their mission.”“If you had one hour before your soldiers went to combat what would you train on.” “The high percentage of people who serve today come from families who have served in the past….that funnel is getting smaller and smaller.” “We have lost the value of service to our nation…is it actually a way to achieve the American dream?”"If we send everybody to college, who's going to do those jobs?” “I think there's a lot of young Americans out there who are fully capable to fight and win, they're just not inspired.” “If you create a standard that nobody in America can achieve, it's not a standard.” “This nation's going to have an Army. America, not the Army, is going to decide how we do that.” “The only more expensive thing than fighting a war is losing one.”“Our first mission as the United States Military is to deter. Then to defeat.” “Most people look at war as armed conflict between two entities. War is a conflict of wills.”HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction4:44 Becoming SMA5:57 Readiness Defined9:55 How does the Army train at each echelon?11:49 Why become a Soldier?13:21 Can the Army bring the American Dream?19:53 Everyone can't go to college22:11 Is recruiting college athletes the answer?25:14 Is there a reduction in standards?30:22 Changing the Army's message34:13 Are we close to a draft?36:05 Technology & Force Modernization42:22 Is China ahead of America?48:17 Training for every threat52:48 Interoperability with Allies55:17 Loss of combat experience1:01:32 Next Generation Is Ready1:05:20 Leading AUSA1:11:01 Daily HabitsThe opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy,

Serving in Special Forces isn't supposed to be easy. In fact, becoming a Green Beret is rewarding because it's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, anyone could do it; but not everyone can, or should, be considered elite. Retired Sergeant Major John McPhee is one of America's most distinguished and experienced Special Operators. For decades he led America's most lethal units in the Army's elite Delta Force. The self proclaimed Sheriff of Baghdad, John tells it like it is and leaves nothing up to interpretation.The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. UHP is dedicated to building the world's most elite fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs out of our Veterans. To kick off our partnership, John and Host Fran Racioppi climbed into the back of an armored Humvee to reminisce about the impact of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, what America did right, what we did wrong, and why the counter-terrorism battle is far from over. John also shares his thoughts on the Army today, how to fix recruiting, the Israeli pager war, and why we must never forget that a Special Operator's job is to close with and destroy the enemy.Watch, listen or read our conversation from a vehicle many of us spent too much time in. Don't miss our full Veterans Day coverage from UHP. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:50 Welcome to UHP2:39 Rangers to Green Beret4:00 Special Forces in the 90s5:57 How 9/11 changed Special Forces10:16 Legacy of Afghanistan13:12 Sheriff of Baghdad15:35 Disbanding the Iraqi government18:20 The difference in Syria19:42 Israel-Iran Pager War25:30 Army Recruiting Challenges27:05 Is the Army woke?29:55 Next generation of NCOs32:35 The PTSD debate37:18 Wear yourself out everydayQUOTESWe had no bullets. No money to go train. The Army didn't have a budget. The 90s Special Forces sucked.”“This is where nations go to die. What did we think was going to happen?”“You can't do that. You can't just get rid of the whole army like that.”“We had enough money to buy where Saddam was without ever firing a shot.”“Syria can never be tamed and it will always be a problem for us.”“War is only a failure of politicians and politics.”“We didn't have an Army before WWII. We fielded 6 million men quick. When America gets pissed off, you're done.”“The Army needs to do two things only. Kill the bad guys and break their shit.” “I would tell anybody to try to be the smartest guy in the room because generally the smartest guy in the room is going to be the best Commando.”“I personally don't believe in PTSD. You get stuck in the same chapter of your book.”“Every human being should be taking an hour to two hours a day on themselves.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Join us as we dive into the age-old question: Am I behind in life? We share our thoughts on love, careers, and society's expectations. From marriage and kids to money and success, we explore what it really means to feel “behind” and whether it's ever too late to catch up. Whether you're figuring it all out or just along for the ride, here's our take on life's biggest question. WE'RE ON:TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@retirementhouseINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/retirementhouse/#FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/theretirementhouse/TWITCH: https://www.twitch.tv/retirementhouseSNAPCHAT: https://www.snapchat.com/add/retirementhouse Highlights0:00 Intro1:23 Love & Family13:34 Career & Money21:40 The Truth About "Being Behind"43:10 Rapid Fire Questions46:23 Wrap-Up

Retired Lt. Gen. E. John Deedrick served as the final commander of the Combined Security Transition Command –Afghanistan (CSTC-A). He also held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for Security Assistance (DCOS SA) at the Headquarters of Resolute Support; the NATO mission in Afghanistan. He was the United States Military Representative to NATO and commanded 1st Special Forces Command. The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. To kick off our combined investment in the development of our Special Operators post service, Fran Racioppi sat down with Lt. Gen. Deedrick to discuss his take on the Army today, where it came from and where it's going. As one of the last senior leaders in Afghanistan he gave his honest assessment of the withdrawal, the impact leave has on our allies and Special Forces Operators, and what the void left has done for the Taliban and American national security. They also discuss the importance of our allies, why NATO works, and how Special Operations has evolved to fight unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism in the Grey Zone through integrated deterrence.Finally, they talk about the effect of politics on our military and why our leaders all want the same goal, but have different paths to get there. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the UHP. Don't miss our full Veterans Day coverage from UHP. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:23 Welcome to University of Health and Performance5:02 Why did we leave Afghanistan8:02 Did we abandon our Afghan partners11:04 Withdrawal Effect13:24 The Taliban and Al-Qaeda15:22 Enabling Iran16:59 NATO's importance22:30 NATO vs Russia28:38 The Ukraine conflict today32:30 North Korea's involvement34:12 What makes a Green Beret different?38:24 Changes to the ODA41:14 Is China the next fight?45:51 Politicizing the military48:02 US forces deployed across America49:38 Lt. Gen. Deedrick's Sergeant51:53 Daily HabitsQUOTES04:10 “It was a pretty low cost to keep an eye on Al-Qaeda. And also off chutes that are as dangerous.”13:23 “I hope we aren't paying them not to attack us”17:49 “Nobody freelances at NATO. NATO is an expression of the sovereign will of their capitals.”26:30 “Don't start a shooting war with Russia. I mean the two nuclear powers”29:10 “When you are so reliant on other nations for your supply chains, you put yourself at risk.”31:09 “You've got to go to North Korea to get weapons and soldiers. That's just sad.”45:20 “The most difficult fight would be China, so I think you have to use that as your pacing item and optimize your fight for that.”45:52 “Lethality on the battlefield is critical.”50:23 “What I would love to see is less personality and more policy.”52:53 “It is a really bad idea to use the active duty US Military in a domestic capability.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Transition back to civilian life is the biggest challenge our service men and women will face in their military careers. America invests millions in training our warfighters to be the most competent in the world. That investment shouldn't end when the uniform comes off. The Jedburgh Podcast, the Jedburgh Media Channel and the Green Beret Foundation are proud to announce our partnership with the University of Health and Performance outside of Bentonville, Arkansas. Matt Hesse is the Founder and CEO of University of Health and Performance. This Veterans Day, Fran Racioppi sat down with Matt to share his vision to build a world-class development program to train our Veterans as certified personal trainers. In addition to the hard skills required to build health and fitness in others, UHP is also teaching the business skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs.Matt explains the process, the details behind each course, why UHP has chosen Arkansas to call home, how he's building an ecosystem to support all aspects of Veteran transition, and how UHP is leading the way in showing private industry just how valuable our Veterans will be for the next generation of America. Watch, listen or read our conversation from the UHP gym. Don't miss our full Veterans Day coverage from UHP. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast, the Green Beret Foundation and UHP on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:43 Welcome to the University of Health and Performance3:25 Creating UHP4:37 Why Health and Performance matters 7:46 UHP Programs12:04 Field of Dreams17:46 Preparing veterans for business29:30 Lack of a military transition process34:40 Future of UHPQUOTES“There's nothing greater than serving democracy. Veterans created this country.” “The health and performance of your life or your company need to be in balance.”“You can take the four pieces of the blueprint: how to think intellectually, how to train physically, how to feel emotionally, and how to lead from a values perspective to build a strategy to get after whatever that purpose is.”“A lot of us carry a lot of shit around that we have not let out yet and a big part of this place is helping people do that.”“I believe that great visionary leaders are unencumbered by their own “I can't do its.”“Failure is not possible if you don't quit.”“Anybody can be an entrepreneur. I truly believe that.”“My personal huge goal right now is to give veterans the opportunity to get out and catch up with their peers as fast as possible.”“Most Veterans are highly competent, highly skilled, great leaders, who just want to do awesome purposeful work.” “The DOD's responsibility is to build a lethal fighting force. Period. End of story.” “2025 we are going to launch Veterans Future Festival. It is going to be the largest veterans day event in the country, anywhere."The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of my guests and myself. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.

Targeted violence, domestic terrorism and international terrorism are changing. In the past, America has been the victim of large scale coordinated attacks. Today, acts of mass violence are as simple as cars, fireworks and household items. On April 15, 2013 two terrorists blew up homemade bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Three innocent people were killed. Hundreds were injured. Boston Police Chief Daniel Linskey immediately found himself in charge of a mass casualty event and a multijurisdictional manhunt through the streets of Boston. Chief Linskey joined Fran Racioppi to share how he overcame fear, panic and the realization that in an instant the entire city was looking to him for guidance and direction. He shares how preparation and training between law enforcement and first responders in the years leading up to the attack was critical in their response. And he explains why in emergency response, there's no place for egos or credit, just action and results. Join our conversation from the shores of Plymouth Harbor. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch Chief Linskey talk about Team Maureen, an organization he founded to honor his late cousin focused on preventing cancer in our Veterans. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction3:32 Becoming a US Marine8:47 Joining Boston Police15:05 Public Perception of Law Enforcement Today25:12 Are we prosecuting enough crime?31:07 Immigration policy effect on policing35:47 You're It at the Boston Marathon49:05 The bombing1:00:20 Standing guard over the victims1:19:37 The Manhunt1:35:29 Boston Strong1:39:04 Mental Health Mechanisms1:43:00 Biggest Lesson1:45:44 Thank youQUOTES“If you leave a place the same way you found it, you're not leading.”"If you want to learn leadership, lead.”“Cops hate change. The other thing cops hate is the way things are.” “If you think there's a problem with policing and leadership…ok…join and see what you can do from the inside.”“I would like to see any politician who is making policy on law enforcement to make them have to do a two week basic in-service class in law enforcement.”“If people think there's no accountability for assaulting a police officer…they're gonna do it.” “You can't just say you're training. You can't just pretend you're training. You can't just say bang bang you're dead.”“Leadership is putting your team to the task.”“He essentially said “Tag, you're it boss. And I didn't want to be it.”“Along with the devastation was a wave of shame and guilt that washed over me.”“I froze. I'm a United States Marine. I'm a cop. I'm the chief. I froze. I want to go home. I want to go home with my kids.” “In crisis there are 5,000 things you got to do, but you need to focus on the five most important right now.”“If you tell the troops what you want them to do and why they should do it, they'll do it.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of Green Beret Foundation, supporting US Army Special Forces of all generations.

The United States Army invaded Europe in 1944 and has never left. America's forward projection of its military was instrumental in the stabilization of Europe and the establishment of the world order that has existed since the end of World War II. A critical piece of American power is US Army Europe-Africa; a command responsible for over 37,000 soldiers, 104 countries, 10 units and 9 garrisons. Over 70,000 US military personnel operate across Europe and Africa in either permanent positions or deployed in support of national security objectives. To explain why US Army Europe-Africa is so important, Fran Racioppi sat down with Command Sergeant Major Jeremiah Inman, the command's senior enlisted advisor. Sergeant Major Inman breaks down the command's mission to deter aggression and provide stability in some of the world's most complicated and dynamic regions. He explains the magnitude of the command's responsibilities; and also shares his biggest leadership lessons learned from his time in Ranger Regiment and how they prepared him to lead no matter the challenge. Join our conversation from the bunkers of Pointe Du Hoc in Normandy, France. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform for all our D-Day Coverage including our first documentary Unknown Heroes: Behind Enemy Lines at D-Day, the story of Operation Jedburgh.HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:42 Welcome to Pointe Du Hoc3:20 The mission of US Army Europe-Africa4:10 Guidance to the force4:40 Joint exercises5:00 The differences between Europe and Africa6:22 Supporting Ukraine7:23 Developing young NCOs8:49 USAREUR-AF Lines of Effort12:02 The Next Fight12:52 The role of the Combat Training Centers14:23 Special Operations & conventional force integration14:47 Sergeant Major's lessons learned16:30 Daily Habits for successQUOTES“Our vision is to get up, show up and be ready to assist our partners. Continue to train and maintain that combat readiness in the event we do have to get into something.”“If we can continue to train and work with our allies and partners now, when we do have to fight, we'll already have those sets and reps and be a much more lethal force.”“The young NCOs now are so much smarter than I'll ever be.”“We're only empowered if our officers empower us.”“We just got to be ready for anything. You don't know what that next fight is.”“Colonel Ralph Puckett's like ‘I didn't go to ranger school to be better than the next guy, I went to ranger school to be better than myself.'”“When you show up, show up. Be present. Get after it. 100% and then some.”“Physical training, marksmanship, battle drills, medical training. Then we added developing leaders of character. I think that's kind of how I've been my entire career, is after those five aspects.”The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are official programs of the Green Beret Foundation.

The health of our military service members and our Veterans is always a top line issue. Many suffer from illness and injury as a result of their service; and most are believed to be at higher risk for chronic sickness. Some of which is fortunately preventable. Cancer is a top concern for much of the military community. To dig into the increased risk cancer poses to our Veterans, Fran Racioppi sat down with Team Maureen; an organization focused on bringing attention and prevention of HPV and HPV-related cancers to our Veterans. Daniel Linskey, Kelly Welch and Dr. Emily Penick lead Team Maureen and founded the organization after the loss of their family and friend Maureen Russo. Worldwide, a woman dies of cervical cancer every two minutes. It is the second-most frequent cancer in the world. The military community is twice as likely to develop HPV, yet immunization rates among our servicemembers are 50% of the civilian community. 90% of HPV-related cancers are preventable through immunization.We broke down the facts of HPV, why it's rising exponentially in our military, how it's affecting both our women and men service-members, and what every single person, military and civilian, can do to prevent one of the deadliest, and preventable, cancers in society today.Check out our conversation over-looking Plymouth Harbor and with Cardinals in the air. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform to catch this conversation and our follow-up with Danny as he shares how he led the Boston Police Department during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction1:50 Welcome to the South Shore4:44 What is Cervical Cancer?8:09 How do you get Cervical Cancer?9:49 What is the effect on men?11:38 Screening for HPV12:55 Oral Health importance14:23 Low vaccination rates17:40 Why are military at risk?19:58 Vaccination process24:57 Who was Maureen?29:17 How are you educating people?33:20 How do you get involved?QUOTES“Making sure that people know about the importance of prevention of HPV and early detection for cervical cancer is our mission.”“Nobody should die of cervical cancer. It's completely preventable.” “Why not be at the forefront of HPV prevention?” “This is something that can help your kids not get cancer.” “Active duty military and Veterans are 2x as likely as civilians to develop cancers associated with HPV.” “We should be able to get to that point where no one loses a loved one to cervical cancer.”“You think you're a badass. Cancer doesn't care if you're a badass.” The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of Green Beret Foundation, supporting US Army Special Forces of all generations.

Voting is a foundation of democracy and key to American power, but also a process that can be ugly and divisive. In what many believe to be the most politically charged election period in modern history, Fran Racioppi took a few minutes to sit down with Congressman Rich McCormick, Representative for Georgia's 7th district. Representative McCormick shared his Elementary Issues of A, B, C, D, E: the American dream, the border, crime, debt, education and energy; why it's dangerous to develop a culture of government giving, balancing compassion with security along our borders, and not hiding from the fact that America has real adversaries who seek to do us harm. As a Marine Corps and Navy Veteran, emergency room doctor and former American Gladiator, the Congressman knows the importance of earning success and leading through adversity; character traits he has taken from his military service to the halls of Congress.Join our conversation from Congressman McCormick's Office. Follow us on social media, read the full episode on our website, then head over to our YouTube channel or your favorite podcast platform for all our election coverage.Stand for something, or stand to the side. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Welcome to Capitol Hill5:45 Georgia as a swing state10:20 The Elementary Issues13:40 Government Giving17:12 A divided America22:46 The Open Border Argument 25:20 Balancing compassion with security30:03 The near-peer fight32:28 Accepting America has adversaries40:10 The role of SOF in the next fight44:26 Why Congress needs more Veterans51:55 Daily Foundations For Success QUOTES“People don't realize how diverse the south is. Especially Georgia. And the opinions are just as diverse.”“If you don't have a good economy nobody thrives.” “You're never given value by what you're given. You're given value by what you earn.” “When one party dominates we have more peace. Not necessarily more prosperity; but more peace.” “If you end up isolated, you will end up at war.” “It's important not to think that we can huddle up in our country and think that nothing bad is gonna happen anywhere else.” “We need to realize that we are less influential than China in about half of the western hemisphere. That's scary.” “If you want to be amongst greatness, look for adversity.” Special thanks to the For Country Caucus for coordinating this interview. The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of our guests and creator and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy; nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.