Podcasts about infantryman

This week Clint speaks with Sam Austin.  Sam grew up in Shreveport where he met his wife, Lindsay. They have 2 kids that keep us active and enjoy quiet evenings and simple lives. Sam has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from Leavell College and is a Licensed Pastoral Counselor through the National Christian Counselors Association. After being trained as both an Infantryman in the Army and an EMT on the civilian side, God has inspired Sam with a passion for facing the darkest parts of life to help others grow stronger. He also currently work at The Hub: urban ministries serving people who have been affected by homelessness, poverty, and trafficking.     Sam and Clint's conversation emphasizes the significance of suffering in personal development and the necessity of choice in faith. They reflect on their experiences and the ongoing nature of growth, healing, and the role of Jesus in their lives. 

On Monday the Army announced some major fitness testing changes that include removing the Standing Power Throw (SPT) and introducing sex-neutral standards for 21 "close combat" military occupational specialties (MOSs). These changes are marked with a shift from Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to the new name: Army Fitness Test (AFT). In this episode we break down the changes and some of the most frequently asked questions with CSM Raymond Harris, the Command Sergeant Major of Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), the command responsible for ACFT/AFT and H2F. Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond S. Harris assumed the responsibilities as Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, Virginia on Sept 29, 2023.He enlisted into the Army on March 20, 1996, as an Infantryman. He attended One-Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He has served as a rifleman, machine gunner, automatic rifleman, Bradley gunner, team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and command sergeantmajor.Some highlights from his extensive bio:He has served in infantry battalions across Fort Riley, Vilseck Germany, Fort Cavazos, Fort Benning, Hawaii, and Fort Campbell. He was a member of The Old Guard. His Brigade and higher level assignments have been with 165th Infantry Brigade at Fort Jackson so basic training, 3rd SFAB, 1st Infantry Division, and V Corps. He has deployed in support of the Kosovo Campaign, Operations Enduring Freedom Cuba and Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation EADR (European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce) ISO Ukraine. CSM Harris is a graduate of all levels of the NCO Education System, U. S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 64.His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with one OLC, Meritorious Service Medal, and all of the campaign medals and chest candy badges you would expect based on his assignments and deployments. CSM Harris is married and has two children.

Zachary Bell, a.k.a "Veteran with a Sign", is a United States Marine, a Prominent Veteran's Benefits Advocate, and the Host of the After-Action Podcast.You can find the After-Action Podcast here: After Action Podcast Full Episodes - YouTubeFollow Zach's social media here:⁠Zachary Bell (@veteranwithasign) • Instagram photos and videosZachary Bell (@zacharyebell) / X------Ways to Support Us:

Year Round Carnival's Vince Accardi and Racetrack Ralphy review all the big races from Flemington on  March 22 www.pgpodcast.com All of Vince Accardi's work via www.dailysectionals.com.au. And don't forget to help us  continue to give premium information to racing punters every Monday morning via the Year-Round Carnival podcast by supporting us for as little as $5 per week…go to https://racetrackralphy.com.au/podcast.

On Today's Show: To Subscribe

Redefining Mindsets and Building Community In this week's Team Never Quit Podcast, Marcus and Melanie's guest is Earl Granville, a true testament to resilience, leadership, and the power of positive mindset. Earl shares his transformative journey from trauma to triumph, offering listeners insights into how to redefine their own mindset to create the space for positive shifts in life. He discusses stepping out of your comfort zone, becoming the leader you are meant to be, and the critical importance of building and maintaining a healthy community. Earl's story is nothing short of inspiring. Just two weeks into basic training at Fort Benning, GA, with his twin brother Joe, the tragic events of 9/11 unfolded, marking a pivotal moment in his life. Earl went on to serve nine years as an Infantryman in the Army National Guard, with multiple deployments to Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. During his final tour, Earl lost his left leg below the knee due to a roadside bomb, and tragically, he also lost two of his teammates, Major Scott Hagerty and Specialist Derek Holland, on that same day. After the loss of his limb in combat and the passing of his brother Joe, who took his own life while serving on active duty, Earl discovered the power of a positive mindset and became a passionate advocate for mental health, physical fitness, and resilience. He continues his journey as a public speaker, traveling the country to share his story and motivate others to overcome challenges. In addition to speaking, Earl works with several non-profits like Operation Enduring Warrior, the Oscar Mike Foundation, and WarriorStrong, all of which help wounded veterans and law enforcement officers stay physically active post-injury. Earl's efforts have earned him numerous awards, including the 2018 Attorney General Heart So Big Award, the Junior Chamber International (JCI USA) TOYA Award, and the 2018 Daughters of the American Revolution Veterans Volunteer Award. He retired as a Staff Sergeant with multiple honors, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Combat Infantryman Badge. Tune in to hear how Earl Granville's story of overcoming adversity and his commitment to positive change can inspire you to face your own challenges with resilience, build stronger connections, and lead a life of purpose. In This Episode You Will Hear: • One good thing about these conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan is that we've had a lot of people in their 20s and 30s that were losing limbs that causes technology to be boosted. (3:48) • The amputee's best friend is your Allen wrench. (7:03) • [At] NYPD, the culture today is like the modern day Vietnam veteran. (21:09) • Joining the military made it about me. What can I get out of this? Sure – free college. But going to Iraq, I became an NCO, put in charge of people. I realized this isn't about me, it's about us. (37:27) • There's pride that people take when tragedy happens. It's what the community does to honor those who aren't here anymore. (42:52) • I remember going over the headset talking to my guys like “Damn, it's beautiful here, look at this green grass. Who's water the grass in Afghanistan?” The next thing I remember, I saw nothing but black. (65:52) • I was ejected out of my Humvee and I wasn't wearing mu gunner's harness which probably saved my life, because the roof peeled back like a tuna can. (70:04) • Everything happened right in my situation. I really do feel that way. What do I have to complain about? (70:20) • Afghans don't have the will to fight. (76:26) • Have you ever met an Afghan or an Iraqi with an Iraqi flag or an Afghan flag tattoo? (76:43) • I went under for surgery on my hip, and I woke up in Germany, with a nurse pulling a breathing tube out of my throat. (79:02) • Joe [my twin brother] seeing me in this state, says to me: “I shoulda just gone with you. (84:23) • It's not forever. I'm gonna get my independence back. I'm gonna be walking again, cause it's not forever. (96:08) • While on active duty, my twin brother, Staff Sergeant Joe Granville, takes his own life. (97:57) • How do I get this second chance at life, and Joe [my twin brother] take his away? (98:08) • Not every mental health situation with an armed forces service member is PTSD related. (109:00) • The big thing people need is purpose – military or not. (110:29) • I found this passion of physical fitness once again thanks to being introduced to Crossfit. (120:41) • People you surround yourself with, I truly believe, makes who you are. (125:15) Socials: - Website: earlgranville.org - IG: Earlgranville - Enduringwarrior.org - Oscar mike foundation Oscarmike.org - warriorstrongink - IG: team_neverquit , marcusluttrell , melanieluttrell , huntero13 -  https://www.patreon.com/teamneverquit Sponsors:    - Navyfederal.org           - GoodRX.com/TNQ   -  kalshi.com/TNQ    - PXG.com/TNQ   -  joinbilt.com/TNQ    - Tonal.com [TNQ]   - greenlight.com/TNQ   - PDSDebt.com/TNQ   - drinkAG1.com/TNQ    - ghostbed.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Shadyrays.com [TNQ]   - qualialife.com/TNQ [TNQ]   - Hims.com/TNQ   - Shopify.com/TNQ   - Aura.com/TNQ   - Moink.com/TNQ   - Policygenius.com   - TAKELEAN.com [TNQ]   - usejoymode.com [TNQ]   - Shhtape.com [TNQ]

Ron joined the Marine Corps Reserves as an Infantryman in 2002 and deployed as force protection to Djibouti, Africa in January 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2006 he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, he served as infantry squad leader in a variety of counter-insurgency missions. Some of Ron and his unit's experiences are recounted in the book Fallujah Awakens: Marines, Sheikhs and the Battle Against al Qaeda, by Bill Ardolino.​ ​ Ron holds an Associates Degree from Grand Rapids Community College, a Bachelors in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University and a Masters of Management, Strategy and Leadership from Michigan State University. ​ Ron joined SpartanNash in 2020. Prior to joining SpartanNash he was Senior Manager, Mergers and Acquisitions at Stryker, medical device company. Ron held several roles at Stryker to include Project Manager, M&A Integration and Program Manager, Strategic Development. Prior to joining Stryker, Ron held a variety of project and operations management roles at SecurAlarm Systems, a video and access control system integrator.​

Virginia Delegate Nick Freitas sounds the alarm on how the Left is shaping our children's beliefs and how higher education is turning out activists instead of critical thinkers—all on the taxpayer's dime. He also speaks passionately about the importance of restoring traditional masculinity and the role strong families play in America's renewal. Tune in for a powerful conversation about defending our nation's future. Delegate Nick Freitas has been married to his high school sweetheart Tina Freitas since 1999. They have 3 children, Lillyana, Luke and Alexandria. Immediately following high school Nick joined the Army and served with the 82nd Airborne Division and 25th Light Infantry Division as an Infantryman. After September 11th Nick volunteered for US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and eventually served 2 tours in Iraq as a Special Forces Weapons SGT and Special Forces Intelligence SGT. Honorably discharged in 2009, Nick moved his family to Virginia where he began working as an instructor and Program Manager. During that same time Nick moved to Culpeper and became involved with the local Republican unit. Nick was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2015 and is currently serves on the Finance, Courts of Justice, Public Safety and Education committees. He serves as the Sub Committee Chairman for the sub committees on Higher Education and the Public Safety subcommittee 1 where all firearms related legislation is heard.

Lieutenant General Lawrence D. Nicholson, USMC (Ret.) retired after 39 years of active duty service to our nation in October of 2018 as the Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force in Japan. He was born in Toronto, Canada, and commissioned after graduating from The Citadel, in Charleston SC in 1979. From 1980-1990 he served as an Infantryman in the First Marine Division, and as a Series and Company Commander at MCRD San Diego. From 1990- 1993 he served at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Additionally, he served as a United Nations Observer in the Middle East in 1994-95, at NATO HQ in Brussels, Belgium from 2002-04, as the Commander of the Warlords of 2nd Bn 2nd Marines from 1999-2001, and as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon from 2010- 2012. Lt.Gen. Nicholson earned a master's degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. and is a 2002 graduate of the NATO Defense College in Rome, Italy. Multiple combat tours include service as the G-3 (Operations) of the 1st Marine Division in Ramadi, Iraq during 2004-05, and as the Commander of the 5th Marine Regiment in Fallujah, Iraq 2006-07. He commanded Task Force Leatherneck and the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Helmand Province Afghanistan from 2009-2010. He later returned to Afghanistan in 2012 as the CJ-3 Operations Officer for the ISAF Joint Command (IJC). Lt.Gen. Nicholson commanded the famed 1st Marine (Blue Diamond) Division at Camp Pendleton California from 2013-2015. After retiring from active duty, Lt.Gen. Nicholson served as a Vice President for Execution and Leadership for the H.T. Hackney Company in Knoxville, TN until July of 2022. Today he serves as a Senior Mentor and Highly Qualified Expert for the Joint Staff travelling globally in support of large scale exercises. Additionally, he serves as a Distinguished Senior Fellow for the Sasakawa Peace Foundation is on the advisory board for Spirit of America and serves on several veterans-focused non-profit boards. He and his wife Deborah enjoy spoiling their 9 grandchildren, and hiking in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Dr. Dale Comstock served 10 years in 1st SFOD-D (The Delta Force) as an assaulter, explosives, mechanical, ballistic,and manual breacher, Team Leader, 3rd Special Forces Group (Green Berets) as a light and heavy weapons expert -Team Sergeant, and in the 82nd Airborne Division 325th Infantry. He also worked 9.5 years as a paramilitary operative for USG and concurrently worked as a contract security specialist, COO, Vice President, and President for various security companies applying his skills and knowledge on a myriad of security challenges around the world.  ​ https://wealthfit.com/podcasts/get-wealthfit/dale-comstock-a-conversation-with-the-american-badass/ ​ https://youtu.be/VfROu7_UIR4 ​ https://youtu.be/0X6N3g190pY ​ https://youtu.be/FcAD5wuxOkE ​ ​ Dr. Dale A. Comstock, N.D., M.A., President,"The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason." ​ Dale Comstock has given 35 years of service to the United States combating U.S. enemies abroad. He served in every campaign from Grenada to the present conflicts that the United States is involved in as a frontline combatant directly engaging the enemy, either as a Paratrooper, Green Beret, Delta Force Operator, or Paramilitary contractor. He has been decorated twice for Valor in combat and is also the famed breacher that explosively breached the Modelo Prison in Panama during the 1989 U.S. invasion and rescue of Kurt Muse. You can read more about his life and combat experience in his book American Badass.Dale has 6th degree Black Belts in American Open Karate and Extension Fighting, with a 1st degree Black Belt in Ju Jitsu. He is a former professional boxer, kickboxer, and MMA fighter, who authored the 3rd Special Forces Group combatives manual in 1997, instructed the Delta Force combatives program and the 3rd Special Forces Group combatives program. He is a competitive Bodybuilder and actively trains and competes alongside his son. In the world of self-defense Dale has globally managed bodyguard details for high net worth businessman, celebrities, and Politicians.In addition to martial arts training and knowhow, Dale has a Doctorate Natural Health and Alternative Medicine, a Masters Degree in Business and Organizational Security Management, with a Baccalaureates degree in Education. He is fluent in German, with a working knowledge of Spanish and Portuguese.He is a certified Locksmith, Special Security and Anti-Terrorist Driving Instructor, Evasive and Defensive Off-road Driving, Professional K-9 trainer and handler, Combat Tracker, U.S. Army Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE), DOD High Risk level-2 Resistance to Interrogation trained, Delta Force firearms and Close Quarter Battle instructor, FBI Firearms instructor, Mid-South Institute firearms instructor, NRA firearms instructor, NSA Operational Security Manager, Waterborne Insertion Expert, and Advanced Urban Warfare/ Unassisted Asset Recovery trained.In September 2011 Dale was featured on Discovery Channel's “One Man Army,” and in September 2012 he was featured on NBC's “Stars Earn Stripes” alongside Terry Crews. Since that time Dale has participated in numerous Hollywood productions and has authored his book “American Badass,” which is his life story from childhood to present day that talks about his journey through virtually every ground campaign from Grenada to Afghanistan as a Delta Operator, Infantryman, and Paramilitary Operative.AWARDS/HONORS: Bronze Star with “V” device (For Valor), Joint Service Commendation Medal with “V” device (For Valor), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal w/ Spearhead device (3 awards), Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Service Star (2 awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Arabian-Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Special Forces Tab.

Jason Angell was an enlisted Marine infantryman that left the service after an injury and came back as an officer. He participated in the invasion of Iraq and also served as an ANGLICO Firepower Control Team leader during a deployment to Ramadi. Check out Jason's book through the link below!Support the showhttps://www.jcramergraphics.comhttps://www.ANGLICOshop.comhttps://www.patreon.com/formeractionguysJason's sitehttps://www.jason-angell.com/

Jeff Tumbarello is a Real Estate Broker. Originally from Stuart Florida, after an enlistment in the United States Marine Corps, he found his way to beautiful SWFL and married Cristina Tumbarello and it has been home ever since.Jeff Tumbarello has performed market metrics and product modeling for the capital markets and several private equity firms. As well as materially participating in large bulk asset and distressed note sales. Jeff Tumbarello also was a Trainer/Speaker for the Florida Housing Coalition. Since 2009, He has brokered extensively in Commercial Real Estate. These projects have ranged from large office buildings in Cape Coral, distressed gulf access development sites in Naples, and numerous large warehouses from Sarasota in Fort Myers. Jeff Tumbarello is also very active in commercial leasing.In 2003, Jeff Tumbarello and 3 other SWFL Real Estate Investors founded the South West Florida Real Estate Investment Assoc.Jeff Tumbarello is a veteran of the USMC. He served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm as an Infantryman with First Battalion Third Marines.In this episode:The impact of elections on real estate marketImpact of inflation and interest rates on salesThe Southwest Florida REIAMigration in Southwest FloridaThe Norris Group originates and services loans in California and Florida under California DRE License 01219911, Florida Mortgage Lender License 1577, and NMLS License 1623669.  For more information on hard money lending, go www.thenorrisgroup.com and click the Hard Money tab.Video LinkRadio Show

Jeff Tumbarello is a Real Estate Broker. Originally from Stuart Florida, after an enlistment in the United States Marine Corps, he found his way to beautiful SWFL and married Cristina Tumbarello and it has been home ever since.Jeff Tumbarello has performed market metrics and product modeling for the capital markets and several private equity firms. As well as materially participating in large bulk asset and distressed note sales. Jeff Tumbarello also was a Trainer/Speaker for the Florida Housing Coalition. Since 2009, He has brokered extensively in Commercial Real Estate. These projects have ranged from large office buildings in Cape Coral, distressed gulf access development sites in Naples, and numerous large warehouses from Sarasota in Fort Myers. Jeff Tumbarello is also very active in commercial leasing.In 2003, Jeff Tumbarello and 3 other SWFL Real Estate Investors founded the South West Florida Real Estate Investment Assoc.Jeff Tumbarello is a veteran of the USMC. He served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm as an Infantryman with First Battalion Third Marines.In this episode:Get to know Jeff TumbarelloHow did Jeff started in Real EstateNavigating through the 2008 crashPivoting from Residential Sales to Distressed NotesImportance of paying attention to market trends and dataLand Market in Southwest FloridaThe Norris Group originates and services loans in California and Florida under California DRE License 01219911, Florida Mortgage Lender License 1577, and NMLS License 1623669.  For more information on hard money lending, go www.thenorrisgroup.com and click the Hard Money tab.Video LinkRadio Show

Jordan See is Head of Government Relations at Qualtrics.  He is responsible for directing all government activities for Qualtrics' North American business operations. Jordan has over 14 years of experience working with the United States Congress, state legislatures, executive agencies, healthcare, and technology industries. Prior to joining Qualtrics, Jordan served as the Director of State and Federal Government Relations with Teladoc Health, where he managed a portfolio of issues ranging from telehealth, health technology, state Medicaid, and federal Medicare and Veteran Health issues. Jordan also served as Director of Government Affairs with Leidos, where he was responsible for directing government activities for Leidos' $4.0 billion health technology business. Prior to joining Leidos, See served as the Legislative Director for U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), where he managed the Congressman's legislative staff and congressional activities on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  From 2010-2016, See served in roles of increasing responsibility for U.S Rep. Gregg Harper (MS-03), ultimately serving as Senior Legislative Assistant and Communications Director, where he served as the primary advisor to the Congressman on Healthcare issues related to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as Social Security, Financial Services, Small Business, Housing, Technology, and Veterans Health and Benefits issues. See serves as a commissioned Military Intelligence Officer (Major) in the United States Army Reserve, and is currently assigned as an Inspector General with the Military Intelligence Readiness Command at Ft. Belvoir, VA. From 2010-2019, See previously served as and enlisted Infantryman and a Military Intelligence Officer with the Mississippi Army National Guard. See holds a J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law, and a B.A. from the University of Florida in Anthropology/Geography. Go Gators!

In this episode of The Scuttlebutt Podcast, we sit down with Mickey Vickery, a dedicated veteran who began his journey in the US Army as an Infantryman. After his enlistment, Mickey continued to serve his fellow veterans through the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), where he made significant contributions as a post commander and later as a district commander. Now, Mickey is embarking on a new chapter, running for the position of VFW State of Tennessee Chaplain for 2024-2025. Join us as Mickey shares his experiences from the battlefield to his leadership roles within the VFW, and his vision for supporting veterans in his potential new role as state chaplain. This episode is a testament to Mickey's enduring commitment to service and the veteran community. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about leadership, resilience, and dedication.The cookbook that saves lives!https://a.co/d/009PPUoPlease like and subscribe to our YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thescuttlebuttpodcastAlso you can support us at our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/TheScuttlebuttpodcastSaving lives 1 episode at a timeAnother way to support us is by the following links linktr.ee/minuteswisely#army #navy #airforce #marines #coastguard #veterans #military #veteransuicideawarenessSupport the Show.

 Bio: Pete Newell Pete Newell is a nationally recognized innovation expert whose work is transforming how the  government and other large organizations compete and drive growth.  He is the CEO of BMNT, an internationally recognized innovation consultancy and early-stage tech accelerator that helps solve some of the hardest real-world problems in national security, state and local governments, and beyond. Founded in Silicon Valley, BMNT has offices in Palo Alto, Washington DC, Austin, London, and Canberra. BMNT uses a framework, called H4X®, to drive innovation at speed. H4X® is an adaptation of the problem curation techniques honed on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan combined with the best practices employed by successful Silicon Valley startups. The result is a disciplined, evidence-based, data-driven process for connecting innovation activities into an accountable system that delivers solutions and overcome obstacles to innovation. Pete is a founder and co-author, with Lean Startup founder Steve Blank, of Hacking for Defense (H4D)®, an academic program taught at 47+ universities in the U.S., as well as universities in the UK and Australia. H4D® focuses on solving national security problems. It has in turned created a series of sister courses – Hacking for Diplomacy, Hacking for Oceans, Hacking for Sustainability, Hacking for Local and others – that use the H4X® framework to solve critical real-world problems while providing students with a platform to gain crucial problem-solving experience while performing a national service. Pete continues to advise and teach the original H4D® course at Stanford University with Steve Blank. In addition, Pete is Co-Founder and Board Director of The Common Mission Project, the 501c3 non-profit responsible for creating an international network of mission-driven entrepreneurs, including through programs like H4D®. Prior to joining BMNT, Pete served as the Director of the US Army's Rapid Equipping Force (REF).  Reporting directly to the senior leadership of the Army, he was charged with rapidly finding, integrating, and employing solutions to emerging problems faced by Soldiers on the battlefield. From 2010 to 2013 Pete led the REF in the investment of over $1.4B in efforts designed to counter the effects of improvised explosive devices, reduce small units exposure to suicide bombers and rocket attacks and to reduce their reliance on long resupply chains. He was responsible for the Army's first deployment of mobile manufacturing labs as well as the use of smart phones merged with tactical radio networks. Pete retired from the US Army as a Colonel in 2013. During his 32 years in uniform he served as both an enlisted national guardsman and as an active duty officer. He commanded Infantry units at the platoon through brigade level, while performing special operations, combat, and peace support operations in Panama, Kosovo, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is an Army Ranger who has received numerous awards to include the Silver Star and Presidential Unit Citation. Pete holds a BS from Kansas State University, an MS from the US Army Command & General Staff College, an MS from the National Defense University and advanced certificates from the MIT Sloan School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Bio: Dr Alison Hawks Dr. Alison Hawks is one of the leading experts advancing public sector innovation. A researcher and academic-turned-entrepreneur, she is the co-founder and CEO of BMNT, Ltd., the innovation company that is changing how public sector innovation happens; and Chair of the Common Mission Project UK, BMNT's charitable partner that guides mission-driven entrepreneurial education in the UK. Dr. Hawks co-founded BMNT Ltd with (Ret) Col Pete Newell, the CEO of BMNT, Inc., in 2019 to bring BMNT's proven innovation approach to the UK market. Under her leadership BMNT has become a trusted innovation partner across all single Services of Defence, the Cabinet Office, and the national security community. She has also helped change how real-world government challenges are addressed in the UK, launching the “Hacking for” academic programmes created in the U.S. These courses that teach university students how to use modern entrepreneurial tools and techniques to solve problems alongside government at startup speed. As a result of her efforts, 14 UK universities are offering Hacking for the Ministry of Defence, Hacking for Sustainability and Hacking for Police. More than 480 students have taken these courses, addressing 103 real-world challenges. Dr. Hawks teaches mission-driven entrepreneurship at King's College London, Department of War Studies and at Imperial College London's Institute of Security Science and Technology. She was named the Woman of the Year for Innovation and Creativity at the Women in Defence Awards in 2022. She serves on the Board of Directors of BMNT, leading development of BMNT's innovation education programs while also guiding the integration of BMNT's rapidly expanding international presence. She was previously Director of Research at the Section 809 Panel, a U.S. Congressionally mandated commission tasked with streamlining and codifying defense acquisition. She was also an Assistant Professor at the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, as well as King's College London, Department of Defence Studies where she taught strategy, policy and operations in professional military education. Dr. Hawks' doctoral thesis was in military sociology. She received her Ph.D from the Department of War Studies at King's College London, and her MA in Strategic Studies from the University of Leeds. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. She has multiple peer reviewed publications on her research. Interview Highlights 03:50 BMNT 06:20 Serendipity 10:00 Saying yes to the uncomfortable 11:20 Leadership 15:00 Developing a thick skin 20:00 Lessons of an entrepreneur 22:00 Stakeholder success 25:00 Solving problems at speed and at scale 28:00 The innovation pipeline 29:30 Resistance is rational 34:00 Problem curation 38:00 Dual use investments 43:00 Accelerating change 47:00 AUKUS 52:20 AI   Contact Information   ·         LinkedIn: Ali Hawks on LinkedIn ·         LinkedIn Peter Newell on LinkedIn ·         Website:  The Common Mission Project UK ·         Website: BMNT US ·         Website: BMNT UK   Books & Resources ·         Scaling Up Excellence: Getting to More Without Settling for Less: Robert Sutton, Robert , Huggy Rao ·         Value Proposition Canvas ·         Business Model Canvas ·         Hacking for Defense ·         Hacking for Allies ·         AUKUS DIN ·         Impromptu : Amplifying Our Humanity Through AI, Reid Hoffman ·         Huberman Lab Podcast ·         Allie K. Miller ·         Wiring the Winning Organization: Liberating Our Collective Greatness through Slowification, Simplification, and Amplification: Gene Kim, Steven Spear ·         The Friction Project - Bob Sutton, Huggy Rao Episode Transcript  Intro: Hello and welcome to the Agile Innovation Leaders podcast. I'm Ula Ojiaku. On this podcast I speak with world-class leaders and doers about themselves and a variety of topics spanning Agile, Lean Innovation, Business, Leadership and much more – with actionable takeaways for you the listener. Ula Ojiaku My guests for this episode are Pete Newell and Ali Hawks. Pete Newell is the CEO and Co-founder of BMNT, an innovation consultancy and early stage technology incubator that helps solve some of the hardest problems facing the Department of Defense and Intelligence community. Ali Hawks is CEO of BMNT in the UK and also a Co-founder of BMNT in the UK. In addition to this, she is the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Common Mission Project, and she Co-founded the Common Mission Project in 2019 and drove its growth as a Startup charity in the UK. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, my conversation with Pete and Ali, I found it very insightful and I'm sure you would as well. Pete, thank you Ali, thank you so much for being with us on the Agile Innovation Leaders Podcast. It's a great pleasure to have you here.  Pete Newell  Thanks so much for the invite.  Ali Hawks  Yeah. Thank you for having us.  Ula Ojiaku Right, this is the second time ever in the history of my podcast that I'm having two people, two guests. The first time was fun, and I know this one would be as well, and informative. I always start with asking my guests to tell us a bit about themselves. So your background, any memorable happenings that shaped you into the person you are today?  Pete Newell  So I'm a retired army officer. I enlisted when I was 18 and was commissioned when I left college in the mid 80s. I spent most of my career as an Infantryman in tactical units. I spent a great bit of time in the Middle East and other war zones. Towards the end of my career, I ended up as the Director of the Army's Rapid Equipment Force, which is essentially the Skunk Works that was stood up at the start of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to accelerate technology to solve problems that were emerging on the battlefield, that weren't part of something else, somewhere else. And in that three-year journey, it probably exposed me to first and foremost, the speed at which new problems are presenting themselves, not just on the battlefield, but in the rest of the world. It exposed me to the speed at which technology is changing, being adopted and then being adapted for other purposes. So it's almost like chasing technology as it changes is a whole new sport, and it exposed me to  the challenges of large bureaucratic organisations and their inability to keep up with the speed of the changes in order to remain competitive, whether it was on the battlefield or in the commercial markets or something like that. Those epiphanies really drove, first, my decision to retire from the military, because I became addicted to solving that problem, and second, drove the impetus to launch BMNT in 2013. And in fact, you are right square in the middle of our 10th anniversary of being a company. So it really is, I think, a big deal because we started with four people on a driveway in Palo Alto, California, now we're a global company with multiple companies and are grateful, but that's the history of how we got started.  Ula Ojiaku  Congratulations on your 10th anniversary, and it's an impressive background and story. Ali, what about you?  Ali Hawks  So, my background, a little bit different than Pete's, by training I was an academic, so my training and my PhD was in military sociology. I was really interested in understanding people's experiences in the armed forces, both in the US and the UK. That is what my PhD was focused around, my thesis, and I went on to be an academic at King's College London here in the UK. I've also been an Assistant Professor at Georgetown University in the School of Foreign Service. But it wasn't until I then took a job with the US DoD, in something called a Congressional Advisory Panel called the Section 809 Panel, which was tasked with overhauling all of defense acquisition, and that's where Pete and I met. I think one of those formative experiences in my career was meeting Pete and going to the non-profit that Pete started and spun out of BMNT, it's called the Common Mission Project with a really big program, Hacking for Defense, and Steve Blank also Co-founded that as you know, and Joe Felter. I went to an educator course for this program in Fort Belvoir as a part of my job to understand, could we take these types of methods and put them into congressional legislation or DoD regulation as a way to change how people think about problems? And when I met Pete, it was the intersection of all of the things that I really love, academia, entrepreneurship, defense and national security. I went up to Pete and pitched him and said, I want to take this back to the UK and launch it. That was the start of what has been thousands of conversations about the value that we can add both in the US and the UK.  I worked in some law firms before I did my Master's and my PhD, but mainly my career has been in academia.  Ula Ojiaku  Wow. Thanks for sharing. And would you say it was serendipity that made your paths to cross and how are you finding the journey so far?  Ali Hawks  I think, yes, I think it's serendipity. I have a really different life journey than Pete. And I think in my career at the time when I met Pete, I hadn't really found what it is, what I felt like my purpose should be, or hadn't really found passion or joy in my work to that day. I found things I loved, I loved academia and I love teaching, but it just still didn't hit all of those things that you kind of get up every day and are like, this is what I'm meant to do. And I had done a lot of work on reflecting of what that would feel like and what that would look like and the elements it had to have. So by the time I met Pete, it was almost as if someone was flashing a huge sign at me saying, don't miss your turn, this is your turn. So I think serendipity, but also really understanding what it is that I wanted to do and the type of people I wanted to work with and the journey so far. I'll hand over to Pete in a second, but it's been nothing short of incredible. Pete has an amazing reputation, but as a business partner and as a leader, he allows people to truly learn, experiment, make mistakes, and he pulls everyone along by building confidence and empowering people that work for him. So in terms of kind of coming from academia and becoming a researcher turned entrepreneur, it's been the most formative experience of my career. Being able to work along Pete is like being able to work alongside that kind of guide or that guru, and you're like, wow, I can't believe I get to talk to this person every week and learn from them and be in business with them. So that's how it's going for me. Pete, how's it going for you?  Pete Newell You know, Steve Blank and I had a long conversation about serendipity when he and I met 2015 and here's my advice in serendipity. It really is if you have an active curiosity and a willingness to say yes to things that you wouldn't normally, and you're not adverse to taking risk, the chances of serendipity smacking like lightning greatly go up. And then I go back to my first trip to Stanford University in 2011. Well, I was still a military officer and saying yes to a number of things that people asked me to do, and just one conversation after another led to a meeting with two guys who were Stanford graduate school instructors who were writing a book. Those two decided to write a chapter in that book about the work I was doing at the Rapid Equipment Force. Now, when Huggy Rao and Bob Sutton decided to write a book and hire a case study writer who spent six months digging into your life, you learn all kinds of things about yourself and about the world, and when that's followed by a chance coffee with Steve Blank, who had no idea who I was, and I had no idea who he was, that 15-minute coffee turned into a four-hour discussion between the two of us. I typically would not have been at the Fort Belvoir thing that Ali was at, and I think our meeting was very brief, but it was, I think, six months later when I found her in the library at Georgetown University at some social event and we both decided that we wanted her to do something, and we wanted to do something in the UK, and we wanted to see something between allied countries come together. There was no strategy or grand business development, there was nothing that drove those conversations. It was simply in the spur of the moment, the curiosity takes over and you start to say I can see where this might work. Now, Ali will be the first to tell you, it has not been easy, but it has been a privilege to work with her and to continue to work between the two governments and the countries to see absolutely brilliant things done. And so I just say, I come back to, it's that curiosity connected with the desire to, the willingness to accept a little bit of risk, but learning how to say yes to things that you're uncomfortable with and digging just a little bit more. That opens up that opportunity so much more.  Ula Ojiaku I could see, it's evident to me the way Ali was talking about working with you, Pete, and your leadership, I'm wondering, could there have been anything about your military background that has influenced your leadership style as a whole? Pete Newell Yeah, everything in my background does. I can tell you, even growing up as a kid that the way my parents raised me influenced me positively, and negatively in some cases. My military background, I have been fortunate to work for a group of fantastic military leaders, I spent time in the Special Operations community, I spent time working for Stan McChrystal, I spent time in the Pentagon working for brilliant people. I also worked for some of the absolute worst bosses in the entire world, and I rarely say this about people, they were just bad human beings, and I will tell you in many cases what I learned watching a leader in a just really horrible environment influenced me more than watching the really brilliant guys out there. If you think about it, it's really hard to pattern yourself after somebody who is brilliant and driven and successful and kind and they do all that, but I'll tell you what, you can look at somebody who is really a bad boss and say, I don't want to be like them, and it happens in an instant, that I do not ever want to be like that person. That teaches you a lot about the environment that you want to create that people are going to work in. I have some hard areas, and Ali will acknowledge some of them, in the way people are treated in the workplace. Also as a graduate of the Special Operations community, I have strong feelings about how high performing people should be allowed to perform, and also expectations of how they work. I think the military left me with a high degree of not just respect, but you want to hire people, there's a certain degree of dedication to their success, whether they stay in your company or whether they leave, or they go someplace else, whether they're challenged or something else. And I'll tell you, if there was something hard about transitioning from the military to the business world is, in the military, you're given people and you're told to make them successful no matter what. In the business world, you tend to just fire people who are unsuccessful and not invest time and energy in them. I have never been able to make that change, and it's a bit of a struggle sometimes, because in the business world, you can't afford to hang on to people who are subpar performers, if you want to run a high-performance organisation. So if there's one of the things that I have learned is I am challenged in letting somebody go because I see it as a personal failure if somebody fails to thrive in my organisation, that has been built and imprinted by my past. I think Ali has a very different opinion, because she comes from such a great different place. Here's the beauty of it, the work with people like Ali and some of the others, we can argue and disagree and fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but we still love each other, and it is still an absolutely amazing environment to work in. That's really what, if you get it right, that's what life's like.  Ula Ojiaku What's your view, Ali?  Ali Hawks So we clearly have different backgrounds, I think that I was a bit of a late bloomer in terms of leadership style. Being in academia, you're not really in a leadership position because you're responsible for yourself, and in a way, it's a really good test bed for being an entrepreneur, because in academia you have to have such thick skin, because you turn in your peer reviewed journal publications, you turn in your papers and people write back and slash, and no one's trying to make you feel good. In fact, they want to help you, but also they're quite competitive. So that was a really good proving ground for being able to develop the thick skin for critical feedback or any feedback and really all of the knocks that come with being an entrepreneur. What I took into starting BMNT here four years ago was, things that I took from Pete and from the U.S. was really allowing people and high performers to work in the way that they feel best. One of the things I hated when I was younger in certain jobs, and working in law firms is punching your time card at 8 am, and you punch out at 5, and an hour for lunch, and it never felt right that that was the way to measure someone's productivity or to really enhance or empower people. And so the way that I approach it is we consider everyone to be an adult and to do their job, and also to be as curious as possible. So on our Standup this morning, with two new team members coming back into BMNT, one of the things that we agreed on is if no one's asking for time off to be creative or to have a day or two days to read a book that will enhance their knowledge or make them a better BMNTer, then we're failing. If no one has asked for that time by the end of this calendar year. So the way that I really approach leadership is how can I empower, but also invest in every single person, because it's not me delivering the everyday work, it's the people in my company, so they're building it alongside of me. I hire smart young people who will give feedback and we action that feedback. So we change things based on what we get from a 23-year-old, so everyone in the company feels really valued. And I think, learning from Pete, is also being really honest and transparent with everyone in the company when your chips are down and you have to say, guys, this is what's going on, and I found it has built such a strong cohesion in the team that we have now, that this year going into it is the most excited I've ever been about running BMNT. So taking a lot of what I learned from Pete and also my own experiences of feeling really caged, actually, in most of my jobs, and being able to understand that people work in very different ways, and if you allow them to work in the ways that are best for them, you really do get the best of everyone.  Ula Ojiaku That's very inspiring and insightful. Now, there was something Pete said earlier on about you, Ali, walking up to him and sharing the vision that you wanted to take back what BMNT is doing to the UK and so what made you go for it, what pushed you towards that? Ali Hawks Again, it was a lot of work on my part of really understanding what I wanted to do, and when I approached Pete that day, I was really excited and exuberant and I said, I want to take this back to the UK and I want to run it. And Pete is, as you get to know him, he's very calm and he's quiet, and he kind of looked at me and he said, you should talk to some people. And I thought, okay, I'll go talk to people. So I went out and I talked to people and I got Pete on the phone a few weeks later and I said, Pete, this is my dream job, this is what I want to do. And Pete said, prove it, do a Business Model Canvas. So I then hung up the phone, I googled Business Model Canvas, I watched YouTube videos on how to complete it. I was still working at the 809 Panel, so I was getting up really early to talk to people back in the UK, make phone calls, pulling on all of my contacts because I've been in defense and national security for gosh, since 2009, and I was canvassing everyone I knew, I filled out the Business Model Canvas, I sent it to Pete, he was going to be in DC about a week later, and he wrote back saying we should meet. So we then met and had an initial conversation around what it could look like, but it really wasn't until as Pete said in that library at Georgetown for a reception that we came together and having had both time to think and think about what I put down in the Business Model Canvas, but also how we got along, I think, and gelled as business partners, we decided, let's do it. So when we said we didn't have a plan, I had an idea of what we could do, and I have unfailing determination to make things work, and so I just knew, and I think we both knew if we tried it, that something would come of it, and if not, we would learn a lot from it. So we went from there and it took a while before we got a plan, to be honest, but we got there. Ula Ojiaku Well, here you are. Ali Hawks Exactly. Pete Newell You know, if there's one thing I have learned as an entrepreneur is that the plan you thought you were going to have, is never the one you actually execute. So the faster you begin to test it, usually by talking to people and doing things, the faster you will get rid of bad ideas. And it's not about finding the good idea, but it's about creating all the ideas you could possibly have and then killing them off quickly so that you understand the core of the value that you think you're going to deliver. Everything after that is the mechanics of how to build a business. I mean, that's not easy stuff, when you're launching a company, more importantly when you're launching one in a country you haven't been in in a while, but getting there is really about getting the thought process moving and getting people to disabuse you of the notion that every idea you have is brilliant. Ula Ojiaku I mean, I agree setting up a business isn't easy. I can't imagine the additional challenge of setting it up in the defense sector, the Department of Defense in the US, Ministry of Defence here in the UK. What sort of things would you say would be the additional? Do you have to go through hurdles to go through approvals, clearances and all that? Ali Hawks From the MOD experience, it's less about clearances and those types of things, it's more about understanding, winding your way through what feels like a maze, to find the right stakeholders that you can bring together at the right time to make a decision. So while there are individuals that hold budgets and can make decisions, there's a constellation of people around them that need to be aligned in concert with that decision. If you went to a business, of course, you'll have to have a couple of people on board, but the time to sale or the cost to sale is relatively straightforward. When you go into the government, you have a group of highly motivated people, highly mission-driven people who experience the pain of their problems every day, and they are trying to fight just as hard as you are in order to change something for the better. So in the first instance, you have great allyship with your customers, because you have a shared mission, and you're both working towards it, which is fantastic. The second is really trying to understand if that person has the budget and they need to sign off on it, how much do they need to care about it, or is it their chief of staff that needs to really care about it? Or is it their engineer? So I would say the difference is the amount of discovery that you do and doing that stakeholder mapping, is fundamental to success, but also knowing that people change jobs in the civil service and the Armed Forces every few years, that is a critical skill as a business working with the government, that stakeholder mapping and that discovery with your customers, customer development never ends. So I think that that is the longest pole in the tent in terms of finding the right people, and sometimes people say that's the person that has authority, you go talk to them and they say, no, I don't have any authority, so it's really trying to wind your way through the maze to align those key stakeholders. Pete Newell I would add to what Ali said, is that it's like climbing into a very complicated Swiss watch and you need to understand not just how things work, but you need to understand why they work the way they do, and how they work with other things, and then you need to understand who's responsible for making them work and who the beneficiary of the work is, and who possibly might want to make them not work. So, Ali's comment on stakeholder development, it's at the heart of everything you do -- you talk about more sociology and anthropology than it is anything, it truly is understanding why things work the way they do and what drives people to behave one way versus another. Once you figure that out, then you can figure out how to motivate them to behave one way or another, and where you might fit to help them in their daily job or whatever else. But that stakeholder development and understanding who's in charge, who benefits, who doesn't benefit, why something might be counter to something else is so critical in any consulting business, but in particular, if you are trying to get something done inside a government organisation. It, in many cases, it's archaic, but it still operates underneath a very definitive culture that you can map if you've been at it long. Ula Ojiaku So BMNT, you help government organisations to solve hard problems at speed and at scale. Can you expand on this? Pete Newell It's both I think. I go back to my experience, way back in the Rapid Equipping Force and 2010 is first and foremost, there are tens of thousands of problems that prevent the government from doing what it wants to do. The government is challenged, first, in being able to identify those problems; second, in translating those problems into plain English that other people might understand; third, in using that translated thing to find ever bigger groups of people, to then redefine the problem one more time, so that it makes sense for the rest of the world; and fourth, creating the policies and process that will attract people to come to them and work with them to solve those problems fast enough to build a solution before the problem changes so much that the calculus is completely out of whack again. And in all this there's a complicated long answer, but the impedance difference between the speed at which you develop and acknowledge a problem and your ability to get people to work on it, if it's out of sync with the speed at which technology is being adopted and adapted, you will constantly be perfectly solving the wrong problem, and you'll be constantly delivering things that are antiquated before the day they land in somebody's hands, so that's really the speed issue. I go back to what I said about sociology. This is the speed of your ability to get people to come together to work on something, and then the scale is determining, scale how fast, and scale how big. The scale how fast is, I can start to deliver a solution to this, but I know the solution is going to change every 6 months. So I don't need to commit to building tens of thousands of these over a 5-year contract, but I do need to commit to changing what I deliver every 6 months, or this is going to scale to some big end and it goes into a much different system, you have to be ambidextrous about your approach to scale, and unfortunately most procurement laws, both the United States and in the UK are not built to be ambidextrous. They're built to do one thing and one thing very efficiently only. Unfortunately, that's not the way the world works anymore. Ula Ojiaku Any thoughts, Ali? Ali Hawks As Pete said, and as a sociologist, the most often thing, and I think Pete said this a long time ago when we first met, is the government doesn't have a tech adoption problem, it has a people problem, and a lot of our work, a lot of our customers will come and say they have a tech problem, and they have a huge degree of urgency, but the things that get in their way are they have no common language, and they have no repeatable and scalable process in which to think about and work on their problems. And the framework that we developed, the innovation pipeline, is that process for them to do it. It's not complicated, it's methodology agnostic, and so it allows you to develop an entire workforce around a common language of innovating, mission acceleration, agile transformation, whatever you want to do, recognising that people are at the heart of it. The Head of Innovation at UC Berkeley and during one of our Lean Innovators Summit, said something that has stuck with me for several years now, ad he said, and it really hit home with our customers, because sometimes when I first started BMNT here, I was such an evangelist that I forgot to listen to the customer. I was just so convinced that they needed what we had, and I think the customer was telling me something else and I would get frustrated, and when I heard this, it was resistance is rational. When we go into a room with a group of people, we usually have a customer who is an evangelist of ours, or an early adopter, a huge supporter, and they have a couple of other people who feel the same way they do about change and innovation and moving rapidly, and then 70 percent of the team don't feel that same way. So approaching it and really empathising with the customers and understanding resistance is rational, why would they want to change? Things for them work, the way that they have always done, it works, and that is a rational response. So being able to then develop a service where you're connecting with them and saying, I understand that, and that's a rational response, and then using tools, like one of my favourite tools, the Value Proposition Canvas, to really understand, what are the jobs to be done, and the pains and the gains, and when you speak in that type of language, there are so many times that I have seen this kind of aha moment of like, oh, so if I did that, then I wouldn't have to do this anymore, or I would be able to do this different thing. And this is not complicated, these are not complicated tools or processes we're talking about, but the common denominators of it are discipline, consistency, and hard work. And I think, coming off what Pete said, when you want to get pace and speed, you have to be consistent and you have to be disciplined, and people have to understand what you're saying in order to get over that resistance is rational piece. Pete Newell I think Ali's spot on in terms of the problem with the problem. Oftentimes is, we can put a problem in a room and 10 people work on it and get 10 different versions of the problem, and so part of the art that's involved in the process is to get a group of people to agree to a common definition of a problem and use the same words, because many times we're inventing new words. It's new technology, new problem, but the first thing we do is get everybody to say the same thing the same way, and then start to talk to other people about it, because part two of that is you learn that your problem is probably not the right problem, it's a symptom of something else, and that whole process of discovery is a very disciplined, I would say it's a scientific methodology applied to how we communicate with people. You have to get out and test your theory by talking to the right people in a big enough diverse crowd to truly understand that whether you're on the right track or the wrong track. That's hard work, it really is hard work, and it's even harder to get what I would say critical feedback from people in the process who will challenge your assumptions and will challenge your test, who will challenge the outcomes of that. That's what our team does such a great job of, working with customers to teach them how to do that, but listening to them and helping them come together. At the same time, we're looking at the quality of the work and because we're a third party, we can look over the shoulder and say I see the test, and I see the outcome, but I don't think your test was adequate, or I don't think you tested this in an environment that was diverse enough, that you may be headed down the wrong path. The customer can still decide to go with what they learn, but in most cases, at least they're getting honest feedback that should allow them to pause and relook something. Ali Hawks I think for this particular reason, this is why BMNT is a leader in this space, is because the kind of jurisdiction around that front end of the pipeline, of are we making sure that we're choosing from enough problems and we're not stuck with a couple of investments that might be bad, so to speak, really validating that problem to decide, is it worth working on, is this even progressible, does anyone care about it, can it technically be done, does the organisation care about it, before spending any money on investment. Now that front end of the pipeline is gradually becoming a stronger muscle, and I'll speak for the UK, is gradually becoming a stronger muscle because of the work that BMNT has done, and both in the US and the UK, there is incredibly strong muscle memory around experimentation and incubation, which is fantastic. There's a lot of structure around that and frameworks and a lot of common language, which is amazing, because when you have that developed, going back to the beginning to refine before you put into the machine, so to speak, that's where what we call curation, really validating that problem, that's a single most determining factor on whether a problem will transition to an adopted solution. Most of government starts in experimentation and incubation, so they don't get the benefit of de-risking investment in a solution, and they don't necessarily get the benefit of all the learning to expedite that into incubation and experimentation. So I think where BMNT comes out and really owns that area is in that front end of the pipeline, and when you do that front end, you would be amazed at how fast the other part of the pipeline goes through discover incubation experimentation, because you've increased confidence and really de-risked investment in the solution. Ula Ojiaku Thanks for sharing that Ali, would you say you're applying lean innovation amongst other things to the framework you're referring to, or would that be something else? Pete Newell No, I think that it's all part of the process. We use a variety of tools to get to the data we want, and then it's a matter of doing analysis, and this is why Ali's background as an academic is so critical, because she's keen on analysis, and looking at the data and not skewing the data one way or another, and that's an incredibly important skill in this process. Again, this is really the application of a scientific methodology, and you need to be able to do that, but you need to understand how to get the data. So whether it's Lean or it's Scrum or it's some Google tool or something else. We have become really adaptive in the use of the tools and a mixture of the tools to drive a community of people to create the data we need to make an assessment of whether something's going the right direction or not. And that's the beauty of being involved with the Lean Innovation Educators Forum, the beauty of the time we spend with folks like Alex Osterwalder or with Steve Blank or with the folks from the d.school at Stanford or any of those places that are developing tools. It is understanding how to use and adopt the tool to fit the circumstances, but at the end of the day, it's all about creating the data you need to use the analysis that will drive an insight, that will allow you to make a decision. Too often I find people who are just overly enamoured with the tool and they forget that the tool is just a tool. It's about data, insight, and decisions, and you have to get to a decision at some point. Ula Ojiaku Data, insight, decisions. Amazing. So, if we shift gears a little bit and go into your Strategic Innovation Project, SIP, I understand that one of the shifts you're driving in the DoD and MoD respectively is about their approach to involving private investment in defence technology. Could you share a bit more about that? Pete Newell As part of the innovation pipeline, you have to eventually transition out of the discovery phase and at the end of discovery, you should know that you have the right problem. You have a potential solution and you have a potential pathway that will allow you to deliver that solution in time to actually have an impact on the problem. At that point, you start incubating that solution, and if it's a tech or a product, then you're talking about either helping a company build the right thing, or you're talking about starting a new company, and that new company will have to do the thing. Our work in terms of early-stage tech acceleration is really now focused on what we call dual-use technologies. Those technologies that are required to solve a problem in the military, but also have a digital twin in the commercial world. There has to be a commercial reason for the company being built that's actually going to solve the problem, and so as we looked at that, we found really interesting conversations with investors in the United States and then eventually overseas who were looking for a way to help defense get the technologies it wanted, but have portfolios that don't allow them to just invest in a defense technology, and they were looking for an opportunity to engage one, with like-minded investors, but two, in honest conversations about problems that existed in the military and in the commercial world so they can make better decisions about the deployment of their capital to create the right companies. I think it's probably been five years now we've been working on the hypothesis around this. we started to develop a very strong language around dual-use investments in early-stage tech acceleration and adoption, and we started to build new tools inside government programs, as well as new groups of investors and other folks who wanted to be involved. All that was fine in the United States, but then we found it was a slightly different application outside the United States, particularly in Europe, which is not necessarily the most Startup friendly environment in the world in terms of investment, but at the same time, understanding that the United States has an unequalled appetite for technology to the point where that technology doesn't necessarily exist within the United States, nor do the best opportunities to test that technology exist for the United States, so we had to come up with a way that would allow us to do the same type of investigation with our allies, which turns into this incredible opportunity amongst allied nations and companies and vendors and things like that. And I know that from Ali's standpoint, watching NATO DIANA and other programs start, that it is more challenging, it's a different environment in Europe than it is in the United States. Ali Hawks Picking up there and in terms of the way that we think about investment, and what Pete is talking about is a program we run called Hacking 4 Allies. We currently work with Norway and take dual-use Norwegian Startups into our incubator and accelerator called H4XLabs in the US and we help them enter the US defense market and the commercial market, and one of the things that we're starting to see over here is it is a pathway that doesn't really exist in Europe. So when we think about NATO's DIANA, what DIANA is focused on, which is dual-use and deep tech and what they are overly focused on, and I think is correct, is how do you raise investment in the countries themselves to help booster a whole range of effects around being able to raise money within the country? Ultimately, though, and a lot of what DIANA was doing, in terms of the concept and its focus on dual-use and deep tech, was before the invasion of Ukraine, and so at that time before that, I think in terms of the NATO Innovation Fund and thinking about investment and NATO, it wasn't as comfortable with dual-use and investing in dual-use as the US is, not only is the US comfortable, but you have things like we helped a private capital fund, where people feel a great deal of patriotism, or that it's a part of their service to be able to contribute in that way. That feeling doesn't exist, it exists here, but it manifests itself in a different way, and it doesn't manifest itself as let's invest in dual-use technologies to help our defense and national security. So there's different understandings and cultural feelings towards those things. Now, having had the invasion of Ukraine and now the war in Israel and Gaza and now in Yemen, I think that the change is accelerating, insofar as what are the capabilities that we need to rapidly develop within NATO to be able to feel secure on our borders, and what type of investment does that take? Now, US investment in Europe has dropped about 22 percent in 2023, and so they're a little bit nervous about investing in these companies, and so the strength that being able to change the investment paradigm, which is ultimately, the companies that are going to receive the investment from the NATO Innovation Fund and NATO DIANA, they want to develop in the country, but ultimately all of those companies and their investors want them to get to a bigger market, and that bigger market is the US. So, what we are able to do is to connect real dollars, government dollars and commercial dollars, to those companies. We are one of the only pathways outside of export regimes for the Department of International Trade here in the UK. We are one of the only private pathways that has not only been tested and proved, but that we are able to take more companies year on year, take them to the US and prove that model. Now that's really exciting, especially as we see some of the investment declining, because we're able to identify those companies, we're able to connect them to problems that matter that people are trying to solve, develop the use cases, and then help them on the commercialisation side of things in terms of going into a new market. I think that the way that we think about investment in the US from a BMNT perspective, and the US is a little bit different from Europe and the UK, but the exciting thing is now that we have this proven pathway to enhance and accelerate concepts like DIANA and the NATO Innovation Fund. Ula Ojiaku So it sounds to me like it's not just about the localised investment into the innovation, it's also about BMNT building pathways, so European Startups, for example, that want an inroad into the US, maybe vice versa. Pete Newell I think the AUKUS DIN, the Defense Investor Network really is the collection of the US Investor Network, the UK and Australia. All three countries had Defense Investor Networks that had been set up over the last several years and primarily focused on, one, allowing investors to engage other investors about topics that are of common interest when it comes to this dual-use paradigm; and two, being able to engage with people in the government about things the investors were concerned about. I'm very clear when I talk about the Defense Investor Network, it is about defense investors, not about the government's problem. I've had to redefine that multiple times, as this is about enabling investors to be more proactive and participate in building the right kinds of companies, not about the government telling investors what they need to do, or the government telling the investors how they need to do it. It really, it was built from the investor perspective, and then we found is that the investors were prolifically honest about their feedback to senior people in the government, which I think has been hard for people in the government to get that kind of feedback, but when an investor with a portfolio of 30 and 40 companies looks at the government and says, I will never do it the way you just described, and here's why. Until you change that quantity, it makes no sense for us to participate, invest in, do, you'd be amazed. Sometimes it is the first time somebody's been able to articulate why something isn't going to happen, and then people nod their heads, well, I'll quit asking for that, or I'll go back and change something to see what it is we can do. So, we went from Hacking 4 Allies, which started out as a BMNT program with the Norwegians, to Hacking 4 Allies with the UK, Australia, Norway. At the same time, we had set up the Defense Investor Network, but as soon as we started the Allies program in the UK, the UK-based investors raised their hands and said, what you're doing in the United States, we want to do here, and then the same thing happened in Australia. When they made the AUKUS announcement, it just made too much sense to be able to look at, if we really want a free flow of technology and problems across the AUKUS governments, then surely we should be building ecosystems of like-minded people who can help drive those conversations. So it was super, super easy to bring the AUKUS Investor Network together, it was just too easy. The part that I think is not so easy, but we need to do work on is we, those investors need to be fed problems that are of an AUKUS nature, and at the same time, the governments need to listen to the investors when they tell them they have problems investing in companies that aren't allowed to participate in exercise or training or contracting or acquisitions in a different country, and if you really want to make AUKUS a real thing, there are a lot of policies that have to change. There's been a lot of progress made, but I think there's a lot more left to do to, to really get the opportunity to happen. Ula Ojiaku And would you say some of the problems would be related to what government officials would call national security, because if it's a dual-use spec, whilst it has its secular or commercial use, in the military, you wouldn't want other people knowing how you're deploying that technology and the ins and outs of it. So could that be one of the issues here? Pete Newell My definition of national security really touches public safety all the way up to military, so it's both. I think if you dig into it, it touches everything from supply chain, to access, to raw materials, to manufacturing, to education and workforce development, and you name it. There's a paradigm shift that has to happen if we're going to build more things, more often rather than long term ships and things like that, that as allied nations, we have to be able to attack all of the underlying foundational problems, and that's my supply chain, raw materials, manufacturing, and workforce that's necessary for the future. No one country is going to get that fixed all by themselves, and I think, to me, that's the absolute brilliance of what AUKUS should be able to focus on. Ali Hawks I agree, and I think that to being able to co-invest as well, the opportunity for investors to come around and understand what are the opportunities to, not only co-invest and coordinate, but to be able to scan their companies and their deal flow to see where their companies can partner and secure greater work and contracts and scale. So I think that it's a really important initiative in terms of being a steward of an extremely important ecosystem, not only being a steward, but being able to build that ecosystem of support and development. How we look at national security in the UK is really no different than what Pete talked about, and when we think about working with companies and the willingness to work with big tech companies or small tech companies or whatever it is, it's not just simply one transaction where, here's the money and here's your software. So obviously the kind of employment and the skills, but what is the ecosystem around that technology that is necessary? Does it require sensors and chips, and what is it that it requires that's going to bring in multiple different industries to support it, and that's really what the agenda here around prosperity is. How do we invest in these types of technologies and their ecosystems around it to have a more prosperous Britain? So you have a wider spread of skills as opposed to just investing in one thing. I think that's where AUKUS brings three very important allies together to be able to do that individually, but then the option to do it across in terms of the broader strategy and the policy around AUKUS, is a once in a lifetime chance that I think has come up. Ula Ojiaku So I think the key thing here is, this is a space to be watched, there's lots of opportunity and the potential of having the sum being greater than the parts is really huge here. One last question on this topic. So you said deep tech, and with Open AI's launch of ChatGPT earlier on last year, the world seems to have woken up to, generative AI. Do you see any influence this trend would have, or is having, in the military space in the Defense Innovation space. Pete Newell I think the world has woken up and is staring into the sun and is blinded. The challenge with AI in general, and I would say that it's not the challenge, AI has a long way to go, and by and large, folks are really focused on the high end of what AI can do, but people have to learn how to use AI and AI has to learn. What we're not doing is using AI to solve the mundane, boring, time wasting problems that are preventing our workforce from doing the high end work that only a human being can do, and I don't care how many billions of dollars we're pouring into building robots and other things, it's all great, but we still have government people managing spreadsheets of data that, they become data janitors, not analysts, and it is particularly bad in the intelligence world. I quote the Chief Information Officer of a large logistics agency who said data is not a problem, we have tons of data, it's just crappy, it's not tagged, it's not usable, we have data going back to the 1950s, we have no means of getting that data tagged so it's useful. Now, if we put time and energy into building AI products that would correctly tag old data, it'd be amazing what we can do. In the cases that we have helped develop tools with our clients, they'll save anywhere from a million to 300 million dollars a year in finding discrepancies in supply chain stuff, or finding other issues. So imagine if we put that kind of work in place for other people, but free people up to do more, better, smarter things, how much more efficient the use of the government's time and money would be, so that that money and that time could be invested in better things. So when I say, yeah, the AI is out there and people's eyes are open, but they're staring into the sun. They're not looking at the ground in front of them and solving the things that they could be solving at the speed they should be doing it, and unfortunately, I think they're creating a gap where legacy systems are being left further and further behind, but those legacy systems, whether it's finance, personnel, supply chain, discipline, things like that, aren't going to be able to make the transition to actually be useful later on. So I would describe it as an impending train wreck. Ula Ojiaku And what would be, in your view, something that could avert this oncoming train wreck. Pete Newell I think a concerted effort, really just to have the government say we're going to use AI to get rid of as much of the legacy brute force work that our populations are doing so that we can free them up to do other things. Part of this is we're then going to take the money we save and channel that money back into investment in those organisations. Right now, the money just goes away, that's great, you did better, therefore, your budget's reduced. There's no incentive to get better that way, but if you look at an organisation and say, you know, if you can save 10 million dollars a year, we'll give you that 10 million dollars to reinvest back into your organisation to do better and something else. Now, you have some incentive to actually make change happen. Ula Ojiaku Any thoughts, Ali? Ali Hawks I think the exciting thing for us, the way that I look at it in terms of government is that that government enablement to be able to use AI, here they are building large language models for the government based on the data that they have, and there's a lot of excitement around it and there should be. It's a pretty exciting thing to do. I think where we're in a really strong position and what I find really exciting is being able to do what we do best, which is help them understand what is the query and how do you validate that query? So what are the basic skills that you need to be able to interact, and then to be able to retain the skills of critical analysis, so when the answer comes back, you do not take that as the end all be all. It is a tool. So within your decision-making process, it's decreasing the amount of time it takes you to gather a certain amount of information, but just as you would if you were doing a book report, you still have to validate the sources and understanding, and you have to apply your own judgment and your own experience to that packet of information, which is what we all do every day, but it's not really thought about that way. So I think that the way that people are looking at it here is it will be able give us the decision and it will be able to kind of do our job for us, and for some tools, yes, and I completely agree that we need to free up all of the mundane work that hoovers up the time of civil servants here, because it's extraordinary how they're bogged down, and it completely disempowers them and it contributes to low retention rates and recruitment rates. But I think also it's developing the muscle to be able to do that critical thinking in order to leverage human intelligence to engage with artificial intelligence. And I think that's where we are uniquely positioned to do that because that is the bulk of our work on the front end of the pipeline, which is how are you going to validate what you know, how are you going to get the problem statement in order to query what you need to query and then having the judgment and the analysis to be able to look at that answer and make a decision, based on your own human intellect. That's where I see it playing here. I completely agree with Pete, we have people looking into the sun being like LLMs and they're going to solve everything, but you sit, let's say a hundred people down in front of an LLM and tell me how many people know what to ask it, or how to use it and integrate it into their everyday workflow. There's a long way to go, but I feel really excited about it because I feel like we have something so incredible to offer them to be able to enhance their engagement with AI. Ula Ojiaku That sounds excellent, thank you. Just to go to the rapid fire questions. So, Ali, what books have you found yourself recommending to people the most? Ali Hawks So I don't read a lot of work books, in terms of like how to run a company or anything like that, sorry, Pete, but, and I have a 4-year-old and three stepchildren, so I don't actually read as much as I used to, but I have read over in the last few weeks, the book Impromptu by Reid Hoffman about AI, which is great, and I listen to a lot of podcasts on my commute into London, so the Huberman Lab podcast I listen to a lot, but if you're looking for workplace inspiration, I'm afraid I look at Instagram, listen to podcasts, and then I follow Allie K. Miller, who writes a lot about AI, came out of Amazon, and she is fantastic for breaking things down into really bite sized chunks if you're trying to learn about AI, if you don't come from a technical background. Ula Ojiaku Thanks, Ali, we'll put these in the show notes. And Pete, what about you? Pete Newell I will give you two new books. One of them is a fun one, Wiring the Winning Organization written by Gene Kim and Steven Spear. Steve Spear is a good friend of ours, he's been a great mentor and advisor inside BMNT for a long time, I've known Steve since way back in my early days. The other one is by Huggy Rao and Bob Sutton, and it's called The Friction Project, and it's just like you say, it's all about friction in the workplace. I think both of those books tend to lend themselves to how to drive performance in organisations, and I think, knowing all of the authors, that they are phenomenal books, but I think the experience the four of them bring to the dialogue and the discussion of what the future workplace needs to look like and the things we need to solve will all be buried in those books. In terms of podcasts, I'm all over the map, I chase all kinds of things that I don't know. I listen to podcasts about subjects that I'm clueless about that just spark my interest, so I wouldn't venture to pick any one of them except yours, and to make sure that people listen to yours. Ula Ojiaku You're very kind, Pete. Well, because you're on it, they definitely would. Would you both be thinking about writing a book sometime, because I think your story has been fascinating and there are lots of lessons Pete Newell Only if Ali would lead it. So I have picked up and put down multiple proposals to write books around the innovation process within the government and other places, and part of the reason I keep stopping is it keeps changing. I don't think we're done learning yet, and I think the problem writing a book is you're taking a snapshot in time. One of the things that we are very focused on for the military, we talk about doctrine, what is the language of innovation inside the government workplace? It's the thing that we keep picking up, we've helped at least one government organisation write their very first innovation doctrine, the Transportation Security Administration of all places, the very first federal agency to produce a doctrine for innovation that explains what it is, why it is connected to the mission of the organisation, and describes a process by which they'll do it. I think within the Ministry of Defence, Department of Defense, there needs to be a concerted effort to produce a document that connects the outcome of innovation to the mission of the organisation. We call that mission acceleration. We look at innovation as a process, not an end state. The end state is actually mission acceleration. There's probably a really interesting book just to be written about Ali's journey, and I say more Ali's journey than mine because I think as a woman founder of a defence company in the UK, all of the characters in the book are completely unlikely. So somewhere down the road, maybe. Ula Ojiaku Well, I'm on the queue waiting for it, I will definitely buy it. So where can the listeners and viewers find you if, if they want to get in touch? Ali Hawks We're both on LinkedIn, so Pete Newell, Ali Hawks, our emails too are on our various websites, bmnt.com, bmnt.co.uk. Ula Ojiaku Awesome. Any final words for the audience? Pete Newell I'll say thank you again for one, having us. Like I said, it's the first opportunity Ali and I have had to be on a podcast together. Any opportunity I get to engage with the folks and have this conversation is a gift. So thank you for giving us the time. Ula Ojiaku My pleasure. Ali Hawks Yes, Ula, thanks very much for having us on together. It's been great. Ula Ojiaku I've enjoyed this conversation and listening to you both. So thank you so much. The pleasure and the honour is mine. That's all we have for now. Thanks for listening. If you liked this show, do subscribe at www.agileinnovationleaders.com or your favourite podcast provider. Also share with friends and do leave a review on iTunes. This would help others find this show. I'd also love to hear from you, so please drop me an email at ula@agileinnovationleaders.com Take care and God bless! 

On this episode of 10x Your Team, Camden and Otis are joined by Matt Kemp of Dialed In Staffing to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and share insights into both hiring and getting hired.  Is it better to burn the boats or to have a safety net?  How can you differentiate yourself in a crowded field of applicants?  What values should you look for in potential hires and how can you identify those values?  Matt, Cam, and Otis dive into all this and more on this fantastic episode!More About Matt:Matt Kemp is the Manager of Operations for Dialed In Staffing and Managing Partner of the Red Seven Strategy Group. He is an Army veteran and served as an Infantryman in Iraq + Afghanistan until 2008. After transitioning to civilian life, he earned a degree in Advertising and began his corporate career. He spent 10 years in Advertising, Sales and Corporate Recruiting/Headhunting before launching his own businesses in 2023.Chapters:0:03 - Intro3:07 - Financial Security 7:12 - Path of Least Resistance 12:16 - Protecting Your Time 16:24 - Owner & Operator  24:35 - Getting Help  35:46 - Job Application Tips 46:48 - Future Casting 48:00 -EndMatt Kemphttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mkemp287/https://www.dialedinstaffing.com/

#fathersday #masculinity #men Listen to the full, uncensored episode for free on Locals: https://theruthinstitute.locals.com/post/5725068/full-podcast-fatherhood-is-the-antidote-to-toxic-masculinity-nick-freitas-on-the-dr-j-show-ep Modern woke culture tells us that men and women are interchangeable, and all children really need is love. That type of thinking led to Obergefell, and the current transgender craze (think Dylan Mulvaney or Ellen Page). But children without both a mom and a dad struggle in school and in life, and the science backs that up. Kids need their own parents, and especially fathers. Fathers show their kids how to be both tough, and tender. And kids need both from their dads. Boys need to know how to act as men, and girls need to know what type of behavior to accept from their future husbands. Fathers teach them how to do that. Nick Freitas joins Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse to discuss fatherhood and masculinity for this special Father's Day edition of the Dr. J Show.   Nick Freitas has been married to his high school sweet heart Tina Freitas since 1999. They have 3 children, Lillyana, Luke and Alexandria. Immediately following high school Nick joined the Army and served with the 82nd Airborne Division and 25th Light Infantry Division as an Infantryman. After September 11th Nick volunteered for US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and eventually served 2 tours in Iraq as a Special Forces Weapons SGT and Special Forces Intelligence SGT. Honorably discharged in 2009, Nick moved his family to Virginia where he began working as an instructor and Program Manager. During that same time Nick moved to Culpeper and became involved with the local Republican unit. Nick was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2015.   Nick hosts Making the Argument, which you can Cath on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV5X47OmZs2vFhY13M68R3GKEf7pxh37j and Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/0PGCCatgQGZcatLmNSQ9oz?utm_medium=share&utm_source=linktree   You can find the rest of his amazing videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@Nickjfreitas   Visit Nick's website here: https://linktr.ee/NickFreitas   Follow him on social media https://x.com/nickjfreitas https://www.facebook.com/NickFreitasVA https://www.tiktok.com/@nickjfreitas3.0 https://www.instagram.com/nickjfreitas/?hl=en   Have a question or a comment? Leave it in the comments, and we'll get back to you!   Subscribe to our YouTube playlist:  @RuthInstitute  Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/theruthinstitute https://twitter.com/RuthInstitute https://www.facebook.com/TheRuthInstitute/ https://theruthinstitute.locals.com/newsfeed   Press: NC Register: https://www.ncregister.com/author/jennifer-roback-morse Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/profile/jennifer-roback-morse The Stream: https://stream.org/author/jennifer-roback-morse/ Crisis Magazine: https://crisismagazine.com/author/jennifer-roeback-morse   Father Sullins' Reports on Clergy Sexual Abuse: https://ruthinstitute.org/resource-centers/father-sullins-research/   Buy Dr. Morse's Books: The Sexual State: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/the-sexual-state-2/ Love and Economics: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/love-and-economics-it-takes-a-family-to-raise-a-village/ Smart Sex: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/smart-sex-finding-life-long-love-in-a-hook-up-world/ Be a Happier Parent (Or Laugh Trying): https://ruthinstitute.org/product/be-a-happier-parent-or-laugh-trying/ 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-a-happier-marriage/ 101 Tips to Marry the Right Person: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-marrying-the-right-person/   Listen to our podcast: Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ruth-institute-podcast/id309797947 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1t7mWLRHjrCqNjsbH7zXv1   Subscribe to our newsletter to get this amazing report: Refute the Top 5 Gay Myths https://ruthinstitute.org/refute-the-top-five-myths/   Get the full interview by joining us for exclusive, uncensored content on Locals: https://theruthinstitute.locals.com/support

Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how the disciplined life of an airborne infantryman could translate into culinary success? Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Chef Thom Favorin, a former paramedic and firefighter who overcame extraordinary health challenges to become a thriving food entrepreneur. You'll hear about his transition from military life to founding Crab Island Seafood Company with Chef Carl Riding, navigating the highs and lows of starting a family-owned business. We promise you'll gain invaluable insights into resilience, consistency, and the relentless pursuit of culinary excellence. Chef Carl will be on a future episode-stay tuned!Thom shares his gripping story of overcoming a debilitating injury and a massive heart attack, which ultimately led him to follow his true passion for food. From securing capital to adapting during the COVID-19 pandemic, hear firsthand the grit and determination it takes to turn a dream into reality. Discover the crucial role of trust, legal protections, and the importance of supporting veteran-owned businesses. Whether it's perfecting recipes or dealing with the nuances of local farmer's markets, Thom's narrative is a masterclass in entrepreneurship and perseverance.Ever tasted a smoked flan gone wrong? We also share lighter moments about our culinary missteps and delight in the day's bread offerings, like foGet ready to innovate your space with Metro! As the industry leader in organization and efficiency, Metro is here to transform your kitchen into a well-oiled machine.With their premium solutions, you'll experience the Metro difference. Metro's sturdy and versatile shelving units, workstations, holding cabinets, and utility carts are designed to streamline operations and maximize your productivity. Metro: Your partner in organization and efficiency. Walk-In Talk Podcast now sweetened by Noble Citrus! Bite into a Juicy Crunch tangerine, 40 years perfected; seedless and oh-so-tasty. Or savor a Starburst Pummelo, the giant citrus with a unique zing. Don't miss Autumn Honey tangerines, big and easy to peel. Noble - generations of citrus expertise, delivering exceptional flavor year-round. Taste the difference with Noble Citrus! Here is a word about our partners:Citrus America revolutionizes the retail and hospitality sectors with profitable solutions:- Our juicing machines excel in taste, hygiene, and efficiency.- Experience fresh, natural, and exciting juices as an affordable luxury.- We promote a healthier lifestyle by making it effortless to enjoy fresh, natural ingredients.- Join us in transforming the way people enjoy juices.Elevate your beverage game to new heights! Support the Show.Thank you for listening to the Walk-In Talk Podcast, hosted by Carl Fiadini and Company. Our show not only explores the exciting and chaotic world of the restaurant business and amazing eateries but also advocates for mental health awareness in the food industry. Our podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at the industry. Don't miss out on upcoming episodes where we'll continue to cook up thought-provoking discussions on important topics, including mental health awareness. Be sure to visit our website for more food industry-related content, including our very own TV show called Restaurant Recipes where we feature Chefs cooking up their dishes and also The Dirty Dash Cocktail Hour; the focus is mixology and amazing drinks! Thank you for tuning in, and we'll catch you next time on the Walk-In Talk Podcast. https://www.TheWalkInTalk.com Also rate and review us on IMDb:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27766644/reference/

Leadership. We too often associate this word with a supervisory role, a title, or a rank. We let these constructs shape our understanding and definition of what it is to be a leader. Truthfully, leadership can, and should be, a quality that is present in all of us, at least to some degree. Jon sits down with me, and we do our best to dissect the virtues of leadership, while sharing our own opinions, as well as some of our own experiences. As a former Infantryman and current member of the Michigan National Guard, Jon has his own past encounters he draws from, and myself, my experiences in the corporate workforce. Between us, we draw from some common outside sources and talk about how we define being a leader, not just a boss. We get into the value of transparency and communication, we talk about accountability and the critical importance of investment and mentorship. This was a deeply insightful discussion, and one that I think we all, be it civilian, military, or law enforcement, can take something away from.Visit our sponsors!Patreon - www.patreon.com/prepared_mindset_podCustom Night Vision - www.customnightvision.comHRT Tactical Gear - www.hrttacticalgear.comLead and Steel - www.leadandsteel.coOne Hundred Concepts - www.onehundredconcepts.com

In this episode we travel to the Western Front following the story of a typical British soldier between 1916 and 1918, when he was killed in action. We travel from the Somme, to Arras and Passchendaele, before finding the location of where he died during the Lys Offensive in April 1918. What did he experience? How horrific were the conditions at Passchendaele? How did they achieve their objectives at Arras and how was his battalion almost wiped out during the German 1918 Spring Offensive. We find out through the eyes of the soldiers who were there. 

Blake is a true gentleman raised on the East Coast. While growing up he lived a very normal and casual life with both his parents and siblings. He started his journey as a stocker in a local grocery store and then suddenly realized he was meant for way more. He joined the Marines in 2001 and was driven with passion and patriotism after the attacks on 9/11. He started his career as an Infantryman but had the destiny to be greater. He suddenly found himself taking the leap into Recon. He shares his stories with us from his beginning to his current life after. Join us for a riveting and educational episode!

Deep dive into our conversation today as David Lilley tells his story of starting real estate investing with no experience and succeeding in the residential and self-storage space. David also shares his strategies while investing out of his backyard and the value of mentorship, property management, and business automation. Don't miss out on learning more and support us in bringing more amazing people to this show!Key Points & Relevant TopicsHow David learned more about real estate investing while working overseasDavid on building his team out of stateThe importance of having a mentor in overcoming challengesChallenges David had to face in raising money for the first timePivoting from residential to self-storage investing and how David increased its occupancy rateThe convenience of hiring a property manager and utilizing automation for a self-storage facilityNetworking and partnering with the right people in the businessResources & LinksApartment Syndication Due Diligence Checklist for Passive InvestorAbout David LilleyDavid began real estate investing in 2013 with the purchase of his first Single Family Rental. Drawn to the economies of scale inherent to Multifamily, he purchased a 6-unit MF property in 2018. David has since sponsored the purchase of 1073 MF units valued at over $130m. Starting from scratch, David has direct experience with every facet of real estate acquisitions, redevelopment, and property management. Prior to his career in real estate, David served as an Infantryman in the United States Marine Corps with one combat deployment to Afghanistan. He worked as a Firefighter/Paramedic and was specially trained in multiple technical rescue disciplines. He later worked under the Department of State providing Close Protection to DoS officials including the Secretary of Defense. He deployed multiple times to Baghdad, Iraq. Finally, David deployed multiple times to the southern Philippines in direct support of SOCOM as a Search and Rescue Paramedic. Get in Touch with DavidWebsite: https://reapcap.com/ LinkedIn: Reap CapitalFacebook: Reap CapitalInstagram: @reapcapitalTikTok: @reapcapitalTo Connect With UsPlease visit our website www.bonavestcapital.com and click here to leave a rating and written review!

Show Notes and Transcript Matt Strickland, a veteran from Virginia, returns to Hearts of Oak to share his journey of challenging COVID mandates for his restaurant despite facing legal battles and political persecution.  He discusses running for office against corrupt politicians and the challenges faced during the primary election, emphasizing the battle for freedom and justice in Virginia.  Matt highlights the need for more veterans to join the fight for national values and freedoms, advocating for grassroots movements and citizen involvement in pushing back against oppressive mandates and corrupt systems.  His determination serves as a call to action for others to stand up for their beliefs and fight for freedom and justice in their communities and beyond. At the age of 17, Matt Strickland joined the United States Army to escape the gang violence of the neighbourhoods where he was raised. Inspired by his grandfather, who served as an Infantryman under General Patton in World War II, Matt enlisted in the Army in 2001. After completing basic and advanced training, Matt received orders to his first duty station, 25th Infantry, at Ft. Lewis, WA. He reported to 25th Infantry on September 10th, 2001, not knowing the next day, life as we once knew it would change forever. Matt knew he had a full life ahead of him, but he was ready to give it up in defence of his country. Matt spent most of the next ten years in Iraq & Afghanistan defending his country. Matt's service to his country includes multiple deployments as a private military contractor as well, serving on Blackwater's Counter Assault Team until 2010 when he decided to accept a position as an Intelligence Analyst back in Virginia. In 2014, when ISIS began sweeping through Iraq, Matt could not sit back and watch, so he deployed once again to join the fight against The Islamic State. In 2016, after fighting ISIS for two years, Matt hung up his combat boots. The previous two years allowed Matt to reflect on the legacy outside of combat that he wanted to leave for his children. Cooking has always been one of Matt's hobbies and biggest passions, and owning a restaurant was always his ultimate goal. Matt opened his first food truck in 2016 which quickly became a success, and he and his wife, grew from one truck to three trucks in just over a year. Two years later he sold the food trucks and opened the doors to the restaurant version, and it continued to grow in success. Everything was great until 2020 when the government began using the Coronavirus as an excuse to control society. Matt continued to open without restrictions, regardless of the consequences, he and his wife opposed the unconstitutional mandates and the restaurant was filled with Patriots from open to close. Despite numerous threats and attempts to shut them down by the state and federal government, he remained open and stood with the people. The Attorney General of Virginia sued Matt in an attempt to shut their doors, but he won, restoring his hope for the country's future. Through his fight against the tyrannical government, Matt realised there was a void in Virginia politics and that catalyst sparked his interest in running for State Senate and with him being a fifth-generation Virginian, his state and his country mean everything to him. Connect with Matt... WEBSITE             mattforva.com X/TWITTER         twitter.com/mattforva FACEBOOK         facebook.com/mattforva YOUTUBE           youtube.com/channel/UCFArRLx6n7UTbOBN0EYjn7w Interview recorded 7.5.24 Connect with Hearts of Oak... X/TWITTER        twitter.com/HeartsofOakUK WEBSITE            heartsofoak.org/ PODCASTS        heartsofoak.podbean.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA  heartsofoak.org/connect/ SHOP                  heartsofoak.org/shop/ *Special thanks to Bosch Fawstin for recording our intro/outro on this podcast. Check out his art theboschfawstinstore.blogspot.com and follow him on X/Twitter twitter.com/TheBoschFawstin  Transcript (Hearts of Oak) I'm delighted to have Matt Strickland back with us again from Virginia. Matt, thank you so much for jumping on today. (Matt Strickland) Thank you for having me, Peter. It's always good to be with you, brother. Always great. And if anyone is in the Virginia area, if they're in Fredericksburg area, then there's no better establishment than going to Gourmeltz for atmosphere, for great food, great drinks, great prices. It's all good. Good so make sure and check it out all the links will be in the description, but Matt obviously people can follow you @Matt4VA on Twitter or X but maybe I can ask you first you're you're a little bit of your background I know we had John donkeys ago. It seems like a lifetime ago, whenever you're running for state legislature there for the the senate in Virginia and you had a whole backstory of how you oppose the the lockdown mandates in your restaurant there and maybe just give us a quick overview before we get on to the latest persecution that you're facing. Yeah well, I'm a veteran you know, I joined the military at 17 years old spent a lot of time overseas both Iraq and Afghanistan and 2016 I was done with the serving my government, you know, as I I realized how corrupt it was while I was working as an intelligence analyst. So, I wanted to jump into the private sector and I wanted to be a small business owner. So, I opened a food truck in 2016 and it took off, grew to two trucks, three trucks. And in 2018, I opened the first restaurant version of Gourmeltz here in Fredericksburg, Virginia. And that was going well until March of 2020 when COVID happened. And long story short about that, I realized very early on that those COVID mandates were more about control than health and safety. So, I felt it was my duty to fight back, you know, because I had been fighting dictatorships in other countries for years and I was not going to allow a dictatorship to rule in my country. So, I fought back. And because I said these COVID mandates make no sense and I'll take no part in removing my customers' constitutional rights from them. The health department in the state of Virginia, they took away my health department license, my license to serve food, and which in the state of Virginia, that automatically suspends your ABC license, which is your license to sell liquor. So, I lost both of those licenses the same day. And what I did from that point on is I said: "well, hey, listen, if the Constitution means nothing to you, then your licenses mean nothing to me." And I continue to operate and I continue to sell food. I continue to sell liquor without those licenses. And when my story became public, the community just came out in droves to support me, and it was very heartening. I mean, I had people flying from across the country just to come to my restaurant and shake my hand and thank me for what I was doing. And it was at that point that I knew I was doing the right thing. And I was standing up for those that didn't have a voice, you know, because small business owners, we did have a voice to stand up and fight back. And I was disheartened that more small business owners didn't do so. But I did. And because I did, so many people supported me. One of the things that happened is a lot of people in my community came to me and asked me to run for office, they said: "hey Matt, we need somebody that's willing to fight against the establishment the Uniparty, the globalist," whatever you want to call them and that is willing to fight against both parties because both parties are corrupt the republican establishment is just as corrupt as the democrats are and we need somebody to run for office that is going to fight against both of them. So at first I wasn't interested. I had never been interested in politics and or politicians. In fact, Peter, the first time I ever voted in my life was in 2020 for president Trump. And the reason why I never voted before that is because I got to meet a lot of these politicians when I, when I got out of the military, I worked for a company called Blackwater and I was on the counter-assault team with Blackwater. I was a medic. A medic on Blackwater's counter-assault team. One of our jobs as Blackwater downrange was to protect all of the politicians that came downrange from congressmen on up to the president when they would come visit in country. And the medic on the team always stays with the person that you're protecting, the principal, because in case something happens, they want the medic to be right there. So as the medic, I got to meet all of these guys and they were all fake. They were all full of shit. And in fact, they would all say the same thing before they leave. Hey guys, what do you need down here on the ground to successfully accomplish your mission? I'll make sure you have it once I get back to DC. And it got to a point where we'd have a list form. Hey, we need this to accomplish our mission. And same thing every time, no matter if it was a Democrat or Republican, we never hear from them once they got back to DC. So, I just left a bad taste in my mouth and I didn't trust any politicians. But, I'll tell you what changed for me in 2020, is while I started my food trucks and my restaurant, I was still working as an intelligence analyst for the military as a civilian, because when you first open a business, you're not making money. So, I had to do something to provide for my family. And as I was working as an intelligence analyst under the Trump administration, a couple of things happened that really made me come out and realize I need to support President Trump. And I'll tell you, the first thing was, if you remember, Iran shot down one of our drones back in 2019. And that's an act of war. And all of these neocons up in D.C., they have been fiending to go to war with Iran forever. And so this was their opportunity. And I got to see these things behind the scenes. And all of all of Trump's senior military advisers were asking him, you know, to to declare war on Iran. They say, hey, listen, this is our opportunity. This is what we've been wanting. Let's do it. Let's finally, you know, make make it happen. There was one day, I think it was the day after the incident happened, and I remember it vividly. I was at work working as an intel analyst and I got off at about five o'clock. And I remember seeing the op water that came through that day. And we had missiles trained on five different strategic military targets within Iran. And of course, there was going to be some collateral damage if we hit those targets. And I remember getting off that day at 5 p.m. thinking thousands of people are waking up this morning in Iran, not knowing this is the last time they're going to be waking up. Thousands of people are going to be killed in just a few hours, and I know this and they don't. It was an eerie feeling. So, I forgot what time, U.S. time it was supposed to happen, but I remember checking the news at that time and nothing. So I said, well, Michigan must have been delayed. And I checked a couple hours later, nothing. Kept checking, nothing. So, I got off of work the next morning, turned on the news, nothing. So, I got to work that day and Trump came on national television and he said: Last night, we had missiles trained on strategic targets within Iran, and all I had to do was give the go-ahead, and those targets would have been obliterated. But I didn't. And I didn't because I didn't feel that killing... I didn't feel that you shooting down an unmanned drone warranted me killing thousands of people. But make no mistake about it. If it happens again, I won't hesitate next time. And he caught my attention and he caught my attention, because it was about that time that I started to realize that these Iraq and Afghanistan wars were absolutely, totally corrupt. And we were there for this. We were there for money. And that was it. Of course, people had to die in those countries, but we could have accomplished those missions in just a couple of months, not 20 years. And I started to realize that about that time. And that's why when Trump said that, it caught my attention. I said, well, this guy isn't the neocon, the warmongers that were used to having in this seat. And I started paying attention to him and I started to support That day. And then what really got me and what really made me say to myself, this man has earned my vote. He's going to be the first person I ever vote for is, if you remember, just a couple of months after that, General Soleimani was killed. And the reason why General Soleimani, the Iranian general, was killed is because he was the mastermind behind a weapon called EFPs, explosively formed projectiles. And what EFPs are is they're an IED that form into a cone when they detonate, and they can penetrate just about any armour. And they killed hundreds of soldiers in Iraq. So, he was the mastermind behind that weapon and getting it into Iraq. So, that's the reason he was killed. And so we killed a top Iranian general. So Iran called us, called Trump and said, hey, listen, you just killed one of our top generals. I have to respond. If I don't respond, I'll have a coup in my country. And Trump's message to him was, yeah, Roger that. I know you have to respond. However, if... One U.S. soldier is hurt or killed, I will obliterate your country. And if you remember, in response to us killing General Soleimani, Iran lobbed 17 missiles into Al-Assad air base in Iraq, if you remember that. I think it was 17 that they sent over, only 13 hit inside of Al-Assad. But out of 13 rockets, guess how many U.S. soldiers were killed? Zero. And zero were injured. I know the media reported a hundred and something injuries, but those were, they were not injuries. There were concussions and those were subjective injuries. You know, people just said, oh, I've got a headache from the explosions, but that's a whole other story anyway. O of 14 rockets or 13 rockets landing in Al-Asad, there were no casualties. And it was at that time that I said, this man demands, he commands respect on the international national stage. And this is a guy that deserves to lead this country, and from that day forward, I 100% threw my support behind Donald Trump. And that's when I started to really pay attention to politics. And then so when everybody started asking me to run, at first I wasn't interested, didn't want to be a part of it. But what changed my mind is I started looking into who these people were locally that were representing us. And I started digging into to specifically the Republican politicians, because if you support Democrat politicians and if you consider yourself a Democrat and you vote that way, at this point, there's nothing I can say to you that's going to help you. But I was digging into these Republican politicians, because I suspected there was also some corruption coming from the people that I feel I align with. And there was a whole lot. And specifically from my Republican state senator. And there were a bunch of things I found out about this guy that were straight up lies. He lied to me, to my face. And I won't go into those details. But so anyway, I decided, OK, Roger that, I'll run. And I asked everybody: I said, hey, what seat do you need me to run for? You know, school board, president of the United States, where do you need me? And the ironic thing is the vast majority of people said, we want you to run for state Senate against this guy, the same guy that I uncovered all of these things about. So that's what I did. I jumped in and I ran against this state senator. And not even a week after it became known that I was going to jump in this race to run against him, a guy came into my restaurant who I had known because he had came in there previously. And he asked, can you sit down and talk to me? So I did. And he said: hey, I heard you're going to be running against this guy. Why are you doing so? And I said, well, because he's absolutely corrupt. And I showed him proof of the corruption. And he said, OK. At that point, he knew he wasn't going to convince me not to run against him. But he said: you know, if he can guarantee you a seat as a delegate instead of a state senator, would you not run against him? And when he figured out that I wasn't going to fall for it, it turned into threats. He said, well, listen, if you run against this guy, he's going to dig up every piece of dirt on you. I said, listen, man, I joined the Army at 17 years old. I've been overseas more than I've been in America since I've been an adult. And I've got a TSSCI clearance, man. So, there's nothing to dig up on me. Dig away. And he said, he'll have you followed. He'll have your family followed. And at that point, you know, I started to piss me off, you know, because I started to realize he's threatening me. I said listen you let him know that the first time anybody follows me or anybody in my family, it will be the last time they follow somebody, and you can let them know that, and you can let them know that all these things you're telling me is the reason why I'm coming for a seat, and I will win. And not more than a week after that redistricting happened here in Virginia and this state senator had a guy on the the committee that redrew the lines and, I know the guy very well and I was redrawn out of his district by less than a mile. If you look at my neighbourhood it was carved out of his district I mean I could throw a rock into his district. So absolutely corrupt, anyways so I'm in this new district which is an open seat, there's no state senator filling. So I ran in this district right here and I started heavily going after the Republican establishment while I was campaigning. I started calling out all of the corruption from the lowest level to the top level to the governor here in Virginia. And the reason I was doing that is because when Governor Glenn Youngkin here in Virginia and the Attorney General Jason Meares were campaigning for their seats, they came to my restaurant. And they came to my restaurant because they wanted to garner the support of the support that I had for fighting COVID mandates. They knew that the community supported me and trusted me. So, they wanted to garner that support. And, you know, being naïve, I hosted them at my restaurant. I supported them, and they told me the same thing. They said: hey, listen, if we win, not only are COVID mandates gone, but we're going to ensure that no other businesses are prosecuted for these COVID mandates. I mean, these guys, I got a voicemail from Glenn Young and praising me for fighting these COVID mandates that I still have on my phone today. Jason Meares made a video that's still on social media right now saying how unconstitutional it was, what was happening to me at my restaurant. So anyway, these guys win, and guess what happens? They continue to prosecute me for those COVID mandates. And Jason Meares, the guy that made a video saying how unconstitutional these things were, not even a year after that he made that video, was in court prosecuting me for those same COVID mandates. So, I started blasting these guys on social media. And as a Republican candidate, when you're coming after the Republican party, they're going to fight back hard. And that's what they did. And so I started uncovering and unravelling and screaming from a mountaintop, all of the corruption that was going on. And I'll give you one quick example. There was a guy that came to my restaurant who lives in my district and he was on dialysis on a daily basis at this point, right after Glenn Young had took over. So, this guy tells me that UVA called him and said, we've got kidneys for you. Come on down. We just need your COVID vaccine card. And he tells them, hey, listen, I didn't take the vaccine because my immune system is already compromised and I'm just not comfortable with the vaccine. Plus, I've already had COVID, so I'm good to go. I got the best vaccine there is. And UVA Medical Center told him, if you don't take this vaccine, you don't get these kidneys. So, they were going to let a man die for not taking a vaccine. It's just counterintuitive, isn't it? So, he reaches out to every elected official here in the state of Virginia, including Glenn Youngkin, and he shows me the emails where he's getting no response from them. So I told him, I said, hey, listen, I'm actually holding an event here at my restaurant for a congressional candidate. And supposedly Youngkin is showing up in support of her. I said, let's ask him to his face. Let's bring this to him to his face so he can't deny lie that he didn't see these emails. And so we did so. He met him in person at my restaurant, told him his story. And Glenn Youngkin's response was, had no idea, didn't get those emails, but I'll get right on it. Anyways, long story short, man, he ignored him once again, never reached back out to him. He allowed this man to be kicked off of UVA Medical Center's kidney transplant list, which is a state-funded hospital, to die because he wouldn't take the COVID-19 vaccine. I was wondering, it just blew my mind. I wondered why. So, I started looking into Glenn Youngkin and who actually funds his campaign and who actually funds his PAC, Spirit of Virginia. And hundreds of thousands of dollars, millions of dollars from Pfizer and other big pharmaceutical companies. So, it made sense. So, I started blasting that from a mountaintop. And as soon as I did so, Glenn Youngkin, his PAC, Spirit of Virginia, and the rest of the so-called, quote unquote, quote, conservative organizations, they spent over a million dollars to beat me in my primary. Republicans spent over a million dollars to beat a Republican candidate in a Republican primary. Totally unheard of, It's never happened in the state of Virginia before. But they did it for a reason, and they did it because they knew I was not going to be a shill for the establishment. And I was actually going to come represent the people. And that is not what they want in a political candidate. They want somebody that can be controlled. So once they realized that I couldn't, they made sure I didn't get across that finish line. They took that billion dollars and they put commercials on TV that said, I'm in support of transgender ideology in schools, and I want to over-sexualize children. And I'm actually a Democrat. And obviously, total BS, total lies. I'm the one that's at these school board meetings fighting against transgender ideology in schools. But what they know is that majority of voters are uninformed. They don't do their homework. If they see a commercial on Fox News that says things like that, they're going to believe it like it's gospel. And Glenn Youngkin put his face on every single one of my opponent's campaign signs. It was like I was running against Glenn Youngkin. He was sending mailers to my people in my district's house saying Glenn Youngkin needs your vote on June 20th, Glenn Youngkin needs your vote. I didn't know I was running against Glenn Youngkin. So anyway, I ended up, even though, and I only accepted campaign contributions from people, and I beat every candidate in the state of Virginia, delegate and state senate candidates, in the number of low-dollar donations, so donations from people. And I raised $180,000, but $180,000 versus over a million, you're going to lose every time, and that's just how it is. So I did, so I lost. And they kept coming at me from all different ways when I did lose. So, I told you that my health department license was suspended at my restaurant. My ABC license was suspended. Well, I went to court first for my health department license and I won. I was able to prove in court that those COVID mandates were indeed unconstitutional. So, then I went before the ABC board to get my liquor license back, because the only reason they took my liquor license was because the health department took my health department license and those two are connected. So, we went before the ABC board and we said, hey, listen, I won my health department license back in court, proved it was unconstitutional for them to take it from me. So in turn, now you have to give me my ABC license back. And they said, no, actually, we're not going to give it back to you because you continue to operate without it. And I said, yes, I did. But I only had to because you unconstitutionally took it from me. And they said, well, we don't care. We're means nothing to you. Your license means nothing to me. And I continue to operate without an ABC license. So, at this time I had a health department license. I can sell food, but still no ABC license. And Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, is my governor. Jason Meares, a Republican, is my attorney general. And so what happened is one day out of the blue, 25 Virginia state police raid my restaurant, And they take every drop of alcohol that was in my restaurant, take all of my kegs, all of my liquor bottles, tried to take my POS system so I couldn't even operate. I stopped them from doing that. And I live streamed that when it happened. And that live stream went absolutely viral. And people were asking me, hey, Matt, was this two years ago, you know, during the height of COVID? And I said, no, this was yesterday. And they said, how? Glenn Youngkin's your governor. How do you allow this to happen? And of course, I knew the answer was because I was exposing him. But I said, great question. Why don't you ask him? Because I can't get an answer from his office. So at that point, people from across the nation just started pounding his office with emails and phone calls and social media posts. And they were asking him, what's going on with this? Why are you allowing a man's livelihood to be stripped from him for not following COVID mandates that were already proven unconstitutional? So, long story short with that one is the only thing that these politicians respond to is political pressure. So, he finally responded and and I won. They had to give me my ABC license back and they brought all of my alcohol back and that fight was over with, but they still weren't finished with me. I want to take you up to where you are today, because that that fight has continued, think actually it's gone away you've won in court, you've got Glenn Youngkin, but he's lost that, But it seems though you're being hounded by officials for being pro-Trump, pro-America First against these anti-government imposed mandates. And I've seen your tweets about having to go and answer for your crime of loving freedom. Tell us about that, about that quasi-court that you have to go and answer for people promoting your campaign. What is that? Yeah, you're absolutely right about that, Peter. If you align with President Trump, if you align with the MAGA movement, with the America First movement, these establishment politicians, the globalists, whatever you want to call them, they will come down on you and use all of the resources you pay for against you. And that's what happens. And people think that this is only happening to Trump, but this is happening at the lowest levels. There's stories like mine across the nation that you'll never hear about because how will you? The media will give us no attention. So, I appreciate shows like yours that do, but they're politically persecuting us at all levels. It's not just happening to Trump. So, what happened with me and what my latest political persecution story is, is once I lost that primary, I had a lot of people who supported me in that primary race that came to me and they said: hey, Matt, we saw the corruption that happened to you in that race. And it awakened us to who these Republicans really are. And no longer will we just vote for somebody because they have an R behind their name. We want to write your name in on that ballot, because we can't in good conscience vote for somebody we know is corrupt and that's going to work against us. So I said, well, you have my blessing if that's what you're asking for, go ahead and vote, write my name in. And a couple of folks started a write-in campaign for me. Now, I knew there was going to be some kind of blowback and they were going to try to come after me in some way for that, because I knew it would gain some steam. So, I intentionally stayed away from the rioting campaign for those reasons. And there were no doors knocked. There was not one penny spent on the rioting campaign. There were no mailers sent. Nothing. It was just a word of mouth. People were telling people, hey, write in Matt Strickland's name for state Senate in the general election. Don't vote for the Republican candidate, and I received a lot of write-in votes. I received a ton of write-in votes without even actually running a campaign. So, that scared these politicians here in the state of Virginia. And actually, they just submitted legislation that says now in the state of Virginia, if you run as a primary candidate, the citizens, and you lose, the citizens are no longer allowed to write your name in in the general election. They're trying to make that a law here in Virginia. Isn't that crazy? So, this latest political persecution that I'm dealing with is, because citizens said that they can no longer support somebody just because they're a Republican and they saw the corruption that happened in my primary and they cannot in good conscience vote for the Republican candidate. In it, they came to me and said they wanted to run a writing campaign for me. And I gave them my blessing to do so. But, I intentionally stayed away from that writing campaign, because I knew the state of Virginia would somehow come after me for that. So I intentionally stayed away from that writing campaign. I didn't get involved in it whatsoever. And for that writing campaign, not one door was knocked, not one mailer was sent out, not one penny was spent on it. The only money that was spent on it was people spent their own money to buy their own signs to put in their yards that said, vote for, write in Matt Strickland for state Senate. That's it. So, this is basically a groundswell of public desire for you Matt Strickland to be elected to a position that what this is, this is not your campaign, this is the public saying we want this person and rising up and saying we want him putting up yard signs. So this is pure grassroots. Exactly. 100. And that's what people did. They bought their own signs, they put them in their yard that said right in Matt Strickland for state senate and there was a Groundswell of support and we got a ton of votes And is scared the establishment. So the establishment actually submitted legislation that says If you run as a candidate in a primary and you lose that primary, Then citizens are no longer allowed to write Your name in in the general election. They actually are trying to pass a law that says that right now. But because people bought signs with my name on it and put it in their yard, the state of Virginia, led by Glenn Youngkin. Tried to fine me $75,000 for those signs. $75,000. $75,000. And the reasoning they said was because, they said that those signs didn't have a disclaimer on it that said paid for by my campaign. Well, they shouldn't have had a disclaimer on it because one, my campaign was over, I lost. But two, they weren't paid for by my campaign. They were bought by individuals with their own money. And three, I had nothing to do with it. And so and they knew that. And so I had to go before this another administrative board, the Board of Elections here in the state of Virginia. And I explained to him, I laid out exactly what sections, what articles of the Constitution they were violating by trying to prosecute me and fine me for this. You must have pissed them off. Oh, I pissed them off. And actually, so there were like maybe like 15 other people there that were there for campaign violations. And each of them all begged for mercy. Each of them apologized. And they all got like $25 fines. And then I was up and I handed their ass to them. And I explained to him how they were violating the Constitution. And the representative from Jason Meares' attorney general's office that was there, one of the assistant attorney generals, he didn't even know if I was right or wrong in how I was saying they were violating my constitutional rights. They had to research it. So, what they did is, they kicked the can down the road and they continued my case until the next month. So, I had to come back before them the following month. And the following month, they reconvened and they dismissed those charges against me. And I won once again. I've been dragged in front of countless administrative bureaucratic boards into the court system here in Virginia. I can't even tell you how many times throughout this fight. And I've won every single time. The punishment is in the process, Peter. So they don't give a damn if I was found guilty or if the fines were handed down to me, or they don't care if I won or lost before these boards are in court. The punishment is in the process. The fact that I had to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to clear my name, and I had to spend countless hours, days, weeks, months in courtrooms, in front of boards defending myself. That is the punishment. And that is exactly what they're doing to President Trump. It's happening to many other people across the nation. Especially when you have a political candidate, especially when you have a Republican candidate that's running, that is anti-establishment, that is willing to fight against these globalists that are actually running this country now. And it's actually the administrative bureaucratic system that runs this country. So, when you have a candidate that's willing to fight against that, then the establishment will put as much money as necessary in that race to beat you. And I mean they're doing it right now to a congressional candidate down in Florida, her name is Mara Macy. She's running down in Florida and I hope like hell that she wins, because we need at least one person that loves this country that is in DC, you know, that's really going to fight for for us and there's another candidate here in my congressional district his name's Cameron Hamilton and I truly believe that he'll go up to DC and he'll fight for us as well. So, when you find these candidates that are willing to fight the establishment and take all the arrows that will be slung at them for doing so, we got to get out and support these people, Peter. We have to. We have to get off the couch, man, because people are, they're just content with living in the comforts that we have in today's day and age. And that's the biggest problem with this country in particular, but throughout the world as well. I mean, you guys over there in the UK as well. The problem with the UK, the problem with the US is people are comfortable. They're not willing to give up a little bit of comfort in the near term, you know, for prosperity in the long term. And one of the I think one of the one of the most strategic things that the government has done is they have employed so many people and they have so many people dependent on them. The majority of people here in the U.S. are either they're dependent on the government in some way, whether they're dependent on them for government assistance or they work for the government, either directly or indirectly. The government was very strategic in that, because they know that those people will not dissent. Because they don't want to lose that pay check every two weeks and they don't want to lose those benefits. You'd be surprised how many times I've heard, man, I would love to fight back and do what you do, Matt. But, you know, I don't want to lose my job. I've heard that so many times. And it was very strategic. My hat's off to them. They, you know, they're very good at what they do. That's for sure. But Americans need to stop being scared, because if you continue to be scared and live for those creature comforts today, all you're doing is handing this fight off to your children tomorrow. And by the time your children are old enough to fight this fight, it's going to be too far down the road. We need to fight this fight right now, today, and give up whatever comforts we have to in the short term to do so. Matt, tell me, you're obviously very high profile. You've stood up for freedoms. After fighting abroad for freedoms. You've come back, you've realised you don't have the freedoms you thought you had and you've been vocal, you've stood for elected office, you've got involved in your community, you're fighting for your local business in your community. What about others who actually have been abroad with you? What about that, I guess, range of veterans who come back and find the country is not Is their appetite to push back? Are you unique? Are there others? I mean, give us an insight into that. I think a lot of people that I fought next to have the mentality now that the systems have just been too corrupted at every level and that it's not a winnable fight. So, I think a lot of their mentality now is I'm just going to make sure my household and my family is protected. And, you know, I'll be honest, I get it, but we can't take on that mentality. It is winnable. This fight here for America is absolutely winnable, because we are the majority, the vast majority. I mean, we're allowing a group of people that can't even fight their way out of a wet paper bag to rule over us in a tyrannical manner. That is not the American spirit. That is not what we do. But, I think that a lot of them are just waiting for the right signal, the right time to get them motivated once again to realize, 'oh, this is winnable,' and I do need to jump back in the fight in this way. I think they're just waiting for that. But not enough of them are fighting. I mean, there's more than me, obviously, you know, veteran-wise that are fighting against this, that have, you know, risked a lot of their livelihood and put it on the line, but not enough. Tell us, I guess, who's behind the witch hunt? I've kind of learned a little bit about Virginia politics, but is that the Uni-party, the rhinos in Virginia that are opposed to anyone who is pro-Trump? I mean just end on on that, because that doesn't just affect those who have served abroad affects every single person in the state and wider because this is not just a Virginia battle. I am sure that there are individuals who are just like yourself actually who are in other states and are fighting a similar battle with the Uni-party that seeks to actually restrict freedoms and seeks to oppose the MAGA agenda and how dare you have America first. So, what you're facing, I am guessing, is replicated across many states, across the U.S. It is, it absolutely is. And what people have to understand is that this fight to you and me, us realizing what's really going on, seems like it's overnight. But this is decades in the making for these people. They have taken over the government from the local level on up to the White House. So that's why here, even at the state level there's so many hard fights going on between the establishment and those that have the MAGA mentality and the MAGA spirit and the America First agenda at the forefront. And so, I mean, they have these institutions in place, these administrative bureaucracies that are very well funded and ironically funded by us. You know, they're using our own money to fight against us. And they make sure that these establishment politicians, even at the local levels, are protected and installed into these seats. And, I mean, for example, Glenn Youngkin. I mean, this guy, you know, his background is he was a CEO of the Carlyle Group, another private equity firm that is just as corrupt as Vanguard and BlackRock and all those other ones, one and the same. And that's where this guy came from out of nowhere. And he's proven to us that he's willing to accept publicly all of this corrupt money. And what has he done as the governor of Virginia? He's done nothing. He has the power right now today, just as every other Republican governor in the United States, to declare an invasion against illegal immigration and send all of his National Guard troops down to the border and close it without any federal permission or federal involvement. He can do that today. So, why won't he and every other Republican governor do so? Because they don't want to, because their donors and the people that control them don't want them to. And that's it. Of course, it's Biden and the Biden administration's fault that the border's wide open, but it's also these Republican governors' fault as well. They can stop it today, but they won't because the same people that installed them installed Biden and the rest of them. The Uni-party is absolutely real. And the reason why the fight is so strong against folks like me and you and the rest of the people in the MAGA movement and the rest of the people that support President Trump and support an America First agenda is because we're derailing their train that's on the track to global dominance. And they know that there is a very strong chance that we win this fight. And that's why they have to fight so hard, even on the local levels, but it's up to us. I mean, the only way we lose this fight as the MAGA movement and as the America First movement, and even you guys in the UK to take your country back, the only way we lose this fight, Peter, is if we allow them to win. They can't beat us. They cannot beat us. The only way they win is if we allow them to win. And I'm doing my part to make sure that they don't. And I just hope many, many more people step up like you are, you know, like Steve Bannon is and like so many other America First patriots are and fight with us. Matt, thank you for coming on. I know you've used your restaurant. I know you had Robert Malone there recently and you've used your restaurant as an area for like-minded people who love freedom to meet. And I think you talk about faith, family and flag. I think you could add freedom, firearms, fitness and food onto that and many other. But Matt, I really appreciate what you do. Obviously, I will not even touch on about your viral tweet about the immigration issue with Afghan immigration and what that means for actually culture and freedom and people accepting what it means to be American there. We're having the same issue here. But people can obviously follow you @Matt4VA and track that, follow that, and see your many posts. So, I do appreciate you coming along, Matt, Gourmeltz is the place to be for anyone in Fredericksburg, Virginia. And yeah, thanks for giving us your time today. Well, thank you, Peter. Just like these globalists have a movement for a one world dominance, you know, our brothers and sisters over there in the UK, we're actually in a global fight together as well for our sovereign nations. We want the same thing as well for our specific countries. We want our countries to, you know, to be preserved and our values, the values that these countries were built on to be preserved and brought back once again. So you guys over there across the pond, man, we're in the fight with you, brother. And I appreciate you.

“Dutch” has served 31 years in the United States Army, 26 of which were in Special Operations Command, with experience with the 19th Special Forces Group, 1st/75th Ranger Battalion, culminating with 14 years as a USASOC Operator. His unique perspectives and experiences make him a valuable Subject Matter Expert at Tactical Hyve.During his career he:Planned and conducted small unit tactics supporting Unconventional Warfare, Special Reconnaissance, Foreign Internal Defense, and Direct Action missions. Took part in over 1000 successful combat assaults in classified and unclassified missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Trained and participated in training Task Force partners (FBI HRT/Ranger Regiment/SAS/SASR/KSK/FSK/JTF2/U.S. Border Patrol) to include indigenous forces of Columbia, Thailand, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, and the KSATrained Domestic, Federal LE, United Kingdom, Australian, Canadian, New Zealander, German, and Norwegian K9 Forces  K9 Troop Sergeant Major/Operations Sergeant Major/Task Force Liaison Officer/Team Leader/K9 Handler/Operator Team Member/ Platoon Sergeant/Squad Leader/Team Leader/Machinegun Team Leader/Assistant Gunner/203 Gunner/SAW Gunner/RiflemanK9 Program Manager USSOCOM Proficient in Pistol/Rifle/SAW MG/M240 MG/Carl Gustav AT gun and many various makes and models of small arms (to include foreign weapons) and crew-served weapons. 

GUEST 1 OVERVIEW: Grant Smith is an Former U.S military Infantryman and the Author of The Radical American Mind on Substack, he is a commentator American Constitutional values, liberty and freedom in the USA.. He is also a Physical Therapist passionate about promoting holistic health and fitness. GUEST 2 OVERVIEW: Scott McConnell is a founding editor of The American Conservative and the author of Ex-Neocon: Dispatches From the Post-9/11 Ideological Wars. Follow him on Twitter at @ScottMcConnell9.

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about 11B Infantryman and Veterans Disability.Leah discusses the specific occupational challenges and long-term physical impacts faced by 11B Infantrymen in the U.S. Army. She explains how the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) Smart Book outlines the physical and skill requirements for different army roles, highlighting how these requirements can lead to disabilities eligible for compensation. Leah focuses on the 11B Infantryman, presenting the D.A. Pam (Department of Army Pamphlet) which details the major duties and physical demands at various skill levels, from private to senior non-commissioned officers. This includes tasks like carrying heavy loads, identifying targets at long distances, and physical endurance challenges. She points out that these documented requirements can be crucial for veterans seeking disability compensation, especially in cases where injuries or strains weren't well recorded during service.

On episode 94 we chat to GB Agegroup and Army Triathlete  John Pilkington.John is  21 from Salford, greater Manchester and he has  been in the army since he was 17, he is an Infantryman in the Duke of Lancs Battalion also known as the Lions of England He grew up playing football but gave it up when he was 16 in order to join the army. He loves a challenge and is always looking for a mental battle so endurance is right up his street. Hew races on three fronts, for his sponsored team, who supplies his kit, the Army and for GB. he prefers middle and long distance and shares his achievements so far with us on the pod.Hope you enjoy Johns story.Thanks for listeningHope you find the value in this. You Can Follow us  on Instagram @amp_1967X : agegroupmultisportpodcastFacebook : AMPGBfind all our episodes on our websiteWebsite is : https://agegroupmultisportpodcast.buzzsprout.com/email: agegroupmultisportpodcast@gmail.comIf you are an agegroup athlete and would like to come on the pod, get in touch. 

Hector Bravo served in the United States Army as an Infantryman. He deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004. He conducted combat operations consisting of raids, capturing high-value targets, and direct contact with enemy forces. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, he joined the California Department of Corrections with over sixteen years of experience. Joining the Department at twenty-two years of age in 2006, his first assignment was a maximum and medium security institution. During his eight years as a Correctional Officer, he experienced numerous incidents ranging from riots, assaults on staff, and murders. Throughout his career, he has been involved in over 500 incidents applying many force options to quell the violence. In 2014 he was promoted to Correctional Sergeant, and in 2017 promoted to the rank of Correctional Lieutenant. He has served on the Tactical Response Team as a certified Tactical Operator and Hostage Negotiator. He would later become the Tactical Commander. He applies leadership lessons acquired during his time in the Army. He believes a successful leader must focus on mission success and troop welfare to get the job done and build future leaders. He has a strong sense of morals, values, and honor and lives by a code of ethics. He is passionate about mentoring others and believes he owes it to his brothers-in-arms killed in action to repay the favor of "showing the new kids the ropes."

Hector Bravo served in the United States Army as an Infantryman. He deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom II in 2004. He conducted combat operations consisting of raids, capturing high-value targets, and direct contact with enemy forces. After receiving an Honorable Discharge, he joined the California Department of Corrections with over sixteen years of experience. Joining the Department at twenty-two years of age in 2006, his first assignment was a maximum and medium security institution. During his eight years as a Correctional Officer, he experienced numerous incidents ranging from riots, assaults on staff, and murders. Throughout his career, he has been involved in over 500 incidents applying many force options to quell the violence. In 2014 he was promoted to Correctional Sergeant, and in 2017 promoted to the rank of Correctional Lieutenant. He has served on the Tactical Response Team as a certified Tactical Operator and Hostage Negotiator. He would later become the Tactical Commander. He applies leadership lessons acquired during his time in the Army. He believes a successful leader must focus on mission success and troop welfare to get the job done and build future leaders.https://www.instagram.com/hector__bravo/https://www.youtube.com/@thatprisonguardGET HIS BOOK NOW!https://www.amazon.com/Operation-depth-working-Correctional-Facility/dp/B0BLB6TFWW/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=ymN0s&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=146-2935118-6864605&pd_rd_wg=7j402&pd_rd_r=951d17ed-cfb8-42cd-b658-c399f438f75c&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

Today I am sharing a poignant & heartfelt conversation I had with an amazing woman named Jessica Timmerman. She lost her brother to suicide & everything changed. Jessica & Zach were not a typical brother and sister.... losing both of their parents before they were 18, they became each other's whole family and also the very best friends. Zach died by suicide in 2022 while serving his country (he was 15 years in when he died) - leaving Jess to pick up the pieces and figure out how to live without him AND honor his amazing life.  This is a bold conversation with a brave lady & it's my honor to share it. "Jessica Timmerman is a married mom of three kids and a military mental health advocate, currently residing in Edmond, Oklahoma. Sergeant First Class Zachary M. Brown lost his life to suicide on Mother's Day 2022 while on active duty in Germany. He was Jessica's baby brother, a proud Infantryman, a combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, a devoted Dad with a huge heart and made an impact on so many. Zach BELIEVED in a life of service and Jessica intends to continue that code".Today, we talk about: There are programs to help -- like the Army's A.S.E. Program --but they come with very human limitations.How the military failed Zach in life and his family & memory in deathBeing Hope Growers! How siblings (& others) become disenfranchised grieversWhat she became a Death Doula (& what it is) but where she feels drawn to help now.Some of her favorite things about ZachFind Jess at INSTAGRAM - please follow her & support her efforts for change And look for me to add a link to her (currently being updated) website in the next month or so to my resource page. THANK YOU for listening to this episode. It means the world!Check out ALL of my books including the lastet legacy book (and there's more on the way!) -- CLICK HERE!!PS....The FIRST SESSION of the Legacy Writing Project in 2024 is under way BUT you can get on the wait list for the August 7 group NOW!!For a way to leave a Legacy of your child - GO HERE______________________________________________________________________My WEBSITE "The Leftover Pieces; Rebuilding You" support central.The latest Legacy projects are NOW published BOOKS -- GET THEM HERE!!!ALSO, my first two books (tools I have created for you!) in the "Facing Life After Suicide" series are available on AmazonIf you, or someone you know, is struggling  with suicidal thoughts PLEASE reach out:CALL 988   OR, you can also TEXT the word "HOME" to 741741 in the USASupport the show

William (Will) Yeske, is an 11-year combat veteran and the author of Damn The Valley, a book detailing time in the Arghandab River Valley during the deployment of 2 Fury to Afghanistan in 2009–2010. Nick Armendariz is a former Infantryman and Squad Leader with over 7.5 years of service, now serving as the Veterans Programs Director at The Independence Fund. Will Yeske has transitioned his battlefield acumen into a successful career as a serial entrepreneur. As the driving force behind No Limits Marketing Group (NLMG), Will applies a unique blend of modern marketing strategies and a non-lethal targeting framework derived from military principles to elevate small businesses. Alongside his professional achievements, Will is a dedicated parent and a proactive member of the veteran community, contributing to projects like Racing for Heroes, aimed at supporting fellow veterans. Nick Armendariz, also a seasoned combat veteran, served as an Infantryman and Squad Leader, accruing over 7.5 years of specialized military experience. His tenure with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan has equipped him with invaluable skills, from Close Quarters Combat to Counter-IED tactics. Currently, as the Veterans Programs Director at The Independence Fund, Nick's mission is to empower veterans through advocacy and support, ensuring their seamless integration into civilian life. Together, Will and Nick share their stories of transition, the lessons learned from their time in service, and how they've applied these lessons to overcome obstacles and forge new paths. Wolf 21- Check out what they have to offer for the best sleep of your life: https://www.thewolf21.com Use Code: "clearedhot" for 30% off of your 1st order The Speed of War Comic Series: https://www.thespeedofwar.com/ Check out the newest Cleared Hot Gear here: https://shop.clearedhotpodcast.com/  

Army Colonel Dave Butler joins Joe to discuss communication for leaders in today's information environment. This episode is a must-listen for leaders at all levels because Dave and Joe tackle the delicate dance military leaders must perform on social media, navigating the fine line between engagement and overexposure. Dave and Joe also discuss:The pitfalls of social media engagementWhy senior military leaders have glass jawsWhat to do if internal memos and emails spill into the public domainThe power of relationshipsWhy leaders need to keep repeating themselvesTips for being an effective staff officerA lot of great book recommendations on communication to include Brief: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less...and much more! Dave Butler has been a close advisor to Joint Force leaders for several years. Much of his early career as a communicator was with special operations, where he served as a comms guy for an Army Special Mission unit and the Joint Special Operations Command. He came out of the shadows in 2018 when he became the chief communicator and spokesperson for US and NATO Forces in Afghanistan. After that, he served as an advisor and spokesperson for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and now serves as an Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army. Before switching to communications, he was an Infantryman, with his time culminating as a company commander in Iraq. He has received numerous awards and graduated from several military schools. He earned a graduate degree from North Carolina State University and attended a fellowship at Duke.He's a proud Long Islander, married with two kids (14 and 17) and a German Shepherd.Special thanks to this week's sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Connect Leadership With Action Across Distributed Formations With Mustr by Adyton. Mustr is your digital knife-hand for daily and rapid personnel accountability, real time response data visibility, and automated reporting. Learn more about what Mustr can do for your formation here! My favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here.   

Shawn Woodman is a US Army veteran with a remarkable 23.5 years of dedicated service. Shawn's Army career started with the ground-pounding life of an Infantryman and transitioned to soaring in the cockpit of Army helicopters. Post-retirement, Shawn's journey took an entrepreneurial leap into the health and wellness sector, where he earned a Certification as a Nutrition Coach and started a supplement company.Joins Camden and Otis to discuss his entrepreneurial journey in the health supplement business.  How can you make room to experiment while also avoiding shiny object syndrome?  Why is understanding your purpose so important when developing a business?  And how can you differentiate yourself in a crowded market?  Shawn, Otis, and Camden answer all these questions on this fantastic episode!He is the founder of Nitrolithic Labs, a nutritional supplement brand committed to enhancing vitality and well-being, and Ruck & Rotor, an innovative apparel brand that echoes the spirit of aviation. When Shawn isn't charting new territories in business, he indulges in his passion for fitness, the great outdoors, and the pursuit of knowledge through books, with a keen interest in business and self-help genres.Shawn WoodmanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nitrolithic-labs/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089311778318Twitter: https://twitter.com/nitrolithic

The Battle Buddies sit down with a combat veteran by the name of Ron. Ron is an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran who went overseas multiple times for multiple reasons. Ron goes into detail about his two years in Iraq, contracting in Afghanistan and North Africa. It was an absolute pleasure to have him on and we can't thank him enough for his presence. Our goal is to be a place for veterans to feel safe so they can share their story as they see fit. Ron does an excellent job laying out his story and perspective and we hope you enjoy his story as much as we did. If you are a veteran or know a veteran who would like to be on the show feel free to email us at battlebuddiespod@gmail.com PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW OUR SHOW. Links to our Patreon, mailing list, merch store, website, and social media are all below. Veteran Surf Alliance link below. (3:16-8:07) Beer Math (8:08-16:00) Pulling the Trigger (16:01-27:45) Ron Joins the Army (27:46-35:40) The Business of War (35:41-55:11) The Battle of Najaf (55:12-1:14:29) PTSD & Anger (1:14:30-1:16:19) Conclusive Comments Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BattleBuddiesPodcast Mailing List: https://mailchi.mp/788c3299059d/battlebuddiespodcast Merch Store: https://37bd21-5.myshopify.com/ Website: https://battlebuddiespod.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/battle_buddies_pod/ X: https://twitter.com/BattleBuddies4 Veteran Surf Alliance: https://veteransurfalliance.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebattlebuddiespod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebattlebuddiespod/support

Teatime with Miss Liz February 1st, 3 pm EST. Coming to the table and bringing an empowering personal story of Overcoming Addictions is Richard Kaufman from Vertical Momentum Resiliency PodcastLive streaming to multiple platforms and podcasts, apps, and stations across the globe. Join us for the live-stream show on my YouTube channel. Please give it a subscribe and join us with your questions, comments and support and let's make a difference together. https://youtube.com/@misslizsteatimes?si=S8HMdUaZsSdUNQTfRichard Kaufman originally hails from Belleville, NJ. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1986-1988. Richard had a temporary break in service, he continued to serve in the Army National Guard from 1991-2012 in the following states, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. One of the missions of his unit was to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Richard was medically retired after 23 years of service. During his career, Richard had three Military Occupational Specialties. He served as a 19K (Ml Armor Crewman), 19D (Calvary Scout), and an 11B (Infantryman). As an MI Crewman, Rich worked as part of a team to operate armoured equipment and fire weapons to destroy enemy positions. He operated tanks and amphibious assault vehicles to engage and destroy the enemy. As a Calvary Scout, he would lead platoon reconnaissance and security missions. As an Infantryman, Rich led infantry teams in military operations, providing tactical and technical guidance to subordinates and professional support to superiors and subordinates in accomplishing their duties. Richard left the military at the rank of Sergeant. Richard worked for three decades in his civilian career at GNC (General Nutrition Center). Like most veterans, Rich worked his way up at the company. He has always been passionate about helping people and fitness. He started as a salesperson, assisting customers in recommending products for various health and fitness calls. Through hard work and perseverance, Rich was promoted to General Manager at GNC in Hackensack for several years. Rich was responsible for assisting customers in finding the right supplements for their needs and worked closely with new customers to help them understand the importance of supplements. Like many other veterans, Rich is no stranger to some of the struggles experienced by veterans who have served. He has had his struggles with substance abuse addiction, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Recently, Rich celebrated 32 years of sobriety. Having come back from drug addiction, alcoholism, and homelessness, he now helps people struggling with depression or any other health fitness or addiction-related issues. Recently, he suffered a minor setback with his sight and became partially blind. He did not let that situation slow him down as he dedicated himself to other ventures. In the community, Rich is known as "The Comeback Coach". Rich also authorizes A Hero's Journey From Darkness to Light. He also hosts the 8" most listened to veteran podcast online, Success Your Why, Powers Your How. He interviews many guests from business leaders, entrepreneurs, and other prominent figures to talk about their unique journeys and struggles there. He is pushing the #todayldecide campaign, which focuses on assisting people with mental health struggles. Rich is married to his lovely wife, Michele and has three kids: Sean, 18; Liam, 16; and Linda Lee, 8. He resides in North Arlington, NJ. Richard, thank you for your service to our country and your continued service to others!#misslizteatime#teatimewithmissliz#personalstories#personalgrowth#veteran#addiction#podcastlife#podcasting#podcastshow#WellnessJourney#coaching#military#mentalhealth#mentalhealthawareness#servicetoothers#liveshow#LiveStreaming#joinus#LikeFollowShare

Sergeant Jim Purvis served in the Army as an infantryman during the Vietnam War. In this interview, he recounts being kicked out of Officer Candidate School, his time in Vietnam, and how Vietnam differed from previous American military conflicts. “Anytime you have a war, it's a very, very sad experience.” - SGT Purvis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jerry Young is the Director of Veteran Ambassadors at INvets. INvets is a vet-founded, vet-ran nonprofit, partnered with the state of Indiana created to recruit and connect separating service members and their spouses to rewarding careers and lives in Indiana. Jerry retired at the rank of sergeant first class from the Indiana Army National Guard after more than 20 years of combined service both as an Infantryman with the Army and a Munitions System Technician with the Air Force. Jerry is active with various organizations regarding mental health issues and the prevention of soldier suicide, sharing his experience educating and supporting veterans and hopefully preventing further loss in military families. https://www.invets.org/

WW2 humble hero, Laurence "Sparky" Rector, was just a GI in the infantry when he was drafted as an 18-year-old. He ended up crossing Europe as "cannon fodder," including as part of Patton's army, participating in the battle of Anzio, and encountering the Siegfried Line. His unit was also the first to enter and liberate Dachau Concentration Camp. Decades later, his story feels like it happened yesterday.  Heroes Behind HeadlinesExecutive Producer Ralph PezzulloProduced & Engineered by Mike DawsonMusic provided by ExtremeMusic.com

Patrick Brown joined the Army in 2005 as an Infantryman in the US Army, deploying to multiple combat zones throughout his service. Immediately after service, he became a US Army Survival, Escape, Resistance, Evasion (SERE-C) instructor to soldiers who were at high risk of being captured while overseas. Patrick would go on contract work for various government agencies teaching survival techniques. Patrick is married with 4 kids, now residing in Atlanta GA assisting the veteran population transition from military service in the state of GA. Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors at www.hazardground.com/sponsors Shop Amazon! As an Amazon Associate We Earn From Qualifying Purchases...You Know The Deal! (Paid Link) Help grow the show! Spread the word, tell a friend!! Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! Episode Intro Music: “Prelude” by “Silence & Light” (www.silenceandlightmusic.com) Photo Credit: Hazard Ground

Physician Assistant and prior C&P examiner Leah Bucholz discusses about 11B Infantryman and Veterans Disability | All you Need to Know.Leah discusses the specific occupational challenges and long-term physical impacts faced by 11B Infantrymen in the U.S. Army. She explains how the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) Smart Book outlines the physical and skill requirements for different army roles, highlighting how these requirements can lead to disabilities eligible for compensation. Leah focuses on the 11B Infantryman, presenting the D.A. Pam (Department of Army Pamphlet) which details the major duties and physical demands at various skill levels, from private to senior non-commissioned officers. This includes tasks like carrying heavy loads, identifying targets at long distances, and physical endurance challenges. She points out that these documented requirements can be crucial for veterans seeking disability compensation, especially in cases where injuries or strains weren't well recorded during service.

Tracy Offutt joins me again to catch up. Tracy is a retired Marine Infantryman and former Sergeant Major of 1st ANGLICO. If you haven't heard our previous episodes, make sure to check them out!Support the showhttps://patreon.comhttps://jcramergraphics.comhttps://ANGLICOshop.com

Louise Endres Moore comes on to talk about her dad's combat journey as she finds out he was more than a barber and translator. He operated a machine gun on the front lines. But you would never know it by what he didn't say for the rest of his life. He was at the Battle of the Bulge, but that was only one of his 5 campaigns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://thedaysgrimm.com*viewer/listener's discretion is advised* Hello and get ready for round two with Afghan tested, hairy chested, rootin' tootin', machine-gun shootin', grenade throwing, body count growing, Infantryman, JAKE NEU. Brian and Jake have another sit down a rehash memories from last time he was through, and go more in depth on what "Garrison Life" was like as a Grunt. We also hear some great questions from Tom and Corey. This time around the boys get a little spicier than last time. A feat that no one really thought was possible; however, magic will happen anytime you put two terrorist chasers in the same room. Especially when they have deployed together and spooned one another. Don't miss out on this week's, almost completely redacted episode of The Days Grimm Podcast w/ JAKE NEU!Regina belli ego sum,The Days Grimm Podcast[Death of the Week]https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/05/18/A-woman-climbed-into-a-portable-dishwasher-closed-the/5183453700800/[The Days Grimm Podcast Links]- Sweet TDG Merch: https://thedaysgrimm.com- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDaysGrimm- Our link tree: linktr.ee/Thedaysgrimm- GoFundMe account for The Days Grimm: https://gofund.me/02527e7c [The Days Grimm is brought to you by]PurpleMoose Power Washing, LLC - Official Sponsor:https://purplemoose-power-washing-llc.business.site

Bill grew up on Ranch in Montana, he then spent eight years as an Infantryman in the United States Army. After a disabling injury Bill opened his own security company and retail store selling military and survival products in Alaska. It was during this time that he began working with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies initially in undercover operations and later as an analyst specializing in counter domestic terrorism. He now spends his time on a small holistic sustainable farm in New England with his wife and two children.Bill now consults on holistic intigrative agriculture, disaster preparedness, and climate change mitigation#veterans #veterancommunity #veteranrauthor #survivalproducts #militarysurvival #militaryveteran #americanveterans #usnavy #usarmy #usairforce #usmarines #uscoastguardThank you for pressing play on this small veteran podcast. If you enjoyed leave a little love with a review. It would not only help me reach more veterans but also make my whole week!

Freddy Celestine began as a kid from the Virgin Islands, living in New Jersey, and looking for what was next in his life. We cover his time as a "Dirty Nasty Leg", Fort Benning DSOY, and so much more. Sit back, grab your canteen cup and enjoy this episode.This is not an official DOD or Army product. While some guests may still be in uniform, their appearance on this show is in no way tied to their job. The intent of this podcast is to secure the living histories of these warriors.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gqj8HusS4M"I Left My Home" DH Beats Trap Remix used with permission given National Infantry Museum Foundation and National Infantry Association via Infantry Podcast.Please visit and support their work.To support the Infantry Podcast, go to https://infantryassn.org/donate/ and enter Podcast in the "In Honor Of" space.Follow Me!

Adam Walker is a former Marine infantryman that served with 6th and 7th Marine Regiments. Adam deployed for the invasion of Iraq with 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment and returned less than a year later to Al-Qa'im where he was injured by small arms and shrapnel. Adam is also a published author with work featured in the Marine Corps Gazette, War Horse, We Are the Mighty, and others.Support the showhttps://jcramergraphics.comhttps://ANGLICOshop.comhttps://patreon.com/formeractionguysAdam's site https://takeitontheleftfoot.com00:00:00 Intro00:09:36 Recruiter During 9/1100:18:39 Back to the Infantry00:26:24 Invasion of Iraq | 3rd Battalion 7th Marines00:35:04 MOPP Suits in Iraq00:38:04 Being in a Bad Unit00:47:30 Squad Leaders in Combat00:51:21 Tough Calls in Combat00:58:24 Cpl Jason Dunham's Medal of Honor01:11:57 Lessons Learned01:27:56 Military Career Advice01:36:09 Iraq '0901:43:13 Screwed by the Monitor01:47:51 Advice for Aspiring Writers

E14 Podcast was joined by Retired Army Staff Sergeant and Co-Host of the Charlie Mike The Podcast, William Garay. William discusses his Army career as an Infantryman and the challenges he faced we he was medically retired. He also tells his story of redemption. He quickly became a force in assisting Veterans in rejoining the civilian force. This once warrior began cultivating Veterans through education in Leadership, Financial Management and recognition. He and his Co-Host Raul host an outstanding podcast, Charlie Mike The Podcast. They highlight Veterans, Veteran Resources and so much more nation-wide. Charlie Mike Podcast can be heard on all major platforms. See below for social media. Charlie Mike The Podcast IG - @charliemikethepodcast FB - Charlie Mike The Podcast

JOIN THE FIGHT: https://donate.gunowners.org/ga01/CHECK OUT ALLIANCE JU JITSU ROWELL: https://alliancebjjroswell.com/In this episode, Eric and Matt dive into the topic of what makes the infantryman tick and how we can apply those habits and thought processes to daily life.Eric & Matt are both former US Army combat veterans who served together while deployed to Iraq during OIF III. Eric is most known for his YouTube channel Iraqveteran8888 which has over 2.6 million subscribers currently as well as his outspoken and no-compromise stance regarding the 2nd amendment.  Matt runs Ballistic Ink which is a branding and merchandising company serving 2A content creators and the firearms industry.  He is also very passionate about the 2nd amendment and freedom.2A FRIENDLY CC PROCESSING: https://wetheprocessor.com/APPAREL AND OTHER MERCH:https://ballisticink.com/http://www.iraqveteran8888.com/CHECK OUT OUR YOUTUBE CHANNELS:https://www.youtube.com/c/iraqveteran8888https://www.youtube.com/c/Guitarsenal

True Crime Tuesday presents Destruction of Justice with Entrepreneur/Author Lawrence Davis Janzen Robinson is no longer a man torn between two worlds, having decided to come off the bench and dive head first into Cleveland's magical underworld. With his new partner and perpetually exhausted friend Grove, he's just starting to get a handle on all the supernatural happenings when disaster shows up at their doorstep and doesn't even have the decency to knock. Gale stands accused of disrupting the Balance, and Janzen finds himself abruptly tasked with finding out who's behind the accusation. It's a charge as serious as it is vague, at least to Janzen, but that doesn't stop the two governing bodies of the In-Between from showing up in his hometown and unleashing a Blind Judge to exact justice. Now, with a wanted fugitive hiding in their makeshift headquarters and the entire magic community painting a target on his back, Janzen and Grove must step outside their normal alliances for help while attempting to stay ahead of the brutal enforcers hot on their trail in their attempt to get to the bottom of who it was that framed Gale… …if she was framed at all. Lawrence Davis is a former Infantryman who is releasing the second book in a successful Sci-fi Crime trilogy, entitled "Destruction of Justice!  He is joining the show today to talk about his experiences in the service, his struggle with PTSD, and the motivation to develop the characters in these books!    Get your copy of Destruction of Justice here:  https://wildbluepress.com/destruction-of-justice-lawrence-davis-thriller/ Get the first book, "Blunt Force Magic", here:  https://wildbluepress.com/blunt-force-magic-lawrence-davis-sci-fi/ PLUS: an ALL-NEW Dumb Crimes/Stupid Criminals with Beer City Bruiser!! To learn more about Microdose Gummies go to Microdose.com and use code: darkness to get free shipping & 30% off your first order #crime #truecrime #truecrimepodcasts #truecrimetuesday #lawrencedavis #destructionofjustice #mystery #sciencefictionbooks #supernatural #bluntforcemagic #supernaturalthriller #suspensethriller #thrillerbooks #suspensethriller #murder #assault  #tribunals #newreleases  #wildbluepress  #dumbcrimesstupidcriminals #TimDennis #BeerCityBruiser #ROH #RingofHonorWrestling #floridaman #drugcrimes #foodcrimes #stupidcrimes #funnycrimes