Podcasts about Special operations

Today, on Veteran's Day, we're honoring the men and women who never stopped serving. In this conversation, we sit down with Jeremy Thompson and Ian Boeye from the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) — an organization fighting to ensure America's elite warfighters are never forgotten, neglected, or left behind after their service. SOAA is doing what most people don't realize still needs to be done: • Advocating for Special Operations forces in Washington • Mobilizing rescue operations in crisis zones • Supporting medical and psychological recovery for veterans • Rebuilding the pipeline of American service and leadership This isn't politics — it's patriotism. This is about love of country, brotherhood, and the belief that America is still worth defending. If you know someone who has served — share this episode with them today. Let them know they are seen. They are appreciated. They are not alone. Learn more or support SOAA: https://soaa.org SOAA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SOAAorg SOAA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/soaa-us/ SOAA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qwPKbuJlnDMXlqI8JYxdw SOAA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soaaorg/ Support transitioning veterans locally: https://allegiantvets.org To every veteran and every military family: Thank you. We will carry the mission forward.

This week, the guys sit down with Chris Kerr from FireIce Frogs, a nonprofit providing saunas and cold plunges to Veterans. Their mission is to empower Special Operations warriors through mental and physical restoration. Tune in for SEAL stories and inspiring missions! Learn more about FireIce Frogs: https://fireicefrogs.org/ Follow FireIce Frogs: https://www.instagram.com/fireicefrogs?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Outsider: https://www.instagram.com/outsiderig/ Shop Outsider: https://www.outsider.com/ Follow Jay: https://www.instagram.com/ifjayhadinstagram/ Follow Sam: https://www.instagram.com/sammackey615/ Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeAreOutsider/podcasts Episode sponsored by: Montana Dog Food Company: https://montanadogfoodco.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bear served 7 years as a Naval officer in the Special Operations community as a Navy SEAL. He founded Born Primitive in his garage in 2014, the same year he earned his commission. Bear balanced being active duty while building what would become a global brand with zero outside funding. Prior to his service, Bear played Division I football at Yale University and also competed at the CrossFit Games. Bear became hell bent on creating Born Primitive Tactical after seeing the shortfalls in the gear he was being issued as an operator, while also seeing many apparel brands in this industry that did not actually support those who serve. Born Primitive: https://bornprimitive.com/   Today's Sponsors: Black Rifle Coffee: https://www.blackriflecoffee.com LMNT: https://www.drinklmnt.com/clearedhot  

Join us for this special Veterans Week episode as we welcome Daniel and Stephanie Snyder — a powerhouse couple devoted to service, resilience, leadership, and empowering the U.S. Special Operations community. Dan Snyder served 31 years in the U.S. Navy, including as a SWCC operator and Command Master Chief of Special Boat Team TWENTY. His deployments span Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, the Philippines, and beyond — shaping his leadership, character, and calling. Today, as Director of Programs at The Honor Foundation's Tampa Campus, he guides Special Operations service members preparing for life beyond the uniform. Stephanie Snyder, Program Coordinator at THF Tampa, brings the experience, heart, and unseen strength of a Special Operations spouse. Her work supports the transition journey with care, clarity, and community. This episode is about love, legacy, identity, purpose — and what happens when the mission changes.

Dr. Craig Whiteside is Professor of National Security Affairs at the US Naval War College resident program at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California.  He is a research fellow at George Washington University's Program on Extremism and the International Centre for Counterterrorism-The Hague. Whiteside's current work focuses on the leadership succession and military doctrine of the Islamic State militant group, and he co-authored The ISIS Reader: Milestone Texts of the Islamic State Movement (Hurst Publishers/Oxford University Press, 2020). His current book is Non-State Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects (Routledge, July 2025). He is the 2022 winner of the US Naval War College Excellence in Research Award. His publications can be found here.Links: Non-state Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects https://www.routledge.com/Non-state-Special-Operations-Capabilities-and-Effects/Rice-Whiteside/p/book/9781032594514?srsltid=AfmBOoqur7WH1KdVFwx-v-itaXGYJ4GaMwNHJH5i67tZDV34tj1q2DG6The Isis Reader https://theisisreader.substack.com?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web@CraigAWhiteside on X or @craigwhiteside@bsky.social on BlueSky

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Ysa Rubio returns to the podcast for this special Veterans Day episode! Put your ears at parade rest as this Special Operations veteran shares insights from his incredible career and his newest challenges that include: Ultra Marathon running, transitioning from active duty to active Dad, and reconnecting with himself after service. All this plus Craig and Ysa share funny boot camp stories and answer Nora's questions about the unique challenges veterans face today. Visit our Website : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.fredtheafghan.com/stubbornlypositive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join Our Patreon Pack for Video Episodes and so much more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.patreon.com/StubbornlyPositive⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow us on Instagram! @StubbornlyPositive

Join host Mike Ritland on Mike Drop Podcast for an unflinching conversation with Nick O'Kelly, a retired Green Beret turned Night Stalkers Black Hawk pilot from the elite 160th SOAR. From the high-stakes chaos of his first combat insertion—where a last-second sharp turn into a dusty, high-speed landing pushed the limits of control—to the invisible war he fought against crippling suicidal ideation that began in flight school, Nick pulls no punches. His debut book Stigma, releasing October 21st, exposes the raw truth behind mental health struggles in special operations. Nick traces his path from a strict Christian upbringing in Washington state, through SF selection and Okinawa deployments, to mastering aviation amid family pressures and a newborn son. He shares the culture shock of warrant officer training, the adrenaline of Everest Base Camp treks, and the surreal focus of flying tier-one operators under fire. Faith, perfectionism, and Vince Lombardi's pursuit of excellence weave through his story of resilience. As Covid extended his final deployment, knee surgery grounded him and forced a reckoning with anxiety, panic disorders, and systemic failures in military mental health care. Nick's journey from zombie-like survival to revival highlights the cost of silence—and the power of speaking out. Essential listening for anyone in high-performance worlds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

There are two types of leaders: those you follow because you have to—and those you follow because you want to. In this video, I break down the difference between authority-driven leadership and purpose-driven leadership. I share personal stories from my time in special operations, including how I got the nickname “Uncle Nick,” and why I still believe in leading from the front—not from the top.

What drives a decorated Special Operations pilot to unload his weapon - not in fear of the enemy, but of himself?In this Urban Valor Podcast interview, Army veteran and Night Stalker pilot Nick O'Kelly reveals the mental battle he faced during deployment in Afghanistan. A former Green Beret turned elite helicopter pilot, Nick opens up about the hidden war inside his head — a war with depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts that nearly claimed his life.While flying missions in an active combat zone, Nick reached a breaking point. Fearing he might harm himself, he made the chilling decision to empty his pistol and carry it unloaded for the remainder of the deployment. This episode dives deep into the culture of military mental health, the silent suffering many combat veterans endure, and what it means to survive not just physically, but emotionally!

In this powerful interview, The Mulligan Brothers sit down with John “Shrek” McPhee, a former Delta Force Operator and the Sheriff of Baghdad, to talk about life in Special Operations, leadership, and the lessons learned from decades of combat experience. Shrek shares unfiltered truths about military life, personal discipline, mental resilience, and how he found purpose beyond the battlefield. This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation with one of the most respected figures in the tactical and veteran community.

Joseph Travers is the founder of the child recovery organization, Saved In America (SavedInAmerica.Org). The organization has recovered over 280 kidnapped and runaway children since 2014. Staffed by former LEO and Special Operations veterans, they are all registered Private Investigators allowing them to build the legal cases for Law Enforcement. Once the child is recovered, they hand Law Enforcement the case files so the bad guys can be immediately prosecuted. All of these services are free to the families and free to law enforcement. This is a Christian based organization. If you are so called, consider supporting them. Saving the little ones.  #BardsFM #ChildTrafficking #ProtectingTheLittleOnes Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com BardsFM CAP, Celebrating 50 Million Downloads: https://ambitiousfaith.net Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here EMF Solutions to keep your home safe: https://www.emfsol.com/?aff=bards Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS: TreadliteBroadforks.com No Knot Today Natural Skin Products: NoKnotToday.com Health, Nutrition and Detox Consulting: HealthIsLocal.com Destination Real Food Book on Amazon: click here Images In Bloom Soaps and Things: ImagesInBloom.com Angeline Design: AngelineDesign.com DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

Mike Hayes is a former U.S. Navy SEAL officer who served 20 years in Special Operations. A graduate of one of the toughest SEAL training classes—one of only 19 out of 120 to complete—he deployed throughout South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, including in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Hayes commanded SEAL Team TWO and led a 2,000-person Special Operations Task Force in southeastern Afghanistan. He also served as Deputy Commander for all Special Operations in Anbar Province, Iraq, and was selected as a White House Fellow (’08–’09). At the National Security Council, he served as Director for Defense Policy and Strategy, where he helped draft a proposed START Treaty and led the White House response to the Maersk Alabama hijacking. His decorations include the Bronze Star for Valor in Iraq, a Bronze Star for Afghanistan, and the Defense Superior Service Medal. After retiring from the Navy, Hayes transitioned to senior leadership roles in technology and investment, and authored Never Enough: A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning, donating all profits to support Gold Star families. He lives with his wife, Anita, and their daughter, Maeson, and most enjoys spending time and laughing with them when not mentoring others or speaking about leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by returning guest Heston Russell – a public speaker, author and former Australian Special Forces officer – to discuss the 2025 Veteran Games and the recent grand finals held on the Gold Coast (11 and 12 October). Russell has previously served in 2nd Commando Regiment as a commando platoon commander, was deployed to four combat operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, served in Iraq as a Special Operations joint lead planner within the Special Operations Joint Task Force and completed a year-long exchange within the United States Special Operations Command. He holds a bachelor of arts from UNSW Sydney, majoring in history and Indonesian. The pair discuss a range of issues, including: The finale of the 2025 Veteran Games Grand Finals in Queensland, course obstacles and the triumph of winning team Brisbane Veterans Rugby League Football Club. The newly signed defence agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea, the possibility of up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans serving with the Australian Defence Force and the formation of the new Papua New Guinea Chiefs professional rugby team. The challenges in Australian Defence Force recruitment and what it takes for veterans to recommend their own journey as a career path to young people. Russell's thoughts about the “military fitness standards” speech delivered by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to US generals and flag officers at Quantico in Virginia in September. The new era of drone warfare and Russell's personal experiences facing early drone and drone-dropped explosives during deployment in the Middle East. They round out the podcast discussing the evolution of politics in Australia and potential for new political leadership from first responders and the veteran community. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Mission Driven - How To Make Better Decisions - From Former Commanding Officer US Navy SEAL Team TwoGuest:Mike Hayes A Managing Director at Insight Partners * Former Commanding Officer of US Navy SEAL Team TWO* Managing Director, Insight Partners* Author of National Bestseller Mission Driven (distilled nicely in this article)All of Mike's profits from his book sales go to a 501(c)(3) he founded, The 1162 Foundation, which pays off mortgages for Gold Star families – he's paid off 12 widows' mortgages to date.AUMRegulatory assets under management $90B and 600 portfolio managers. Timeless LessonsLeaders Don't need to make the best decision.They need to make sure the best decision gets made. Team, Teammate, SelfAlgin these 3 things – for purpose and elite performance:What gives someone energy?What are they good at?What's good for the business?Best adviceWhenever you are having a hard day, find someone else who's having a harder day and help them. Social Profiles* Instagram @thisis.mikehayes* X @thisismikehayes* LinkedInBioMike Hayes is Managing Director at Insight Partners, a global software investment firm with $90B+ in regulatory assets under management and 800+ portfolio companies across every stage of growth.Prior to Insight, Mike was Chief Operating Officer at VMware, where he led the company's worldwide business operations, their SaaS transition, and the successful acquisition into Broadcom for $94B. Before that, Mike served as Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Operations for Cognizant Technologies, where he ran a $2B P&L for Cognizant's global financial services clients.Mike previously spent four years at Bridgewater Associates, an investment management firm, where he served in Chief of Staff to CEO and COO roles. Prior to Bridgewater, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy SEALs where his career began as one of 19 graduates from a class of 120. Mike served throughout South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, including the conflicts in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.His last job in the Navy was the Commanding Officer of SEAL Team TWO, which included ten months as the Commander of a 2,000-person Special Operations Task Force in southeastern Afghanistan. Before that, Mike was selected as a White House Fellow ('08/'09) and served two years as Director of Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council.In the Bush Administration, Mike was responsible for the START Treaty, where he produced a new proposed START Treaty and flew to Russia for negotiations. In the Obama administration, he led the White House response to President Obama's first major foreign policy showdown — the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama off the coast of Somalia. Prior to the White House Fellowship, Mike served as the Deputy Commander for all Special Operations in Anbar Province, Iraq.Mike holds an M.A. in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School and received his B.A. from Holy Cross College, where he was an active Big Brother. His military decorations include the Bronze Star for valor in combat in Iraq, a Bronze Star for Afghanistan, and the Defense Superior Service Medal from the White House.Mike is the author of the best-seller Never Enough: A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning, and donates all profits to a 501(c)(3) he started that pays off mortgages for Gold Star widows and children.He serves on the board of Immuta, a data governance company, and is the founding board member of the National Medal of Honor Museum. Mike is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, is fluent in German and Spanish, frequently speaks about leadership and elite organizations, and enjoys mentoring others to success.He is a life-long Sox/Pats fan, but most enjoys laughing with his wife, Anita, and their 24-year-old daughter, Maeson.

It's Friday, October 17th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Chinese college forces students to identify as atheists According to a September 30th report from ChinaAid, a mobile app used by a Chinese vocational school, requires students to declare they're atheists.   The app, used by Tianjin Vocational College of Mechanics and Electricity in China, instructs students to check the box for “no religious belief” in their personal information sections, clearly violating their right to religious freedom.  The report stated that “point 4 under ‘personal information notes' requires filling in ‘no religious belief,' forcing all enrolled students to declare themselves as ‘atheists' or ‘non-believers.'”  The Chinese Communist Party is officially atheist and has a long history of disrespecting and persecuting religious communities, including Christians.  Psalm 14:1 says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” The Gospel Coalition stated in 2022 that “[President] Xi despises Christianity … [and] fears that religion, especially Christianity, is an attempt by foreign influences to subvert his nation.”   U.S. Special Operations helicopters near Venezuela The U.S. military's elite Special Operations aviation unit appears to have flown in Caribbean waters less than 90 miles from the coast of Venezuela in recent days, reports the Washington Post. According to an unnamed U.S. official, the helicopters were engaged in training exercises that could serve as preparation for expanded conflict against alleged drug traffickers, including potential missions inside Venezuela. Already, the U.S. military has struck at least five boats carrying illegal narcotics in international waters, killing at least 27 drug traffickers. Speaker Johnson & Speaker Ohana back Trump for Nobel Peace Prize On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson explained why he believed that President Donald Trump is deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize next year. JOHNSON: “I'm proud to tell you that together with my friend, Speaker [Amir] Ohana of the Israeli Knesset, the equivalent of our Congress, we're going to rally speakers and presidents of parliaments around the world so that we will jointly nominate President Donald J. Trump for next year's Nobel Peace Prize. “No one has ever deserved that prize more. And that is an objective fact. It's an indisputable fact that no president has undertaken the work of saving lives and pursuing peace with such determination and with such remarkable success as President Trump. “Under his leadership, we are witnessing the dawn of a new golden age, not just for America, but for the entire free world. The world is changed by these actions and strong leadership. American strength is good for free people around the world, as we say always, and peace through strength is maintained.” Pentagon journalists turn in badges, refusing new Hegseth rules Dozens of Pentagon reporters turned in access badges and exited the War Department on Wednesday rather than agree to government-imposed restrictions on their work, reports the Associated Press. The nation's leadership called the new rules “common sense” to help regulate a “very disruptive” press. News outlets were nearly unanimous in rejecting new rules imposed by War Secretary Pete Hegseth that would leave journalists vulnerable to expulsion if they sought to report on information — classified or otherwise — that had not been approved by Hegseth for release. Homosexual pastor says abortion “helps the life of children” According to a viral video clip, a self-described “queer” Protestant pastor said babies should be killed in the womb so they do not grow up in an “unsupportive” situation, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Kurt Kaufman is a recently “ordained” minister who currently works as a “ministerial associate” at First Baptist Church of Denver. Protestia, which often criticizes liberal Christianity, posted a video of an interview Kaufman gave where he explains why he supports the intentional killing of innocent preborn babies. Listen. KAUFMAN: “Being in favor of reproductive rights [i.e., the destruction of the unborn], first and foremost, protects the life of the mother, and protects the life of the person that is already living, and is the person that is able to bring more life into this world should they choose,” “Furthermore, it protects the life of children. There are so many children that currently exist in this world that were forced to be born because of legislation, because of men that have decided for women. And so as a result, many children have grown up into a unsupportive, unhealthy and right-challenging household that hasn't been a life that any child should live. “And so being in favor of reproductive choice helps the life of children everywhere because they don't have to grow up in a world that dislikes them because they simply exist.” This is why, according to the so-called “minister” it's a good thing to support the killing of babies. But in Proverbs 6:16-19, there are seven things listed that God hates, including “the shedding of innocent blood.” LifeSiteNews asked Kaufman for further information on when the interview occurred, what he would say to the counterargument that society does not kill babies after they are born just because of their circumstances, and at what point he believes preborn babies are human beings who deserve protection from abortion. In a reply email this past Tuesday, Kaufman wrote, “I have no comment to provide.” Not surprisingly, Kaufman's outrageous remarks drew criticism from commentators on X. Scott Dunford wrote, “By his logic every kid born into a bad home situation should be eliminated. This is an evil and godless way of thinking.” And an account called Woke Preacher Clips wrote, “This is psychotic behavior.” Bad Bunny's Super Bowl perverse half time show vs. Turning Point's wholesome patriotic alternative And finally, Super Bowl LX (60) is set for Sunday, February 8, 2026, and will broadcast on NBC with a halftime performance featuring Benito Ocasio known as “Bad Bunny,” a Puerto Rican rapper who has championed sexual perversion, sexual immorality, self-indulgence, and hostility to Immigration Customs and Enforcement. Indeed, Ocasio has said that his sexuality may be fluid. He told Gay Pride, “At the moment, I am heterosexual and I like women, but maybe in 20 years I will like a man.” In his song, Ignorantes, he features sexual perversion, and in his song, Yo Perreo Sola, Ocasio created a disturbing video where he personally dresses and cavorts around in drag. Turning Point USA, the nonprofit created by the late Charlie Kirk and now led by his widow Erika Kirk, announced they will broadcast a wholesome, patriotic alternative that celebrates “faith, family, and freedom.” While event details and scheduled performers are still being determined, you can sign up to receive event information and vote for your preferred music genre at AmericanHalfTimeShow.com. The website again is AmericanHalfTimeShow.com.  And you can add your name to a petition, organized by One Million Moms, to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, chastising him for hiring the sexually immoral rapper “Bad Bunny.” You will find the link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. Ephesians 5:11 says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, October 17th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan exposes how Mexican cartels are learning drone warfare in Ukraine, Trump's new covert operation in Venezuela, and China's growing stranglehold on the world's rare earth supply. We also cover plans for an international force in Gaza, Trump's expanding bailout of Argentina, and the return of U.S. manufacturing jobs.   Cartels Train for Drone Warfare: Mexican and Colombian cartels are sending members to Ukraine to study drone combat and jamming evasion. These skills could soon target U.S. cities and law enforcement. Bryan warns, “When the next 9/11 happens, it may come from people we already know — using tech we helped build.”   Trump Targets Venezuela's Narco Regime: The President authorized CIA and Special Operations units to act against the Maduro government and its Cartel de los Soles network. The finding allows covert lethal force against designated terrorists, marking the most aggressive U.S. posture toward Venezuela in decades.   China's Rare Earth Power Play: Beijing tightened its export limits on critical minerals, shaking global markets. G7 leaders blasted Xi Jinping for weaponizing trade, while Trump's team vowed to counter with new mining and tariffs.   International Force for Gaza: Indonesia, Egypt, Qatar, the UAE, and Azerbaijan are preparing a stabilization mission as Hamas factions turn on rival clans. Bryan warns, “It may get far worse before it gets better.”   Argentina and the Fight Against Socialism: Trump doubled U.S. aid to $40 billion to back Javier Milei and block China's influence in South America, calling it “a bet on freedom.”   Manufacturing Returns Home: Jeep maker Stellantis and Whirlpool announced new multibillion-dollar U.S. investments, marking major wins for Trump's reshoring plan and America's industrial revival.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Mexican cartels Ukraine drone training, Trump covert action Venezuela, China rare earth exports G7 response, Gaza International Stabilization Force, Trump Argentina Milei bailout, Stellantis U.S. factory investment, Whirlpool Ohio reshoring jobs

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: New signs that U.S. Special Operations forces may be active in the Caribbean, as Venezuela's Maduro regime grows increasingly fearful of potential American action on its soil. President Trump says the hostages held in Gaza could be home within days. We'll have the latest on the ceasefire deal and his planned trip to Egypt for the official signing. Plus—new details about the Manchester synagogue attacker. Investigators say he pledged allegiance to ISIS before launching his deadly rampage. And in today's Back of the Brief—ICE agents arrest a Latin Kings gang member accused of placing a $10,000 bounty on the head of the U.S. Border Patrol chief. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybriefBRUNT Workwear: Get $10 Off at BRUNT with code PDB at https://www.bruntworkwear.com/PDB #BruntpodBirch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian Tom Trumble tells the story of the cunning World War II Australian sabotage mission known as Operation Jaywick, and how two survivors outsmarted the Imperial Japanese Army police, the Kempeh Tai.Deep in the years of World War II, Australian commandos in the Pacific theatre executed a cunning and quite dastardly plan to sneak up on Japanese warships in the occupied Singapore Harbour.They managed to get away with an incredible operation, but in doing so, triggered intense paranoia and embarrassment for Japan.The Japanese were furious, and were convinced Chinese-Singaporeans were behind this humiliating setback.They enacted a terrifying regime of massacres, arrests and torture.Japanese authorities suspected Elizabeth Choy and Robert Heatlie Scott were involved with the sabotage, and the two paid dearly for that assumption during their time in prison.Further informationSurvival in Singapore: The triumph and tragedy of Australia's greatest commando operation is published by Penguin Random House.This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan, Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. It explores Changi, Changi Prison, smuggling money, the double tenth incident, sook ching massacre, fall of Singapore, WWII, military history, WWII history, fishing vessel, sabotage, commando operation, Australian commandos, Ivan Lyon, SOE, Special Operations Executive, revenge, Sumida Haruzo and spies.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

Historian Tom Trumble tells the story of the cunning World War II Australian sabotage mission known as Operation Jaywick, and how two survivors outsmarted the Imperial Japanese Army police, the Kempeh Tai.Deep in the years of World War II, Australian commandos in the Pacific theatre executed a cunning plan to sneak up on Japanese warships in the occupied Singapore Harbour.They managed to get away with an incredible operation, but in doing so, triggered intense paranoia and embarrassment for Japan.The Japanese were furious, and were convinced Chinese-Singaporeans were behind this humiliating setback.They enacted a terrifying regime of massacres, arrests and torture.Japanese authorities suspected Elizabeth Choy and Robert Heatlie Scott were involved with the sabotage, and the two paid dearly for that assumption during their time in prison.Further informationSurvival in Singapore: The triumph and tragedy of Australia's greatest commando operation is published by Penguin Random House.This episode was produced by Alice Moldovan, Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. It explores Changi, Changi Prison, smuggling money, the double tenth incident, sook ching massacre, fall of Singapore, WWII, military history, WWII history, fishing vessel, sabotage, commando operation, Australian commandos, Ivan Lyon, SOE, Special Operations Executive, revenge, Sumida Haruzo and spies.To binge even more great episodes of the Conversations podcast with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.

We sit down with the creator of the Special Operations Combatives Program Greg Thompson.  https://rumble.com/v701kag-live-with-greg-thompson-from-special-operations-combatives-program.html?e9s=src_v1_upp_a

On this week's podcast, I speak with Special Air Service Regiment & Australian Federal Police veteran Doug Sheridan, Doug enlisted in the regular army in 1991, posting to 5/7 RAR. In 1997, Doug attempted and completed SASR selection. He served 33 years in the Australian Army and Special Operations in both full-time and reserve capacities. During his service, he deployed to various locations, including Tonga, Malaysia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan. Additionally, he served with the United Nations in West Sahara. He also served for 10 years as a Federal Agent with the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Doug talks about reaching rock bottom, having suicidal ideations, and losing purpose. The steps he took to find purpose again. This is a story of true grit, determination, courage, and owning your mistakes and succeeding at the elite level. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Doug Sheridan Editor: Kyle Watkins

Host: Shannon Huffman Polson Shannon Huffman Polson is a former Apache helicopter pilot, speaker, and author of "The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World." She is the founder of The Grit Institute, where she helps purpose-driven leaders build grit and resilience. Guest: Phyllis Wilson Phyllis Wilson is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 with a military career spanning nearly four decades, including deployments to Iraq as a senior intelligence analyst. She is the president of the Military Women's Memorial in Washington, DC, the only national memorial honoring the service of women in all branches and eras of the U.S. military. Description In this episode of The Grit Factor, Shannon Huffman Polson talks with Phyllis Wilson about her remarkable journey from a young recruit to a leader in the Military Women's Memorial. Phyllis shares her experiences in the military, the challenges she faced, and her mission to preserve the stories of America's servicewomen. Summary Phyllis Wilson discusses her military career, the importance of preserving the stories of servicewomen, and her leadership at the Military Women's Memorial. She reflects on the challenges of being a woman in the military, the impact of her work, and the lessons learned from her service. Key Highlights 00:00 – Challenge Accepted Phyllis opens by reflecting on moments when people underestimate her: “Sit back and watch, buddy. I'll show you what I'm capable of doing.” She frames underestimation as fuel for proving herself rather than discouragement. 03:17 – Joining the Army for Opportunity Phyllis describes joining the military to afford college — a “four-year plan” that turned into 37 years of service. She was drawn in by education, travel, and a sense of purpose. 05:09 – Motherhood & Warrant Officer Training Phyllis recounts attending the Warrant Officer Candidate Program while raising young children: Describes grueling inspections and “hazing” culture of the time. Brought her kids to training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, with classmates helping out. Reflects on resilience and community support. 09:07 – Climbing to Chief Warrant Officer 5 She breaks down the rarity of her rank: Out of 1 million Army personnel, only ~822 are CW5s. Highlights the tight Warrant Officer network and the importance of relying on collective expertise, not pretending to know everything. 10:22 – Imposter Syndrome Phyllis candidly talks about moments of doubt at senior levels: “You pinch yourself—am I really supposed to be here?” She learned to trust the leaders who believed in her and to “just do the work.” 13:25 – Iraq: Life-or-Death Intel Decisions As a senior intelligence analyst in Special Operations, she was responsible for nightly mission targeting: Describes pressure of ensuring missions aren't sent to “dry holes” or booby-trapped locations. Talks about guilt when missions result in deaths, even if assessments were correct. “Sometimes when they don't come home alive, you kick yourself… Can I keep doing this?” Coping through treadmill running 70–80 miles a week to manage stress. 17:36 – Serving Alongside Her Sons Phyllis' sons were deployed in Iraq simultaneously: Promoted one to Sergeant during Thanksgiving. Mixed pride and deep fear, especially near the end of their tours. 21:43 – Special Operations as a Woman She thrived in Special Ops because the mission came first and gender was irrelevant: “I never even noticed I was the only woman in the room… I count lefties, not women.” She stresses speaking with value, not just to be heard. 25:57 – Leadership & Trust Under Pressure Trust looks different in combat vs. garrison. She highlights how earning trust through competence is essential when lives are on the line. 29:45 – Childhood Foundations Growing up as a tomboy in a strict but loving household shaped her confidence and resilience. She recalls lifeguarding as a teen and learning to develop “thick skin” early. 33:45 – Evolving Sense of Purpose Over decades, her purpose deepened through service and exposure to other cultures. She learned profound lessons on contentment and gratitude from communities abroad. 39:01 – Post-Military Transition After hanging up the uniform, Phyllis felt unexpectedly lost. She founded “Wounded Warriors Have Families Too” to support families of injured service members, restoring her sense of mission. 44:28 – Leading the Military Women's Memorial As president, she discovered how many women's stories remain untold. The Memorial's database has 325,000+ stories but represents only ~10% of all who served. She's passionate about preserving and amplifying these histories. 51:52 – Defending Women's Stories Today In an era where some narratives are being erased, Phyllis emphasizes protecting and elevating military women's stories — including those who died recently. “Our job is to honor and tell the stories… not drag their names through the mud.” 58:01 – Lifelong Mission Phyllis' driving force today: “How could I not have known these stories?” She's committed to making sure America knows the names and deeds of the women who served. 1:01:20 – Closing Shannon thanks Phyllis for her leadership and storytelling. Phyllis' journey is framed as a call to preserve legacy, build resilience, and lead with purpose. Resources & Contact Details The Grit Institute: thegritinstitute.com Military Women's Memorial: womensmemorial.org Book: The Grit Factor Download The Grit Factor Manifesto Contact Phyllis Wilson: info@womensmemorial.org  

Today Dominic Bowen hosts Doug Livermore on the podcast to discuss the rise of authoritarian alliances. They dive into the growing cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and their proxies, the economic and military dependencies that underpin these relationships, how authoritarian regimes leverage propaganda and “unrestricted warfare,” the role of countries like Venezuela, Sudan, and the Houthis in this expanding network, lessons from Ukraine as a testing ground for irregular tactics and advanced technology, the risks this poses to democratic societies, and much more!Doug is Senior Vice President at CenCore Group and a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Special Operations Command. He has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and the Congo, and previously directed sensitive activities and irregular warfare at the Office of the Secretary of the Navy. He has also served as Senior Operations Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. A decorated officer, Doug has received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and multiple Army Commendation Medals, including one for valor, and he holds both the Ranger and Special Forces tabs.Doug brings deep expertise on special operations, irregular warfare, and national security, combining frontline military experience with high-level strategic advisory roles in Washington. His insights draw on years of work at the intersection of defense, geopolitics, and the private sector, helping audiences understand how authoritarian regimes are reshaping the global order and how democracies can respond.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!

REPLAY (Original Air Date March 10, 2025) Today we are joined by Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos. Dr. Kostopoulos is a globally recognized strategist that brings clarity and context as to what is on the horizon. Her unique expertise at the intersection of emerging technology, security and macro-trends has been sought by the United Nations, U.S. Special Operations, the European Commission, NATO, multi-nationals, tech companies, design agencies, academia, such as MIT and Oxford Saïd Business School, and foreign governments. She helps her clients understand new technologies, emerging value chains, and contextualizes the convergences of our time. She founded the boutique consultancy Abundance Studio and has experience working in the US, Europe, Middle East and East Asia. [March 10, 2025]   00:00 - Intro 00:19 - Intro Links -          Social-Engineer.com - http://www.social-engineer.com/ -          Managed Voice Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/vishing-service/ -          Managed Email Phishing - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/se-phishing-service/ -          Adversarial Simulations - https://www.social-engineer.com/services/social-engineering-penetration-test/ -          Social-Engineer channel on SLACK - https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb -          CLUTCH - http://www.pro-rock.com/ -          innocentlivesfoundation.org - http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/                                02:10 - Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos Intro 03:30 - From Counter Terrorism to Conflict Landscapes 05:35 - The Imagination Dilemma 09:13 - Technological Tit for Tat 11:38 - Four Facets of Imagination 12:18 - Facet 1) Identity 13:36 - Facet 2) Convergence 15:38 - Facet 3) Humanity 16:48 - Facet 4) Dreams 18:18 - Turning Crisis Into Strategy 22:39 - Being Human 26:04 - Future-Proofing Organizations 29:51 - Real Value Proposition 31:26 - Webinar Series -          Website: imaginationdilemma.com -          YouTube: @ImaginationDilemma 32:12 - Find Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos online -          Website: abundance.studio -          LinkedIn: in/lydiak -          Instagram: @HiLydiak 32:46 - Book Recommendations -          The 100-Year Life - Andrew Scott & Lynda Gratton -          Imagination Dilemma - Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos 37:02 - Mentors -          Parents -          Women Suffragists 38:15 - Guest Wrap Up & Outro -          www.social-engineer.com -          www.innocentlivesfoundation.org

On the heels of the inaugural Chicago Area’s Best Burgers Tournament, tourney participant and northwest suburban, award-winning favorite Chicago Culinary Kitchen wanted to show Chicago’s Very Own Eats podcast hosts Kevin Powell and Michael Piff how good their burgers really were. “Special Operations” Manager Jay Goldberg joined Kevin and Michael for a very fun conversation, […]

Talk Back to MeThe words Tactics, Operations, and Strategy have meanings deeper than mere marketing. Rather, we use the metaphor of Gardening to decipher the differences between them and how they work together like pieces of a puzzle. An ambush is a form of tactics. Interrupting a supply line represents an operational goal. And Economic Dominance is a strategy pursued by governments and nation-states. So there you have it. Don't abuse it. Comment below. Use Code 2025deaddrop10 for 10% off your order at obsidianarms.comThis episode has been sponsored by Obsidian Arms, a manufacturer of tools, parts, and firearms, as well as an OEM shop for those seeking to bring excellence to the market. Their Minnesota-based shop builds and cuts parts out of U.S.-sourced materials. Their gunsmith tools, custom firearms, and capabilities can be found at www.obsidianarms.comSupport the REDACTED Culture Cast at redactedculture.locals.comSSP and boutique products at redactedllc.comFollow us on Instagram at @redactedllc

Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough for PTSD? A Doctor's Personal Story and Treatment. When it comes to trauma and PTSD, countless stories of suffering and survival fill the News, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and podcasts on Apple and Spotify. But one story stands out, not just because of the personal tragedy behind it, but because of the revolutionary hope it brings. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. Dr. Eugene Lipov, a board-certified anesthesiologist and trauma expert, is changing the way the world understands PTSD, or as he prefers to call it, PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury). His work introduces a treatment that some have called nothing short of a miracle breakthrough. He is the guest on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast, available for free on their website, on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most podcast platforms. A Life Marked by Trauma Dr. Lipov's journey began in tragedy. During medical training, while diving in Mexico, he was struck by a boat and nearly bled to death after suffering devastating propeller injuries. “I had an out-of-body experience when I was close to death,” he recalled. That moment of hovering between life and death left a permanent mark. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . Just a year later, his mother died by suicide. That profound loss shook his family and became another defining wound. “The impact of that was life-altering,” Dr. Lipov has shared. It was through these events and a growing awareness of his own PTSD that he began to search for new answers. Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough for PTSD? A Doctor's Personal Story and Treatment. From Personal Loss to Medical Innovation Rather than simply endure his trauma, Dr. Lipov turned it into a driving force for discovery. He pioneered the use of the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB), a simple nerve block called “The God Shot.” Unlike conventional therapies that often focus on managing symptoms, this treatment aims to reset the brain's overactive fight-or-flight response instantly. Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. “Advanced brain scans show trauma leaves physical scars on the brain,” Dr. Lipov explains. “If it's a biological injury, it means it can heal.” The procedure has already transformed lives, from Navy SEALs and first responders to survivors of abuse and burnout. Patients report an almost immediate sense of calm, describing it as a return to themselves after years of chaos. Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough for PTSD? The Book That Could Change Everything In his upcoming book, The God Shot: Healing Trauma's Legacy, co-authored with Lauren Ungeldi and set for release on February 17, 2026, Dr. Lipov dismantles the myths surrounding trauma. Instead of viewing PTSD as a mental weakness, he presents it as a treatable injury with a biology-based solution. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. “The era of managing trauma is over,” he writes. “The age of hope and healing has begun.” The book introduces readers to the science, the stories, and the solution, offering not just coping strategies, but the possibility of full recovery. Beyond the Page: Expanding the Movement Dr. Lipov has also authored The Invisible Machine and Exit Strategy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Both works further highlight how SGB has the potential to revolutionize trauma care. These books blend medical insights with deeply personal narratives, ensuring that both professionals and trauma survivors can connect with the material. Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough for PTSD? A Doctor's Personal Story and Treatment. The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. But his advocacy doesn't stop with books. Through his interview on The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and podcast, available on their website, also on Apple, Spotify, and social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, he shares the science and stories behind the treatment with a wider audience. From Science to Culture To bridge the gap between medicine and culture, Dr. Lipov collaborated on It's PTSI, a poetic musical project with award-winning artist Chase Bell. Together with Jen Satterly, CEO of the All Secure Foundation, they are reframing trauma as an injury that can be healed rather than a permanent scar. The All Secure Foundation, co-founded by Jen and retired Special Operations warrior Tom Satterly, provides critical resources for combat veterans and their families. From retreats to workshops, they help warriors move from Post-Traumatic Stress to Post-Traumatic Growth, amplifying the very mission Dr. Lipov has devoted his career to. His story resonates across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and beyond. Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough? For too long, trauma survivors have been told that PTSD is a life sentence. Dr. Lipov's work challenges that narrative, showing that trauma is an injury, and injuries can heal. Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough for PTSD? His personal story, surviving near-death, losing his mother, and living with his own trauma, fuels his drive to ensure others don't suffer in silence. And with "The God Shot" now poised to reach readers worldwide, the conversation around PTSD may be on the verge of its biggest transformation yet. The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. As Dr. Lipov's groundbreaking research and personal journey spread across News outlets, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and through podcasts on Apple and Spotify, the world is asking the same question: Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough for PTSD? You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . The full interview is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show website. Get the latest news articles, without all the bias and spin, from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Medium , which is free. Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website . Be sure to follow us on MeWe , X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie . The film that Hollywood won't touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com . Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. Could This Be the Miracle Breakthrough for PTSD? Attributions The God Shot Book Dr. Eugene Lipov Books Simon and Schuster It's PTSI   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Veterans and transitioning servicemembers often face challenges when seeking civilian careers. Brian Marchegiani, co-founder of Mack Brothers Elevator, found his calling in the skilled labor field. But he does more than elevator repair. He gives back to the veteran community, providing jobs for former military members and military families. In fact, for this business owner, mentorship isn't optional, it's a force multiplier. Learn more about this entrepreneur success story, how to apply his expertise to landing a job in the skilled trades and more in the third episode of Veteran Entrepreneurs, a special four-part series from The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast. Special Guest: Brian Marchegiani.

In this powerful interview, you'll meet Matt, a Special Operations veteran who traded military missions for creative real estate deals. With grit, wisdom, and guidance from Freedom Mentor, he built a cash-flowing portfolio that gives him the freedom to live life on his terms. Discover:How Matt transitioned from pararescue to real estateThe fix-and-hold strategy that fuels his successReal-world deals that paid off bigWhy creative real estate is the ultimate small businessHow Freedom Mentor helped him build a business—and a life—he lovesThe real pace of real estate—and how it can truly set you free

People matter more than position, and leadership starts with taking care of others. Doing that right means a million acts. SUMMARY Those are lessons Lt. Col. Steven “Meathead” Mount '08 shares with listeners in the Season 4 premier of Long Blue Leadership. For Col. Mount, becoming a pilot was a major milestone, but becoming a husband and father had the biggest impact. Don't wait, listen today and become a better leader tomorrow.   SHARE THIS PODCAST FACEBOOK  |  LINKEDIN   COL. MOUNT'S TOP LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS Adoption shaped my understanding of support and love. Leadership is about lifting others to achieve their best. Mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth. Balancing family and career is a continuous challenge. It's important to have tough conversations as a leader. Resilience is key to overcoming setbacks in life and career. Listening more than talking is essential for effective leadership. Recognizing the importance of support systems can enhance leadership effectiveness. Leadership is defined by consistent, everyday actions. The military community thrives on teamwork and mutual support.   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Lessons 06:43 The Impact of Adoption on Leadership 14:53 Navigating Challenges at the Academy 22:49 Career Path and Opportunities in Aviation 33:31 Balancing Family and Military Career 44:18 Continuous Improvement as a Leader     ABOUT COL. MOUNT BIO Lt. Col. Steven “Meathead” Mount is a decorated officer in the United States Air Force with a career marked by leadership, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation. A command pilot with thousands of flight hours, he has served in a variety of demanding roles across multiple aircraft and theaters, bringing a wealth of experience in both combat and peacetime operations. Beyond the cockpit, Lt. Col. Mount is widely recognized for his ability to lead diverse teams through complex challenges, foster innovation, and develop leaders at every level. His career reflects not only technical expertise but also a people-first leadership philosophy that emphasizes accountability, resilience, and service. Known by his call sign “Meathead,” he brings both humility and humor to the serious business of leading Airmen. His story is one of dedication to mission and country, but also of shaping culture, inspiring others, and leaving a lasting impact on the Air Force community.   CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor:  Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org    Ryan Hall | Director:  Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org  Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor:  Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer:  Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org      ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest, Lt. Col. Steven Mount '08  |  Host, Lt. Col. Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz Welcome to the first episode of Season 4 of Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. We're kicking off this season with a story that shows how our earliest experiences can shape the kind of leaders we become. Lt. Col. Steve Mount, Class of 2008, call sign “Meathead,” didn't fully realize that truth until later in life. Adopted as an infant, he came to understand that love and support aren't guaranteed. They're gifts. Over his 17-year career, Col. Mount has flown missions across a wide range of aircraft, from the C-130 to special operations to the U-2. And today, he's in command. But through every stage, one belief has stayed with him: People succeed not only through their own efforts, but because someone believed in them. In this conversation, we'll talk about how those early lessons have shaped criminal mom's approach to leading airmen, mentoring the next generation of pilots, balancing mission and family and building teams that are rooted in trust. His story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn't about the me game, it's about lifting others so they can achieve their best. So what better way to start our new season? Col. Mount, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Lt. Col. Steven Mount Thank you so much, ma'am for having me. I really do appreciate this opportunity to at least try to share some of my stories, experiences and honestly, if anything touches base with those who listen in and resonates, that's why I'm glad to be here. Naviere Walkewicz Well, let's start right with a way for them to connect with you. You mentioned your call sign is Meathead. Let's start there. Lt. Col. Steven Mount OK, I'll do my best to tell the story as quickly as I can. And the fun thing about being a pilot — but also I think this plays true in any type of storytelling environment — is, you know, only 10% of the story has to be true when it comes to your call signs. So to start… Oh my gosh— I know there's some friends out there who are going to laugh at this, especially of mine. Going through pilot training… The last part of the pilot training, when I was in the T-1s, when you get to that last part, you know, after you've gone through all the ups and downs, you kind of celebrate a little bit more. And that's what I've done. I had gone out with a couple of my rugby brothers that I played with at the Academy, and we'd gone out to just a country, a little country dance hall, and, you know, we're just enjoying and celebrating. And one of my rugby brothers introduced me to one of his friends through his wife, and this individual, who I didn't know much about at the time, had said— I said, “Yeah, I'm starting T-1s here and all that good stuff. And I immediately, immediately — especially in the celebratory mood I was in — thought, “Oh, this is another awesome student that's coming through. Like, hey, let me start giving you the tidbits. Let me start laying out what to expect.” And that's how I treated this individual for the rest of that evening. You know, we're dancing and having fun and just talking it up. And it was a good evening. It was really good evening. Come Monday morning, I get the word I'm flying with this new instructor in the T- 1s. And I had no idea who this individual was. I did not recognize the name at all. And I asked our flight schedule, like, “Who's this?” Is like, “Oh, it's a new person coming in. I think you're one of his first flights back in the T-1s training wise.” And I was like, “Well, OK, I'm ready to go.” And I sit down, and then this instructor sits down right across from me, and it's a major and sure enough, it's this, the person I thought was a student at the Texas dance, the country dance hall that we were at.   Naviere Walkewicz Oh boy!   Lt. Col. Steven Mount He looks me up and down. Oh, it was one of those moments of shock, of like, “What do I… Where do I go from here?” And he looks me up and down, he goes, and he laughs, and he goes, “Man, you are just such a meathead.” And so that's where it started. And call signs and nicknames— sometimes, some people like, wanna try change it throughout their careers and try to like, “No, that's not who I am. I don't want that to define me.” So as I'm leaving pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, I'm heading towards my first assignment in Tucson, Arizona for the EC-130 and I'm like, “OK, here we go. I'm gonna start fresh. I'm not that meathead that went through the Academy playing rugby. I'm not that meathead in pilot training to I just like to have fun. Just like to have fun. I do my own thing, and I'm gonna start fresh.” And I get out, and one of the very first meetings I had in the new squadron was with the DO, Lt. Col. Reimer. He sits down with me, and he says, “Come on in, because I'm in blues. He goes, come on in. Sit down. And then he's just quiet. I'm like, this is interesting. He looks me up and down and goes, “Yeah, you definitely look like a meathead.” And I'm like, “Whoa.” So sure enough, the major that I flew with was really good friends and had flown with this squadron, told this DO about me, and the DO got through his spiel, introduced me to my first flight commander before I deployed in Afghanistan, and goes, “Hey, this is Meathead. Take care of him. He's a good one.” I was like, “No, no, everyone, please, let's stop.” And then throughout the years, things kept happening that just reinforced the call sign, Meathead. I got into U-2s, me and a buddy, also pilots. We popped both tires on a T-38 at Long Beach Airport, and we closed down the airport for about five hours. It was on the local news. Not happy about that. And then there were multiple times where I tried to, like, get rid of the Meathead persona, the callsign, but I think it was finally solidified on a CNN interview on one of my U-2 deployments, where the lady interviewing us goes, “OK, we can't use your real name. So what name should we use? And before I could even say anything, one of my buddies just pops up and goes, “ It's Meathead.CNN lady, use Meathead.” And I was like, “OK.” And then international news in that interview, I am Capt. Meathead. And I never got away from the call sign, Meathead.   Naviere Walkewicz We are gonna find that clip of Capt. Meathead.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount It is out there, just U-2… I think the article under CNN: “U-2 spy plane carries out the mission against terrorist organizations.” You know, not that I didn't remember what it was called.   Naviere Walkewicz Well, I would say you heard it here first, but you didn't. You heard it maybe, if you heard it in the U-2 world or what have you. But we're gonna find it again. And so we're gonna resurrect here first, but we're so glad you're here. Yes, yes, this is awesome. And you know, I think one of the things I really enjoyed in our early conversation, and what we're gonna share today is how you kind of look back and you are very grateful and thankful for the upbringing you have. And so let's kind of go back to the fact, you know, not a lot of our guests share kind of their background, and the fact that you share that you were adopted. What did that kind of, what role did that play in your life? And, you know, was it insignificant? Or, you know, what did you glean from that? Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yeah, I really appreciate that question. And honestly, I really appreciate you giving the opportunity to kind of share that. It has played a huge role in my life. Adopted 11 months. And what it did for me is set the foundation of the family. It may not necessarily be one you have, it's the one who who's there for you, who supports you, who loves you. And then, honestly, the other part about being adopted, which I kind of— there were struggles, like, it wasn't perfect, but there were struggles in my mind where I wanted to show that those who adopted me, I wanted to show them that I could be more and thank them, you know, on a daily basis, for everything they had done for me, supporting me. So that drove me, that motivated me to get into the Academy, or even— back up, even like, do well in high school, get into the Academy, become a pilot. All of that was the basis of— I want to show that in a weird way, I want to show that your investment was worth it. You know, you found me, you gave me the love and support. So I'm going to give back to you by showing you what you were able to, you know, give a second chance, small, little child. And then the— but the other side of that, and I don't know how many of those who are adopted, who feel like this sometimes. Can't be the only one, but I can at least convey it here. There's a sense of, you know, “Why? Why was I adopted?” You know, what really happened in the sense that those who biologically brought me into this world, was I not worthy enough? Was I just a bad situation. And so there's that part I keep motivational wise to be like, “Well, I'm going to show them what they're missing out on.” And I know that's more of the negative kind of side of the whole internal conflict of being adopted. But I would be lying if I didn't say that that was part of the drive that kept me going throughout those years.   Naviere Walkewicz Something that came to my mind when you were saying that was, you know— when did you find out? And how old were you to kind of start having those, those thoughts and questions, you know, not only why, but how do I show that I am worthy?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, so my mother and father did an amazing job of, I remember, I can't remember the name of this particular book, but there was a book that she had given me that she read to me, and that, throughout the years, as I she utilized, helped me start reading and whatnot. And the basis of the book was, you know, cartoon with a little bit of words, is, “You were not purchased, you know, you were not bought at a store. You know you were, you were brought in and chosen and to be a part of a family.” So she, she wanted to have this idea that I always knew, that was adopted. She never wanted to surprise me, or she never wanted to be like, one day, like, “Hey, just so you know…” She did an awesome job of leading into that, Hey, you were adopted. But don't look at it as this, ‘We went to the store and we picked out the one we liked.' It's more of a, ‘We wanted you in our family.' And that's where it started.” It started, “We wanted a bigger family.” Whether they were, at the time, not able to grow or have themselves, they decided that, “We still want to grow a family. So let's look through adoption as a means.” So she had that book, I remember that book, and then the other book, which I still love to this day, and I got a copy for my kids, I Love You Forever, and how she would read that book to me every single night with the words, “…and I love you forever, like you for always. As long as you're living, my baby, you'll be.” That showed me that it didn't matter where I came from. This was my mom, you know, this was my family. So she did a really good job laying that foundation for me, for who I've become to be.   Naviere Walkewicz So would you put your parents in that bucket of inspirational leaders for you that have shaped you? And are there others?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount One-hundred percent. Like I said, the foundational piece of being that inspirational leader, to me in the sense of working on it all the time, right? It's not simple but accepting people for who they are. Where they're at in life. Accept them for their faults, accept them for the things that they don't like about themselves, but just accepting them and giving them the support, giving them the love that they need to show them, that they can do anything, I like to think for the most part, I'm an example of that because of what my parents did for me.   Naviere Walkewicz So, as a young boy, and you talked a little bit about this, you wanted to prove to them. So Was that something you feel over time, you continue to develop this desire to show your worth? And where have you seen that show up I guess even throughout your going— maybe even at the Academy, how has that kind of formed you as a leader individually?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, yes. So the showing the worth, the showing the value, or paying it back and showing my parents, once again, I use the word “investment” like it was good— I was good investment. Like I was a good return on investment. But it's helped when I've gone through those struggles, when I've gone— because the first time I put in for the Academy and… back up just a little bit. My dad likes to tell a story that I even told my fifth-grade teacher that she was, you know, “What do you want to do?” I was like, “I'm gonna be a pilot.” I said nothing else. Like, I want to be pilot. I want to fly. And then I had had an awesome mentor whose son, at the time, was going through the process of the Academy, sophomore year in high school, and she helped me with that. Good ol' Mrs. Williams, amazing. When I first initially applied for the Academy, I did not get it. I got a “Sorry, you are not competitive at this time.” Here starts some of those moments in your life to where, like, “OK. How can I bounce back? Do I accept the rejection, or do I find another means?” And even when that happened, that first time, my parents, they were like, “It's OK, it's OK. You don't need to…” They were always like, “You don't need to prove anything else. We love you, regardless.” I was like, “No, I need to prove this.” So I found other means, and I was, I will say, blessed in the sense that at that time, my running back coach for the high school reached out to the Academy. This happened early my senior year, and reached out and was like, “Hey, we have, I have someone who I think might do well for your program.” And then, sure enough, I got invited to come out for a football recruiting visit and I sat down with Fisher Deberry, and he just goes, “Would you like to play for this program?” And once again, I was like, “Wait a minute. No, no. I already got rejected. You know, I already gotten the…” But obviously I was going through my head, but all I said was, “Yes, sir, I would love to play for this program. I'd love to go the Academy.” And he made it happen. And I got recruited, and I got the invite to come out, to go the United States Air Force Academy. Wow. And once again, that only happened because my parents, they said, “Hey, we don't care what happens. We love you. Support you. You make the decision and we're here behind you.” And then I had a coach who was like, “I got you. I've seen what you do. I support this.” And went out on a limb for me. And then, in a sense, I guess Fisher DeBerry was also like, “I'm taking this football recruit, I hope he makes it through the Academy. So the love and support is, was there throughout.   Naviere Walkewicz What a path, I mean, that is quite unique. And, yeah, that's something to just kind of sit in a little bit, right? You know, the path of to your point, it just comes from support. And obviously you have to do the things to make sure that when the opportunity presents itself, you're ready to take that step, but what an incredible story of those who have supported you. Let's talk about a little bit before we kind of get into I think, what I think is the next real moment in your life — when you talk about becoming a father in your family. But while you're at the Academy, I'm just curious what more you learned about yourself as a leader, because you no longer had to prove to your parents that you were worthy of their investment, right? Like this is investment, right? Like this is a new season of your life. What did that look like for you as a leader?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount The challenges and the experiences I had the Academy — and I know I talked about this in one of my interviews previously with the foundation — was that I had to I went through my sophomore year and the rigors of academics, of the military side, of sports. It was taking this toll. I will say this many times. I'll continue to say I'm not the smartest crayon in the shed.   Naviere Walkewicz Wait, did you say crayon in the shed?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount I did. A little mixture of the sharpest tool in the box, exactly. I love it! I'm glad someone caught it. That's perfect! But yes, hard work was probably the foundation of what the Academy taught me was you persevere by hard work. You do the day in; you do the day out. You get after it. Because I was not getting after it after sophomore year. My GPA was not the best, and I had to approach my sophomore year, which very fortunate, because I had done my best to put in the time with the football program. But obviously I was losing ground in the academic side and that came back to almost biting, in the sense that I could have failed out. So I had had one of those— Once again, my father being an amazing mentor himself, whether he knows it or not. And I talked to him, and I said, “Dad, I think I have to quit football. I don't think I can continue with this, the rigors of all of this with the Academy.” And he goes, “Well, what was your dream?” I was like, “My dream was to fly.” He goes, “Well, did you go there to play football? Or did you go there to fly?” And that was an easy answer. But then I was thinking about all those coaches and mentors and those who helped me get to where I was, and I never really quit at something, and that's what it felt like. It really felt like I was quitting. I was quitting my teammates. I was quitting my coaches. And that weighs heavy on your soul, for all those out there who just are struggling, like, “Should I continue?” But my dad was right. My priorities weren't to become a football player, because I wasn't gonna be. I wasn't going to be. I wasn't going to become, you know, some — who can I name drop? — Chad Hall, you know, going to the NFL, doing amazing things. I wasn't going to be out there starting on, maybe third if they still have fourth string… maybe fourth string. So my dad helped me with those priorities by, once again, just being supportive. He never said one way or the other. He said, “What do you want to do?” And so I had that hard conversation with him, and went down to the Field House, and I said, “I apologize. I have to quit so I can concentrate on what I want to do for my dreams.” And once we had that was hard, that was very difficult. So that was one of the challenges at the Academy presented, and how I bounced back from that was you always go two ways. You always go into the woe is me and you know, just kind of beat yourself up and just hold on to that, that pride and ego being shattered. Or you can find a community, a support group, that will be there with you. And I found that almost immediately with my rugby brothers. They're just like me. They're like, “Hey, we just like to hang out at our own little table at Mitchell Hall. We like to just come out, play the sport, do what you love to do, athletic wise, and you'll have some more free time, obviously, for academics.” Not that I'd utilize that correctly still, but that's what it took to get me through those next couple years, that and my amazing roommates. I think all of us Academy grads and those who are going through right now, a support of a good roommate is huge. I that, uh, I appreciate the question, because now it's just dawning on me how much I just really appreciate my roommates at the Academy for their support as well. Very similar to my parents, it's like, “Hey, I don't care what you do, but I'm here to support you, love you regardless.” So I got a lot of that the Academy, and that's what helped get me through.   Naviere Walkewicz That's amazing. I think there's a couple of things I want to dig into a little bit. The first one is, you know, I think deciding to have that tough conversation where, one, you felt like you're already prideful, and you're having to, I'm putting in air quotes, “quit.” Can you talk about how you approached that, other than, I know you went and did it. But I think sometimes one of the most challenging things we can do as leaders is have a tough conversation when it involves us either stepping back or taking a step down from what seems to be the trajectory of what's next. And so I'm just— if you could just share a little bit more about that, I think that would be helpful.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount So, and I just want to clarify: As leaders, we have to recognize and we have to have the courage to have the tough conversations, because that wouldn't be the first time that I'd have to make a decision in that regard, or have the tough conversations to where it was gonna affect me personally or those around me. You deal with it understanding, one, give yourself a little bit of grace. Give yourself a little bit of grace in the sense that whatever tough decision you have to make, you're not alone. And I imagine you might not always be the first person who had either to make that decision or was going through something like that. I was not the only one going through something at that time like that. I didn't know that. And so I've had other conversations where others were like, “Yeah, I also, you know how to make that type of call to not play anymore or give up something, because my priority was this...” You know, what was driving me to succeed was something else, and that followed me well throughout my career, because I've had many, many tough conversations. I've had the tough talk as a leader. I've had to tell someone that, “I'm sorry, your dreams to become a pilot…” It's not going to happen because of their performance. I've had conversations on how to get through those tough moments and said how to get on the other side. And I know it's like a broken record, but it just comes through with the support of being there for that individual or being there to guide them to the next step. And I had that. I had that when I made that tough decision. I had someone want to give myself grace. Two, I realized I was not alone. And three, I had the support to get from this side of that tough decision bridge to the other side. And because that support was there, I learned that, and I learned to pass that on from all my leadership opportunities, to be like, “Let me be the one who guides you over this bridge. It's not gonna be fun. There's gonna be parts are gonna hurt. It's gonna be painful. But I will be next to you to get to the other side, to where we can get back to a good place. We get back to what really matters and get back to succeed in maybe another sense.” So the tough convos as leaders, you have to have those tough convos. Do not shy away from them. They're gonna happen, whether you like it or not.   Naviere Walkewicz I'm really glad you shared it that way, because I think it created a pathway to how to approach it, to your point. You know, it they're not comfortable, they're not designed to be that way. But if you start it with, you know, being that support in mind, and how to get someone, even if you're giving the worst news, the worst news where, “This was your dream, you're not gonna be able to do it because of this. And here's now where we're at, and how can I help you succeed through that?” I think that's what a wonderful lesson you just shared. And so I want to dive now into your career, because you had a really broad career, one that's not a traditional path, and I want to understand why it looked that way. So C-130, EC-130, Special Ops, you— talk a little bit about how you navigated that and what was the driving reasons behind that navigation?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, ma'am. So something you said earlier, which I really liked, I really love to try to convey to those around me, and actually, I've gone through some of these conversations over the last month and a half with younger instructor pilots. Luck is just the crossroad of opportunity and being prepared, and I'm pretty sure someone super smarter than me said that. I barely remembered. But the opportunities that present themselves to me for what I wanted to do, for my goals in the Air Force. So thankfully, even getting through pilot training, that was, in itself, amazing, transformational. Getting those wings, right? Getting those wings because pilot training, just like my Academy career, I had some ups and downs and some challenges but was able to get through because the sense of me becoming a pilot was first and foremost to fly. I want to be up there in the sky. I want to rush past the clouds. I want to touch the highest point I can. I want to be a pilot's pilot. And then right behind that was I want to accomplish the mission for whatever platform or whatever weapon system I'm given, aircraft wise. So those are my two biggest priorities. And that helped me understand that I had some failures of pilot training when I got to my first assignment, EC-130s. But that was perfect for me. That was— I never knew that. I never knew that in pilot training, that the EC-130 would fulfill me in that sense of my sense of purpose as much as it did. And I'm and getting out there, like said, four or five deployments to Afghanistan, as well as multiple TDYs. I was doing the mission, and I was happy, because I was— that's exactly what I wanted to do. That's exactly what young Meathead Mount was built for. But there were parts of me that still wanted to do more. Like, I felt like I could do more. I could be— I could help out more. I could— it's just itching, or not itching, but just burning in the back. It's like, “Hey, you are built for so much more. You can do more. Let's look for those opportunities.” So, funny enough, the first opportunity I had at that time, or I thought I had, was I reached out to— it's no longer around — but the 6th Special Operations Squadron at Duke Field. It was a combat aviation advisory mission. These individuals got to travel the world. I got to learn languages. Literally, they were sent to school to learn languages, to embed with other nations, to build those relationships, to be on the ground but still flying multiple different aircraft. I was like, “That's awesome. That sounds like me. That sounds like something I can do, and I can bring value to the table, and all the above.” So I put in my application; it was immediately rejected. In their eyes, I did not have the experience yet. I did not have what they were looking for, understandable. So here I am in another situation to where, like, “OK, well, what do I— is there any other means or ways that I can continue to fulfill my purpose as a pilot and get after the mission? Because that's what I really wanted to do, get after mission, whatever that looks like. I thought the sticks was an opportunity. They had said no to me, that's fine. And then I had an amazing friend reach out. He goes, “Hey, I heard you're getting a little long winded out there at EC-130s. You should put an application in for the U-2.” And I was like, “What are you talking about? I have no jet experience, other than the T-1. I don't have that background to be that type of caliber pilot.” He goes, “Nope, nope. They're looking for good guys and girls. They're looking for those who are motivated to do the mission. And if you could fly, you can fly, if you can't, well, you know, they'll figure that out, and they'll send you home.” And I was like, “OK.” And so I submitted for the U-2, put my application in, they call me out, and it's a two-week interview. The first week they have you in service dress, and you meet all the leadership, and you meet all the other pilots, and just have conversations. That's all, they just wanna get to know you. You know, “What's your true motivation for being here?” And I explained it, just like I've explained to you: “I wanna fly. I wanna do the mission. I wanna be a pilot's pilot. I wanna do all the cool stuff.” And they go, “OK.” Well, week two, they put you in U-2, a two-seater. They have two-seater trainers. They put you in a U-2. They give you all the weekend prior to study, and they say, “Cool, let's see what you got.” And they have an instructor, he instructs, he does his best to give you tidbits on how to safely land the U-2. And you have three days. You have two training flights and then a sort of assessment evaluation flight on that third day, and oh my gosh, did I ever humble myself as a pilot when I realized how horrible I truly was. I felt like I could not land the U-2 safely. I felt like I was messing everything up. I felt like— as soon as we got done with that third day of flying, and we got back into the squadron, and I remember the IP just being like, and then, you know, walks away because they have to talk to the squadron commanders. They have to go talk to the other leadership there. And once again, I find myself like, “OK, I 100% failed. I mean, I gave it my best. I gave it everything I had. But, you know, here I am gonna fall short again.” And they do this. And I realized this afterwards, that they do this, they do that like wait game, you know, they keep you in suspense for a reason. And I waited, it felt like hours and hours and hours. I imagine it probably might only be like hour, hour and a half. And a squadron commander called me in. He goes, “Yeah, the IP definitely didn't like some of this, some of these, these type of landings, some of this airmanship you're showing. I didn't really like this. But overall, he says you're a nice enough guy, so do you want the job?” And I was like, “Whoa.” And it blew my mind. And that was awesome. That was awesome because once again, leading up to that moment, it was the support of my friend who reached out. It was the support of my wife being like, “Yeah, I think you can do this.” And I had even called, my parents were like, “I had this opportunity to fly this really unique aircraft. It's going to be challenging. What do y'all think?” They're like, “Hey, we love you. Go get it.” And I was like, no other words of advice, no other like, inspiring — you know, my dad, a Florida farm man, was just like, “No, I think he'll do fine. We love you and just let us know how it goes.” I was like, man, I'm really missing out in motivational speeches. But you know what? The sentiment is there, and that's all I need. So I got that position, did a few years with the U-2. And then towards the end of the U-2 career, I got word from another friend saying the 6th Special Operations Squadron is growing. “We are looking for readily qualified and experienced people.”   Naviere Walkewicz And this is the one that rejected you.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes, ma'am, I got rejected last time. He goes, “It's OK. Put in another application. You know, you're a little more experienced now, you've got a little bit more under your belt.” And I said, “OK,” and I put in an application, it got rejected again, and here I am, like, “What is going on?” My buddy reached out to me—   Naviere Walkewicz Your name is blacklisted in that group across the board. Like, “Oh, there's that Mount guy. Cross it out.”   Lt. Col. Steven Mount But I think that ended up being somewhat of a blessing. It was like, “Wow, This guy is motivated to come out here.” Because they had seen the last application years ago. They'd seen this one. And I think the word finally got around that's like, “Hey, he's actually really motivated to come try out, at least for this mission.” And so once again, from good mentors, they're like, “Go ahead, try it out. Put the application in one more time, see what happens.” I did, got picked up for assessment selection. It's another week, week and a half interview. They challenge you mentally, they challenge you physically. They put you in situations to see how you react. I don't wanna give too much away for that process, even though, you know, unfortunately that process is not there anymore. But after that grueling week, they once again, here I am in front of another squadron commander, and here they are opening my life in front of them, and they're saying, “Well, we don't like this. We definitely don't like this. Tell us a little more about this,” you know. And that was about an hour interview, sit down, and it's not just the squadron commander. It was leadership — four or five individuals. It was an Army lieutenant colonel's flight doc behind them, you know, kind of doing that very watching, waiting, assessing, and another one of the situations, I'm like, oh, “Here we go. I don't think it's gonna happen.” But then at the end of that interview, they sit down, squadron commander stands up and goes, “Welcome to the 6th.” And the only things I can think of — and I know a lot of listeners or viewers out there do the same thing, and I tell this to my young when they get their wings, I tell them this as well — think of that first person, or persons, that when something amazing happens to you, you immediately reach out to them and you tell them, “Thank you for the support, thank you for the love, thank you for believing in me when others didn't.” And that's exactly what I did after that one. I called my wife, and I called my parents. I said, “It happened. We got it. I got it,” you know, because it wasn't just me, and I know those experiences going from one mission to the next, and those setbacks have— I get to share these stories all the time with these young instructor pilots that I'm with, as well as students, because I get to utilize it as a leadership tool to be like, “Don't give up on yourself. That's first and foremost. And then even if you believe you might give up on yourself, trust me, there's someone like me or your family members or your squadmates, they won't give up on you. And just remember that.” And that's why I get to share these stories throughout my career, of like, “Hey, I failed at this. Look where I'm at now, because I had the support and because I kept going, Hey, I failed at this. Look how it played out. I'm here.” So a lot of my transition from different platforms and different experiences has helped shape that leadership side of me to say, simply put, “It's OK to fail, all right?” I mean, you're never going to succeed if you have this tried and failed a couple times, right? So, right,   Naviere Walkewicz Wow. Well, I want to go into— because you've mentioned this a couple times. We've talked about your parents, but you know, to have a career that's successful and to navigate that, you talked about your wife. So I'm curious if you can share with listeners who have to maybe the word is not choose between. But how do you navigate the importance of your marriage and that relationship with your profession, and trying to succeed in that trajectory, whatever that trajectory is for you. So maybe you can talk a little bit about how that, how that worked throughout all of those transitions.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Oh, OK. I usually do better at this from a better half nearby, which she is, in a sense. She's trying to work out and give me her working space right now, which I love. I'm gonna start with this. It's not easy. It is work. It is reps, the day in, the day out. It's not easy. I don't believe I've ever had a convo with someone when they're trying to balance the work and family life to where it's like, “Oh, that was easy, you know, I just do this and they do this, and we're good to go.” No, it is constant conflict of schedules. It is sharing what's going on. It's the ups and downs. So I'd like to start with that: It's not easy. And if anyone ever tells you it is easy, please ask them how they're doing it, and then spread their wise words of wisdom to all of us. Because that's probably the first thing: It's not easy. Once you recognize that you can get past understanding like, “OK, I'm not alone in this, that this is not easy, and I can start talking and sharing my experiences and seeing from those who seem to have it together. What are they doing to make it work? So I start there. It's not easy. Second, you have to be a team. I think there's a lot of us that think that, and my wife definitely did initially, and that was on me, that she thought that my career was the most important, that what I did and how I executed the mission and where I was going, that that was the No. 1 priority. And I found it that's not the case. I found that's not the case, because, sure, when we didn't have kids yet, and we were in Tucson, it's a little easier, because I would go on my deployments, and she would go to the job, she would go to work, and she had and she supported that, because I was out there, you know, fighting the good fight, accomplishing a mission, doing everything the Air Force needed me to do. And that's what she knew was important for me. So she supported that through and throughout, and she supported it to where I imagined, to the sense of she didn't feel like she could speak to say things that maybe I would like in the sense of me doing my mission, or coming home from Afghanistan with some of my experiences. Ahe felt that maybe sometimes, that she didn't have a word to convey to like, “Hey, this really scared me.” Or, “Hey, when you were gone, I saw the news and I was frightened. And you know, when I saw this happen, I just wanted to reach out to you, and I just want to make sure you're OK.” And she never felt initially like that she could convey those feelings, because it might affect me. It might affect my, you know, mentality while being overseas and down range. So she held that in, she held it in. She kept strong. She put on the “I'm here to support you” and I feel bad, you know, thinking back on that, that I should have given her the space to like, “Tell me what you're feeling. Tell me what you're going through. I don't want you to, I don't want you to struggle in silence. If you know you see something or there's something that scares you, let me know.” And unfortunately, I didn't learn that lesson until way, way later in my career, because she'd always kept that strength in and even when we started having kids, she still did. I kick myself all the time now that— we got to California, in the U-2s, we had an incident down range to where they needed me to bump up my deployment out there, to get out there to take care of the situation. And I'd asked, I was like, “Well, how much sooner do you need me?” Because we had just had our first son. You know, the dynamic's changing. The family dynamic is changing, and especially with your first born. And they said, “We need you to leave in about a week.” Here I was once again. And I know we have kind of kind of mentioned that I was I was in the mean mentality I was in. I was gonna be a pilot's pilot. I was gonna get the mission done. I was going to do everything I could to prove myself, and if my country needs me to be out there in a week to take care of this mission, that my family and my wife will understand. And that was that was not the way I should look at it. It really wasn't. But because I was not seeing her as a teammate, and she held it in — and thank goodness we had her mother-in-law. We had some family come out and support with a new baby. But I could tell that was one of the first times to where looking back on it now that maybe I could have said, “Can you find someone else?” You know, maybe I should have what I'm doing, hopefully you're doing now and teaching others. You have to balance that family with mission and the prioritize what is truly important at that moment. And that's something I failed to do at that time. It would happen again later on, but thankfully— so when I got to the 6th Special Operations Squadron, and at this time, especially after we had our second child in California, the wife had mentioned more. She started coming out of the shell like, “Hey, I do need you a little bit more now. I need you, and I need to be able to express and convey what I do and don't like.” And I was listening, but I was not listening the way she needed me to listen. I was not being that teammate on my side. So I heard, “Hey, I just need more support with the family. So whatever career decision we make next, let's align that.” And I was in my head, I was like, “Yes, you're absolutely right.” That's why the 6th Special Operations Squadron, when I got that interview and I picked up, it was so important, because I had family in that area, and family could get to us easier. So I was thinking, “Awesome. I have the support system for you there. I got the assignment. You're going to be taken care of.” I can tell that's not yet what she was wanting. And I will credit good old Col. Valentino. I was spinning up to go to Lebanon with the team, and we're about to have our third child. And here I was once again, like, “Yep, gotta get back to the mission. Gotta show my value. Gotta get in there, do it.” And the wife understands. We have two kids already. We're gonna have a third. So we've already had two. We kind of know how this goes. We're good to go. But I could tell, once again, looking back, everything's— that she wasn't happy, but she was ready to put up that wall again, to be like, “OK, I have to support him. Have to support what he does, and I have to, because that's what the military is asking me. That's what this new community…” And then Col Valentino, he came down. He goes, “Hey, are you about to have another child?” And I was like, “Yes, sir.” He goes, “When?” And I gave him the date. And he goes, “Your deployment date is like, a month after that.” I was like, “Yes, sir. This is our third child. We'll be good to go. I have the support system for the wife now, and she'll be taken care of. Good to go.” And he goes, “No, you're staying home. I don't need you.” He goes, “Did you want to ask me if there's anyone else wants to go so you can be there for your wife and your family?” And that blew my mind, that just, I don't know. It came out of nowhere for someone in a leadership role to say, “No, I'm not gonna send you on this deployment. I want you to be there with your family.” And that held in tight, and from then on, everything changed, and how I led and how I would push the mission. But I wouldn't do it to the extent of, could I not help someone balance their family life with their mission? And that took too long for me to realize. So what I say to everyone out there, it's not easy, but you come home from a long day and you're mentally exhausted and the mission is not going good, or you're getting ready for deployment, take a moment, sit down and just talk with your teammate at home. You have to look at it as teammates. They are your partner. They will be just like I mentioned before. They will be your support system through thick and thin, because they've probably seen you at your worst, and they want you to be at your best. But you can't do that unless you take care of that home front and treat them as your teammate. Because I am still, to this day, trying my best to become the man that I hope that she sees in me and that she wants me to be one day, but I had to fail in seeing it back then so that could see it now. And I think that's one of these things I want to convey. Not easy, and they have to be your teammates.   Naviere Walkewicz Thank you for sharing that. And I think to have a leader that showed you that, which is, now you've imprinted that in your leadership style. You're thinking about the airmen that you come across and how to help them navigate some of those tough choices, but doing it with a, you know, a bigger view of not just the mission, but, like, how do you fit in that with your family? I think that's so powerful, and I'm really glad you shared that, because I know that some of our listeners and our viewers, that's gonna resonate with them as well, because they're gonna remember a time when, “Wow, I didn't even ask if I didn't have to go, or if I didn't have to do this, just because I'm so used to jumping when you say, jump,” right? And I think sometimes it's OK. It's OK. Just a question, like, I'm willing and ready to jump. I just want to make sure is someone else able to do it too because of these reasons, right? So I love that you share that.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount And those leaders have to know their people enough in that regard to also know because ultimately, when you get the mission, then yes, that's what we signed up for, yes. But those leaders know their people, and they know what situation they're in. For example, there's a few times in Special Operations to where we're going on another deployment. But we knew our people, and we knew that some did not have the balance at home, and things were not looking the best they could. “Hey, we can help you out. We can give you all the resources you need. We don't need you on this deployment.” But that takes good leaders, recognizing and taking care of their people and understanding that these individuals cannot be effective down range or where they go if their home life is not taken care of. So, I know that is something that's been talked about for all my leadership training for all the years, but actually applying it is going to start with our future leaders coming up to realize, know your people, know where you can take care of them so that they can take care of the mission.   Naviere Walkewicz That's right. That's right. So this has been incredible. I think the underlying lesson that you shared with us is, obviously having belief in yourself and doing the work and proving your worth, so to speak. But I think it's also recognizing that support network. So if I may ask, you, I have two questions. The first one is, what are you doing to be a better leader every day? Yourself, like, what is something you are actually doing to be a better leader?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Oh my gosh. Well, I'm recognizing I know I'm not doing it right. Knowing that I'm about taking command already has the underlying nervousness and anxiety, and I realized taking command, why I have these emotions is because I'm afraid to fail, which that makes sense. That makes sense to any logical human being out there. That's like, yeah, I get that. But I have to realize, in that same token, it's OK to fail. It's OK to make mistakes. It's OK that some days you go in there, you're not gonna get it all right. This last year as a director of operations, I've walked out of that building, and there's days been like I didn't accomplish anything. I've messed things up. I didn't do this right. Why am I here? They could have found someone better. And then there were days where, like, yes, I did it, right? I got something accomplished. And on those days, I realized it's because I was taking care of the people and people's needs. And once again, when that happened, they were able to take care of the mission. And that's one of the things that every day I go into work and I ask myself, “Who can I help out? Who needs the motivational kick? Who needs someone to just talk with them? Who needs to share their story?” Because that's what leaders, ultimately, are. We take care of the people. And if I can go in there and just help one person every single day, I would like to think that that's a small success. So that's one thing I'm constantly working on. And it is an effort. It's not easy. It's not easy because you are taking so much and leaders, I don't care what level you're on, all the way from your very first flight command, all the way to your mission command, aircraft commander, all the way to where I am now. You're going to take a lot on your shoulders. You're going to bear, you know, the burden of others, pains, their grief, their successes, their failures. So I guess that's also answer that question. Get ready for that. OK? Because a good leader will do that. They will bear they will help hold the weight. They will support those who need it the most. And we got to do it day in, day out, the reps they have to. So I think I answered the first question, I apologize, was it was.   Naviere Walkewicz The second question is coming. So you're good, you're good. OK. What's something that you know now after having your 17-plus years in the in the military, but also just your life experience — but what's something you know now that you would share with a leader to kind of shorten that timeframe of, like learning those painful things to be better, right? So what would be something you'd share?   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Something I'd share to close that learning gap? Because once again, my call sign is Meathead— I learned lessons the hard way. Do your best to listen more than you talk. Do your best to just take the experiences of others, talk to others, but just listen. Just hear them. Just hear them. I believe that a lot of the things that I could have prevented may have already been told to me, or may have already been, you know, mentored to me, but I just didn't listen. Maybe they said something and “I was like, well, that doesn't jive with being cool or being a pilot, so I'm not gonna listen to that.” I'm pretty sure all of these lessons that hopefully either conveying or passing on, in a sense, I think I learned them early on. I just, I just didn't listen. So for all the leaders out there, do your best to listen, listen more than you talk. It will be wonders. Naviere Walkewicz Oh my gosh, that's just outstanding. And I what I really appreciate about that is, you know, you talked about how you're doing things to get better every day, but even just in the moment, you recognize like that's such an important piece of that is taking the time to listen and reflect so that you can actually really pick up on those cues, maybe, that someone needs your support. So yes, well, this has been incredible. As we wrap up today's episode, I keep coming back to something you said, which was all someone needs to do is just support you. Yeah. So here's the takeaway, leadership is found in how we show up for our people and how we believe in them, and how we remind them that they are capable for more than what they think they are. The question we can always ask ourselves today is, who needs me to believe in them right now? And you actually said that really well. So Col. Mount, I just want to thank you for joining us for this episode of Long Blue Leadership. Is there anything else you want to leave with our listeners today? Lt. Col. Steven Mount Yes. I don't think I'll ever be that leader that does one great act, and everyone's like, that's a great leader. I don't think I'll ever be that leader that gives like, one great speech, like, that's it. He nailed it. He's a great leader. No, if I'm gonna leave something with all of those you know at the Academy and the leaders in the Air Force now — which, by the way, thanks all of you. Me too, man, thank you for your service. You have no idea how much the world needs us right now, so you get out there and see it. So sorry. That was an aside. But thank you to everyone who's at the Academy now, who have served, whose families have served and will continue to serve. But one thing I'll leave to all those young leaders: Your leadership is defined by the acts, the million acts every day, not just by one act, not just by, like I said, not just by one amazing thing that you do. It's defined on you being there, and a million acts per day over a lifetime of your career, of showing up, showing that you care. That's huge, showing that you're fair and consistent. And they will see that your people will see that that those million acts day in day out, of how you treat them, and how you present yourself as a leader. And they will watch. They will watch, and if they can see that you care, and if they can see that you are doing those million acts day in, day out, and you're in there and you're in the grind and you're in the mud with them, they will give you everything, they will, and it's amazing to see, it really is, but that starts with you as the leader. So yeah, that's it, it's those million acts every day of a lifetime career that shows that you're a leader.   Naviere Walkewicz Well, we are so glad that you're out there leading and influencing so many. We're grateful for all of your years and more that you will do. Thank you so much.   Lt. Col. Steven Mount Thank you so much for the opportunity. I really, really enjoyed this. Thank you.   Naviere Walkewicz Good. Thank you for joining us for this edition of Long Blue Leadership. The podcast drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on all your favorite podcast apps. Send your comments and guest ideas to us at socialmedia@usafa.org, and listen to past episodes at longblueleadership.org.   KEYWORDS Leadership, Resilience, Mentorship, Adoption / Family Foundation, Support Network, Perseverance, Tough Conversations, Mission & Family Balance, Trust, Listening       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation      

Guest: Damon Friedman (Lt. Col. retired, Special Operations)Organization: SOF Missions (Shield of Faith)Position: Founder and PresidentTopic: comments relative to National Suicide Prevention Month, observed annually in SeptemberWebsite: sofmissions.org, damonfriedman.com

Guest: Damon Friedman (Lt. Col. retired, Special Operations)Organization: SOF Missions (Shield of Faith)Position: Founder and PresidentTopic: comments relative to National Suicide Prevention Month, observed annually in SeptemberWebsite: sofmissions.org, damonfriedman.com

Most people train to fight as individuals, but few ever learn how to fight as a team. That's where small unit tactics come in. But are these tactics only for soldiers on the battlefield, or can they also be used to give law enforcement officers and armed citizens an edge in the real world? That's what this episode is about.In this transmission, we cover:What small unit tactics actually are and how they developed The roles and responsibilities inside a conventional rifle squadWhy understanding these principles is essential for law enforcement officers and civiliansSo pull up a chair and sit a spell as we talk about Small Unit Tactics.  It's all inside this episode of the Pearl Snap Tactical Podcast!Resources:The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, FM 3-21-8Small Unit Tactics, Max AlexanderInfantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, FM 7-8Support the showGet Members Only Content when you upgrade to a premium membership on our Substack page. Click here.Link up with us:Website: Pearl Snap TacticalInstagram: Pearl Snap Tactical X: Pearl Snap TaciticalThe views and opinions expressed by the guests do not necessarily reflect those of the host, this podcast or affiliates. The information provided in these shows are for educational purposes do not constitute legal advice. Those interest in training in the use of firearms or other self-defense applications are advised to seek out a professional, qualified instructor.(Some of the links in the episode show notes are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services we have personally used and believe will add value to our listeners.)

Russ Hosmer, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, certified life coach, former national-champion bodybuilder, and founder of Constant Progression, an online life coaching and personal development platform serving clients worldwide, joins Discover Lafayette to discuss his mission to help others reach their full potential. Russ grew up in New Jersey, just outside of New York City. At 17, his parents retired and moved to Alabama. He studied at Jacksonville State University and worked in health club turnarounds: “We found the gyms and the health clubs that were in the red, and we brought them into the black. We got the management together, the business side of it, and got them better and rolling.” Russ was a bodybuilder alongside business: “I was a state champion when I was a teenager… top five in the national championship. I was a national champion twice. Two times. Two years in a row as the first one to ever do that.” That era cemented discipline: “I was blessed. I was doing what I love… when you do that, you don't ever work a day in your life.” Choosing the Marines, Special Operations, and What Service Really Looked Like “My family is Marine Corps. My grandfather was a WWII veteran and my brother was a Marine… it was almost like, well, I have to do that.” He enlisted on a whim, calling it “probably the greatest decision of my life.” Boot camp at Parris Island: “They start drilling leadership principles into you the day you get there… It's a transformation process. It's the title,, being a Marine. So you have to earn it.” After graduating top of his class in the School of Infantry, he went to amphibious reconnaissance / special operations: “We're like 1% of the Marine Corps.” Operational reality: “Less than 1% of the Marine Corps see combat. We do more hospitable missions than we do combat missions. It's urban warfare, small unit tactics. We don't actually fight other countries like uniform military. it's a different world we live in.” He traveled extensively: “I was in 37 countries in three years. I was deployed a lot. But I volunteered because that's what I wanted to do.” PTSD, Loss, and a Five-Year Turning Point Russ is candid: “I do have severe PTSD… I didn't know I had it for years. Then all of a sudden, it was really bad.” Compounding events:“I lost my corporate job during COVID. I had been a senior executive of a Fortune 500 company for twenty years. Then my dad died, and my mom died, then my older brother died." It left him “in a very dark place, kind of lost." "I decided, you know what? I need to help people overcome the PTSD, get the resilience and the mindset, and learn how the mind works and how the body works. And why is this happening?" On the rate of veterans committing suicide, Russ says, “They say it's 22 a day. There's a lot more than that. They don't have help, they think it's a sign of weakness. But you admitting it and talking about it, that's a sure sign of strength.” From a five-year journey, he created Constant Progression: “We're always looking to be our best self. We're all on that journey of constant progression.” Training the Marines & A Vanderbilt Recovery Study That “Changed Everything” After instructing at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Russ became a Physical Training Advisor for the Eastern Recruiting Region—“anything east of the Mississippi River… the whole East Coast.” His remedial programs “went before Congress and they actually enacted those into standard operating procedures… now a part of the Marine Corps training standards.” Russ helped run a muscle recovery study with Vanderbilt University to reduce injuries and attrition: “We had a lot of lower body extremities' injuries, especially with the female recruits… hip fractures and femur fractures, tibia fractures… kids nowadays… they don't eat well.” Findings touched hydration, chow hall practices, food quantity by body weight, and training tweaks (including pull-up progression): “The best way t...

Follow us on X: @derrickvanorden @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk Join America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with Congressman Derrick Van Orden who proudly represents the people of Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022. He is the Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. He also serves on the House Agriculture Committee and House Armed Services Committee. The conversation focuses on: * Congressman Van Orden's authored VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which allows veterans who have fallen behind on their mortgages to receive federal assistance. * The impact of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act | No tax on tips, no tax on social security, and key benefits for the middle class and small business owners. * Congressman Van Orden's Bill to Restore Integrity in Agriculture Immigrant Workforce System, and preventing labor shortages. During his time in office, Derrick has focused on providing for farmers, veterans, and service members, and has been a staunch advocate for fiscal responsibility and accountability in Washington. Derrick's journey of public service started when he joined the Navy at the age of 18. He had the honor to serve our great nation for 26 years. He retired as a Navy SEAL Senior Chief with 5 combat deployments and several others to troubled areas in the world. His first combat deployment was to Bosnia Herzegovina immediately following the signing of the Dayton Accords. During this time, he came to understand how truly unique and wonderful America is, and why She is not only worth emulating but protecting. Derrick continued his service with multiple combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, he served in the Horn of Africa, Asia, Europe, and South and Central America. During his tour in Europe in 2012, he was responsible for planning Special Operations contingency operations for the European Continent. Follow us on X: @derrickvanorden @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 6:00 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm

Most endurance athletes are making the same critical fueling mistake. Let's learn how to avoid it so you can perform the best.Kelsey Bailey is the lead Performance Dietitian for Eternal, a company providing high performance, personalized healthcare to athletes. She spent 8 years with Special Operations and is also a consulting Performance Dietitian within the tactical space of military, fire, and police. Her areas of specialty include understanding the unique demands of today's world on the body to keep people healthy, thriving and performing throughout their life. She also has a vested interest in endurance sport, allostatic load, traumatic brain injury, fertility, environmental exposures, and gastrointestinal health. She lives in Denver with her husband and three rambunctious little boys.Jon chats with Kelsey about:Kelsey's Military Background and Roles as a Dietitian and MotherTransition to Working with Pro Sports (Baseball/Hockey)Current Focus on Women's Health and Endurance AthleticsNutrition Fundamentals That Shape Your HealthNavigating Social Media MisinformationHow Eternal's Services Can Help Guide You on Your Health JourneyStay connected:Follow Kelsey:https://www.instagram.com/bwellcolorado/This episode is supported by:Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link!Eternal: Eternal is a performance health company for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone serious about their training. Their in-depth, two-hour physicals cover metabolic testing, mobility assessments, bloodwork, and a full movement analysis — all with expert guidance to keep you healthy and performing your best. Check them out at eternal.co and use code FTLR for 10% off your performance physical.PUMA: Get your pair at your local Fleet Feet or your favorite local running shop!

Welcome back to another After Dark episode of the Iron Sights Podcast. Today I'm honored to be joined by Charlie Ross of Hades Consulting—and this one's special, because it's the very first podcast he's ever been on. We first connected back in early 2025 through a mutual friend, and after months of scheduling and logistics, we were finally able to sit down for this conversation.Charlie spent a long career in the United States military working with a distinct special missions unit, and in this episode, he shares the journey it took to get there, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he carries forward into his life and business today. That business is Hades Consulting—an elite training company forged in the crucible of Army Tier 1 Special Operations and tested on some of the toughest battlefields around the world. Their mission is simple but powerful: to continue serving others by providing the highest level of tactical training to military and law enforcement professionals.We cover Charlie's story, the philosophy behind Hades Consulting, and his perspective on training, leadership, and service. He opens the podcast with a powerful written statement that I think sets the tone for who he is and what he represents—and it left me with a lot to think about. This is a unique and insightful conversation with a man who has lived it at the highest level. Sit back and enjoy this episode with Charlie Ross of Hades Consulting on the Iron Sights Podcast.Timestamps:00:00 Intro04:49  Personal Message08:34 Military Background & Brotherhood13:50 Transition To Special Missions Unit17:00 Team Dynamics & Improvement20:26 Transitioning To Civilian Life24:16 Founding Hades Consulting38:13 Honesty & Building A Training Business40:49 Adapting Training For Law Enforcement44:41 Philosophy Of CQB & Small Unit Tactics51:54 Overcoming Training Roadblocks58:20 Long-Term Client Relationships1:00:47 Growing The Team & Maintaining Quality1:14:19 Navigating Industry Dynamics1:15:47 Leadership & Team Dynamics1:25:14 The Importance Of Hard Skills1:34:08 Professionalizing Training Processes1:40:15 Commitment To Excellence1:45:01 Reflections & Future DirectionsRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1Connect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

Eric Tansey, a former Army scout and Special Operations military veteran, joined the police force with a ton of unrealistic expectations. The reality of the job knocked him down and changed his perspective on everything. Always a magnet for uncanny, wild situations, Tansey reveals exactly what it's like to deal with everyday life as a police officer—from trying to tackle naked suspects to pepper-spraying yourself in the face, from dealing with an angry mob to coaxing suicidal subjects off a bridge, an uncut version of everything is included. Going behind the badge to bring the public a real understanding of the job, Pig Latin hopes to help inspire sympathy rather than condemnation and to encourage current law enforcement with the knowledge that they are not alone in their mistakes, their fear, and their experience on the job. Pig Latin: https://www.amazon.com/Pig-Latin-Seriously-Former-Officer/dp/1668067951   Today's Sponsors: Montana Knife Company: https://www.montanaknifecompany.com Drink LMNT: https://www.drinklmnt.com/clearedhot  

Robert Young Pelton first became aware of the phenomenon of hired guns in the War on Terror when he met a covert team of contractors on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border in the fall of 2003. Pelton soon embarked on a globe-spanning odyssey to penetrate and understand this shadowy world, ultimately delivering stunning insights into the way private soldiers are used.Enter a blood-soaked world of South African mercenaries and tribal fighters backed by ruthless financiers. Drop into Baghdad's Green Zone, strap on body armor, and take a daily high-speed ride with a doomed crew of security contractors who dodge car bombs and snipers just to get their charges to the airport. Share a drink in a chic hotel bar with wealthy owners of private armies who debate the best way to stay alive in war zones.Licensed to Kill spans four continents and three years, taking us inside the CIA's dirty wars; the brutal contractor murders in Fallujah and the Alamo-like sieges in Najaf and Al Kut; the Deep South contractor training camps where ex–Special Operations soldiers and even small town cops learn the ropes; the contractor conventions where macho attendees swap bullet-punctuated tales and discuss upcoming gigs; and the grim Central African prison where contractors turned failed mercenaries pay a steep price.The United States has encouraged the use of the private sector in all facets of the War on Terror, placing contractors outside the bounds of functional legal constraints. With the shocking clarity that can come only from firsthand observation, Licensed to Kill painstakingly deconstructs the most controversial events and introduces the pivotal players. Most disturbingly, it shows that there are indeed thousands of contractors—with hundreds more being produced every month—who've been given a license to kill, their services available to the highest bidder.https://amzn.to/3HWKcwVBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Robert Young Pelton first became aware of the phenomenon of hired guns in the War on Terror when he met a covert team of contractors on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border in the fall of 2003. Pelton soon embarked on a globe-spanning odyssey to penetrate and understand this shadowy world, ultimately delivering stunning insights into the way private soldiers are used.Enter a blood-soaked world of South African mercenaries and tribal fighters backed by ruthless financiers. Drop into Baghdad's Green Zone, strap on body armor, and take a daily high-speed ride with a doomed crew of security contractors who dodge car bombs and snipers just to get their charges to the airport. Share a drink in a chic hotel bar with wealthy owners of private armies who debate the best way to stay alive in war zones.Licensed to Kill spans four continents and three years, taking us inside the CIA's dirty wars; the brutal contractor murders in Fallujah and the Alamo-like sieges in Najaf and Al Kut; the Deep South contractor training camps where ex–Special Operations soldiers and even small town cops learn the ropes; the contractor conventions where macho attendees swap bullet-punctuated tales and discuss upcoming gigs; and the grim Central African prison where contractors turned failed mercenaries pay a steep price.The United States has encouraged the use of the private sector in all facets of the War on Terror, placing contractors outside the bounds of functional legal constraints. With the shocking clarity that can come only from firsthand observation, Licensed to Kill painstakingly deconstructs the most controversial events and introduces the pivotal players. Most disturbingly, it shows that there are indeed thousands of contractors—with hundreds more being produced every month—who've been given a license to kill, their services available to the highest bidder.https://amzn.to/3HWKcwVBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Send us a textPeaches and Nate from Valhalla VFT torch the fake-warrior industrial complex in this unfiltered episode. From Tim Kennedy's “oops, I misrepresented my service” excuse to Shrek McPhee's fantasy war stories, the Ones Ready crew pulls no punches. Why are so many veterans lying about their past? Is it ego, money, or just chronic insecurity? We dig into why the veteran community polices its own, why civilians don't get it, and how glorifying war destroys trust. Expect hard truths, brutal honesty, and a reality check for anyone still worshipping false idols. Strap in—this isn't a feel-good chat, it's a demolition.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – The grind of YouTube vs. the myth of overnight success 04:15 – Stolen valor scandals: Kennedy, Shrek, and the “Green Beret meltdown” 07:30 – Why lies are finally getting exposed in 2025 10:50 – The death of the “fake war hero era” 13:30 – How false stories erode trust in the veteran community 16:00 – PTSD, glorifying violence, and the truth about combat's aftermath 22:45 – Your service is enough—stop lying about it 28:30 – Insecurity, fake alpha males, and why people can't be real 34:50 – Loyalty vs. accountability: when to defend your boy, when to call him out 41:00 – Redemption arcs and why America loves a comeback story 50:00 – Why military YouTube is niche—and why that's a good thing 57:30 – Gun culture toxicity, EDC debates, and social media clown shows 1:01:15 – Competition, camaraderie, and the best/worst of the veteran community 1:02:40 – Closing shoutouts to the Ones Ready and Valhalla fam

If life after the military feels like it's constantly on edge, you need tools that actually help you get your head straight. Dr. Barbara Thompson is an Army veteran and psychologist who worked directly with Special Operations and high-risk teams who didn't have the luxury of falling apart. She knows what high stress does to the brain and how to fix it before it burns you down. This episode is for the guy who's tried to muscle through PTSD, anxiety, or feeling disconnected (and it's not working). You'll learn how to spot when your brain is running on survival mode and what to do in the moment to break the spiral. Links & Resources Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 Website: https://drbarbthompson.com Follow Barbara Thompson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100025177493267 Follow Barbara Thompson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/barb.r.thompson Follow Barbara Thompson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-thompson-7487aa8b Transcript View the transcript for this episode.

⚠️ Content Warning:In this episode, Joshua Daniel shares about his time as an Army Ranger and Green Beret, including a mission involving a suicide bomber. Listener discretion is advised.⚠️ 

Achieving Success with Olivia Atkin Episode 148 "Achieve Freedom And Empowerment By Unlocking Your Power with Ph.D. Alice Atalanta"Olivia talks personal and professional achievements with Ph.D Alice Atalanta. Alice is the founder of Atalanta Leadership Forge, a powerful leadership development organization rooted in resilience, authenticity, and action. With a background as a scholar, athlete, combat sports coach, and military advocate, Alice has worked with everyone from Special Operations veterans and law enforcement to young athletes and Fortune 500 executives. Her personal story—from surviving trauma and adversity to redefining strength on her own terms—has inspired a bold and transformative approach to leadership. Through her work, Alice helps individuals uncover blind spots, tap into their inner grit, and lead with purpose. Whether she's training CEOs, coaching female athletes, or supporting elite military communities, Alice is all about one thing: forging leadership that lasts.Join Olivia every Tuesday as she brings on top notch guests to talk about how they are Achieving Success! Career Development Book and More at Achieving-success.comStay Connected With Us:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/achieving-success-llcInstagram: @_achievingsuccessTwitter: @_achievesuccessFacebook: @Achieving SuccessYou can find Alice Atalanta Ph. D:Website: www.AtalantaLeadershipForge.com Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/achieving-success-with-olivia-atkin--5743662/support.

How are some people so much smarter than the rest of us? Where do visionary creatives and savvy decision-makers like Vincent Van Gogh, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Maya Angelou, Warren Buffet, and William Shakespeare,get their extraordinary mental abilities?In 2021, researchers at Ohio State's Project Narrative, the world's leading academic think-tank for the study of how stories work, and a place renowned for collaborations with NASA, Hollywood, and Silicon Valley, announced they had the answer. They named it Primal Intelligence. And they published scientific proof that Primal Intelligence was impossible for computers—but could be strengthened in humans.Intrigued, U.S. Army Special Operations developed Primal training for its most classified units. The training succeeded. The Operators saw the future faster. They healed quicker from trauma. In life-and-death situations, they chose wiser.From there the Army authorized training for civilian entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, managers, coaches, teachers, investors, and NFL players. Their leadership and innovation improved significantly. They coped better with change and uncertainty. They experienced less anger and anxiety. And when they offered the training to college and K-12 classrooms it produced substantial effects in students as young as eight.In today's conversation with Angus Fletcher who serves as Professor of story science at Project Narrative,holds dual degrees in neuroscience and literature, a PhD in Shakespeare, and is author of the powerful new book: Primal Intelligence: You Are Smarter than You know.We'll take a deep dive into the groundbreaking research and training they've been developing at Project Narrative over the past 4 years. And Angus will share his often surprising and unexpected journey into this work. Including some of the most potent insights and practices he gained from collaborating with U.S. Special Operations along the way.To learn more about Primal Intelligence, including the inspiring new book, Angus's work, and Primal trainings please visit operationhuman.comEnjoying the show? Please rate it wherever you listen to your podcasts!Did you find this episode inspiring? Here are other conversations we think you'll love:On How the Arts Transform Us | Susan Magsamen & Ivy RossUnwinding Anxiety | Dr. Jud BrewerThanks for listening!Support the show

Buckle up for an unfiltered, heart-pounding episode of the Mike Drop Podcast, hosted by the fearless Mike Ritland, as he sits down with Navy SEAL icon Chuck Hayes. From a fateful bus ride to Orlando in September 1982, where Hayes first glimpsed the world of elite warriors, to the soul-shattering chaos of Bloody Sunday, this episode rips open the raw reality of a SEAL's life. Hayes vividly recounts his evolution from a wide-eyed rookie to a battle-scarred leader, commanding platoons that carried the weight of the Global War on Terror through relentless, ferocious firefights. Hear the chilling story of loading bullets one-by-one, each click a defiance against near-certain death, and the unbreakable resolve that drove his team back into the fray. With China's military might looming, Hayes tackles the burning question: Can America's Special Operations forces dominate in a high-stakes showdown? Packed with jaw-dropping revelations and raw emotion, this episode will grip you from start to finish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the VinnyRoc Podcast, Angel Cortez shares his incredible life story—growing up in gang culture, surviving violence, serving as an Army Ranger in Iraq and Afghanistan, and transitioning into veteran advocacy and entrepreneurship. From getting stabbed on his fifteenth birthday to leading a Special Operations career, Angel opens up about resilience, purpose, and the parallels between gangs, the military, and community brotherhood.   We also dive into his viral comments on ICE, the controversy that followed, and his perspective on immigration, law enforcement, and bridging communities. Angel's journey highlights the struggles of first-generation Americans, the challenges of growing up in low-income neighborhoods, and the transformation that comes with discipline, service, and finding true purpose.   If you want raw honesty about gangs, the military, veteran life, and community activism, this conversation is for you. - Topics covered in this episode: - Growing up in gang culture and surviving early violence - Transitioning from gangs to the U.S. Army Ranger Regiment - Combat experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan - Building community through advocacy and entrepreneurship (OG Pumpkin) - ICE raids, immigration policy, and the viral podcast clip controversy - The importance of brotherhood, purpose, and finding a positive path Follow Angel Cortes: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelgcortes175/

The National Security Hour with Major Fred Galvin – Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Ty Smith shares the mindset that carries Navy SEALs to victory in the harshest combat environments. With over two decades in Special Operations, he reveals why politics must stay off the battlefield, how America can restore its warfighting edge, and his mission to protect the homeland through leadership, resilience, and cutting-edge violence...

Leave an Amazon Rating or Review for my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Today's guest is Retired U.S. Navy Lieutenant Jason Redman. He's a sought-after speaker, leadership coach and best-selling author of the books, “The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader” and “Overcome: Crush Adversity With the Leadership Techniques of America's Toughest Warriors” His most recent book is called the Pointman Planner which allows you set quarterly goals based off of Special Operations principles.In this episode we discuss Jason's heroic story of being severely wounded and how his life changed forever, the three rules of leadership everyone should follow, the biggest lessons Jason learned as a Navy Seal and so much more!Check out Jason's book's: The Pointman PlannerTrident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL LeaderOvercome: Crush Adversity with the Leadership Techniques of America's Toughest WarriorsMission: Invincible Marriage: A Powerful Autobiographical Account with a Self-Help Approach to Marriage, Build a Stronger Relationship Nowwww.jasonredman.comFor more information go to https://greatness.lnk.to/1175For more Greatness text PODCAST to +1 (614) 350-3960More SOG episodes we think you'll love:Rich Diviney  – greatness.lnk.to/1058SCDavid Goggins – http://greatness.lnk.to/1660SCNick Lavery – greatness.lnk.to/1359SC Get more from Lewis! Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!Get The Greatness Mindset audiobook on SpotifyText Lewis AIYouTubeInstagramWebsiteTiktokFacebookX