Podcasts about special ops

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      

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/

The 100-day MrBeast challenge to win a jet, a message from the Head of the Aviation Engineering Department at Tishk International University, Rob's traditional Labor Day message, and Captain Dana returns to Maine. The MrBeast “100 Day Jet Challenge” The MrBeast “100 Day Jet Challenge” required a contestant, commercial pilot Armando Carrion, to live entirely inside a $2.5 million Dassault Aviation Hawker 2000 jet for 100 days. If Armando did that, he'd win the jet as a prize. If he stepped outside, he would lose everything. Obino and Dana. Armando was our guest in Episode 549. At that time, he had just retired as Special Ops top sergeant from a 21-year career in the U. S. Air Force. His service included aircrew on the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, and he specialized in flying light tactical fixed-wing, as well as special missions. Armando has been a volunteer with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for 25 years and commanded two different squadrons. Since retiring, Armando has been flying commercial, charter, and privately. Brian and Micah speak with Armando and Obino. Video: Survive 100 Days Trapped In A Private Jet, Keep It https://youtu.be/pzBi1nwDn8U?si=Ds2KbiZc46DPWqPw MrBeast offers $2.5M private jet to pilot who survives 100 days inside without touching ground Aviation Engineering at Tishk International University Soorkeu A. Atrooshi, PhD, is the Head of the Aviation Engineering Department at Tishk International University in Iraq. He listens to Airplane Geeks and told us the podcast has provided a lot of information to fellow aviation knowledge seekers at the University. He submitted a brief message for this episode. Rob's Labor Day Message Each year, Rob Mark sends a Labor Day message. Captain Dana Back in Maine In Episode 858, Captain Dana, an A320-family pilot, visited with Micah and talked about flying, his background, and how he traveled to Maine. Dana recently returned to Maine to visit with Micah but this time Brian was jealous that he couldn't be there, so he sent Micah a series of questions for Dana to answer. Hosts this Episode Max Flight, Micah, Brian Coleman, and Rob Mark.

Special Ops soldiers know that if you don't want to freeze in a crisis, you need to prepare yourself for courage before one hits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

In the GovClose Certification Program, our students learn the government contracting skills to:Start their own consulting business that can earn up to $400k as a “solopreneur” advising businesses that sell to the government.Land high-paying sales executive jobs with companies selling to the government.From Special Ops to the Pentagon: Forrest Underwood on AI, Startups, and the Future of Defense ContractingForrest Underwood's career spans flying MC-130Js for Special Operations, standing up new squadrons overseas, embedding with SOCOM on urgent missions, working with Silicon Valley venture capital firms, and now serving as Chief of Joint Investment Strategies at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the CEO of Evergreen IndustriesIn this conversation, Forrest explains:How AI, cyber, and space tech companies can break into defense contracting.Why “product–mission fit” is the key to winning contracts without wasting resources.The cultural speed gap between Special Operations and traditional acquisition.How the Forged Act, Speed Act, OTAs, and acquisition reform will change the landscape.Why the best product doesn't always win — and how to fix it.If you're a founder, tech leader, or government contracting professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate — and win in — the defense market.Connect with Forrest on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forrestunderwood/Timestamps / Chapters00:00 – The calm before the storm in defense acquisitions00:40 – AI writing proposals for AI: The growing noise problem01:15 – Special Ops speed: Delivering tech in under 24 hours02:00 – Forrest Underwood: From pilot to defense tech strategist03:00 – The grocery store encounter that launched an Air Force career04:00 – Air Force Academy prep school: Building future officers05:00 – Pilot training pipeline and aircraft assignments07:00 – C-130J missions in Europe and Africa09:00 – Standing up an MC-130J squadron in Okinawa11:00 – Transitioning to joint staff roles in Stuttgart14:00 – SOCOM immersion in Silicon Valley venture capital15:00 – Working with VC firms on AI, cyber, and space tech17:00 – The cultural speed gap in acquisitions19:00 – Overnight integration of mission-critical tech22:00 – Moving into acquisitions leadership at OSD23:00 – Managing $200B in annual defense investments24:00 – Founding Evergreen Industries and product–mission fit28:00 – Navigating the valley of death in defense innovation29:00 – OTAs, SBIRs, DIU, and accelerating acquisition30:00 – Forged Act, Speed Act, and acquisition reform32:00 – Why quality beats volume in proposals34:00 – Non-traditionals vs. primes in the new acquisition era36:00 – Cybersecurity compliance and small business challenges39:00 – Why the best product doesn't always win40:00 – Mapping capabilities to joint warfighting needs42:00 – Accelerating serious companies into DOD contracts45:00 – Sell it first, build it second in defense tech46:00 – Validating demand before developing solutions47:00 – Discovery-driven selling in the DOD49:00 – Understanding frustrations on both sides of the process50:00 – How acquisitions officers evaluate new tech53:00 – Where defense tech funding is headedJOIN the GovClose CommunityFollow me on LinkedIn for our free GovClose Newsletter and real-world GovCon insights

For years, we've seen David Eubank and his intrepid Special Ops teams in action – and it's always been a “Can Christians really do this stuff?” kind of experience. The stories, frankly, wouldn't seem plausible if not for the thousands of hours of footage they bring home from the Frontlines each year. In this series […]

For years, we've seen David Eubank and his intrepid Special Ops teams in action – and it's always been a “Can Christians really do this stuff?” kind of experience. The stories, frankly, wouldn't seem plausible if not for the thousands of hours of footage they bring home from the Frontlines each year. In this series […]

For years, we've seen David Eubank and his intrepid Special Ops teams in action – and it's always been a “Can Christians really do this stuff?” kind of experience. The stories, frankly, wouldn't seem plausible if not for the thousands of hours of footage they bring home from the Frontlines each year. In this series […]

In this episode of the Real Estate Pro Show, host Erika interviews Daniel Archer, a special operations veteran turned mortgage lender. Daniel shares his unique journey from military service to the lending industry, emphasizing his passion for veteran care. He discusses the importance of simplifying the VA loan process for veterans and how his Equine Valor Project blends therapy with lending to support veterans' mental health. Daniel also highlights his strategies for building a successful lending business and his future goals of empowering veterans nationwide through mentorship and community support. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

Ep. 75 – Strap in for a wild ride as On Being a Police Officer teams up with Cameron Santana of Santana True Crime to sit down with Eric Tansey—former cop, veteran, and host of the hit YouTube Show and Podcast Failure to Stop—to talk about his upcoming book, Pig Latin: A Seriously Funny True Story of a Former Police Officer, dropping August 26.Because Cameron was Eric's field training officer (featured in the book as Jayce), this is the only interview where you'll get the story behind the story. And you'll hear some Eric adventures that aren't in the book.Eric served with the Raleigh Police Department from 2012 to 2019, after his time as a U.S. Army paratrooper in Special Ops from 2003 to 2010. As Eric says, he 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, Eric reveals exactly what it's like to deal with everyday life as a police officer—from trying to tackle naked suspects to pepper spraying himself in the face, from dealing with an angry mob to coaxing suicidal subject off a bridge. Beyond the darkly funny anecdotes, Eric explains how PIG LATIN aims to build empathy for law enforcement professionals and remind them they are not alone in their fears and mistakes. Tune in for an insider's ride‑along that will make you laugh, cringe and see policing in a new light.Also check out Ep. 74, a repost of my 2023 interview with Eric which covers not only the book, but his childhood, the breakdowns he's done on Failure To Stop, how he became a sommelier and so much more.Get his book on Amazon:“Pig Latin: a seriously funny true story of a former police officer” You can find Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erictansey_official/ And Cameron: https://www.instagram.com/santanatruecrime/Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerFacebook: On Being a Police OfficerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.comwww.onbeingapoliceofficer.comCheck out this Police1 Q&A with me:https://www.police1.com/patrol-issues/policing-podcast-profiles-on-being-a-police-officer-podcast-shares-the-raw-truth-behind-the-badge©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

Join us for an explosive podcast episode with Jeremy Jonas, a West Point Military Academy graduate and Army Ranger who served in a secretive Special Operations unit. In this gripping conversation, Jeremy pulls back the curtain on his high-stakes career, including intense espionage missions and covert operations that tested his limits. From the rigorous discipline of West Point to the adrenaline-pumping world of military special ops, Jeremy's stories showcase the toll of serving in high-pressure environments. But that's not all—Jeremy dives into a provocative topic: is the military just a government-funded cult? Explore the parallels between military culture, indoctrination, and the unwavering loyalty demanded by service. What happens when duty blurs the line between honor and control? If you're fascinated by military history, special operations, espionage, or the hidden dynamics of institutional power, this episode is a must-watch. Hit that Like button, Subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode! Share your thoughts in the comments—do you agree with Jeremy's take on military culture? Follow on social media: Jeremy Jonas - @thejeremyjonas Joshua Cabaza - @joshcabaza Davey Jackson - @daveyjax Catch a new episode of Friends with Davey every Wednesday at 8:00PM! Podcast audio available on all streaming platforms. #truecrime #mystery #military #specialforces #cults #westpoint #espionage #spies #veteran #specialops #rangers #army

Ep. 74 – Join me on this re-airing of a wild ride of an interview from 2023 with Eric Tansey, co-creator and host of Failure to Stop (FTS) and former Raleigh Police Department officer from 2012 to 2019. If you follow Eric on FTS, then you know he is a high-energy, highly-engaging storyteller. And nowhere is that more evident than in his soon-to-be released book, “Pig Latin: a Seriously Funny True Story of a Former Police Officer.” I had the opportunity to read an advance manuscript and talk with Eric about some of the crazy and as well as poignant stories in the book. My next episode, Ep. 75, is a brand-new interview with Eric as a crossover with Cameron Santana, host of Santana True Crime. Cameron was Eric's field training officer and is featured in the book, so it's a unique perspective to share. We get into even more stories, some of them not in the book. In this 2023 interview, Eric and I discuss why he got into law enforcement following his service in Special Ops as a US Army paratrooper from 2003 to 2010. We get into a few dramatic incidents from the book which include totaling his car after hydroplaning during a pursuit; having his leg broken while fighting with a murder suspect (“I got 12 screws, two pins, a plate and a rod in my left leg.”) And the time he took his mother on a ride-along, making a “routine” traffic stop, and ending up in one of the most brutal beatings he ever suffered, all with his mom watching. We also talk about the incident that is one he just can't shake. And of course, we cover how his law enforcement career came to an end when he was fired from Raleigh PD in 2019. As he does on FTS, we get into police incidents, the issues facing law enforcement today, and the frustrations of the public's misperceptions of police. We revisit a breakdown that he originally did with Mike the Cop (link below). YouTube link to FTS breakdown of Akron Police Department incident:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zpN8TEcSB8Here is the Amazon link to Eric's book coming out on Aug. 26, 2025:“Pig Latin: a seriously funny true story of a former police officer”You can find Eric on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erictansey_official/Thanks for listening to On Being a Police Officer. YOU are what keeps me going.Check out this Police1 Q&A with me:https://www.police1.com/patrol-issues/policing-podcast-profiles-on-being-a-police-officer-podcast-shares-the-raw-truth-behind-the-badge Find me on my social or email me your thoughts:Instagram: on_being_a_police_officerFacebook: On Being a Police OfficerAbby@Ellsworthproductions.comwww.onbeingapoliceofficer.com©Abby Ellsworth. All booking, interviews, editing, and production by Abby Ellsworth. Music courtesy of freesound.org

What happens when a family vacation to the Himalayas turns into a face-to-face encounter with something... not quite human? In this chilling episode of Bigfoot Society, we hear from a guest who, as a child, watched a large, white-furred creature climb a snow-covered mountain barefoot — and fast — in the remote northern region of Burma near the Himalayas. Years later, she realized what it might've been: a Yeti.But that's just the beginning.You'll also hear from a veteran with a shocking account of horned humanoid creatures encountered during Special Ops in Iraq… a hunter from Oklahoma who saw a Bigfoot drink from a river just 40 yards away… and a New Jersey researcher who says Sasquatch might be tied to ancient giant burial mounds.From shadowy figures behind oak trees to stone serpent carvings and glowing eyes on snowy ridges — this episode connects dots that will leave you questioning everything.Featuring stories from Burma, New Jersey, Kentucky, Iraq, and Minnesota.Buckle up. These aren't secondhand tales.They're real encounters. In their own words.

For years, we've seen David Eubank and his intrepid Special Ops teams in action – and it's always been a “Can Christians really do this stuff?” kind of experience. The stories, frankly, wouldn't seem plausible if not for the thousands of hours of footage they bring home from the Frontlines each year. The Free Burma […]

For years, we've seen David Eubank and his intrepid Special Ops teams in action – and it's always been a “Can Christians really do this stuff?” kind of experience. The stories, frankly, wouldn't seem plausible if not for the thousands of hours of footage they bring home from the Frontlines each year. The Free Burma […]

For years, we've seen David Eubank and his intrepid Special Ops teams in action – and it's always been a “Can Christians really do this stuff?” kind of experience. The stories, frankly, wouldn't seem plausible if not for the thousands of hours of footage they bring home from the Frontlines each year. The Free Burma […]

11 years of combination experience. A Captain For Matthews Fire & EMS North Carolina who is assigned to station 1 also known as the Special Ops house. Kyle always wanted to be in public service and had his eyes set on becoming a State Trooper. But sometimes things we want in life just don't line up and we need to adapt. And that's what Kyle did. I truly loved hearing how the experience he received when he wanted to become a volunteer resonated with him so much that it ultimately became the reason he was able to find the career side. When you listen to Kyle talk you can clearly tell how much the fire service has done for him but also how being a Fireman isn't all he wants that define's him as an individual. He's a husband, father and a christian man who makes sure he encompasses all of that into his life. IG: skbeard

Send us a textPeaches is back with another scathing ops brief—this time dragging the DoD for everything from mystery missiles and “indefinite quantity” contracts (yeah, that's real) to billion-dollar Iron Dome knockoffs. From Space Force promotions to “near-miss” B-52s and the Pentagon handing OpenAI a $200M AI war chest, this episode dives deep into the weird, the wild, and the “we're definitely not overfunded” chaos of 2025. Also: the real reason the Air Force hit their recruiting goals early (spoiler: they didn't). Oh, and yes, Tim Kennedy's name comes up... brace yourselves.

In this episode of Y Chromes, CannCon, Alpha Warrior, and Cam Cooksey are joined by Caleb for a hilarious hangout full of banter, brotherhood, and beef. The crew kicks things off with a full-on golf roast session as Caleb preps for his first round at a course he's worked at for years. Cam and Alpha offer unsolicited golf wisdom, all while planning a Deadwood golf showdown against the Badlands ladies. Caleb gives an update on his recovery and his dream of joining Special Ops before heading out, and then the guys get into shark attack footage, insane water sports, firearms debates, and roller derby madness. In a highly requested return, Cam fires up another round of "Smoking with My Chromies," this time smoking up a beef short rib he calls "meat candy." Packed with dark humor, random brilliance, and locker-room-level laughs, this episode proves once again that absolutely nothing is off limits.

What if storytelling isn't just communication—but the original form of intelligence? Angus Fletcher, story scientist and Ohio State professor (featured on Malcolm Gladwell's Revisionist History Podcast), explains why narrative thinking is more powerful than data, logic, or AI. From neurons to Shakespeare to U.S. Special Ops, this conversation reveals how stories help us plan, survive, and imagine a better future. Angus Fletcher's new book available for pre-order! The Storytelling University is part of the 7 Minute Stories Universe Created & Produced by Aaron Calafato & Brooks Borden

In the intricate dance of life, sometimes we find ourselves drawn to stories that stir our souls, tales of profound resilience and deep spiritual awakening. Today's episode brings such a story to our ears as we welcome Tu Lam, a spiritual warrior whose journey from war-torn Vietnam to the disciplined world of Special Forces unveils the essence of the human spirit and the transformative power of inner peace.Tu Lam's life began amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War, a tumultuous start that would shape his destiny in ways unimaginable. His early years were marked by survival, escaping the horrors of war on a fishing boat with his mother, facing pirates, storms, and near starvation. Yet, this early exposure to adversity planted the seeds of resilience and an unyielding will to overcome.As a young refugee in America, Tu faced the harsh realities of racism and poverty. These challenges, however, only strengthened his resolve. Guided by the warrior ethos of the samurai, he delved into the teachings of Bushido, finding solace and purpose in its ancient virtues of honor, duty, and compassion. It was during these formative years that he began to forge the path of a modern-day warrior, one who fights not just physical battles, but also the inner conflicts that shape our lives.Tu's journey into the military was a natural progression. At the age of 18, he joined the Army, and by 21, he was a Special Forces Green Beret, living the warrior's path he had admired since childhood. His military career took him to the most volatile regions of the world, where he fought for the oppressed and protected the innocent. Yet, amidst the valor and the victories, he carried with him the heavy burdens of war, trauma, and the relentless quest for meaning.In this profound conversation, Tu Lam shares, “Purpose, there was a higher purpose. I didn't know it at the time.” His reflections reveal a deep understanding of the karmic and dharmic roles we play in the universe. As a warrior, he protected, fought, and survived, embodying the very essence of his dharma. But it wasn't until he began his spiritual journey, much later in life, that he truly understood the higher purpose guiding him.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/next-level-soul-podcast-with-alex-ferrari--4858435/support.

Today's opening tale of terror is ‘Navy Seals VS. The Horrors of Toxic Masculinity Lake', an epic work by Taxi Dancer, kindly shared directly with me via my sub-reddit and narrated here for you all with the author's express permission. https://www.reddit.com/user/Taxi_Dancer/ Today's closing tale of the bizarre and wonderful is ‘The British SAS Found Something in the Fog', an epic work also by Taxi Dancer, kindly shared directly with me via my sub-reddit and narrated here for you all with the author's express permission. https://www.reddit.com/user/Taxi_Dancer/

In this episode, National Defense discusses aircraft modernization in Special Operations Command, the Marine Corps' drone fleet and axed Army vehicle programs.

with Pastor Micheal Oxentenko

In this electrifying episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Joshua Daniel, a retired Master Sergeant with over 20 years of service in U.S. Special Operations. From the elite ranks of the 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Forces, Joshua transitioned from warfighter to purpose-driven leader. He's the Founder of Counter Culture Solutions, where he trains others in personal protection, mindset mastery, and purposeful living. He also serves as President of Hero Games Charity, which hosts an annual event honoring fallen Special Operations Soldiers by bringing their families together—honoring legacies, building community, and healing through service.

WV Uncommonplace Interviews and Sessions

In this episode of Driving Change, neuroscientist and storytelling expert Dr. Angus Fletcher returns to share insights from his latest book, Primal Intelligence. Drawing from his research with the U.S. Army Special Operations, Fortune 50 companies, and education systems, Fletcher unpacks how the brain's ancient systems—emotion, imagination, intuition, and common sense—shape the way we think, lead, and connect. This isn't just theory; it's actionable neuroscience that rewires how we respond to stress, how we plan, and how we grow. Jeff and Angus explore everything from battlefield psychology to parenting to sales conversations, all through the lens of primal brain power. This episode will change how you view intelligence. If you've ever struggled with anxiety, leadership under pressure, communication breakdowns, or helping others grow, this conversation delivers practical tools rooted in science—not self-help fluff. Learn how elite military units build confidence, how to tap into your brain's imagination for clearer decision-making, and why the stories you tell yourself matter more than any strategy. Whether you're a parent, leader, coach, or entrepreneur, this episode offers real techniques to become more grounded, resilient, and effective in how you show up. Emotion is the First Intelligence – Fear and anger aren't enemies—they're signals telling us how many plans we have. Four Primal Brain Powers – Imagination (planning), Intuition (opportunity spotting), Emotion (threat signaling), and Common Sense (choosing the best plan). Plan-Making Beats Panic – People freeze not from danger, but from having no plan. Teaching people how to plan reduces fear and anger. Storytelling is Neural – The brain organizes information through action-based narratives. It's not once-upon-a-time—it's how we think. Teach Planning, Not Just Plans – The goal of leadership is to develop planners, not just manage plans. Practice Under Low Stress – Communication habits formed in calm moments will show up under pressure. Authenticity Over Evasion – People can't always detect truth, but they immediately sense evasiveness. Share what you fear. Counterfactual Thinking Builds Vision – Asking "what if" about small changes with big outcomes activates the brain's default mode network. Kids (and Adults) Need Imperfect Practice – Tolerating messy planning helps grow initiative, resilience, and brain power. Sales = Story Anticipation – Great salespeople help others discover their own story faster and with more clarity than they could alone. 00:00 – Welcome + Book Launch Tease 01:45 – Ohio's Hidden Intelligence + Emotional Evolution 10:00 – Primal Intelligence Framework 13:00 – Special Ops and the Power of Plans 19:00 – Childhood Programming and Brain Plasticity 24:30 – Imagination as Thinking Tool 29:30 – Youth, Screens & Neural Pathways 33:00 – Leadership, Weird Ideas & Innovation 38:45 – Storytelling as Internal Narrative 43:00 – Relationships & Communication Needs 46:00 – Communicating Under Pressure 50:00 – Neurocentric Questions & Sales 54:30 – Authenticity, Fear, and Trust 58:00 – What Led to Primal Intelligence 1:00:00 – How to Learn More (Book, Quiz, Site) Primal Intelligence book page (Penguin Random House) – Available August 19 Free Quiz & Diagnostic: OperationHuman.com Why You Should ListenTop 10 Takeaways⏱️ Chapter Markings (by topic)How to find more from Dr. FletcherDr. Angus Fletcher on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile

For years, we've seen David Eubank and his intrepid Special Ops teams in action – and it's always been a “Can Christians really do this stuff?” kind of experience. The stories, frankly, wouldn't seem plausible if not for the thousands of hours of footage they bring home from the Frontlines each year. The Free Burma […]

This week on The Broski Report, Fearless Leader Brittany Broski returns to the tried and true topic of WWII, continues her obsession with Jack O'Connell, and shares media she's been interested in as of late. 

Retired Navy SEAL Matt Stevens helps The Honor Foundation guide members of the Special Forces community toward rewarding civilian careers. Stevens talks about how to discover your “why,” developing contacts and other tips for developing executives. THE SCUTTLEBUTT Down the Reddit Rabbit Hole: The Meaning of Memorial Day The fallout of banned books at the U.S. Naval Academy Busch Gardens, Sea World offering free tickets for service members and veterans Special Guest: Matt Stevens.

Please help us welcome our amazing neighbor Zack to the podcast! You may know him as the Green Beret or one of the Cul-de-sac Boyz… today we celebrate him and so many of those who have sacrificed to serve our country. Happy Memorial Day friends and be safe. We would love your feedback... If you enjoyed this episode, tell us why! Leave us a review and make sure you subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Executive Producers are Riley Peleuses + Ian McNeny for YEA Media Group If you are interested in advertising on this podcast or having Jeff and Jordan as guests on your Podcast, Radio Show, or TV Show, reach out to podcast@yeamediagroup.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Cohen, Israeli Special Ops veteran on Trump's successful middle east trip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send us a textBuckle up. In this flaming hot Ones Ready drop, Peaches unloads on the latest Air Force news like it's target practice. From the Pentagon's DEI purge to putting cruise missiles on MQ-9s (because why not?), we're diving deep into the bureaucratic chaos of the DoD's week. We question why the hell an OA-1K would carry a cruise missile, throw shade at “aspirational” tech projects, and get uncomfortably honest about childcare, base closures, and how many damn generals are collecting paychecks. Also, our only search and rescue dog retires, and it gets emotional. Pour one out for Callie.Meanwhile, only four slots remain for the Operator Training Summit—12 hours in the pool, mask clearing, buddy breathing, underwater misery and mentorship with the Ones Ready crew. Don't miss your shot to suffer with a purpose in San Diego this June.

Brad Taylor is a New York Times bestselling author.  He is a former Special Forces commander, and all-around badass His latest thriller is called, Into the Gray ZoneBrad joined us to talk:-How much of the plot is fiction or real life "I try to be realistic as possible, as far as the tactical applications ... most of that is classified.  But it's all infused in reality because have to use my experiences to write"-How does he write a book and how did he get started (he's on bok #19 btw)-Biggest misconceptions about the people in Special Ops  To subscribe to The Pete McMurray Show Podcast just click here

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 4: Jariko Denman — Standards, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Regiment

Send us a textWelcome to the May 2nd Daily Drop, where Jared breaks down the absolute fever dream that is today's Air Force memo—everything from piano-burning ceremonies to Space Force launching a special operations element (yes, you read that right). This episode's a rollercoaster through military bureaucracy, geopolitical chaos, and some straight-up “wait… what?” moments.We're talking about 8,000 troops at the southern border, the Air Force testing robo-wingmen, Japan mad about a B-1 bomber blocking their runway, and Guam getting overrun by 25,000 stray dogs (no, seriously). Also, shoutout to the Air Force for helping control said dogs… because readiness, I guess?Throw in canceled Iran nuclear talks, a new missile shield with a suspiciously biblical name (“Golden Dome”), and a nominee for Undersecretary getting roasted for telling the truth—and you've got an episode that proves the Pentagon never sleeps… but maybe should.

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 3: Nick Lavery — Choosing to Fight Forward

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 2: Melissa Johnson — Accelerating Innovation for SOF

Emotional Intelligence–or EQ is now more vital than ever. In today's episode of The Unbeatable Mind, Mark's daughter Catherine is sitting down for a candid and insightful discussion about emotional development and the evolving landscape of leadership in a world that's becoming more dominated by AI.    Catherine and Mark explore the limitations of traditional leadership models that prioritize IQ over EQ, touching on how emotional awareness, self-control, and the oft-overlooked concept of “us” in relationships are fundamental aspects of effective leadership. Drawing from their personal experiences, Mark and Catherine dissect the energy of emotions, the mind-body connection, and the importance of radical self-acceptance.    Together, Mark and Catherine emphasize that real growth does not happen in isolation, it's our most challenging interactions through the emotional landscape that we become better leaders, teammates, and people.    Key Takeaways:  Relational Development: Discover how the most impactful growth happens not in isolation, but through relationships. Real emotional development is tested through authentic connection and mutual vulnerability.  EQ VS. IQ: Learn why Mark and Catherine believe EQ is the leadership superpower of the future. When machines can outperform us in data and logic, our unique advantage lies in self-awareness, empathy, and connection.  The Body-Mind Connection: Understand how acknowledging the somatic side of your feelings can unlock deep growth and healing. Emotions are simply energy in motion—the body plays a key role.  EQ as a Daily Practice: Recognize how emotional maturity is not a destination—but rather a lifelong journey that requires mindfulness, honest communication, and vulnerability.    Catherine Divine is a leadership coach, author, and yoga instructor with over 20 years of experience helping leaders unlock their full potential. Coauthor of Kokoro Yoga with her stepfather, Mark Divine, and author of Sacred Silence, Catherine holds a Master's in Transformative Leadership from CIIS and is pursuing a PhD in East-West Psychology. As a Master Unbeatable Mind Coach, she has trained C-suite executives, Special Ops candidates, and high-performance leaders, guiding them to integrate mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and resilience. Catherine combines intuitive healing with strategic insight to help leaders overcome challenges, heal from trauma, and strengthen their mind-body-soul connection.   Catherine's Links:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinec1/  Kokoro Yoga: https://unbeatablemind.com/kokoro-yoga/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatherineDivineYoga/      Sponsors and Promotions:   Kinsta -  Tired of being your own hosting support team? Switch to Kinsta and get your first month free. And don't worry about the move - they'll handle the migration for you, no tech expertise required. Just visit Kinsta.com/MARK to get started.   Defender -  Explore the full Defender line-up at LandRoverUSA.com   Qualia -  To feel in your prime WAY longer than you ever thought possible, try Qualia Senolytic up to 50% off right now at qualialife.com/divine15, and code DIVINE15 at checkout for an extra 15% off.      

Geoff Dardia joins Mike Ritland to expose the real story behind Afghanistan, the missed chance to take out Bin Laden, and how politics destroyed 20 years of sacrifice.Dardia is a former Master Sergeant and Green Beret who lived it for real — from kicking doors in hostile countries to hunting bad guys under night vision.Before that?He was supposed to be a Navy SEAL — training shoulder-to-shoulder with Mike Ritland — until a medical issue derailed that path. Instead of quitting, Geoff took the fight to Special Operations, racking up multiple deployments as a Weapons Sergeant, Intel Sergeant, and Ops Sergeant.Since leaving active duty, Geoff's been on a different kind of warpath — fighting for the health and survival of the special operations community. As the founding director of SOF Health Initiatives for the Task Force Dagger Foundation, he's tackling the issues nobody wants to talk about — traumatic brain injuries, cancer, and the hidden wounds killing more operators than enemy bullets ever did. Like + Subscribe to the Mike Drop Podcast to Support the Show & Guests at http://youtube.com/@MikeRitland?sub_confirmation=1 Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop ---------- Support Geoff Dardia - Website - https://www.taskforcedagger.org/sof-health/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffrey-dardia/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sof_health_initiative/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100081804750883 ---------- TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog's Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog's health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike's bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog. https://www.teamdog.pet SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sign up for the Special Ops trip! https://serveisrael.com/volunteer/special-ops/ Sponsor a young person for the trip: https://serveisrael.com/donate/scholarship/ Purchase a copy of When a Jew & a Muslim Talk: https://moriel-bareli.co.il/en/gius-copy/ Sometimes under the guise of a false identity, other times with the knowledge that his life may be at risk, Moriel embarks on a fascinating journey, talking to hundreds of Muslims to find out what they really think about the Jews and their connection to the Land of Israel. Along the way, he discovers what truly lies behind the so-called Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through documentation and screenshots from many riveting conversations, the book shines light on the most pertinent questions that have accompanied the Jewish people in recent decades.

Send us a textIn this heartwarming, sarcastic, slightly chaotic episode, Trent joins M42 Adventures to unpack 20 years of Air Force Special Warfare—and the wild decision-making process that got him there. Spoiler alert: It all started because he hated being told what to do... so naturally, he joined the military.We dive into what makes someone pursue a path where 90% of people fail, why burning your life down might be the best prep for basic training, and how Ones Ready accidentally became a podcast that survived five years, a global war, and zero profits.This is an episode for the ones who never fit the mold, who failed college but found meaning in uniform, and who figured out that purpose doesn't come from clout—it comes from hard lessons, late nights, and unshakable discipline. And yeah, maybe a little stubbornness, too.

In Part V of the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) series, host Mike “Flash” McVay sits down once again with A-10 pilot Ridge "Kelso" Flick to dive deep into the critical role the Warthog plays in SEAD and close air support operations. Drawing from his extensive experience flying the A-10 in hostile environments, Kelso shares insights into how low-level tactics, survivability, and precision targeting come together in the face of modern air defense threats. From Cold War-era training to post-9/11 combat deployments, this episode explores how A-10 pilots adapted to evolving SAM and AAA threats while maintaining their mission to protect ground forces. Kelso's perspective offers a unique look at the intersection of close air support and SEAD, highlighting the courage and coordination required in every mission.Stay tuned and subscribe for more frontline stories and tactical lessons from the world of combat aviation and special operations.

Hakim Isler enters the mind meld! Video Episode here Hakim is a former Psyop and Special Ops soldier in the US Army. He's interested in both practical ESP techniques and the history of the military and intelligence agencies' interest in the phenomenon. Hakim has learned remote viewing firsthand from famous program participants like Joe McMoneagle.  Hakim is also spearheading an in intriguing event called Psi Games, which he describes as the psychic olympics. It's a tournament and conference that aims to illuminate and push the boundaries of psi phenomena like remote viewing and psychokinesis. 

Mike “Flash” McVay welcomes a seasoned fighter pilot and Wild Weasel veteran to break down the evolution of the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses mission in the Viper community. From crafting airplanes out of bobby pins as a toddler to executing real-world SEAD missions over Baghdad, this guest's career spans decades of pivotal moments in combat aviation. Listeners will hear how a single incentive flight in an F-16 transformed a lifelong dream of flying Eagles into a passion for the Viper's multi-role capabilities.The guest shares his formative years at Nellis as a maintenance officer during the transition from F-4G to F-16CJ in the Weasel role, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the mission set developed. He discusses deployments supporting Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch, including a gripping account of being in Turkey when 9/11 occurred and the following political complications. As the conversation shifts to Operation Iraqi Freedom, he recalls leading night SEAD sorties over Baghdad, vividly describing the chaos, coordination, and execution of real-time missions under fire.

Tracy Walder is one of the few women to serve in both the Directorate of Operations at the CIA and as a Special Agent at the FBI. She discusses working in Special Ops during the 9/11 era, including frequent meetings with President George W. Bush. From 2000 to 2004, Tracy served the CIA's Counterterrorism Center Weapons of Mass Destruction Group, followed by the FBI's Chinese Counterintelligence team. During her time at the CIA, Tracy travelled to war zones and many other countries. Tracy received many awards for her service from both the CIA and foreign intelligence offices. After leaving the CIA, Tracy became a Special Agent at the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, specializing in Chinese counterintelligence operations. Tracy is an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice at Texas Christian University. She is the author of “The Unexpected Spy, and a National Security Contributor for NewsNation. Reality Life with Kate Casey What to Watch List: https://katecasey.substack.com Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/katecasey Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecasey Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/katecaseyca Tik Tok: http://www.tiktok.com/itskatecasey Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113157919338245 Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/katecasey Like it to Know It: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/katecaseySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.