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Andy Stumpf: Identity, Failure, Fatherhood & Truth
Andy Stumpf spent more than 17 years as a Navy SEAL, served with SEAL Team Six, became a record-setting wingsuit pilot, entrepreneur, author and host of the Cleared Hot podcast.
But those are things he’s done. They aren’t who he is.
For the first episode of The Americana Series: Montana, we traveled to sit down with Andy for a conversation about identity, failure, leadership, marriage, fatherhood and what happens when the life you built your identity around begins to disappear.
Andy talks about nearly losing his Trident early in his career, leaving the SEAL Teams after being injured, the difference between good and bad leadership, and why tying your identity too closely to your occupation can make moving on so difficult.
He also opens up about divorce, raising children, building businesses, finding happiness, moving his family to Montana and why he tries not to measure his life by accomplishments.
When we ask Andy what he values most in life, his answer is immediate: truth.
That leads to a candid discussion about Roberts Ridge, John Chapman, the Medal of Honor, the Rangers who fought on Takur Ghar, and Andy’s years-long effort to understand what happened on that mountain.
This is Andy Stumpf beyond the résumé.
The Americana Series: Montana - Episode One.
Follow Not Special as Herb and Corrie Thompson travel across Montana sharing five very different American stories.
Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Allison Black spent more than 32 years serving her country, but her path to becoming a special operations aviator was anything but planned.
She began her career as an enlisted SERE specialist before becoming an officer and eventually flying AC-130 gunships with Air Force Special Operations Command.
After September 11, 2001, Allison deployed to Central Asia and flew combat missions over Afghanistan. Working alongside U.S. Special Forces and Afghan forces, her voice over the radio and the firepower of the AC-130 helped create a story that would follow her for decades: the “Angel of Death.”
But this conversation is about much more than a nickname.
Allison joins Herb and Corrie Thompson to talk about earning credibility in the special operations community, failure, leadership, command, marriage and raising a family while serving, and the responsibility of bringing people home.
She also talks about why she spent years uncomfortable with the “Angel of Death” story—and what it was like to retire after more than three decades in uniform and figure out who Allison Black was without it.
This is a conversation about service, identity, leadership, family, and learning to let your actions speak for you.
Learn more about Allison Black and booking her to speak at LibertySpeaks.com.
The Americana Series: Montana | Official Trailer | Not Special
We came to Montana to share five great stories. We ended up getting a lot more.
The Americana Series: Montana takes Not Special on the road for five conversations with Andy Stumpf, Cameron Cushman, Dave Kenney, Nic McKinley, and Aaron Todd.
These are stories about service, identity, family, adversity, purpose, and what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan.
Five people. Five very different journeys. One place that gave us the space to slow down and hear their stories.
The Americana Series: Montana begins October 1, with a new episode every Thursday on Not Special.
Made possible with support from LoanDepot, GOVX, Alliance Nationwide Exposition, and Bellator Recruiting Academy.
He Left NFL Coaching to Help Veterans Find Purpose | Harrison Bernstein
Harrison Bernstein left a path in the NFL to build Soldiers To Sidelines, a nonprofit helping veterans, service members, military spouses, and Gold Star families find purpose and community through coaching.
But Harrison's story didn't start with the military.
Long before founding Soldiers To Sidelines, Harrison was a college football player whose identity was wrapped up in the game. When the clock ran out on his final college football game, he wasn't ready for it to end. Years later, after working in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and receiving another opportunity with the New York Jets, Harrison faced a different decision: keep chasing the NFL or build something that could impact thousands of lives.
He chose the latter.
In this episode of Not Special with Herb & Corrie Thompson, Harrison talks about football, coaching, identity, purpose, mental health, leadership, and why great coaches can change the trajectory of someone's life.
We talk about:
• The emotional final play of Harrison's college football career
• How losing the identity of "football player" affected him
• Getting hired by Joe Gibbs and working in the NFL
• The day Sean Taylor challenged him to a race
• Why Harrison ultimately walked away from an opportunity with the New York Jets
• How Soldiers To Sidelines started with six people at Walter Reed
• Helping veterans and military families become character-based sports coaches
• Depression, isolation, community, and finding purpose
• Why Harrison believes coaching can be an upstream solution
• NIL, college athletics, and tying identity to money and performance
• The role Harrison's wife, Laura, played in building Soldiers To Sidelines
• What makes a great coach on the field and in life
Today, Soldiers To Sidelines has trained thousands of coaches and continues creating pathways into youth, high school, college, and professional sports.
Harrison's story isn't really about football.
It's about what happens when something you've built your identity around ends and how finding a new way to contribute can change everything.
Not Special is a Liberty Speaks show hosted by Herb & Corrie Thompson.
Real people. Real stories. Real growth.
Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the September GOVX Give Back supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund https://nleomf.org/ and Concerns of Police Survivors https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors... Both are doing incredible work to honor those we lost and support those left behind.
Vic Minella was a Navy intelligence officer assigned to the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. His office, the Navy Command Center, was directly hit in the 9/11 terrorist attack. Vic wasn't there that morning. Several of his shipmates were.
That day changed the course of his life and launched decades of work in Navy intelligence, counterterrorism, clandestine and covert operations support, and eventually senior leadership inside the Pentagon.
In this episode of Not Special, Vic Minella takes us from growing up in a tiny Mississippi town to enlisting in the U.S. Navy, becoming a Navy corpsman, earning his commission, and entering Naval Intelligence.
Vic shares what it was like watching the 9/11 attacks unfold from home, learning that his Pentagon office had been hit, losing friends and colleagues, and carrying survivor's guilt in the years that followed.
He also takes us inside the largely unseen world of national security and counterterrorism—work that ultimately contributed to preventing hundreds of terrorist attacks and protecting American service members around the world.
We talk about: • Growing up in rural Mississippi • Enlisting in the Navy and becoming a corpsman • Becoming a Naval Intelligence officer • Where Vic was on September 11, 2001 • Losing his shipmates in the Pentagon attack • Survivor's guilt and the aftermath of 9/11 • Returning to work as America prepared for war • Supporting counterterrorism and special operations missions • The team credited with helping stop 600+ terrorist attacks • Rising from enlisted sailor to Senior Executive Service • The critical role of civilians in national security • Leadership, family, sacrifice and the cost of high-tempo work • Finding purpose after decades of government service
Vic's story is also a reminder of how many people serve this country without ever wearing a uniform and how much of America's national security work happens far from public view.
From a town of roughly 300 people in Mississippi to some of the highest levels of the Pentagon, this is a story about service, loss, opportunity, leadership and what happens when an ordinary person is given an extraordinary opportunity.
#September11 #911 #Pentagon #NotSpecial
Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the September GOVX Give Back supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund https://nleomf.org/ and Concerns of Police Survivors https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/ Both are doing incredible work to honor those we lost and support those left behind.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
She Reenlisted Because of a Car Payment, Then Made Air Force History | JoAnne Bass
JoAnne Bass, the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to serve as the U.S. Air Force’s highest-ranking enlisted leader, never planned on making the military a career. She joined for the GI Bill, expected to serve four years, and jokes that she reenlisted because she still had a Honda Civic to pay for.
Thirty-one years later, she retired after reaching the highest enlisted position in the United States Air Force.
In this episode of Not Special, JoAnne Bass sits down with Herb and Corrie Thompson for a candid conversation about her unlikely journey from a young Airman to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, leadership at the highest levels, marriage and family, military service, social media and misinformation, and what happens when the title you've carried for decades suddenly disappears.
Bass shares the story of getting the call that she had been selected as the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, becoming the first woman to hold the position, and suddenly finding herself at the center of national attention.
She also opens up about the side of leadership most people never see: criticism, online attacks, the pressure of leading during a rapidly changing information environment, and why leaders can no longer confuse the chain of command with the chain of communication.
But this conversation isn't just about rank or military leadership.
JoAnne talks about growing up as an Army brat, meeting her Army husband Ron at Smoke Bomb Hill, raising two daughters while both parents served demanding military careers, navigating deployments, and learning how to intentionally reconnect after retirement.
She also explains why some people struggle when they leave the military or any major career and their identity has become inseparable from their title.
Throughout the conversation, JoAnne returns to a simple philosophy she learned from her mother: Do your job and do it well.
From a four-year enlistment to 31 years of service, JoAnne Bass's story is ultimately about service, leadership, family, resilience, identity, and using whatever position you have to make a difference.
In this episode: • Why JoAnne Bass originally joined the U.S. Air Force • The Honda Civic that helped convince her to reenlist • When military service became something bigger than a GI Bill • Becoming the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force • What it meant to become the first woman in the position • Leading through COVID and an evolving information environment • Social media, misinformation, trolls, and deepfakes • Why leaders need to rethink communication • Leading five generations in today's workforce • Marriage, children, deployments, and dual-military life • Why retirement and identity can be such a difficult transition • Finding purpose after taking off the uniform • The leadership philosophy JoAnne still carries today
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why JoAnne Is Special 01:19 Growing Up an Army Brat 03:36 Why Jo Joined the Air Force 04:58 The Honda Civic That Kept Her in the Military 07:03 She Once Said She’d Become the First Female CMSAF 10:39 GOVX 11:44 Meeting Her Husband at Fort Bragg 14:18 Marriage, Kids & Five Deployments 17:46 Learning to “Get Along on Purpose” 19:20 Becoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 21:42 “You Made the Right Damn Decision” 22:13 The Gut Punch of Online Hate 25:14 Trolls, Misinformation & the Information War 30:48 Deepfakes & the $15,000 JoAnne Bass Scam 33:40 The Pentagon Assignment She Didn’t Want 37:12 “Do Your Job and Do It Well” 41:54 Chain of Command vs. Chain of Communication 46:12 What Retirement Really Felt Like 52:04 When Your Identity Is Tied to Your Title 55:20 Finding a New Way to Serve 56:01 Operation Military Move https://a.co/d/0fbKz29T 59:50 Jo’s Three Rules for Life After Service 1:02:57 The Audience Jo Most Wants to Reach 1:04:25 From “I Never Want to Speak Again” to the National Archives 1:08:40 What Jo Values Most in Life
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the September GOVX Give Back supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund https://nleomf.org/ and Concerns of Police Survivors https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/ Both are doing incredible work to honor those we lost and support those left behind.
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Inside the U.S. Army’s $200 Billion Budget | Marc Andersen Interview
Marc Andersen, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller, helps oversee roughly $200 billion in U.S. Army resources with one overriding mission: making sure America’s warfighters have what they need to fight and win.
In this episode of the Not Special Show, Marc takes us inside the Pentagon and the enormous responsibility behind managing the U.S. Army budget, funding military readiness, navigating Congress, supporting defense innovation, and preparing soldiers for both today's threats and the future fight.
But this conversation goes far beyond defense spending.
Marc shares the unlikely path that took him from growing up in small towns and a log cabin in Idaho to senior leadership in business and ultimately one of the most consequential civilian positions in the U.S. Army.
He also opens up about growing up with hearing loss and a speech impediment and the teacher who challenged him to stop hiding what he was capable of. That lesson became part of a larger philosophy Marc has carried throughout his career: get comfortable being uncomfortable, do good work, treat people well, and don't assume your path will be linear.
Marc's career certainly wasn't.
Before joining the Army, he co-founded a software company, became a senior leader at EY, helped build its government business, and worked in venture capital. He once thought he might become U.S. Ambassador to Denmark. Instead, a call from Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll ultimately led him to the Pentagon.
Marc also talks candidly about leadership, marriage, raising grounded kids, faith, friendship, public service, political division, and why relationships built on trust matter more than transactions.
We get into: *What managing a roughly $200 billion Army budget actually means *How Army funding affects the individual soldier *The Pentagon, Congress, budgets, audits, and defense spending Military readiness, lethality, technology, and the future fight *Why Marc believes America's military should always have overwhelming advantage *His unexpected path from the private sector to public service *Growing up with hearing loss and a speech impediment *Why discomfort can be one of life's greatest opportunities for growth *Building relationships based on trust instead of transactions *His 35-year marriage and the importance of family and faith *Raising successful but grounded children *Why Marc believes Americans agree on far more than our politics suggest *The responsibility each generation carries to preserve American liberty
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Marc is Special 04:01 Growing Up in Rural Idaho 10:48 Marriage, Family & 35 Years Together 13:44 Raising Grounded Kids in a Successful Family 23:38 Blessed to Live in America 25:10 Overcoming Hearing Loss & a Speech Impediment 26:12 The Teacher Who Changed Marc’s Life 27:54 GOVX 31:00 From EY & Venture Capital to the Pentagon 34:58 It’s About People, Relationships and Trust 37:30 The Long Road to a Presidential Appointment 39:56 Managing the U.S. Army’s $200 Billion Budget 41:30 How the U.S. Army Decides Where the Money Goes 47:11 Will the U.S. Army Pass Its Audit? 51:01 America’s Adversaries & Peace Through Strength 54:01 Why America’s Political Division Worries Marc 01:01:25 Faith, Family, Friendship & Freedom
Marc describes these government roles as temporary projects rather than lifetime appointments. His question is simple: What can we get done with the time we have?
That idea runs through this entire conversation.
Do good work. Treat people well. Serve something bigger than yourself. And don't be surprised when life takes you somewhere you never planned to go.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the August GOVX Give Back supports the Travis Manion Foundation.
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Gold Star Parents Share the Untold Story of Their Navy SEAL Son | Feeks Interview
What does it mean to become a Gold Star Family? How do you move forward after losing a Navy SEAL son in combat?
In this powerful episode of The Not Special Show, former Navy pilot Tom Feeks and registered nurse Ginny Feeks share the story of their son, Navy SEAL Patrick "Pat" Feeks, their daughter Regina Feeks, a Navy officer and physician assistant, and the journey of faith, family, military service, and resilience after unimaginable loss.
This conversation explores life in a military family, deployments, raising children while serving, the realities of combat, and what it means to honor a fallen warrior while continuing to live with purpose. If you're interested in Navy SEAL stories, Gold Star families, military life, veteran stories, Special Operations, leadership, and overcoming grief, this is a conversation you won't forget.
Tom and Ginny don't consider themselves special. After listening, you will.
In this episode: * The life and legacy of Navy SEAL Patrick Feeks * Becoming Gold Star parents * Tom's 28-year career as a U.S. Navy pilot * Ginny's career as a registered nurse and military spouse * Raising children through military moves and deployments * What families experience while loved ones are deployed * The phone call that changed everything * Faith, resilience, and finding purpose after loss * Lessons every parent can learn from * Why service continues long after the uniform comes off
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:24 Why Tom & Ginny Feeks Are Special 02:38 Tom's Journey to Becoming a Navy Pilot 05:59 Ginny's Nursing Career & Military Life 10:46 Navigating a Career as a Military Spouse 14:08 GOVX 15:45 Courtship Before the Internet at the Naval Academy 25:28 Going Home to a Controlling Dad 29:24 Raising Kids and Balancing Careers Around the World 33:54 Signs of a Navy SEAL as a Child 39:51 GI Joe in Real Life 42:48 Two Kids Deployed 47:16 Having a Daughter Deployed to Combat 49:26 OPSEC 52:12 Funny Navy Story Drinking at a Brothel 53:50 The Phone Call No Parent Wants, Outside of Protocol 1:00:57 Becoming Gold Star Parents 1:07:12 Humor in the Worst Moments of Grief 1:11:40 Overloaded With Admin Tasks 1:16:17 A Moment of Clarity in the Loss 1:18:15 Leadership is Showing You Care 1:20:39 What Helped Them Get Through the Tragedy 1:25:50 Navy SEAL Saves Green Beret’s Life 1:30:46 When She Knew It Would Be OK 1:35:26 Questioning Himself Teaching Military Officers 1:38:59 Lessons on Grief, Family & Purpose 1:53:07 Honoring the Pat Feeks Legacy 2:08:04 Impact of Kids Reading Young 2:11:42 Top Secret Story 2:15:15 What they value most in life
Links mentioned in this episode: Fundraiser: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-frogs-wine-tasting-to-benefit-the-navy-seal-foundation-tickets-1990181159422 Fields of Athenry: https://fieldsofathenryfarm.com
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the August GOVX Give Back supports the Travis Manion Foundation.
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Kicked Out of College. Became a Green Beret. | Prescott Engle
How does a Green Beret become a private equity executive, business leader, and president of a multimillion-dollar company?
In this episode of The Not Special Show, former Green Beret Prescott Engle shares the incredible journey from getting kicked out of college to earning the Green Beret, serving during the Cold War in Central America, walking away from the CIA, building a successful career in insurance, private equity, and business leadership, and ultimately leading Alliance Nationwide Exposition.
Prescott opens up about the lessons that shaped him: resilience, leadership under pressure, overcoming failure, raising eight children, making difficult career transitions, and why success starts with serving others. Whether you're a veteran, entrepreneur, business leader, or someone navigating life's next chapter, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and unforgettable stories.
In this episode, we discuss: * Getting kicked out of college—and the conversation that changed his life * Earning the Green Beret and surviving Special Forces training * The instructor who tried to make him quit * Cold War missions in Central America * Why he turned down a career with the CIA * Building a successful career in insurance and private equity * Leadership lessons from the military that apply to business * The importance of mentorship and earning confidence * Raising eight children and building a lasting marriage * Why education and intelligence are not the same thing
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Prescott is Special 01:43 Growing Up Wild & Burning Down a Cornfield 05:03 Getting Kicked Out of College 07:53 What He Told Himself on the Way to Boot Camp 10:08 The Green Beret Recruiting Pitch 12:42 Special Forces Selection Begins 18:22 "I'm Going to Make You Quit" 26:46 Earning the Green Beret 28:02 GOVX 28:36 Life in 7th Special Forces Group 31:03 Cold War Missions in Central America 35:17 Leadership Lessons from Special Forces 36:57 Education is Not a Relative Indicator of Intelligence 40:22 Why He Turned Down the CIA 42:55 Starting Over in Insurance 46:25 The Sales Lesson That Changed Everything 48:20 Meeting His Wife & Building a Family 51:03 Liberty Speaks 52:06 From Business Consultant to Company President 57:55 A Lesson From Desert Storm 01:01:40 Surprises in the Industry 01:05:47 Changes in the Events Industry 01:07:27 Business Need to Read the Room 01:09:16 Balancing Business and Family 01:10:29 “I Was a Shit Father” 01:15:09 Finding Your Tribe 01:17:39 Getting From and Giving to the Army 01:19:17 What he Would Tell his Younger Self 01:25:24 What He Values Most in Life
Prescott's story is a reminder that your biggest setback doesn't have to define you. The discipline, humility, and perseverance that carried him through Special Forces became the same principles that helped him succeed in business and life.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the July GOVX Give Back supports Mission 22.
He Was an Elite Army Pilot. Then Everything Changed | Josh Martin
A West Point graduate, 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers) helicopter pilot, and one of the Army's elite aviators, Josh had accomplished nearly every goal he'd set for himself. Then a devastating motorcycle accident changed everything.
After spending months in the hospital, enduring numerous surgeries, ultimately losing his leg, and fighting to return to the cockpit, Josh was forced to redefine success, purpose, and identity. His journey eventually led him through Vanderbilt's MBA program, a career at McKinsey & Company, and ultimately to discovering that family, resilience, and purpose can take forms we never expect.
In this episode, Josh shares what it takes to overcome adversity, adapt when life doesn't go according to plan, and keep moving forward when every path you imagined disappears.
Whether you're a veteran, leader, entrepreneur, parent, or simply navigating a difficult season, Josh's story is a powerful reminder that your greatest setback doesn't have to define your future.
In this episode: * Why Josh chose West Point after 9/11 * Becoming a pilot in the elite 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers) * What it really takes to earn a place in Special Operations Aviation * The motorcycle accident that changed his life * Losing his leg and fighting to return to flying * The emotional challenge of losing his identity as a military aviator * Earning an MBA from Vanderbilt * Working at McKinsey & Company * Why he stepped away from corporate life * Fatherhood, purpose, resilience, and finding a new mission * Tactical patience and making better decisions during adversity
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why is Josh Special? 02:55 Why Josh Chose West Point 08:05 The Road to the 160th SOAR Night Stalkers 18:15 Becoming a Night Stalker 25:45 The Difference Between Army Aviation and the 160th 34:50 The Motorcycle Accident 39:55 Fighting to Fly Again 48:20 Losing His Identity 55:15 Vanderbilt MBA and Reinventing Himself 1:03:00 Life at McKinsey & Company 1:10:15 Fatherhood Changed Everything 1:15:10 Lessons in Resilience and Tactical Patience 1:18:30 Final Thoughts
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the July GOVX Give Back supports Mission 22.
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
The Hardest Part Wasn't Becoming a Navy SEAL | Dan Luna
Former Navy SEAL operator, leadership coach, and Doctor of Education Dan Luna joins The Not Special Show for a conversation about resilience, leadership, purpose, and the realities of life after elite military service.
Yes, Dan served with the Navy SEALs and SEAL Team 6.
But this episode isn't about tactics or war stories. It's about what happens after the mission.
Dan shares lessons from combat, leadership under pressure, overcoming fear, transitioning from military service, processing loss, finding purpose, and helping others navigate adversity. We discuss why resilience is often misunderstood, the difference between performance and positivity, how identity shapes our lives, and what it means to continue serving long after the uniform comes off.
From growing up with a single mother in Southern California to serving at the highest levels of special operations and later earning a doctorate focused on resilience and human performance, Dan's journey offers insights that apply far beyond the military.
In this episode: • Lessons from Navy SEAL and SEAL Team 6 service • Leadership under pressure • Building resilience in difficult environments • Fear, performance, and personal growth • Military transition and identity • Purpose after service • Faith, loss, and navigating adversity • Supporting veterans beyond "thank you for your service" • Human performance and trauma education • What great leaders do differently
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Dan Is Special 01:43 Growing Up With a Single Mom 03:01 Dan’s Secret Love For Volleyball 05:53 Being a Momma’s Boy 08:31 Joining the Navy and Becoming a Man 12:39 Navy SEAL Says Green Berts Are Cool 14:31 What BUD/S Really Teaches 19:26 Fear, Pain, and Performance Under Pressure 29:48 Naval Academy Assignment Changed His Life 34:22 The Ebb and Flow of His Faith 38:52 Educating The Mental Aspect of War 41:49 The Myth of Positive Psychology 47:49 Becoming a SEAL or Leaving the SEAL Teams Harder 51:27 The Hardest Part Wasn't Becoming a Navy SEAL 54:57 What Does Resilience Mean 1:01:01 A Civilian Mentor Meant the World to Dan 1:04:46 Building a Business In His Late 40s 1:06:31 Dan’s Recent Work in Africa 1:10:27 A Powerful Moment With a Pride of Lions 1:13:02 Charged By an Elephant 1:19:48 Has Dan Found What He Was Seeking as a Kid 1:21:48 What Dan Values Most in Life
Whether you're a veteran, business leader, entrepreneur, parent, coach, or someone facing a difficult season of life, this conversation will challenge the way you think about resilience, leadership, and purpose.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
The best teachers don't just teach subjects, they change lives.
In this episode of The Not Special Show, we sit down with Rob Hughes, Herb’s high school science teacher, coach, timber framer, outdoorsman, and one of the people who had the biggest impact on who Herb became. Long before Herb became a Green Beret, Rob saw potential in him that he didn't yet see in himself.
We talk about great teachers, leadership, curiosity, raising confident young people, education, parenting, technology, AI in the classroom, timber framing, resilience, and why the lessons that matter most are rarely found in a textbook.
If you've ever had a teacher, coach, or mentor who changed your life, this conversation is for you.
In this episode we discuss: * Why great teachers connect while others don't * Building confidence in young people * Leadership lessons outside the classroom * Curiosity, purpose, and lifelong learning * The impact of technology and AI on education * Timber framing and creating things that outlive you * Mentorship, parenting, and leaving a legacy * Why the best lessons are often never part of the curriculum * Making Maple Syrup on land and from trees that Rob’s Grandpa harvested
Rob Hughes spent more than 36 years teaching science, coaching students, building timber frames, mentoring thousands of young people, and quietly changing lives, including Herb’s.
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Rob is Special 01:24 How he Became a Teacher and Not a Park Ranger 04:10 You Should Stop Acting Dumb 05:49 The Secret to Making Students Love Learning 09:59 Why Great Teachers Change Lives 11:18 Has AI and Cellphones Made School Worse? 14:36 Why Kids Need More Boredom 16:21 The Confidence That Comes From Building Something 19:34 Why Some Teachers Never Connect 21:56 The Students You Never Forget 23:20 Herb is Thomas Jefferson to Rob 24:17 The Letter That Changed Everything 27:31 GOVX Saves You Money 28:02 Lessons That Aren't in Any Textbook 29:12 The "Amnesia Portfolio" (Everyone Needs This) 31:16 The Best Advice for Young People 32:09 Becoming a Better Parent Made Me a Better Teacher 33:34 How Timber Framing Changed His Life 44:56 Building Things That Will Outlive You 50:51 The Adirondacks and Leadership 55:31 Greatest Moments in His Career 57:55 A Leadership Trek in the Mountains Led to a Winning Swim Team 01:01:16 A Maple Syrup Legacy 01:10:02 A Passion Versus a Business, Passion Wins 01:11:15 Leadership Lessons from 30+ Years of Coaching 01:16:37 www.bigbeamstimberframes.com 01:18:47 What Rob Values Most in Life
If you enjoy conversations about leadership, education, resilience, military transition, personal growth, and the people who shape us, subscribe for a new episode every Thursday.
Learn more about Rob’s timber frame work at www.bigbeamstimberframes.com
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us: Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the July GOVX Give Back supports Mission 22.
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Kicked Out of Delta Force And It Saved His Life | Gary Harrington
After reaching the pinnacle of military service, former Delta Force operator Gary Harrington was unexpectedly removed from the unit he had worked his entire career to join.
What followed was a battle with identity, purpose, failure, faith, and finding meaning beyond military service.
In this episode of The Not Special Show, Gary shares his journey from Marine Corps officer to Green Beret, Special Forces operator, Delta Force member, and later CIA officer during the early years of the War on Terror. He discusses Afghanistan after 9/11, counterterrorism operations, leadership, resilience, life in elite military units, and the personal cost of operating at the highest levels of national security.
But this conversation goes far beyond combat stories.
Gary opens up about losing the identity he had built around being a Delta Force operator, the struggles many veterans face after military service, and how one of the most painful setbacks of his life ultimately became one of his greatest blessings.
If you're interested in Delta Force, Special Forces, the CIA, Afghanistan, military leadership, veteran transition, personal growth, faith, purpose, and overcoming adversity, this episode offers a rare and honest perspective from someone who lived it.
Sometimes the thing we believe will destroy us becomes the thing that transforms us.
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Why Gary Is Special 01:51 - Marine Corps Office to Enlisted Green Beret 06:10 - Being a Green Beret 07:46 - Did He Like Special Forces or Delta Better 10:41 - Kicked Out of Delta Affected Him 12:47 - Difference Between Delta Force and Green Berets 17:39 - What Happened After He Got Kicked Out of Delta Force 19:59 - A Panic Attack Going to 5th Special Forces Group 26:23 - Going to Yemen Before the USS Cole Attack 31:01 - September 11th 2001 36:01 - Tora Bora and the Early Afghanistan War Days 41:09 - First Day at Special Forces, Delta Force or the CIA Stick Out 42:25 - Thank God I Was Kicked Out of Delta Force 45:00 - The Toll of a Legendary Career 49:46 - Advice Learned From Being in Rooms With the Best and Worst of Humanity 54:37 - The One Thing That Made Him Successful 56:12 - Giving Himself up to God 57:38 - Meeting the Love of His Life 01:01:51 - Being a Honest Rule Breaker 01:02:53 - How His Faith Evolved 01:07:11 - Giving Advice to Young Gary 01:08:12 - What Gary Values Most in Life
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
The Hardest Part of Being a Green Beret Was Coming Home | Magnus Johnson
Green Beret Magnus Johnson shares his experiences in Ramadi, Army Special Forces, Mission 22, veteran mental health, military transition, purpose after service, resilience, leadership, and life after combat.
Magnus joins Herb and Corrie Thompson to share his journey from the battlefields of Iraq to helping thousands of veterans find purpose after military service. He opens up about serving in Ramadi during the Iraq War, earning the Green Beret, navigating the difficult transition home, and the lessons he learned while building Mission 22 into one of the most recognized veteran organizations in America.
We discuss veteran mental health, resilience, leadership, purpose, faith, physical wellness, POTS syndrome, healing through art, and why many veterans struggle after leaving the military. This is an honest conversation about what it takes to rebuild your life after service and create a mission bigger than yourself.
Whether you're a veteran, first responder, military family member, or simply someone looking for greater purpose and resilience, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom and practical lessons that apply far beyond the military.
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Magnus Is Special 01:34 Watching 9/11 Changed Everything 03:07 Ramadi 2006: Entering the Fight 04:03 Why He Chose the Green Beret Path 05:12 What Life on an ODA Team Was Really Like 07:30 Leaving Special Forces After Three Deployments 08:33 The Hard Reality of Coming Home 11:10 How Art Became a Lifeline 16:22 Building a Monument That Started Mission 22 21:27 What Most People Get Wrong About Veteran Mental Health 29:10 How Civilians Can Better Support Veterans 31:24 How to Help Mission 22 33:41 POTS 43:19 Learning From History 49:19 What we Eat Affects us 52:16 Writing “The Men We Make” 57:17 What Magnus Values Most in Life
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Green Beret & Cop Share the Reality of PTSD | Chris & Marsha Lessard
What happens when a former Green Beret and a former police officer stop surviving and start healing?
In this powerful episode we sit down with Chris and Marcia Lessard to discuss Special Forces, law enforcement trauma, PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), addiction, marriage, autism recovery, hyper-vigilance, mental health, veteran healing, and the groundbreaking brain treatments changing lives for veterans, first responders, and families across America.
Chris Lessard, a former Green Beret, opens up about combat trauma, alcohol abuse, prescription medication dependency, identity loss after military retirement, and the life-changing treatments that helped him reclaim his life. Marcia Lessard shares her journey as a police officer, young mother, trauma survivor, and advocate for mental health and neurological healing. Together, they reveal how brain mapping, MERT therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neurofeedback, functional medicine, and trauma-informed care transformed not only their marriage—but their son’s severe nonverbal autism diagnosis.
This episode dives deep into Special Forces culture, law enforcement stress, childhood trauma, veteran mental health, first responder burnout, emotional compartmentalization, healing relationships, addiction recovery, brain inflammation, sleep issues, toxic exposure, and finding purpose after service.
If you’re a veteran, first responder, military spouse, or someone struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, TBI symptoms, addiction, trauma, or autism in your family—this conversation could change your perspective forever.
Topics include:
Green Beret life and military transition
PTSD and traumatic brain injury recovery
Veteran addiction and alcohol abuse
Law enforcement trauma and hyper-vigilance
Autism recovery and brain treatment therapies
MERT therapy and neurofeedback
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans
Functional medicine and mental health
Marriage, trauma bonding, and healing
Childhood trauma and emotional compartmentalization
Mental health in Special Operations and policing
Veteran suicide prevention and recovery
Brain health optimization and performance
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why Chris & Marsha Are Special
02:21 – Marsha’s Story: Becoming a Cop at 21 as a Single Mom
04:48 – Chris Lessard: From High School Dropout to Green Beret
07:00 – How a Green Beret & Police Officer Met on Match.com
09:34 – Ride-Alongs, PTSD & The Difference Between War and Policing
12:33 – Trauma, Marriage & Learning to Be Vulnerable
Former Special Operations PsyOps expert Stuart Gallagher and women’s health clinician Jamie Gallagher join the Not Special Podcast with Green Beret Herb Thompson and Corrie Thompson for one of the most powerful conversations yet. From Russia, Ukraine, psychological operations, Special Forces selection, cancer survival, veteran health, testosterone, prostate cancer awareness, hormone therapy, PTSD, military medicine, and life after service — this episode is packed with raw truth, hard-earned wisdom, and real conversations every veteran and family needs to hear.
Stuart opens up about joining the military at 27 after working overseas in Russia, navigating Special Operations culture, serving in PsyOps, advising across government agencies, and watching modern warfare evolve through AI, drones, information operations, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Jamie shares critical insights into hormone health, perimenopause, veteran healthcare gaps, prostate cancer screening, diabetes, longevity, and why early detection saves lives. Together, they reveal what military families, veterans, and everyday Americans are missing when it comes to resilience, performance, and health.
This episode dives deep into:
Special Operations selection & mental toughness
Psychological operations (PsyOps) explained
Russia vs Ukraine analysis from a former insider
Drone warfare, AI, and the future battlefield
Surviving cancer while serving in Special Forces
Veteran healthcare failures & lessons learned
Prostate cancer awareness for men & veterans
Hormone therapy, menopause & performance health
Marriage, entrepreneurship & building a business together
Life after the military and finding purpose again
CHAPTER MARKERS
00:00 Why Stuart Is Special
00:45 Working in Russia Before Joining the Military
02:00 Why He Joined Special Operations at 27
03:20 Running a Business With His Wife
04:20 Russia vs Ukraine Explained by Former PsyOps Operator
06:40 The Future of Warfare, AI & Drone Technology
09:25 Why the Ukraine War Matters to Americans
11:15 What Psychological Operations (PsyOps) Really Are
13:00 How PsyOps Works in Modern Warfare
15:10 Deception Operations & Military Strategy
17:10 Social Media, Technology & Information Warfare
18:15 Surviving Cancer During Special Forces Selection
20:00 Diagnosed With Cancer After SF Selection
21:10 The Mindset Required to Survive Special Operations
22:15 Special Forces Selection & Mental Toughness
23:45 Why Most Companies Fail at Hiring Talent
25:10 Hiding Cancer While Attending Military Schools
27:30 Admiral McRaven Story & Military Resilience
30:20 Jamie Gallagher on Veteran Health & Early Detection
31:00 How Jamie Helped Save Stuart’s Life
33:00 Why Prostate Cancer Screening Matters for Veterans
36:10 The Importance of Men’s Health Awareness
37:50 Why Veterans Avoid Going to the Doctor
39:40 Type 2 Diabetes in Veterans Explained
41:00 Problems With Military Healthcare & Prevention
45:50 Recovering From Prostate Cancer Surgery
49:40 Building Their Health & Wellness Business Together
50:40 Hormones, Anxiety & Perimenopause Explained
53:00 What Women Need to Know About Hormone Health
56:00 The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy
59:20 Menopause, Longevity & Modern Healthcare
1:02:00 Working Together as Husband & Wife
1:04:40 What Men Should NEVER Say to Their Wife
1:05:40 Strategic Communication in Marriage & Relationships
If you enjoy authentic veteran stories, Green Beret interviews, Special Operations insights, military leadership, resilience, health optimization, and unfiltered conversations — this episode is for you.
In this episode of Not Special, Karen and John share what it was really like inside the CIA, SEAL Team 6, Afghanistan, and the mission environment that led to the Osama bin Laden raid.
Karen spent 26 years serving as a CIA operations officer, deploying to some of the world’s most dangerous environments after 9/11. John served as a Navy SEAL and later as deputy commander at SEAL Team 6. Together, they open up about leadership, sacrifice, intelligence work, combat operations, and how America’s national security system evolved during two decades of war.
From the chaos of early Afghanistan deployments to the inner workings of the intelligence community, this conversation gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and relationships that shaped modern history.
🎙️ In this episode: • Karen’s first deployment to Afghanistan after 9/11 • Growing up in a CIA family • John’s unexpected path to becoming a Navy SEAL • What SEAL Team culture was like before social media • The reality of Hell Week and BUD/S • CIA and military cooperation during the War on Terror • Inside the environment surrounding the Osama bin Laden operation • Leadership lessons from elite teams • The future of national security and cyber warfare • Why service, mentorship, and purpose still matter
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why Karen & John are Special
02:53 – CIA is More Scary Than Navy SEALs
04:15 – How Karen Got Into the CIA
09:12 – Whatever Led John to the Navy and SEAL Teams
20:39 – BUD/S and Hell Week
24:32 – What Was the First Day at the CIA Like
26:45 – Was Karen Ready for the CIA
32:06 – Reporting to SEAL Team 2
33:55 – The First Days in Afghanistan
36:53 – CIA and Military Power Struggle
40:26 – The Army - Navy Rivalry
41:56 – The Bin Laden Raid from the NSC
47:46 – The bin Laden Raid from the SEALs
51:56 – The Beauty of Afghanistan
54:35 – National Security in the US
1:02:02 – Balancing a CIA Career and Being a Mom
1:07:09 – Leaving the SEAL Teams
1:14:38 – Harry Potter Wisdom
1:18:02– Who is the Plus 1?
1:24:53 – How Karen & John Met
1:30:48 – What They Value Most in Life
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Navy EOD Operator Tells the Truth About War, Fear & Brotherhood | Pat McKenna Interview
Pat McKenna joins the Not Special Show with Herb and Corrie Thompson for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Navy EOD, war stories, overcoming adversity, mental toughness, and the journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal operator.
In this episode, Pat shares powerful stories about growing up in Aurora, getting into fights, run-ins with the law, and how 9/11 changed his life, leading him to join the military and eventually become a Navy EOD technician working in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This episode dives deep into combat experiences, IED threats, special operations, resilience, leadership, and the brotherhood formed in war. From near-death moments under fire to the mindset required to operate in high-risk environments, this is a real look at what it takes to survive and thrive in extreme situations.
If you're interested in military stories, Navy EOD, Special Operations, leadership, mental resilience, and real-life transformation, this episode delivers.
“He went from getting arrested… to defusing bombs in war zones.”
From Immigrant Kid to 48-Hour Jiu-Jitsu World Record Attempt 🇺🇸 | Charles Gomes Interview
What kind of person pushes their body to the edge for 48 straight hours with no sleep and no quitting?
Meet the inspirational Charles Gomes — Navy veteran, Brazilian immigrant, jiu-jitsu black belt, and a man on a mission far bigger than himself.
From growing up in a poor fishing village in Brazil to stepping onto a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to working for Lamborghini. Now he’s attempting something almost no one on earth has done:
👉 48 HOURS of continuous jiu-jitsu rolling
But this isn’t about records. This is about honoring fallen veterans and raising money for those who sacrificed everything.
⚡ In this episode, you’ll hear:
The moment he knew he was “American” 🇺🇸
The REAL reason he joined the military after 9/11
Underground fight nights on a Navy ship 👀
What 35+ hours of nonstop jiu-jitsu actually does to your body
Why most people THINK they can fight but can’t
The powerful mission behind his 48-hour challenge
💥 This episode isn’t about being “special.”
It’s about discipline, purpose, and refusing to quit.
🎯 SUPPORT THE MISSION
Charles is raising money for veteran organizations.
The idea that veterans come home “broken” is everywhere but it’s not the full story.
In this episode, Marine veteran and nonprofit leader Kevin Schmiegel shares his journey from service to leadership, through personal struggle, and ultimately to building a movement focused on “military thriving.”
This conversation explores identity after service, the challenges of transition, and why the narrative around veterans may be doing more harm than good.
Connect with Liberty Speaks:
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com
🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
The Story of a Soldier Who Saved His Team in Ramadi | Dan Pinion Interview
In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with a retired Command Sergeant Major to unpack one of the most powerful and overlooked stories from the war in Ramadi.
What begins as a conversation about leadership quickly becomes something much deeper.
You’ll hear firsthand what it was like leading soldiers during one of the most dangerous periods of the Iraq War—where attacks were constant, casualties were mounting, and survival was never guaranteed.
At the center of this story is Sergeant Marquise Quick, a soldier who made a split-second decision that saved the lives of his teammates.
This episode explores:
The reality of combat leadership under extreme pressure
The emotional and psychological toll of sustained warfare
The moments that define courage and sacrifice
How extraordinary acts of heroism can be overlooked in the chaos of war
The ongoing effort to ensure those actions are properly recognized
This is not just a story about war, it’s about responsibility, reflection, and what it means to lead when everything is on the line.
More info about SGT Quick and the drive to get him the Medal of Honor: https://www.drivenperspectives.com/medal-of-honor
Connect with Liberty Speaks:
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com
🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us:
Our great sponsor ZeroEyes doing incredible work saving time, saving lives. www.zeroeyes.com
👉 Don’t forget to give us a rating and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Medal of Honor Recipient Reveals: Mindset That Saved His Life in Vietnam | Jim McCloughan Interview
Medal of Honor recipient Jim McCloughan doesn’t believe he’s special.
But during one of the most intense battles of the Vietnam War, he ran into enemy fire over and over again saving dozens of lives while wounded, outnumbered, and refusing evacuation as the enemy flowed down the hill like lava.
In this episode of Not Special, Jim shares: * What it’s really like to arrive in Vietnam * The moment that changed how he saw war forever * Why he ignored direct orders to leave * And the promise he made that shaped the rest of his life * He is lucky to have been a teacher and coach for nearly 40 years
This is a story about sacrifice, brotherhood, and what it means to show up when it matters most.
🎧 Listen. Reflect. Then make the call you’ve been putting off.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us: Our great sponsor ZeroEyes doing incredible work saving time, saving lives. www.zeroeyes.com Checkout the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention 2026 in Detroit, MI. www.medalofhonordetroit.com
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
From Special Forces to Author: The Story Behind Desert Heist | Alex Dekker Interview
Alex Dekker is a former Green Beret, combat veteran, and author of Desert Heist.
After being severely injured by a Taliban grenade, Alex fought his way back to his team—eventually deploying again while still recovering. In this episode, he shares the mindset behind Special Forces, the realities of war, and how his experiences shaped a novel that blends fiction with hard-earned truth.
This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and what comes after the mission ends.
Ranger to Green Beret to Rock Bottom Then Redemption | Ricky Mills Interview
Ricky Mills is a former Army Ranger and Green Beret whose story goes far beyond combat.
From a difficult childhood to elite military service, Ricky built his identity around strength and resilience, until a near-fatal accident and traumatic brain injury forced everything to unravel.
In this episode, he shares:
What it’s like to lose your sense of self
How trauma affects families, not just individuals
The long road back from isolation and brokenness
Why helping other veterans became his mission
This is a raw conversation about identity, leadership, and what it takes to rebuild your life from the ground up.
Connect with Liberty Speaks:
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com
🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us:
ZeroEyes www.zeroeyes.com
He Had No Military Background But Was Selected For Elite CIA Unit | Bryan Mabry Interview
What happens when a “normal” guy walks into a world built for SEALs, Rangers, and operators and refuses to quit?
In this episode of Not Special, Bryan Mabry shares the inside story of going from overlooked candidate to CIA Global Response Staff (GRS) operator. He eventually lead training for the next generation in this elite unit.
We go deep into: * Getting rejected and coming back stronger * Earning respect in a room full of elite operators * What real leadership looks like under pressure * Life after the CIA: tech, venture capital, and defense innovation * The hidden challenges of transitioning out of high-stakes environments * Why decision-making, not perfection, is the ultimate advantage
This isn’t Hollywood. This is what it actually takes.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us: Dr. James Lynch www.drjameslynch.com ZeroEyes www.zeroeyes.com
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Operator Syndrome Explained | Dr. Chris Frueh on Elite Performance & Veteran Health
Clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Frueh explains Operator Syndrome and the hidden physical and psychological costs of elite military performance in this honest conversation that impacts veteran stories.
In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with clinical psychologist, professor, and researcher Chris Frueh, author of Operator Syndrome.
Dr. Frueh has spent decades studying combat veterans, special operations forces, and high-performance military communities. His work explores the complex mix of physical strain, neurological stress, hormonal changes, and psychological pressure that can accumulate after years of elite operational tempo.
The conversation begins with Frueh’s early life growing up with a Vietnam War veteran father, which shaped his interest in psychology and trauma research. From there, the discussion dives into how long-term exposure to high-intensity environments can affect the body and mind in ways that traditional PTSD models often fail to explain.
Herb, Corrie, and Dr. Frueh discuss:
• The origins of Operator Syndrome • Why many high-performing warriors struggle after their careers • The long-term physical toll of combat deployments • Why traditional PTSD narratives don’t explain everything • Identity, purpose, and life after the mission • What leaders, families, and veterans need to understand
This episode offers a deeper look at the human side of elite performance and why understanding the full picture is critical to supporting those who serve.
Navy SEAL Built AI Company To Lower Crime With a Veteran Team
Navy SEAL Mike Lahiff doesn’t believe he’s special.
But he understands something most people don’t, ownership changes everything in this honest conversation.
In this episode of Not Special, we talk about risk, pressure, building teams, and what success actually costs. This isn’t surface-level business advice. It’s about responsibility, discipline, and the weight that comes with leadership.
If you’re building something — a company, a career, or a life — this conversation will challenge how you think about success.
Mike is the CEO of ZeroEyes, an AI-based, human-verified gun detection software that integrates with existing security cameras to identify brandished firearms in real-time.
Night Stalker Pilot to Chick-fil-A Owner | The Unlikely Story of Mike Athanasakis
Mike flew elite combat missions. He commanded one of the most selective aviation units in the U.S. military. He was told growing up he wasn’t intelligent.
In this honest conversation, Mike Athanasakis shares his journey from a troubled childhood and Tourette diagnosis to Apache pilot and Battalion Commander in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
After years of high-risk deployments and leadership at the highest levels of special operations, Mike made an unexpected pivot: becoming an Owner-Operator with Chick-fil-A — one of the most selective franchise systems in America.
He breaks down:
• Why Chick-fil-A’s operator selection process mirrors elite military assessment • How special operations leadership translates to business • Building culture in a high-performance restaurant environment • Leading teams without rank • Redefining success after combat
This episode is about identity, pressure, transition, faith, family — and discovering that impact doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.
Thank you to our episode sponsor, the office of Dr. James Lynch. The incredible work that Dr. Jim and his wife Jodi do changes peoples lives. Check out their website for more information at https://drjameslynch.com/
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us: Fire Department Coffee https://alnk.to/74xixOf
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
Navy SEAL Now Bakes Bread for his Wife | Kevin and Kristen Seiff Interview
Kevin didn’t make it into the Navy SEALs on his first try. Or his second. He didn’t even make it through his first week of BUD/S.
Kristen left a stable teaching career, built a nutrition coaching business, burned out… and started baking sourdough bread from home.
Today, this veteran entrepreneur couple runs Crafted Coastal Bakery in Encinitas, California . Scaling from eight loaves a week to more than 100, while raising two young boys and debating whether to risk everything on a retail storefront.
In this honest conversation of Not Special, we dive into:
• Kevin’s journey from Marine Corps officer to Navy SEAL • The brutal reality of military transition • What being in the SEAL teams is actually like • Why most people aren’t gluten intolerant — they’re reacting to commercial bread additives • How cottage food laws make small business ownership possible • The financial and emotional math of scaling a family business • Working with your spouse without wrecking your marriage • Why local politics impact entrepreneurs more than national politics
This conversation is about resilience, reinvention, clean food, leadership, and building a meaningful life after military service.
If you’re navigating military transition, starting a small business, balancing family and ambition, or questioning your next move, this episode will resonate.
New episodes of Not Special drop weekly featuring veterans, entrepreneurs, and leaders who don’t think they’re special… but absolutely are.
Special Forces Don't Talk About This | Herb Thompson Interview | Episode 19
In this deeply personal episode, Herb Thompson former U.S. Army Green Beret, Drill Sergeant of the Year, Ivy League MBA, speaker, and entrepreneur, shares the moments that shaped him most: combat leadership, chaos, addiction, recovery, marriage, and learning how to finally slow down.
From leading troops through some of the most kinetic fighting of his career, to struggling with silence once the mission ended, Herb opens up about what elite performance really costs and how purpose evolves after service.
This episode goes beyond military stories. It’s about identity, resilience, leadership, and the lifelong process of becoming whole. A raw and hoenst conversation with Herb and Corrie.
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why this episode is different (The co-host becomes the guest) 01:35 – The moment an 8-year-old decided his future 02:48 – Earning the Green Beret wasn’t the finish line 03:41 – 10 days, nonstop gunfights, and real leadership 06:20 – The General Patton story (almost getting killed by accident) 08:07– What people get wrong about Special Forces 10:28– Teaching, culture, and force multiplication 11:39 – Becoming a myth among Afghan commandos 15:38 – Leaving the military and still feeling unfinished 18:41 – Operator speed, chaos, and life after war 21:35 – Alcohol, avoidance, and the moment things changed 23:32 – Asking for help at Warriors Heart with Tom Spooner 27:26– Stillness, Jamaica, and learning how to stop 31:48 – Marriage, business, and being co-founders 33:44 – Liberty Speaks and leadership after service 40:36 – Why overcoming adversity matters most 41:56 – What Herb values most: liberty and freedom 43:00 – Final reflections + subscribe
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us: Fire Department Coffee https://alnk.to/74xixOf
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
High School Dropout to Military to Millionaire | Jason DeBlasio Interview | Episode 18
Jason DeBlasio shares his journey from a difficult upbringing and dropping out of high school to serving as an Air Force flight engineer, supporting critical mid-air refueling missions on the KC-10 during combat operations.
In this episode of Not Special, Jason explains the often-overlooked role of flight engineers, the pressure of keeping aircraft in the fight, and what it means when fuel determines whether troops on the ground survive. He also discusses his transition out of the military and the creation of Military Metal Art, a company dedicated to building culture, identity, and pride through handcrafted metal artwork.
The conversation explores leadership without recognition, innovation inside the military, entrepreneurship after service, faith, marriage, and defining success beyond rank or title.
This episode offers a rare look at the unseen roles that make missions possible — and the mindset required to build something lasting after service.
⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why Jason Is Special
01:18 – Dropping Out of High School at 16
03:03 – The Court-Ordered Program That Changed Everything
04:15 – Life on the Flight Line: Cold, Misery & Reality
05:36 – Becoming a KC-10 Flight Engineer
07:26 – “The Most Overqualified Backseat Driver”
08:22 – Hearing Troops in Contact Over the Radio
13:20 – 13 Deployments & The Weight of the Mission
15:09 – Knowing When It Was Time to Leave the Military
16:53 – The $10,000 Coffee Pot Problem
20:42 – The Birth of Military Metal Art
22:19 – Turning Passion Into a Scalable Business
28:51 – Why Quality Almost Broke the Company
31:31 – A Stick Figure Drawing Becomes a Masterpiece
33:04 – Leadership, Ego & Letting Talent Walk
35:59 – Selling Majority Ownership Without Losing the Soul
37:53 – Culture, Identity & “The Goldfish Effect”
41:01 – Why This Work Actually Matters
42:01 – Artwork For SpaceX Astronauts
44:20 – Final Thoughts on Purpose & Impact
Connect with Liberty Speaks:
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com
🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
Support those that support us:
Fire Department Coffee https://alnk.to/74xixOf
👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
No Plan B: Spencer Hatcher on Going All In on His Country Music Dream
Spencer Hatcher didn’t have a backup plan—and he wasn’t interested in playing it safe.
In this episode of Not Special, Spencer shares his journey from growing up immersed in music and faith in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to betting everything on a career in country music. He talks about being told to quit at a young age, going viral during COVID, almost choosing a safer path, and what it really means to go all in.
This conversation is about discipline, humility, faith, and earning your shot. If you’ve ever wondered whether your dream could actually happen—and what it costs to fully commit—this episode is for you.
Support the Holly Hatcher Education Foundation here: https://hollyhatcheref.com
01:00 An old soul in a young artist’s body
02:00 Growing up surrounded by music and faith
04:30 When music stopped being a hobby
06:30 Being told to quit at 15 years old
07:40 Going viral and the pressure that followed
09:10 Self-doubt even when things are working
11:40 Discovering classic country and storytelling
13:30 Almost choosing a safer path instead of music
16:10 Serving veterans through music
17:40 The Nashville showcase that almost fell apart
18:45 Playing to 10 people who changed everything
21:30 Getting signed on the spot
23:00 Why Spencer says he hasn’t “made it” yet
24:00 Staying humble as opportunities grow
25:40 Experiencing the CMAs up close
28:50 Handling nerves and pressure
30:30 Learning confidence through failure
33:10 Dealing with criticism in the industry
34:30 Owning your own path
35:40 Why radio still matters
37:30 Connecting with multiple generations
38:00 The story behind “Cold Beer and Common Sense”
40:00 Choosing great songs over ego
41:30 What success really means
44:35 Tragedy strikes for Spencer and his family
Brain Expert Explains The Brain So Normal People Understand | Chantel Prat Interview | Episode 16
What if the very things you think are “wrong” with your brain are actually what make you successful?
In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Chantel Prat, cognitive neuroscientist, professor, author of The Neuroscience of You, and one of the most relatable science communicators working today. Chantel breaks down how the brain really works — not as an average, but as a deeply individual system shaped by experience, environment, and relationships.
From growing up working class to becoming a leading voice in personalized neuroscience, Chantel explains why understanding how your brain works is the key to better relationships, leadership, learning, and growth.
This conversation explores: Why no two brains work the same — and why that matters How your experiences physically shape your brain Why couples and teams struggle to understand each other MRI vs EEG: how scientists actually “see” the brain working Why feeling “weird” is universal — even among high performers How compassion and self-partnership lead to real change What it means to work with your brain instead of fighting it
If you’ve ever felt out of place, misunderstood, or frustrated with yourself or others — this episode will change how you see the human mind.
⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Why Chantel says she’s “self-authored” 05:40 – Being a “normal” neuroscientist 07:43 – Calling 911 at age five (and why it matters) 09:32 – Phineas Gage & the moment everything clicked 13:27 – How scientists actually test the brain (MRI & EEG) 14:40 – Electrical brains & childhood curiosity19:10 19:05 – Couples, conflict, and different brain priorities 25:30 – Why your brain doesn’t see the world objectively 27:30 – How to partner with your brain for meaningful change 30:25 – Old dogs can learn new tricks 35:16 – Dinner conversations with neuroscientists 37:45 – Self doubt is normal
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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#Neuroscience #personalgrowth #humanbehavior
United We Stand, Divided We Fall | Patrick Murphy Interview | Episode 15
Former U.S. Congressman, Acting Secretary of the Army and Iraq War veteran, and Patrick Murphy joins Not Special for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation about leadership, unity, national debt, military service, and why moral courage—not party loyalty—is what America desperately needs right now.
From growing up in a row house in Northeast Philadelphia to teaching at West Point, serving in combat, writing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and running the U.S. Army, Murphy shares what shaped his character—and why “United we stand, divided we fall” is more than a slogan.
This episode cuts through political noise and focuses on service, accountability, and solving real problems.
📌 About Patrick Murphy
Patrick Murphy is an Iraq War veteran, former U.S. Congressman, constitutional law professor at West Point, and former Acting Secretary of the Army. He helped author the Post-9/11 GI Bill, led the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and now works as a veteran investor, educator, and media contributor focused on leadership, service, and national unity.
⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – “Why Are You Special?” Patrick Murphy’s Answer 03:00 – Growing Up Working-Class in Philadelphia 05:55 – How He Is Inspired 09:10 – The Iraq War 13:05 – Running For Congress 16:55 – The Severity Of Our National Debt 20:05 – A Silver Tsunami Is Coming 24:00 – How To Fix The National Debt 27:40 – United We Stand, Divided we Fall 31:55 – How Are So Many In Congress Rich 36:10 – Principles Over Politics 39:30 – Meritocracy 43:05 – Playing Basketball With President Obama 46:40 – Loyalty Above All Else Is A Honor
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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#congress #Veteran #LeadershipMatters
Delta Force Veterans Moves From Taking Lives To Saving Lives | Tom Spooner Interview
In this powerful episode of the Not Special Podcast, Herb and Corrie sit down with former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Green Beret, and Delta Force operator Tom Spooner who now dedicates his life to saving warriors instead of fighting wars.
From surviving near-death blasts, battling alcoholism, navigating brain injuries, and walking away from elite military life—his journey leads to the creation of Warriors Heart, a 500-acre healing center for veterans and first responders struggling with addiction, trauma, and TBI.
This is a raw, honest, and emotional conversation about identity, sobriety, purpose, and why even the strongest warriors break—and how they can heal.
What You’ll Learn: * How childhood dreams turned into a path through the 82nd Airborne → Special Forces → Delta Force * The truth behind selection at the highest levels * Hidden battles: alcoholism, brain injury, and a marriage hanging by a thread * The turning point that led to sobriety * Why “taking lives” became “saving lives” * The creation of Warriors Heart and how it transforms veterans and first responders * The importance of community, vulnerability, and shared language in healing * The difference between a clinical hospital and a healing home
If you’re a veteran, first responder, family member, or anyone who wants to understand the cost of service—and the path to restoration—this is an episode you won’t forget.
⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps 00:42 – From 82nd Airborne to Green Beret02:30 – Pushing limits & the mindset for Special Forces04:00 – Life in 7th Group & real missions in South/Central America06:45 – The misconceptions about Green Berets (thanks Rambo…)08:10 – Direct action vs. teaching & partnering missions09:15 – Why he attempted Delta selection09:50 – 9/11 happens during Delta selection11:30 – Alcoholism, marriage collapse & hitting bottom13:00 – Sobriety, faith & becoming a better operator14:40 – Hidden injuries: TBI, blast exposure & cognitive decline16:45 – The struggle to transition back into home life18:10 – Sobriety as a warrior advantage19:30 – Discovering the veteran suicide crisis & deciding to act20:40 – Public silence vs. breaking the stigma22:00 – Why vulnerability from elite operators saves lives23:00 – Building Warriors Heart: the mission begins24:30 – What makes Warriors Heart different from traditional treatment25:30 – “Welcome Home”: why language and environment matter27:30 – Veterans & first responders healing inside community28:40 – Clinical excellence + warrior culture = real recovery29:55 – Not a lockdown facility: why choice matters in healing31:30 – Safety, trust, and true security for warriors32:45 – It’s training, not punishment: putting in the work34:00 – The mindset shift: what got you here won’t get you there35:10 – Why asking for help is actually strength36:00 – Final lessons & what warriors need to hear today
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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In this powerful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Johnny Vargas, aka Viva La Vargas — U.S. Army NCO, viral content creator reaching 30–40 million views a month, and one of the most influential voices in the military community.
Johnny opens up about his rise from everyday soldier to one of the military’s most trusted online storytellers. He shares how he turned humor, truth, and authenticity into an online movement, all while balancing fatherhood, serving on active duty, earning his master’s degree, and advocating for troops and families who often feel unheard.
This episode goes deep — trauma, resilience, haters, leadership, viral growth strategy, and a Pentagon phone call that changed everything.
If you’re in the military, a veteran, a military spouse, a creator, or someone trying to overcome your past… this one will hit home.
⏱️ CLICKABLE TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Johnny says he’s not special 01:11 – Herb & Corrie introduce Johnny Vargas, aka Viva La Vargas 01:55 – How a burning car led him to join the Army 03:37 – Meeting the recruiter who changed his life 04:31 – Becoming the leader he wished he had 05:23 – Shipping out on New Year’s Day 05:41 – How his content career accidentally started 06:15 – MRT school, resilience, and early struggles online 06:48 – The viral skit that changed everything 08:02 – Stories that “don’t translate” to civilian life 09:00 – Balancing family, Army, school & creating 10:25 – The dinner plate life analogy 10:33 – Pursuing a master’s to become a Licensed Professional Counselor 11:20 – Why military families deserve more 12:17 – The “influencer” label & legal realities 12:33 – Coolest opportunities—celebs, events & impact 13:21 – Johnny opens up about surviving childhood sexual abuse 15:07 – The messages that change lives 15:47 – Mistakes, lessons & doing hard things 16:41 – Dealing with haters & turning critics into friends 18:03 – Story of the soldier who transformed his life 19:30 – Keyboard warriors & real-world courage 20:20 – Why people lash out & how to respond 20:43 – Tips for people who want to grow on social media 21:55 – Johnny’s formula: 3 videos/day for 365 days 23:04 – Authenticity - trends 24:17 – Meeting creators who aren’t who they pretend to be 24:49 – Being recognized in public 25:08 – Staying grounded with family & purpose 26:05 – Reaching 30–40 million people monthly 27:02 – Building trust with an audience 27:33 – Why he engages with supporters daily 28:02 – VA loans, helping service members build wealth 28:59 – Buying his first home as a specialist 29:17 – Educating troops on the VA loan 30:18 – Why he partnered with Veteran Lending Group 32:21 – The Army’s impact on his life 32:33 – Content dreams that came true 33:02 – Celebrity stories: Kevin Hart, Chef Rush & more 33:40 – Jocko’s team follows him 33:57 – Live TV moments with his kids watching 35:02 – Corrie’s hilarious Denzel Washington story 37:37 – Advocating for the overlooked: families & junior soldiers 41:20 – The “Barracks Batman” nickname 43:10 – The Fort Myer washer incident 45:05 – Pentagon phone call 47:36 – Meeting with senior leaders 48:28 – Standing his ground & advocating for troops
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: @_ownyourjourney_
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In this insightful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Nic Adams, former National Security Advisor to 2 Senators and one of the most sought-after voices on government dynamics, intelligence operations, and the hidden gears that make Washington move. Nic pulls back the curtain on what really happens on Capitol Hill—from political power plays to decision-making under pressure, intelligence failures, national security blind spots, and what the public never hears about behind closed doors.
This conversation goes far beyond politics. It’s about leadership, truth, and the reality of serving at the highest levels of government. Nic Adams reveals lessons that apply to decision-makers in any industry—how to think clearly when stakes are high, how to communicate under pressure, and how to navigate environments dominated by ego, secrecy, and competing agendas.
Whether you’re a policy nerd, a leadership junkie, or just fascinated by inner workings of Capitol Hill, this episode delivers a candid, unfiltered look inside the machine.
⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps 0:00 – Intro: Meet Nic Adams 2:31 – Life Inside National Security 8:52 – Capitol Hill Power Dynamics 15:40 – What the Public Never Sees 22:18 – Leadership Under Crisis 31:03 – The Fractures Inside Government 40:22 – Nic’s Most Intense Moment on the Job 51:10 – The Future of U.S. National Security 57:45 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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Meet RJ Casey, the real-life Most Interesting Man in the World — Green Beret, Air Force Pararescueman, SpaceX astronaut-recovery specialist, Hollywood aerial safety consultant, and co-founder of Four Branches Bourbon.
In this episode of Not Special, RJ takes us on an unbelievable journey through Special Operations, crash-site rescues in Colombia, astronaut recovery missions with SpaceX, behind-the-scenes stories from blockbuster movies like Inception, Dunkirk, and Extraction 2, and the origin story of veteran-founded brand Brigands.
If you're into military special operations, Hollywood stunt work, space exploration, or veteran entrepreneurship, this is an episode you cannot skip.
⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: Why RJ Casey is the Most Interesting Man in the World 00:15 – Childhood in Cold War Europe & the spirit of adventure 03:45 – Sports, travel, and growing up without cell phones 05:08 – Becoming a Green Beret (and why the Guard/Reserve path was unique) 07:00 – Working with 5th Group, 7th Group & Special Operations 07:40 – Becoming an Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) 09:50 – Choosing PJ life: short deployments & elite medical training 11:50 – The intensity of PJ training & why it’s considered the hardest pipeline 14:10 – The three skills that guarantee Special Operations contracting work 15:30 – Explaining crash sites & the Colombia FARC rescue mission 17:30 – Hostages, executions & five-year captivity: the real story 18:40 – How astronaut recovery works for SpaceX 20:00 – Building the modern Astronaut Rescue & Medical Program 23:10 – Hollywood entry: Ranger School → We Were Soldiers 24:45 – Almost landing a speaking role, choosing Paris instead 27:00 – Christian Bale, late nights, and the truth behind his “on-set audio” 28:40 – Working with stunt legends like Tom Struthers 29:30 – Behind the scenes of Inception & Dark Knight Rises 32:00 – Dunkirk: flying behind WWII Spitfires for aerial safety 34:10 – Why the stunt crew won major awards 35:20 – Upcoming film: Alone at Dawn (John Chapman / Roberts Ridge) 36:50 – Adam Driver & Anne Hathaway joining the cast 39:20 – Filming “Eden” in the Galápagos 41:00 – Brigands origin story & Ranger Battalion roots 43:00 – Service before self: the meaning behind Brigands 45:00 – Closing reflections
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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From combat zones to camera crews — this is the incredible story of Mark Kershaw, an Army veteran who turned battlefield lessons into cinematic storytelling.
In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Mark to explore his journey from struggling student to soldier, from firefights in Afghanistan to finding purpose through film.
Mark opens up about:
· Growing up lost and finding direction in the Army
· Life as an airborne infantryman and the near-fatal ambush that shaped his perspective
· The transition from warfighter to creator — how producing movies became therapy and purpose
· Why veterans bring a unique intensity, leadership, and storytelling skill to Hollywood
· The importance of grit, fear of failure, and finding identity beyond the uniform
This isn’t just a story about survival — it’s about reinvention. Mark’s honesty, humor, and humility remind us that sometimes the toughest missions come after the military.
🕒 Chapters (SEO + engagement focused)
00:00 – “Why I’m Not Special” 01:30 – Growing Up Undisciplined and Searching for Purpose 03:30 – Enlisting After 9/11: A Decision That Changed Everything 06:00 – Lessons from Basic Training and Early Failures 11:00 – Airborne School: From PLFs to Pain 16:00 – Deployment to Iraq: Leadership Under Fire 19:00 – Joining the 82nd Airborne and the Pursuit of Excellence 22:00 – Afghanistan: The Firefight That Defined a Leader 28:00 – Tragedy, Brotherhood, and Survival 41:00 – Life After Combat: Finding New Purpose 43:00 – The Transition: From Military to Movie Production 46:00 – Producing Indie Films: Grit Meets Creativity 50:00 – Veterans in Film: Real Stories, Real Emotion 52:00 – Lessons on Grit, Leadership, and Authentic Storytelling
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In this powerful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Shawn Dawley — former Air Force pilot, Harvard National Security Fellow, and professional keynote speaker — to talk about leadership, fear, failure, and finding purpose.
Shawn shares his raw and inspiring journey: from enlisting in the Air Force at 17 and failing speech class… to flying C-130s, leading through 9/11, and ultimately becoming a sought-after leadership and neuroscience-based speaker.
He opens up about what it really means to lead with empathy, how to overcome self-doubt, and why emotional awareness is essential for every leader. Shawn’s message: you are enough — capable, ready, and worthy.
Whether you’re a veteran transitioning to business, an aspiring speaker, or someone striving to grow as a leader, this conversation delivers hard-earned wisdom you’ll want to revisit.
00:00 – What Makes Shawn Dawley “Not Special” Finding purpose, faith, and self-worth in an ordinary life. 01:30 – From Enlisting at 17 to Air Force Pilot How failure and mentorship turned a struggling student into a leader in the sky. 05:30 – Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit Military discipline, pressure, and the universal truths of leadership. 08:30 – From Fear of Speaking to Keynote Stages How Shawn failed speech class — and learned to inspire thousands. 13:00 – Neuroscience of Leadership & Emotional Intelligence Understanding how the brain and emotions shape every decision. 17:30 – Ambition, Growth & Enjoying the Moment Why true leadership means being present where you are. 21:00 – “You Are Enough” — A Leader’s Most Powerful Lesson Overcoming self-doubt and comparison in a world of constant competition. 24:00 – Love, Family & What Really Matters Why success means nothing without connection, gratitude, and humility. 27:00 – Final Reflections: Leading with Heart and Purpose Shawn’s timeless message on leadership, life, and legacy.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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#Leadership #KeynoteSpeaking #VeteranStories
Hollywood stuntwoman turned keynote speaker reveals how to master fear
What happens when a Hollywood stuntwoman—used to face real danger—turns it into a platform to help others overcome fear and speak with confidence?
In this powerful episode of Not Special, hosts Herb & Corrie Thompson sit down with Hannah Betts for a full-throttle conversation about: Her wildest stunt moments in Hollywood Why fear is a tool, not the enemy Turning nerves into stage presence for keynote speaking The mindset & performance habits that build unshakable confidence How to apply stunt-industry lessons to everyday leadership, public speaking and life transitions
Whether you’re stepping onto a stage for the first time, chasing a big career change, or simply fighting self-doubt, this episode delivers real stories + practical tools to help you turn fear into fuel.
✅ Call to Action 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow & turn on notifications so you don’t miss future conversations about leadership, mindset, service & success. 💬 Drop a comment below: What fear are you ready to face? What’s your next stage? 📲 Share this video with someone who needs to hear: “Yes—you can speak up, step out, and own your story.”
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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What happens when the U.S. Army meets innovation, technology, and influencer culture? In this episode of Not Special, hosts Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Colonel Kris Saling, a leader in Army talent management and innovation, to explore how the military is embracing change in a digital world.
From AI-driven talent management to the Army’s influencer and creative reserve programs, COL Saling reveals how innovation, adaptability, and authenticity are reshaping recruiting, retention, and leadership. She shares insights on building “micro-insurgencies” for transformation inside bureaucracies, surviving innovation pushback, and the importance of curiosity in leadership.
Whether you’re in the military, tech, or corporate innovation, this episode delivers lessons on leadership, culture change, and digital storytelling—from one of the Army’s most forward-thinking minds.
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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Commander Kirk Lippold, captain of the USS Cole, shares his powerful story of leadership, sacrifice, and resilience after the 2000 terrorist attack. Hosted by Herb & Corrie Thompson, this episode of Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show reveals lessons in courage, duty, and the true cost of freedom. 🇺🇸
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: / _ownyourjourney_
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.
In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Jim and Jodi Lynch to explore their inspiring journey from military service to building a medical practice dedicated to helping others. They share candid insights on the challenges of transition, the values that guide their work, and their recent humanitarian mission in Ukraine.
Jim and Jodi also discuss groundbreaking approaches to mental health, including the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) as an alternative treatment for PTSD and anxiety—a therapy that is giving hope to those with anxiety and trauma survivors worldwide.
This powerful conversation blends stories of service, spirituality, and resilience with actionable takeaways for anyone seeking healing, purpose, and new ways to approach mental health.
For more info about Jim and Jodi’s work visit their website: www.drjameslynch.com
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: • How Jim and Jodi transitioned from military life to opening a medical practice • Their humanitarian experiences and impact in Ukraine • The role of spirituality and personal values in resilience • The promise of Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) as an alternative treatment for PTSD and anxiety • Why service and helping others remain at the core of their mission
Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_
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This conversation explores the remarkable journey of a Special Operations veteran with 2 Purple Hearts who immigrated from Moldova to America, joined the military, and faced the challenges of combat and mental health. Pasha Palanker highlights the importance of resilience, support from loved ones, and taking responsibility for one's life in the healing process. Through personal anecdotes, the guest shares insights on finding purpose after service and the significance of embracing challenges in life. In this conversation, he shares insights on the importance of challenges in life, the awe of parachuting, and the meaning found in sharing personal experiences.
Pasha discusses his journey of public speaking, the significance of dark moments in personal growth, and the ongoing effort required to maintain mental health. This riveting conversation emphasizes the role of loved ones in mental health, the impact of sharing stories, and the importance of corporate conversations on well-being. Ultimately, Pasha reflects on the value of struggles in shaping his identity and the power of connection in helping others.
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Truths for Real Leaders Only with Frances Frei | Episode 3
In this engaging conversation, Frances Frei shares her unique journey as a thought leader in business, discussing her experiences with rejection, the importance of trust, and evolving leadership. She emphasizes the need for equal access to meritocracy and the role of bias in decision-making. Who has vanilla or chocolate ice cream on their grocery list?
The discussion also touches on the significance of collaboration in relationships, the fixable mindset in business, and the necessity of being customer-centric in today's rapidly changing environment.
Note: Both Herb and Frances get frustrated at grocery store self-checkouts. The machines are to slow!
Takeaways *Trust is foundational in both business and personal relationships. *Frances Frei's upbringing as the youngest of six shaped her perspective on expectations. *Rejection can be a stepping stone to success; embrace the 'no' as a 'not now'. *Bias often leads to unearned preferences; we must check our biases. *Leadership must evolve to ensure equal access to meritocracy. *Collaboration enhances both personal and professional relationships. *Everything is fixable if the desire for help exists. *Identifying what to say no to is crucial for business success. *Customer-centric strategies lead to better business outcomes. *Navigating change requires flexibility and a willingness to adapt.
The Untold Story of Special Forces Commander Dagger 6 | Episode 1, Part 2
In this moving episode, Herb and Corrie reflect on the enduring legacy of Task Force Dagger with John Mulholland and the pivotal role of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan. They share firsthand insights into the realities of joint military operations, the sacrifices made by service members and their families, and the importance of honoring those who served in the War on Terror.
The conversation also explores the symbolism of the iconic Horse Soldier statue, a powerful monument to the courage and sacrifice of the Green Berets who rode into battle on horseback after 9/11. From the value of military support personnel to the resilience of the Afghan people, this episode provides a meaningful look at the personal and strategic lessons from two decades of conflict.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Task Force Dagger exemplified joint operations and inter-agency collaboration
Special Forces are a formidable tool in modern warfare
Sacrifice in service is noble and must be remembered
Evaluating risks vs. benefits is essential in military decisions
Veterans should hold pride in their service regardless of political outcomes
The Horse Soldier statue stands as a lasting symbol of honor
Lessons from Afghanistan call for coherent, long-term strategy
Recognition is due to the resilience of the Afghan people
Military support personnel are vital to mission success
Remembering and honoring service is a national responsibility
📌 A must-watch for those interested in Special Operations, military history, and the human stories behind the battlefield.
The Untold Story of Special Forces Commander Dagger 6 | Episode 1, Part 1
In this powerful episode, retired Lt. General John Mulholland shares his incredible journey from childhood dreams to becoming a three-star general and legendary leader of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He offers rare insights into the Green Berets' mission to "liberate the oppressed", their pivotal role in Afghanistan after 9/11, and the formation of Task Force Dagger.
John reflects on the Special Forces' response to 9/11, the importance of leadership, humility, and teamwork, and how building trust with local Afghan partners shaped the mission's success. With a deep dive into the lessons learned from combat operations, this conversation highlights the resilience of U.S. military forces and the enduring legacy of those who serve.
🔑 Topics Covered: * Life and career of General John Mulholland * Mission and mindset of the Green Berets * Behind the scenes of Task Force Dagger * U.S. Special Forces in post-9/11 Afghanistan * Leadership and trust in high-stakes environments * Building alliances with local forces * Teamwork and collaboration across military branches * Legacy of Special Operations in the War on Terror
📌 Whether you're interested in 9/11, Special Forces operations, or the personal stories of elite leaders, this episode delivers powerful insights and inspiration.