The Jedburgh Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Lacrosse is a sport built on passion, precision, and community. It’s also a sport that defines service. Live from the Stars and Stripes Classic, Fran Racioppi sat down with Mike Rabil, co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League, to highlight the PLL’s partnership with the Green Beret Foundation and explore how the sport of lacrosse is intertwined with American Special Operators. 

A remarkable number of America’s Special Operators come from a lacrosse background. The sport builds toughness, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. The same qualities that define an elite operator and a key reason why so many lacrosse players serve in the military.

Mike shares his vision for building the PLL into the world’s only professional lacrosse organization. Now in its seventh season, the PLL is deeper, faster, and more competitive than ever, supported by partners who believe in the mission and the athletes who make it possible.

Together, the PLL and the Green Beret Foundation are proving that sport can be a force for impact. This partnership honors the athletes, the warriors, and the families who give so much, and it strengthens the connection between two communities built on grit, excellence, and service.

Highlights

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:21 Welcome to the Stars & Stripes Classic
• 2:50 PLL Progression
• 4:51 College to Pro
• 8:32 Leading up to the Second S&S Game
• 11:14 Lacrosse Discipline in Special Ops

Quotes

• “50% of our games have been decided by just one goal this year.”
• “Now the pressure’s on us to make it worthwhile.”
• “These are the best lacrosse players in the world but some of the best athletes.”
• “To incorporate endurance, strength, physicality, and the hand eye, those are things as a tier one operator you need.”
• “Practice is the payoff for the eventual game.”
• “The community is actually bigger than we think, the game means something to people and it's actually been misbranded.”
• “They’re people of character.”
• “I think athletics in general will teach you a certain level of discipline, resiliency, and adaptability that become critical to your ability to succeed.”

Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Romania is one of America’s key allies in the fight for Eastern Europe. Romanian Special Forces are critical to the success of that mission; and the partnership between United States Special Operations and our Romanian counterparts sits at the center of that strategy.

From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Claudiu Dobocan, Commander of the Romanian Special Operations Forces, to discuss how Romanian Special Operations are combatting Russian aggression and holding the line in Europe.

General Dobocan shared his perspective on strengthening SOF partnerships, advancing interoperability, and building modern capabilities that allow allied forces to operate seamlessly together. He spoke about Romania’s place within NATO, the importance of trust and shared mission across borders, and the need for Special Operations units to remain agile and prepared for the full spectrum of emerging threats.

From combating hybrid threats to maintaining readiness alongside allied SOF elements, General Dobocan emphasized that success today depends on relationships, shared understanding, and the willingness to stand together in the face of uncertainty.

Highlights

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:26 Welcome to GSOF Europe 2025
• 3:21 Mission of Romanian Special Operations Forces
• 8:45 Evolution of technology in SOF
• 10:45 Eliminating Human-in-the-Loop?
• 13:35 Changes in military tactics
• 16:57 Romanian Special Forces Mission
• 18:44 Why Join the Romanian Army?
• 20:06 NATO Alliance Importance
• 25:24 Leading against a Global Threat

Quotes

• “We were created by cooperation between Romanian Ministry of Defense and US SOCEUR.” 
• “Interoperability, no one really talks about what that really means.” 
• “Words carrying value carry meaning.”
• “Industry defines the speed of technological development.”
• “The strategic game changer is generative AI.”
• “I’m scared of the moment when everything is passed to AI.”
• “I don’t think swarming is going to be the next way of doing battle.”
• “Our mission is to be a strategic level instrument that helps with reaction to crisis and building partnerships and capabilities in the region.”
• “10th Group and 20th Group came around and showed us what right looks like so I signed up.”
• “It’s a tool that kind of prevents conflict.”
• “NATO is the umbrella under which we share a lot of things that otherwise we cannot discuss about.”
• “When you talk about the good work NATO has done, you have to talk about the standards.”
• “We have to be deterrent on our part, but capable to move from military assistance type of missions into a very kinetic one.”

Special thanks to the Global Special Operations Foundation for hosting us in Athens. 

Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

Supporting the Special Forces Regiment isn’t just a job, it’s a lifestyle. For over 15 years Green Beret Foundation has placed empowering Green Berets of every generation at the forefront. Creating opportunities from the unique needs of our Special Operators is the mission.  

Charlie Iacono is the President and CEO of Green Beret Foundation; a role to which he brought seemingly endless new opportunities for our Green Berets. From SOF Week 2025 in Tampa, FL, Fran Racioppi sat down with Charlie to discuss his priorities for the year, how the organization has grown over 44% and what it means to lead in the tasks you excel at. 

At the top of Charlie’s list is preparing for victory in this year’s 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic; the newest Labor Day tradition pitting America’s Green Berets against their Navy SEAL rivals on the lacrosse field. Hosted by the PLL, this year’s game is set to be even more physical, faster and sharper as the teams take the field in Philadelphia. 

Charlie and Fran also discussed how Task Force Tatonka is balancing mental, physical and spiritual health, why inducting President John F. Kennedy was a pivotal moment in Special Forces history, the growth of the Warrior Sportsmen program and new partnerships that are lighting the course for the remainder of the year.

This episode is about giving back, creating opportunities for Green Berets to thrive, and laying a good stick on your rivals. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• 0:00 Introduction
• 1:42 Welcome to SOF Week
• 5:38 The 2nd Annual Stars & Stripes Classic
• 12:08 Inducting JFK into the Special Forces Regiment
• 16:55 Task Force Tatanka
• 25:51 Warriors Sportsmen Program
• 32:57 New GBF partners
• 36:48 Looking forward

Quotes

“We really live that first SOF truth, people are more important than hardware.”

“In year two, the interest level of playing is through the roof.”

“We are looking to help the Special Forces Regiment and the NSW Community to recruit the best athletes.”  

“If we can win one recruit at a time, we’ll be totally fine.”

“Everything in that evening that we experienced had a connection to the 35th President of the United States of America.”

“If you run from the issues, they’ll eventually catch up with you.”

“I look at needs as well as opportunities.”

“My goal for this foundation is to be the preeminent leader in the things we can do exceptionally well.”

“A big problem that we have is we just don’t get outside enough.”

“It’s the camaraderie that’s built in those quiet moments.”

“We need the support of the American people and industry to ensure that our mission can continuously be fueled.”

“We really have to get ready for that next conflict.”

“We don’t want anybody to buckle under pressure.”

“The American people’s resolve to win has always been there since day one.”

Our SOF Week 2025 Series is made possible in part by Accrete.ai; solving business’s most complex challenges today through the technology of tomorrow.

The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world-class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs.

Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.

The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.

Over 10% of the US population is in some way affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. For the second episode of our San Diego Series, and our 99th long form conversation, Fran Racioppi visits Alzheimer's San Diego to discuss Alzheimer's disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. 

Fran is joined by CEO Eugenia Welch and Clinical Care Specialist Preston Stocking to explore what Alzheimer's disease is, what the symptoms are, and how it impacts both patients and their families. They also cover Alzheimer’s San Diego’s pillars of support including a unique program training law enforcement officers on the signs of dementia and how to best handle affected citizens. 

Fran, Eugenia and Preston share their personal stories of coping with loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s. Whether you are someone with a personal connection to Alzheimer's disease or just interested in learning more about this topic, this conversation will provide valuable insights and information that can help all of us in the fight against this dark disease.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s San Diego on alzsd.org and on social media at @alzheimerssd.

Special thanks to the San Diego Military Advisory Council for their support in producing this episode.  

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Highlights:

• 0:00 Welcome to Alzheimer’s San Diego
• 2:10 Alzheimer’s by the numbers
• 5:53 The progression and stages of Alzheimer’s
• 8:54 The causes of Alzheimer’s
• 12:57 The importance of caregiver respite
• 15:30 Identifying the symptoms of Alzheimers
• 17:32 Alzheimer’s San Diego Educational Programs
• 18:56 Training first responders to handle dementia patients
• 21:42 ASD’s Social Work Programs
• 24:38 The financial burden of Alzheimer’s
• 28:50 Patient Care at ASD
• 33:54 Preparing for the “The Silver Tsunami”
• 39:48 Eugenia & Preston’s Three Daily Foundations

Quotes: 

• “3% suffer from Alzheimer’s. 10% of people are in some way affected by Alzheimer’s.” (2:56)
• “If you can have a healthy heart along the way, that's going to improve your chances of living a longer time.” (8:07)
• “Alzheimer’s can get very dark.” (10:07)
• “The younger you are when you are diagnosed the quicker you’re going to progress through the stages.” (10:55)
• “It’s not that you can’t find your keys…It’s when you have your keys in your hand and you don’t know what they do.’” (15:49)
• “Somebody with dementia could present as under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” (19:12)
• “The system is not prepared for the wave of older adults who are going to continue to have this disease.” (26:21)
• “It’s really important to kind of separate what is the disease and what is still your person.” (31:00)

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s & Compass Workforce Solutions

For 247 years the United States Marine Corps has fought and won America’s wars. The Marines carry a history, a tradition and a brand focused on winning…no matter the challenge. 

Sergeant Major Troy Black, the 19th Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps joins Fran Racioppi from the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego Museum for a Jedburgh Podcast exclusive look at what it means to be a Marine past, present and future. 

They cover Sergeant Major Black’s 35-year career leading Marines, Talent Management 2030, Force Design 2030, the lessons of the Global War on Terror, and the Marines’ most important mission; returning high-caliber Veterans to America’s civilian workforce. 

Whether you were a Marine, want to become a Marine, or never considered the Marines, you will be ready to join after this conversation!

Special thanks to the San Diego Military Advisory Council for their support in producing this episode. 

Learn more about SMMC Troy Black at marines.mil and on social media at @19thsmmc.

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Highlights:

• 0:00 Welcome to Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego Museum
• 2:30 Joining the Marine Corps after Vietnam
• 4:17 The mission of the United States Marine Corps
• 6:55 Talent Management 2030
• 14:35 The relationship between noncommissioned officers and commissioned officers
• 21:12 Integration of females into the Marine Corps
• 23:52 The lessons of The Global War on Terror
• 27:27 Force Design 2030
• 32:53 Protecting the mental health of our Marines
• 41:18 Returning Veterans to the civilian workforce
• 45:20 The next generation of Marine
• 52:54 Are you ready to be a United States Marine?
• 55:49 SMMC Black’s Foundations to Success

Quotes: 

• “Send the Marine Corps. We come with our own logistics, our own aviation, our own artillery, our own ground forces and components to do things now.” (5:17)
• “You have to have a competent force that when it has to be called upon, can win…period.” (9:14)
• “The private that graduated today is not taught to follow. They’re taught to lead.” (11:37)
• “Don’t ever deny me an opportunity. You don’t get to determine if I can do it or not.” (23:17)
• “There are only three organizations in any weapons engagement zone in the littorals; it’s Marines, it’s submarines, and it’s SOF.” (32:04)
• “Mental fitness. Social fitness. Behavioral fitness. Spiritual fitness…You can’t have one without the other.” (35:58)
• “We have to focus more on how to tell people how to be in a team right now.” (49:29)
• “We’re looking for something. It’s someone who wants to win…only.” (54:21)

SMMC Troy Black’s Three Daily Foundations to Success:

• Eat to keep the body fit
• Workout to stay strong and create time to think
• Read to learn from the past, think and grow

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s & Compass Workforce Solutions

Abrams tanks, landmines, human trafficking, war crimes and economic collapse. This is the state of the Ukraine-Russia war 14+ months since it started. 

Fran Racioppi sits down with Mitzi Perdue, a renowned author, speaker, and philanthropist, who shares her experiences of visiting Ukraine to see firsthand the devastation landmines have brought to the country and its citizens. 

Mitzi Perdue, also joined Fran on Episode 19 to share her entrepreneurial spirit garnered from her father, the founder of Sheraton Hotels, and her late husband, Frank Perdue, founder of Perdue Farms.  

Mitzi most recently traveled to Ukraine to donate 18 vehicles to the police, tour Chernobyl, and raise awareness, and money, to support Ukrainians as they fight for their existence. She also explains how human trafficking is responsible for the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children, as she believes Russia continues to suffer from population decline. 

Learn more about Mitzi Perdue at https://mitziperdue.com/. Visit DonorSee.com/ukraine to donate and support her mission to free Ukraine of landmines. Mitzi is matching the first $100,000 donated. 

Check out The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Highlights:

0:00 Welcome back to The Jedburgh Podcast & getting involved in Ukraine

4:41 Why the police are critical to the war in Ukraine

7:29 America’s contribution to Ukraine is greater than the rest of the world combined

10:11 Why America needs to provide Abrams tanks to Ukraine 

12:20 Landmines and cluster bombs litter the farmland of Ukraine

14:35 Why human trafficking is widespread in Ukraine

17:45 Supporting The HALO Trust

22:36 How does the war end? 

Quotes:

- “They do this because it magnifies the demoralization of the local populace.” (5:30)

- “The US’s involvement is double all of the EU countries combined.” (8:52)

- “Ukraine right now is the most heavily mined country in the world or in history.” (10:00)

- “40% of the land can’t be farmed because of the mines.” (13:49)

- “Russia is in terminal decline; there just aren’t enough babies being born.” (15:48)

- “The goal is $300,000 to go to the HALO Trust, which is the oldest and largest land mine clearing organization in the world.” (19:29)

- “I think that Russia’s gonna fall apart economically.” (26:20) 

- “If we negotiate an end, the 56,000 war crimes that we’re aware of would probably be negotiated away. I want defeat.” (27:45)

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s & Compass Workforce Solutions.

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s & Compass Workforce Solutions

Nutrition is said to be the number one ingredient in performance. It’s also the hardest to achieve, maintain and too often get excited about. Performance Nutrition Coach Jenn Ryan is changing the way we think about what we consume. 

In this final TYR Wodapalooza 2023 episode, Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff sit down with Jenn live from the Modballs booth, to recap the weekend and dig deep into all aspects of what…and how…we eat. 

Plus they dig into some Modballs sharing how these nutrient-packed 20-gram energy balls are replacing conventional energy drinks full of the words you can’t pronounce. 

Follow Jenn Ryan on Instagram at jenn_ryan. Get involved with CrossFit at crossfit.com.

Follow Jessie Graff on Instagram and Facebook @jessiegraffpwr. 

Click here or use code JED for $10 off your first order of Modballs.

Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. 

Highlights:

• 0:00 Welcome to Wodapalooza Day 4 & the Modballs booth
• 4:45 Why CrossFit is for everyone
• 9:39 Jenn’s transition from an ER nurse to nutrition coaching
• 16:20 Silencing the inner critic
• 20:58 Celebrating the small victories
• 24:05 Nutrition or fad diets
• 29:25 The importance of fat
• 34:20 Structured vs unstructured eating
• 38:11 The dangers of under-eating
• 46:38 Training with Modballs
• 51:53 Jenn’s Three Foundations For Success

Quotes: 

• “You feel like you’re at a nightclub just fitnessing.” (3:30)
• “CrossFit has taught me…is what my body can do.” (6:18)
• “Teaching people to be strong, and to feel strong; is just awesome.” (8:10)
• “Are you purposeful moving from one thing to the next?” (22:11)
• “When people do very very low fat, they also end up being low calorie.” (27:43)
• “When things are unstructured, it’s like the rest of life, it’s very chaotic.” (35:43)
• “This is how I would make an energy bar at home. I would want to add all these things.” (47:36)

Jenn’s Three Daily Foundations For Success

• Get outside and walk the dogs first 
• Start my morning with chocolate greens powder
• Eat the exact same breakfast

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s,  Rhone, Modballs, 18A Fitness & Compass Workforce Solutions

Constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity. That’s CrossFit. Simple in definition. Complex in the way it’s changed the fitness industry. CrossFit’s not a sport. It’s a lifestyle that has dominated the way elite athletes train, all the while crowning the Fittest on Earth. 

Don Faul became the CEO of CrossFit last fall and at the tail end of his 120-day assessment, he sat down with Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff for a conversation live from the TYR Wodapalooza stage. Don shares his transition from Recon Marine to tech, to wearables, to fitness. 

They cover the fundamentals of the sport, how it has advanced the way we think about our health, how to become CrossFit certified, and Don’s vision for the CrossFit brand in 2023 and beyond. 

Follow Don Faul on Instagram at donfaul. Get involved with CrossFit at crossfit.com.

Follow Jessie Graff on Instagram and Facebook @jessiegraffpwr. 

Click here or use code JED for $10 off your first order of Modballs.

Read the full episode transcription on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. 

Highlights:

• 0:00 Welcome to Wodapalooza day 4
• 3:55 Lessons learned as a US Marine
• 7:40 Building careers at Google, Pinterest & Athos
• 10:22 Becoming the CrossFit CEO
• 13:50 CrossFit is for everyone
• 15:36 Qualifying as a CrossFit coach
• 17:54 CrossFit Fundamentals and scaling
• 21:35 CrossFit’s vision for 2023 and beyond
• 26:34 Building a strong and vibrant culture at CrossFit HQ
• 28:04 Achieving CrossFit Certifications
• 36:29 Don’s Three Daily Foundations For Success

Quotes: 

• “There are so many moments of inspiration that you get to see and feel first hand.” (3:07)
• “As a leader your job is actually to work for and support your people.” (6:04)
• “I walked into that workout and got absolutely humbled. I came in dead last in the workout.” (11:45)
• “Constantly varied, functional movements executed at high intensity. That is CrossFit.” (17:16)
• “Any CrossFit workout can be adjusted to be performed by any athlete independent of their level of fitness or maybe mobility restrictions.” (19:15)
• “We can do more to strengthen that partnership and support our affiliate owners.” (24:24)
• “I think the higher level goal that we are all working in service of, is changing more lives.” (27:40)
• “In five years CrossFit is the largest force for health and performance globally.” (31:17)
• “There’s nothing that builds human connection than shared adversity and support through hard circumstances.” (33:30)

Don’s Three Daily Foundations For Success

• Set intention for the day
• Pack my gym bag for the next morning
• Sit down for dinner with my family

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s,  Rhone, Modballs, 18A Fitness & Compass Workforce Solutions

How do you become the CrossFit Games Rookie of the Year? For Coach Nick Mathew it took setting a goal, maintaining a high standard and loving the burn! Nick joins Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff live from the Modballs booth at TYR Wodaplooza for a conversation on transitioning from olympic lifting to CrossFit. 

Today Nick’s a CrossFit affiliate owner where he trains not only himself, but all those looking to push themselves mentally and physically. He shares his tips for training to compete with the world’s best and how his daily dedication to training, even when he didn’t want to, has given him a real shot at the podium in the 2023 CrossFit Games. 

Follow Nick Mathew on Instagram at coachnmathew.

Follow Jessie Graff on Instagram and Facebook @jessiegraffpwr. 

Click here or use code JED for $10 off your first order of Modballs.

Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. 

Highlights:

• 0:00 Welcome to the Modballs booth
• 1:50 Getting into CrossFit
• 4:05 Nick’s standards to achieve Rookie of the Year
• 7:20 TYR Wodapalooza vs CrossFit Games
• 8:35 How to love the burn
• 10:33 Nick’s 2023 goals
• 11:32 Becoming a CrossFit affiliate owner
• 15:01 Rocking the crop top
• 16:22 Nick’s three foundations

Quotes: 

• “It took seven years before I was able to make it to the CrossFit Games; and it’s been a grind ever since.” (2:48)
• “It’s really kind of what’s in between the ears and the story you tell yourself every day when you get to the gym.” (4:25)
• “You always build it up in your head that it’s gonna be worse than it actually is.” (8:58)
• “I want to podium at the games this year.” (10:36)

Nick’s Three Daily Foundations For Success

• Hold myself to a higher standard
• Discipline in my routine
• Be a good person

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s,  Rhone, Modballs, 18A Fitness & Compass Workforce Solutions

Is the banking system in America collapsing? The recent closure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, combined with the loss of confidence and sale of Credit Suisse has sent shockwaves through the global financial system. 

Fran Racioppi brings back Episode 91 guest and former Chief Innovation Officer at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Sultan Meghji, to answer the questions we are all asking: why are banks failing? Should we be concerned about our money? Are taxpayers footing the bill? When should we worry? 

Learn more about Sultan Meghji on LinkedIn and Twitter @sultanmeghji.

Check out The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube.

Highlights:

-0:00 Welcome back to The Jedburgh Podcast 

-1:51 Don’t worry about your checking account

-4:26 The banking crisis interest rates explained

-6:37 Mortgage backed securities and the changes since the 2008 financial crisis

-8:14 The failure at Credit Suisse

-9:48 The role of the FDIC

-14:10 Are taxpayers footing the bill?

-15:32 What will cause a run on the banking system?

-17:45 Why Sultan only fears defaulting on the debt ceiling

Quotes:

-”Don’t worry about your checking account….Don’t stress about it. It doesn’t matter if it has $1 in it or a billion dollars in it.” (2:02)

-”Having the single largest increase in federal reserve interest rates in human history has caused a tremendous imbalance in a subset of the banks in the United States.” (3:15)

-”We don’t have a banking crisis. We have a psychological issue right now.” (3:43) 

-”You can trace the balance sheet problems for Silicon Valley Bank directly back to the increase in Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.” (6:27)

-”When the US Government took it over, it just took them a few days to reboot the computer.”   (11:42)

-”You should have money in one of the big systemically important banks. You should have money in a credit union. And you should have money in a midsize regional or community bank.” (12:57)

-”Literally the only thing that I would ever worry about…is if somehow the US defaulted on the debt ceiling.” (17:45)

This episode is brought to you by Jersey Mike’s, Compass Workforce Solutions, 18A Fitness