Behind The Shield

Jason McCarthy enlisted in the Army after 9/11 because of 9/11 and served in Special Forces in Iraq and the Sahel region of West Africa. In 2007, while visiting Emily in war-torn West Africa, Jason built Emily a “go-ruck” for her to keep in her vehicle and at home, ready to go at all times. This was the origin of what is now GORUCK.Former Central Intelligence Agency case officer, Emily McCarthy, served her country on the frontlines of the Global War on Terrorism. In the years following 9/11, she operated in war-torn Africa where she was responsible for recruiting human sources and collecting intelligence in the interest of national security.Richard Rice retired from the U.S. Army as a Special Forces Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in 1994 after 30 years of service. The last 25 years of which were spent in various Special Operations Forces (SOF) assignments. He was a Program Coordinator, Director and Vice President at Fayetteville Technical Community College from 1994 to 2015.https://www.goruck.com/

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2026

Kory Flowers is a 27-year veteran Captain with the Greensboro Police Department. Captain Flowers trains law enforcement officers nationwide on various subversive criminal groups, leadership, tactical communication, and has written articles and conducted podcasts for publications including Police1, Police Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and National Public Radio. He is a frequent guest on numerous law enforcement podcasts, and guest television host on On Patrol Live.We discuss his childhood in North Carolina, the addiction crisis, reducing recidivism, the power of mentorship, losing brother police officers, the impact of Hurricane Helene, community, the Run Well programme and much more.

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2026

Carmen Ordoñez is a TV host, lifestyle expert and the widow of Miami firefighter Fernando Ordonez. We discuss their parents' immigration stories, their romance story, the birth of their son, Fernando's cancer diagnosis, grief, growth, community and so much more.Carmen is a TV Host and on-air lifestyle expert. She was married to City of Miami firefighter, Fernando Ordoñez, who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2014 and passed away 10-months later at the age of 34. Carmen found herself a young widow at the age of 31, left behind to raise their 2-year old son.

Transcribed - Published: 30 May 2026

Tim Mickelson is a professional golfer, caddie and the CEO of Cedar Valve. We discuss growing up in a golfing family, training the youth athlete, midfullness and performance, his brother Tim's success, caddying, learning from the tragic Cedar fire, innovating engine operations and so much more.Tim Mickelson brings over 20 years of experience in both the sports industry and small business. After officially retiring in 2024, he returned in 2025 driven by his belief in Cedar Valve’s potential to transform fire industry standards. His objective: to put this innovative device on every fire engine in the United States and help protect countless firefighters, communities and structures.https://www.cedarvalve.com/

Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2026

Nate Morgans is National Guardsman, Tusla Fire Department Deputy Chief and the CEO of the Casey Skudin 343 Fund. We discuss his journey into the military, joining the fire service, combat deployments, his battle with alcoholism, the healing power of Ibogaine, fighting for plant medicine treatment in Oklahoma and so much more. Nate has devoted his life to serving others, both in uniform with the U.S. Army National Guard and on the frontlines of the Tulsa Fire Department. He enlisted young, commissioned in 1998, and soon transitioned to the National Guard while beginning his career at the Tulsa Fire Department, following in his father’s footsteps. In 2003, Nate deployed to Afghanistan for a year, leaving just days after the birth of his first child. When he returned, he pushed ahead without processing the emotional toll of deployment and new fatherhood. Looking back, he can see this was when he started leaning on alcohol to cope.A devoted father of three, Nate tried to manage the demands of firefighting, military service, and family life. By 2019, after deployments to Ukraine, mounting pressures at work, and the collapse of his marriage, his drinking spiraled. A DWI and a near-blackout incident resulted in a two-rank demotion and derailed the future he’d been building. In the years that followed, he tried everything – AA, leadership programs, two rounds of inpatient rehab, and repeated detox attempts through the VA. Doctors prescribed Ativan to manage his withdrawals until a psychiatrist told him they could no longer continue. Terrified of detoxing alone, Nate began flying to Mexico to buy the medication without a prescription, doing whatever he could to survive a cycle he desperately wanted to break. Everything changed when he learned about ibogaine therapy from a close friend and fellow firefighter. He applied to the 343 Fund for a first responder grant and was approved the next day.Ibogaine was the intervention that finally broke the cycle he’d been trapped in for years. During his ibogaine treatment, he saw flashes of memory that helped him understand how he’d gotten so stuck. In the days that followed, years of guilt and shame began to lift, and the compulsion to drink finally disappeared. He describes ibogaine as “smoothing out the ruts” in his brain – and credits the 343 Fund’s integration program with helping him build new pathways and stay grounded in recovery. When he returned to work, coworkers told him he looked ten years younger. Nate went straight to the fire union and said, “This is going to save lives.” He has since helped connect multiple firefighters to treatment and now serves as a Board Advisor to the 343 Fund, working to expand healing pathways for first responders and their families. Today, Nate is grounded, present, and hopeful. His three children are proud of him, and his mission is renewed. Nate took his last drink on November 21, 2024 – and is now celebrating one year of sobriety. He also serves as an Ambassador for Americans for Ibogaine and is proudly helping lead the charge to help legalize Ibogaine for therapeutic use in his home state of Oklahoma.https://343fund.org/

Transcribed - Published: 27 May 2026

Ryan Scalmanini is a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran and the Director of VA Disability Compliance and Analytics for Veteran Benefits Guide (VBG). In his role, Ryan manages the training and development for VBG’s VA disability claims manager team to ensure they are equipped with the information and resources they need to successfully support the company’s Veteran clients. He is also responsible for end-to-end quality control of the claims support process.Prior to joining VBG, Ryan was a Rating Veteran Service Representative, or Rater at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where he became an expert on the VA’s Disability Compensation System. Ryan also served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years, where he was an engineer and rescue swimmer while attached to a law enforcement and rescue unit.Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix. Outside of VBG, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife, playing beach volleyball and assisting Veterans/first responders in finding their path of healing and purpose.

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2026

Frank Wright was one of the original Marine Raiders who fought on both Guam and Iwo Jima in WWII. We discuss his journey into the Marines, special forces selection, hand to hand combat, facing banzai attacks, his powerful mental health story, writing his book and so much more."I fought like mad as the Japanese stormed down the hill yelling 'Malians you die, Malians you die.' I emptied my rifle magazine, twice. Out of ammo I slashed and plunged my bayonet into as many as I could until…"Battles in the Pacific is Wright’s autobiographical account of his four years of enlistment in World War II, including two years in the South Pacific. On January 21, 1942, Wright entered the U.S. Marine Corps by lying about his age. His was Sixteen at the time and living in Little Rock, Arkansas. He reported to boot camp on January 24, 1942 at the 12th Recruit Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Platoon 150, in San Diego, California.Like many war veterans, Wright’s traumatic experience in war left him in a battle with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His detailed description of his teenage years shows why he still feels the effects several decades later. Wright’s hope is that other veterans will find hope and help through his book and perhaps be inspired to write about their own experiences.Frank S. Wright was born on July 5, 1925, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and as a member of the 4th Marine Raiders Special Forces with Colonel James Roosevelt as commander. He fought in four major battles, traveled between islands on eleven different Navy ships, was wounded by a bayonet in the stomach while recapturing Guam, and was shot in the chest and arm by machine gun fire on the island of Iwo Jima. He spent the last six months of his enlistment as a Marine drill instructor training new recruits.Wright’s personal awards include a Purple Heart with two stars, the Presidential Unit Citation with two stars, Navy Unit Commendation, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with three service stars, the Fleet Marine Force with four stars, the Marine Corps Expedition Medal, Combat Action with four stars, the Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Transcribed - Published: 23 May 2026

Joseph Sullivan is the founder of Active911, the emergency response platform trusted daily by first responders across the country for real-time incident coordination. He also founded Alyrica Networks, Nova Dynamics, and Daxbot, where his work focuses on deploying autonomous robotic systems into real-world environments. His background spans communications infrastructure, emergency operations, and robotics, with multiple patents in autonomous navigation and multi-agent decision-making systems. Sullivan currently serves as Director of Nova Dynamics and remains deeply involved in building operational technology for high-consequence environments.Active911 is a respected leader in emergency communications and software, providing alerting, mapping, and scene resources for over 500,000 first responders worldwide. Based out of Western Oregon, we are proud to offer our services to the people that depend on us. Our focus is to take care of our brother and sister responders while our drive is to make sure you get the tools you need to get the job done and save lives easily and without distraction.https://active911.com/

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2026

Kevin Grange is an award-winning freelance writer with an emphasis on the medical field, adventure and travel. He is a firefighter/paramedic with Jackson Hole Fire/EMS and Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We discuss his journey into Emergency Medicine, grizzly bear attacks, wilderness medicine, homelessness, addiction, mental health, flight medicine and so much more. His latest book, Grizzly Confidential: An Astounding Journey Into the Secret Life of North America’s Most Fearsome Predator is available for pre-order now, to be published in September 2024.Grange’s third book, Wild Rescues: A Paramedic’s Extreme Adventures in Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton was published by Chicago Review Press in March 2021, also winning the High Plains Book Award in the Medicine & Science category.In June 2015, Berkley Books, a division of Penguin Random House, published Kevin’s memoir Lights and Sirens: The Education of a Paramedic. Lights and Sirens is a true account of going through UCLA’s famed Daniel Freeman Paramedic Program—and practicing emergency medicine on the streets of Los Angeles.In 2011, The University of Nebraska Press published Grange’s travel memoir, his first book, Beneath Blossom Rain, about his 24-day trek through the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. The memoir has received wide press in the United States; is available on the Kindle and Nook, as an audiobook from Audible.com and has been translated and published in China, India and Latvia.

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2026

Emily Kaplan is the co-founder of The Broken Science Initiative and MetFix. She is focused on helping coaches and doctors reverse chronic diseases using lifestyle interventions. The BSI is the research arm of the initiative, doing deep dives into how modern peer-review works, or in many cases does not work, looking at how industry influences outcomes and how to evaluate good research versus corrupted findings.They host monthly Journal Club gatherings for community members to learn what a study purports to conclude and then what the methods, findings and statistical tools are actually finding. With regular live streams with metabolic experts, the BSI and MetFix communities have exclusive opportunities to learn and problem solve. MetFix has more than 130 independently owned locations, transforming lives daily. The education is offered online and in-person and designed to be an added layer of nutrition and behavior change for gyms and medical practices worldwide.Fit For Duty, is the newest MetFix online class designed for first responders including law enforcement, firefighters, federal air marshals and emergency medical professionals. Built to teach metabolic mechanisms in practical ways with tools first responders can implement immediately to start improving their health outcomes. More at MetFix.org

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2026

Greg Kelley was a promising high school football player when he was falsely accused of sexual abuse of a child and wrongfully imprisoned. He spent the next six years proving his innocence, three of which were in prison. We discuss his early life, his parent's medical issues that led to him staying with a friend, the outcry, the horrendous cascade of unethical practices in both the investigation and trial, the horrors perpotrated by the predator that roamed free, overturning the decision, the power of love, reclaiming his football career and so much more.

Transcribed - Published: 16 May 2026

Johnathon Ehsani is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he works at the intersection of transportation and public health. His research focuses on teen and novice drivers, distracted driving, older adult mobility, and how people understand and use new technologies like autonomous vehicles. He regularly advises the U.S. Department of Transportation and state agencies on driver education and licensing policy, chairs a National Academies Transportation Research Board committee, and has published more than 80 peer-reviewed articles while speaking widely on how safer transportation systems can improve lives.

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2026

​Louie Disney is a 40-year-old veteran firefighter and EMT based in Colorado, who believes that to be a truly effective first responder, you must be resilient and fully prepared for the demands of the job—both physically and mentally. With over 20 years of fire service experience across Kansas and Colorado—including wildland firefighting—Louie knows firsthand the heavy toll the profession takes. He is a survivor of severe depression and hardcore alcoholism, enduring years of blackouts before a devastating wake-up call forced a change. In 2013, Louie T-boned a car at 60 mph on his Harley. Forced to learn how to walk again, he used that near-fatal crash as the hard cutoff to get sober. Now celebrating 13 years of sobriety, Louie is living proof that it is okay to not be okay. He channels his lived experience into his role as President of the board of Next Rung, a nationwide non-profit dedicated to providing 24/7 peer support and critical mental health resources to first responders and their families.​The physical toll of his accident brought its own intense battles. Struggling with a subsequent painkiller addiction during his recovery, Louie's weight peaked at 260 pounds. He fought relentlessly to reclaim his health to be an asset, not a liability, in his career. Making physical fitness his ultimate anchor, he has traveled the country for the past nine years to compete in the grueling Firefighter Challenge. This year, he pushed his body to elite levels, dropping down to a shredded 179 pounds to earn his natural Pro bodybuilding card with the OCB organization. Today, he shares his hard-won knowledge of biohacking, habit-building, and specialized nutrition through his personal coaching business, The Fit Shop, helping others stay physically and mentally armed for the line of duty. When he is off duty, Louie finds his mental rehab living a grounded lifestyle on a mountain homestead with his wife, Kaylin, and their two Dalmatians. Together, they tend to their chickens, run a small home bakery, and spend their days off finding peace working side-by-side at a local mini cow ranch.https://www.instagram.com/louie_warwithn/

Transcribed - Published: 13 May 2026

Joel Dudley is the former Associate Professor of Genetics and Genomic Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the CEO and Co-Founder of Bevimi. We discuss forging resilience through wrestling, his jouney into computing, Bioinformatics, debunking pandemic myths, exciting innovations in Alzheimer's prevention, the power of sleep, brain health supplementation and so much more.Dr. Dudley previously held roles as General Partner at Innovation Endeavors and Chief Scientific Officer at Tempus, where he helped expand AI-based healthcare platforms. He was an Associate Professor of Genetics & Genomic Sciences and the Founding Director of the Institute for Next Generation Healthcare at Mount Sinai, and served as the Executive Vice President for Precision Health at Mount Sinai Health System.He co-founded Onegevity Health (later acquired by Thorne) and NuMedii. Dudley has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and earned a PhD in Biomedical Informatics from Stanford.

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2026

Paige Figi spent years trying to find a treatment for her young daughter, Charlotte, who was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome – a serious form of epilepsy – and suffered from frequent seizures. Because none of the traditional pharmaceuticals and treatments were reliable or successful in reducing and helping Charlotte’s life-limiting condition, Paige researched alternative therapies, discovering a type of hemp extract that had no major side effects or psychotropic effects. Ms. Figi started giving Charlotte a natural, non-intoxicating, therapeutic hemp extract with low-THC and high-CBD that reduced her daughter’s epileptic symptoms and seizures from hundreds per week to less than three per month.In 2015, she founded the Coalition for Access Now, a 501(c)4, to help other families in similar circumstances provide relief to their children. The work of Paige and the mothers in the Coalition for Access Now led to passage of CBD access laws in all 50 states.

Transcribed - Published: 9 May 2026

William Branum is a retired Navy SEAL with 26 years of elite military service, leading high-stakes missions around the world, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that required presidential approval. From sniper instructor to SEAL Team leader, William forged unshakable leadership under the most extreme conditions on earth.Since hanging up the uniform, William has become a sought-after speaker, author, and business leader, teaching organizations, from universities to Fortune 500 companies, how to build resilient teams, lead under pressure, and thrive in adversity.He is also the founder of Naked Warrior Recovery, a mission-driven company dedicated to supporting veterans and mental health initiatives through partnerships with organizations like the Navy SEAL Foundation, Centurion Military Alliance, and 22Zero.William’s mission today is simple: to help others develop the discipline, resilience, and mindset it takes to lead, succeed, and never back down—no matter the battlefield.https://williambranum.com/

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2026

Jason Gray has been in the stunt industry for amost four decades working in film, television, commercials and music videos. We discuss his childhood in Iowa, wrestling, the genesis of Orlando's theme parks, live show dangers, sleep deprivation in entertainment, specialisation, The Oscars and so much more."Growing up a sports-crazed kid (a champion pole vaulter & wrestler)on a farm in Iowa, I set my sights on first serving my country after high school - then going to college. So after 4 years in the U.S. Air Force as a Security Policeman, stationed in Europe, I came back to the U.S. and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha on the G.I. Bill with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.Always aspiring to be in show business, my guidance counseloradvised me to move to Orlando, Florida. So I did! I always wanted to work at Walt Disney World Entertainment. I worked as a production assistant and did a lot of background work. I went to many auditions and finally started working as a stunt performer in one live stunt show after another across Central Florida. (Yes, I was Indiana Jones for a while.) I also got a lot of stunt experience working in Industrials, Corporate Conventions, and TV specials at Disney. I also worked at a number of stunt shows over at Universal Studios Florida.I later became a member of a highly respected local stunt team in Florida called Stunt Dynamics. We worked and learned everything we could about setting up stunts safely, videotaping & editing action sequences, rigging, action design, and execution with the latest stunt equipment. Most of these performers moved to Hollywood, but I stuck around and was hired to assist in training new stunt performers, choreographing new fight sequences, stunt rigging & safety, as well as creating and developing new stunt shows at Universal. In 1996, I became the stunt coordinator for Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure Florida, and Universal Studios Japan.Inspiration from my colleagues and my experiences and contacts at Universal Studios and The Walt Disney Company allowed me to move on to stunt coordination and assistant stunt coordinator on many local film, TV, and commercial productions. I have coordinated everything from low-budget features to co-coordinating multi-million dollar commercial productions and music videos.In 2003, I moved with my family to Thousand Oaks, CA, to be closer to the action. Since then, I have been fortunate to work with many different crews in and around Hollywood on several TV shows, feature films, and well over 100 commercials. I’ve worked on feature films including GHOSTBUSTERS, CAPTAIN AMERICA 2, DUMB AND DUMBER TO and PURGE 2 to name a few, as well as, TV shows like SUPERGIRL, CHUCK, HAWAII 5-0, GRIMM, CSI & SONS OF ANARCHY and MAGNUM P.I. I have coordinated episodes on such TV shows as “You’re The Worst”, “Bones”, “Terriers”, “Drunk History”, “Biker Outlaws” and “The Office”. Some national commercials I’ve coordinated were for Audi, Dodge, Blockbuster Video, K-Mart, Old Spice, Lexus, and Fuze Tea … with Mr. T. I was honored to join an elite Hollywood stunt organization – the International Stunt Association (ISA)."https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0336707/

Transcribed - Published: 6 May 2026

Debbie Johnson is a financial professional and a dedicated nonprofit leader with a profound passion for supporting law enforcement K9 units. Her journey into advocacy began following the tragic death of St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office K9 Baron in 2015, which inspired her to invest significant time and resources to understand the unique needs of these heroic dogs.Driven by her newfound appreciation for K9 units, Debbie founded K9s United, a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for, honoring and supporting America’s law enforcement K9s. Under her passionate leadership, K9s United and its devoted team work tirelessly to ensure the needs of working K9s are met. Since its inception, K9s United has donated over $2.0 million in equipment and training to more than 1,500 K9 officers and paramedics for these noble dogs in more than 46 states across the nation.K9s United provides advanced training, including canine first aid, and Debbie has been instrumental in passing Alabama and Florida legislation aimed at protecting and serving law enforcement K9s. Her belief that every working dog in the nation should be protected and advocated for fuels her efforts to champion similar bills at the federal level, including the LEO K9 Protection Act, which was introduced in July.Beyond her full-time career and her mission with K9s United, Debbie is also a devoted mother to her daughter Emma and a loving wife to her husband BJ. She shares her home with three dogs: Gunnar, Shelby and Homer.Through her unwavering dedication, Debbie Johnson continues to champion the cause of law enforcement K9 units, ensuring they receive the training and recognition they deserve.https://www.k9sunited.org/

Transcribed - Published: 3 May 2026

Trisha Stavinoha is an Army Veteran, Dietitian and elite endurance athlete. We discuss her journey into the military, hydration myths, sports drinks, fluid replacement in tactical athletes, relief aid in third world countries and much more.Trisha retired in 2018 after a 20-year career as an Army Dietitian, the last 12 years serving in a performance nutrition capacity. She earned her BS in Nutrition from Texas State University in 1998, then joined the Army through their dietetic internship program. She was selected to attend a Sports Nutrition Master’s program at Long Island University, graduating in 2006, then earned her CSSD and CSCS. Since retiring, she added lifeguard, masters swim instructor, and TSAC-F to her list of credentials.Trisha was one of the first Army RDs to earn both her CSSD and CSCS and uses the knowledge as a competitive athlete and on competitive athletes. She specializes in performance nutrition for a variety of sports to include endurance, strength, military tactical, and combat sport in neutral and extreme environments. She has been on 10 All Army Sport teams and was a walk on for the cross country and track teams during graduate school. She coached and trained with the installation Army 10-miler team and Bataan Death March teams.Trisha developed the performance nutrition service for the Center for the Intrepid, the military’s premier rehabilitation center for our wounded tactical athletes and advises the local adaptive sports program. She had the grand opportunity to work with the Army’s esteemed World Class Athlete Program, helping combat sport and track athletes reach their fullest potential to qualify for a spot on the Olympic team.Trisha currently works as a nutrition consultant for Cera Products, Inc., a rice-based hydration manufacturer specializing in products for individuals with unique hydration conditions. This affords her the opportunity to work with a variety of clients to include firefighters. She continues to work with the military, educating on executing a proper hydration plan based on the environmental conditions and workload. She closely follows two principals. 1) Hydration for tomorrow occurs today; hydration for today occurred yesterday. 2) A sports drink alone will not prevent dehydration and athletes must first address baseline hydration with food and water.While Trisha does work for a hydration manufacturer, she is a dietitian first and her primary goal as a retired Army dietitian is always to educate based on research and not marketing gimmicks.

Transcribed - Published: 2 May 2026

Mike Landis has been with Destin Fire for 17 years and has been the Deputy Chief since 2024. Mike sits as Region 1 FASAR Coordinator, TRT-109 Coordinator and Team lead, is a FL USAR Rescue Specialist, Paramedic, and is a graduate from Florida State University with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Mike is a Florida local who has grown up in the Destin area and attended Crestview High School.Mike's background is in education, working at Northwest Florida State College for almost a decade while teaching emergency medicine course for Medical Outfitter Training Consultants who contracted to the DEA Medic Program among other federal agencies. Mike has been married to his wife Bronwyn since 2013 and they have a beautiful 4-year-old daughter. In their off time, Mike and his family spend time on the water with friends and family.Geoff Duplessis is a Christian, Husband, Father, Destin Fire Department Captain and member of Destin's FL-TF7 team. He has been in the fire service for 11 years and previously with Ocala Fire for 8.5 years. Geoff was also on FL-TF8 for 5 and was an instructor at the Florida State Fire College.

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2026

Andrea “Mahigun” Bogiatto is a Deputy Sheriff in Colorado and a former Italian National Police officer (Reparto Mobile). He developed the Human Factor – Behavioral Architecture Under Operational Pressure, a framework focused on behavioral patterns and decision-making under stress. His background includes crowd control, K9 environments, and international training collaborations, with ongoing development of a university-level course on human behavior in first responder operations.

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2026

Jake Ryks is a firefighter, EMT, and HazMat Specialist with the Saint Paul Fire Department, currently assigned to Squad 1 and HazMat 1. He serves as the HazMat training coordinator within the department. Jake was recognized as the 2024 Minnesota Firefighter of the Year and received the Michael O. McNamee Award of Valor for his role in rescuing multiple children from a house fire.Outside of the firehouse, Jake is actively involved in advancing the hazmat community through his work with The Haz Mat Guys, where he supports training initiatives and digital education. As the host of the Hazard Class Podcast, he brings a practical, no-nonsense perspective to the job, blending field experience, training insight, and honest conversations about the realities of the fire service.https://thehazmatguys.com/hazard-class/

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2026

Greg Walsh is an athlete, martial artist and the founder of Wolf Brigade. We discuss his journey into extreme sports, the straight edge Hardcore scene, Crossfit, Jeet Kune Do, kettlebell training, youth athletes, mace work, strength and conditioning for the tactical athlete, the aging athlete and so much more.Greg Walsh has walked upright down a path of resistance for most of his life. The discovery of BMX bike riding and hardcore music in early adolescence derailed the train of convention and sparked a love affair with the underground that continues to burn strong. Through patience and perseverance, he began to make marks of his own within counterculture and has never looked back.Writing intertwined itself with all his successes and setbacks, and has served as chronicle to the strange and often dangerous occurrences that were never far behind. Greg’s storytelling has been both catharsis and corruptor; If any resolution was found, it has never been without shining harsh light into dark corners, and forcing himself to look.Those very same unconventional outlooks and subversive sensibilities have also played key roles in the development of Wolf Brigade’s unique and effective methods of strength and conditioning.Resourcefulness in all realms was hard-learned, any advancement was hard-earned, and every early step was both daunting and vitally important. As unpredictable as it may have been, entering the strength world from action sports and martial arts allowed for a preconceived-notion-free process of program design and system engineering.Describing his relationship with BMX, hardcore, training, and storytelling as anything but a love affair would be a vast understatement; Each has been its own vicious and driving force, and no stone is ever left unturned in the pursuit of progress.Strength in solitude and clarity in defiance were to be the most valuable lessons any culture or character could teach him, even as steep as the learning curve often was; While both Greg and Wolf Brigade are relatively new to many eyes, both have been developing in the dark since the turn of the millennium.Now rounded out both physically and philosophically with decades of martial arts, strength training, and teaching, Greg strives to maintain the proverbial spirit of eternal youth, and the worlds he has shown the ability to link together are proof that even as much as some things change, the most important ones stay the same.Driven by discontent- but never limited by it- Greg continues to scheme, write, subvert, struggle, and progress, and provokes many others into doing the same.He currently lives and works on the east side of Rochester, New York.https://wolfbrigade.com/

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2026

Dr. Cordle is a retired Navy captain with 30 years of service and a human factors engineer. In this second conversation, we discuss his family's generational combat service, the current crisis in Iran, the financial cost of forced sleep deprivation, servant leadership, technical competence and his latest book "Letters to Myself".John was the 2018 Proceedings Author of the Year, Surface Navy Association Literary Award winner in 2013 (with Dr. Nita Shattuck) and again in 2018, and has been recognized for his work in the area of circadian watch rotations and crew endurance with the Navy League John Paul Jones Award, the BUMED Epictetus Award for Innovative and Inspirational Leadership, and the ASNE Solberg Award for Research.

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2026

K. L. Sadler is a retired U.S. Diplomat and Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Over a 26-year career as a sworn law enforcement officer and federal agent, she served in high-threat assignments across Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda, Mexico, and El Salvador, where she received multiple Superior Honor Awards for leadership and crisis response. She began her law enforcement career as a police officer in St. Augustine, Florida.Kemmi is the founder of Legalize the Divine, an initiative focused on thoughtful dialogue around conscience, spiritual freedom, and access to nature-based healing traditions, approached with care, responsibility, and respect for the law. She is also stewarding land in the Ozarks with the long-term intention of developing a small, land-based retreat focused on rest and recovery for those living with the invisible wounds of trauma.In April 2026, Kemmi will walk the Camino de Santiago with her dog, Nona, in a pilgrimage called Nona’s Way, continuing her commitment to service beyond the badge while raising awareness surrounding the need for mental health and trauma recovery in the first responder community.https://klsadler.com/

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2026

Brian Brush is a 30 year veteran of the fire service, instructor and the training chief for the Midwest City (OK) Fire Department. We discuss his journey into the volunteer fire service, wildland firefighting, firefighter fitness, putting family first, his near career ending medical event, mentorship and so much more. Brian's background spans several states from rural volunteer to metro-sized departments. He has a master’s degree in fire and emergency management, is an EFO, and has Chief Training Officer designation.

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2026

RJ Casey has held numerous roles including as an Army Special Forces Medic, Air Force Pararescueman, Physician's Assistant and Stuntman. We discuss his journey into the military, trauma medicine, education, realism in training, working with Mel Gibson and so much more.RJ has 30+ years of Special Operations experience with the Department of Defense and other government agencies. He has multiple combat tours in countries including Afghanistan, Colombia, Iraq, Pakistan, the Philippines, Somalia, and Syria. RJ is still serving while consulting for corporations, feature film/TV, and other organizations. Like every member of Force Blue, RJ donates time to 501(c)(3) non-profits to help fellow veterans and is committed to the conservation of our amazing oceans.

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2026

Dr Ken Ford is a Navy veteran, former NASA computer scientist and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer Emeritus of the Florida Insitute for Human and Machine Cognition. We discuss his journey into the military, living in Guantanamo Bay, the genesis of computers in the military, the moon landing, exploring Mars, Tier One operators, the firefighter workweek, exoskeletons, sleep for performance and so much more. With campuses in Pensacola and Ocala, IHMC has grown into one of the nation’s premier research organizations with world-class scientists and engineers investigating a broad range of topics related to building technological systems aimed at amplifying and extending human cognition, perception, locomotion and resilience.Dr. Ford is the author of hundreds of scientific papers and six books. Dr. Ford’s research interests include: artificial intelligence, cognitive science, human-centered computing, and entrepreneurship in government and academia. Dr. Ford received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Tulane University. Ford is a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI), a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and a charter Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.Ford has received many awards and honors including the Doctor Honoris Causas from the University of Bordeaux in 2005 and the 2008 Robert Englemore Memorial Award for his work in artificial intelligence. In 2012 Tulane University named Ford its Outstanding Alumnus in the School of Science and Engineering. In 2015, the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence named Dr. Ford the recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Service Award. In 2017 Dr. Ford was inducted into the Florida Inventor’s Hall of Fame.In January 1997, Dr. Ford was asked by NASA to develop and direct its new Center of Excellence in Information Technology at the Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. He served as Associate Center Director and Director of NASA’s Center of Excellence in Information Technology. In July 1999, Dr. Ford was awarded the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal. That same year, Ford returned to private life and to the IHMC.In October of 2002, President George W. Bush nominated Dr. Ford to serve on the National Science Board (NSB) and the United States Senate confirmed his nomination in March of 2003. The NSB is the governing board of the National Science Foundation (NSF) and plays an important role in advising the President and Congress on science policy issues. In 2005, Dr. Ford was appointed and sworn in as a member of the Air Force Science Advisory Board.In 2007, he became a member of the NASA Advisory Council and on October 16, 2008, Dr. Ford was named as Chairman – a capacity in which he served until October 2011. In August 2010, Dr. Ford was awarded NASA’s Distinguished Public Service Medal – the highest honor the agency confers.In February of 2012, Dr. Ford was named to the Defense Science Board (DSB) and in 2013, he became a member of the Advanced Technology Board (ATB) which supports the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). In 2018, Dr. Ford was appointed to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.In 2020, Florida Trend Magazine named Ford one of its Living Legends, a list of all-time influential Florida leaders in business, medicine, academia, entertainment, politics, and sport.

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2026

Mike Wynn is the Director of The Quell Foundation’s First Responder Resilience Project (FRRP), where he leads the development and execution of strategic programming focused on supporting the mental health and well-being of first responders nationwide.A former Chief of Police for the Pittsfield (MA) Police Department, Mike brings nearly 30 years of leadership experience in law enforcement, training, and community engagement. He has served as a use-of-force and defensive tactics instructor, developed department-wide training programs, and was appointed by Governor Charlie Baker as an inaugural commissioner on the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST-C).Mike is deeply passionate about officer wellness and resilience, and throughout his career has championed progressive training, mental health awareness, and leadership development. He is a member of several national law enforcement organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and regularly consults on policy, leadership, and use-of-force standards.Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College. He is also the author of Rising Through the Ranks: Leadership Tools and Tactics for Law Enforcement. He lives in Pittsfield with his wife and their two adopted sons.https://thequellfoundation.org/leadership/mike-wynn/

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2026

Leah Pells is a three time Olympian in athletics, published author of “Not about the medal” and registered clinical counsellor. Leah and runs her own private practice where she mainly works with firefighters. We discuss her own turbulent childhood, catharsis through running, compassionate coaching, burnout in youth athletes, her journey to mental health counseling, sleep deprivation, EMDR and so much more.

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2026

Dan John is an elite athlete, author and revered strength and conditioning coach. We discuss the impact of war on his family, training the youth athlete, physical education, gut biome, rehabilitating the tactical professions and so much more.Dan has spent his life with one foot in the world of lifting and throwing, and the other foot in academia. An All-American discus thrower, Dan has also competed at the highest levels of Olympic lifting, Highland Games and the Weight Pentathlon, an event in which he holds the American record.Dan spends his work life blending weekly workshops and lectures with full-time writing, and is also an online religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri. As a Fulbright Scholar, he toured the Middle East exploring the foundations of religious education systems. Dan is also a Senior Lecturer for St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London.His books, on weightlifting, include Intervention, Never Let Go, Mass Made Simple and Easy Strength, written with Pavel Tsatsouline as well as From Dad, To Grad. He and Josh Hillis co-authored “Fat Loss Happens on Monday.”In 2015, Dan wrote Can You Go? on his approach to assessments and basic training. In addition, Before We Go, another compilation akin to Never Let Go became an Amazon Bestseller.In early 2017, Dan’s book, Now What?, his approach to Performance and dealing with “life,” became a Bestseller on Amazon. Hardstyle Kettlebell Challenge, published also in 2017, focused on the keys to the kettlebell.His most recent book, Attempts, is a collection of short essays for both the professional coach and trainer and the “rest of us.” He is currently working on a new edition of “Easy Strength” with Pavel.

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2026

JD Madden is a retired Deputy Fire Chief, USAR Task Force Leader and Board Member of the SIREN Project. We discuss his journey into the fire service, Hurricane Katrina rescues, the importance of proactive preparedness, recruitment, his powerful mental health story, saving lives with psychedelics and so much more. https://www.thesirenproject.org/

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2026

Rob Sweetman is a former Navy SEAL turned sleep scientist, dedicated to optimizing human performance through the science of sleep. With firsthand experience in high-stakes, sleep-deprived environments, Rob transitioned from special operations to research, earning his MBA and becoming a leading advocate for sleep as a cornerstone of health and readiness.In this second conversation we discuss his perspective on the pandemic, robots in war, sleep as a performance enhancer, suicide in uniform, 62 Romeo, the Ryan Larkin Invitational Adventure Race and so much more. As the founder of Sleep Genius, Rob has pioneered innovative sleep solutions tailored for military personnel, first responders, and high-performance professionals. His work bridges cutting-edge technology with ancient wisdom, integrating biometric monitoring, AI-driven optimization, and behavioral science to enhance sleep quality in extreme conditions.Rob’s expertise extends beyond research—he has advised policymakers, military leaders, and corporate executives on the profound impact of sleep on decision-making, resilience, and longevity. His insights have shaped sleep programs for the military, tactical athletes, and professionals operating in high-risk environments.Rob created the 62romeo sleep program. The initial pilot study was an instant success. Since then Rob and his team have graduated hundreds of students and help thousands of people, primarily Veterans and First-Responders. Rob was named the "Sleep Genius" after helping a cohort of active duty Navy S.E.A.L.s in the 62romeo program. Since then he has taken on private clients for Sleep Coaching and Keynote Speeches.​​Rob spends most of his time Sleep Coaching and empowering others to teach sleep science in their circles. Recently, he acquired Happy Canyon Ranch near Telluride Colorado, where he is hosting retreats to help people get back into balance.https://www.sleepgeni.us/

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2026

Brian McGinnis is a combat Marine, veteran firefighter and politician. In this second conversation we discuss the back story of his vocal protest, the atrocities endured by the Iranian people, government overreach, the importance of moral courage, the dangers of blind nationalism, the West Bank and so much more. Brian graduated from Quincy Senior High School in Illinois in 2000 and left for Marine Corps boot camp just days later. He served as a Light Armored Vehicle Crewman, an infantry role in the United States Marine Corps. During his enlistment he deployed during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 and served four years before receiving an honorable discharge. During his service Brian also competed on the All-Marine boxing team, demonstrating the discipline and determination that continue to guide his life today.Brian is a husband and father of four, and his family is at the center of his life. Like many parents, he understands the challenges of raising a family while working to provide stability and opportunity for the next generation. His experiences at home have strengthened his belief that government should work for ordinary families, not powerful interests.In 2008 Brian moved to North Carolina and became a firefighter in Raleigh. Since then he has spent years protecting families, responding to emergencies, and working alongside fellow firefighters dedicated to public safety. Firefighting reflects the values that guide Brian’s life: teamwork, physical service, and protecting the community he calls home.Brian believes the American political system has become dominated by wealthy donors and powerful interests while ordinary people are left behind. That is why he is running for the United States Senate. His campaign is about bringing integrity, courage, and independent leadership to Washington and building a government that truly serves working people.https://www.gp.org/brian_mcginnis_4_us_senate

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2026

Dr Michael Donato is a podiatrist, athlete and member of O2X. We discuss the evolution of footwear, the affect of improper shoes on the body, barefoot training, tactical footwear and much more.Mike, co-owner of Rappahannock Foot & Ankle Specialists joined the practice in 2002. He obtained his A.B. in Economics from Princeton University in 1986. He graduated as a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from California College of Podiatric Medicine in 1999. He went on to complete a 3 year Podiatric Surgery and Primary Podiatric Medicine Residency Program at Yale-New Haven Hospital - VA Healthcare System in WestHaven, CT. He is a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons; Diplomate of the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery and is Board Certified in Foot, and Rearfoot Reconstructive/Ankle Surgery; Fellow, American Professional Wound Care Association; and a member of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, the American Podiatric Medical Association, and the Virginia Podiatric Medical,Association. As an O2X human performance specialist he provides education regarding footwear selection and gait analysis to first responders, military personnel, elite organizations, and other tactical athletes . He is a regular medical volunteer at the Marine Corps Marathon and the other associated Marine Corps Marathon Race Events. He is a USA Hockey level 4 hockey coach and after years of being a head coach he currently serves as an assistant coach for the Piedmont Predator Youth Hockey Club. He is an avid crossfitter and hockey player who participates in masters crossfit competitions and adult hockey tournaments.

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2026

Chief John Moon was one of America's first pararmedics with Pittsburgh's Freedom House, ultimately retiring as the Assistant Chief of Pittsburg EMS. We discuss the tragedies that peppered his childhood, the origin story of the Freedom House, the tragedy behind modern CPR, systemic racism, organisational betray, the power of mentorship and so much more. John Moon began his EMS career in 1972 with Freedom House Ambulance, after seeing the impressive crews in action while he was working as an orderly in a local hospital. After completing the necessary training on his own, he was hired by Freedom House and changed the course of his life. Mr. Moon demonstrated his competence and determination at his new-found calling and was selected by Dr. Peter Safar to be the first medic to perform endotracheal intubation on patients in surgery. After succeeding on his first attempt in the operating room, Moon went on to perform what is believed to be the nation’s first intubation in the field by a paramedic. When the City of Pittsburgh ended its contract with Freedom House in 1975 and instituted its own ambulance service, Moon was one of the few Freedom House paramedics who successfully made (and endured) the transition. Despite their experience and demonstrated success, the Freedom House paramedics were required to undergo periodic written testing and ride as the third person on a crew with less experienced EMS clinicians during their transition to the newly formed city ambulance service.During his time at Pittsburgh EMS, Moon became a certified master scuba diver, the first and only African American in Pittsburgh Public Safety to acquire this certification. He progressed through the ranks and developed Pittsburgh EMS’s first diversity recruitment program. One of Moon’s hires was Amera Gilchrist who in 2023 became Pittsburgh’s first African American EMS Chief and first woman in that role. John Moon retired as Assistant Chief of Pittsburgh EMS in 2009 after 34 years of service.John Moon spent his early life in Atlanta, relocating to Pittsburgh during his high school years to live with family members following his parents’ deaths. He continues to reside in Pittsburgh with his wife with whom he shares five adult children. Moon now dedicates much of his time in retirement to ensuring the history of Freedom House Ambulance is not forgotten. He travels the country speaking at Black history events and EMS conferences, as well as book signing tours with author Kevin Hazzard who featured Moon in his 2022 book American Sirens. Most recently, he was an invited guest at President Biden’s State of the Union address in 2024.

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2026

Gregory Menvielle is an IT Veteran and co-founder of the mental wellness platform Okaya. We discuss his childhood in France, the evolution of the internet, the global mental health crisis, using AI to proactively assess mental health, forging performance, firefighter health, wearables and so much more.Greg Menvielle is CEO of Okaya (SmartTec Inc.), an AI-powered readiness platform whose AI, Sanora, conducts multimodal check-ins — analyzing voice, facial cues, and language — to generate readiness scores across cognitive, physical, and emotional dimensions. Okaya serves first responders, Department of Defense personnel, and clinical populations, and holds a U.S. Air Force SBIR Phase II contract with active Air Force Reserve deployments. Greg has spoken at Mobile World Congress and multiple Intel Innovators Program conferences, and previously wrote about the European tech scene for RudeBaguette. He holds an MA in ancient languages from the University of Chicago and a BA in economics from UCLA — a path he credits with teaching him to decode complex systems, whether Hieroplyphics or software.https://www.okaya.me/firefighters-readiness?utm_source=james

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2026

John P. East Jr. is a Critical Care Flight Paramedic and the Co-Founder and Chief of Staff of The Incomologists, a firm focused on protecting the income and families of clinicians, EMS, and fire service professionals. Raised in Homestead, Florida, by a nurse and a firefighter/boat mechanic, John’s childhood was steeped in adventure - exploring the Florida Everglades, fishing, surfing, and life outdoors. Experiences that shaped his work ethic and perspective.John has served in EMS since 2010, with experience spanning Paramedic in rescue units and ER roles, quality assurance, flight medicine, and clinical leadership. Over time, he’s seen firsthand the cumulative effects of shift work, trauma exposure, poor sleep, and chronic stress on those who serve. These experiences reshaped his understanding of leadership and purpose beyond the bedside.Today, John finds deep fulfillment in leadership and advocacy, firmly believing leadership is not derived from a title, but from daily actions. Through his work with The Incomologists, he is driven by a mission to prevent the financial devastation that too often follows injury, illness, or loss within clinician and first responder families. Every major decision he makes is guided by a single priority: protecting time, presence, and life with his wife and best friend.https://theincomologists.com/

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2026

Craig Davidson is a Hawaiian lifeguard, waterman and stuntman. We discuss his journey into lifeguarding, rescues and losses, the importance of humility, fitness, entering the stunt world, set safety, rigging and much more.

Transcribed - Published: 28 March 2026

This is one of the most powerful conversations I've recorded to date! In 1997, police officer Tom Morgan was shot in the head by eighteen year old gang member Jason Samuel. What followed was an incredible journey of post traumatic growth and forgiveness that will move you to tears.We discuss Toms' journey into law enforcement, SWAT operations, his rehabilitation after the shooting, Jason's parole hearing, Tom's wife's powerful mental health story, healing through forgiveness and so much more.Tom began his 50+ year career in public service in 1975 working for a small rural ambulance company in the Eastern Sierras of California. He had just graduated from High School and gotten his EMT certificate that summer. After working as an EMT for a few years in May 1981, he helped found the first paramedic program in eastern Kern County California after attending Daniel Freeman Paramedic School in Los Angeles. The following year Tom moved to Bakersfield California where he worked as a paramedic and paramedic trainer until January 1984, when he was hired by the Kern County Sheriff's Office. Tom worked as a Deputy and Senior Deputy Sheriff from 1984 to February 2000, when he was medically retired after being shot in the neck while attempting to arrest a 17-year-old gang member. When Tom was shot, he was in his 3rd year of law school, after finishing law school and passing the BAR he left the Sheriff’s Office, and went to work as an attorney for Kern County Counsel where he worked for 17 years before leaving County service in March 2017. As a Deputy Sheriff Tom worked for 3 years in the jail and 14 years in Bakersfield Metro Patrol. He also worked assignments in bicycle patrol, SWAT. Tom was also a Field Training Officer and provided officer safety instruction for the Basic Academy. As an attorney Tom was staff counsel for various county departments, including the Sheriff's Office, the District Attorney, Probation, Coroner, Public Administrator and as trial counsel for child dependency matters.Presently Tom works for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Legal Affairs as a Attorney IV for their Employment Advocacy and Prosecution Team.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2026

Rob Jones lost both legs after an IED explosion whilst serving as an Engineer with the Marines. Refusing to let his injuries define him, Rob became an elite athlete competing as a rower in the Paralympics. Rob's latest adventure saw him completing 31 marathons in 31 days. We talk about adaptive athletics, mental trauma, his charitable ventures and much more.Rob Jones is a retired US Marine, combat leader, and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front. He spent five years in the Marine Corps, with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan.As a Combat Engineer, Rob specialized in finding hidden Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the enemy’s most deadly weapons. On a mission in July of 2010, while executing an IED sweep, Rob stepped on an IED, which resulted in double above knee amputations of his legs. He spent the next year and a half in physical therapy before retiring from the Marine Corps in 2011. Upon his retirement, Rob was forced to adapt to a new way of being a leader. To do this, he turned to the world of sports.In 2012, he competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, England, bringing home a bronze medal in rowing. In 2013, he became the first double above knee amputee to ride a bicycle across the United States, riding 5,181 miles from Bar Harbor, Maine to Camp Pendleton, California. In 2017, he ran 31 marathons in 31 consecutive days in 31 different cities.Throughout this journey, Rob has relied upon the principles taught at Echelon Front to turn the darkest moment of his life into a life of impact—more meaningful than he ever could have expected. Rob now brings his experience to Echelon Front to help teams of people take Extreme Ownership and overcome the challenges they face in business and in life.

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2026

Dr. Pamela Kryskow is the medical lead for the Roots To Thrive Program. She is a founding board member of the Psychedelic Association of Canada and the medical chair of the Vancouver Island University Post Graduate Certificate in Psychedelic Medicine assisted Therapy. Pam is also a a clinical instructor at UBC and adjunct professor at VIU.Dr Kryskow is actively involved in research related to psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, front line health care workers and first responders mental wellness. She is co-investigator on the largest microdosing study Microdose.me which is ongoing with 22,000+ enrolled participants.Prior to studying medicine she was a City of Coquitlam Firefighter for 8 years and provincial forestry firefighter for 4 seasons.Phil Danes is a co-founder, the Lead of Operations and playlist curator (soundscapes that guide psychedelic journeys) for the Roots to Thrive Society for Psychedelic Therapy. Phil is a graduate of Vancouver Island University’s Psychedelic assisted Therapy Graduate Certificate program and alumni of the Positive Deviants program through the Wolf Willow InstitutePhil is passionate about men’s health and the cultivation of environments that promote emotional awareness and expression. He has a keen interest in the intersection of music and psychedelic-assisted therapies and the creation of different playlists to use during therapeutic sessions.

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2026

Chad Robichaux is a former police office, Recon Marine and the Author of "Saving Aziz". Azizullah Aziz is an Afghani interpreter assigned to Chad as part of a unique JSOC Task Force team.We discuss their respective childhoods, fleeing the Taliban as a young man, Chad's career call as a police officer, some of the heroism from our Afghan allies, the travesty that was the Afghan withdrawal, how Chad's team of veterans liberated thousands of our allies, their powerful mental health stories and much more.Aziz was more than an interpreter for Force Recon Marine Chad Robichaux during Chad's eight deployments to Afghanistan. He was a teammate, brother, and friend. More than once, Aziz saved Chad's life. And then he needed Chad to save his.When President Joe Biden announced in April 2021 that the United States would be making a hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, Robichaux knew he had to get Aziz and his family out before Taliban forces took over the country. As the rescue team he'd pulled together began to go to work, they became aware of thousands more--US citizens, Afghan allies, women, and children--facing persecution or death if they were not saved from the Taliban's terrorist regime. Chad began leading the charge that would go on to rescue 17,000 evacuees within a few short weeks--12,000 of them within the first ten days.This gripping account of two heroes and a daring mission puts human hearts and names alongside the headlines of one of the most harrowing moments in our history, giving you a closer look at:The resilience of Afghanistan and its peopleChad's direct interactions with the TalibanThe twenty-year war that took place under four presidentsSaving Aziz is a story of war and rescue. It is a story of a mission accomplished and work still to be done. It is a story of how looking into a stranger's eyes breaks down prejudice and apathy--and why risking it all is worth it when it comes to loving one another.

Transcribed - Published: 21 March 2026

A renowned speaker, and bestselling author, Dr. Gabor Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics including addiction, stress and childhood development.Rather than offering quick-fix solutions to these complex issues, Dr. Maté weaves together scientific research, case histories, and his own insights and experience to present a broad perspective that enlightens and empowers people to promote their own healing and that of those around them.After 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, Dr. Maté worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. Dr. Maté has written several bestselling books, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction; When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress; and Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder. He is also the co-author of Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers and The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture.

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2026

Morgan Englund's life has been nothing short of a wild ride. He first gained widespread recognition as an actor for his portrayal of Dylan Lewis on CBS's Guiding Light. But, his passion for serving others led him to become a firefighter/paramedic for the city of Los Angeles, a role in which he served with distinction.Since leaving the fire department, Morgan has embarked on a new journey, choosing to focus his attention on healing through music, public speaking and sound meditation. Through this work, he hopes to heal himself and others overcome past trauma and the debilitating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. Morgan's willingness to explore unconventional paths to healing is a testament to his ongoing commitment to lifting others and making a positive impact on the world.Morgan Englund is a 2× TEDx speaker, former firefighter/paramedic, and cultural change leader committed to reducing firefighter suicide and mental health injuries through meaningful cultural reform. His work is grounded in a sobering reality: firefighters are three times more likely to die by suicide than to be killed in the line of duty. After more than two decades in the fire service, Morgan understands the toughness, compartmentalization, and endurance the job demands. He also witnessed the cost of a culture that never teaches how to stand down—losing friends and colleagues to suicide, burnout, and despair. Morgan didn’t just survive that environment; he did the work to heal from it without losing his edge. Today, Morgan speaks to firefighters, leaders, and organizations about completing the culture they already value—honoring toughness while adding the missing skills of recovery, integrity, and connection. His talks are practical, grounded, and firefighter-credible, focused on outcomes that matter: fewer mental health injuries, reduced sick time, improved quality of life, and lives saved. This work exists for one reason: to protect the people who protect everyone else—by changing the culture that’s quietly costing them their lives.https://morganenglund.com/about

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2026

Tim Spradlin is the director and EAGALA Certified Equine Specialist for Finally Home Farm, a 501c3 nonprofit charity providing equine therapies to veterans and first responders with emotional wounds near Xenia, Ohio. He and his wife Susan provide support services to wounded warriors at no charge.Tim is retired from a 40 plus year civilian career as a firefighter, paramedic and law enforcement officer. He also served in the US Air Force on active duty in Crash - Fire – Rescue and later retired from the USAF Reserve where he was a SMSgt / First Sergeant with the Security Forces squadron.Tim is a certified Community Service Chaplain, certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist and volunteers as the Chaplain for Xenia Township Fire Department. He is a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2402, and is the Chaplain for the Ohio VFW 3rd District.

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2026

Jennifer Eskew is a former Virginia State Trooper, a retired ATF Senior Special Agent, Author, and subject matter expert in undercover operations, fire and explosion origin and cause determinations and criminal investigations involving the violent crimes of arson and bombings, armed career criminals, and financial fraud. We discuss her journey into Law Enforcement, joining the ATF, the worldwide cost of tobacco use, the failure of drug prohibition, her powerful mental health story, corporate greed and so much more. Her debut memoir, Becoming Fire—featuring a foreword by Detective Lt. Joe Kenda of Homicide Hunter and American Detective—invites readers into the hidden world of those who run toward danger when everyone else runs away.​From her beginnings in a small Virginia farming town to a groundbreaking career in policing, Eskew’s journey has been shaped by a lifelong calling to protect, serve, and seek truth. The spark was lit early—when, as a six-year-old girl, she witnessed the aftermath of a violent crime that nearly took the lives of her family and neighbors. That moment ignited a determination that would carry her through decades of service, countless investigations, and personal sacrifice.​Through Becoming Fire, Jennifer brings a rare, insider’s perspective to the realities of law enforcement—balancing the adrenaline of the job with the emotional toll of bearing witness to humanity at its worst. Her story reveals the heart behind the badge, exploring not just what it takes to stand on the thin blue line, but why some are called to do so.Today, Jennifer continues her mission beyond the uniform—sharing her experiences through writing, speaking engagements, and advocacy for those who serve. Her voice honors the fallen, uplifts the living, and reminds us that true bravery isn’t the absence of fear—it’s walking through it with purpose.https://www.jenniferclarkeeskew.com/

Transcribed - Published: 14 March 2026

Jason Khalipa is a former Crossfit Games champion, author and the founder of NCFIT. We discuss Sandlot Jax, jiujitsu and fitness, his journey into Crossfit, overcoming distractions, training the tactical athlete, his daughter's powerful cancer story and so much more.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2026

Owen McCLung-Sitnam is a veteran helicopter pilot and the founder of Helicopters Without Borders. We discuss his journey into aviation, his father's service, fighting wildfires, wilderness medicine, Canada's First Nations, his non-profit and so much more.Owen McClung-Sitnam is a helicopter captain who holds a commercial and airline transport pilot license in Canada and the USA. Accumulating over 3,000 flying hours, primarily fighting forest fires across Canada and flying air ambulance missions up and down British-Columbia’s coast. His experience instilled in him a passion for the power of community support through aviation. Owen also featured in the Top 40 under 40 for Helicopters magazine in their 2021 edition. Owen studied sustainability in the past and is finishing his Master of Business Administration degree at Royal Roads University. Before embarking into ASF and HWB, Owen headed Business Development for a charter company in Alberta.https://helicopterswithoutborders.org/

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2026

For the past 29 years Andrea has worked for the Department of Defense including the Marine Corps, Marine Special Operations Command, the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, and at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health at the University of Colorado.She grew up in the south of Chile and in the hills of the Andes mountains. From childhood, she learned the value of traditional medicine through observing her grandparents perform traditional healing rituals. Her knowledge is drawn from traditional educational institutions in the US as well as mentors from the Lakota community and Mexican healers.Andrea specializes in the holistic treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. As an advocate for integrated medicine and a holistic approach to healing, her experiences include trauma sensitive yoga, tai chi, meditation, mind body medicine, shamanic healing, and martial arts. She has been featured in several publications, including the National Journal, U.S. Medicine: The Voice of Federal Medicine, FIGHT magazine, and recently in the New York Times paper for her work on post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.https://www.thesirenproject.org/

Transcribed - Published: 8 March 2026