Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show

Send us Fan Mail Green Beret Dave Kenney survived more than two decades in U.S. Army Special Forces, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. But the fight that nearly killed him came after the uniform. After years of combat, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and struggling with alcohol, Dave found himself drinking two fifths of vodka a day. His marriage ended, his relationship with his children suffered, and his health deteriorated to the point that doctors told him there was little more they could do. He was sent home to die. He didn't. In this episode of Not Special's Americana Series: Montana , Dave joins Herb and Corrie Thompson for a deeply personal conversation about combat, addiction, suicide, fatherhood, faith, military transition, and rebuilding a life after hitting rock bottom. Dave shares what finally changed, how he found his way back to his children, and why he now helps other veterans facing their darkest moments. They also discuss the loss of identity after military service, the courage it takes to ask for help, and why sometimes the heaviest thing in the world is a cell phone. This isn't a story about a broken veteran. It's a story about a man who found a reason to keep living. About the Americana Series: Montana Herb and Corrie traveled to Montana for five conversations about service, family, failure, purpose, and the experiences that shape who we become. Follow Not Special on Apple Podcasts for more conversations about the extraordinary stories found in ordinary people. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988. Veterans can call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line. Series Partners: GOVX, loanDepot, Alliance Nationwide Exposition, and Bellator Recruiting Academy.

Send us Fan Mail The Army botched Cameron Cushman’s surgery. What followed changed nearly every part of his life. Cameron Cushman is an Army veteran, Afghanistan veteran, filmmaker, and documentary producer whose life changed after a surgery at Fort Hood led to years of serious medical complications. Cameron shares his experience with military medical care, gastroparesis, chronic illness, anxiety, veteran mental health, and being told he might never work again. But that isn’t where his story ends. In this episode of The Not Special Show’s Americana Series – Montana, Cameron sits down with Herb and Corrie Thompson to talk about serving in the U.S. Army, deploying to Afghanistan, his medical journey after Fort Hood, leadership, resilience, personal growth , becoming a filmmaker, fatherhood, mental health, and refusing to let his circumstances define him. Cameron also takes us behind the scenes of *Break In Case of War*, his upcoming military documentary, and explains why he believes filmmaking and veteran storytelling can make a real difference. This is a conversation about military service, adversity, family, filmmaking, and what happens when the life you expected disappears and you have to build something new. The Americana Series - Montana was made possible with the support of our partners: GOVX https://www.govx.com/ , loanDepot https://www.loandepot.com/home-loans/va-loan , Alliance Nationwide Exposition https://alliance-exposition.com/ , and Bellator Recruiting Academy https://www.bellatorrecruiting.org/ . We’re grateful to each of them for believing in what we’re building and helping us bring these stories to life. Follow Not Special as Herb and Corrie Thompson travel to Montana to share five very different American stories.

Send us Fan Mail Andy Stumpf spent more than 17 years as a Navy SEAL, served with SEAL Team Six, became a record-setting wingsuit pilot, entrepreneur, author and host of the Cleared Hot podcast. But those are things he’s done. They aren’t who he is. For the first episode of The Americana Series: Montana, we traveled to sit down with Andy for a conversation about identity, failure, leadership, marriage, fatherhood and what happens when the life you built your identity around begins to disappear. Andy talks about nearly losing his Trident early in his career, leaving the SEAL Teams after being injured, the difference between good and bad leadership, and why tying your identity too closely to your occupation can make moving on so difficult. He also opens up about divorce, raising children, building businesses, finding happiness, moving his family to Montana and why he tries not to measure his life by accomplishments. When we ask Andy what he values most in life, his answer is immediate: truth. That leads to a candid discussion about Roberts Ridge, John Chapman, the Medal of Honor, the Rangers who fought on Takur Ghar, and Andy’s years-long effort to understand what happened on that mountain. This is Andy Stumpf beyond the résumé. The Americana Series: Montana - Episode One. Follow Not Special as Herb and Corrie Thompson travel across Montana sharing five very different American stories.

Send us Fan Mail They called her the “Angel of Death.” Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Allison Black spent more than 32 years serving her country, but her path to becoming a special operations aviator was anything but planned. She began her career as an enlisted SERE specialist before becoming an officer and eventually flying AC-130 gunships with Air Force Special Operations Command. After September 11, 2001, Allison deployed to Central Asia and flew combat missions over Afghanistan. Working alongside U.S. Special Forces and Afghan forces, her voice over the radio and the firepower of the AC-130 helped create a story that would follow her for decades: the “Angel of Death.” But this conversation is about much more than a nickname. Allison joins Herb and Corrie Thompson to talk about earning credibility in the special operations community, failure, leadership, command, marriage and raising a family while serving, and the responsibility of bringing people home. She also talks about why she spent years uncomfortable with the “Angel of Death” story—and what it was like to retire after more than three decades in uniform and figure out who Allison Black was without it. This is a conversation about service, identity, leadership, family, and learning to let your actions speak for you. Learn more about Allison Black and booking her to speak at LibertySpeaks.com.

Send us Fan Mail We came to Montana to share five great stories. We ended up getting a lot more. The Americana Series: Montana takes Not Special on the road for five conversations with Andy Stumpf, Cameron Cushman, Dave Kenney, Nic McKinley, and Aaron Todd. These are stories about service, identity, family, adversity, purpose, and what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan. Five people. Five very different journeys. One place that gave us the space to slow down and hear their stories. The Americana Series: Montana begins October 1, with a new episode every Thursday on Not Special. Made possible with support from LoanDepot, GOVX, Alliance Nationwide Exposition, and Bellator Recruiting Academy.

Send us Fan Mail Harrison Bernstein left a path in the NFL to build Soldiers To Sidelines, a nonprofit helping veterans, service members, military spouses, and Gold Star families find purpose and community through coaching. But Harrison's story didn't start with the military. Long before founding Soldiers To Sidelines, Harrison was a college football player whose identity was wrapped up in the game. When the clock ran out on his final college football game, he wasn't ready for it to end. Years later, after working in the NFL with the Washington Redskins and receiving another opportunity with the New York Jets, Harrison faced a different decision: keep chasing the NFL or build something that could impact thousands of lives. He chose the latter. In this episode of Not Special with Herb & Corrie Thompson, Harrison talks about football, coaching, identity, purpose, mental health, leadership, and why great coaches can change the trajectory of someone's life. We talk about: • The emotional final play of Harrison's college football career • How losing the identity of "football player" affected him • Getting hired by Joe Gibbs and working in the NFL • The day Sean Taylor challenged him to a race • Why Harrison ultimately walked away from an opportunity with the New York Jets • How Soldiers To Sidelines started with six people at Walter Reed • Helping veterans and military families become character-based sports coaches • Depression, isolation, community, and finding purpose • Why Harrison believes coaching can be an upstream solution • NIL, college athletics, and tying identity to money and performance • The role Harrison's wife, Laura, played in building Soldiers To Sidelines • What makes a great coach on the field and in life Today, Soldiers To Sidelines has trained thousands of coaches and continues creating pathways into youth, high school, college, and professional sports. Harrison's story isn't really about football. It's about what happens when something you've built your identity around ends and how finding a new way to contribute can change everything. Not Special is a Liberty Speaks show hosted by Herb & Corrie Thompson. Real people. Real stories. Real growth. Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the September GOVX Give Back supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund https://nleomf.org/ and Concerns of Police Survivors https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors... Both are doing incredible work to honor those we lost and support those left behind. #SoldiersToSidelines #Veterans #NFL #Coaching

Send us Fan Mail Vic Minella was a Navy intelligence officer assigned to the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. His office, the Navy Command Center, was directly hit in the 9/11 terrorist attack. Vic wasn't there that morning. Several of his shipmates were. That day changed the course of his life and launched decades of work in Navy intelligence, counterterrorism, clandestine and covert operations support, and eventually senior leadership inside the Pentagon. In this episode of Not Special, Vic Minella takes us from growing up in a tiny Mississippi town to enlisting in the U.S. Navy, becoming a Navy corpsman, earning his commission, and entering Naval Intelligence. Vic shares what it was like watching the 9/11 attacks unfold from home, learning that his Pentagon office had been hit, losing friends and colleagues, and carrying survivor's guilt in the years that followed. He also takes us inside the largely unseen world of national security and counterterrorism—work that ultimately contributed to preventing hundreds of terrorist attacks and protecting American service members around the world. We talk about: • Growing up in rural Mississippi • Enlisting in the Navy and becoming a corpsman • Becoming a Naval Intelligence officer • Where Vic was on September 11, 2001 • Losing his shipmates in the Pentagon attack • Survivor's guilt and the aftermath of 9/11 • Returning to work as America prepared for war • Supporting counterterrorism and special operations missions • The team credited with helping stop 600+ terrorist attacks • Rising from enlisted sailor to Senior Executive Service • The critical role of civilians in national security • Leadership, family, sacrifice and the cost of high-tempo work • Finding purpose after decades of government service Vic's story is also a reminder of how many people serve this country without ever wearing a uniform and how much of America's national security work happens far from public view. From a town of roughly 300 people in Mississippi to some of the highest levels of the Pentagon, this is a story about service, loss, opportunity, leadership and what happens when an ordinary person is given an extraordinary opportunity. #September11 #911 #Pentagon #NotSpecial Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the September GOVX Give Back supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund https://nleomf.org/ and Concerns of Police Survivors https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/ Both are doing incredible work to honor those we lost and support those left behind. Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail JoAnne Bass, the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to serve as the U.S. Air Force’s highest-ranking enlisted leader, never planned on making the military a career. She joined for the GI Bill, expected to serve four years, and jokes that she reenlisted because she still had a Honda Civic to pay for. Thirty-one years later, she retired after reaching the highest enlisted position in the United States Air Force. In this episode of Not Special, JoAnne Bass sits down with Herb and Corrie Thompson for a candid conversation about her unlikely journey from a young Airman to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, leadership at the highest levels, marriage and family, military service, social media and misinformation, and what happens when the title you've carried for decades suddenly disappears. Bass shares the story of getting the call that she had been selected as the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, becoming the first woman to hold the position, and suddenly finding herself at the center of national attention. She also opens up about the side of leadership most people never see: criticism, online attacks, the pressure of leading during a rapidly changing information environment, and why leaders can no longer confuse the chain of command with the chain of communication. But this conversation isn't just about rank or military leadership. JoAnne talks about growing up as an Army brat, meeting her Army husband Ron at Smoke Bomb Hill, raising two daughters while both parents served demanding military careers, navigating deployments, and learning how to intentionally reconnect after retirement. She also explains why some people struggle when they leave the military or any major career and their identity has become inseparable from their title. Throughout the conversation, JoAnne returns to a simple philosophy she learned from her mother: Do your job and do it well. From a four-year enlistment to 31 years of service, JoAnne Bass's story is ultimately about service, leadership, family, resilience, identity, and using whatever position you have to make a difference. In this episode: • Why JoAnne Bass originally joined the U.S. Air Force • The Honda Civic that helped convince her to reenlist • When military service became something bigger than a GI Bill • Becoming the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force • What it meant to become the first woman in the position • Leading through COVID and an evolving information environment • Social media, misinformation, trolls, and deepfakes • Why leaders need to rethink communication • Leading five generations in today's workforce • Marriage, children, deployments, and dual-military life • Why retirement and identity can be such a difficult transition • Finding purpose after taking off the uniform • The leadership philosophy JoAnne still carries today ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why JoAnne Is Special 01:19 Growing Up an Army Brat 03:36 Why Jo Joined the Air Force 04:58 The Honda Civic That Kept Her in the Military 07:03 She Once Said She’d Become the First Female CMSAF 10:39 GOVX 11:44 Meeting Her Husband at Fort Bragg 14:18 Marriage, Kids & Five Deployments 17:46 Learning to “Get Along on Purpose” 19:20 Becoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force 21:42 “You Made the Right Damn Decision” 22:13 The Gut Punch of Online Hate 25:14 Trolls, Misinformation & the Information War 30:48 Deepfakes & the $15,000 JoAnne Bass Scam 33:40 The Pentagon Assignment She Didn’t Want 37:12 “Do Your Job and Do It Well” 41:54 Chain of Command vs. Chain of Communication 46:12 What Retirement Really Felt Like 52:04 When Your Identity Is Tied to Your Title 55:20 Finding a New Way to Serve 56:01 Operation Military Move https://a.co/d/0fbKz29T 59:50 Jo’s Three Rules for Life After Service 1:02:57 The Audience Jo Most Wants to Reach 1:04:25 From “I Never Want to Speak Again” to the National Archives 1:08:40 What Jo Values Most in Life Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the September GOVX Give Back supports the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund https://nleomf.org/ and Concerns of Police Survivors https://www.concernsofpolicesurvivors.org/ Both are doing incredible work to honor those we lost and support those left behind. 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail Marc Andersen, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller, helps oversee roughly $200 billion in U.S. Army resources with one overriding mission: making sure America’s warfighters have what they need to fight and win. In this episode of the Not Special Show, Marc takes us inside the Pentagon and the enormous responsibility behind managing the U.S. Army budget, funding military readiness, navigating Congress, supporting defense innovation, and preparing soldiers for both today's threats and the future fight. But this conversation goes far beyond defense spending. Marc shares the unlikely path that took him from growing up in small towns and a log cabin in Idaho to senior leadership in business and ultimately one of the most consequential civilian positions in the U.S. Army. He also opens up about growing up with hearing loss and a speech impediment and the teacher who challenged him to stop hiding what he was capable of. That lesson became part of a larger philosophy Marc has carried throughout his career: get comfortable being uncomfortable, do good work, treat people well, and don't assume your path will be linear. Marc's career certainly wasn't. Before joining the Army, he co-founded a software company, became a senior leader at EY, helped build its government business, and worked in venture capital. He once thought he might become U.S. Ambassador to Denmark. Instead, a call from Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll ultimately led him to the Pentagon. Marc also talks candidly about leadership, marriage, raising grounded kids, faith, friendship, public service, political division, and why relationships built on trust matter more than transactions. We get into: *What managing a roughly $200 billion Army budget actually means *How Army funding affects the individual soldier *The Pentagon, Congress, budgets, audits, and defense spending Military readiness, lethality, technology, and the future fight *Why Marc believes America's military should always have overwhelming advantage *His unexpected path from the private sector to public service *Growing up with hearing loss and a speech impediment *Why discomfort can be one of life's greatest opportunities for growth *Building relationships based on trust instead of transactions *His 35-year marriage and the importance of family and faith *Raising successful but grounded children *Why Marc believes Americans agree on far more than our politics suggest *The responsibility each generation carries to preserve American liberty ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Marc is Special 04:01 Growing Up in Rural Idaho 10:48 Marriage, Family & 35 Years Together 13:44 Raising Grounded Kids in a Successful Family 23:38 Blessed to Live in America 25:10 Overcoming Hearing Loss & a Speech Impediment 26:12 The Teacher Who Changed Marc’s Life 27:54 GOVX 31:00 From EY & Venture Capital to the Pentagon 34:58 It’s About People, Relationships and Trust 37:30 The Long Road to a Presidential Appointment 39:56 Managing the U.S. Army’s $200 Billion Budget 41:30 How the U.S. Army Decides Where the Money Goes 47:11 Will the U.S. Army Pass Its Audit? 51:01 America’s Adversaries & Peace Through Strength 54:01 Why America’s Political Division Worries Marc 01:01:25 Faith, Family, Friendship & Freedom Marc describes these government roles as temporary projects rather than lifetime appointments. His question is simple: What can we get done with the time we have? That idea runs through this entire conversation. Do good work. Treat people well. Serve something bigger than yourself. And don't be surprised when life takes you somewhere you never planned to go. Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the August GOVX Give Back supports the Travis Manion Foundation. 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail What does it mean to become a Gold Star Family? How do you move forward after losing a Navy SEAL son in combat? In this powerful episode of The Not Special Show, former Navy pilot Tom Feeks and registered nurse Ginny Feeks share the story of their son, Navy SEAL Patrick "Pat" Feeks, their daughter Regina Feeks, a Navy officer and physician assistant, and the journey of faith, family, military service, and resilience after unimaginable loss. This conversation explores life in a military family, deployments, raising children while serving, the realities of combat, and what it means to honor a fallen warrior while continuing to live with purpose. If you're interested in Navy SEAL stories, Gold Star families, military life, veteran stories, Special Operations, leadership, and overcoming grief, this is a conversation you won't forget. Tom and Ginny don't consider themselves special. After listening, you will. In this episode: * The life and legacy of Navy SEAL Patrick Feeks * Becoming Gold Star parents * Tom's 28-year career as a U.S. Navy pilot * Ginny's career as a registered nurse and military spouse * Raising children through military moves and deployments * What families experience while loved ones are deployed * The phone call that changed everything * Faith, resilience, and finding purpose after loss * Lessons every parent can learn from * Why service continues long after the uniform comes off ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:24 Why Tom & Ginny Feeks Are Special 02:38 Tom's Journey to Becoming a Navy Pilot 05:59 Ginny's Nursing Career & Military Life 10:46 Navigating a Career as a Military Spouse 14:08 GOVX 15:45 Courtship Before the Internet at the Naval Academy 25:28 Going Home to a Controlling Dad 29:24 Raising Kids and Balancing Careers Around the World 33:54 Signs of a Navy SEAL as a Child 39:51 GI Joe in Real Life 42:48 Two Kids Deployed 47:16 Having a Daughter Deployed to Combat 49:26 OPSEC 52:12 Funny Navy Story Drinking at a Brothel 53:50 The Phone Call No Parent Wants, Outside of Protocol 1:00:57 Becoming Gold Star Parents 1:07:12 Humor in the Worst Moments of Grief 1:11:40 Overloaded With Admin Tasks 1:16:17 A Moment of Clarity in the Loss 1:18:15 Leadership is Showing You Care 1:20:39 What Helped Them Get Through the Tragedy 1:25:50 Navy SEAL Saves Green Beret’s Life 1:30:46 When She Knew It Would Be OK 1:35:26 Questioning Himself Teaching Military Officers 1:38:59 Lessons on Grief, Family & Purpose 1:53:07 Honoring the Pat Feeks Legacy 2:08:04 Impact of Kids Reading Young 2:11:42 Top Secret Story 2:15:15 What they value most in life Links mentioned in this episode: Fundraiser: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-frogs-wine-tasting-to-benefit-the-navy-seal-foundation-tickets-1990181159422 Fields of Athenry: https://fieldsofathenryfarm.com Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the August GOVX Give Back supports the Travis Manion Foundation. 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail How does a Green Beret become a private equity executive, business leader, and president of a multimillion-dollar company? In this episode of The Not Special Show, former Green Beret Prescott Engle shares the incredible journey from getting kicked out of college to earning the Green Beret, serving during the Cold War in Central America, walking away from the CIA, building a successful career in insurance, private equity, and business leadership, and ultimately leading Alliance Nationwide Exposition. Prescott opens up about the lessons that shaped him: resilience, leadership under pressure, overcoming failure, raising eight children, making difficult career transitions, and why success starts with serving others. Whether you're a veteran, entrepreneur, business leader, or someone navigating life's next chapter, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom and unforgettable stories. In this episode, we discuss: * Getting kicked out of college—and the conversation that changed his life * Earning the Green Beret and surviving Special Forces training * The instructor who tried to make him quit * Cold War missions in Central America * Why he turned down a career with the CIA * Building a successful career in insurance and private equity * Leadership lessons from the military that apply to business * The importance of mentorship and earning confidence * Raising eight children and building a lasting marriage * Why education and intelligence are not the same thing ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Prescott is Special 01:43 Growing Up Wild & Burning Down a Cornfield 05:03 Getting Kicked Out of College 07:53 What He Told Himself on the Way to Boot Camp 10:08 The Green Beret Recruiting Pitch 12:42 Special Forces Selection Begins 18:22 "I'm Going to Make You Quit" 26:46 Earning the Green Beret 28:02 GOVX 28:36 Life in 7th Special Forces Group 31:03 Cold War Missions in Central America 35:17 Leadership Lessons from Special Forces 36:57 Education is Not a Relative Indicator of Intelligence 40:22 Why He Turned Down the CIA 42:55 Starting Over in Insurance 46:25 The Sales Lesson That Changed Everything 48:20 Meeting His Wife & Building a Family 51:03 Liberty Speaks 52:06 From Business Consultant to Company President 57:55 A Lesson From Desert Storm 01:01:40 Surprises in the Industry 01:05:47 Changes in the Events Industry 01:07:27 Business Need to Read the Room 01:09:16 Balancing Business and Family 01:10:29 “I Was a Shit Father” 01:15:09 Finding Your Tribe 01:17:39 Getting From and Giving to the Army 01:19:17 What he Would Tell his Younger Self 01:25:24 What He Values Most in Life Prescott's story is a reminder that your biggest setback doesn't have to define you. The discipline, humility, and perseverance that carried him through Special Forces became the same principles that helped him succeed in business and life. Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the July GOVX Give Back supports Mission 22.

Send us Fan Mail Josh Martin seemed to be living the dream. A West Point graduate, 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers) helicopter pilot, and one of the Army's elite aviators, Josh had accomplished nearly every goal he'd set for himself. Then a devastating motorcycle accident changed everything. After spending months in the hospital, enduring numerous surgeries, ultimately losing his leg, and fighting to return to the cockpit, Josh was forced to redefine success, purpose, and identity. His journey eventually led him through Vanderbilt's MBA program, a career at McKinsey & Company, and ultimately to discovering that family, resilience, and purpose can take forms we never expect. In this episode, Josh shares what it takes to overcome adversity, adapt when life doesn't go according to plan, and keep moving forward when every path you imagined disappears. Whether you're a veteran, leader, entrepreneur, parent, or simply navigating a difficult season, Josh's story is a powerful reminder that your greatest setback doesn't have to define your future. In this episode: * Why Josh chose West Point after 9/11 * Becoming a pilot in the elite 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers) * What it really takes to earn a place in Special Operations Aviation * The motorcycle accident that changed his life * Losing his leg and fighting to return to flying * The emotional challenge of losing his identity as a military aviator * Earning an MBA from Vanderbilt * Working at McKinsey & Company * Why he stepped away from corporate life * Fatherhood, purpose, resilience, and finding a new mission * Tactical patience and making better decisions during adversity ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why is Josh Special? 02:55 Why Josh Chose West Point 08:05 The Road to the 160th SOAR Night Stalkers 18:15 Becoming a Night Stalker 25:45 The Difference Between Army Aviation and the 160th 34:50 The Motorcycle Accident 39:55 Fighting to Fly Again 48:20 Losing His Identity 55:15 Vanderbilt MBA and Reinventing Himself 1:03:00 Life at McKinsey & Company 1:10:15 Fatherhood Changed Everything 1:15:10 Lessons in Resilience and Tactical Patience 1:18:30 Final Thoughts Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the July GOVX Give Back supports Mission 22. 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail The best teachers don't just teach subjects, they change lives. In this episode of The Not Special Show, we sit down with Rob Hughes, Herb’s high school science teacher, coach, timber framer, outdoorsman, and one of the people who had the biggest impact on who Herb became. Long before Herb became a Green Beret, Rob saw potential in him that he didn't yet see in himself. We talk about great teachers, leadership, curiosity, raising confident young people, education, parenting, technology, AI in the classroom, timber framing, resilience, and why the lessons that matter most are rarely found in a textbook. If you've ever had a teacher, coach, or mentor who changed your life, this conversation is for you. In this episode we discuss: * Why great teachers connect while others don't * Building confidence in young people * Leadership lessons outside the classroom * Curiosity, purpose, and lifelong learning * The impact of technology and AI on education * Timber framing and creating things that outlive you * Mentorship, parenting, and leaving a legacy * Why the best lessons are often never part of the curriculum * Making Maple Syrup on land and from trees that Rob’s Grandpa harvested Rob Hughes spent more than 36 years teaching science, coaching students, building timber frames, mentoring thousands of young people, and quietly changing lives, including Herb’s. ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Rob is Special 01:24 How he Became a Teacher and Not a Park Ranger 04:10 You Should Stop Acting Dumb 05:49 The Secret to Making Students Love Learning 09:59 Why Great Teachers Change Lives 11:18 Has AI and Cellphones Made School Worse? 14:36 Why Kids Need More Boredom 16:21 The Confidence That Comes From Building Something 19:34 Why Some Teachers Never Connect 21:56 The Students You Never Forget 23:20 Herb is Thomas Jefferson to Rob 24:17 The Letter That Changed Everything 27:31 GOVX Saves You Money 28:02 Lessons That Aren't in Any Textbook 29:12 The "Amnesia Portfolio" (Everyone Needs This) 31:16 The Best Advice for Young People 32:09 Becoming a Better Parent Made Me a Better Teacher 33:34 How Timber Framing Changed His Life 44:56 Building Things That Will Outlive You 50:51 The Adirondacks and Leadership 55:31 Greatest Moments in His Career 57:55 A Leadership Trek in the Mountains Led to a Winning Swim Team 01:01:16 A Maple Syrup Legacy 01:10:02 A Passion Versus a Business, Passion Wins 01:11:15 Leadership Lessons from 30+ Years of Coaching 01:16:37 www.bigbeamstimberframes.com 01:18:47 What Rob Values Most in Life If you enjoy conversations about leadership, education, resilience, military transition, personal growth, and the people who shape us, subscribe for a new episode every Thursday. Learn more about Rob’s timber frame work at www.bigbeamstimberframes.com #Teacher #Education #Leadership #Mentorship #PersonalGrowth Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Support those that support us: Checkout www.govx.com for great discounts and they give back to the community every month, the July GOVX Give Back supports Mission 22. 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail Former Navy SEAL operator, leadership coach, and Doctor of Education Dan Luna joins The Not Special Show for a conversation about resilience, leadership, purpose, and the realities of life after elite military service. Yes, Dan served with the Navy SEALs and SEAL Team 6. But this episode isn't about tactics or war stories. It's about what happens after the mission. Dan shares lessons from combat, leadership under pressure, overcoming fear, transitioning from military service, processing loss, finding purpose, and helping others navigate adversity. We discuss why resilience is often misunderstood, the difference between performance and positivity, how identity shapes our lives, and what it means to continue serving long after the uniform comes off. From growing up with a single mother in Southern California to serving at the highest levels of special operations and later earning a doctorate focused on resilience and human performance, Dan's journey offers insights that apply far beyond the military. In this episode: • Lessons from Navy SEAL and SEAL Team 6 service • Leadership under pressure • Building resilience in difficult environments • Fear, performance, and personal growth • Military transition and identity • Purpose after service • Faith, loss, and navigating adversity • Supporting veterans beyond "thank you for your service" • Human performance and trauma education • What great leaders do differently ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Dan Is Special 01:43 Growing Up With a Single Mom 03:01 Dan’s Secret Love For Volleyball 05:53 Being a Momma’s Boy 08:31 Joining the Navy and Becoming a Man 12:39 Navy SEAL Says Green Berts Are Cool 14:31 What BUD/S Really Teaches 19:26 Fear, Pain, and Performance Under Pressure 29:48 Naval Academy Assignment Changed His Life 34:22 The Ebb and Flow of His Faith 38:52 Educating The Mental Aspect of War 41:49 The Myth of Positive Psychology 47:49 Becoming a SEAL or Leaving the SEAL Teams Harder 51:27 The Hardest Part Wasn't Becoming a Navy SEAL 54:57 What Does Resilience Mean 1:01:01 A Civilian Mentor Meant the World to Dan 1:04:46 Building a Business In His Late 40s 1:06:31 Dan’s Recent Work in Africa 1:10:27 A Powerful Moment With a Pride of Lions 1:13:02 Charged By an Elephant 1:19:48 Has Dan Found What He Was Seeking as a Kid 1:21:48 What Dan Values Most in Life Whether you're a veteran, business leader, entrepreneur, parent, coach, or someone facing a difficult season of life, this conversation will challenge the way you think about resilience, leadership, and purpose. #Leadership #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #NavySEAL #NotSpecial Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail After reaching the pinnacle of military service, former Delta Force operator Gary Harrington was unexpectedly removed from the unit he had worked his entire career to join. What followed was a battle with identity, purpose, failure, faith, and finding meaning beyond military service. In this episode of The Not Special Show, Gary shares his journey from Marine Corps officer to Green Beret, Special Forces operator, Delta Force member, and later CIA officer during the early years of the War on Terror. He discusses Afghanistan after 9/11, counterterrorism operations, leadership, resilience, life in elite military units, and the personal cost of operating at the highest levels of national security. But this conversation goes far beyond combat stories. Gary opens up about losing the identity he had built around being a Delta Force operator, the struggles many veterans face after military service, and how one of the most painful setbacks of his life ultimately became one of his greatest blessings. If you're interested in Delta Force, Special Forces, the CIA, Afghanistan, military leadership, veteran transition, personal growth, faith, purpose, and overcoming adversity, this episode offers a rare and honest perspective from someone who lived it. Sometimes the thing we believe will destroy us becomes the thing that transforms us. ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Why Gary Is Special 01:51 - Marine Corps Office to Enlisted Green Beret 06:10 - Being a Green Beret 07:46 - Did He Like Special Forces or Delta Better 10:41 - Kicked Out of Delta Affected Him 12:47 - Difference Between Delta Force and Green Berets 17:39 - What Happened After He Got Kicked Out of Delta Force 19:59 - A Panic Attack Going to 5th Special Forces Group 26:23 - Going to Yemen Before the USS Cole Attack 31:01 - September 11th 2001 36:01 - Tora Bora and the Early Afghanistan War Days 41:09 - First Day at Special Forces, Delta Force or the CIA Stick Out 42:25 - Thank God I Was Kicked Out of Delta Force 45:00 - The Toll of a Legendary Career 49:46 - Advice Learned From Being in Rooms With the Best and Worst of Humanity 54:37 - The One Thing That Made Him Successful 56:12 - Giving Himself up to God 57:38 - Meeting the Love of His Life 01:01:51 - Being a Honest Rule Breaker 01:02:53 - How His Faith Evolved 01:07:11 - Giving Advice to Young Gary 01:08:12 - What Gary Values Most in Life #NotSpecial #DeltaForce #GreenBeret #CIA #VeteranStories Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail Green Beret Magnus Johnson shares his experiences in Ramadi, Army Special Forces, Mission 22, veteran mental health, military transition, purpose after service, resilience, leadership, and life after combat. Magnus joins Herb and Corrie Thompson to share his journey from the battlefields of Iraq to helping thousands of veterans find purpose after military service. He opens up about serving in Ramadi during the Iraq War, earning the Green Beret, navigating the difficult transition home, and the lessons he learned while building Mission 22 into one of the most recognized veteran organizations in America. We discuss veteran mental health, resilience, leadership, purpose, faith, physical wellness, POTS syndrome, healing through art, and why many veterans struggle after leaving the military. This is an honest conversation about what it takes to rebuild your life after service and create a mission bigger than yourself. Whether you're a veteran, first responder, military family member, or simply someone looking for greater purpose and resilience, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom and practical lessons that apply far beyond the military. ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Why Magnus Is Special 01:34 Watching 9/11 Changed Everything 03:07 Ramadi 2006: Entering the Fight 04:03 Why He Chose the Green Beret Path 05:12 What Life on an ODA Team Was Really Like 07:30 Leaving Special Forces After Three Deployments 08:33 The Hard Reality of Coming Home 11:10 How Art Became a Lifeline 16:22 Building a Monument That Started Mission 22 21:27 What Most People Get Wrong About Veteran Mental Health 29:10 How Civilians Can Better Support Veterans 31:24 How to Help Mission 22 33:41 POTS 43:19 Learning From History 49:19 What we Eat Affects us 52:16 Writing “The Men We Make” 57:17 What Magnus Values Most in Life #GreenBeret #Mission22 #VeteranMentalHealth #SpecialForces #notspecial Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a former Green Beret and a former police officer stop surviving and start healing? In this powerful episode we sit down with Chris and Marcia Lessard to discuss Special Forces, law enforcement trauma, PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), addiction, marriage, autism recovery, hyper-vigilance, mental health, veteran healing, and the groundbreaking brain treatments changing lives for veterans, first responders, and families across America. Chris Lessard, a former Green Beret, opens up about combat trauma, alcohol abuse, prescription medication dependency, identity loss after military retirement, and the life-changing treatments that helped him reclaim his life. Marcia Lessard shares her journey as a police officer, young mother, trauma survivor, and advocate for mental health and neurological healing. Together, they reveal how brain mapping, MERT therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neurofeedback, functional medicine, and trauma-informed care transformed not only their marriage—but their son’s severe nonverbal autism diagnosis. This episode dives deep into Special Forces culture, law enforcement stress, childhood trauma, veteran mental health, first responder burnout, emotional compartmentalization, healing relationships, addiction recovery, brain inflammation, sleep issues, toxic exposure, and finding purpose after service. If you’re a veteran, first responder, military spouse, or someone struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, TBI symptoms, addiction, trauma, or autism in your family—this conversation could change your perspective forever. Topics include: Green Beret life and military transition PTSD and traumatic brain injury recovery Veteran addiction and alcohol abuse Law enforcement trauma and hyper-vigilance Autism recovery and brain treatment therapies MERT therapy and neurofeedback Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans Functional medicine and mental health Marriage, trauma bonding, and healing Childhood trauma and emotional compartmentalization Mental health in Special Operations and policing Veteran suicide prevention and recovery Brain health optimization and performance ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Chris & Marsha Are Special 02:21 – Marsha’s Story: Becoming a Cop at 21 as a Single Mom 04:48 – Chris Lessard: From High School Dropout to Green Beret 07:00 – How a Green Beret & Police Officer Met on Match.com 09:34 – Ride-Alongs, PTSD & The Difference Between War and Policing 12:33 – Trauma, Marriage & Learning to Be Vulnerable 14:46 – Childhood Trauma, PTSD & Emotional Compartmentalization 16:37 – Dopamine, COMT Mutation & Why High Performers Keep Chasing 21:24 – How Their Son’s Autism Diagnosis Changed Everything 25:44 – The Autism Treatment That Changed Their Son’s Life 28:28 – Green Berets Opening Up About Trauma Around the Campfire 29:22 – Alcohol, Painkillers & the “Dark Years” After Service 32:02 – VA Programs, Medications & Finally Finding Real Healing 34:48 – Sleeping Normally Again After Years of PTSD & Hypervigilance 36:51 – SGB From Dr. James Lynch 37:32 – Marriage, Masculinity & Learning How to Fight Fair 43:08 – From Johns Hopkins to Opening Brain Treatment Clinics 48:53 – Why Veterans Get Help Easier Than Police Officers 50:28 – The Difference Between Combat Trauma & Police Trauma 54:56 – Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Neurofeedback & Functional Medicine 57:47 – Toxic Exposure, Burn Pits, Lyme Disease & Brain Health 01:03:18 – The Most Rewarding Part of Helping Veterans Heal 01:10:53 – The Biggest Surprise Dealing With Clients 01:15:49 – What They Value Most in Life For more information go to the NoVa Brain Treatment Center website: https://www.braintreatmentcenterashburn.com/ Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Support those that support us: Our great episode sponsor improving lives with SGB treatments www.drjameslynch.com

Send us Fan Mail Former Special Operations PsyOps expert Stuart Gallagher and women’s health clinician Jamie Gallagher join the Not Special Podcast with Green Beret Herb Thompson and Corrie Thompson for one of the most powerful conversations yet. From Russia, Ukraine, psychological operations, Special Forces selection, cancer survival, veteran health, testosterone, prostate cancer awareness, hormone therapy, PTSD, military medicine, and life after service — this episode is packed with raw truth, hard-earned wisdom, and real conversations every veteran and family needs to hear. Stuart opens up about joining the military at 27 after working overseas in Russia, navigating Special Operations culture, serving in PsyOps, advising across government agencies, and watching modern warfare evolve through AI, drones, information operations, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Jamie shares critical insights into hormone health, perimenopause, veteran healthcare gaps, prostate cancer screening, diabetes, longevity, and why early detection saves lives. Together, they reveal what military families, veterans, and everyday Americans are missing when it comes to resilience, performance, and health. This episode dives deep into: Special Operations selection & mental toughness Psychological operations (PsyOps) explained Russia vs Ukraine analysis from a former insider Drone warfare, AI, and the future battlefield Surviving cancer while serving in Special Forces Veteran healthcare failures & lessons learned Prostate cancer awareness for men & veterans Hormone therapy, menopause & performance health Marriage, entrepreneurship & building a business together Life after the military and finding purpose again CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Why Stuart Is Special 00:45 Working in Russia Before Joining the Military 02:00 Why He Joined Special Operations at 27 03:20 Running a Business With His Wife 04:20 Russia vs Ukraine Explained by Former PsyOps Operator 06:40 The Future of Warfare, AI & Drone Technology 09:25 Why the Ukraine War Matters to Americans 11:15 What Psychological Operations (PsyOps) Really Are 13:00 How PsyOps Works in Modern Warfare 15:10 Deception Operations & Military Strategy 17:10 Social Media, Technology & Information Warfare 18:15 Surviving Cancer During Special Forces Selection 20:00 Diagnosed With Cancer After SF Selection 21:10 The Mindset Required to Survive Special Operations 22:15 Special Forces Selection & Mental Toughness 23:45 Why Most Companies Fail at Hiring Talent 25:10 Hiding Cancer While Attending Military Schools 27:30 Admiral McRaven Story & Military Resilience 30:20 Jamie Gallagher on Veteran Health & Early Detection 31:00 How Jamie Helped Save Stuart’s Life 33:00 Why Prostate Cancer Screening Matters for Veterans 36:10 The Importance of Men’s Health Awareness 37:50 Why Veterans Avoid Going to the Doctor 39:40 Type 2 Diabetes in Veterans Explained 41:00 Problems With Military Healthcare & Prevention 45:50 Recovering From Prostate Cancer Surgery 49:40 Building Their Health & Wellness Business Together 50:40 Hormones, Anxiety & Perimenopause Explained 53:00 What Women Need to Know About Hormone Health 56:00 The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy 59:20 Menopause, Longevity & Modern Healthcare 1:02:00 Working Together as Husband & Wife 1:04:40 What Men Should NEVER Say to Their Wife 1:05:40 Strategic Communication in Marriage & Relationships If you enjoy authentic veteran stories, Green Beret interviews, Special Operations insights, military leadership, resilience, health optimization, and unfiltered conversations — this episode is for you. #PsyOps #SpecialForces #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #CancerSurvivor Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Special, Karen and John share what it was really like inside the CIA, SEAL Team 6, Afghanistan, and the mission environment that led to the Osama bin Laden raid. Karen spent 26 years serving as a CIA operations officer, deploying to some of the world’s most dangerous environments after 9/11. John served as a Navy SEAL and later as deputy commander at SEAL Team 6. Together, they open up about leadership, sacrifice, intelligence work, combat operations, and how America’s national security system evolved during two decades of war. From the chaos of early Afghanistan deployments to the inner workings of the intelligence community, this conversation gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and relationships that shaped modern history. 🎙️ In this episode: • Karen’s first deployment to Afghanistan after 9/11 • Growing up in a CIA family • John’s unexpected path to becoming a Navy SEAL • What SEAL Team culture was like before social media • The reality of Hell Week and BUD/S • CIA and military cooperation during the War on Terror • Inside the environment surrounding the Osama bin Laden operation • Leadership lessons from elite teams • The future of national security and cyber warfare • Why service, mentorship, and purpose still matter ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Karen & John are Special 02:53 – CIA is More Scary Than Navy SEALs 04:15 – How Karen Got Into the CIA 09:12 – Whatever Led John to the Navy and SEAL Teams 20:39 – BUD/S and Hell Week 24:32 – What Was the First Day at the CIA Like 26:45 – Was Karen Ready for the CIA 32:06 – Reporting to SEAL Team 2 33:55 – The First Days in Afghanistan 36:53 – CIA and Military Power Struggle 40:26 – The Army - Navy Rivalry 41:56 – The Bin Laden Raid from the NSC 47:46 – The bin Laden Raid from the SEALs 51:56 – The Beauty of Afghanistan 54:35 – National Security in the US 1:02:02 – Balancing a CIA Career and Being a Mom 1:07:09 – Leaving the SEAL Teams 1:14:38 – Harry Potter Wisdom 1:18:02– Who is the Plus 1? 1:24:53 – How Karen & John Met 1:30:48 – What They Value Most in Life Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_

Send us Fan Mail Pat McKenna joins the Not Special Show with Herb and Corrie Thompson for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Navy EOD, war stories, overcoming adversity, mental toughness, and the journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal operator. In this episode, Pat shares powerful stories about growing up in Aurora, getting into fights, run-ins with the law, and how 9/11 changed his life , leading him to join the military and eventually become a Navy EOD technician working in Iraq and Afghanistan. This episode dives deep into combat experiences, IED threats, special operations, resilience, leadership, and the brotherhood formed in war . From near-death moments under fire to the mindset required to operate in high-risk environments, this is a real look at what it takes to survive and thrive in extreme situations. If you're interested in military stories, Navy EOD, Special Operations, leadership, mental resilience, and real-life transformation , this episode delivers. “He went from getting arrested… to defusing bombs in war zones.”