Unarmored Talk

Send us Fan Mail What if the voices we salute 🇺🇸 fade before we ever truly hear them? Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Cox shares how one simple idea— record every veteran’s story —grew into The Lost Art Project , now partnered with the Marine Corps History Division .  From a bourbon-fueled first recording 🥃 (and his mom’s honest critique!) to building a disciplined, service-first mission,...

Send us Fan Mail Can your most meaningful work begin after 50 ? Executive and leadership coach Dr. Sanaz Solomon proves it can. In this kickoff episode of the BoldTimers { https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldtimers/ } collaboration, we unpack: Surviving vs. Thriving (02:43): How to move from routine survival to living with energy and purpose. Leaving a Stable Career for Meaning (03:28): Why Dr. S...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt the pull to move on but worried it might hurt your reputation? 👔 In this episode, we reframe “quitting” into purposeful resignation — a mindset that protects your personal brand and positions you for what’s next. You’ll hear a clear, 3-step plan to shift from frustration to focus, from impulse to intention, and from goodbye to a strong future hello. We cover how to refl...

Send us Fan Mail Snap judgments happen fast—often before a single word leaves your mouth. In this episode, we unpack the 55-38-7 rule—body language, tone, and words—and explore how nonverbal communication shapes trust, credibility, and connection. You’ll learn how subtle cues like crossed arms, poor posture, or lack of smiling can quietly work against you—and how to rebuild confidence through open...

Send us Fan Mail Taylor Vogel thought the Marine Corps would give him structure when life had none. After three deployments and a devastating IED blast, he survived but came home unraveled—TBI, PTSD, a bottle within reach, and a family on the line. This isn’t a polished comeback—it’s a raw story of drifting without roots, wrestling with faith 🙏, and learning that surrender and daily discipline ca...

Send us Fan Mail Ever freeze up when an interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself”? In this Quick Pro Tip, I share a simple, 3-step method to help veterans and transitioning service members answer that question with confidence: ✅ Start with where you are now ✅ Bridge to your most relevant experience ✅ End with where you’re going next Your story is your strength — you just need to frame it right...

Send us Fan Mail What if the title you’re most proud of is the very thing holding you back from who you’re meant to become?   That’s the heart of this powerful conversation with Marine infantry officer turned pastor and Mighty Oaks Foundation CEO, Jeremy Stalnecker . From leading Marines in the 2003 push to Baghdad with 1/5 to leading a church in Oceanside, Jeremy opens up about anger, dislocation...

Send us Fan Mail 💼 Getting out of the military and wondering how to negotiate your first job offer? 🤔  In this Quick Pro Tip video, I share three strategies every veteran should know: research and present a fair salary range, highlight the true value of your soft skills, and take time to evaluate the entire package — salary and benefits.  These tips can help you avoid settling and start your civ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some people rarely get sick — or how others recover from PTSD after decades of struggle?  The answer may lie in the diaphragm, a muscle Dr. David Rubenstein calls second only to the heart. It drives immunity, eases back pain, and boosts strength — a reason Navy SEALs and athletes rely on it. Don, a Vietnam veteran with decades of PTSD, found peace after weeks of Ru...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an Army infantry squad leader swaps his rifle for a business plan?   In this episode of Unarmored Talk , I sit down with veteran entrepreneur Matthew Kemp to hear how he went from leading combat missions in Baghdad to building two thriving businesses. Matthew shares how he defied the odds—finishing college in under three years, navigating corporate America, and u...

Send us Fan Mail Professionals, Service Members, and Veterans — have you ever Googled yourself or your organization and wondered why you didn’t show up first? That’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization) — and it’s one of the most overlooked parts of building your digital brand. In this episode of SgtMaj Pro Tips, I explain SEO in simple terms and show how you can improve yours without being a tech exp...

Send us Fan Mail When the uniform comes off, people don’t see your rank or ribbons — they see your brand. Your personal brand is your reputation when you’re not in the room. And today, it shows up first on social media. Are you being intentional about how you show up online? 👉 Watch this short video: https://youtu.be/-9BvJXYDFQo Support the show Become a Member Today! https://www.youtube.com/chan...

Send us Fan Mail The invisible weight of service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. For Marine Corps veteran Garrett Biss, the toughest battle began after 17 years of active duty—asking, “Who am I without my uniform?” In this powerful conversation, Garrett introduces the idea of the “dichotomous ego,” where service members are lifted by their role yet driven by constant criticism. When the un...

Send us Fan Mail ✨ What if the number of breaths you take per minute could reveal your true path to healing? 🩺 Trauma expert Dr. David Rubenstein shares insights from over 22,000 measurements, showing that 19+ breaths per minute almost always signal PTSD, while 7 or fewer indicate optimal recovery. His color-coded “red to green” framework provides an objective, unalterable way to track progress....

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to healing pain and PTSD wasn’t medication, but your breath? 🫁 In this episode, Dr. David Rubenstein reveals how a discovery in 1994 reshaped our understanding of chronic pain, stress, and trauma. With over 22,000 measurements, his research shows how breathing patterns directly influence cortisol, sleep, and even trauma response. Using gentle “motion recipes,” he...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your transition plan falls apart? For Marine veteran Matthew Askren, failure wasn’t fatal—it was fuel. From abandoned business dreams to unexpected detours in flooring sales and food manufacturing, each step became a building block toward his success as a CEO leading multiple companies.  In this episode of Beyond the Uniform: Transition with Purpose, Build a Mean...

Send us Fan Mail In my first "Sink or Swim" #Unarmoredtalkpodcast episode, I share how failing the easiest part of a boot camp swim test 🌊 became a lesson in #perseverance, faith, and resilience. These moments don’t just shape us personally — they reveal and build soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence that drive success in business and life. 🎯 Try t...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙What if everything you thought you knew about PTSD and trauma was incomplete—or even wrong? Rethinking PTSD & Trauma – In this Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, Mario P. Fields sits down with Dr. David Rubenstein to shatter the usual narrative around post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma. Forget the clichés—this is a raw, eye-opening conversation about mental health, recove...

Send us Fan Mail What drives a decorated Army veteran to dedicate his life to saving troubled youth? For Craig Hannum, it was witnessing 182 suicides during his 20-year military career. Determined to change the narrative, Craig pioneered a school-wide intervention strategy that turned 14 suicide attempts into zero the following year. His method? Training everyone—from teachers to janitors—in suici...

Send us Fan Mail For Ottawa entrepreneur Sean Frost, it starts with refusing to compromise on passion. From music producer to real estate broker, Sean's journey was anything but linear. Despite early success in a contracting business, he battled depression until he returned to his creative roots. Sean shares his unique view on failure: “Failure only happens when you give up.” He urges listene...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, we explore the inspiring story of Lance Jones, son of Eric Jones, whose unwavering work ethic and passion for basketball set him apart.  Under the guidance of his father—his coach and mentor—Lance pushed beyond natural limitations, proving that relentless dedication and discipline could outshine raw talent. Their bond extended beyo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Unarmored Talk, we explore the profound challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life, including the identity crises that often accompany it. Marine Corps Veteran Garret Biss shares his powerful story of confronting mental health struggles and highlights the transformative role of authenticity in the healing process. Key takeaways include: Th...

Send us Fan Mail As this year draws to a close, I had the privilege of sitting down with my incredible wife, Nicole, to record a very special episode of Unarmored Talk . This one is different—it’s unstructured, raw, and straight from the heart. We share stories from the early days of our relationship, including the unforgettable moment we first met and our initial impressions of each other. We als...

Send us Fan Mail Curiosity drives self-discovery and growth, helping us align our choices with our authentic selves. In Cynthia Schwartzberg's updated book, "The Curious Voyage to Authenticity," she shares how curiosity fosters intentional living, exploring: *Evaluating life choices *Bridging the gap between intentions and actions *Building healthy coping mechanisms *Journaling for...

Send us Fan Mail What if exploring alcoholic beverages was as personalized and effortless as streaming music? Meet Mike Waskewich Jr., a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major turned entrepreneur, who, alongside his wife, created the Bar Book mobile app. In this episode of Unarmored Talk Podcast , Mike shares their journey from military service to launching an app that uses flavor-matching technology to...