The MisFitNation

When the alarm sounds and lives are on the line… leadership gets real. On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Fire Captain Mark Andrew, author of Leading Through the Heat—a powerful leadership book built from real lessons learned in one of the most demanding professions on earth. In the firehouse, there is no room for: ❌ Micromanagement ❌ Ego ❌ Empty commands ❌ F...

What if honoring America’s heroes became your life mission? On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica welcomes US Air Force Veteran Dr. Kevin Wallace and Lauren Wallace, the husband-and-wife team behind one of the most meaningful missions in America today—Van of Valor. Van of Valor is a cross-country project dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Purple H...

What happens when everything you thought defined you… starts to fall apart? In this episode, Teri M. Brown joins The MisFitNation to unpack the emotional and psychological journey behind her latest book Peg, Unhinged. From divorce and menopause to identity loss and rebuilding confidence, this conversation dives into the raw truth of midlife transformation. This isn’t just about struggle—it’s about...

Some warriors fight battles long after the war ends. On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake Holland and Stephen LaMonica sit down with US Marine Corps Veteran Hartvig Holmberg V—a retired Master Sergeant whose 24-year career took him from Light Armored Reconnaissance to the elite world of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). Hartvig joined the Marines in 1997 as a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV...

What does over two decades of service as a combat medic and leader teach you about resilience, leadership, and purpose? On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with SFC (R) Martinez Vandergrift, a highly decorated United States Army veteran whose career spans more than 20 years in military medicine, leadership, and operations. Martinez served as a Healthcare Speciali...

Some people leave the battlefield… and build something even bigger. On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake Holland and Stephen LaMonica sit down with US Navy Veteran Terry Weaver—a former Navy Corpsman who served alongside U.S. Marines in Kuwait and Iraq (2002–2003) as a combat medic. Terry’s journey started in San Bernardino, California, and took him straight into war—where he experience...

What happens when the mission doesn’t end with retirement from the military? On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with US Navy Veteran Matt Johnson, a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer who served 22.5 years in the United States Navy. Matt’s military journey began as a Seabee, one of the Navy’s legendary construction battalions known for building critical infrastr...

What happens when the mission ends… but the battle inside your mind begins? On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake Holland and Stephen LaMonica sit down with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Garret Biss—a retired Marine Corps pilot, TEDx speaker, recovery coach, and founder of ValiantPath™. After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2015, Garret faced a struggle many veterans quietly battle: anxiet...

Some battles follow you long after you leave the military. On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake Holland and Stephen LaMonica sit down with US Army Veteran Tia May, a telecommunications systems operator who joined the Army in 2001 and faced challenges that pushed her mental health to the edge. During her time in service, Tia experienced disrespect from fellow soldiers and constant body s...

What does it take to survive warzones, near-death experiences, and come back with a story powerful enough to inspire others? On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with US Army Veteran Dean Davidson—author, adventurer, and leader forged through some of the most dangerous environments on earth. Dean spent nearly 15 years supporting Department of Defense operations in...

On this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Noah May — a podcaster, writer, and mental health advocate who turned years of depression, anxiety, and self-doubt into a mission to help others feel less alone. A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in journalism, Noah’s journey hasn’t been easy. From feeling like an outcast to battling suicidal thoughts at a young...

What does it take to fly into the most dangerous situations on earth… to save someone else? On this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with Lt. Col. (Ret.) John Mangan, a decorated U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue pilot who spent 25 years flying missions around the world. John flew the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, conducting some of the most dangerous missions in...

What does real leadership look like when everything falls apart? In this powerful episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake Holland and Stephen LaMonica sit down with Omar Ritter, a West Point graduate, Bronze Star recipient, and former corporate executive who has led both soldiers in combat and billion-dollar operations in the financial world. From the battlefields of Iraq to boardrooms at major in...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes David E. Reddick — a leader whose life journey connects military service, faith, leadership, science, and personal transformation. David served six years in the United States Navy as an aviation ordnance specialist working with F/A-18 Hornet weapons systems, earning multiple commendations including the Stand-Out Warrior Award for dec...

What happens when a soldier survives combat overseas only to face a different battle at home? In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with Purple Heart combat veteran Jeremy Kevin Jackson. Jeremy served in the United States Army and was severely wounded in Iraq on August 13, 2005, when a 7.62mm sniper round struck his left arm, causing permanent nerve damage...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Daryl Dittmer, a man whose philosophy on life and leadership is built on real experience rather than ideology. Raised in a blue-collar family where hard work and responsibility were non-negotiable, Daryl learned early the lessons that come from long days, discipline, and personal accountability. Over the years he has worked as a farm...

On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake Holland and Stephen LaMonica welcome Leann Thrapp, a nurse, speaker, and compassionate guide who has spent 40 years helping individuals and families navigate life’s most profound transitions. Leann’s remarkable career spans high-risk obstetrics, labor and delivery, and hospice care, where she has supported people through both the beginning and the en...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Shamika White, a powerful voice advocating for veteran connection, purpose, and mental wellness. As the Executive Director of the Rod Lemon Foundation, Shamika leads programs designed to support veterans navigating life after military service. Her work focuses on helping former service members rediscover identity, rebuild community,...

In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Lisa Bradley, CEO and Co-Founder of R. Riveter, a mission-driven company creating meaningful employment for military spouses across the United States. What began as a small group of military spouse artisans has grown into a nationally recognized lifestyle brand, combining timeless American design with purpose-driven manufact...

On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, the crew welcomes Michael Allen — a U.S. Army Green Beret veteran turned alternative rock artist whose music blends raw emotion, grunge intensity, and real-life storytelling. Based in Nashville, Michael Allen creates music for people who have lived through something and carry those experiences with them. Inspired by the sound and spirit of Grunge and Alternativ...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Lee Ettinger, USMC Airborne Veteran, MBA, and founder of Better Living Products, LLC, creators of POWER PLUS PAIN AID — the world’s first energizing pain relief 2oz beverage shot. After 8 years in a Special Operations Qualified Advanced Landing Unit, Lee understood “No Gain, No Pain” at the highest level. But at 50, the physical toll...

n this episode of The MisFitNation Podcast, host Rich LaMonica welcomes U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Clifton Maddox, a leader whose mission of service continued long after his military career ended. Clifton served in the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2010, working with 4th GSP and 2nd Intelligence as an infantry Marine who supported Joint Task Force border missions and deployments to Iraq. Those experien...

On this episode of The ToosDay Crue, we welcome Diana Colleen — a Canadian, Seattle-based writer and psychedelic facilitator whose work explores healing, consciousness, and social transformation. After experiencing profound personal growth through psychedelic-assisted therapy, Diana committed herself to storytelling as a catalyst for change. Through fiction and reflective writing, she examines the...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Karl Monger, retired US Army Major, Ranger-qualified leader, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Founder of GallantFew. After serving in infantry and Ranger assignments, Karl dedicated his post-military life to one mission: helping veterans transition from active duty to civilian lives of hope and purpose. Since 2010, he has coached...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Thomas TJ Baird — US Army Veteran, leadership mentor, motivational speaker, and founder of Warrior Dad Stories. TJ has built his life around leadership — not just in uniform, but at home, in business, and in the community. A disabled veteran, devoted husband (self-proclaimed Trophy Husband), and proud Dog Dad, TJ blends humor, discip...