Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show

Send us Fan Mail Clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Frueh explains Operator Syndrome and the hidden physical and psychological costs of elite military performance in this honest conversation that impacts veteran stories. In this episode of Not Special , Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with clinical psychologist, professor, and researcher Chris Frueh , author of Operator Syndrome.   Dr. Frueh has sp...

Send us Fan Mail Navy SEAL Mike Lahiff doesn’t believe he’s special. But he understands something most people don’t, ownership changes everything in this honest conversation. In this episode of Not Special , we talk about risk, pressure, building teams, and what success actually costs. This isn’t surface-level business advice. It’s about responsibility, discipline, and the weight that comes with l...

Send us Fan Mail Mike flew elite combat missions. He commanded one of the most selective aviation units in the U.S. military. He was told growing up he wasn’t intelligent. In this honest conversation, Mike Athanasakis shares his journey from a troubled childhood and Tourette diagnosis to Apache pilot and Battalion Commander in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. After years of high-ris...

Send us Fan Mail Kevin didn’t make it into the Navy SEALs on his first try.  Or his second.  He didn’t even make it through his first week of BUD/S. Kristen left a stable teaching career, built a nutrition coaching business, burned out… and started baking sourdough bread from home. Today, this veteran entrepreneur couple runs Crafted Coastal Bakery in Encinitas, California . Scaling from eight loa...

Send us Fan Mail In this deeply personal episode, Herb Thompson former U.S. Army Green Beret, Drill Sergeant of the Year, Ivy League MBA, speaker, and entrepreneur, shares the moments that shaped him most: combat leadership, chaos, addiction, recovery, marriage, and learning how to finally slow down. From leading troops through some of the most kinetic fighting of his career, to struggling with si...

Send us Fan Mail Jason DeBlasio shares his journey from a difficult upbringing and dropping out of high school to serving as an Air Force flight engineer , supporting critical mid-air refueling missions on the KC-10 during combat operations. In this episode of Not Special , Jason explains the often-overlooked role of flight engineers, the pressure of keeping aircraft in the fight, and what it mean...

Send us Fan Mail Spencer Hatcher didn’t have a backup plan—and he wasn’t interested in playing it safe. In this episode of Not Special , Spencer shares his journey from growing up immersed in music and faith in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to betting everything on a career in country music. He talks about being told to quit at a young age, going viral during COVID, almost choosing a safer path, an...

Send us Fan Mail What if the very things you think are “wrong” with your brain are actually what make you successful? In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Chantel Prat, cognitive neuroscientist, professor, author of The Neuroscience of You, and one of the most relatable science communicators working today. Chantel breaks down how the brain really works — not as an average, but as a dee...

Send us Fan Mail Former U.S. Congressman, Acting Secretary of the Army and Iraq War veteran, and Patrick Murphy joins Not Special for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation about leadership, unity, national debt, military service, and why moral courage—not party loyalty—is what America desperately needs right now. From growing up in a row house in Northeast Philadelphia to teaching at West Point, serv...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of the Not Special Podcast, Herb and Corrie sit down with former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Green Beret, and Delta Force operator Tom Spooner who now dedicates his life to saving warriors instead of fighting wars.  From surviving near-death blasts, battling alcoholism, navigating brain injuries, and walking away from elite military life—his journey leads t...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Johnny Vargas, aka Viva La Vargas — U.S. Army NCO, viral content creator reaching 30–40 million views a month, and one of the most influential voices in the military community. Johnny opens up about his rise from everyday soldier to one of the military’s most trusted online storytellers. He shares how he turned...

Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Nic Adams, former National Security Advisor to 2 Senators and one of the most sought-after voices on government dynamics, intelligence operations, and the hidden gears that make Washington move. Nic pulls back the curtain on what really happens on Capitol Hill—from political power plays to decision-making und...

Send us Fan Mail Meet RJ Casey, the real-life Most Interesting Man in the World — Green Beret, Air Force Pararescueman, SpaceX astronaut-recovery specialist, Hollywood aerial safety consultant, and co-founder of Four Branches Bourbon. In this episode of Not Special, RJ takes us on an unbelievable journey through Special Operations, crash-site rescues in Colombia, astronaut recovery missions with S...

Send us Fan Mail From combat zones to camera crews — this is the incredible story of Mark Kershaw , an Army veteran who turned battlefield lessons into cinematic storytelling. In this episode of Not Special , Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Mark to explore his journey from struggling student to soldier, from firefights in Afghanistan to finding purpose through film. Mark opens up about: · ...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Shawn Dawley — former Air Force pilot, Harvard National Security Fellow, and professional keynote speaker — to talk about leadership, fear, failure, and finding purpose. Shawn shares his raw and inspiring journey: from enlisting in the Air Force at 17 and failing speech class… to flying C-130s, leading...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a Hollywood stuntwoman—used to face real danger—turns it into a platform to help others overcome fear and speak with confidence? In this powerful episode of Not Special, hosts Herb & Corrie Thompson sit down with Hannah Betts for a full-throttle conversation about: Her wildest stunt moments in Hollywood Why fear is a tool, not the enemy Turning nerves into st...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the U.S. Army meets innovation, technology, and influencer culture? In this episode of Not Special , hosts Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Colonel Kris Saling , a leader in Army talent management and innovation, to explore how the military is embracing change in a digital world. From AI-driven talent management to the Army’s influencer and creative reserve...

Send us Fan Mail Commander Kirk Lippold, captain of the USS Cole, shares his powerful story of leadership, sacrifice, and resilience after the 2000 terrorist attack. Hosted by Herb & Corrie Thompson, this episode of Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show reveals lessons in courage, duty, and the true cost of freedom. 🇺🇸 Connect with Liberty Speaks: 🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 🔗 Follow on In...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Special , we sit down with Jim and Jodi Lynch to explore their inspiring journey from military service to building a medical practice dedicated to helping others. They share candid insights on the challenges of transition, the values that guide their work, and their recent humanitarian mission in Ukraine. Jim and Jodi also discuss groundbreaking approaches t...

Send us Fan Mail This conversation explores the remarkable journey of a Special Operations veteran with 2 Purple Hearts who immigrated from Moldova to America, joined the military, and faced the challenges of combat and mental health. Pasha Palanker highlights the importance of resilience, support from loved ones, and taking responsibility for one's life in the healing process. Through person...

Send us Fan Mail In this engaging conversation, Frances Frei shares her unique journey as a thought leader in business, discussing her experiences with rejection, the importance of trust, and evolving leadership. She emphasizes the need for equal access to meritocracy and the role of bias in decision-making. Who has vanilla or chocolate ice cream on their grocery list?  The discussion also touches...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, retired Lt. General John Mulholland shares his incredible journey from childhood dreams to becoming a three-star general and legendary leader of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He offers rare insights into the Green Berets' mission to "liberate the oppressed", their pivotal role in Afghanistan after 9/11, and the formation of T...

Send us Fan Mail In this moving episode, Herb and Corrie reflect on the enduring legacy of Task Force Dagger with John Mulholland and the pivotal role of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan. They share firsthand insights into the realities of joint military operations, the sacrifices made by service members and their families, and the importance of honoring those who served in the War on Terror. Th...