Alone and Unafraid

In this episode of Alone and Unafraid , we welcome back Air Force EOD veteran, author, and coach Benjamin John Lee for a powerful conversation about identity, purpose, failure, and rebuilding yourself after life changes direction. Ben shares the collapse of his ambitious solar nonprofit, his transition into coaching and psychology, and how writing his book Sincerely America became a healing proces...

Nick Shumpis shares his journey from Special Operations to life after the military—and the reality many veterans face when the mission ends. This episode explores two critical themes: Rebuilding Identity After War Transitioning out of the military often means losing structure, purpose, and direction. Nick breaks down how jiu-jitsu provides a new mission—restoring discipline, focus, and control. Or...

In this episode, we sit down with former Special Forces Communications Sergeant Garrett Kossick to talk about the reality of life after the military—identity loss, loneliness, and finding purpose again. Garrett shares how writing became his outlet during a dark transition period and why mindset, service, and faith play a critical role in rebuilding a meaningful life. Resources and Links Garrett’s...

We sit down with bestselling author and war journalist Sebastian Junger to unpack why so many veterans struggle after leaving the military—and why it’s not just about trauma. From Tribe to The Great Abandonment , we dive into the loss of human connection, the dangers of modern society, and what purpose, duty, and belonging really mean. Resources & Links Sebastian Junger Website Sebastian Junge...

When the mission ends, who are you? In this episode, former 75th Ranger Regiment NCO and 160th SOAR officer Danny Archer joins us to talk about the hardest part of military transition — losing your tribe, your identity, and your sense of purpose. We unpack why so many veterans struggle after service, why money doesn’t fix the void, and how Danny unexpectedly found healing through horses. The Equin...

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Cathy Turner and Jackie Wojtak, co-founders of The Restored Heart Collective , to explore the often-ignored emotional toll carried by spouses of combat veterans. We talk candidly about identity loss, emotional labor, walking on eggshells, and why healing the family—not just the veteran—is critical to real reintegration after war. This episode dives i...

In this episode, we sit down with a high-functioning professional who has chosen to remain anonymous due to career and personal considerations. This conversation captures an honest, unfiltered snapshot before participating in guided experiences with psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT . Rather than focusing on outcomes, this episode documents mindset, emotional state, identity, stress, anger, purpose, and in...

In this episode, Thad talks with Dr. Blaine Lints , a former Navy SEAL , ultra-endurance athlete, and PhD researcher who pushed his body and mind to the edge — and found his way back through psychedelic-assisted therapy . Blaine shares his journey from running 100-mile races at 16 to surviving BUD/S and combat in Mosul, then chasing perfection through pro-level Ironman training and academic perfor...

In the Season 2 finale of Alone and Unafraid , TMFK! and Hucky Bear reflect on two years of the podcast, surprising growth stats, and then dive deep into how modern information warfare, media narratives, and psychological operations shape what we believe. Using real-world examples like COVID-19, 9/11, Iraq, and current global conflicts, they break down a practical framework for identifying manipul...

TMFK! and Huckybear sit down with Dan McDermott , a Green Beret medic who opens up about the battles that don’t end when the war does. From the chaos of combat and loss to the quiet moments that nearly cost him everything, Dan shares his journey through darkness, survival, and rebuilding a life with purpose. A raw and unfiltered look at what it means to fight your way home. Resources & Links W...

In this powerful pre-journey conversation, TMFK! and Eli Gerhard—both veterans who have been through Ibogaine and 5-MEO-DMT—sit down with fellow veteran Mike Fransiolli as he prepares for his first Ibogaine experience. Together, they walk through the real thoughts, fears, and questions that come up before the medicine, while also sharing what brought them to their own breaking points: depression,...

Former 160th SOAR(A) pilot, Green Beret, and author Nick O’Kelly joins TMFK! and Hucky Bear to talk about his new book, Stigma , and the realities of military mental health we don’t talk about. From the chaos of airborne school to the silence that follows service, this episode explores the culture of toughness, the cost of stigma, and why real leadership starts with vulnerability and a little dark...

In this emotional and powerful episode, TMFK and Tyler Hucky Bear sit down with Kimberly Vesey , Executive Director of Building Homes for Heroes , a nonprofit that has changed lives since 2006 by gifting mortgage-free, fully accessible homes to wounded veterans and first responders. Kimberly shares her journey from prosecutor to nonprofit leader , inspired by her brother’s devastating injuries in...

TMFK! and Huckybear sit down with Chris Maleta , a firefighter, paramedic, and founder of Carry the Flag USA . Chris shares the story behind his mission-driven brand—how a simple moment at a 9/11 stair climb turned into a movement to honor service, sacrifice, and resilience. The guys dig into the parallels between firefighting and the military, the hidden toll of trauma, the bond of brotherhood, a...

Marine combat veteran and entrepreneur Deric Keller shares how one simple shift—asking better questions—can completely change your path. From the battlefield to the boardroom, he opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating career pivots, and building a mindset rooted in resilience. This conversation dives into how military discipline translates into business success, why self-doubt can...

This is a reissue of Episode #51 after Spotify accidentally deleted the original. We didn’t want you to miss it, because this Gripes & Grinds session hits on everything from lazy questions and fast food fails to broken schools, youth sports burnout, Hollywood inaccuracies, and the slow death of common sense in 2025. In this short but sharp episode, TMFK! and Hucky deliver the kind of funny ran...

Former Special Forces NCO and 160th SOAR aviator Nick O’Kelly lays out a practical roadmap for identity, mental health, and money after the uniform. We cover rituals for closure, building your next tribe, training attention and emotion, smart finance (emergency funds → investing), and how to protect time for family and travel. We also give brief, balanced context on the Tim Kennedy situation and w...

In this in-person episode, TMFK! and Hucky Bear sit down with Logan Brokaw and Mike Maynard—two longtime friends and veterans of the special operations community. What starts with sharp humor and shared memories turns into a raw, deeply personal conversation about survival, recovery, and brotherhood. Logan shares the story of a catastrophic freefall accident that changed the trajectory of his life...

AI Says There’s a 5% Chance It Ends Humanity—"Cool Cool Cool” What do brain health, AI collapse, and dolphin rides have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode, TMFK and Hucky Bear start with working-from-home challenges and end up in a wild conversation about why your brain can’t multitask, how to actually improve mental clarity, and why artificial intelligence might be quietly plotting...

In this conversation, Tanner Yackley, founder of Remote Warrior, discusses the often-overlooked psychological toll of remote warfare and the complexities of Drone or RPA operations. He highlights the challenges faced by remote operators, including quality of life issues, the disconnect in military recognition, and the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life. Tanner shares his experiences as...

In this episode, Thad and Tyler welcome back three familiar faces—Doug White, Katie Huckett, and John “Eight Knees” Turner—for a wild, hilarious, and emotional recap of their return to Scotland with the Allied Forces Foundation. From absurd duct tape survival strategies to deep reflections at Arlington Cemetery, this is a brutally honest look at endurance, camaraderie, and how shared struggle brin...

Former Navy SEAL Ben Davis joins us to talk identity, transition, and mental health. After a decade in the teams, Ben faced TBIs, depression, and the difficult shift to civilian life. He shares how childhood struggles, wrestling, and military service shaped him—and how writing and the outdoors helped him reclaim purpose. Now a full-time writer and director of the Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, B...

Retired Master Sergeant Darrell Utt joins us to share the brutal realities and hard-earned wisdom from his time leading Green Berets through one of the deadliest rotations of the Iraq War. From the backwoods of West Virginia to the chaos of Baghdad, Darrell walks us through his path of service, sacrifice, and leadership—and how he turned those lessons into the book Grit to Glory . We also reflect...

We’re shifting the podcast to an every-other-week release schedule. Here’s why, and what you can expect going forward. Plus, we share a few quick previews of what’s coming—some powerful conversations are on the horizon. We love doing this, and we’re in it for the long haul. If you want to support the show, the best way is to share your favorite episode with someone, leave a rating, and if you’ve g...

TMFK! shares his deeply personal journey from burnout and suicidal ideation to beginning the healing and clarity through psychedelic therapy. After leaving a toxic work environment and sinking into a dark depression, he was introduced to Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT —two powerful psychedelic compounds offered legally through The Mission Within , a veteran-focused retreat in Mexico. This isn’t just anoth...