Couple O' Nukes: Self-Improvement For Mental Health, Addiction, Fitness, & Faith

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with E.A. (Erick Allen) a certified addiction and mental health counselor, speaker, author, and fellow recovery warrior. From the moment we kicked off this episode, it was clear that EA brings both lived experience and expert insight to the conversation. We talk about the deep relationship between addiction and trauma, with EA sharing that in his work, over 90% o...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Shirley Buck, a trauma survivor, author, and mindset coach whose life story is nothing short of jaw-dropping. Ms. Buck shares how she grew up as the child of two deaf parents, interpreting their divorce at just five years old, surviving an attempted murder-suicide by her mother, and later enduring years of abuse, addiction, and homelessness. Her early life w...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Mike Van Pelt — author, speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and founder of True Man Life Coaching. Mr. Van Pelt joins me for a deep conversation on what it means to be a man in today's world, unpacking powerful insights on masculinity, leadership, emotional health, and spiritual intimacy. We talk about the evolving expectations of men and how vulnerabilit...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Jason R. Thomas, a fellow Navy Nuke and seasoned leader with over a decade of active-duty experience, including time on both the USS George H.W. Bush and the USS Gerald R. Ford. One could say, today's episode is actually a couple of nukes... Mr. Thomas shares rare insight into the technical evolution of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, the culture clashes betw...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Aleksa from Ukraine as she shares her powerful story of fleeing war, rebuilding her life across three countries, and ultimately finding healing, purpose, and peace in the United States.  After escaping a full-scale invasion in 2022,  Aleksa packed only what she could carry, left behind her business and home, and began a journey of survival that led her throu...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Sha Sparks, a life coach, podcast host, and author who helps others transform trauma into treasure. Ms. Sparks shares her personal journey of overcoming abuse, reshaping her internal dialogue, and rebuilding a relationship with her father after decades of emotional distance. We talk about journaling as a healing tool, the importance of setting boundaries, an...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with a close friend and mentor, Jonnie T. — a 43-year veteran of the Canadian nuclear industry, host of the Refuge Freedom Stories podcast, and a man whose life blends technical precision with unwavering faith. We talk about his start as a nuclear operator after spotting a newspaper ad, his time commissioning reactors, and how Canada's approach to heavy wate...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down in person with Mary Fernandez — a dynamic speaker, life coach, podcaster, and event organizer who is passionate about restoring community, redefining leadership, and giving back. We cover the hard truths behind leadership failures, corporate burnout, and the trauma young workers face when they enter toxic job environments. Ms. Fernandez unpacks what real mentorsh...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Ms. Kimberly Spencer, host of the globally ranked Crown Yourself podcast and a powerhouse entrepreneur, speaker, and transformational coach. We dive deep into how trauma, optimism, and conscious parenting all intersect in her journey from eating disorders and emotional abuse to helping others reclaim their identity and potential. Ms. Spencer shares how she o...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Captain Russell Roberts — a seasoned pilot, author, and adventurer — where we explore his lifelong obsession with flight, beginning with his earliest memories upside down in a cockpit, to navigating the complex world of airline careers, toxic leadership, and personal identity. Mr. Roberts shares stories from his memoir Unlearning to Fly , giving us insight i...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Mike Roth, a veteran salesman, podcasting instructor, improv leader, and all-around storytelling powerhouse, whom I had the pleasure of meeting at Podfest. Mr. Roth shares his incredible life journey, from working in the political world with New York City’s Mayor Lindsay to revolutionizing sales strategies in LA and Cincinnati. We explore how his early ventu...

Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is with Brian Strubhar, who is a life coach with a vast amount of wisdom. He shares with us discipline and principles, especially helping us with business, relationships, and mindsets. Together, we emphasize the importance of embracing vulnerability and authenticity in personal interactions. By sharing our struggles and allowing ourselves to be emotionally nak...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Marcus Hart — a U.S. Army veteran, author, podcast host, and PTSD recovery coach — to talk about his journey from warzones in Iraq to helping veterans and civilians alike overcome trauma. Mr. Hart shares how his role as a logistics specialist put him in direct danger during convoys and supply runs, including surviving ambushes and small arms fire. Most impor...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Sean Douglas — a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and vice president of the nonprofit One Life Fully Lived. With 20 years and four days of service under his belt, Mr. Douglas takes us on a raw, powerful, and at times hilarious journey through his military career, personal collapse, and post-service transformation. We cover ev...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Ricky D. Sluder — a published author, former law enforcement officer, and the founder of Accepting Truth, Finding Hope . In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, we uncover what happens when trauma, PTSD, and toxic systems go untreated, and how faith and honest conversation can offer the kind of healing most institutions can’t. Mr. Sluder brings raw...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with EJ “Skullcrusher” Snyder — U.S. Army veteran, survivalist, and star of Naked and Afraid . Mr. Snyder shares his 25-year military career, including combat tours in Desert Storm and Iraq, and how his post-retirement journey took him into the world of survival instruction, motivational speaking, and reality TV. We unpack his six appearances on Naked and Afraid...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Jonathan Phoenix, also known as the Carolina Storyteller, to discuss his powerful journey through trauma, PTSD, and healing.  Mr. Phoenix, a second-generation firefighter and former EMT, walks us through his firsthand experiences—from being shot at as a young security guard to facing some of the worst emergencies imaginable as a first responder. We explore t...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with fellow shipmate Douglas Brinker, a U.S. Navy veteran, mental health director for the Michigan Department of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and founder of Beacon 4 Hope LLC.  Mr. Brinker shares his incredible journey from serving as a Boatswain’s Mate aboard the USS Mullinnix and the USS Dewert to becoming a two-time suicide attempt survivor and national suici...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Mr. Kinshon Ra, a former Marine who opens up about his intense combat experience, post-military struggles, and the transformative spiritual awakening that changed his life.  Mr. Ra walks us through his early days as a proud and decorated Marine, his time in heavy combat during the Battle of Nasiriyah, and the psychological toll it took on him over the years...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Mr. Josef Stetter, an international bestselling author, recruiting expert, and the man known as " The Resume Whisperer ."  Mr. Stetter shares career-changing advice for job seekers, veterans transitioning to civilian work, recent graduates, and anyone stuck in a dead-end job. With nearly 20 years of recruiting experience and a track record of helpi...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Navy Culinary Specialist and aspiring mechanic Toretto for one of the rawest and most personal conversations we’ve ever had on the show. By that, I mean watch out- this guest has a Sailor's mouth for sure!  From his childhood love of loud engines to his dream of becoming a professional racer, Mr. Toretto shares why he’s driven—literally and figuratively...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Robert Urban, a former Marine who has turned his post-service life into one of creativity and entrepreneurship. Mr. Urban shares how an unexpected injury forced him out of the Marine Corps after nearly a decade of service, leading him from kicking down doors to building a bestselling author career, running a marketing agency, and launching a survival school...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Mr. Michael W. Allison, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Purple Heart recipient, father, and business leader. Mr. Allison shares his powerful journey from enlisting in the military after a football injury derailed his college dreams, to experiencing the horrors of combat in Iraq—including losing close friends and surviving an IED blast that changed his life fore...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Mr. David Nathanson, a Marine Corps veteran who served 34 years across both enlisted and officer ranks. Mr. Nathanson shares his journey from joining at age 17 to retiring as a colonel, offering powerful insight into what kept him in the service, the challenges of military leadership, and the emotional weight of leaving the brotherhood behind. We talk about...

Send us Fan Mail Today, I sit down with Mr. Brandon Sanders, host of The B Sando World podcast and a fellow U.S. Navy veteran. Mr. Sanders shares his story of serving aboard the USS Wayne E. Meyer as a Gunner’s Mate, offering raw and hilarious insight into the Navy life—from pre-commissioning a ship to staying on board 24/7, partying on paydays, and navigating a wild barracks setup with unexpected...