Mindset: Lessons from the Field

He was recruited by the KGB, trained in deception, and sent to infiltrate America. But when the call came to return to Moscow, Jack Barsky made a life-altering decision—to stay. In this raw, mind-blowing conversation, Jack shares the traits that made him spy-worthy, how he learned to read people, and what truly helped him survive the high-stakes world of espionage. From bike messenger to corporate...

What’s it like to raise a family, build a business, and stay married through two decades of war? Sarah Lankford shares the raw, unfiltered truth of life as a military spouse. From holding it all together through deployments to rebuilding a marriage after retirement, this episode is a powerful look at resilience, sacrifice, faith, and forging identity in the shadows of service. This isn’t just abou...

After 20 years of service as an 18 Bravo Green Beret, Brandon Lankford faced his hardest battle yet—rediscovering who he was without the uniform. In this raw, powerful episode, Brandon shares his journey through war zones, fatherhood, ego, faith, failure, and redemption. He opens up about missed birthdays, post-retirement identity loss, and the soul-deep realization that true legacy isn’t about me...

What does it take to build unshakable resilience? Former Navy SEAL Kevin Stark spent 22 years mastering the art of mental fitness—now, he’s sharing how you can do the same. From surviving the most grueling training on Earth to pushing through ultra-endurance challenges, Kevin reveals the mindset shifts that help you conquer fear, self-doubt, and adversity. In this episode, we talk about:✅ The one...

Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill you train. In this episode, Kyle Shepard , a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy, resilience instructor, Guinness World Record holder, and writer on Substack , dives deep into the power of intentional stress and why controlled discomfort is the key to growth. He shares his journey of pushing physical and mental limits, how he trained for a...

In this episode of Mindset Lessons from the Field , I sit down with former Navy SEAL Sam Alaimo—co-founder of Zero Eyes and co-host of The Nobel podcast. Sam’s perspective on resilience, suffering, and modern-day complacency is both refreshing and necessary. We dive deep into why embracing hardship, rather than avoiding it, is key to developing true mental fitness. From combat diving to self-impos...

What does it take to lead under extreme pressure—where failure isn’t an option? Michael Athanasakis knows firsthand. As a former Night Stalker pilot in the elite 160th SOAR , he flew high-risk missions with no margin for error. After two decades in special operations, he made an unexpected transition—owning and operating a Chick-fil-A. Now, he’s applying the same leadership principles from the bat...

Two seconds. That’s all Kegan Gill had before impact. A U.S. Navy fighter pilot, Kegan was forced to eject at the speed of sound, suffering catastrophic injuries that left him paralyzed, broken, and fighting for his life in the freezing Atlantic. But his story didn’t end there. In this episode of Mindset Lessons from the Field , Kegan shares his unbelievable journey—from surviving the impossible t...

In this episode of Mindset Lessons from the Field , we sit down with Jim Foreman, a Navy SEAL veteran who spent 27 years in service—20 of those on SEAL Team Six. Jim shares powerful lessons on mental toughness, resilience, and leadership from one of the world’s most elite military units. He reveals why success isn’t about being the strongest but about pushing past your limits, learning from failur...

Ever feel like life completely derails your routine? Whether it’s travel, unexpected responsibilities, or just losing momentum, getting back on track can feel overwhelming. In this episode, former Green Beret and performance coach Chris Lee breaks down the real secret to consistency —and it’s not about perfect planning. We dive into:✅ Why routines fail—and how to adapt without losing progress✅ T...

In this powerful and raw episode, retired Recon Marine and Naval Intelligence Officer Jim Sisco shares his journey through combat, betrayal, and the toughest battles of his life—off the battlefield. From his first firefight to navigating the heartbreak of a contentious divorce and custody battle, Jim reveals the resilience, mental fitness, and lessons he's learned along the way. Discover how he tu...

This week’s guest is Nic McKinley, a U.S. Air Force pararescueman, CIA operative, and successful tech entrepreneur. Known as "The Real Jack Ryan," Nic reveals the mindset and strategies that powered his success in some of the most demanding environments on Earth. Learn how resilience, adaptability, and mental fitness can transform your approach to life’s obstacles. Whether you’re striving to overc...

In this episode of Mindset Lessons from the Field , Dave Fielding, a former Green Beret turned Spy, takes us on an extraordinary journey of resilience, adaptability, and emotional freedom. Dave shares his most pivotal moments, from the battlefield to undercover missions, revealing the mindset strategies that helped him navigate life-threatening situations, manage his emotions under extreme pressur...

In this inspiring episode of Mindset Lessons from the Field , former Navy SEAL Chadd Wright shares his incredible journey of perseverance, from failing the Navy SEAL entrance tests dozens of times to overcoming a life-threatening heart condition. Chadd reveals the power of humility, vulnerability, and patience in building resilience. He discusses his unique approach to mental toughness, the lesson...

In this New Year’s bonus episode, I take you inside my unforgettable Civilian SERE experience. From surviving stress positions to evading capture in the wilderness, this was no ordinary weekend. I share what it taught me about leadership, quick decision-making, and mental toughness—lessons I’ll carry forever. Happy New Year, and get ready to kickstart your 2025 with a mindset reset! 🔥 New Episode...

In this special bonus episode, Don Mann, Navy SEAL veteran and bestselling author, takes us deep into the world of SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) training. Hear incredible stories of mental toughness, resilience, and the small victories that kept him going in the most grueling scenarios. Don shares practical lessons to build an unshakable mindset, whether you’re in survival mode...

Todd Pinker, a 22-year Marine veteran and former Recon Marine, joins us to share his incredible journey from the demanding world of reconnaissance to becoming the owner of Voodoo Brewing Company in Myrtle Beach, SC. Todd dives into the mental toughness, adaptability, and grit it took to succeed in both the military and civilian life. In this episode, we discuss: * The grueling path to becoming a R...

In this episode of Mindset Lessons from the Field , Gina Casazzo sits down with retired Army Colonel and Special Ops aviator Brandon Parrish. With over 20 years of military experience, including service with the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers), Brandon shares his journey of resilience, discipline, and making tough choices. Learn how his experiences at West Point,...

In this inspiring episode, former Navy SEAL commander Chris Irwin shares his powerful journey from physical grit to true mental fitness. After a 20-year SEAL career, Chris faced chronic illness, mental struggles, and a life-altering low point in 2019. He realized that mental toughness alone wasn’t enough and embarked on a transformative path to heal his mind and body. Chris redefines mental health...

In Field Notes #02 , I dive into the lessons that turned my failing Kickstarter into a $6,200 success story. From adopting a “bet on yourself” mentality to learning the value of movement and adaptability, I share how insights from past guests and my own relentless drive helped me overcome doubt and hit my goal. If you’ve ever faced setbacks or questioned your ability to achieve your dreams, this e...

In this episode, I sit down with William Branum, a retired Navy SEAL and creator of the "Get Naked" mindset. William shares his transformative philosophy, teaching us how to expose our fears, kill mediocrity, and embrace failure to build resilience. From surviving Hell Week to transitioning into civilian life, William’s journey is a masterclass in mental toughness. Learn how to strip away excuses,...

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Engel , a former Navy SEAL officer turned CEO who has led an extraordinary journey from the battlefield to the boardroom. Jeff shares how he overcame crippling fears, including his fear of heights, to become a Navy SEAL and later transitioned into the corporate world, where he helped build a billion-dollar company. Now the CEO of Location Tech , Jeff specializ...

In this powerful episode of Mindset Lessons from the Field , I speak with former Green Beret Damone Brown, author of Black People Can't Swim . Damone shares his journey from overcoming stereotypes to succeeding in elite military training. He discusses breaking barriers, mental toughness, and how lessons from Special Forces can help anyone push past self-imposed limits. Dive into this inspiring sto...

Welcome to Field Notes, my mini-episode series from Mindset Lessons from the Field. I’m Gina Casazza, and in these short episodes, I share the real-life challenges I’m facing and how I’m applying the lessons learned from Special Forces experts and mindset mentors. Right now, I’m working to fund my new children's book, and it's a test of persistence, resilience, and a whole lot of grit. From managi...

In this powerful episode, Dan Cnossen, former Navy SEAL, Purple Heart and Bronze Star Valor recipient, and decorated Paralympian, joins the show to share his journey of resilience, mental strength, and leadership. From his time as a platoon commander to his experiences at the Naval Academy, Dan opens up about his early calling to service, the intense mental and physical preparation it took to beco...