The MisFitNation

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes US Army veteran, author, and independent publisher Ken Dupar for a raw, funny, and deeply human conversation about survival, service, creativity, and meaning. Raised in Milwaukee and shaped by the University of Wisconsin before joining the U.S. Army, Ken found belonging, structure, and purpose in uniform. After the post–Persian Gulf...

On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake and Stephen welcome US Marine Corps combat veteran David Shoup, founder of Warriors Awakening and a leading voice in the fight to eliminate PTSD from the lives of veterans and active-duty service members. David served as an infantry rifleman during Operation Iraqi Freedom, with additional duties supporting special operations units in multiple environ...

On this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake and Stephen welcome U.S. Army Veteran Richard Spegal, a Pennsylvania National Guard officer, former 82nd Airborne soldier, and acclaimed author of dark fantasy and paranormal fiction. Richard is the creative force behind worlds like Eternal Nights and the Wolves & Ravens trilogy—stories filled with magic, mystery, moral risk, and the shadows most fic...

In this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes U.S. Army Veteran Jane Babcock, a retired Sergeant First Class and former nationally accredited County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) who has spent her life serving those who served. Jane’s military career spans more than 21 years, holding five MOSs, serving on Active Duty, Army Reserve, and completing multiple periods of mobilized...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes U.S. Army Veteran Manny Vera, a former Military Police Soldier who served nearly a decade in uniform and continues his mission of service far beyond it. After transitioning from active duty, Manny found renewed purpose supporting fellow veterans through mental health initiatives as a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist (CRPS) in Jacks...

In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes U.S. Army Veteran Cait Conley—a West Point graduate, Bronze Star recipient, counterterrorism leader, and candidate for Congress in New York’s 17th District. A fourth-generation Hudson Valley native from working-class roots, Cait felt her calling to serve on September 11th while still in high school. That moment led her to th...

What happens after a working dog’s service ends—and the real battle begins? In this powerful episode of The ToosDay Crüe, the hosts welcome Chris Bingham, federal law enforcement K9 handler and lifelong partner to K9 Tambo, a decorated retired working dog who spent years protecting people and property at the highest levels of government. After retirement, Tambo faced a new mission: survival. Diagn...

What happens when unimaginable loss becomes a calling to help others heal? In this moving episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Steve and Carol Riggs, the parents of U.S. Army Sgt. Andrew Riggs, who tragically took his life after returning from Afghanistan. Devastated by grief, Steve and Carol experienced a life-changing spiritual awakening that transformed their pain into purpo...

What happens when a battle-hardened Marine turns his fight toward healing others? In this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, hosts Jake Holland and Stephen LaMonica welcome U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jeremy Stalnecker, CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping service members, veterans, and their families overcome the unseen wounds of combat like PTSD, moral injury, and trau...

On this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Bryan Stern, U.S. Army & Navy combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and founder of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation—one of the most effective civilian-led rescue organizations in the world. After witnessing Americans and allies abandoned during the Afghanistan withdrawal, Bryan didn’t wait for permission—he built a rescue netwo...

On this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes US Navy Veteran Daryl J.W. Mackin, founder of A Soldier’s Child Foundation (ASC)—a nonprofit born from loss, love, and an unshakable commitment to the children left behind after military service. After the death of Marine Staff Sergeant Marcus Golcyznski in Iraq, Daryl took a deeply personal call to action: “Love the child l...

On this episode of The ToosDay Crue, we welcome US Army National Guard Veteran Kevin Odom—a seasoned behavioral health clinician, leader, and person in long-term recovery—whose life and career sit at the intersection of service, healing, and purpose. Kevin honorably served as a mechanic in the Army National Guard before dedicating their post-military life to behavioral healthcare. Drawing from liv...

On this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes entrepreneur, storyteller, and resilience expert Chris Shurian for a raw and unforgettable conversation about grit, reinvention, and what it really takes to keep going. Chris’s life reads like a movie—growing up between Southern California and rural Montana, navigating deep spiritual transitions, surviving cancer, completing two Iron...

In this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Arlene Cohen Miller, CEO of Jewel Consultancy and a certified Work-Life Harmony & Leadership Coach. 👉 www.jewelconsultancy.com Arlene brings decades of experience helping women—and leaders everywhere—create lives filled with confidence, clarity, and harmony. A Professional Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation,...

In this episode of The ToosDay Crue, Stephen, Jake, and Rich welcome Jim Tracy—one of North America’s most in-demand speakers on workplace culture, resilience, and leadership. 👉 Learn more at: www.thejimtracy.com | www.thegrampion.com Jim brings decades of experience as a CEO, bestselling author, jet pilot, podcaster, and Grampion to 18 grandkids. With a career filled with resilience and team-bui...

In this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Paul Pape, creator of Gamify Business and the man behind the TEDx talk Santa for Nerds. Paul spent 20 years proving the critics wrong—transforming from a struggling theater designer into a thriving creative entrepreneur. Along the way, he’s worked with Disney, Universal, Nickelodeon, and The Tonight Show, and built a coaching methodo...

In this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with US Air Force Veteran, entrepreneur, author, and speaker Dennis McCurdy to talk about resilience, business, and the power of connection. Dennis’s story is one of grit and determination—starting work at age 12, graduating near the bottom of his class, and bouncing back after early career setbacks. By 36, he had built a net w...

In this episode of The ToosDay Crue, the crew welcomes Sean McManus, Men’s Strength Coach and founder of McManus Strength & Nutrition, a movement helping Christian men reclaim confidence, discipline, and leadership through faith and physical strength. After years chasing corporate success, Sean hit a breaking point—burnout, disconnection, and a crisis of identity. What followed was a divine wake-u...

In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Erik Holt—a former Fire Chief who took a stand for integrity, free speech, and the Constitution. After uncovering election misconduct in his Colorado community, Erik refused to destroy evidence and was fired in retaliation. Despite 18 years of federal service and transforming his fire department into a thriving team, he...

Brad Snyder: Navy EOD Warrior to Paralympic Champion | The MisFitNation Show In this powerful episode, Host Rich LaMonica welcomes US Navy Veteran, Paralympic Gold Medalist, and Ethical Leadership Scholar Brad Snyder. From surviving a life-changing IED blast to becoming one of the world’s most decorated Paralympic athletes, Brad’s story is a masterclass in resilience, virtue, and purpose-driven le...

In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes U.S. Navy Veteran and former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam for a deep conversation on leadership, service, and decision-making at the highest levels. Matt served over 20 years in the U.S. Navy, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and the Pacific, operating in some of the most dangerous environments in the world to disrupt terro...

Travis Landchild: Stick Vet Comics & The Veteran’s Healing Journey | The ToosDay Crüe This week, The ToosDay Crüe welcomes U.S. Army Veteran, Mental Health Specialist, author, and creator of Stick Vet Comics—Travis Landchild. His work blends truth, humor, spiritual conflict, and the raw reality of military transition into one unforgettable veteran-focused storytelling universe. As the author of St...

In this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Sravan Ankaraju, Founder of Divergence Academy—one of America’s fastest-growing vocational schools. Sravan shares how his mission-driven vision is transforming the modern workforce by equipping veterans and career changers with hands-on, career-ready skills in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI. Recognized on the Inc. 5000 a...

In this powerful episode of The ToosDay Crüe, we welcome Laura Lindsey, Development Director for Heroes on the Water, an incredible nonprofit helping veterans, first responders, and their families find healing through kayak fishing and outdoor wellness programs. Founded in 2007, Heroes on the Water provides free, community-driven, recreational wellness experiences proven to reduce stress, improve...

The ToosDay Crue welcomes Elaine Brewer — trauma-informed transformation coach, educator, author, and advocate for veteran wellness. Elaine is the author of Fck You, Watch Me*, a raw memoir about overcoming addiction, reclaiming purpose, and writing a new life script. Through her work as a Psychedelic Integration Coach with Transcend Coaching & Integration Services, Elaine helps veterans and indiv...