The Resilient Life

What does it take to sit with someone in the hard moments, and then do it again, and again? Secretary Doug Collins has answered that call as a pastor, an Air Force chaplain deployed to Iraq, a U.S. Congressman, and now as the 12th Secretary of Veterans Affairs.    In this candid conversation, Ryan Manion and Secretary Collins talk about the real progress happening at the VA, and why veteran-to-vet...

Jackson Perkins is an active duty Marine. Yet in his down time, he's a talented country music artist who is quickly making a name for himself. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Jackson to explore what it means to carry two callings at once: the discipline of military service and the vulnerability of putting your heart into music. Jackson shares how the intersection of military life and creative...

Ryan Manion sits down with philanthropist, advocate, and Netflix’s Members Only: Palm Beach star Rosalyn Yellin for a deeply personal conversation about resilience, identity, and the power of service. Rosalyn shares how her perspective on strength was forged by her family’s history, specifically the enduring legacy of her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. This profound connection to survival and...

In this episode, Ryan Manion welcomes Gold Star spouse Ashley Southard, who opens up about the experience of losing her husband, Sgt. Andrew Southard, in service and the complex road that followed. With raw vulnerability, Ashley talks about the early fog and pain of grief, the turning points that helped her reclaim her identity, and how she learned to make space for joy again. Ashley's story is on...

Retired Navy SEAL Mike Hayes joins Ryan Manion for an inspiring conversation about what it really means to live a mission-driven life. Drawing from his new book, Mission Driven: The Path to a Life of Purpose, Mike shares hard-earned lessons on navigating life’s transitions, leading with character, and finding fulfillment through service to others. Together, Ryan and Mike explore the nuance between...

Ryan Manion welcomes Marine veteran, fighter pilot, and leadership instructor Dave Berke to explore what true leadership looks like in everyday life. Dave reflects on lessons from his time in combat, his experience training at TOPGUN, and how those moments shaped the leadership principles he now teaches through Echelon Front. He also dives into his new book,  The Need to Lead , which offers a comp...

On this 9/11 anniversary episode of The Resilient Life, host Ryan Manion sits down with former FDNY firefighter Tim Sullivan, who served on the frontlines during the September 11th attacks. Tim recounts the harrowing realities of that day, the resilience required in the months and years that followed, and the challenges of healing while carrying the weight of loss. In 2006, Tim had the opportunity...

In this moving episode of  The Resilient Life , host Ryan Manion sits down with Brielle Persun, a young widow navigating life after the sudden loss of her husband, Tyler, earlier this year. With raw honesty and courage, Brielle shares her journey through grief, the challenges of raising her son in the wake of tragedy, and the ways she is discovering resilience in the hardest season of her life. Sh...

On August 26, 2021, a suicide bombing at Abbey Gate during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan claimed the lives of 13 American service members and 170 Afghan civilians. Marine Sergeant Tyler Vargas-Andrews survived that day, though with life-changing injuries, and has since carried the stories of those who were lost. In this moving episode of The Resilient Life, Ryan Manion is joined by Tyler as...

In this powerful episode of  The Resilient Life , Ryan Manion sits down with retired Marine and Fox News contributor Johnny Joey Jones for an honest, moving conversation about purpose, perspective, and the people who inspire him most. From his combat experience and recovery journey to his latest book  Behind the Badge , Joey shares why telling the stories of others is just as important as sharing...

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Christian Schauf, the founder of Uncharted Supply Co., a company built to help people navigate emergencies and embrace the unexpected with confidence. He’s an entrepreneur, adventurer, and musician who once toured the globe bringing smiles to the faces of our troops through morale-boosting performances in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Christian sha...

In this powerful Memorial Day episode, Ryan Manion sits down with Sarah Ross Geisen, Gold Star sister of Captain Andrew Ross. Ryan and Sarah share their deeply personal stories of loss, resilience, and remembrance. As Gold Star siblings to fallen service members, they offer a moving perspective on what Memorial Day truly means beyond the barbecues and long weekends. Reflecting on both Travis Manio...

Charlotte North isn’t just a lacrosse player—she’s a force of nature. A two-time Tewaaraton Award winner, a national champion, and one of the most electrifying players the sport has ever seen, Charlotte has redefined what’s possible on the field with her record-breaking shots and unmatched intensity. But off the field, she’s just as impressive—an advocate, a mentor, and a role model for young athl...

In this powerful and compelling episode, Ryan Manion sits down with Norm Hooten, a legendary figure whose heroic actions during the Battle of Mogadishu were immortalized in the film Black Hawk Down. Norm reflects on the harrowing events of that day, sharing firsthand insights on courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bonds forged in the heat of battle. Beyond the battlefield, Norm’s journey didn’...

A Green Beret, former NFL player, and co-founder of the veteran-focused nonprofit Merging Vets and Players (MVP), Nate Boyer's path has been anything but ordinary. From deploying to combat zones with Special Forces to walking onto the football field as a 34-year-old rookie with the Seattle Seahawks, his journey is a testament to pushing limits and chasing purpose, no matter the odds. In this episo...

In this episode, Ryan and Blayne dive into Veteran Check-In , a powerful, no-cost initiative that encourages veterans, service members, and their families to stay connected and supported by providing a bridge to needed resources and care.  Blayne discusses challenges facing our nation's veterans, and how those challenges have shown up in his own life. Listen in as he reveals his own personal missi...

On this episode of The Resilient Life, Ryan sits down with a guest who defines resilience, reinvention, and unapologetic confidence—Erika Jayne. You know her from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, her electrifying music career, and the headlines that have followed her every move. But today, we're getting the real story—straight from her. From the highs of performing on stage to the challenges...

In this special 100th episode of The Resilient Life, Ryan sits down with a guest whose story of resilience and purpose is redefining what it means to serve. Matt Howard served as a Marine for 20 years, several of those as a Marine One pilot, even flying President Bush to ground zero in New York City mere days after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Driven to serve others after he left service, he...

Bo Nickal is a three-time NCAA wrestling champion, a rising star in mixed martial arts, and one of the most talked-about fighters of his generation. With a perfect 7-0 professional MMA record, Bo has quickly made a name for himself with his exceptional grappling skills and relentless fighting spirit. In this episode of The Resilient Life, Bo sits down with Ryan Manion and discusses his journey fro...

This special episode of The Resilient Life is packed with tradition, rivalry, and a guest who knows this topic inside and out. Ryan sits down with Connor Crehan, better known as Captain Cons from Barstool Sports. He’s an Army veteran, content creator, podcaster, and a voice of Barstool Sports' wildly popular Zero Blog Thirty. Connor is one of the most passionate voices when it comes to military cu...

Sage Steele is one of the most recognized faces in sports broadcasting, a trailblazer who spent nearly two decades at ESPN bringing us all closer to the games and the athletes we love. She's a journalist, a mom, a podcaster, a self-proclaimed "Army brat", and a champion for staying true to yourself, even in the face of adversity. In this episode of The Resilient Life, Sage shares her journey with...

Jocko Willink is a retired Navy SEAL, CEO of Echelon Front, bestselling author, and the host of the wildly popular Jocko Podcast. His insights on discipline, ownership, and mindset have transformed lives in boardrooms, on battlefields, and beyond. From leading combat missions in Iraq to helping businesses and individuals thrive under pressure, Jocko’s approach to life is as relentless as it is emp...

Don Faul, CEO of CrossFit, is not only a veteran, having served as a platoon commander with the United States Marine Corps, but he is also an accomplished business leader with an impactful track record at top-tier companies like Google, Facebook, Pinterest, and Athos. In this episode, Don sits down with Ryan Manion and dives into Don's journey from the battlefield to the boardroom, exploring the l...

In this episode of The Resilient Life, Ryan sits down with USMC veteran and Barstool podcaster Kate Mannion. Kate’s journey is full of transformation and resilience, from joining the Marines as a last resort, to being one of the few females beyond the wire in Afghanistan, and battling a crippling medical diagnosis and fighting for advocacy as a mom. Whether it's her unique perspective on life, her...

On this episode of The Resilient Life, Ryan Manion sits down with the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major Carlos Ruiz, a leader whose dedication and service has shaped the lives of countless Marines and whose wisdom continues to inspire the Corps. With over 30 years of service, SgtMaj Ruiz has navigated the complexities of modern warfare, championed the values of honor, courage...