Unarmored Talk

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how one moment can change the rest of your life? A rollover crash on a dark Montana highway changed everything for Army veteran Darshan Shanti. The accident left him with a traumatic brain injury, severe injuries to his hand and arm, and a year-long recovery that forced one powerful question: What meaning do you attach to what happened? In this episode, Dars...

Send us Fan Mail What separates someone who has a leadership title from someone people genuinely want to follow? In this episode, I am joined by Mark J. O’Loughlin , a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major whose 30-year career includes infantry leadership, drill instructor duty, deployments to Desert Storm and Iraq, and senior roles supporting wounded Marines. Mark shares lessons from his new book,...

Send us Fan Mail Who are you when the uniform comes off? In this episode of Unarmored Talk , I sit down with Angeletha Long , a U.S. Army veteran of 24 years and leadership strategist, to unpack one of the hardest questions veterans face after service: Who are you—really? We go beyond the surface of transition and get into the identity shift that happens when the structure, mission, and title you’...

Send us Fan Mail The hardest pushback often comes from the people closest to you—so what if that resistance is actually confirmation you’re on the right path? In this episode of Unarmored Talk , I sit down with Rachel Singletary—minister, facilitator, and leader—to talk about what obedience really looks like when your calling demands growth, discipline, and time. We get honest about the refining p...

Send us Fan Mail Cancer isn’t a solo fight—especially for veterans. But too many are still fighting it alone. In this episode, Marine Corps couples Joe and Jennifer Worthy, and Casey and Ashton Kroner, share the reality behind colon cancer, testicular cancer, remission, and the grind of chemo. This is the side of cancer you don’t see—shock, denial, constant appointments, and the strain of trying n...

Send us Fan Mail What if success isn’t the right career? In this Unarmored Talk podcast episode, I sit down with U.S. Army veteran Frank Van Buren, author of Life Lessons from the Cockpit, to explore his journey from flying night missions to Wall Street—and the realization that success alone doesn’t equal fulfillment. A chance conversation on a beach in Cyprus during the Beirut Air Bridge set ever...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever stopped to ask yourself—am I putting people first, or just chasing outcomes? For the first time, David Tellefsen removes the armor. In this episode, the 22-year Marine Corps veteran and Director of Veterans Services in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, shares what drives his passion for serving others—and why people must always come before profit. We discuss leadership,...

Send us Fan Mail Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse and trauma that some viewers may find difficult. Viewer discretion is advised. In this episode of Unarmored Talk , I speak with Emilio Roman , a Marine Corps veteran, minister, entrepreneur, and author who grew up in Camden, New Jersey, surrounded by instability and hardship. Despite those early challenges...

Send us Fan Mail A single choice can change a life — but so can the choices that follow. Beth Abbott returns to Unarmored Talk to share the truth behind a DUI that injured two teens, cost her a frocked promotion, and forced a painful reckoning with addiction, leadership, and identity. From volunteering to begin her jail sentence immediately, to finding purpose behind bars, to rebuilding through so...

Send us Fan Mail Do you notice significant changes in your mood, energy, or focus from fall to spring?  Every fall, I deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). When the days shorten and energy dips, I don’t ignore it — I prepare for it. In this episode of Unarmored Talk, I share three simple, repeatable habits that help me stay mentally steady from fall through winter and into spring: • Control...

Send us Fan Mail Who are you when the plan ends? Marine veteran William Philyaw IV shares his journey from overseas embassy security duty to navigating an unexpected injury that forced him to surrender a 20-year vision. Through faith, family, and intentional relationships, William rebuilt his identity and discovered a new mission serving veterans in Virginia. This episode explores transition, purp...

Send us Fan Mail Wondering What You’re Actually Worth at Work? In this Unarmored Talk Pro Tip episode , we break down how to determine your worth at work without ego or guesswork. This conversation focuses on clarity—using market-backed information to make confident decisions in reviews, negotiations, and career moves. We start by separating identity from market value. Your worth as a person isn’t...

Send us Fan Mail What Happens When You Reach the Top and Then Have to Start Over? In this Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, I sit down with retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Steve Maynor Jr., now a Communications Instructor at Davidson-Davie Community College, to talk about what really happens when the uniform comes off and the old playbook stops working. After 23+ years of service, Steve refle...

Send us Fan Mail What if the best way to start your week isn’t more motivation—but better regulation? Before the week pulls at your attention, this short conversation offers three simple ways to reduce stress and gain clarity: hydrate before screens, regulate your nervous system with intentional breathing, and choose one non-negotiable to guide your time. The goal isn’t a perfect week—it’s a calm...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt the weight of a career transition and wondered if you were falling behind? On this episode of the Unarmored Talk Podcast , I share a different perspective: when transition feels heavy, it’s not failure—it’s awareness. It’s your nervous system paying attention because the moment matters. I walk through three practical pro tips for navigating career change, job tr...

Send us Fan Mail Ever feel the tension rise the moment your boss walks in? On this episode of Unarmored Talk , host Mario P. Fields, Sergeant Major (Retired) sits down with Army veteran, TEDx speaker, and leadership strategist Gregory Archbold to break down how to lead calmly and effectively when leadership above you falls short. With 33 years of experience—from enlisted medic to military police o...

Send us Fan Mail What if clearer thinking, steadier balance, and deeper sleep start in your inner ear? In this episode, I sit down with Sheila Thelen , coach and founder, to unpack how vestibular training—originally refined with elite figure skaters—now helps veterans improve sleep, athletes recover from concussions, kids with ADHD sharpen focus, and older adults reduce fall risk. Sheila explains...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how a Republic of Korea Recon Marine ends up passing the bar in the U.S.? Minjoon Kim’s journey—from freezing Korean night hikes to earning his place at a California law firm—proves that grit and legacy outlast hardship. His path shows how discipline, humility, and a deep respect for family history can reshape an entire trajectory. He brings us into recon life: brutal...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your job, identity, and future disappear overnight? In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Hale —a Navy chef turned Army EOD tech—to unpack his journey from an IED blast that took his sight and hearing to rebuilding a life defined by purpose and action. Aaron shares how trauma fractures identity, how community at Walter Reed kept him grounded, and how shifting f...

Send us Fan Mail How do you develop leaders who can stay disciplined, think clearly under pressure, and turn adversity into an advantage? In my latest episode, Master Gunnery Sergeant Shelon “Hutch” Hutchison shares leadership lessons shaped by a 27-year Marine Corps career—and a journey that began as a kid walking barefoot along a Jamaican mountainside. Hutch’s perspective offers practical takeaw...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating multiple job offers can be a blessing — or a trap — depending on how you handle the moment. In this Unarmored Talk Pro Tip episode, I break down five critical mistakes people make when choosing between job opportunities… and how to avoid them. Suppose you're transitioning from the military, changing careers, or stepping into a new chapter. In that case, this episod...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the medals, rank, and spotlight can’t hide the pain anymore? I sit down with Marine Corps Captain and former Team USA bobsled athlete Riley Tejcek to unpack the quiet cost of divorce 💔, the line between grief and depression, and how true forgiveness can free the soul 🙏. Riley opens up about how success became a shield—how overtraining and perfection masked deep...

Send us Fan Mail What if your greatest leadership move isn’t to push harder — but to connect deeper? 🤝 Retired Army Colonel and executive coach Paul Raggio joins me to unpack the difference between motivation and inspiration , how emotional intelligence fuels trust , and why a leader’s first job is to help others stay self-motivated . From Desert Storm to the boardroom , Paul shares field-tested...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ What if the second half of life isn’t a slow fade—but a bigger canvas? Meet Barbara and Heather, a mother-daughter coaching duo redefining midlife. 🌱 Barbara returned to school in her 50s, earned two master’s degrees, and rebuilt her coaching practice. 🎓 Heather left the performing arts at 40, discovered leadership coaching, and found her calling to teach adults and teams. 🎭...

Send us Fan Mail Ever freeze up when asked about your strengths and weaknesses? 😅 In this episode, I break down why self-awareness isn’t just a personal trait — it’s a professional superpower. 🎯 Learn how understanding who you are, where you shine, and how you’re growing can make you a stronger candidate and a better teammate. Whether you’re transitioning from the military or leveling up your ci...