Unarmored Talk

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...

Send us Fan Mail What if the voices we salute 🇺🇸 fade before we ever truly hear them? Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Andrew Cox shares how one simple idea— record every veteran’s story —grew into The Lost Art Project , now partnered with the Marine Corps History Division .  From a bourbon-fueled first recording 🥃 (and his mom’s honest critique!) to building a disciplined, service-first mission,...

Send us Fan Mail Can your most meaningful work begin after 50 ? Executive and leadership coach Dr. Sanaz Solomon proves it can. In this kickoff episode of the BoldTimers { https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldtimers/ } collaboration, we unpack: Surviving vs. Thriving (02:43): How to move from routine survival to living with energy and purpose. Leaving a Stable Career for Meaning (03:28): Why Dr. S...

Send us Fan Mail Ever felt the pull to move on but worried it might hurt your reputation? 👔 In this episode, we reframe “quitting” into purposeful resignation — a mindset that protects your personal brand and positions you for what’s next. You’ll hear a clear, 3-step plan to shift from frustration to focus, from impulse to intention, and from goodbye to a strong future hello. We cover how to refl...

Send us Fan Mail Snap judgments happen fast—often before a single word leaves your mouth. In this episode, we unpack the 55-38-7 rule—body language, tone, and words—and explore how nonverbal communication shapes trust, credibility, and connection. You’ll learn how subtle cues like crossed arms, poor posture, or lack of smiling can quietly work against you—and how to rebuild confidence through open...

Send us Fan Mail Taylor Vogel thought the Marine Corps would give him structure when life had none. After three deployments and a devastating IED blast, he survived but came home unraveled—TBI, PTSD, a bottle within reach, and a family on the line. This isn’t a polished comeback—it’s a raw story of drifting without roots, wrestling with faith 🙏, and learning that surrender and daily discipline ca...

Send us Fan Mail Ever freeze up when an interviewer says, “Tell me about yourself”? In this Quick Pro Tip, I share a simple, 3-step method to help veterans and transitioning service members answer that question with confidence: ✅ Start with where you are now ✅ Bridge to your most relevant experience ✅ End with where you’re going next Your story is your strength — you just need to frame it right...

Send us Fan Mail What if the title you’re most proud of is the very thing holding you back from who you’re meant to become?   That’s the heart of this powerful conversation with Marine infantry officer turned pastor and Mighty Oaks Foundation CEO, Jeremy Stalnecker . From leading Marines in the 2003 push to Baghdad with 1/5 to leading a church in Oceanside, Jeremy opens up about anger, dislocation...

Send us Fan Mail 💼 Getting out of the military and wondering how to negotiate your first job offer? 🤔  In this Quick Pro Tip video, I share three strategies every veteran should know: research and present a fair salary range, highlight the true value of your soft skills, and take time to evaluate the entire package — salary and benefits.  These tips can help you avoid settling and start your civ...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some people rarely get sick — or how others recover from PTSD after decades of struggle?  The answer may lie in the diaphragm, a muscle Dr. David Rubenstein calls second only to the heart. It drives immunity, eases back pain, and boosts strength — a reason Navy SEALs and athletes rely on it. Don, a Vietnam veteran with decades of PTSD, found peace after weeks of Ru...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when an Army infantry squad leader swaps his rifle for a business plan?   In this episode of Unarmored Talk , I sit down with veteran entrepreneur Matthew Kemp to hear how he went from leading combat missions in Baghdad to building two thriving businesses. Matthew shares how he defied the odds—finishing college in under three years, navigating corporate America, and u...

Send us Fan Mail Professionals, Service Members, and Veterans — have you ever Googled yourself or your organization and wondered why you didn’t show up first? That’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization) — and it’s one of the most overlooked parts of building your digital brand. In this episode of SgtMaj Pro Tips, I explain SEO in simple terms and show how you can improve yours without being a tech exp...

Send us Fan Mail When the uniform comes off, people don’t see your rank or ribbons — they see your brand. Your personal brand is your reputation when you’re not in the room. And today, it shows up first on social media. Are you being intentional about how you show up online? 👉 Watch this short video: https://youtu.be/-9BvJXYDFQo Support the show Become a Member Today! https://www.youtube.com/chan...

Send us Fan Mail The invisible weight of service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. For Marine Corps veteran Garrett Biss, the toughest battle began after 17 years of active duty—asking, “Who am I without my uniform?” In this powerful conversation, Garrett introduces the idea of the “dichotomous ego,” where service members are lifted by their role yet driven by constant criticism. When the un...

Send us Fan Mail ✨ What if the number of breaths you take per minute could reveal your true path to healing? 🩺 Trauma expert Dr. David Rubenstein shares insights from over 22,000 measurements, showing that 19+ breaths per minute almost always signal PTSD, while 7 or fewer indicate optimal recovery. His color-coded “red to green” framework provides an objective, unalterable way to track progress....

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to healing pain and PTSD wasn’t medication, but your breath? 🫁 In this episode, Dr. David Rubenstein reveals how a discovery in 1994 reshaped our understanding of chronic pain, stress, and trauma. With over 22,000 measurements, his research shows how breathing patterns directly influence cortisol, sleep, and even trauma response. Using gentle “motion recipes,” he...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when your transition plan falls apart? For Marine veteran Matthew Askren, failure wasn’t fatal—it was fuel. From abandoned business dreams to unexpected detours in flooring sales and food manufacturing, each step became a building block toward his success as a CEO leading multiple companies.  In this episode of Beyond the Uniform: Transition with Purpose, Build a Mean...