Unarmored Talk

Send us Fan Mail In my first "Sink or Swim" #Unarmoredtalkpodcast episode, I share how failing the easiest part of a boot camp swim test 🌊 became a lesson in #perseverance, faith, and resilience. These moments don’t just shape us personally — they reveal and build soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence that drive success in business and life. 🎯 Try t...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙What if everything you thought you knew about PTSD and trauma was incomplete—or even wrong? Rethinking PTSD & Trauma – In this Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, Mario P. Fields sits down with Dr. David Rubenstein to shatter the usual narrative around post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma. Forget the clichés—this is a raw, eye-opening conversation about mental health, recove...

Send us Fan Mail What drives a decorated Army veteran to dedicate his life to saving troubled youth? For Craig Hannum, it was witnessing 182 suicides during his 20-year military career. Determined to change the narrative, Craig pioneered a school-wide intervention strategy that turned 14 suicide attempts into zero the following year. His method? Training everyone—from teachers to janitors—in suici...

Send us Fan Mail For Ottawa entrepreneur Sean Frost, it starts with refusing to compromise on passion. From music producer to real estate broker, Sean's journey was anything but linear. Despite early success in a contracting business, he battled depression until he returned to his creative roots. Sean shares his unique view on failure: “Failure only happens when you give up.” He urges listene...

Send us Fan Mail In this heartfelt Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, we explore the inspiring story of Lance Jones, son of Eric Jones, whose unwavering work ethic and passion for basketball set him apart.  Under the guidance of his father—his coach and mentor—Lance pushed beyond natural limitations, proving that relentless dedication and discipline could outshine raw talent. Their bond extended beyo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Unarmored Talk, we explore the profound challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life, including the identity crises that often accompany it. Marine Corps Veteran Garret Biss shares his powerful story of confronting mental health struggles and highlights the transformative role of authenticity in the healing process. Key takeaways include: Th...

Send us Fan Mail As this year draws to a close, I had the privilege of sitting down with my incredible wife, Nicole, to record a very special episode of Unarmored Talk . This one is different—it’s unstructured, raw, and straight from the heart. We share stories from the early days of our relationship, including the unforgettable moment we first met and our initial impressions of each other. We als...

Send us Fan Mail Curiosity drives self-discovery and growth, helping us align our choices with our authentic selves. In Cynthia Schwartzberg's updated book, "The Curious Voyage to Authenticity," she shares how curiosity fosters intentional living, exploring: *Evaluating life choices *Bridging the gap between intentions and actions *Building healthy coping mechanisms *Journaling for...

Send us Fan Mail What if exploring alcoholic beverages was as personalized and effortless as streaming music? Meet Mike Waskewich Jr., a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major turned entrepreneur, who, alongside his wife, created the Bar Book mobile app. In this episode of Unarmored Talk Podcast , Mike shares their journey from military service to launching an app that uses flavor-matching technology to...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Unarmored Talk Podcast , Dr. Dawn DiRaimondo, a Clinical Psychologist, shares her journey through sibling loss after her brother Michael, an Army flight medic, was killed in Iraq. Together, we explore the often-overlooked grief of surviving siblings, who are frequently overshadowed by society's focus on parental loss. Dawn reflects on how this experience re...

Send us Fan Mail Traci Neal’s story is one of resilience and triumph. She's an inspiring author and professional Christian poet who opens up about her journey of embracing autism and ADHD as unique strengths rather than obstacles. Escaping societal expectations, Traci pursued her passion for poetry, a love instilled by her mother, and transformed her life with newfound clarity after her diagn...

Send us Fan Mail 🎉 4 Years of Unarmored Talk Podcast! 🎉 Nicole and I are beyond grateful for your support over the past four years. With 130+ episodes, 12,000 downloads across 49 countries/territories and 762 cities, and 112,000 YouTube views with 7,600 watch hours, the journey has been incredible! This year, expect fresh content, new guests, and a twist—some of them will even be interviewing me...

Send us Fan Mail What if life’s toughest challenges could be transformed into hope and inspiration? Meet James and Jess Ash, a resilient couple who embody strength and compassion. James, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, channels his upbringing into empowering others through self-defense, while Jess, a physician assistant and adventurer, takes on physical challenges to better understand her patients. T...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a distinguished Marine Corps Colonel transitions to civilian life? In this episode of the Unarmored Talk Podcast , retired Marine Corps Colonel Mark Shuster shares his journey from a 33-year military career to civilian life. He discusses the emotional and financial challenges of this transition and the importance of handling obstacles with composure. Mark also ex...

Send us Fan Mail How do you choose between a remarkable military career and putting family first? Keyth Pankau, a retired U.S. Coast Guard officer, shares his journey from serving in Fallujah with the Navy Seabees to leading humanitarian missions after Hurricane Katrina. Despite a passion for disaster response and crisis management, Keyth’s most defining moment came when he prioritized his daughte...

Send us Fan Mail -  🤔Can Mindset Truly Transform a Life? Join us for an extraordinary conversation with Demetrius Thigpen, also known as Meech Speaks—a Marine Corps Staff Sergeant, acclaimed motivational speaker, and the host of the Talkin' Crazy Podcast. Demetrius's journey is a powerful testament to resilience, change, and the influence of effective leadership. In this episode, he can...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a ninth-grade civics teacher decides to switch careers and becomes an attorney, CPA, or campaigns for an appointment to district court judge? Attorney and CPA Kimberly A. Herrick gives us a backstage pass into her dynamic career and journey as a Cabarrus County, NC, 2024 District 25 Court Judge - Seat 3 candidate who is redefining justice with empathy. This segme...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how AI can revolutionize your podcasting workflow? In our latest Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, discover the transformative power of AI with ChatGPT and its newest iteration, GPT-4. Learn how AI can generate content ideas, draft scripts, summarize episodes, and create engaging social media posts. As your host, I share my approach to blending human creativity with AI...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to escape post-war Vietnam and become a decorated Marine Sergeant Major? Listen to Retired Sergeant Major Chuong Nguyen share the final moments of his inspiring journey from Vietnam to America. Discover how his family's unwavering support fueled a life of resilience and service. A story of courage and hope! This episode offers a raw and intimate look at the...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to escape post-war Vietnam and become a decorated Marine Sergeant Major? Get ready to witness the resilience, courage, and resourcefulness required in the relentless quest for freedom. From navigating treacherous seas to finding refuge on a remote island, retired Sergeant Major Chuong Nguyen joins me to recount his extraordinary journey. Experience the tension an...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a Marine Corps veteran says goodbye to his corporate job and follows his passion into the entertainment world? Join us as Victor Cannon, owner of CAN-DO Productions, Inc., shares his remarkable 30-year journey from the Marines and trash industry to the entertainment sector. Victor talks about the mixed reactions from family and friends, the strategic seven-year p...

Send us Fan Mail If you're a military veteran seeking to navigate the job market, tune in for an enlightening discussion on leveraging your unique skill set. ChatGPT-4o brings to light the robust attributes veterans possess in high demand in the civilian workforce.  From leadership and teamwork to problem-solving and communication, we cover the soft skills that define the veteran brand and un...

Send us Fan Mail When integrity collides with professional expectations, the fallout can be a true test of character.  Pastor Willie Collins, Chief Petty Officer (retired) United States Navy, a man whose life has been defined by service to his country and his faith, walks us through the respectful and principled steps he took to exit gracefully, only to be met with an employer's scrutiny that...

Send us Fan Mail Larry Hamilton, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran turned philanthropist and aspiring medical researcher provides an insider's perspective on why programs like Alcoholics Anonymous may miss the mark for some, and how a multifaceted approach to recovery is often the key to real progress.  When Larry Hamilton speaks, you can almost hear the echoes of a past life in the military, mingl...

Send us Fan Mail King Jaquell Martin, a U.S. Army veteran, director, author, producer, motivational speaker, survivor of police brutality, and actor known for 'A War on Friendly Grounds' (2020), joins us for an 'unarmored' discussion about the delicate intricacies of forgiveness and its vital role in mending the emotional fabric of our lives. Together, we explore the nuances of...