Stay ConnectedThe Official Podcast of Kagan Dunlap
I’m Kagan Dunlap, and welcome to the Show! Storytelling is a huge part of our culture, and I want to enable people who have valuable stories, to share them with those who can benefit from them the most. You! Thank you for watching!
The Opinions and Views expressed in this podcast are personal and do not reflect the official DoW
Copyright: © Kagan Dunlap
Michael “Rod” Rodríguez is the President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. Rod joined the U.S. Army in 1992 and attended the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course to become a Green Beret in 1997. In 2013, he was medically retired due to numerous combat injuries. His last assignment as a Green Beret came as a Sniper Instructor assigned to the JFK Special Warfare Center (Range 37) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He has deployed ten times in service to our nation.
Rod’s involvement with the GWOT Memorial Foundation began in 2016, when he joined the organization as a board member in support of the Foundation’s sole mission to construct a Memorial on the National Mall that appropriately honors the profound service and sacrifices of all who served in America’s longest war. In 2018 Rod stepped into the leadership role of the Foundation as President and CEO.
From 2015-2018 Rod served as a member of President George W. Bush’s Military Service Initiative Advisory Council, advising and supporting the President and leadership of the Bush Institute on strategies and programs to support veterans and their families. In 2013, Rod was appointed as a Fellow of the Manhattan-based Explorers Club, an international organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific exploration and inquiry, for his research on traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress.
In August of 2021, Rod, assisted in evacuating U.S. allied personnel and their families from Afghanistan. He assists several other charities in the veteran and non-veteran spaces, and is called up for leadership advice, and strategies to private businesses and local, state, and national government agencies. Rod is a proud Norwich University graduate who holds a B.S. in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis and an M.A. in Diplomacy with a concentration in International Conflict Management.
As an artist who works with metal, Rod is a passionate advocate for the power of art to heal, tell a story, share an emotion, connect, and inspire us all. In addition to being part of several private collections to include the British Royal Family, his work has been exhibited at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and several other galleries across the nation. Rod also has worked with the National Endowment for the Arts Creative Forces initiative.
Rod is a New Mexico native who comes from a family with a strong tradition of military service. His father is a Vietnam veteran, both his grandfathers, and several other family members served during World War II. The mother of his children served for 21 years and deployed six times, their eldest son is stationed at Ft. Bragg and has deployed 4 times, one of which was to the same regions of Afghanistan as Rod and his mother. Rod has been an outspoken advocate for veterans and their families and often speaks publicly on the need to increase understanding of life experiences between the civilian and military communities. Most importantly, Rod is a proud abuelo (grandfather), padre (father), and hermano (brother) to many.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Michael Rodriguez Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/monsterzdad/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/michael.rodriguez.77398LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rodr%C3%ADguez-367b7b58/X - https://x.com/Monsterzdad
Benjamin Bunn is a former Green Beret and Infantry Officer who served 17 years in the United States Army before transitioning out in 2016. His military career includes multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror—most notably to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Baltics during stability operations in Eastern Europe. He earned his Green Beret in 2006 and closed out his service as an Infantry Officer, bringing with him a deep well of operational experience and leadership under pressure.Since leaving active duty, Ben has built a reputation as a driven entrepreneur and community builder. He is the founder and owner of Cigar City CrossFit in Tampa, Florida—a 15,000 sq. ft. training facility that has become a staple in the local fitness community. He’s also launched and advised multiple ventures in the startup and CPG space, with a focus on building sustainable brands and teams from the ground up. Ben currently serves as Deputy Executive Director at Warrior Rising, where he helps fellow veterans navigate the path from military service to entrepreneurship. He’s also the host of the Warrior Rising Podcast, where he shares stories from the front lines of business and mentors new veteran business owners one-on-one.Ben is a passionate coach, mentor, and community advocate. He’s raised over $1.5M for veteran nonprofits and volunteers regularly in the health and wellness space—most recently with SOCOM at MacDill AFB. Outside of work, he’s a proud father to his 6-year-old son Loyal, husband to Samantha, and the unofficial shepherd of two dogs and eleven chickens. He still trains daily and stays actively involved in his local community. His favorite cigarettes are camel filters.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Ben Bunn Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coach_bunny/?hl=enLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-bunn-a17a5b40/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Benjamin-Bunn
Benjamin Bunn is a former Green Beret and Infantry Officer who served 17 years in the United States Army before transitioning out in 2016. His military career includes multiple deployments in support of the Global War on Terror—most notably to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Baltics during stability operations in Eastern Europe. He earned his Green Beret in 2006 and closed out his service as an Infantry Officer, bringing with him a deep well of operational experience and leadership under pressure.
Since leaving active duty, Ben has built a reputation as a driven entrepreneur and community builder. He is the founder and owner of Cigar City CrossFit in Tampa, Florida—a 15,000 sq. ft. training facility that has become a staple in the local fitness community. He’s also launched and advised multiple ventures in the startup and CPG space, with a focus on building sustainable brands and teams from the ground up. Ben currently serves as Deputy Executive Director at Warrior Rising, where he helps fellow veterans navigate the path from military service to entrepreneurship. He’s also the host of the Warrior Rising Podcast, where he shares stories from the front lines of business and mentors new veteran business owners one-on-one.
Ben is a passionate coach, mentor, and community advocate. He’s raised over $1.5M for veteran nonprofits and volunteers regularly in the health and wellness space—most recently with SOCOM at MacDill AFB. Outside of work, he’s a proud father to his 6-year-old son Loyal, husband to Samantha, and the unofficial shepherd of two dogs and eleven chickens. He still trains daily and stays actively involved in his local community. His favorite cigarettes are camel filters.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Ben Bunn Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/coach_bunny/?hl=enLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-bunn-a17a5b40/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Benjamin-Bunn
Tyler Grey is an American actor, director, consultant, producer, and technical advisor as well as former Army Ranger and Delta Force operator who portrays Trent Sawyer on the SEAL Team. Tyler Grey is a former 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force) operator.
Prior to that, he was a sniper-qualified Army Ranger. Tyler was medically retired from the Army and was 100% disabled after being severely wounded on a mission in Iraq, which is why his right arm is disfigured. Tyler portrays Trent Sawyer on SEAL Team (TV Series), and also serves as a producer and consultant for the series.
Now a leading voice in veteran mental health, he developed LTSD theory—a groundbreaking framework on chaos addiction and how trauma rewires the brain—giving veterans a powerful new way to understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
From a young age, Tyler Grey dreamed of being a soldier—playing war with toy weapons and wearing military t-shirts like armor. A shy but fiercely loyal kid, he learned early that being a warrior could protect both himself and others. But instead of becoming a hero overnight, that path launched him into a years-long odyssey of chaos, combat, and ultimately, self-discovery.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059
Tyler Grey Links:
Official Website: https://tyleragrey.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tyleragrey
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/forgedinchaosbook/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyleragrey/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@tyleragrey
X - https://x.com/TylerAresGrey
Tyler Grey is an American actor, director, consultant, producer, and technical advisor as well as former Army Ranger and Delta Force operator who portrays Trent Sawyer on the SEAL Team.
Tyler Grey is a former 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force) operator. Prior to that, he was a sniper-qualified Army Ranger. Tyler was medically retired from the Army and was 100% disabled after being severely wounded on a mission in Iraq, which is why his right arm is disfigured. Tyler portrays Trent Sawyer on SEAL Team (TV Series), and also serves as a producer and consultant for the series.
Now a leading voice in veteran mental health, he developed LTSD theory—a groundbreaking framework on chaos addiction and how trauma rewires the brain—giving veterans a powerful new way to understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).From a young age, Tyler Grey dreamed of being a soldier—playing war with toy weapons and wearing military t-shirts like armor.
A shy but fiercely loyal kid, he learned early that being a warrior could protect both himself and others. But instead of becoming a hero overnight, that path launched him into a years-long odyssey of chaos, combat, and ultimately, self-discovery.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059
Tyler Grey Links:
Official Website: https://tyleragrey.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tyleragrey
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/forgedinchaosbook/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyleragrey/
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@tyleragrey
X - https://x.com/TylerAresGrey
Jason Redman joined the U.S. Navy on September 11, 1992, and spent 11 years as an enlisted Navy SEAL. He was commissioned in May of 2004 as a Naval SEAL Officer. In May of 2006, he graduated from U.S. Army Ranger School and deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, the following year.On September 13, 2007, while acting as Assault Force Commander to capture an Al Qaeda High Value Individual, Jason’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire, and he was severely wounded in the ensuing firefight.Jason was taken to Bethesda Naval Medical Center to begin his path towards recovery. After 37 surgeries, Jason uses his positive attitude to motivate others and to continue to raise awareness of the sacrifices of America’s military forces and their families. This drive led him to create the non-profit Wounded Wear, and author the bestselling books “The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader” and “Overcome: Crush Adversity with the Leadership Techniques of America’s Toughest Warriors.”Additionally, Jason speaks across the country, spreading his message of life, inspiration, leadership, and teamwork, and sheds a light on those who have sacrificed so much. In 2010, he was named the recipient of the Hope and Courage award, along with both the Hampton Roads community and Wendy’s recognizing him with their Military Hero award in 2013. In December 2013, Jason was awarded the Still Serving Veteran of the Year Award.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583743284059Jason Redman Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jasonredmanww/?hl=enFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/jasonredmanww/Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlcniaDl7BxOLMCn-EoXqwX - https://x.com/JasonRedmanWW
Gregory Wagnon was born in Pennsylvania, and grew up in Colorado and Virginia and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006 serving as an 0351 Assault man in 2nd Battalion 8th Marines in Fox Company. He served in two Combat tours, one in Iraq in Ramadi and one in Afghanistan in Helmand Province during the battles in Operation Khanjar Strike of the Sword. Since exiting service Gregory has gained a new found perspective on life through spirituality and abstinence. He found through God, Family, and Community a new found purpose in life and the freedom that it brings.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7
Kagan Dunlap Show Links:
Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/
X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShow
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=en
Gregory Wagnon Links:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/faithful_fitfather/
Gregory Wagnon was born in Pennsylvania, and grew up in Colorado and Virginia and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2006 serving as an 0351 Assault man in 2nd Battalion 8th Marines in Fox Company. He served in two Combat tours, one in Iraq in Ramadi and one in Afghanistan in Helmand Province during the battles in Operation Khanjar Strike of the Sword. Since exiting service Gregory has gained a new found perspective on life through spirituality and abstinence. He found through God, Family, and Community a new found purpose in life and the freedom that it brings.
Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enGregory Wagnon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/faithful_fitfather/
Support the Cause Here: https://bornprimitive.com/
Bear Handlon: From Navy SEAL Battlefields to Building a Fitness Empire Meet Bear Handlon, a true embodiment of grit, discipline, and unyielding drive—a former Navy SEAL officer, Yale athlete, and visionary entrepreneur who's redefined what it means to "work hard, wear easy." Born and raised in the heartland of Indiana, Bear's journey began on the gridiron, where he honed his competitive edge as a middle linebacker for the Yale Bulldogs. But Bear didn't stop at football; in 2013, he channeled that same intensity into the world of functional fitness, competing at the prestigious CrossFit Games as part of a team—a testament to his early passion for pushing physical and mental limits. Fresh out of Yale, Bear's path took a pivotal turn toward service. In the spring of 2014, just months before commissioning into the U.S. Navy, he co-founded Born Primitive alongside his partner (and now wife) Mallory Handlon (née Riley). What started as a simple idea—crafting high-performance compression shorts sewn by a neighbor to better support Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit sessions—quickly evolved into a garage-side hustle. As Bear reported for duty, he and Mallory bootstrapped the brand from their modest setup, turning late-night shipments into a foundation for something extraordinary.Over the next nearly 8 years, Bear served with distinction as a Navy SEAL officer in the Special Operations community, deploying on high-stakes missions that demanded the very resilience he infused into his fledgling company. Balancing classified operations with entrepreneurial demands, Bear led SEAL teams while remotely guiding Born Primitive's growth. It was a masterclass in multitasking under fire: no outside capital, no safety nets—just raw determination. By the time he transitioned out of active duty, Born Primitive had exploded from a one-product wonder into a global lifestyle powerhouse. Today, as Co-Founder and CEO, Bear oversees a 9-figure fitness, athleisure, and outdoor apparel brand that's synonymous with durability, style, and performance. From moisture-wicking tees that withstand the toughest WODs to versatile gear for everyday warriors, Born Primitive's motto—"Work Hard, Wear Easy"—mirrors Bear's ethos of excellence without compromise.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enBear Handlon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bearhandlonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bear-handlon-699688152/
Support the Cause Here: https://bornprimitive.com/Bear Handlon: From Navy SEAL Battlefields to Building a Fitness Empire Meet Bear Handlon, a true embodiment of grit, discipline, and unyielding drive—a former Navy SEAL officer, Yale athlete, and visionary entrepreneur who's redefined what it means to "work hard, wear easy." Born and raised in the heartland of Indiana, Bear's journey began on the gridiron, where he honed his competitive edge as a middle linebacker for the Yale Bulldogs. But Bear didn't stop at football; in 2013, he channeled that same intensity into the world of functional fitness, competing at the prestigious CrossFit Games as part of a team—a testament to his early passion for pushing physical and mental limits. Fresh out of Yale, Bear's path took a pivotal turn toward service. In the spring of 2014, just months before commissioning into the U.S. Navy, he co-founded Born Primitive alongside his partner (and now wife) Mallory Handlon (née Riley). What started as a simple idea—crafting high-performance compression shorts sewn by a neighbor to better support Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit sessions—quickly evolved into a garage-side hustle. As Bear reported for duty, he and Mallory bootstrapped the brand from their modest setup, turning late-night shipments into a foundation for something extraordinary.Over the next nearly 8 years, Bear served with distinction as a Navy SEAL officer in the Special Operations community, deploying on high-stakes missions that demanded the very resilience he infused into his fledgling company. Balancing classified operations with entrepreneurial demands, Bear led SEAL teams while remotely guiding Born Primitive's growth. It was a masterclass in multitasking under fire: no outside capital, no safety nets—just raw determination. By the time he transitioned out of active duty, Born Primitive had exploded from a one-product wonder into a global lifestyle powerhouse. Today, as Co-Founder and CEO, Bear oversees a 9-figure fitness, athleisure, and outdoor apparel brand that's synonymous with durability, style, and performance. From moisture-wicking tees that withstand the toughest WODs to versatile gear for everyday warriors, Born Primitive's motto—"Work Hard, Wear Easy"—mirrors Bear's ethos of excellence without compromise.Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-kagan-dunlap-show/id1734065968Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4CoB0WzZTGwZHj7LJIZDTI?si=3f85eb09f07249e7Kagan Dunlap Show Links:Website - https://kagandunlapshow.com/X - https://x.com/KaganDunlapShowInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kagandunlapshow/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@kagan.dunlap.show?lang=enBear Handlon Links:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bearhandlonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bear-handlon-699688152/
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