Warriors Unmasked

Latest Episodes:

80. The Healing Power Of Nature and Sound with guest Joshua Sam Miller Oct 04, 2022

Show notes

Nature, frequency, vibrations, and sound…

These four things may be mistaken for some sort of "new age" list of buzzwords, but the truth is these four things are actually healing experiences humans have used since the dawn of time.

Some say they are even essential to grounding your life, increasing your well-being, and living an overall more fulfilled life. You may be thinking It sounds too simple to be true and so powerful…at one point in my life, I would have agreed with you.

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! Chuck here, and I invite you to hit play to meet Joshua Sam Miller! Joshua has profound knowledge and personal experiences with the healing powers of nature and sound that I think everyone should hear.

Joshua is a multidisciplinary artist, conservationist, creator of Embodied Sound, podcaster, surfer and scuba diver, and mental health advocate. During our conversation you'll hear Joshua take a deep dive into his journey from growing up in a middle-class American family, playing sports, and enjoying the arts to discovering our disconnected way of living in a modern culture be unfulfilling.

From there, turning his life around to one of focused connection and healing. The best part? He is teaching others along the way how to do the same using his gift of music to do so. This episode is bound to take you from wondering and observing to feeling full of hope, full of happiness and totally encouraged and 100% empowered to take your happiness into your own hands.

More Of What's Inside:

Why we need to connect with people
What your purpose is and isn't
Joshua's journey to healing
The benefits of healing through nature
The benefits of healing through music
How traveling can help you gain perspectives
What grounding daily practice looks like
The lies society tells you about expectations
The importance of having self-awareness
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 A look into today's episode
0:02 What to expect from today's episode
1:42 Thank you to today's sponsors
3:28 Why this conversation matters so much
4:24 Get to know Joshua Sam Miller
11:27 Connecting with nature to find healing
16:55 Why you need to do something you love
21:22 Joshua's time living abroad
31:48 One meditation app you can download today
35:06 Discover the wonders of the ocean and life underwater
39:20 Don't be so hard on yourself…or others.
47:08 How to help heal society

More About The Guest:

Joshua Sam Miller is a world recording artist, composer, and producer on a mission to connect people to the natural world through sound. Recently, he has advocated for the importance of ocean conservation through Sounds of the Ocean, which blends the arts and sciences to connect with marine life through sound. He is also the creator of Embodied Sounds, a mindful music label, podcast, and recording studio focusing on using sound as a healing, therapeutic modality. For over 10 years, Joshua worked in documentary film production in New York City as a cinematographer and editor of short and feature-length films. After following his intuition to leave home behind, he embarked on a global journey of spiritual awakening and self-discovery to realize that music was his deeper passion. Inspired by the lineages of Nada Yoga, Afro-Cuban rhythm, Indian Raga, Jewish & Sufi mysticism, and Jazz, Joshua committed himself to music as his primary mode of expression in late 2018.

Following the discovery of surfing, and a growing awareness of the fragility of life underwater, Joshua felt inspired to devote his artistry to ocean conservation while living in Northern California and Sounds of the Ocean was born. In 2020, the project was accepted as part of the International Year of Sound, was featured by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association in Santa Cruz, CA, and debuted at Burning Man 2019. In 2021, he presented his work at the United Nations Climate Conference COP 26 and was featured on PBS Television, Agape Zoe Festival, World Oceans Day, and as an artist in residence at MONOM Sound Berlin. Joshua has offered over 100 workshops in sound as a therapeutic modality at iconic venues such as UCLA Arts & Healing Festival, San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, and Wisdom, LA. He facilitates wellness sessions for corporations both in-person and virtually via Zoom. He also hosts The Embodied Sounds Podcast, interviewing experts in the field of sound and wellness to discover how to improve our mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Joshua is driven by the passion to raise environmental awareness by curating immersive sound and visual experiences in support of ocean conservation work around the world.

79. The Healing Power of Helping Others with Larry Sprung Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! Chuck and Clint are here together back in the saddle with another life-changing conversation!

Today our guest is Larry Sprung. If you know Larry, you may say there are a lot of different sides to him. You may remember him from his days on the ice playing Hockey, you may know him as the "money guy" from his podcast, or you may know him as Coach.

Either way, one thing that is obvious about Larry when you get to know him is his love for people and his heart to serve. Despite suffering the tremendous loss of his Mother dying from cancer at a young age, to losing his brother-in-law to suicide, he is determined to give back and change the world.

Hit play to hear how Larry learned to break through the pain of loss and grief and step into his purpose and fulfillment in all areas of life. We hope that this episode leaves you bright and hopeful that even the darkest stories can have a silver lining.

You'll also hear how Larry and his family are navigating losing someone to suicide, how they are changing the stigma related to suicide deaths, and how you can keep the memory of lost loved ones alive and so much more. This is the type of open and honest conversation we believe needs to be happening more in 2022!

What is one thing that stuck out to you from our conversation today? Take action and have a conversation about your biggest takeaway with a friend! Also, if you know someone who needs to hear this conversation, share this episode with them! If you ever want to reach out to us or our guests, follow the links below to learn how to connect with us!

More Of What's Inside:

What life was like growing as Larry
When Larry lost his Mother
When you find out who your friends are
Signs of the victim mentality
You don't have to struggle alone
The importance of generosity
Normalizing the "struggle"
If you can help one person, it's worth it!
How to learn more from Larry
The #1 organization for mental health
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 A look into today's episode
1:41 Thank you to today's sponsors
2:35 Get to know Larry
8:11 How your life can recalibrate in hard times
11:50 How Larry is making the world a better place
19:03 When Larry lost his brother-in-law
27:25 The importance of talking about loss
33:10 When Clint used to feel weak
38:30 The mental health solutions Larry is bringing to the world today

Guest Bio:

Lawrence "Larry" Sprung, CFP®, is the founder and wealth advisor at Mitlin Financial, Inc. As a fiduciary advisor, he and his team are dedicated to facilitating the customization of clients 'portfolios as they work toward reaching their financial objectives. Larry is the also host of the Mitlin Money Mindset™ a podcast that's all about getting your mind right when it comes to all things money. Larry has appears on numerous podcasts and in the media speaking most recently on CNBC about money and parenting. Larry drew up playing hockey, the first travel team he every played for was the Little Rangers and it is part of the reason why he is such a big fan of the New York Rangers. Larry played for North Rockland High School and went onto play college hockey for Binghamton University. Most recently Larry has played in hockey fundraising events for Team Israel. For over a decade now Larry has been a hockey dad to two boys. His boys continue to play and love the game. The sport has given the family so much and Larry loves to give back! This spirit is seen in his monthly "What Rink is Larry at?" contest on social media. People guess the rink and tag their favorite charity than the winner's charity gets a donation. Larry is a Level 4 USA Hockey Coach. Larry earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Binghamton University before entering the financial services industry in 1996. In 2004 Larry founded Mitlin Financial, Inc. One of Larry's others passions is raising awareness for mental health. He spent over 12 years serving on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and sits on its financial and investment committees. With his wife, Denise, he has raised more than $1.7 million for the organization through the Keith Milano Memorial Fund. The fund was created at AFSP in memory of his brother-in-law. Larry values his family tremendously and his desire to do right by his wife and two sons drives who he is in and out of the office.

78. Allowing Your Body and Mind To Health Itself with Ben Ahrens Sep 20, 2022

Show notes

After trying different methods, pills, and techniques…

After going from Doctor to Doctor with always another diagnosis in hand…

Somehow it feels like we can be left with more questions than answers on our journey to healing.

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! While Clint is out saving the world, it'll be just me, Chuck, here with this week's guest! If you have been around for a while, you know that we believe the journey to healing is a lifelong process.

Because of the work I have been doing on myself, I am truly a different man than I was even just 3 years ago. I hope that 3 years into the future I will be completely different as well. The truth is, there are always new levels of healing and wholeness available to us. The only question is, will we tap into it?

Our guest for episode 78 is the one and only Ben Ahrens. No one understands the phycological and physical effects of longing for healing and breakthrough. Hit play to hear Ben's incredible journey of being a former high-performance athlete, CEO, and Entrepreneur and now and Human Potential Enthusiast helping people get healing all around the world.

Get a first-hand look into the events that left Ben bedridden for 3 years, how he overcame despite all odds, how he transformed his life through small daily habits, and more! You'll also hear the researched-backed evidence of how we all have the ability to start healing ourselves both mentally and physically.

This power-packed and enlightening episode is bound to leave you feeling empowered, and completely hopeful. If you know someone who needs to hear this conversation, share this episode with them! If you ever want to reach out to us our guests, follow the links below to learn how to connect with us!

More Of What's Inside:

The day that changed Ben's life forever
When the bad diagnosis came
Ben's struggle to find hope
How to change anything in your life
Understanding PTSD at a higher level
The natural ability to heal
Turning your thoughts into actions
Reversing negative habits
Action steps and self-help tips you can use today
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

re-origin | reset, rewire, re-discover

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahrensben

re-origin

https://www.instagram.com/reorigin_official

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 A look into today's episode
1:27 Thank you to today
2:33 Get to know Ben
9:30 Ben's journey with patenitnces
12:30 The most important tip Ben can pass along
16:10 How Ben started to recover
21:55 How your increment can effect you
29:28 You can choose how you feel
33:11 Can the mind heal it self?
38:35 The results of stress and how to manage it
44:23 How to start your journey to healing

77. Healing Tools and Mental Health Tricks For Grieving with Laurie Singer Sep 13, 2022

Show notes

Unfortunately, the old saying "life is not all rainbows and butterflies" is true…

Sometimes bad things happen and it leaves you feeling like everything has been turned upside down. Especially, when the bad thing that happened is the loss of someone near and dear to you. This type of pain can be emotionally messy for everyone involved. Subsequently, this process can take a long time.

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! While Clint is out saving the world, it'll be just me, Chuck, here with this week's guest! If you are new here, you should know this podcast is all about courage and mental health. It's our passion to equip you with new tools and resources that will help you navigate whatever life brings your way.

That's why I am so excited to introduce you to today's guest. I know for some of you, this conversation will be life-changing and soul-healing. Hit play to meet Laurie Singer! Laurie is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified behavior analyst, author, endurance athlete, and mental health advocate.

Learning how losing her 2-year-old son to cancer when she was only 26 led her down a path of deep depression, into total healing and finding her life's purpose through her works today. Hear how this incredible transformation happened and the practical steps she took to get there.

During our conversation, Laurie shares one powerful mental trick she created using the simple "Green, Yellow and Red" formula. Mastering this one skill can start to set your brain free from anxiety and help you become a master of your own "triggers."

Whether you have lost someone close to you, or you have just had a few tough years…this episode can help you regain your hope and step into a new light. If you know someone who needs to hear this conversation, shares this episode with them! If you ever want to reach out to us our guests, follow the links below to learn how to connect with us!

More Of What's Inside:

When Laurie lost her son
CMN and How Laurie's legacy lives on
How Laurie found purpose
How fearful thoughts grow
Keys for staying in the present moment
Coping tools for managing your depression and anxiety
How to start changing your habits
Loving words for those who have lost someone
It's okay to mourn how you need to
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

Company Website: Laurie-Home
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@LSBEHAVSVC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie__singer

YouTube: Laurie Singer: You're Not Crazy

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-singer-03524b219?trk=people-guest_people_search-card

Book site: About Laurie Singer - You're Not Crazy

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 A look into today's episode
1:30 Thank you to today's sponsor
2:31 Get to know Laurie Singer
4:14 When Laurie suffered the tragic loss of her son
11:46 What led Laurie to the work she is doing today
18:34 The misconceptions about anxiety
24:16 An exercise to help manage thoughts
29:55 Laurie's thoughts about medication
33:01 Understanding your own triggers
42:33 When recovering from losing a loved one

Guest Bio:

Laurie Singer is a licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified in applied behavior analysis, who leads the Camarillo, CA-based Laurie Singer Behavioral Sciences, Inc.

Motivated by her own personal tragedy, she's devoted her life to the field of mental health with a clear vision in mind: to create a team approach for helping individuals resolve behavioral and other mental health issues by applying a unique combination of behavioral and cognitive behavioral therapies.

Her first book, released in April, 2021, is titled "You're Not Crazy: Living with Anxiety, Obsessions and Fetishes." Using case studies from her successful practice, delivered in a digestible, narrative format and including worksheets designed for the individual to take control of their lives, the book's goal is to help those who suffer deeply from anxiety and mental health concerns. Particularly those which have been exacerbated by the devastating pandemic.

She earned her post-graduate certification in Applied Behavioral Analysis from Kaplan University. She began her college studies at Oxnard College and at UCLA, and completed her undergraduate degree at UCSB. She received her masters from Cal State Northridge in Educational Psychology and proceeded to earn a license in Marriage and Family Therapy. Laurie has been a practicing Behavioral Specialist since 1995 and in private practice since 2004.

Since losing her two-year-old son Jacob Singer to cancer in 1987, she has coordinated an annual fun run and fundraiser (Jacob's Run) in support of Children's Hospital Los Angeles's Child Life Program, which provides playrooms and support for patients and their families. Laurie is also an endurance athlete, having made running 100-mile races nearly routine and completing 28 ultra-marathons of 31 miles or longer. She's a 3-time Ironman competitor, a designation that requires swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112-miles and running a full 26.2-mile marathon in one day. In 2017 she was recognized for her accomplishments as an inductee into the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame.

76. The Power of Authentically Sharing Your Voice Dr. Fred Moss Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

Did you miss us?

We sure missed you! Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked, after a few months' break, we are glad to be here back on the podcast with you. In the episodes to come we will let you in our time away from the mic, what we have learned and how we have been growing.

However, in this episode, we wanted to get right back into the action and bring you the most valuable content we could. That's why we are joined by the incredible Dr. Fred Moss! Dr. Fred is a doctor like none other. Not only is he passionate about mental health and bringing solutions to the modern health world, but he also has a heart for people and wants to help all of us succeed from the inside out.

How does he do that you ask? To put it simply, he helps people live in peace by being their authentic selves. We believe his life's work is something we all should be learning from!

The journey to authenticity isn't always the easiest or the fastest path…but it's always worth it. In this episode, you will learn why it's not only important to your mental state to live authentically, but why it's critical for the next generations' medical rights and personal freedoms.

Hit play to hear Dr. Fred's journey from 25+ years of hospital work, to becoming a Holistic Physician, Restorative Coach, Psychiatrist, Podcaster and Father. You'll also hear how he went from being born a leader and a communicator led him to "trying to fit in" which helped him to really learn how to live as his authentic self and the true power of healing through communication.

We cover a lot of different subjects and topics today! If one of them sticks out to you and you need a safe place to talk or get your questions answered, reach out to all of us via the links below. We would love to hear from you and serve you along your way to living authentically!

More Of What's Inside:

What life was like growing up for Dr. Fred
How we all met and connected
The danger of staying quiet
You can be funny and serious at the same time
Why Dr. Fred left traditional hospital treatment
When Dr. Fred lost his first love
It's okay to make a mistake, don't be so hard on yourself!
The misleading claims some medications make
Mental health diagnoses around the world
How to live more authentically
A look into our journey to being healed and whole
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfredmoss
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dr-fred
About Dr. Moss - V2 — Welcome to Humanity™ with Dr. Fred
Welcome To Humanity Podcast with Dr. Fred Moss — Welcome to Humanity™ with Dr. Fred
https://www.fredmossmd.com
True Voice Podcasting
Twitter: drfredmoss
A 30-Minute consultation call with Dr. Fred, this call usually costs $200 but we would like to offer it to your audience for free. Here is the link: True Voice Podcasting with Dr. Fred
They can also join our FB group True Voice Community (facebook.com)
Global Madness: What Must Happen To Unite? — Welcome to Humanity™ with Dr. Fred Here is the link: Global Madness: What Must Happen To Unite? — Welcome to Humanity™ with Dr. Fred

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 A look into today's episode
1:28 Thank you to today's sponsors
4:26 Why today's conversation is unique to
10:34 How Dr. Fred avoided being a "nerd"
15:04 How to become and live more authentically
19:07 Dr. Fred's advice on how to become bad-ass
23:17 What happened in 1987 that changed everything
30:55 The truth about some medications
40:00 The importance of sharing your voice
51:54 Can you start bringing your A-game to your life?
1:00:00 Being your authentic self is a minute-by-minute task

75. Choosing Faith Over Fear with Rob Swymer Jun 07, 2022

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! This is episode 75 and today you'll be hosted by myself, Chuck Thuss, and our incredible guest, Rob Swymer. Clint had to skip today's recording because he is out saving the world! (Per usual) If you have heard the story behind how Clint and I first became friends, you may remember how our connection was created quickly. Within a matter of moments over a simple phone call, we both knew we found a friend for life.

If you have ever experienced that level of instant connection, you know that those moments seem to only happen a few times in a lifetime. That's why I am particularly excited to share this conversation with you today. Hit play to meet the one and only Rob Swymer and you will understand why I had a similar connection! Rob is a bestselling author, certified life coach and speaker, and mental health advocate. During our time together, Rob takes us into his journey from growing up in Boston and having an active and wonderful childhood where his only focus was fitting in and being liked, all the way to the fateful day that changed everything for Rob and made him realize what stuff matters in life.

Rob married his first wife, Bonnie, at the age of 21 during the summer of his college junior year. Together, they had three children. In 1994, Rob and Bonnie moved from Boston and headed to Atlanta, where they raised their children and built a great life together. In 2013, Rob lost Bonnie to a massive brain aneurysm. However, he learned the adversity in his life had given him the strength to endure the loss of a loved one. These tragic events are what led Rob to choose Faith over fear and why he is now leading a servant-driven life.

Hear the powerful mindset shifts, hard truths he had to expect, the exact steps he took to move from devastation to empowerment, and so much more. This power-packed episode perfectly displays how Rob leads with empathy and applies the lessons learned from his adversity to help others build resilience and thrive, not only in business but also in their personal lives.

You'll also learn how Rob found healing after the death of his wife, how he was blessed to find love again and is now married to his Bride Melissa and how his life all worked out for the good. This episode will leave you with the hope and encouragement you need to face even the toughest days. For more free resources and to connect with us, check out the list below!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

More Of What's Inside:

What's Inside Rob's best selling book
Why you should live like a DOG
You decide how you respond
Making daily choices to live healthily
Healing is a wave you have to ride
The human connect crisis
Life after love lost
Learning to love again
Choosing to be a leader
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

Website: RobSwymer.com
Instagram: @robswymer

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 A look into today's episode
1:38 Thank you to today's sponsors
5:31 What childhood was like for Rob
10:15 How Rob got into college despite the odds
16:04 When Rob lost the love of his life
20:38 The real mission behind Rob's book
36:29 The power of true serenading
40:15 How to overcome and start thriving
46:17 Giving yourself the permission to live again
51:39 How to start enjoying life even in the small things
57:31 What Rob wants every listener to hear today

74. Your Toolkit for Living with and Overcoming Anxiety with Brian Sachetta May 31, 2022

Show notes

You can read a thousand books about planes and never know how to be a pilot. You could see every photo and video from every angle of an amusement park and never know what it's like on the big drop down the roller coaster. You can thumb through the best cookbooks from every nation and never know what their signature dishes taste like. The point is, that there are some things that require first-hand experience if you want to have authority on the matter. That's why today's guest is so special!

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! Today we sit down with author, software developer, blogger, and mental health advocate, Mr. Brian Sachetta. We'll take a deep dive into his journey from growing up in an affluent family and realizing that anxiety and depression were just something he would grow up with until he was in high school/college and realized it was time to reach out for help.

When it comes to bad mental health, Brian has been there, done that, and worn the t-shirt. (Literally, check out his cool brand t-shirt on our social media post about this episode! Links below.) Fast forward to today, and you will find Brian living happy, healthy, and free from the struggles that used to hold him back. This transformational journey is what put him on the path to helping others "Get Out of Your Head" and overcome various forms of mental illness through his writings and sharing his personal experience.

His first book aptly named "Get Out of Your Head: A Toolkit for Living with and Overcoming Anxiety," was released in 2018 and he has been hard at work ever since. Listen in to hear the back story behind this book and how he has expanded into blogging and other resources. Throughout his works, he recounts his past struggles with them due to not having the right information at his disposal. That's why he's so passionate about using his skills to influence the lives of others; he wants to help as many of his followers as possible avoid such a fate.

This is a powerful episode for anyone who is currently struggling with anxiety or anyone who is looking for new ways to improve their daily self-care routine. This conversation and the resources Brian shares today are the type of content that can save a life. While you listen to the show, if anyone comes to your mind who may need to hear it, we humbling and urgently ask you to follow that feeling and share this episode with them. You never how much they may need it!

Always in your corner,

Chuck and Clint

PS: If you have a story that could help others, we hope this episode gives you the courage to start sharing. Your journey matters!

More Of What's Inside:

Is this normal? How to identify your emotions
The moment Brian knew something was wrong
How to get out of your own head
Practical tips on managing your anxiety
Why it's important to know your limits
Communication skills we can all learn
Everything gets better one day at a time
What to say to others who are struggling
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

Website: http://www.getoutofyourhead.com/
Email: brian@getoutofyourhead.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getoutofyourhead/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getoutofyourheadbooks

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

1:28 Thank you to today's sponsors
2:34 Get to know Brian Sachetta
6:00 How to know if what you are feeling is normal
16:30 How Chuck stays ahead of his anxiety
18:48 Why sleep is critical for mental health
23:48 Why we all need to know our limits
30:55 The moment of rejection that ended in self-empowerment
34:53 How Brian manages his mental health
37:41 A look into Brian's two books and blog
51:19 Things Brian wants everyone to remember

73. The Hero of Heroes with Chief Master Sergeant Dean L. Unger May 24, 2022

Show notes

There are some heroes that protect people physically and save their life. There are other heroes that protect people mentally and save their life. However, there are some heroes that are so great, they protect people both physically and mentally. Today's guest is one of those select few!

Welcome to episode 73 of Warriors Unmasked! Today we sit down with veteran, guitar player, and mental health advocate, Chief Master Sergeant Dean L. Unger. Chief Unger was raised in Shawano, Wisconsin, where he graduated from high school in 1991. After being raised in an unsafe environment, from a broken home to a blended family, he knew that after graduating he had a chance to escape. This need to escape was the driving force behind why he enlisted in the Air Force. Hit play to hear how this decision led him to a life of service and honor to many!

You'll also hear what 30 years of service and over 15+ deployments taught Dean about life and managing your mental health. The action he has seen on the battlefield is nothing short of incredible. His heroism in the Air Force even resulted in him becoming a recipient of a Purple Heart, which is one of the most prestigious honors someone in the armed forces could have.

However, what is truly remarkable about Chief Master Sergeant Dean L. Unger, is his true love for people. After the rollercoaster of military life, he has now focused his attention on helping other military men, women, and families find the courage and strength to speak up and say, "I am not okay." This type of leadership and giving others permission to speak up is what this show is all about!

We hope that you love this episode as much as we did. From the bottom of our hearts, we want to give a special thank you to Sergeant Dean and to all of our veterans listening today. Your story, your journey, and your struggles were not for nothing…you've given us our freedoms and so much more.

If you're struggling with PTSD, TBI, Anxiety, or anything in between, we want to be there for you. Reach out to us and find more resources that could help you on your journey below!

More Of What's Inside:

First-hand accounts of the Iraq War
Growing up in a rocky house
The feeling of needing to escape
What it was like in combat
The day that changed Dean's life forever
Life with a traumatic brain injury
How Dean is using his past to help people
The best advice anyone could hear today
Practical examples of staying committed
What it's like working with Navy Seals
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

Website: https://opvetnow.org/

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:02 What to expect today
1:39 Thank you to today's sponsor
3:07 Get to know Sergeant Dean
7:10 Why Sergeant Dean felt the need to protect himself growing up
25:16 The fateful day in 2004 that changed everything
30:43 Sergeant Dean's time in a safe house
37:05 The power of humor in healing
40:21 Life after 15+ deployments
44:22 When Sergeant Dean left the Air Force
48:36 When Dean knew there was a serious problem
55:08 How Dean's past lead him to massive impact
1:05:18 How to connect more with Dean and final thoughts

72. Breaking The Vicious Cycle of Addiction For Good with Brad Siroski May 17, 2022

Show notes

Some people think that the road to recovery is an easy path if you just put one foot in front of the other. For many, that may be the case. However, the majority of addicts find that their road to recovery has more than a few setbacks, detours, and even off-ramps at times. Conquering your demons may not be a straightforward road, but it will always lead to breakthroughs and empowerment. Don't take our word for it, just ask today's guest!

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! While Clint is out changing the world on his own, it's just me Chuck this week joined by our incredible guest, Brad Siroski. Brad is a cancer survivor, recovering alcoholic and drug addict, professional speaker, outreach addictions counselor, father, and mental health advocate.

During our conversation, Brad lets us in on what it was like growing up in the 1970s and early 80s in a very firm household that often used the phrase "children were meant to be seen and not heard." This environment is what ultimately planted the seeds of self-doubt, insecurities, and fear that bloomed into extreme social anxiety by the age of 13. He found himself fearing adults and teachers because he was afraid to speak up, this fear started to creep into other areas of his young life, and he started to find it hard to make friends.

Everything changed for Brad when he had his first drink of alcohol. For the first time in his life, he wasn't nervous to put himself out there and make friends. Through a series of events after that night, Brad became the life of the party and eventually started working in a nightclub. He fell into the wrong crowd and turned to a life of substance abuse. After suffering a heart attack induced by cocaine and alcohol, Brad found himself at a crossroads.

Hit play to hear how Brad's incredible story ends up! You'll hear all the ups and downs of how he got clean, relapsed, and got clean again, and how he is now making the world a better place. You'll notice a recurring theme in Brad's story is perseverance. Not only will you hear how he overcame many hurdles in his addiction, but Brad also shares how he faced a cancer diagnosis head-on and is now living cancer-free.

This episode will leave you with compassion, and empathy, to feeling hopeful and completely empowered. If you have found yourself in a dark season and don't know where to turn, we all are here to help. Reach out to us or Brad if you need someone to talk to! Connect with us through the links below.

More Of What's Inside:

Growing up with social anxiety
How alcoholism and addiction can start
The truth about getting clean
Dealing with an unexpected cancer diagnosis
There is always someone to talk to
When Brad lost all hope and hit rock bottom
Why you need to be aware of old habits
Stopping the vicious cycle of addiction
When your body can't take care of itself
And much more!

GUEST LINKS:

Website: www.bradsiroski.com
Email: knowbscommunications@sasktel.net

LINKS:

Episode Minute By Minute:

0:08 What to expect today
1:45 Thank you to today's sponsor
3:58 What childhood was like for Brad
13:41 When Brad knew he had to change
19:15 The ugly side of backsliding
23:03 Keeping an eye on old habits
27:52 When the cycle finally ended
34:00 Finding happiness in sobriety
39:00 Healthy ways to deal with anger
42:09 How Brad is making the world a better place
46:40 Everything happens for a good reason
57:42 How to connect with Brad

71. Healing From Life's Trauma with Patrick Portman May 10, 2022

Show notes

Disclaimer: In today's content our guest shares his story that includes multiple accounts of sexual abuse, growing up with a Father that has an abusive side, and more. If any of these topics can be triggering for you, we give you permission to skip this episode for now and come back when you are ready. We have over 70+ incredible stories to hear on our previous episodes you may enjoy instead!

Welcome back to another episode of Warriors Unmasked! Today Clint is out saving the world so it's just Chuck here to introduce you to our incredible guest Patrick Portman. As a consultant, Patrick is passionate about helping businesses, schools, and organizations to understand addiction, child sex abuse, infertility, the deaf culture, and relational intimacy. Patrick and his wife, Misty, are co-hosts of the tv show Tackling Life as well as the podcast by the same name. He received his bachelor's in Psychology from Liberty University and master in Neuropsychology from Harvard University. Patrick has published multiple books and more!

As you may have read in the disclaimer, Patrick has experienced more than enough trauma in his life. Listen in as Patrick shares his journey from being the oldest boy of seven children, growing up beside a sex offender, having a Father that suffered from mental health issues, to being sexually molested as an adult.

Even though each of those seasons was a dark time for Patrick, he decided to turn his story around by asking for help and started to take the steps to find healing. This one decision changed Patrick's life from the inside out and now he is overcoming his traumatic wounds, and living a life full of purpose, full of love, and full of service to others. This type of transformation is nothing short of inspiring! Hit play to dive into our conversation now.

If you have been listening for a while, you know that we will do everything we can to equip you with the tools and recourses you need to win any mental health battle that comes your way.

That's why we want to encourage you to listen to the end of the show to hear about Patrick's new non-profit and how he is providing training, resources, and diagnostic services to help along anyone's journey.

To learn more about anything you heard in today's show, scroll down to see all the links!

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