Always in Pursuit

Send a text

Larry Broughton has an incredible wealth of knowledge – he’s a bestselling author, Green Beret, and award-winning speaker about leadership and entrepreneurship. 

Larry opens the episode talking about the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) and how he gives back to the veteran community. Larry offers thoughts on why veterans are more successful in entrepreneurship, crediting this to the fact that veterans tend to have a servant mind frame. 

Larry talks about what drew him to the military, and ultimately becoming a Green Beret – ultimately serving for 8 years on an “A” Team. After he decided to leave the military, he found himself in the hotel industry and found he had a knack for it. Some mentors and investors saw Larry’s potential, which led to Larry starting Broughton Hotels. 

Larry also talks about his struggles with alcohol, drugs, and the point he found himself standing on a balcony, contemplating jumping. Even through the low points, he found the courage to continue on and to focus on living a life of significance. 

He closes the episode by talking about his view that leaders lack courage nowadays – and he provides a call for others to step up and lead, to make the hard decisions and choose the hard right over the easy wrong. 

Larry on Social Media: 

Larry Broughton on LinkedIn 

Larry Broughton on Facebook 

Larry Broughton on Instagram 

Larry’s Book 

VICTORY: 7 Revolutionary Strategies for Entrepreneurs to Launch Your Business, Elevate Your Impact, and Transform Your Life by Larry Broughton 

If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

CSM Herman Estrada opens this episode with his origin story as a troubled young kid who got into a lot of trouble, which resulted in him moving out of the home as a teenager. Homeless and struggling, he eventually was able to get a construction job. After a life changing injury, he knew he needed to make a change and this wasn’t how life was supposed to be lived. 

He made the decision to join the Army, but enlisting wasn’t that simple. Working 12 hours a day, doing school another 6 hours, and riding back and forth for a year so that he could get his GED. From that, he learned that consistency pays off. 

He originally planned to only do four years and take his college money and run. However, after working with amazing people and leaders, he made the decision early on that this was going to be a career and since then, he has never looked back. 

Herman talks about how leaders can use social media as a tool to extend their influence beyond normal reach. It can serve to hold yourself and others accountable as well. Consistency is key and your personal example is the most important thing you will do as a leader. 

Along with all the amazing influence that CSM Estrada has had in the Army, he has also raised 9 children and 16 grandchildren. He talks about how he has integrated them into his military life and some of the lessons he has learned from raising his children. 

Herman gives the back story beyond mega-Hooah and it has become something like a brand/calling card that leaders have adopted across the Army. Its mission is that any individual can overcome any obstacle on the battlefield of life. 

Herman closes out the episode by talking about transitioning out of the Army and some of the effects it is having on him. One thing that has helped him is realizing that the Army has been part of his life, but not defined it. Also, he has some sage advice for others that will eventually transition. 

Find CSM Estrada on social media: 

Herman Estrada on LinkedIn

Herman Estrada on Facebook 

Herman Estrada on Instragram 

Herman Estrada on TikTok

Mega Hooah Facebook Page 

Mega Hooah Shop 

Send a text

“What are you gonna do when you get out, start a veteran t-shirt business like everyone else?”

It’s likely a joke we’ve all heard, but without West Point grad and former infantry officer Nick Palmisciano, the concept of being a high-profile veteran entrepreneur wouldn’t really be a reality. He built a side gig as a t-shirt producer into the extremely successful company Ranger Up, the social media and apparel powerhouse of the early 2010’s.

Nick’s journey from his childhood in Italy through his recent accomplishment of being a New York Times bestselling author is at the same time a straight line journey and one that comes with plenty of twists and turns. Join us for the ride.  

If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

Freddie came from humble beginnings in the United Kingdom, he described his upbringing as not terrible but a difficult one. So naturally as he envisioned his life as an adult, money was the central theme to that vision. 

After he graduated college, he sought out employment in the corporate world and immediately felt like an imposter. Regardless, he put his head down and got to work, losing himself in the fast paced and rock-star lifestyle where he finally owned the nice house, BMW, and was able to take lavish trips around the world. A theme emerged though, his secret talent was drinking to excess and people loved him for it. However, he slowly learned people appreciated him for the wrong reasons and he was miserable. 

After a series of life changing events; death of his father, loss of his job, and a multi-day bender, he knew something needed to change. His life wasn’t the way he wanted it to be and he knew there wasn’t a good outcome for his life if he continued this way. 

After a struggle of kicking his drinking habit, Freddie found himself finishing the world's toughest footrace, The Marathon Des Sables. He also started co-hosting a podcast titled Over the Influence which was in the top 25 podcasts in the world and began writing his book Start at Zero. 

In this podcast, Freddie talks about his journey, battles with depression, suicide, and how his decision to stop drinking has changed his life. Freddie believes that what prevents most people from making the needed changes is fear. 

This episode is fast paced and Freddie is incredibly transparent in it. It’s a message that only Freddie Bennett can deliver and to quote him: “Be Fucking Bold and go on the Offense.” 

Find Freddie on Social media: 

Freddie Bennett on LinkedIn

Freddie Bennett on Facebook 

Freddie Bennett on Instagram 

Freddie’s book 

Start at Zero by Freddie Bennett

Send a text

There are two qualities that will make anyone successful in the military - hard work and dedication. West Point grad, former 1/75 Ranger and freshly-retired NFL player Alejandro Villanueva breaks down how those same two qualities, over time, can make you successful anywhere - from college, to the Army, and all the way to the National Football League.

AIP co-host Mike Lavigne had to choke back some of his Baltimore Ravens fanaticism to make it through the hour conversation with Alejandro, who takes us on his journey from going to high school with military kids, barely speaking English and taking up this new game of American football, to being a two-time Pro Bowler with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Alejandro’s raw feelings about the war in Afghanistan, the role of veterans in society, and what’s next for him are all in this episode of Always in Pursuit!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send us a text

From a young age, Major Tony Nash has had an analytical mind and looked at life as a series of lessons. In this episode, Tony talks about how losing his father impacted him and how it would set a lot of things in motion for the rest of his life. He was lucky though and a role model recommended him looking into attending the United States West Point. 

In this episode, Tony leads with transparency and discusses how he has learned that closure is a personal journey and not leaving things open or to “what ifs”. He has chosen instead to live a purpose driven life. 

Outside being an Active-Duty officer in the Army, Tony also runs the Got Your 6 Brand, which includes an eBook, podcast, coaching, newsletters, and mentorship. In this episode, he talks about how he lays out each day to ensure he keeps all his demands on track and is deliberate on his alignment. 

A couple key points to this episode: 

-  Tony Talks about the S.L.I.D.E Model; Servant Leadership, Life Tactics, Inspiration, Discipline and Encouragement in which he uses to ensure he stays aligned with his values. 

- The Ultra Ergathlon (ERG); 13.5 Mile Ski ERG, 26.2 mile Bike ERG, 13.5 Rower, and 13.5 Assault runner. 

- His The Night Before Journal. Order here: https://thetonynash.gumroad.com/

Tony closes up the episode talking about how something he viewed as a failure, led to the biggest success in his life. You don’t want to miss what he shares is next for the Got Your 6 brand! 

Find Tony Nash: 

https://www.thetonynash.com/

Send a text

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Daniel Libby who is the founder of Veterans Yoga Project (VYP). He talks about how he got started in yoga, mindfulness, and veteran support. His admiration for veterans and the realization that we invest a lot in Soldiers and their training. However, we don’t take a deliberate approach to their mental and physical health. VYP hopes to help this effort and provide resources in and out of uniform. Dr. Libby’s own trauma and struggles were also a factor that fueled his passion for helping others. 

He also discussed how Post Traumatic Growth is about the mentality that we can’t change the past, but we can use it as a pivot point to grow from and impact others. He and his team hope they can create a space where others can come to seek help while feeling comfortable doing so. 

A key part to this episode is that when we are mindful about our breathing, we have the ability to calm ourselves down, increase awareness, and can use this to increase positive energy in our lives. Not by manipulating the mind or surroundings, but by influencing our focus. 

If you’ve ever fired a weapon, you’ve done yoga. So, yoga and mindfulness are additional tools we can use to prepare for stressful situations where focus is key. He started VYP because he wanted to bring these tools to veterans to help recover from traumatic situations and give them an incredibly impactful tool to enhance their abilities. A  key part of this episode is to raise awareness of what VYP can offer. 

This is an episode with one of the leading experts about yoga, mindfulness, how Veterans can use it in their current roles, and to help with PTSD. So please help get the message out to others so they  can utilize this amazing resource! 

Find the Veterans Yoga Project and Dr. Libby 

Veteran's Yoga Project Website 

Dr. Daniel Libby on LinkedIn 

Send a text

Admittedly, we’ve interviewed some interesting folks on this show – but not too many AS interesting as former Florida State basketball player, Army veteran, cybersecurity expert and social media influencer AJ Yawn.

Yeah, that’s a lot.

AJ’s journey from military brat to influencer, with stops at the NCAA’s Sweet 16  and the 82nd Airborne Division, really demonstrates how mindset and focus can help us change dreams to goals – and goals into accomplishments.  

From achieving his goal as a scholarship athlete at Florida State to funding his company with nearly all black investors, AJ’s story is inspiring, as is his honesty and transparency. Looking to Live Life on the Offense? AJ has lessons.

Check out AJ’s LinkedIn account, and follow him on Twitter.

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

In this episode Mike sits with Darin Pepple to talk about his time in uniform and his book; Dodge Bomb: Outside the Wire in the Second Iraq War .Darin realized when was young that the traditional path wasn’t for him. In this AIP Episode Darin and Mike talk about how that drove him to raise his right hand and join the Army. The Army’s discipline is what gave Darin structure in life. When he initially joined, he was part of a mounted stinger team. Darin decided to become an officer after his initial commitment because he believed that officers made the decisions, and their leadership was crucial to the mission and military. 

Darin wrote his book because wanted to capture the real account of his experiences in the Iraqi War. From a conventional Army persons perspective and highlight the fact that not everyone is Special Operation operator that kills people and comes home angry with PTSD. In the episode they share the two sides, mike has the special operations perspective and Daren has the regular force. 

Central to the story is LT Eddie Fitzgerald which is made up of 60% Darin’s real-life experiences. The book also helped Darin with the transition out of the uniform. He outlined some elements of toxic leadership, using a character in his book to show how detrimental it can be to organizations. On the counter to toxic leadership, leaders that lead with example can build respect and rapport with your organization. 

There is still a lot of stories to tell about the GWOT and leadership lessons to extract. These captured stories can also help veterans heal and do the hard work with recovering from the trauma. As veterans our failure to talk about these events creates distance and they don’t properly understand who we are. 

Darin closes the episode with plans for a second edition of the book and a sequel. Where they will provide more stories, why they matter, and people can incorporate into their own lives and society. 

One of the officers that Darin talks about is CPT Douglas Hoyt. , which he credits with showing him what leadership is supposed to look like and always setting the example. 

Find Daren Pepple: 

Daren Pepple on LinkedIn 

Dodgebomb Book Page on Facebook 

Darin Pepple on Instagram

Darin on Twitter 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

We’ve all known people with the occasional side hustle - the part-time gig that puts a little extra money in your pocket - but you’ve never met anyone with an after hours job like Phillip Kennedy Johnson.

Phillip is an active duty Master Sergeant who serves as a trumpeter in the U.S. Army Field Band at Fort Meade, MD - but as well known as he is for his skills with the horn, he’s more well-known these days as the writer of DC Comics’ flagship title Action Comics - and the architect behind Superman, the first and most famous superhero in American history.

Mike Lavigne, well-known comic nerd and AIP co-host, will talk with Phillip about his career as a musician, what drew him to comics, and how he’s managed to go from neophyte to the top of the comics writing ladder in five short years. 

From learning his craft both in and out of uniform to being nominated for the comics industry’s version of an Academy Award, Phillip has covered a ton of professional ground quickly. He shares some of his lessons learned as well as how he handles the responsibility of curating one of the most valuable intellectual properties in American entertainment.

Check out Phillip's website, as well as his Twitter.

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense!