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Today, I confront a devastating story that is some of the latest Navy news: the loss of Navy Sailor Jose Antonio Rivera Lynch IV, a 19-year-old aviation boatswain’s mate serving aboard the USS George Washington (CVN 73).

Officially, Rivera was reported missing at sea during operations in the Banda Sea near Australia. However, sources close to the situation claim this was not a simple man-overboard tragedy, but a suicide—one that leadership ignored and may have attempted to cover up. 

As a former sailor who lived and worked aboard the George Washington, I share my own first-hand knowledge of the ship’s dark history with suicide, toxic leadership, poor mental health resources, and cover-ups. Ms. Imani McLemore joins me as co-host to bring an outside perspective, and together we explore the heartbreaking details surrounding Rivera’s final phone call home, the alleged suicide note discovered in his rack, and the broader culture of silence within the Navy. 

This conversation goes beyond one sailor’s death to address the systemic crisis across the fleet. The George Washington has already been under scrutiny for setting records in suicides, including multiple deaths in a single week, and sailors continue to report delayed care, ignored requests for help, and retaliation when speaking out. We discuss how this toxic culture damages young men and women fresh out of high school, stripping away their humanity and leaving families blindsided by tragedy. 

Ms. McLemore and I also compare military struggles with civilian workplace stress, highlighting how poor leadership, overwork, and neglect can drive individuals to despair. She opens up about her own experiences with toxic environments and mental health challenges, creating a powerful parallel that shows these problems are not confined to the Navy alone. This is a call for accountability, prevention, and real mentorship—solutions that could save lives if leaders are willing to act. 

https://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/4261529/george-washington-carrier-strike-group-identifies-missing-sailor/

https://people.com/dad-of-navy-sailor-lost-at-sea-recalls-call-about-jose-antonio-rivera-lynch-iv-being-missing-exclusive-11791317

https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/08/12/navy-sailor-from-middleburg-declared-lost-at-sea-while-serving-aboard-uss-george-washington-in-australia/

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Suicide Hotline: 988

Today, I open season eight of Couple O’ Nukes with a solo episode that explores the heavy but necessary topic of courage and morality in the face of suicide prevention. As we celebrate the milestone of more than 200 episodes and approach the three-year anniversary of this podcast, I take a moment to reflect on my own journey — not just as a host, but as someone who has been in difficult situations where lives were at stake.

In this episode, I share my contributing chapter to the new book Survival to Thrive: Courage. My chapter, The Intersections of Morality and Courage, is a raw and personal account of my first major experience with suicide prevention during bootcamp. I dive into the moral crossroads service members often face when deciding whether to report a suicidal individual, the weight of those decisions, and how these choices impact both the individual at risk and those around them.

Alongside reading the chapter, I expand on the importance of individualized care when addressing suicidal ideation. I emphasize the need for personal connection, thoughtful action, and moral courage, rather than rushing to institutional solutions alone. This episode also connects listeners to suicide prevention resources and highlights the ongoing Survival to Thrive trilogy, which aims to spark conversations around resilience, healing, and purpose.

Whether you are military, civilian, or simply someone who wants to better understand how to support others in crisis, this episode is designed to equip you with perspective and encouragement to face these difficult situations with wisdom and compassion.

www.bookofsurvivaltothrival.com

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redefining-love-in-a-loveless-culture-gratitude/id1657865479?i=1000717973425

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Today, I sit down with Noah May, the creator and host of the Lethal Venom podcast and a journalism graduate from Auburn University. He shares with us the origins behind Lethal Venom, including why he chose a name that embraces hard truths, how his struggles with depression and anxiety shaped his voice, and the practical skills from journalism—especially interviewing—that now power his podcast. We explore what it means to build community through honest conversations and why hearing other people’s stories can be therapeutic.

Together, we go over the reality of starting and sustaining a podcast. We talk equipment myths, launching with what you have, and why consistency beats perfection. We reference his recent Podcasting 101 conversation with Alex Sanfilippo of PodMatch, discuss industry stats, and highlight the reality that many creators quit early—not because it’s impossible, but because they focus on opinions over actionable feedback and lose momentum.

We widen the lens to the variety on Lethal Venom: from mental health topics like depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and addiction, to conversations with therapists, creators, filmmakers, and even paranormal investigators. Mr. May shares how interviews help him and his audience process difficult experiences, why he welcomes diverse viewpoints, and how he balances three shows while keeping his energy on what’s working.

https://linktr.ee/noahspodcast

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Today, I sit down with Ken Webb — retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, former American Airlines professional, and now debut author of Trapped in Deception. Mr. Webb brings a lifetime of service, travel, and life lessons into a conversation that blends military experience, civilian transitions, and the art of turning real-life betrayal into a gripping novel.

We explore Mr. Webb’s 33 years in the Army Reserves, including 18 years of active duty spread across deployments, military police work, and military intelligence. He shares how balancing civilian and military careers shaped his resilience, perspective, and ability to adapt — and why he believes the Reserves can be a rewarding path for the right person. We also discuss his time living abroad in Peru, learning Spanish, and setting new personal goals after retirement.

We get into his upcoming novel, Trapped in Deception,  inspired by real people and experiences. Mr. Webb explains how betrayal from a once-close friend became the foundation for a story about trust, manipulation, and the power of forgiveness. Along the way, he offers insights on letting go of resentment, writing with purpose, and finishing the creative projects most people never start. Whether you’re a veteran, an aspiring writer, or someone navigating life after a major transition, this episode has lessons on resilience, discipline, and living with intention.

https://kenwebb69.com/

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Today, I sit down with Janine Hernandez — a bestselling author, speaker, and founder of the Book Publishing Academy — to talk about the power of storytelling as a tool for mentoring troubled youth. Ms. Hernandez has dedicated years to helping people share their stories, from first-time authors to incarcerated teens. In this episode, we explore how giving young people the opportunity to write about their lives can not only heal them, but also inspire hope and second chances.

Ms. Hernandez shares her journey from writing her first book of poetry as a child to building a publishing business that has guided over 300 authors. She takes us behind the scenes of her latest and most ambitious project — an anthology featuring the voices of more than 100 teens from a juvenile detention center. Many of these stories reveal the deep trauma these youth have faced, from abuse and violence to family struggles and generational cycles. Through writing, they’re breaking their silence, confronting their past, and imagining a different future.

We also discuss the realities of mentoring at-risk youth — the trust that has to be built, the stigma they face, and the importance of showing them that change is possible. Ms. Hernandez opens up about her own childhood experiences, her faith journey, and how vulnerability has allowed her to connect deeply with the teens she mentors. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or community leader, this episode is a powerful reminder that one conversation, one opportunity, and one act of belief can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

https://janinehernandez.com/

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Today, I sit down with Timothy Wienecke, a licensed mental health clinician, men’s advocate, and host of The American Masculinity Podcast. Mr. Wienecke brings nearly a decade of clinical experience working with men, veterans, and first responders, combined with his years of service in the Air Force advocating against interpersonal violence and sexual assault. In this conversation, we get into masculinity, consent, men’s mental health, and the unique challenges men face in today’s culture.

Mr. Wienecke shares his journey from military service to mental health advocacy, and the pivotal moments that shaped his mission to help men without diminishing the needs of others. We unpack the realities of male sexual assault survivors, the barriers that keep men from reporting, and how societal attitudes—like joking about prison rape—can silence victims. He offers insight into how definitions of masculinity have shifted, how disempowerment can lead men astray, and why the conversation about men’s well-being must be approached with both compassion and accountability.

We also explore Mr. Wienecke’s work on The American Masculinity Podcast, where he addresses suicide prevention, trauma, cultural perspectives on manhood, and practical tools for personal growth. His message is clear: men are not meant to be islands. Building genuine connections, finding community, and rejecting the myth of total self-reliance are essential to living a healthier, more fulfilled life. Whether you’re a man seeking guidance or someone who loves and supports the men in your life, this episode offers valuable takeaways for creating a culture of respect, empathy, and mutual growth.

https://americanmasculinity.start.page/

https://empoweredchangece.com/

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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988 Suicide Hotline

Today, I sit down with Pete Dalke, host of Pete Vs Anxiety!!! He shares with us trauma, a severely toxic relationship, and the journey of self-discovery. Mr. Dalke opens up about his childhood abandonment, years of living with undiagnosed anxiety, and the 15-year relationship with a narcissist that left him emotionally, mentally, and financially depleted. We discuss the long-term effects of growing up in a controlling environment, the cycles of abuse that follow into adulthood, and how substances can mask the pain but without proper healing happening. 

Mr. Dalke walks us through the moment that changed everything—when he finally broke free from the toxic relationship. He shares the challenges of raising three daughters during and after the breakup, the heartbreak of parental alienation, and his strategy for giving them space while hoping to rebuild their relationships in the future. We talk about the lasting impacts of losing everything, from possessions to relationships, and the resilience it takes to start over from scratch. 

We also explore the creation of Pete Vs Anxiety!!! and how it grew from a personal turning point into a platform for global mental health conversations. Mr. Dalke reveals the lessons learned from interviewing survivors, veterans, and those facing unimaginable challenges, and why authenticity is the foundation of his work. This is a conversation about breaking the stigma, speaking your truth, and never minimizing your own story. 

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pete-vs-anxiety/id1736293322

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Today, I sit down for a somber but necessary conversation with Joshua Daniel, a retired Green Beret and the founder of Counter Culture Solutions and the Hero Games Charity. Mr. Daniel spent nearly 21 years in Army Special Operations, first with the 75th Ranger Regiment and then with the Green Berets. 

We open this episode discussing his upbringing in rural Bedford, Virginia where he was raised in a single-parent home marked by hardship, resilience, and unwavering love. Mr. Daniel shares how his early exposure to instability shaped his character, and how joining the military was never about finances—it was about becoming the hero he always felt called to be.

We dig into his deployment experiences, including an intense first-person account of a life-or-death moment in Afghanistan during a mission to neutralize a high-value target. Mr. Daniel walks us through the critical seconds that could’ve ended his life, how a suicide vest malfunction changed everything, and the emotional aftermath of surviving such moments. His global perspective on war, humanity, and empathy is grounded, deeply spiritual, and refreshingly nuanced. Despite fighting extremists, Mr. Daniel emphasizes his belief in human dignity—even when faced with those who would never offer it in return. His reflection on honor, sacrifice, and staying emotionally connected despite repeated trauma is chilling and a grounded wakeup-call.

We also explore Mr. Daniel’s incredible post-military mission. He explains how the Hero Games Charity was created to honor fallen Special Operations warriors and support their Gold Star families with immersive, life-giving memorial events. We also dive into Counter Culture Solutions, a coaching and mentoring platform that offers treks, leadership development, purpose retreats, and holistic wellness rooted in military wisdom and spiritual accountability. Mr. Daniel’s commitment to humility, discipline, and human connection is a powerful reminder that heroism doesn’t end on the battlefield—it continues in how we live, lead, and serve.

https://www.counterculturesolutions.com/

https://herogamescharity.com/

https://youtu.be/JykMn5uo9W0?feature=shared

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Today, I sit down with Jenn Robb, a mother, nurse practitioner, and the author of Warrior Mom Rising. Ms. Robb shares the story of how her daughter’s battle with anxiety, depression, and a traumatic assault forced her to re-evaluate not only how she parented but how she relied on God through one of the darkest seasons of motherhood.

We unpack the mental health crisis among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the rise in teen suicide, and how social media and the decline of faith have created new parenting challenges. Ms. Robb and I explore how to create safe spaces for open conversations, the importance of not overreacting, and why teaching—not just telling—your children about faith and life is so critical. We also examine the dangers of relying solely on medication, the lack of root-cause mental health care, and how functional medicine and EMDR therapy helped her daughter begin to heal.

This episode is a powerful call for parents—especially mothers—to rise up, advocate, and lean on Christ for supernatural strength. We talk about Ms. Robb’s free 30-day devotional, her coaching work, and the Warrior Mom Rising community she’s building for mamas who feel like they’re drowning in silence. Whether your child is in crisis or you're a parent trying to get ahead of the curve, this conversation equips you with truth, tools, and a backbone built on faith.

https://warriormomcoach.net/home-4770

https://www.coupleonukes.com/books/

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.

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Today, I sit down with Alan Lazaros and Emilia Smith — hosts of The Conscious Couples Podcast and founders of a growing movement aimed at helping people get off autopilot and build deeply intentional, growth-oriented relationships. This isn't your typical love talk. We dig into the science, psychology, and strategy behind what it truly means to be a conscious couple. Mr. Lazaros brings his engineering mind, and Ms. Smith brings years of inner work and trauma understanding, fusing their strengths into something powerful.

We break down the concept of autopilot in relationships and why most people are unaware they're operating from outdated, unconscious patterns. Ms. Smith shares clinical insights about how trauma, repetition, and social media create doom loops in our thinking—causing many to give up on great relationships before they even begin. We explore how AI is complicating matters, with some people outsourcing emotional intelligence to machines. Mr. Lazaros compares doing such to watching a robot life the weights for you and expecting muscle growth. However, both guests do not entirely oppose leveraging AI in relationships, but rather how and why a person is doing so.

In the second half of our conversation, we focus on the top three issues killing modern relationships: money wounds, mismatched love languages, and different levels of growth orientation. From there, Mr. Lazaros and Ms. Smith walk us through why these issues are so prevalent and the mindset shifts necessary to build something that lasts. We also talk about how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are facing completely different challenges than prior generations—especially when it comes to love, tech, and self-awareness.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-couples-podcast/id1609969734

Alan's Appearance: https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/taking-your-life-to-the-next-level/id1657865479?i=1000677996269

Kevin's Appearance: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-your-life-to-the-next-level-ii/id1657865479?i=1000683650785

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

Exodus, Honor Your Heart, & Thrive Alcohol Recovery: https://www.coupleonukes.com/affiliates/

Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

Sign Up For A PodMatch Account: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/coupleonukes

*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own risk.