Army veteran Robin Phoenix Johnson, Hoover's Veteran fellow from the class of 2024-2025, shares her journey from enlisted soldier to officer, mom, stand-up comedian, and mental health advocate. After a 26-year military career, Robin found her new mission: helping others heal through humor. She discusses the origins of her comedy journey, the science behind laughter as therapy, and how her program Hilarious helps veterans and frontline professionals reframe stress and trauma through a comedic lens. Her message is clear: laughter isn’t just medicine, it’s a leadership skill, a survival tool, and a powerful connector in a divided world. Robin also reflects on overcoming imposter syndrome, applying to the Hoover Fellowship, and encouraging other "Mustangs" and non-traditional leaders to claim their seat at the table.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

Frontline Voices is part of the Veteran Fellowship Program at the Hoover Institution. Applications to join the 2025 Cohort of the Veteran Fellow Program is closing on July 31, 2025. Click here to apply now.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Robin “Phoenix” Johnson is a 26-year Army veteran, certified humor professional, and Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow. After serving in both enlisted and officer roles, she discovered her post-military mission at the intersection of leadership, mental health, and comedy. Robin is the founder of Hilarious, a humor-based therapy program that helps veterans and frontline professionals reframe stress through laughter. A TEDx speaker and passionate advocate, she’s on a mission to prove that resilience isn’t just about grit, it’s about wit.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Chris McKay, founder of Maginative, to unpack the urgent need for AI literacy, especially in underserved and underrepresented communities. They discuss how AI is reshaping work, education, warfare, and daily life, and why just knowing what AI can do isn’t enough. From building chatbots to reimagining classrooms, this is a candid conversation about the world we’re already living in and the future we’re co-creating. Chris reminds us that the most powerful tool isn’t the AI itself, but the questions we ask of it.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

Frontline Voices is part of the Veteran Fellowship Program at the Hoover Institution. Applications to join the 2025 Cohort of the Veteran Fellow Program is now available until July 31, 2025. Click here to apply.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Chris McKay is a reporter, educator, and strategist on a mission to make AI accessible and actionable for organizations ready to embrace the future. He is the founder of Maginative, a platform operating at the intersection of AI media, enterprise strategy, and education. Chris covers the AI revolution from the front lines, spotlighting key trends, breaking stories, and interviewing pioneers shaping the next wave of innovation. Behind the scenes, he advises Fortune 500 companies on responsible AI adoption using Maginative’s proprietary USAGE framework and AI Maturity Index. Whether leading workshops for executive teams, publishing in-depth analysis, or quietly building the next big thing in enterprise AI, Chris is helping leaders make smarter moves, faster.

Two Marine Corps veterans and Hoover Fellows, Dave Winnacker and Donnie Hasseltine, break down California’s wildfire crisis—not from a sensational angle, but with sharp insight on what’s really at stake. They reveal how outdated fire strategies, rising insurance costs, and inaction are creating a perfect storm that could implode the state’s housing market. Drawing from their Hoover fellowship capstone, they explain why the solution isn’t more tech—it’s micro-level action and community-wide coordination. From defense-in-depth analogies to pricing risk through insurance markets, this conversation will change how you think about climate risk, public policy, and collective responsibility.

ABOUT THE PODCAST

Frontline Voices is part of the Veteran Fellowship Program at the Hoover Institution. Applications to join the 2025 Cohort of the Veteran Fellow Program is now available until July 31, 2025. Click here to apply.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Dave Winnacker is a retired fire chief with over two decades of service across California, most recently leading the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. A former Marine Corps infantry officer and senior reserve commander, he also served in key wildfire leadership roles at the state level. As a Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow at Stanford, he focuses on the intersection of wildfire and property insurance. He co-founded XyloPlan Risk and helped launch ZoneHaven, an evacuation software used across California.

Donnie Hasseltine is a cybersecurity executive, Marine Corps combat veteran, and seasoned operator with over 20 years of leadership across military, tech, and security sectors. He has led high-performing teams in crisis environments and brings deep expertise in B2B SaaS, cybersecurity strategy, and enterprise risk. A Hoover Institution Veteran Fellow at Stanford, Donnie focuses on applying military and tech-driven insights to public sector challenges. He also co-founded ZoneHaven and XyloPlan Risk, pioneering tools for wildfire risk and community safety.

In this powerful episode, Navy veteran and middle school principal Trevor Clayton joins Frontline Voices to share how his military service prepared him for the battle to transform public education. Trevor opens up about his childhood influences, the moment he knew he wanted to teach, and the challenges students face in Title I schools. From celebrating small wins to fighting harmful labels, Trevor breaks down how he and his team instill confidence and excellence, one student at a time. This episode is a reminder that veterans still have battles worth fighting—this time, for our kids.

Recorded on April 9, 2025.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Trevor Clayton is a Navy veteran and public school principal with over 16 years of experience in education. Raised between New York City and New Orleans, Trevor served 24 years in the U.S. Navy, first as an enlisted sailor and later as a commissioned engineering officer, before transitioning to the classroom. Inspired by his eighth-grade teacher, Mr. Evans, he now leads Title I schools with a mission to instill confidence, normalize excellence, and create equitable pathways for students from all backgrounds. Known for his hands-on leadership, compassionate discipline, and commitment to celebrating small wins, Trevor champions public education as a foundation for opportunity and social impact.

In this inspiring episode of Frontline Voices, Dr. Condoleezza Rice joins the show to discuss the origins of the Hoover Institution’s Veteran Fellowship Program and the themes from her book Extraordinary, Ordinary People. She reflects on the power of mentorship, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why every veteran, regardless of background—deserves a seat at the table. Dr. Rice also opens up about her upbringing in segregated Birmingham, the enduring values of faith, family, and education, and the responsibility of lifting others as we climb. This episode is a call to action for anyone committed to service, leadership, and legacy.

Recorded on April 29, 2025.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Dr. Condoleezza Rice is the Director of the Hoover Institution and a Senior Fellow in Public Policy at Stanford University. She served as the 66th U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor under President George W. Bush, becoming the first Black woman to hold each role. A longtime Stanford professor and former provost, Dr. Rice has authored several best-selling books and remains active in public service, business, and education. She is a founding partner at Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC and serves on numerous corporate and nonprofit boards. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Rice holds a Ph.D. in political science and over 15 honorary doctorates.

In this powerful episode of Frontline Voices, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew shares the realities of community policing, leadership under crisis, and the long road to building trust. From the heartbreaking response to a school shooting to managing protests after George Floyd’s death, Chief Drew reflects on lessons learned, the role of youth engagement, and the urgent need for collective responsibility. His approach reminds us that real public safety isn't built overnight, it’s earned block by block, conversation by conversation. This episode is a masterclass in service, empathy, and resilient leadership.

Recorded on April 14, 2025.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Chief Steve Drew is the Chief of Police for Newport News, Virginia, with over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Known for his deep commitment to community policing, youth engagement, and building trust through service, Chief Drew has led the Newport News Police Department through major challenges, including national crises and critical incidents. His leadership philosophy centers on empathy, partnership, and proactive community involvement, believing that true public safety starts with strong relationships.

In this powerful and personal episode of Frontline Voices, IRON Mike Steadman sits down with Matthew Brown, Navy veteran and founder of Chimney Trail Health, to talk about the often invisible battle veterans and high performers face: mental health. They unpack the power of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the hidden costs of unresolved trauma, and the real-world impact of suicide in their communities. Mike shares a vulnerable story about personal loss and how it pushed him to seek help. Together, they discuss how to reframe thoughts, find sparring partners for the mind, and train like your life depends on it, because sometimes it does. Whether you’re a veteran, an entrepreneur, or someone struggling silently, this episode is a lifeline.

Recorded on April 8, 2025.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Matthew Brown is the president and CEO of Chimney Trail, a mental health organization focused on preventing anxiety, depression, and suicide through cognitive behavioral therapy. A 2005 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he served in key operational and strategic roles across the Navy, including command of the USS Scout. His military service and leadership experiences inspired the creation of Chimney Trail, now a trusted resource for the Department of Defense and Fortune 500 companies. He lives in Colorado with his wife and three daughters.

RELATED SOURCES:

FOLLOW THE GUEST ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

In this inaugural episode of Frontline Voices, host “IRON” Mike Steadman is joined by fellow Hoover Veteran Fellow alumnus Greg Eason. Mike opens up about his journey from growing up in a single-parent household, to becoming a Marine Corps officer, entrepreneur, and community leader. Together, they explore the idea of “normalizing excellence,” how their lived experiences shaped their outlook, and what it means to be a change-maker today. They also discuss the power of mentorship, faith, and resilience in overcoming adversity. This episode sets the stage for future conversations with veterans leading impactful work across the country.

Recorded on March 11, 2025.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Gregory Eason is a real estate developer and investor focused on delivering high-quality housing experiences in emerging and underserved markets. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a degree in quantitative economics, he served as a gunnery and training officer in the Navy before transitioning out of the military and into real estate. He currently leads a build-to-rent project in Atlanta, and is an angel investor in a 185-acre development in North Augusta, Georgia. As a Veteran Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Greg explored innovative housing solutions and the intersection of economic mobility, faith, and community investment.

RELATED SOURCES:

FOLLOW THE GUEST ON SOCIAL MEDIA: