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Clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Frueh explains Operator Syndrome and the hidden physical and psychological costs of elite military performance in this honest conversation that impacts veteran stories.

In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with clinical psychologist, professor, and researcher Chris Frueh, author of Operator Syndrome.  

Dr. Frueh has spent decades studying combat veterans, special operations forces, and high-performance military communities. His work explores the complex mix of physical strain, neurological stress, hormonal changes, and psychological pressure that can accumulate after years of elite operational tempo.

The conversation begins with Frueh’s early life growing up with a Vietnam War veteran father, which shaped his interest in psychology and trauma research. From there, the discussion dives into how long-term exposure to high-intensity environments can affect the body and mind in ways that traditional PTSD models often fail to explain.

Herb, Corrie, and Dr. Frueh discuss:

• The origins of Operator Syndrome
• Why many high-performing warriors struggle after their careers
• The long-term physical toll of combat deployments
• Why traditional PTSD narratives don’t explain everything
• Identity, purpose, and life after the mission
• What leaders, families, and veterans need to understand

This episode offers a deeper look at the human side of elite performance and why understanding the full picture is critical to supporting those who serve.

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Navy SEAL Mike Lahiff doesn’t believe he’s special.

But he understands something most people don’t, ownership changes everything in this honest conversation.

In this episode of Not Special, we talk about risk, pressure, building teams, and what success actually costs. This isn’t surface-level business advice. It’s about responsibility, discipline, and the weight that comes with leadership.

If you’re building something — a company, a career, or a life — this conversation will challenge how you think about success.

Mike is the CEO of ZeroEyes, an AI-based, human-verified gun detection software that integrates with existing security cameras to identify brandished firearms in real-time.

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Mike flew elite combat missions. He commanded one of the most selective aviation units in the U.S. military. He was told growing up he wasn’t intelligent.

In this honest conversation, Mike Athanasakis shares his journey from a troubled childhood and Tourette diagnosis to Apache pilot and Battalion Commander in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

After years of high-risk deployments and leadership at the highest levels of special operations, Mike made an unexpected pivot: becoming an Owner-Operator with Chick-fil-A — one of the most selective franchise systems in America.

He breaks down:

• Why Chick-fil-A’s operator selection process mirrors elite military assessment
 • How special operations leadership translates to business
 • Building culture in a high-performance restaurant environment
 • Leading teams without rank
 • Redefining success after combat

This episode is about identity, pressure, transition, faith, family — and discovering that impact doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, the office of Dr. James Lynch.  The incredible work that Dr. Jim and his wife Jodi do changes peoples lives. Check out their website for more information at https://drjameslynch.com/

Connect with Liberty Speaks: 
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 
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Kevin didn’t make it into the Navy SEALs on his first try.
 Or his second.
 He didn’t even make it through his first week of BUD/S.

Kristen left a stable teaching career, built a nutrition coaching business, burned out… and started baking sourdough bread from home.

Today, this veteran entrepreneur couple runs Crafted Coastal Bakery in Encinitas, California . Scaling from eight loaves a week to more than 100, while raising two young boys and debating whether to risk everything on a retail storefront.

In this honest conversation of Not Special, we dive into:

• Kevin’s journey from Marine Corps officer to Navy SEAL
• The brutal reality of military transition
• What being in the SEAL teams is actually like
• Why most people aren’t gluten intolerant — they’re reacting to commercial bread additives
• How cottage food laws make small business ownership possible
• The financial and emotional math of scaling a family business
• Working with your spouse without wrecking your marriage
• Why local politics impact entrepreneurs more than national politics

This conversation is about resilience, reinvention, clean food, leadership, and building a meaningful life after military service.

If you’re navigating military transition, starting a small business, balancing family and ambition, or questioning your next move, this episode will resonate.

New episodes of Not Special drop weekly featuring veterans, entrepreneurs, and leaders who don’t think they’re special… but absolutely are.

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In this deeply personal episode, Herb Thompson former U.S. Army Green Beret, Drill Sergeant of the Year, Ivy League MBA, speaker, and entrepreneur, shares the moments that shaped him most: combat leadership, chaos, addiction, recovery, marriage, and learning how to finally slow down.

From leading troops through some of the most kinetic fighting of his career, to struggling with silence once the mission ended, Herb opens up about what elite performance really costs and how purpose evolves after service.

This episode goes beyond military stories. It’s about identity, resilience, leadership, and the lifelong process of becoming whole. A raw and hoenst conversation with Herb and Corrie.

⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Why this episode is different (The co-host becomes the guest)
01:35 – The moment an 8-year-old decided his future
02:48 – Earning the Green Beret wasn’t the finish line
03:41 – 10 days, nonstop gunfights, and real leadership
06:20 – The General Patton story (almost getting killed by accident)
08:07– What people get wrong about Special Forces
10:28– Teaching, culture, and force multiplication
11:39 – Becoming a myth among Afghan commandos
15:38 – Leaving the military and still feeling unfinished
18:41 – Operator speed, chaos, and life after war
21:35 – Alcohol, avoidance, and the moment things changed
23:32 – Asking for help at Warriors Heart with Tom Spooner
27:26– Stillness, Jamaica, and learning how to stop
31:48 – Marriage, business, and being co-founders
33:44 – Liberty Speaks and leadership after service
40:36 – Why overcoming adversity matters most
41:56 – What Herb values most: liberty and freedom
43:00 – Final reflections + subscribe

#specialforces #podcast #greenberet #leadership #mentalhealth 

Connect with Liberty Speaks: 
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Jason DeBlasio shares his journey from a difficult upbringing and dropping out of high school to serving as an Air Force flight engineer, supporting critical mid-air refueling missions on the KC-10 during combat operations.

In this episode of Not Special, Jason explains the often-overlooked role of flight engineers, the pressure of keeping aircraft in the fight, and what it means when fuel determines whether troops on the ground survive. He also discusses his transition out of the military and the creation of Military Metal Art, a company dedicated to building culture, identity, and pride through handcrafted metal artwork.

The conversation explores leadership without recognition, innovation inside the military, entrepreneurship after service, faith, marriage, and defining success beyond rank or title.

This episode offers a rare look at the unseen roles that make missions possible — and the mindset required to build something lasting after service.

⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Why Jason Is Special

01:18 – Dropping Out of High School at 16

03:03 – The Court-Ordered Program That Changed Everything

04:15 – Life on the Flight Line: Cold, Misery & Reality

05:36 – Becoming a KC-10 Flight Engineer

07:26 – “The Most Overqualified Backseat Driver”

08:22 – Hearing Troops in Contact Over the Radio

13:20 – 13 Deployments & The Weight of the Mission

15:09 – Knowing When It Was Time to Leave the Military

16:53 – The $10,000 Coffee Pot Problem

20:42 – The Birth of Military Metal Art

22:19 – Turning Passion Into a Scalable Business

28:51 – Why Quality Almost Broke the Company

31:31 – A Stick Figure Drawing Becomes a Masterpiece

33:04 – Leadership, Ego & Letting Talent Walk

35:59 – Selling Majority Ownership Without Losing the Soul

37:53 – Culture, Identity & “The Goldfish Effect”

41:01 – Why This Work Actually Matters

42:01 – Artwork For SpaceX Astronauts

44:20 – Final Thoughts on Purpose & Impact

Connect with Liberty Speaks: 

🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 

🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ 

Support those that support us: 

Fire Department Coffee https://alnk.to/74xixOf 

👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

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Spencer Hatcher didn’t have a backup plan—and he wasn’t interested in playing it safe.

In this episode of Not Special, Spencer shares his journey from growing up immersed in music and faith in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to betting everything on a career in country music. He talks about being told to quit at a young age, going viral during COVID, almost choosing a safer path, and what it really means to go all in.

This conversation is about discipline, humility, faith, and earning your shot. If you’ve ever wondered whether your dream could actually happen—and what it costs to fully commit—this episode is for you.

Support the Holly Hatcher Education Foundation here: https://hollyhatcheref.com

01:00 An old soul in a young artist’s body

02:00 Growing up surrounded by music and faith

04:30 When music stopped being a hobby

06:30 Being told to quit at 15 years old

07:40 Going viral and the pressure that followed

09:10 Self-doubt even when things are working

11:40 Discovering classic country and storytelling

13:30 Almost choosing a safer path instead of music

16:10 Serving veterans through music

17:40 The Nashville showcase that almost fell apart

18:45 Playing to 10 people who changed everything

21:30 Getting signed on the spot

23:00 Why Spencer says he hasn’t “made it” yet

24:00 Staying humble as opportunities grow

25:40 Experiencing the CMAs up close

28:50 Handling nerves and pressure

30:30 Learning confidence through failure

33:10 Dealing with criticism in the industry

34:30 Owning your own path

35:40 Why radio still matters

37:30 Connecting with multiple generations

38:00 The story behind “Cold Beer and Common Sense”

40:00 Choosing great songs over ego

41:30 What success really means

44:35 Tragedy strikes for Spencer and his family

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What if the very things you think are “wrong” with your brain are actually what make you successful?

In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Chantel Prat, cognitive neuroscientist, professor, author of The Neuroscience of You, and one of the most relatable science communicators working today. Chantel breaks down how the brain really works — not as an average, but as a deeply individual system shaped by experience, environment, and relationships.

From growing up working class to becoming a leading voice in personalized neuroscience, Chantel explains why understanding how your brain works is the key to better relationships, leadership, learning, and growth.

This conversation explores:
Why no two brains work the same — and why that matters
How your experiences physically shape your brain
Why couples and teams struggle to understand each other
MRI vs EEG: how scientists actually “see” the brain working
Why feeling “weird” is universal — even among high performers
How compassion and self-partnership lead to real change
What it means to work with your brain instead of fighting it

If you’ve ever felt out of place, misunderstood, or frustrated with yourself or others — this episode will change how you see the human mind.

⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – Why Chantel says she’s “self-authored”
05:40 – Being a “normal” neuroscientist
07:43 – Calling 911 at age five (and why it matters)
09:32 – Phineas Gage & the moment everything clicked
13:27 – How scientists actually test the brain (MRI & EEG)
14:40 – Electrical brains & childhood curiosity19:10
19:05 – Couples, conflict, and different brain priorities
25:30 – Why your brain doesn’t see the world objectively
27:30 – How to partner with your brain for meaningful change
30:25 – Old dogs can learn new tricks
35:16 – Dinner conversations with neuroscientists
37:45 – Self doubt is normal

Connect with Liberty Speaks: 
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 
🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ 

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Dr. Jim Lynch our episode sponsor at www.drjameslynch.com
Fire Department Coffee https://alnk.to/74xixOf 

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

#Neuroscience #personalgrowth #humanbehavior

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Former U.S. Congressman, Acting Secretary of the Army and Iraq War veteran, and Patrick Murphy joins Not Special for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation about leadership, unity, national debt, military service, and why moral courage—not party loyalty—is what America desperately needs right now.

From growing up in a row house in Northeast Philadelphia to teaching at West Point, serving in combat, writing the Post-9/11 GI Bill, repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and running the U.S. Army, Murphy shares what shaped his character—and why “United we stand, divided we fall” is more than a slogan.

This episode cuts through political noise and focuses on service, accountability, and solving real problems.

📌 About Patrick Murphy

Patrick Murphy is an Iraq War veteran, former U.S. Congressman, constitutional law professor at West Point, and former Acting Secretary of the Army. He helped author the Post-9/11 GI Bill, led the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, and now works as a veteran investor, educator, and media contributor focused on leadership, service, and national unity.

⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps
00:00 – “Why Are You Special?” Patrick Murphy’s Answer
03:00 – Growing Up Working-Class in Philadelphia
05:55 – How He Is Inspired
09:10 – The Iraq War
13:05 – Running For Congress
16:55 – The Severity Of Our National Debt 
20:05 – A Silver Tsunami Is Coming
24:00 – How To Fix The National Debt
27:40 – United We Stand, Divided we Fall
31:55 – How Are So Many In Congress Rich
36:10 – Principles Over Politics
39:30 – Meritocracy
43:05 – Playing Basketball With President Obama
46:40 – Loyalty Above All Else Is A Honor

Connect with Liberty Speaks: 
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 
🔗 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ 

Support those that support us: Fire Department Coffee https://alnk.to/74xixOf 

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

#congress  #Veteran #LeadershipMatters

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In this powerful episode of the Not Special Podcast, Herb and Corrie sit down with former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Green Beret, and Delta Force operator Tom Spooner who now dedicates his life to saving warriors instead of fighting wars. 

From surviving near-death blasts, battling alcoholism, navigating brain injuries, and walking away from elite military life—his journey leads to the creation of Warriors Heart, a 500-acre healing center for veterans and first responders struggling with addiction, trauma, and TBI.

This is a raw, honest, and emotional conversation about identity, sobriety, purpose, and why even the strongest warriors break—and how they can heal.

What You’ll Learn:
* How childhood dreams turned into a path through the 82nd Airborne → Special Forces → Delta Force
* The truth behind selection at the highest levels
* Hidden battles: alcoholism, brain injury, and a marriage hanging by a thread
* The turning point that led to sobriety
* Why “taking lives” became “saving lives”
* The creation of Warriors Heart and how it transforms veterans and first responders
* The importance of community, vulnerability, and shared language in healing
* The difference between a clinical hospital and a healing home

If you’re a veteran, first responder, family member, or anyone who wants to understand the cost of service—and the path to restoration—this is an episode you won’t forget.

⏱️ Clickable Chapter Timestamps
00:42 – From 82nd Airborne to Green Beret02:30 – Pushing limits & the mindset for Special Forces04:00 – Life in 7th Group & real missions in South/Central America06:45 – The misconceptions about Green Berets (thanks Rambo…)08:10 – Direct action vs. teaching & partnering missions09:15 – Why he attempted Delta selection09:50 – 9/11 happens during Delta selection11:30 – Alcoholism, marriage collapse & hitting bottom13:00 – Sobriety, faith & becoming a better operator14:40 – Hidden injuries: TBI, blast exposure & cognitive decline16:45 – The struggle to transition back into home life18:10 – Sobriety as a warrior advantage19:30 – Discovering the veteran suicide crisis & deciding to act20:40 – Public silence vs. breaking the stigma22:00 – Why vulnerability from elite operators saves lives23:00 – Building Warriors Heart: the mission begins24:30 – What makes Warriors Heart different from traditional treatment25:30 – “Welcome Home”: why language and environment matter27:30 – Veterans & first responders healing inside community28:40 – Clinical excellence + warrior culture = real recovery29:55 – Not a lockdown facility: why choice matters in healing31:30 – Safety, trust, and true security for warriors32:45 – It’s training, not punishment: putting in the work34:00 – The mindset shift: what got you here won’t get you there35:10 – Why asking for help is actually strength36:00 – Final lessons & what warriors need to hear today

Connect with Liberty Speaks: 
🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com 
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Support those that support us: Fire Department Coffee https://alnk.to/74xixOf 

👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

#DeltaForce #SpecialForces #VeteranRecovery #podcast