Today marks one year since the October 7th attacks that began the Israel-Hamas war.

365 days later, as the war rages on, Benjamin sits down to reflect on what it's like observing the tragedy of this war after spending years of his life observing it firsthand while reporting in conflict zones. He opens up about the feelings that come with watching friends and colleagues report live from these dangerous war zones, after he nearly lost his life while reporting in Ukraine in March of 2022.

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Tarris Marie was a wife and mother with 15 years of experience in corporate America, when she noticed her vision becoming slightly distorted. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, a genetic condition that ultimately led Tarris to become legally blind. After losing her central vision, leaving her career, and experiencing death in her family — Tarris hit rock bottom. Until she heard a voice telling her, "write a book". 

Today, Tarris Marie sits down with Benjamin to discuss how this experience ultimately led to her writing her debut novel, Blaque Pearle, despite never having written anything like it before. She also reveals her experience adjusting to life with only her peripheral vision, carving out a new professional pathway, and relying on her faith and family to fuel her resilience.

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After a Saturday night out with friends in 2019, Mike Lavorel thought he was coming down with a stomach bug when he started feeling sick later that night. By Tuesday evening, Mike was unable to speak and immobile. What began then, was Mike's tumultuous fight to stay alive.

Mike and his wife Jennifer Lavorel join Benjamin to discuss how Mike eating a raw oyster led to a nine-month battle with sepsis, a medically induced coma, and ultimately -- the loss of both his lower legs and several fingers. 

The Lavorels share what it was like for them and their two sons to experience their lives transform in an instant, how Mike was able to come back from a 1% chance of survival, and the crucial role their community in Mike's recovery.

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It's rare to meet someone whose life hasn't been impacted by addiction in some way, yet conversations surrounding the disease largely remain taboo due to shame and stigma. The First Lady of North Dakota, Kathryn Burgum has made it her mission to change that.

First Lady Burgum joins Benjamin to discuss her 20 year battle with alcoholism, and why the shame and fear of being met with disappointment were primary reasons she didn't ask for the help she needed. Now, 22 years sober, she's used her influence to create 'Recovery Reinvented,' a non-profit organization aiming to dismantle the stigma around addictions that keeps so many people suffering in silence. Through educating and forming a community, the First Lady is raising awareness of the fact that addiction is a brain disease, not a moral failing. She shares crucial advice that can help recovering addicts and those with loved ones grappling with addiction find the hope they need to heal.

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While on a mission to visit all 193 countries, Sam Goodwin's journey took a sharp turn when he was abducted by the Syrian army in 2019. For 27 days, Sam was held in solitary confinement — being questioned repetitively by the Syrian regime who threatened to have ISIS behead him if he didn't confess to being a spy. Through faith and his family's unrelenting efforts to get Sam home, he survived.

Sam joins Ben to discuss how he remained resilient while in solitary confinement — never knowing when, or if, he would be released or killed. He also shares how his family worked tirelessly behind the scenes to secure his release and why he refused to let this experience stop him from visiting all 193 countries, a goal he has now completed.

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The transition from serving full-time in the military to stepping into civilian life can be challenging for veterans, from adapting to life at home to the societal pressure to have it all together.

Fortunately, there are organizations and individuals across the country calling out this stigma and working to ensure veterans can find hope and purpose.

President and CEO of America's Warrior Partnership, retired Lieutenant Colonel Jim Lorraine, joins Benjamin to discuss how his non-profit organization goes the extra mile to reach veterans who may be struggling but don't know how to ask for help. He also shares how caring for his wife, Becky, a fellow veteran living with epilepsy and breast cancer, has taught him about additional life-saving organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project — which helps America's heroes navigate the healthcare system. 

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As a former NASA astronaut, engineer, and F-14 fighter jet pilot, Scott Kelly's story is out of this world in more ways than one.

Between the groundbreaking missions he's been a part of with his identical twin brother, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, and spending over 500 days in space, Scott has inevitably learned a thing or two about staying mentally strong, striving for greatness, and remaining curious about the world.

Scott joins Benjamin to share his thoughts on what it's like preparing for space exploration, and where he believes the nation currently stands on the desire for both individual and societal progress. He also shares the current work he's doing with Nova Ukraine, a nonprofit organization providing humanitarian aid, education, and resources to the people of Ukraine.

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On this special episode, Benjamin is answering a few of your questions!

From discussing his mental and physical recovery, his thoughts on forgiveness after experiencing the horrific reality of war to what it was like attending the Paris 2024 Olympics last weekend. He also shares how his opinion on resilience, one of the essential themes of the podcast, continues to change and grow as he speaks to more people every week.

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August 7th marked National Purple Heart Day — a day where we honor the men and women who were wounded or lost lives their lives while valiantly serving in the military. For retired Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Gade, two-time Purple Heart Medal recipient, it's a day to remember his brothers and sisters in combat who didn't make it back from overseas and emphasize how important proper support is for veterans.

Today, Lt. Gade, who currently serves as an Advisory Council Member at America's Warrior Partnership, joins Ben to discuss the two injuries that led to his Purple Hearts, including being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and IED that led him to lose his leg. He opens about the difficult mental and physical transition he faced when entering civilian life and why his experience with the VA disability system led him to write his book, 'Wounding Warriors: How Bad Policy Is Making Veterans," detailing his experience with Veteran Affairs and their role in transitioning soldiers home.

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Howie Sanborn's life, in many ways, was defined by movement — from his 15 years as a U.S. Airborne Ranger and his spot on the U.S. Army Parachute Team to his love for competing in triathlons. Then came September 2012. 

After being struck by a distracted driver while cycling with a friend left him paralyzed from the waist down, Howie knew his life would drastically change — but he refused to let that change be for the worse. Within seven months, he went from a hospital bed to competing in his first triathlon in a wheelchair. Fast forward to 2024, Howie's headed to Paris to represent the U.S. at the Paralympics. 

Today, Howie Sanborn joins Ben to discuss  how, with the help of Semper Fi & America's Fund, he was able to adjust so quickly after his life-altering accident while also processing extensive grief, the importance of setting tangible goals to succeed, and what his mindset is as he prepares for the upcoming 2024 Paralympic Games.

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