The Mettle of Honor Podcast: Stories of, Strength, Courage, & Perseverance™️

The Mettle of Honor Podcast: Stories of, Strength, Courage, & Perseverance™️

By Tiffany MartschinkSociety & Culture
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The Mettle of Honor Podcast: Stories of, Strength, Courage, & Perseverance™️ episodes

  • Lions Guide on Leadership (Dale Wells -USMC)
    Dale Walls, a USMC veteran, is a visionary and the founder of Lions Gate, a highly successful and innovative company. Born and raised in a military family, Dale developed a deep sense of discipline, integrity, and dedication from an early age. After serving in the United States Marine Corps for several years, he transitioned into the business world, bringing with him the core values instilled in him during his military service.
    With a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to make a difference, Dale founded Lions Gate, a company that specializes in providing cutting-edge solutions in the technology sector. Under his leadership, Lions Gate has grown into a global powerhouse, known for its groundbreaking products and services.
    Dale's military background has played a significant role in shaping his leadership style. He believes in fostering a culture of teamwork, resilience, and adaptability within his organization. Drawing from his experiences in the Marines, he instills a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence in his team members.
    In addition to his business success, Dale is actively involved in supporting fellow veterans and their families. He understands the challenges they face when transitioning to civilian life and is dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for their personal and professional growth.
    Dale Walls is a true inspiration, combining his military background, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to service to create a lasting impact. Through his leadership at Lions Gate and his dedication to supporting veterans, he continues to make a difference in the lives of others.
    Dale Wells Contact Information
    LinkedIn Profile linkedin.com/in/dalewalls
    Lion’s Guide www.lionsguide.com/link-in-bio
    YouTube https://youtube.com/@lionsguide
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    54 min
  • Patch Baker: My Guiding Principles & Inner Compass
    What is stolen valor and what are the consequences of this crime? In this episode, we focus on the intriguing case of “Patch Baker” - a self-proclaimed war hero who fabricated a heroic military career (stating he was shot, in the military longer than he actually was - working in career fields other than what he actually did) and more. Unraveling the layers of deceit, we examine the motivations behind stolen valor, its impact on genuine veterans, and the legal consequences it entails. 🕵️‍♂️
    On his website, e heading of a page (tab 2 on left), "My 10 guiding principles that function as my inner compass.” He referrers to these rules as, "what I choose to live by that help me run my life, and what I use to lead my Team and the companies we have in our portfolio." (Guiding Principles & Inner Compass). There’s only one (actually, more than one) problem with this: his professional interactions with others contradict this personal inner compass and these so-called, “guiding principles.”
    Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the psychological, societal, and ethical aspects surrounding stolen valor. Through thought-provoking discussions and expert insights, we shed light on the complexities of this issue and its profound effects on those who served honorably. 🎧🔍 #StolenValor #MilitaryService
    MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
    Black Riffle Coffee Company (https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/collections/) *Patch claims to have done some social media marketing for BRCC. When I contacted BRCC, no one had ever seen or heard someone named "Patch Baker” or “Jefferson Scott Baker”. * Later I was told he did do “some” work with social media marketing but nothing worth crediting their great success to.
    People we hear from in this episode:
    Jeremy Knauff | Dan Yu |
    Phil Randazzo | (https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-randazzo-adu/) | Phil Randazzo has a passion for helping military families succeed. In 2003, he started American Dream U, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping our military get the education and access to resources they need to find their dream job or start a business of their own.
    American Dream U | (http://americandreamu.org) | “At American Dream U, we highlight two important projects that are giving back to the men and women in the military who are/have served our country. Phil has a diverse portfolio, but his primary passion is working with his non-profit organization American Dream U. American Dream helps Soldiers get education and access to resources they need to find their dream job or to start a business of their own.” - Phil Randazzo – Founder, American Dream U.
    Roland Fraiser
    Business Lunch Podcast by Roland Fraiser
    https://www.patchbaker.com/story/⁠
    ⁠https://www.sec.gov/
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    25 min
  • The Survivor: Soldier Overcomes Battle with Suicide (Chelsea Porterfield)
    “In the quiet solitude of her son’s bedroom, her mind drifted and fixated on her husband’s .45 caliber pistol.In November 2018, the sergeant first class thought about suicide for the first time. Since she had accepted an assignment to serve as a platoon sergeant in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), Chelsea struggled to strike a balance of time for duty and family.
    “I was good enough at work,” she said. “I wasn't good enough at home. I was failing somewhere. … Nothing was good enough.”She tried to envision how her life would be different if she ended her life.
    The survivor: Soldier overcomes battle with suicide
    By Joseph Lacdan, Army News ServiceSeptember 9, 2020 (https://www.army.mil/article/238891/the_survivor_soldier_overcomes_battle_with_suicide?ssp=1&setlang=en-US&safesearch=moderate)
    Welcome to "The Mettle of Honor Podcast: Veteran Stories of strength, courage, & perseverance. This weeks guest is Sergeant First Class (SFC) Chelsea Porterfield, a retired Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) in the United States Army. Chelsea served as a Military Police (MP) in peacetime and in multiple combat tours. She also served as a Drill Sergeant, an Instructor for the MP’s Captains Career Course, and sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia. (https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/). During her tenure as the 38th Sergeant of the Guard, she made history as the first female to hold this esteemed position.
    Listen in as we delve into Chelsea's remarkable journey. Her journey is remarkable-not because of her accomplishments in uniform, but because of her persistence and tenacity to push forward in life.
    Chelsea shares powerful insights as to what was going on personally with her struggles and contemplating suicide.
    Through heartfelt conversations, we explore the challenges Chelsea faced and the resilience she embodied in her military career.
    Tune in to this extraordinary episode of "The Mettle of Honor Podcast" as we honor the extraordinary service and leadership of SFC Chelsea Porterfield, a true hero among us.
    The Survivor: Soldier Overcomes battle with suicide | By Joseph Lacdan | Army News Service | September 9, 2020 | https://www.army.mil/article/238891/the_survivor_soldier_overcomes_battle_with_suicide
    23 min
  • Canadian Navy Port Inspection Diver
    Kate Stewart is a Port Inspection Diver in the Canadian Royal Navy. Port Inspection Divers use compressed air breathing apparatus (CABA) to perform various underwater searches, surveys, and inspections, primarily for the purpose of port security. Port security is one aspect of Maritime Coastal Operations conducted to ensure the maritime security of the nation. Port Inspection Divers often work in conjunction with naval port security teams to provide underwater skill sets in support of the sovereignty and safety of Canada’s numerous ports, harbors, and waterways, and may also be deployed outside Canada for operations or exercises. In addition to their main responsibilities as Port Inspection Divers, they must also carry out several tasks in support of diving activities such as driving inflatable boats and specialized dive vehicles, preparing dive sites, maintaining dive-related equipment, and conducting general and diving-related administration including forward logistics for operations. For more information on their roles and responsibilities, check out this link: (⁠https://forces.ca/en/career/port-inspection-diver/⁠)
    The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) relies on various groups and units within its organization to ensure that its ships and personnel are protected, both at home in Canada and around the world. Kate Stewart has been part of one of these groups for the past 5 years. This group is the Naval Tactical Operations Group (NTOG), a full-time dedicated unit within the RCN that specializes in advanced boarding operations at sea. This includes maritime interdiction operations, which is the interception of suspect vessels to prevent the movement of illicit cargo and materiel at sea. Additional duties include force protection which entails protecting Navy ships, infrastructure, and personnel all over the world (https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/corporate/fleet-units/specialized-units/ntog.html).
     This is like the United States military’s VBSS (Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure). This term is used by United States military and law enforcement agencies for maritime boarding actions and tactics. VBSS teams are designed to capture enemy vessels, combat terrorism, piracy, and smuggling, and to conduct customs, safety and other inspections. (https://www.com/2022/02/18/vbss_a_navy_seal_explains_how_to_board_enemy_ships_817388.html).
     Kate's Contact Info:
    LinkedIn Profile: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-stewart-4592171a9/?originalSubdomain=ca⁠ | Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/shootlikeagirlpodcast/⁠ | YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@shootlikeagirlpodcast⁠ | Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠
    #podcast | #militarywomen | #shootlikeagirl | #YouveGotMettle | #GraceandGrit
    Kate Stewart est plongeuse d'inspection portuaire dans la Marine royale canadienne. Les plongeurs d'inspection portuaire utilisent des appareils respiratoires à air comprimé (CABA) pour effectuer diverses recherches, enquêtes et inspections sous-marines, principalement à des fins de sécurité portuaire. La sûreté portuaire est l'un des aspects des opérations côtières maritimes menées pour assurer la sécurité maritime du pays.
    La Marine royale canadienne (MRC) compte sur divers groupes et unités au sein de son organisation pour s'assurer que ses navires et son personnel sont protégés, tant au canada qu'à l'étranger. Kate Stewart fait partie de l'un de ces groupes depuis 5 ans. Ce groupe est le Groupe des opérations tactiques navales (NTOG), une unité dédiée à temps plein au sein de la MRC qui se spécialise dans les opérations d'arraisonnement avancées en mer. Cela comprend les opérations d'interdiction maritime, c'est-à-dire l'interception de navires suspects pour empêcher le mouvement de marchandises et de matériel illicites en mer. Les tâches supplémentaires comprennent la protection de la force, ce qui implique la protection des navires, des infrastructures et du personnel de la Marine partout dans le monde
    55 min
  • Memorial Day 2023
    If you were asked to provide an answer on the spot, would you be able to explain the difference between Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, and Veteran’s, would you be able to? On Aug. 31, 1949, Defense Secretary Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the armed forces under one agency -- the Department of Defense.
    Note: As enacted, S. 1160 is Public Law 89-487 (80 Stat. 250). The statement was released at San Antonio, Texas.
    Lyndon B. Johnson, Statement by the President Upon Signing the "Freedom of Information Act." Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/238540 Scott Deluzio, a U.S. Army NG Infantryman is a Gold Star brother. His brother, Stephen Deluzio, was also a U.S. Army NG Infantryman of a different state. While both were deployed, Scott received the news that his brother was Killed In Action (KIA). He shares his story of how he handled the news. He authored "Surviving Son: An Afghanistan War Veteran Reveals His Nightmare of Becoming a Gold Star Brother." (https://survivingsonbook.com/)
    David Arthur; Medically Retired US Army Chaplain
    Alfredo Torrez Navy Veteran
    Music Used from Epidemic Sound
    USA National Anthem https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/YpQF3cnStF/
    Star-Spangled Banner (traditional) https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/T5Fl5FMthN/
    America The Beautiful (orchestra) https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/OhP9ntIbEW/
    Turbulent Build (Fredrik Ekström) https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/ZR5oj7WSRk/
    49 min
  • Mandy Hickson’s “An Officer, Not a Gentleman”
    Mandy Hickson (née Wells) was born in Cheshire in 1973. She gained a BSc Joint Honours Degree in Geography and Sports Science from the University of Birmingham. Mandy has over twenty five years experience within aviation. She joined the Royal Air Force in 1994 and was only the second woman to fly the Tornado GR4 operationally; she operated in hostile environments, including patrolling the ‘No Fly’ zone over Iraq; completed three tours of duty and flew fifty missions over Iraq with No. II(AC) Squadron. Since leaving the RAF she retrained as a facilitator in human performance factors. Her company, ‘Experience From The Front Line’, draws on her experience of calculated risk-taking, decision-making under pressure and the critical role of the human in the system, where she transfers vivid lessons from the cockpit to other management and leadership contexts. Mandy is now in high demand as a keynote speaker across a range of business and education sectors, where she talks with humour and great passion to inspire those around her. She has been invited to share her insights with some of the most successful organisations across the world, where she describes the strategies and behaviours that can be adopted when the stakes are at their highest. Mandy Hickson Contact Info and references
    Website: https://www.mandyhickson.com
    An Officer Not A Gentleman on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Officer-Not-Gentleman-inspirational-pioneering/dp/B089M3ZL6G/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_nodl?dchild=1&keywords=an+officer+not+a+gentleman+book&qid=1592766036&sprefix=An+officer+not+a+gentleman&sr=8-1
    LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/mandyhickson
    Twitter @InspiringWFW
    29 min
  • Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma
    SGT. MICHAEL SUGRUE - USAF Captain | Security Forces (Raven) | Retired Walnut Creek Police Sergeant | #1 Best-Selling Author | Mental Health Warrior | —————-
    Michael Sugrue began his law enforcement career in the United States Air Force as a Security Forces Officer in 1998. As a Security Forces Officer, Michael specialized in Law Enforcement, Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Nuclear Security, Foreign Airfield Assessments & Air Base Ground Defense.
    Michael served in a variety of assignments including: Flight Leader, Flight Commander, Senior Watch Officer, Chief of Command Post and Chief of Security Forces. Michael served all over the United States, Europe, the Middle East and South America. He was also a Security Forces Phoenix Raven with the unique identifier of #1173. Michael honorably separated from the Air Force as a Captain in 2004.
    Immediately after the Air Force, Michael was hired by the Walnut Creek Police Department where he served in a variety of assignments including: Patrol Officer, Driver Training Instructor (EVOC) Field Training Officer (FTO), SIU Detective, Undercover CA DOJ Narcotic Task Force Agent (Contra Costa County), Public Information Officer (PIO) and Patrol Sergeant. Michael was awarded the Walnut Creek PD Distinguished Service Medal in 2014 for his heroic and life saving actions during a Fatal Officer Involved Shooting in 2012. Michael ultimately medically retired in 2018. He is now a Peer Volunteer at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR) and an Ambassador for Save A Warrior (SAW).
    Michael is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and First Responder Suicide Prevention. Michael continues to speak at law enforcement agencies all over the United States.
    In his BEST-SELLING book, RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma, along with Dr. Shauna Springer, PhD, they tackle the complexity of trauma within the law enforcement community, uncovering the unspoken barriers, and outline a path to healing.
    REFERENCES & RESOURCES
    "RELENTLESS COURAGE is one of the most important books of our time. Doc Springer has teamed with Michael Sugrue to give us the vital, essential, “next step forward” in understanding and healing the trauma inflicted upon our first responders in these tragic, violent times…RELENTLESS COURAGE is truly the natural and essential successor to my book, 'ON COMBAT'".
    Lt. Col. Dave Grossman whose book ON COMBAT sold half a million copies.
    #ptsdrecovery #traumahealing #firstresponders #militaryveterans #suicideprevention |
    https://linktr.ee/martschink
    50 min
  • Mosquito Wings to Full-Bird Eagle to 2 Stars On Each Shoulder
    Major General Cheryn L. Fasano currently serves as the Commander of the Joint Transportation Reserve Unit (JTRU). She is the Mobilization Assistant to the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) headquartered at Scott Air Force Base, IL. The JTRU augments USTRANSCOM in providing air, land, & sea transportation for the Department of Defense (DOD) both in times of peace and war. She has an impressive resume but in this episode, we spend more time talking about life not only as a service member, but as a military spouse and what true leadership actually looks like. A link to her assignments and awards etc will be attached below.
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    2 min
  • Resiliency Shield: Breaking "Impossible" Goals into Achievable Goals

    'I had seen dozens of people die horrible deaths ... This time was different. This time it was a friend of mine dying in the dirt in front of me, and it was my job to save him.'

    Dan Pronk is the author of three bestselling books, a regular keynote speaker, and the resident medic on the hit TV Show, SAS Australia. After failing dismally in his first career dream of being a professional triathlete, he studied medicine on an army scholarship. Upon qualifying as a doctor, he passed the SASR selection course and served five years in Special Operations, including four tours of Afghanistan with 100+ combat missions. 

    Learn more about Dan Pronk


    During his years with Army Special Operations, Dan Pronk had the unique opportunity to treat dozens of gunshot wounds. In his memoir, Pronk describes the highs and lows of his military-medical career, with the real toll they took on his mental health and family life. He writes about the burden of saving - and failing to save - friends and comrades, the feelings of helplessness and despair that haunted me, and the journey back to a meaningful and fulfilling civilian life. This memoir is a tribute to the doctors, medics, and first responders working behind the scenes in conflict around the world.

    Buy on Amazon (Australia)

    Buy on Amazon (USA)

    Buy an author-signed copy



    The Resilience Shield is the culminated experience of three SAS veterans — Ben Pronk (his brother), Tim Curtis, and Dan Pronk. They developed The Resilience Shield after examining the impact of extreme stress and how people stay strong in the face of overwhelming circumstances.

    Teaming up with the University of Western Australia, we used thousands of results from our Resilience Survey to prove our model builds resilience.   

    This book has all our research on stress and resilience, with personal experiences and stories of incredible people we're lucky enough to know.


    Buy the book (multiple outlets)

    Buy an author-signed copy

    Buy your Resilience Journal

    Bundle the two together (and save a few bucks!)


    He show how you can break "impossible" goals into smaller, achievable sub-goals. You'll have a clear pathway to start and build momentum. Using Special Forces selection case studies, I uncover how average people with above-average persistence beat stronger, faster, and smarter people.  This book will inspire you to do more. It could be getting off the couch or doubling down on your existing goals. Regardless of your ambitions, you'll supercharge your commitment to achieving them. You only get one go at this life, so what are you waiting for? Read it and get going!

    Buy an author-signed copy | Buy on Amazon

    #health | #military | #mentalhealth | #mindfulness | #lawenforcement | linkedin.com/in/danpronk

    1 hr 10 min
  • The Mission Focused Mindset: Perseverance
    We are only limited by the things we allow to limit us. The keys to success and productivity are already in your pocket. You just need someone to show you the lock and encourage you to open the door. Who would have thought that a woman who pioneered a path for women in the military - excelling at what she did as an Air Force A-10 (Warhog) Pilot could ever struggle with confidence or imposter syndrome?  
    LTC Tammy Barlette (USAF, LTC, Retired) is a mindset and performance expert who specializes in the art of perseverance. As a retired Lieutenant Colonel and fighter pilot, who has faced many challenges herself, she takes lessons learned from the high-performance cockpit and relates them to the challenges of life. She has flown multiple aircraft, including the T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, A-10 Warthog, MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, accumulating more than 3000 total flying hours.
    After an aircraft injury required cervical spine reconstruction, Tammy transitioned to the Arizona Air National Guard. She flew the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper, accumulating over 1500 hours of combat support time in both Iraq and Afghanistan assisting and protecting troops on the ground, providing real-time reconnaissance and lethal support. During this time Tammy also graduated from the prestigious US Air Force Weapons School. Desiring to get back into a high-performance aircraft and having a passion to teach, Tammy then transitioned to the Air Force Reserves, instructing in the T-38 Talon for the last 6 years of her 20-year military career. Her focus was on balancing family life as a married mother of three with instructing in the fast-paced environment of the Air Force’s premier fighter trainer. She excelled at both, earning multiple awards, and spearheading new programs to mentor and grow professional aviators.
    As an entrepreneur, wife and mother of three, she shares powerful heartfelt stories of strength and grit. Tammy Barlette talks about how, for her, quitting has never been an option and the importance of not comparing her "backstage" self to someone else standing in the spotlight as she has moved forward in whatever comes her way. Confidence is a topic that is close to her heart. The importance of confidence in one's success is often under valued and this was a lesson she learned after years of aviation experience. It doesn't have to take years to develop confidence. Persistence and dedication in the face of difficulties and obstacles are required for progress. Her stories of struggle and triumph taught her how to persevere against the odds. Resist collapsing under pressure.
    #YouveGotMettle | #MindsetMatters | #Perseverance | #Aviation | #MilitaryPilots | #WomenInAviation |
    Websites: https://tammybarlette.com/   | http://www.athenasvoiceusa.com/tammy-barlette |
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammybarlette/She’s Got Grit: http://aborderlife.com/grit-project-blog/2016/2/8/woman-fighter-pilotAir Force Monthly: http://www.airforcesmonthly.com/2009/12/18/pilot-makes-history/major-tammy-barlette-with-an-mq-9-reaper-at-nellis-usaf-image/ Flygirls: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/ Covered Speakers: https://coveredspeakers.com/inspirational-keynote-speaker/tammy-barlette-fighter-pilot-founder-athenas-voice/
    46 min

About The Mettle of Honor Podcast: Stories of, Strength, Courage, & Perseverance™️

From the publisher's feed

Joined me on a captivating journey into the extraordinary stories of resilience and determination. Together, we will uncover the unconquerable spirit of individuals who have faced adversity head-on and triumphed. Through engaging conversations, we will interact with their stories-gaining a profound appreciation for the inner mettle that defines them. Get ready to be inspired by their remarkable journeys of personal growth and let them ignite the fire within you.