Every day we interact with other people’s masked versions of themselves. Most people have a select few that they allow to unmask them. Often, our biggest struggle isn’t understanding others, but it’s trying to figure out who we truly are. When we pull off our masks and do some soul searching, It’s scary and frightening, but it can also be grateful and rewarding.

The Shadows Podcast returns with an all-new season of Rise From The Shadows Season 2, Behind the Mask at https://linktr.ee/shadowspodcast

Our first guest is the founder and host of the Purpose Infused Brotherhood Podcast, Clay Smeltzer! He will talk to us about the Many Mask That Men Wear. In this episode, he will help you reveal your purpose, experience the freedom of being your true self, and stay centered and not drift.

Then we bring you a returning guest to the Shadows, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Seed Leadership, a leadership coach to introverted leaders, a leadership facilitator, strategy consultant, and renowned public speaker Nancy John! And she talks to us about challenging ourselves to get comfortable being uncomfortable with moving Forward With Fear.

Purpose Infused Brotherhood: www.purposeinfusedbrotherhood.com

Seed Leadership: https://seedleadershipdevelopment.com/

This week the Shadows Podcast features the Chronicles of Kevin Hines! Kevin attempted suicide by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge and now he's a world-renowned public speaker, best-selling author, award winning documentary film maker, and activist promoting suicide prevention. This episode is available at https://linktr.ee/ShadowsPodcast.

During this episode, Kevin talks about his upbringing, including the two-year custody fight between his birth parents and his adopted parents for him, and his brother. Kevin also opens up about the unfortunate loss of his brother.

Then Kevin talks about the events of Monday, September 25, 2000, when he took a bus to the Golden Gate Bridge with the intent of taking his own life. What went through his head when he jumped off the bridge? Who and what saved his life? Kevin also opens up about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.

Follow Kevin Hines on Instagram and Facebook @KevinHinesStory

Check out Kevin’s website, which includes links to the Hinesights Podcast, and you can obtain a signed copy of his book https://www.kevinhinesstory.com/

Warnings this episode contains trigger warnings such as substance abuse and suicide.

This week the Shadows Podcast has the honor of welcoming a United States Navy SEAL, Bill Brown! Bill helped found the annual Navy SEAL Hudson River Swim and is featured in David Goggins best-seller, New York Times bestseller, Can’t Hurt Me. This episode is available on at https://linktr.ee/ShadowsPodcast.

During this episode, Bill talks about his troubled youth in and out of detention centers and what led him to join the United States Navy. How did he get introduced to the Navy SEAL training? Bill walks us through the emotional and physical demanding Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training. Listen as Bill talks about his relationship with David Goggins. Why did he separate from the military? Bill walks us through the mental and combat stress that he endured throughout his military career.

Bill also talks about how he started the Navy SEAL Hudson River Swim, which takes place on August 6 in Jersey City, New Jersey. To find out more and/or donate money to assist veterans head over to https://gigo.org/pages/sealswim

Warnings this episode contains strong language which may be offensive to some viewers. It also includes trigger warnings such as: suicide, violence, combat and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Next week the Shadows Podcast, Episode 92: The Chronicles of Kevin Hines. Kevin attempted to take his life in September 2000 by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Not only did he survive, but he’s gone onto become a mental health advocate, world renowned public speakers, award winning documentary film maker, best-selling author, and host of the Hinesights Podcast.

This week the Shadows Podcast has the honor of welcoming a United States Marine Corps veteran, author of “Can I Speak?” and host of the Purpose Pod, Allen Levi Simmons, to the show.

During this episode, Allen walks us through his upbringing and is vulnerable, talking about a void he felt due to his relationship with his mother. He also opens up about a traumatic event he witnessed as a child. What difficult decision did he face at a young age that forced him to join the United States Marine Corps? Allen then takes us through the moments in Afghanistan leading up to and the aftermath of discovering an improvised explosive device, survived a rocket-propelled grenade blast, and his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

If you’d like to book a meeting with Allen, check out the Purpose Pod, or read one of his blogs, head to www.allenlevisimmons.com.

Grab a copy of his book Can I Speak? https://www.amazon.com/Can-Speak-Allen-Levi-Simmons/dp/0578596180

This powerful episode is available on any podcast platform and www.theshadowspodcast.com.

Please note that this episode contains the following trigger warnings: childhood trauma, abortion, violence, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Next week the Shadows Podcast returns with episode 91: The Chronicles of Bill Brown. Bill is a former Navy SEAL, featured in David Goggins “Can’t Hurt Me” book, and founder of the Navy SEAL Hudson River Swim.

This week we have an incredible and inspiring story from someone who struggled throughout high school to hanging out with the President of the United States. This week the Shadows Podcast has the honor of welcoming retired 44-year United States Air Force General, former Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and author of Dark Horse, Larry Spencer, to the show.

During this episode, Larry talks to us about his upbringing in the Southeast District of Columbia. He tells us about his father’s legacy and an injury that occurred while serving. Why did he decide to join the Air Force in the early 70s? What were some of the struggles he dealt with when it came to discrimination early in his career? What did it mean to him to be a Commander? What was the one moment that stands out the most when he thinks of leadership? He also talks about his time interacting with the Presidents of the United States while serving in the White House Military Office. What was his time like as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force?

He also discusses the Air Force Association (https://www.afa.org/), the two Air Force awards named in his honor (Air Force Innovation and the Special Acts and Services Awards.), and his books; The Green Eyeshades of War: An Examination of Financial Management during War and Dark Horse. Both can be purchased at https://www.generallarryspencer.com/published-books.

This powerful episode is available on any podcast platform and www.theshadowspodcast.com.

Next week the Shadows Podcast returns with episode 90: The Chronicles of Allen Levi Simmons. He’s a former Marine, host of the Purpose Pod, and author of Can I Speak?

Stay tuned for the premiere of season 2 of Rising From The Shadows: Behind the Mask on Monday, August 1, 2022.

Happy 4th of July! This week the Shadows Podcast welcomes a military veteran and co-founder of Angels 14, Jeff Knight! His episode, the Chronicles of Jeff Knight, is now available on all major podcast platforms and at www.theshadowspodcast.com.

During this episode, Jeff talks about creating Angels 14 to give veterans camaraderie, community, and connection. He also tells us about the origins of Angels 14 and how they got to where they are today.

Jeff also talks about his upbringing, his time as a pre-residential correctional counselor, and what drove him to join the military. He also unpacks his twenty-year career in the United States Army ROTC, his time in the active Guard Reserve, his reflection on the events surrounding September 11, 2001, and his transition out of the military. He also discusses his involvement with the charitable organization Warrior Rising.

Links based on The Chronicles of Jeff Knight:

Angels 14: https://www.angels14.com/

LinkedIn (To include obtaining a link for any upcoming Angels 14 calls): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-knight/

Warrior Rising:  https://www.warriorrising.org/

Stay tuned for season 2 of Rising From The Shadows, which will debut Monday, August 1, 2022. This year our theme is behind the many masks that we wear. We will focus on digging deep for some soul searching and breaking down how to improve our overall way of life by pulling off our emotional, physical, spiritual, and social masks and focusing on deeply personal and professional self-improvement. All episodes will be available wherever you find the Shadows Podcast.

Today the Shadows Podcast celebrates what would have been the 71st birthday of Charlie Bodenheimer. He was the father of Tripp Bodenheimer, host of the Shadows Podcast. Charlie passed away on 9 June 1993 from a sudden heart attack, but his legacy still lives to this day, and his parenting and leadership are very instrumental in the success of this podcast.

During this episode, Cameron Chilcote takes over the hosting position and interviews Charlie’s son, Tripp. We talk about Charlie’s upbringing in Red Springs, North Carolina, and how the sudden loss of his mother due to a cerebral brain hemorrhage impacted him in his early childhood and throughout his life. We also cover his time at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, why he joined the Navy during the height of the Vietnam protest, being one of the first graduating classes from Campbell Law School, and his career as a defense attorney.

Also, we cover Charlie’s biggest successes in life: being a husband and father.

This episode is available on all podcast platforms and at https://linktr.ee/ShadowsPodcast or www.theshadowspodcast.com. Also, check out past episodes, our book recommendations, and weekly blogs.

Matthew Brackett was a Catholic Priest for 20 years, serving in countries such as Colombia, Chile, England, Ireland, Italy, and Mexico, and spent three years as a Chaplain in the United States Navy. He’s also a Diversity and Inclusion trainer. His episode, the Chronicles of Matthew Brackett, is now available at www.theshadowspodcast.com.

During this episode, Matthew discusses what it was like being the tenth of thirteen children, and even though he has great memories, he did feel lost living in the shadows.

He then discusses his time in the ministry and how he had to take a step back and embark on a journey to discover himself, including Matthew having to conquer the darkness he kept within. He also touches on his time as a Chaplain in the United States Navy, diversity, working towards his Master’s degree from Penn State University, and dealing with the loss of his father during the recent pandemic.

Matthew Brackett’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-brackett/

If you enjoy what we’re doing and want to leave a review, please head to https://linktr.ee/ShadowsPodcast or www.theshadowspodcast.com. Also, check out past episodes, our book recommendations, and weekly blogs.

Jeff Johnston is an Author, Founder of The Living Undeterred Project, and President of Premier Investments of Iowa, Inc.

During this episode, Jeff opens up about being on top of the mountain in life. He had a healthy family and a great job, and then one phone call changed his life.

On October 4, 2016, he received a phone call notifying him that his son had passed away from a heroin overdose. Jeff talks about having to break the news to his sons and the powerful message he delivered. He then chronicles the demons he and his wife had to battle with alcohol. Jeff would eventually become sober, but his wife never recovered, and unfortunately, Jeff’s wife passed away in June of 2021.

Through all his adversity, Jeff refuses to live with a victim mindset and focuses more on having a victor mindset. Things don’t happen to him; they happen for him.

He also talks about the Choices Network, being an author, his podcast, and the Living Undeterred Tour.

Follow Jeff and his sons as they travel 95-days to all 50 states in their quest to raise over one million dollars as part of their mental health initiative, the Living Undeterred Tour, at https://www.livingundeterred.org/.

If you enjoy what we’re doing and want to leave a review, please head over to https://linktr.ee/ShadowsPodcast or www.theshadowspodcast.com. Also, check out past episodes, our book recommendations, and weekly blogs.

Christina Mendez is a 3x Hodgkins Lymphoma survivor. She’s also a hydration and circulation specialist.

During this episode, Christina walks us through her heartbreaking story of discovering she was diagnosed with cancer and all the nightmare experiences she encountered with various doctors and hospitals. She didn’t quit fighting through all the obstacles she faced and leaves you feeling inspired. Christina also talks about giving back and assisting cancer patients.

Christina also talks to us about the health benefits of living a holistic lifestyle to include her journey as a hydration and circulation specialist.

Find out more about Christina and all the amazing things she’s doing at https://linktr.ee/ChristinaJMendez

If you enjoy what we’re doing and would like to leave a review, please head over to https://linktr.ee/ShadowsPodcast or www.theshadowspodcast.com. Also, while you’re there, check out all past episodes, our book recommendations, and weekly blogs.