The Veterans Project Podcast

Tim K. sits down in Montana with the Founder of Heroes and Horses, Micah Fink. Fink worked as a lineman in New York City when the World Trade Center was attacked, sending his life on a path he’d never before imagined. After a lengthy career in the Navy SEALs, Micah experienced the difficulties of transitioning out of the military but found purpose through that tumultuous time in helping others who were experiencing their own loss of purpose. On the podcast, Micah discusses the choice to lean into his own adversity and the beauty of discovering his identity through that process.

To learn more about Heroes and Horses, please visit them at www.heroesandhorses.org, on IG: @heroesandhorses, and on Facebook: @HeroesAndHorses.

Host Tim K. joins Mike Erwin, the founder of Team RWB (Red, White, and Blue) and the Positivity Project, at Grace and Glory Farms in Pinehurst, North Carolina. The two discuss Mike’s time at West Point, his position overseas as an intelligence officer in support of Special Operations, and his path of service outside of the military. Mike also gets into the aspects of forming cultural change and what he is doing at a foundational level to help promote core character traits in our youth. 

This podcast is accompanied by Erwin’s entire story which is available on the blog at www.thevetsproject.com/the-blog/LTC-Mike-Erwin. Check out Mike’s various initiatives at www.teamrwb.org and www.posproject.org. You can also follow along on Instagram: @erwinrwb, @teamrwb, and @posproject.

Host Tim K. sits down in West Colombia, South Carolina with Army Veteran,

Jay Fain Jr. Jay is a veteran of Iraq who was wounded in action when his

convoy was hit en-route to Taji, Iraq by an IED/EFP (Improvised Explosive

Device). On the podcast, Fain Jr. talks about his road to both physical and

mental recovery through the Center for the Intrepid at Brooke Army Medical

Center. After leaving the Army, Jay has since worked as contractor for the

United States Government and finds himself routinely working in support of

Black Rifle Coffee Company. Fain also speaks about being included in

Portraits of Courage, an award-winning portraiture book by President George

W. Bush.

To follow along with Jay’s journey check him out on Instagram: @jaylimp.

Host Tim K. sits down in Temecula, California with Josue Barron, who is a USMC Veteran. On the podcast, Barron discusses the difficulties of going from a background in the streets of East L.A.'s Cudahy to a highly-touted unit in the Marine Corps. Although Barron's path into the Marine Corps seemingly brought him away from a cycle of gang activity, it wasn't until one fateful day in Southern Afghanistan that Josue realized

Tim K. joins Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge of the Special Operations Combat Medical Skills Sustainment Course, Rob Ottesen, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Rob is considered an expert in the field of Special Operations medicine as his role within the Army is heading up the recertification of Special Operations medical personnel. On the podcast, Ottesen discusses his rigorous path into the world of Special Operations having been previously wounded in combat even before attending SFAS (Special Forces Assessment & Selection); while serving with 1st Infantry Division in Iraq at a tumultuous time during the first surge. Rob discusses his past bouts with emotional trauma and his eventual perseverance.

On this episode of the podcast, Tim K. sits down in Owasso, Oklahoma with

former Marine Corps Dog Handler, Anthony Marquez. Anthony served with 1st

Battalion 5th Marines and deployed with his IED (Improvised Explosive

Device) sniffing Labrador retriever, Allie, to Helmand Province

(Afghanistan) in 2011. The two formed a powerful connection through their

time in one of the most volatile spots on the planet… only to go their

separate ways after the deployment. But, that’s not the end of the story…

On the podcast, Tim and Anthony also discuss how they met, when Marquez was

delivering his fourth custom battlefield cross to the Farias Family (Gold

Star) after their son was killed in Afghanistan. Anthony has now delivered

battlefield crosses to families of the fallen across the entire nation,

finding a renewed sense of purpose in his time post-Marine Corps.

Please visit their Facebook: @xviicarvings and follow Anthony on Instagram:

@undedadkustoms.

Host Tim K. sits down in Lexington, South Carolina with Bert Sorin, the Co-Owner and President of Sorinex. Sorinex is considered the gold standard strength brand for professional teams, colleges, high schools and some of our most elite military units. On the podcast Bert discusses the company’s mantra “Be Legendary,” his path to being a highly successful athlete, and wearing the mantle of being the industry leader in strength innovation. Although Sorin never served in the military, his equipment is changing the game to provide preparedness and rebuilding to veterans prior to, during and after their deployments to remote, hostile lands. Bert also speaks on mindset and the relationship between reintegrating veterans and retiring athletes.

Check out Bert’s company at sorinex.com, on Instagram: @sorinex, @sorinexoutdoors, Facebook: @sorinex.strength. You can also follow Sorin’s personal journey through Instagram: @bertsorin and at his website: bertsorin.com.

This is part two of a two part series. Host Tim K. sits down in Jacksonville, NC with the legendary Major James Capers Jr. a veteran of Vietnam and nominee for the Congressional Medal of Honor. On the podcast, Major Capers discusses growing up as the son of sharecroppers, his path to the Marine Corps, his time in Vietnam, and persevering against all odds. Capers was the first black Marine Recon officer in our nation's history and is known by many as the father of Marine Corps Special Operations. He was inducted into the Commando Hall of Honor at MacDill AFB in 2012, and is hailed as one of the primary ambassadors of the United States Marine Corps.

This podcast is sponsored by the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation. Check them out at reconfoundation.org, Instagram: @marinereconfoundation, and on Facebook: @marinereconfoundation. To donate please visit their donation portal at the website or their PayPal: https://bit.ly/3mDCS9M.

This is part one of a two part podcast. Host Tim K. sits down in Jacksonville, NC with the legendary Major James Capers Jr. a veteran of Vietnam and nominee for the Congressional Medal of Honor. On the podcast, Major Capers discusses growing up as the son of sharecroppers, his path to the Marine Corps, his time in Vietnam, and persevering against all odds. Capers was the first black Marine Recon officer in our nation's history and is known by many as the father of Marine Corps Special Operations. He was inducted into the Commando Hall of Honor at MacDill AFB in 2012, and is hailed as one of the primary ambassadors of the United States Marine Corps.

This podcast is sponsored by the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation. Check them out at reconfoundation.org, Instagram: @marinereconfoundation, and on Facebook: @marinereconfoundation. To donate please visit their donation portal at the website or their PayPal: https://bit.ly/3mDCS9M.

A combined five combat tours and 20 years of combat experience between the two of them, Vinse Edwards and Will Struckman truly lived the dream of the Army combat infantryman. Our host Tim K., sat down with them in Fayetteville, North Carolina for the podcast where they discussed the volatility of being on the frontlines in some of the harshest parts of Iraq. The three also speak on the value of finding humor in even the darkest of situations in combat. Vinse and Will also talked about their new path as they founded a tech startup after leaving the Army. They’ve committed themselves to creating swim safe, hearing protection in the form of wind resistant earbuds. Although it’s a strenuous undertaking, they’re fully committed to creating the world’s most reliable communications systems.

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