The Warriors & Watchmen Podcast

Navy veteran Mike Winslow, our first Navy guest, takes us aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Enterprise: radar watches in the Adriatic, the night of the Scott O'Grady rescue, and threading a carrier through the Suez Canal.

Eric "CJ3 Actual" Thomas and "Big Roger" Singh catch up on CJ3 events, including the RavenTek Cornament for a Cause and a visit to the spot where the CJ3 Foundation was born, then sit down with Mike, a Loudoun County local and longtime supporter of the CJ3 golf tournament. From Great Lakes boot camp in 1993 to 14 months underway in less than two years, Mike talks carrier life, port calls in 11 countries, riding out a hurricane at sea, getting out in 1997 with no transition program, and why the older he gets, the more he values his time in uniform. Then he takes us from termite inspections to 25 years in Northern Virginia real estate, with a few showings he'll never forget. Resilience as a Craft, from the people who've lived it.

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Hosted by Eric "CJ3 Actual" Thomas, President & Founder of the CJ3 Foundation, and Roger "Big Roger" Singh, President of the CJ3 Foundation Virginia Chapter.

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of any agency, department, or branch of service.

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On this episode of Warriors and Watchmen, hosts Eric (CJ3 Actual), Big Roger Singh, and Guy recap a challenging CrossFit charity event, tease upcoming foundation activities, and sit down with former Fairfax SWAT operator Brian Walley to discuss his transition from patrol to SWAT, hostage rescue tactics, training scars, and the creation of Tac6 Solutions — a program teaching patrol officers how to safely handle urgent hostage rescues. They also cover community partnerships, active shooter preparedness, and ways listeners can support the CJ3 Foundation.

For Leonard “Big Mac” McDonald, service didn’t end when he came home from Vietnam.

In this episode of Warriors & Watchmen, Eric “CJ3 Actual” Thomas, “Big Roger” Singh, and Guy “Guy in the Sky” Waybright sit down with Vietnam veteran and longtime friend Leonard McDonald for a candid conversation about a lifetime of answering the call. From military service to law enforcement in Loudoun County and a seat on the Leesburg Town Council, Mac shares how his commitment to serving others continued long after he took off the uniform.

The conversation goes beyond war stories. Mac and the crew open up about finding purpose after the military, protecting their families from the weight of difficult experiences, and the brotherhood that connects veterans across generations. They discuss their experiences with post-traumatic stress, the memories that never completely fade, and why two simple words—“welcome home”—still carry so much meaning.

With September 11 on their minds, the group reflects on patriotism, the unity they remember afterward, and their concerns about how history and values are passed to the next generation. Faith, family, personal responsibility, and the importance of listening—even when people disagree—run through a conversation filled with heartfelt moments and the crew’s unmistakably unfiltered humor.

Plus, the crew celebrates Havoc’s ninth birthday, talks honestly about the eventual retirement of a trusted service dog, and shares how community support helps sustain the CJ3 Foundation’s mental health mission. It’s an episode about remembering the past, showing up for one another, and continuing to serve.

After some classic Warriors and Watchmen banter, the conversation turns to the life-changing work of the No Boundaries Foundation. Mike and Molly Raymond recount how a devastating 2004 car crash left Molly with a severe traumatic brain injury, ended her nursing career, and ultimately inspired a mission to help combat-wounded veterans rediscover what they can still accomplish.

Through adaptive skiing and other outdoor experiences, No Boundaries brings small groups of veterans together under one roof to eat, laugh, open up, and rebuild the brotherhood many lose after leaving military service. Army veterans Chris White and Phoenix Hanks share raw stories of combat injuries, TBI, PTSD, depression, recovery, and identity. Chris explains how Mike and Molly became the family he had always wanted—and why their support may be the reason he is still alive. Phoenix describes returning from his first trip feeling reset, happier, and more present as a husband and father.

The group also discusses faith, suicide prevention, honoring the caregivers who stand behind wounded veterans, and the ripple effect created when veterans regain their purpose and begin helping others. Honest, funny, and deeply moving, this episode reminds us that healing is not only about adapting to an injury—it is about finding your people, rebuilding your mission, and knowing you are never alone.

In this episode of Warriors & Watchmen, Eric Thomas and Roger Singh sit down with John Myers, Lieutenant with Loudoun County Fire and president of the fire union, and Mark Abel, longtime volunteer firefighter with 27 years of service in Loudoun County.

The conversation focuses on the red line in the Warriors and Watchmen mission: firefighters, first responders, and the men and women who serve their communities every day. John shares the story of Birdie, a facility dog from Hero Dogs who supports firefighters and first responders through peer support, behavioral health outreach, and emotional recovery after difficult calls. The discussion highlights the impact of service animals, the stigma around mental health, and how the right support can help first responders open up when words are hard to find.

John and Mark also discuss the realities of career and volunteer firefighting, the demands of serving in a growing county, the importance of leadership, and the lasting effects of traumatic incidents like the Silver Ridge explosion, which killed firefighter Trevor Brown and injured others. The episode also explores firefighter safety, occupational cancer, traumatic brain injury, dispatch center stress, electric vehicle fires, and the evolving challenges facing modern emergency services.

At its core, this episode is a tribute to the firefighters and first responders who run toward danger, carry the weight of their community’s worst days, and continue showing up for the people around them.

By the CJ3 Foundation and No Boundaries Nonprofits, presented by Raven Tech and Negative Bounce Productions. I'm your host, Eric Thomas, a.k.a. CJ3 Actual, the director and founder of the CJ3 Foundation.

In this episode we welcome Rob Whitfield to discuss his journey from the Marine Corps to veteran-owned business and nonprofit work, the CJ3 Foundation’s mental-health program in Albia, IA, the Georgia hunt for wounded heroes, SOF Week highlights, community partnerships (Haven Longevity, Patriot Group, local restaurants), and upcoming fundraising events. The conversation covers veteran transition challenges, practical support programs, and ways the community can help.

Hosts Eric "CJ3 Actual" Thomas and Roger Singh welcome Master Gunnery Sergeant Chris "Sonny" Sonnabend to discuss the CJ3 Foundation’s patriotic golf tournament highlights — from Staff Sergeant Parsons’ powerful recitation of Old Glory to bourbon putts, a cannon shot drive, and community fundraising events.

The episode also covers Sonny’s 25 years in the Marine Corps, challenges of military-to-civilian transition, veteran support organizations, and previews upcoming fundraisers like Clays for a Cause, Rocky anniversary events, and cornhole competitions — with clear ways listeners can support the cause.

Warriors and Watchmen hosts Eric Thomas and Roger Singh welcome guest Mike Constantine to discuss Eric’s surprise engagement, CJ3 Foundation programs (Iowa retreat, Georgia hunt, CrossFit Heroes for Heroes), the power of veteran camaraderie and nontraditional mental-health support, and how community events and sponsors help veterans heal and reconnect.

In this episode Eric Thomas and Roger Singh host Army veteran Anthony Pensabene, owner of Savage Pest Warfare, to discuss his military service, entrepreneurship, and support for the CJ3 Foundation and No Boundaries. They cover veteran mental-health programs, hunts that help healing, and the bonds of brotherhood.

Conversations range from Anthony’s time serving in Iraq and flying on helicopters to running a pest-control business, family RV adventures, and a community-driven idea to restore and give away a classic car for charity.

Welcome to the very first episode of Warriors & Watchmen! Host Eric Thomas (Founder of CJ3 Foundation) and Big Roger Singh kick off the show with a deep dive into veteran transition, community, and the future of work. 

In this episode, we are joined by Ted Adair, founder of Oath and Oak. Ted shares his journey as a fourth-generation combat veteran and how his organization is helping veterans ‘chart their next path’ by training them in the emerging world of Artificial Intelligence. We discuss why veterans are specifically wired to excel as entrepreneurs and operators in the AI era, and why transition often feels more daunting than combat.

We also celebrate a recent CJ3 success story: the pairing of our newest recipient with his service dog, River, and explain the science of the 'one-person dog.' Plus, get the details on upcoming community events including 'Clays for a Cause' and 'Toss for a Cause.' 

Whether you're a veteran looking for your next mission or a supporter of our wounded heroes, this episode is packed with insights on perspective, perseverance, and the power of brotherhood. 

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