In Episode 220 of the Transition Drill Podcast, dive into the remarkable journey of Surinder Goode, a woman who never needed a title or uniform to stand tall in a community built on grit, sacrifice, and service. Her life is a powerful reflection of what it means to build identity, purpose, and resilience alongside a spouse serving at the highest levels of Naval Special Warfare.

Before she ever stepped foot in America, Surinder was already fighting expectations. Growing up in a traditional Indian household, she rejected the path chosen for her and chose freedom instead. She left home, lived in her car, built a life with her own two hands, and then followed opportunity across continents during a time of global conflict. That independence shaped her long before she met her future husband, a Navy SEAL.

In Coronado, she entered the special operations world with humor, strength, and honesty, not through rank or entitlement, but through her own merit. She built a thriving on-base coffee business where service members found community, laughter, and honest conversation. Every cup poured came with respect, tough love, and encouragement for those carrying the weight of unseen missions and silent burdens. Today, she has transitioned herself to hosting her own podcast, The Goode Show, diving into the unfiltered realities of military life, entrepreneurship, and identity.

Surinder speaks directly to military spouses, veterans, and first responders who understand isolation, transition stress, and personal sacrifice. She shares how she navigated deployments, motherhood, shifting identity, and the emotional challenges that come when the uniform finally comes off. Her story reminds us that family serves too, independence matters, and love requires hard conversations and relentless honesty.

If you are a veteran, active-duty service member, military spouse, or first responder seeking real insight on identity, transition, resilience, and staying grounded through chaos and change, this interview will speak to you. Surinder embodies humor, truth, loyalty, and strength, and her voice is one every service family should hear. This is not a story about living behind a warrior. It is a story about living beside one.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

READ MORE ABOUT / CONNECT WITH SURINDER GOODE

https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com/post/surinder-goode-a-military-spouse’s-journey-of-grit-identity-and-purpose

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

Blue Line Roasting

Get 10% off your purchase

Link: https://bluelineroasting.com

Promocode: Transition10

Frontline Optics

Get 10% off your purchase

Link: https://frontlineoptics.com

Promocode: Transition10

In Round 95 of the Tactical Transition Tips on the Transition Drill Podcast, every military veteran, police officer, firefighter, and first responder knows trauma. But not all trauma hits hard and fast. Most of it builds quietly, hidden in the daily grind of service life. Small, repeated exposures to stress, known as “Little T” trauma, can wear down even the most resilient.

In this episode, unpack the reality that cumulative trauma is not just about what happens on the worst day of your career, but what happens every day afterward. By learning to see, measure, and manage the small moments that build up over time, veterans and first responders can protect their longevity, purpose, and emotional health.

This episode breaks down practical, actionable guidance for each transition group:

• Close Range Group (transitioning now to within one year): The Daily “Little T” — Keep a simple daily log of small stressors or frustrations. This makes invisible pressure visible and helps you recognize patterns before burnout hits.

• Medium Range Group (transitioning in roughly five years): “Decompression” Breaks — Schedule two short 15-minute resets during your shift. These tactical pauses prevent stress overload and preserve focus, patience, and composure.

• Long Range Group (transitioning in a decade or more): Prioritize Emotional Health — Treat therapy, downtime, and self-care as operational readiness costs. Proactive wellness investments protect your future and extend your service life.

From the military base to the firehouse to the patrol car, every service environment carries its own version of daily trauma. Understanding and addressing it early allows you to transition stronger, live healthier, and lead by example.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

Get additional resources and join our newsletter via the link in the show notes.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

Total Force Plus Conference

Link: https://totalforceplus.org

Most people treat gratitude like a mood, something that shows up when life feels good. But real gratitude is not a feeling; it’s a skill. It’s a muscle that strengthens only through consistent effort. When you train it daily, it changes the way you see the world, the way you handle adversity, and the way you lead yourself through difficult moments.

In this episode of The Mindset Debrief, we explore the idea that gratitude is not found in comfort but built through resistance. Life will always throw challenges your way. The question is, will you see the thorn or the rose? Gratitude reframes how you experience pressure, setbacks, and uncertainty. It helps you shift from reaction to response, from frustration to focus, from negativity to perspective.

This episode walks you through what it means to build mental endurance through gratitude. Each time you choose to recognize what is present instead of what is missing, you train your mind to stay grounded, calm, and capable. Gratitude teaches awareness. It gives clarity in chaos and control when emotions want to take over.

You will hear how gratitude parallels physical training: small daily repetitions that compound into strength. These are the unseen moments when you choose patience over complaint, appreciation over comparison, and presence over distraction. The more you train gratitude, the less you need ideal circumstances to feel at peace.

Gratitude does not erase hardship. It equips you to carry it better. It reminds you that growth often hides inside struggle and that perspective is the true measure of maturity. This episode is a challenge and a guide to begin your own daily practice of gratitude—not as a reaction, but as a mindset.

If you are ready to build a stronger, steadier version of yourself, start here. Because gratitude is not waiting for you to feel ready, it’s waiting for you to begin.

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from the information.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

In Episode 219 of the Transition Drill Podcast, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Brett Ryan has spent nearly two decades helping first responders and military veterans confront trauma, rebuild relationships, and reclaim their lives. Brett shares how he founded Brett Ryan Counseling and built a private practice trusted by police officers, firefighters, and military service members.

Brett explains how trauma affects those who serve on the front lines and why many still struggle to seek help. He reveals how methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) are transforming the way first responders and veterans process stress, recover from post-traumatic experiences, and reconnect with family.

From his early years in ministry to his advanced clinical training, Brett’s story is one of purpose and compassion. He discusses the stigma surrounding therapy, how confidentiality and trust are crucial for those in uniform, and the growing shift among younger first responders who now see therapy as mental maintenance rather than a last resort.

This episode goes beyond the surface to explore what real healing looks like for those who protect others daily. It’s a powerful conversation about resilience, emotional health, and the courage it takes to heal from the inside out.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

EPISODE BLOG / CONNECT WITH BRETT

https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com/post/Healing-Trauma-in-First-Responders-and-Veterans-EMDR-and-EFT-Therapy-LMFT-Brett-Ryan

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

Total Force Plus Conference

Link: https://totalforceplus.org

In Round 94 of the Tactical Transition Tips on the Transition Drill Podcast, when service becomes your identity, it’s easy to delay life for later. Veterans, police officers, firefighters, and EMS professionals often tell themselves that once things slow down, they’ll finally take that trip, spend that time, or live that life. But “later” never comes.

In this episode of the Transition Drill Podcast, we explore how to stop postponing fulfillment and start living intentionally today. Whether you’re nearing the end of your service or just starting your journey, these strategies will help you balance duty with life.

Transition Groups:

• Close Range (Transitioning now to within 1 year): Buy the Ticket — Choose one experience you’ve delayed for six months or more and commit to it now. Reclaim your time and remind your family that life outside the job matters.

• Medium Range (Transitioning in 5 years): Regret-Proof Your Schedule — Create a Non-Negotiable Time Budget for family and personal life. Protect it with the same discipline you bring to duty.

• Long Range (Transitioning in 10 years or more): Plan Legacy Events — Tie family experiences to career milestones. Build shared memories that turn your professional success into personal legacy.

Your uniform may define your career, but it shouldn’t dictate your life.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

Get additional resources and join our newsletter via the link in the show notes.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

Total Force Plus Conference

Link: https://totalforceplus.org

Most people want change, until it costs them comfort.

We love the idea of growth, but we hesitate when it means holding ourselves accountable.

What you see in the mirror is about facing that hesitation head-on.

Every morning, you meet the one person responsible for your progress: the reflection staring back. The mirror doesn’t lie. It doesn’t soften the truth. It reflects your habits, your choices, and your effort. In this episode, we explore what happens when you stop blaming your circumstances and start taking full ownership of the life you’re building.

Growth doesn’t begin with a plan or a goal; it begins with honesty. It begins when you stop negotiating with excuses and start confronting the reflection. This is where radical ownership takes root. You’ll learn how to quiet the ego that deflects responsibility, how to build consistency that earns self-trust, and how to shift from waiting for direction to leading yourself.

It’s about realizing that every action you take, no matter how small, is shaping the person you see every day. When you take ownership, you stop asking for permission to improve. You simply begin.

Understanding that accountability is not punishment, it’s freedom. Because the moment you own the person in the mirror, everything else in your life starts to align: your work, your relationships, your confidence, and your sense of purpose.

Listen, reflect, and reset your direction. The reflection isn’t your enemy. It’s your reminder.

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from the information.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

In Episode 218 of the Transition Drill Podcast, when Caylie Valenta, at the time studying to become a Physician’s Assistant, met probationer firefighter Andy Valenta, their story began like something out of a movie. A chance encounter at a bar on a California night that turned into a bond built on love and sacrifice. Together, they forged a life rooted in purpose and family, raising two daughters and chasing the ordinary joys of marriage in between long shifts. But when Andy, a healthy and dedicated firefighter, was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, their world changed overnight. What followed was a journey of courage, loss, and rebirth that transformed personal tragedy into a mission to protect others. Through the creation of the Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation, Caylie turned grief into purpose, shining a light on the hidden cancer dangers facing firefighters and proving that even in loss, love can build something lasting; something that saves lives.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

CONNECT WITH CAYLIE:

https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com/post/fighting-cancer-in-firefighters-turning-tragedy-loss-into-a-life-saving-mission-caylie-valenta

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

Total Force Plus Conference

Link: https://totalforceplus.org

In Round 93 of the Tactical Transition Tips on the Transition Drill Podcast, transition isn’t about leaving something behind. It’s about discovering what’s next. In this episode, explore how military veterans and first responders can take ownership of their stories; shifting focus from pain to progress. It’s not about forgetting the hard moments, it’s about recognizing how much strength lives in between them.

• Close Range Group (0–1 year from transition): Do a Gratitude Inventory.

Reclaim mental balance by writing down daily moments of good and retraining your mind to see beyond the hard days.

• Medium Range Group (about 5 years from transition): Write a Success Story.

Translate your service into a personal narrative that highlights your resilience and helps guide future career choices.

• Long Range Group (10+ years from transition): Convert Struggle into Service.

Channel the lessons from your toughest moments into mentorship or advocacy that gives meaning and direction to others.

You are not being replaced by technology; you are the safeguard that keeps it from failing.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

Get additional resources and join our newsletter via the link in the show notes.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

Total Force Plus Conference

Link: https://totalforceplus.org

Time is the only currency you will never earn back, yet most people spend it as if the supply is endless. We fill our calendars, chase distractions, and call it productivity, but the truth is simpler and harder to face. Every minute you spend is an investment, and most of us are funding the wrong things.

In this episode of The Mindset Debrief, explore the hard truth behind the way we use time. You’re challenged to see time not as something to manage, but as something to spend with precision. Every “yes” you give is an exchange. Every distraction is a withdrawal. Every focused moment is an investment in your growth, relationships, and purpose.

If you feel like you are constantly running but not getting anywhere, this conversation will hit home. It will push you to stop treating your time like loose change and start treating it like capital that builds your future.

Your time tells the truth about your priorities. Spend it like your life depends on it, because it does.

Share this episode with someone who could benefit from the information.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

In Episode 217 of the Transition Drill Podcast, Joe Stabley’s path from Green Beret medic to Physician Assistant is a story of purpose born from pain. Raised by a resilient single mother after losing his father, Joe found discipline and brotherhood in the Army. As a young medic with the 101st Airborne Division, he experienced the harsh reality of trauma medicine when a friend and fellow soldier took his life during a peacekeeping mission.

That moment didn’t end his journey; it defined it. Determined to never feel unprepared again, Joe pushed himself through Special Forces selection, advanced medical training, and years of combat rotations. He learned how to balance the demands of a warrior’s life with the calling of a healer.

After the Army, Joe transformed his experience into a new mission as a Physician Assistant. Today he continues to serve by helping veterans and first responders navigate their own transitions, teaching that growth begins with honesty, teamwork, and gratitude.

The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.

Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

[email protected]

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective

Get 15% off your purchase

Link: https://thegrndcollective.com/

Promo Code: TRANSITION15

Total Force Plus Conference

Link: https://totalforceplus.org