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What happens when your transition plan falls apart?

For Marine veteran Matthew Askren, failure wasn’t fatal—it was fuel. From abandoned business dreams to unexpected detours in flooring sales and food manufacturing, each step became a building block toward his success as a CEO leading multiple companies. 

In this episode of Beyond the Uniform: Transition with Purpose, Build a Meaningful Life, Matthew shares how resilience turns setbacks into growth and why his mission now is to help veterans and first responders strengthen their mental health for life’s toughest battles. 💪

👉 Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-askren-mba/
👉 Learn more about his work at https://mindfulme.care/

 ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/r_KiNHxuUGU

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🎙What if everything you thought you knew about PTSD and trauma was incomplete—or even wrong?

Rethinking PTSD & Trauma – In this Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, Mario P. Fields sits down with Dr. David Rubenstein to shatter the usual narrative around post-traumatic stress disorder and trauma. Forget the clichés—this is a raw, eye-opening conversation about mental health, recovery, and the game-changing role of self-awareness. 

Whether you’ve faced challenges yourself or want to better understand those who have, this episode will leave you thinking differently about what it truly means to heal.

Link:
https://totalreliefmethod.com/how-it-works/

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In my first "Sink or Swim" #Unarmoredtalkpodcast episode, I share how failing the easiest part of a boot camp swim test 🌊 became a lesson in #perseverance, faith, and resilience.

These moments don’t just shape us personally — they reveal and build soft skills like adaptability, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence that drive success in business and life.

🎯 Try this: Listen, discuss it with your team, and share your own “sink or swim” moment so others can learn. 📢

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What drives a decorated Army veteran to dedicate his life to saving troubled youth? For Craig Hannum, it was witnessing 182 suicides during his 20-year military career.

Determined to change the narrative, Craig pioneered a school-wide intervention strategy that turned 14 suicide attempts into zero the following year. His method? Training everyone—from teachers to janitors—in suicide prevention to build a shared language of support.

Craig shows teens both the hard truths and the hope. From juvenile detention visits to outdoor adventures, he teaches consequences and potential—what they could lose, and what they could gain.

The impact is undeniable: zero juvenile detention cases on military bases, zero alcohol-related incidents for college freshmen, and teens stepping up as peer accountability partners.

Craig’s message is raw but real: “This is not your last worst day. Your next worst day is coming. Are you ready for it?”

To learn more, contact him at 520-678-3551, [email protected], or find him on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Sometimes, the greatest intervention is someone who refuses to give up.

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For Ottawa entrepreneur Sean Frost, it starts with refusing to compromise on passion. From music producer to real estate broker, Sean's journey was anything but linear. Despite early success in a contracting business, he battled depression until he returned to his creative roots.

Sean shares his unique view on failure: “Failure only happens when you give up.” He urges listeners to see pivots not as defeats, but as necessary steps toward alignment and growth.

Now thriving in multiple ventures—from real estate and custom home building to music and mentoring—a common thread remains: full presence and passion. “If I wasn’t 100% passionate, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” he tells host Mario P. Fields.

Sean’s message is clear: don’t waste time on things that don’t excite you. A legacy is built by living with purpose—and inspiring others to do the same.

Follow Sean Here ⬇️

https://www.instagram.com/iamseanfrost?igsh=MWNiZWd2M29qenN6Yw==

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In this heartfelt Unarmored Talk Podcast episode, we explore the inspiring story of Lance Jones, son of Eric Jones, whose unwavering work ethic and passion for basketball set him apart. 

Under the guidance of his father—his coach and mentor—Lance pushed beyond natural limitations, proving that relentless dedication and discipline could outshine raw talent. Their bond extended beyond sports, shaping a philosophy of perseverance that applied to all aspects of life. 

However, tragedy struck when Lance’s promising future was cut short in a devastating car accident while he was in law school at just 25 years old. This episode honors his legacy and the lessons he left behind.

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In this episode of Unarmored Talk, we explore the profound challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life, including the identity crises that often accompany it. Marine Corps Veteran Garret Biss shares his powerful story of confronting mental health struggles and highlights the transformative role of authenticity in the healing process.

Key takeaways include:

• The impact of identity loss after military service
• Personal insights into anxiety and mental health challenges
• How authenticity can help veterans rediscover purpose
• The complex nature of military identity and its dualities

Guest Links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gbbiss/
TEDx - Unspoken Trauma All Veterans Face 

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As this year draws to a close, I had the privilege of sitting down with my incredible wife, Nicole, to record a very special episode of Unarmored Talk.

This one is different—it’s unstructured, raw, and straight from the heart. We share stories from the early days of our relationship, including the unforgettable moment we first met and our initial impressions of each other. We also reflect on the journey that has brought us to an incredible milestone: our upcoming 30th wedding anniversary.

Check it out and let us know what you think. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! 🎙️❤️

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Curiosity drives self-discovery and growth, helping us align our choices with our authentic selves. In Cynthia Schwartzberg's updated book, "The Curious Voyage to Authenticity," she shares how curiosity fosters intentional living, exploring:

*Evaluating life choices
*Bridging the gap between intentions and actions
*Building healthy coping mechanisms
*Journaling for self-reflection
*Simple practices to spark curiosity

Cynthia's Website: https://cynthasis.com/

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What if exploring alcoholic beverages was as personalized and effortless as streaming music?

Meet Mike Waskewich Jr., a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major turned entrepreneur, who, alongside his wife, created the Bar Book mobile app. In this episode of Unarmored Talk Podcast, Mike shares their journey from military service to launching an app that uses flavor-matching technology to recommend personalized cocktails, beers, and spirits.

Explore the challenges and rewards of transitioning to civilian entrepreneurship, the camaraderie among veterans in the alcohol industry, and the power of networking and mentorship. Join us for an inspiring conversation about innovation, adaptability, and passion.

Guest Link:
https://thebarbook.app/

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• Watch: Unarmored Talk Playlist
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• Support My Nonprofit: Still Serving, Inc.
• Email: [email protected]