Episodes

  • Honoring The Freedom 13: Gold Star Father building Veteran Retreat in Missouri

    Honoring The Freedom 13: Gold Star Father building Veteran Retreat in Missouri
    Feb 20 2026
    This week we honor a fallen Marine, Lance Corporal Jared Schmitz, who was KIA during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, at Abbey Gate in Kabul, on Aug 26, 2021. Our guest is Jared’s father, Mark Schmitz, who founded the non-profit organization “The Freedom 13”. He shared his mission and details about the veteran retreat and recreation center being built on a beautiful 171-acre property in the heart of Missouri. We begin with how Jared was born to be a Marine and how the way he lived his life inspired everyone who knew him. Schmitz shared how Jared’s impact was felt around the world. In a story that reveals the highest level of heroism, he recalled how at a large event he had a chance encounter with an Afghan refugee, who spoke of being rescued from Kabul by a young Maine with “Schmitz” on his uniform’ name badge. During our conversation we talked about the disastrous US withdrawal from Afghanistan and its impact on the veteran community. Schmitz described how his son and the others who served so bravely that day, inspired him to create a place where veterans, first responders and their families will always have a place to find comfort and healing. We discussed the scenic property in Bourbon, MO, which will feature 13 buildings where vets and their families can stay. Plus a ton of outdoor recreation like; fishing, shooting, pickleball and even all terrain golf carts to explore more of the great outdoors. Schmitz also shared his vision to eventually build more centers in all 50 states. Check out The Freedom 13 Veteran Retreat and Recreation Project here: https://thefreedom13.org/ Support The Freedom 13 here: https://thefreedom13.org/pages/donate-landing-page Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Live Life to the Fittest! Army spouse conquered booze, trains for Shields and Stripes

    Live Life to the Fittest! Army spouse conquered booze, trains for Shields and Stripes
    Feb 14 2026
    After Maddie Smith quit drinking, she just didn’t know what to do with her hands ... until she discovered Cross Fit and built her epic physique! Now she’s a top contender for “Ms. Health and Fitness 2026”, and she’s doing it all for a veteran nonprofit. We talked about how she overcame alcoholism, an eating disorder, and endured recovery groups that didn’t understand her trauma. Now, in peak physical condition she shared advice on conquering addictions and helping veterans through a partnership with Shields and Stripes, a veteran support program founded by Steve Nisbet, fellow athlete and Air Force Pararescue Specialist veteran. Nisbet described the life of an elite “PJ”, conducting casualty evac missions in combat zones, the tragic death of a fellow PJ, the Army's betrayal and the emotional toll of his service. But he powered through the pain and used his physical training expertise to create the acclaimed Shields and Stripes veteran support program. The program draws from the type of sports therapy used by pro athletes and Special Operations teams and combines it with customized nutrition plans and therapy from experienced psychologists. Nisbet described the incredible results attendees experienced at recent programs in Arizona and Florida, and shared stories of vets who no longer need the medications doctors said they couldn’t live without. Smith also expressed her shared love of fitness as medicine, and what she will do if crowned contest winner, “If I win, I’m donating the $20K prize to the Shields & Stripes Foundation. I’m competing to break the stigma around recovery & mental health, not to win money. Giving the prize to a nonprofit founded by someone who rebuilt his life after tragedy & now helps others find their strength, means more than anything $20K could buy me.” Vote for Maddie Smith, fitness pro and Army spouse, here:https://mshealthandfit.com/2026/madeline-smith Check out the innovative, healing programs for veterans at Shields and Stripes, here:https://shieldsandstripes.org/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Football Fantasy: WWP, NFL Linebacker send Navy buddies to Super Bowl LX

    Football Fantasy: WWP, NFL Linebacker send Navy buddies to Super Bowl LX
    Feb 6 2026
    When Navy vets Joe Lloyd and Loaman “Nelly” Nelson served together aboard USS San Diego, they never dreamed they would be attending the Super Bowl. But thanks to the Wounded Warrior Project and Jacksonville Jaguars Devin Lloyd, this weekend, they’re living a football fantasy! During Media Week, we swapped sea stories about ship life, port calls, and casinos, and lessons about what it takes to be a true leader. Joe Lloyd shared how those leadership lessons helped him guide his son, Devin Lloyd, to become an elite college football player, a #1 NFL Draft pick, and a Pro-Bowl Linebacker with the Jacksonville Jaguars. They described how, together with Devin, they served their fellow vets at Project Odyssey, a healing retreat that offers outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, boarding, and more. Afterward, Devin Lloyd gave the coveted tickets to Nelly, and he described his call to Joe, announcing their epic road trip to San Francisco to attend the big game. From leadership to fatherhood to a love of sports, these two veterans represent what it means to be a football fan and a friend! More on Project Odyssey, outdoor adventures here: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/project-odyssey Support our veterans and donate to Wounded Warrior Project here: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Hard Truth: Soldier Fit Founder delivers workouts and Maximum Motivation!

    Hard Truth: Soldier Fit Founder delivers workouts and Maximum Motivation!
    Jan 23 2026
    We’re talking about Physical and Mental fitness with Army combat veteran entrepreneur, speaker, and Founder of Soldier Fit, training centers, Danny Farrar. He achieved success as a business owner, MMA fighter and endured events like the Pentagon on 9/11 and combat in Iraq. But we open with one of Farrar’s most challenging chapters- his childhood. Like he’s done for thousands of fitness clients over the years, Farrar preached lessons he learned from his past, the military and one vivid memory of almost getting choked-out during a mixed martial arts match. However, whether it’s a lesson from his life or an observation of society today, Farrar consistently helps people believe they can achieve anything. From fitness to career goals to just wanting to live a better life, Farrar gives the hard truth and often surprising advice. Farrar also shared how the ongoing wave of polarizing news stories; ICE, immigration, social media anger and political unrest, actually reveals a deeper issue within ourselves. And once we conquer it, “anything is possible”. Reach your fitness goals with Soldier Fit here: https://soldierfit.com/ Check out The Herd, Mindset Coaching here: https://www.instagram.com/dannyfarrar_theherd Get a daily dose of motivation from Danny on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danny.farrar1 To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • The God Molecule: Netflix documentary shows the power of Psychedelic Medicine

    The God Molecule: Netflix documentary shows the power of Psychedelic Medicine
    Jan 16 2026
    The Netflix documentary “In Waves and War” reveals the stunning results of psychedelic therapy and how medicines like Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT are proving to help warriors overcome their demons, which all too often drive them to suicide. Former Navy SEAL Chief Anthony Rivera completed this groundbreaking treatment back in 2020 and shares vivid memories from his experience. We start with a gripping look at what life on the SEAL teams was like, and the troubling after effects of combat. After attempting to fight the battle alone, Rivera was eventually convinced by a fellow team mate to undergo a powerful medically assisted session in Mexico, thanks to Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions. Rivera described in detail, the vivid images and feelings he experienced during the sessions. And he shared the profound connection between psychedelic therapy and feeling the presence of God. As the medicine coursed through his veins, the results that he and hundreds of other Special Operations veterans experienced, are nothing short of miraculous. Rivera also makes a powerful case for why psychedelic therapy is more effective than traditional mental health treatment and the overwhelming number of medications widely prescribed. Now a devout Christian, Rivera continues to serve his fellow veterans through his company Vetavize, which helps them navigate the VA benefit claims process, and receive the benefits they earned. Watch In Waves and War on Netflix https://vetsolutions.org/news/netflix-in-waves-and-war-vets/ For more on Medical Psychedelic Therapy Sessions, check out Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) here: https://vetsolutions.org/ For VA claims assistance using AI-powered Vetavize, Connect with SEAL veteran, Anthony Rivera here: https://vetavize.com/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    59 mins
  • Operation Absolute Resolve: Details from the Covert Op that captured Venezuelan Pres. Nicolas Maduro

    Operation Absolute Resolve: Details from the Covert Op that captured Venezuelan Pres. Nicolas Maduro
    Jan 9 2026
    We take a deep dive into the covert mission where Delta Force, Navy SEALs and the Night Stalkers of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment boldly extracted the notorious Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and brought him to the US to face drug trafficking charges. Special Operations, Ranger, and acclaimed journalist Jack Murphy shares some fascinating insight. Murphy’s deeply classified and anonymous sources in the Intelligence and Special Operations community offer us a glimpse at how these operations are conducted. Murphy deftly examines covert mission tactics, the legal set up for the mission, the Trump administration’s admission of their desire to control Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. We also hear more about CIA sources on the ground, what may have turned them toward supporting the US strategy and how they cleared the way long before the strike was launched. Murphy also describes an interesting connection between Black Ops and the FBI’s elite counter-terrorism tactical unit, Hostage Rescue Team (HRT). We also dive deeper into the exfil timeline, the role of USS Iwo Jima, some key take ways about the use of Joint Special Operations forces and how this mission echoes the not so distant sounds of unresolved wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. For more incredible National Security reporting check out The High Side: https://thehighside.substack.com/ And to hear fascinating interviews with Special Operations veterans check out Jack Murphy and Dave Parke on The Team House Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTeamHousePodcast CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Bags with a Mission: How military spouses stitched together an epic brand

    Bags with a Mission: How military spouses stitched together an epic brand
    Dec 12 2025
    Luxury purses, handbags and carry-ons can’t compete with story behind the handmade leather and canvas bags from “R Riveter”. Military spouse Lisa Bradley co-founded the company and revolutionized the fashion manufacturing industry, by recruiting military spouses located across the country, to stitch together the bags in their homes. Now, a multi-million-dollar business, we hear how this military spouse founded brand got its humble start in an attic. From a small home-based endeavor, Bradley shares how she was inspired to enlist her fellow military spouses, who often have challenges finding reliable employment, to join the company. After initial success, Bradley described how they scaled revenue, expanded operations and eventually made an appearance on the network TV show, Shark Tank. Bradley spoke about working with business icon Mark Cuban, and how despite their growth, R. Riveter stayed true to the original mission- helping military families. Over the years R. Riveter has sold thousands of bags, and Bradley offered a story about a family who is able to keep their father’s memory alive, through a truly unique line of handbags. Check out R. Riveter Bags, for women and men here: https://www.rriveter.com/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans Phil Briggs, Host phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Citizen Soldiers Under Fire: A closer look at the DC attack and Afghan vetting

    Citizen Soldiers Under Fire: A closer look at the DC attack and Afghan vetting
    Dec 5 2025
    After a former Afghan ally attacked West Virginia National Guard troops in Washington DC, killing Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounding SSgt Andrew Wolfe, we’re hearing a National Guard veteran’s view of these deployments to major US cities, and the vetting process of allies seeking asylum. National Guard veteran and CEO of The Chamberlain Network, Chris Purdy has served both in Iraq, and with organizations to bring our Afghan allies to the US for their safety. Purdy offers a deeper look at the intended role of National Guard troops, the issues related to being assigned law enforcement duties, and the actual results of these deployments. Purdy shares his personal experience assisting Afghani asylum seekers who fought along US forces, and discusses missteps often made in resettling foreign allies. He also describes how The Chamberlain Network seeks to amplify veteran voices in an effort to solve many local and national issues . Learn more about veteran advocacy and activism from The Chamberlain Network here: https://www.chamberlainnetwork.us/ Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 mins