THE VETERANS PROJECT PODCAST

Host Tim K. sits down in Oahu, Hawaii with Tulsi Gabbard who is currently serving with 1st Special Forces Command as a Lieutenant Colonel. Gabbard was the first American Samoan to ever sit in Congress and she is also the first female combat veteran to run for President. On the podcast, Tulsi speaks on the spirit of Aloha and what it means to embody that as a movement. She also discusses discovering her passion through service to her fellow Hawaiians, valuable lessons learned through her multiple deployments to Iraq, and the massive challenge she faced in becoming a political trailblazer.

Host Tim K. sits down in College Station, Texas with Chris Thompson who is a former member of 3rd Special Forces Group. Throughout the podcast, Thompson discusses his reason for joining, his seven deployments to some of the most dangerous places in the world, and his reluctant decision to step away from the space he’d come to love. Chris speaks with a refreshing candor about the things most important in his life and the strength he found in realizing his own weaknesses.

Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) is a nonprofit organization forging the nation’s leading health and wellness community. Founded in 2010, Team RWB supports veterans as they prioritize their well-being by offering real-life and virtual opportunities to build healthier lifestyles. Team RWB believes that a strong focus on mental and physical health impacts every aspect of life and is essential for veterans to unlock their full potential. For more information about Team RWB and its 200,000 members visit teamrwb.org.

It’s becoming more and more vital that we share the stories of our WWII Veterans, as we are losing them so quickly. After all, legacy is the essence of the project. The popularity of our Memorial Day social media post on Medal of Honor Recipient Woody Williams made us realize this even more. "The Greatest Generation" is the term they are known by, and this particular podcast on Alfred Haws' harrowing experience during the Bataan Death March serves as a great reminder of why. You can read the story at the link below or follow along on Instagram and Facebook as we share his story daily. This podcast was narrated by our founder, Tim K.

Host Tim K. sits down in Washington D.C. with Tiffany Myrick (CST-2), Annie Kleiman (CST-3), and Eve Mayoral (CST-5). All three were integral to the Army’s Cultural Support Team Program. On the podcast, the three discuss their various paths into the military and what led them to become groundbreakers in an otherwise unexplored space overseas. This podcast is a special edition recorded at the AllTru Gather 2022 which was held at the Women’s Military Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary. To learn more about AllTru and their mission hit the link.

Host Tim K. sits down in Sandpoint, Idaho with We Defy The Norm’s Founder, Cody Alford. On the podcast, Cody discusses his decision to join the Marine Corps, baptism by fire at 18 years old at the hands of a fierce enemy in Fallujah, a storied career in Special Operations, early retirement, and finding a new cause. Alford also discusses his ideals and vision for a movement dedicated to a renewed mentality built on resilience.

Find out more about Cody’s mission at www.wedefythenorm.com. You can also follow him on Instagram: @wedefythenorm and @codyalford. This is Episode No. 47 and Project No. 57. To read the project follow the link.

Host Tim K. sits down in Puyallup, Washington with Gold Star Wife, Michelle Black. Michelle is the wife of former Green Beret, Bryan Black, who was tragically killed by armed militants in Niger, Africa in what is now infamously known to many as the “Tongo Tongo ambush.” Bryan was not the only man who would lose his life that fateful day in October. Sergeant First Class Jeremiah Johnson, SSG Dustin Wright, Sergeant LaDavid Johnson, as well as four Nigerian counterparts were also killed. On the podcast, Michelle discusses her search for the truth and the subsequent investigation that would become her sole focus even years after the tragedy; eventually leading her to author the powerful memoir Sacrifice: A Gold Star Widow’s Search for the Truth.

Follow Michelle’s journey on Instagram: @michelleblack71 and be sure to check out her non-profit: @soldiers_alliance_foundation. More information on her book Sacrifice is available on her website: michelleblacksacrifice.com/book.

Host Tim K. sits down in Fayetteville, North Carolina with JP Cervantes, a veteran of the Army Special Forces. JP served his country in combat with distinction and is now working in the world of anti-human trafficking. As the founder of Nous Defions Group he is now doing work to shield children who are sold into slavery around the globe. JP’s venture has taken him into some of the most dangerous pockets of the world, and he works to defeat those committed to preying on youth. On the podcast, Tim and JP discuss Cervantes’ career in Special Operations, his transition, and his new life as he once again defends the weak.

Host Tim K. sits down in Pinehurst, North Carolina at the home of former Green Beret and legendary weapons instructor Pat McNamara. On the podcast, Pat discusses his unlikely path into the military which culminated with 13 years in a tier one unit. He also speaks on the importance of positive mentorship, the ability to overcome life’s many adversities, and his fortuitous pursuit of continuing instruction long past his days in the Army.

McNamara’s full project is available at the link. Check out his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/patannamac1 and his Instagram: @tmacsinc.

Host Tim K. sits down in Benbrook, Texas with Vietnam Veteran, Doug Petersen. It’s hard to imagine for many being 21 years old, flying a multi million dollar machine headlong into the jungles of Vietnam… much less doing it with nothing more than a .38 revolver to defend you and your crew. On the podcast, Doug discusses the life of being a dust off pilot during the Vietnam War. He speaks on the harsh truths of an unseen enemy and a seemingly never-ending mission; where exhaustion was just as much a danger as the enemy below. Petersen speaks on not only surviving Vietnam but going on to serve a distinguished career as an aviator and aviation instructor in the United States Army.

To follow Doug’s journey check him out on Facebook.

Host Tim K. sits down with former Navy SEAL Terry Houin at the Cienega Fort in Shafter, Texas at Cibolo Creek Ranch. Terry spent almost three decades with a good part of that as a member of a National Missions Force. Throughout his time in this elite unit, he found himself a part of integral missions, including the rescue of Jessica Lynch and Captain Phillips. On the podcast Terry speaks on his multiple combat deployments as a sniper, spending most of his life in Special Operations, the difficulties of transitioning out of the military, and rediscovering his sense of serving selflessly in a different capacity.

To follow along with Houin’s journey follow him on Instagram: @terry.houin and be sure to check out his entire project.

Host Tim K. sits down in San Diego, California with Prime Hall, who is a Texas native and 12 year veteran of MARSOC (United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command). Prime’s service includes both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. During Hall’s time as a Marine Raider, he would join Don Tran in the co-founding of both Underwater Torpedo League and Deep End Fitness. These pursuits of passion would go on to further solidify his own way of thinking and positively impact the trajectory of his life to this day. On the podcast, Prime discusses life growing up in South Texas, an exemplary career in the United States Marine Corps, and his path to managing two quickly-growing business ventures. Prime is a graduate of the USC EMBA program and has trained military members, high level executives, and pro athletes in advanced water survival techniques.

This is Part Two of a two-part podcast with the first part featuring Prime’s business partner and friend, fellow Marine Raider Don Tran. Be sure to check out Don and Prime’s book, F.R.E.E. Your Mind Guidebook. To get a visually in-depth look into Don and Prime’s story check out their project. This podcast is sponsored by our friends at Rifle Supply, Ten Thousand, and Elevate Weekly.This is Part One of a two-part podcast with the second part featuring Don's business partner and friend, fellow Marine Raider Prime Hall. Be sure to check out Don and Prime’s book, F.R.E.E. Your Mind Guidebook. To get a visually in-depth look into Don and Prime’s story check out their project. This podcast is sponsored by our friends at Rifle Supply, Ten Thousand, and Elevate Weekly.

Deep End Fitness: www.deependfitness.com

Underwater Torpedo League: www.utlnation.com

Host Tim K. sits down in Austin, Texas with Don Tran, who is a Southern California native and 12 year veteran of MARSOC (United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command). Don deployed to some of the harshest combat environments around the world (Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines). During Tran's time as a Marine Raider, he would come to find a very unique path in his co-founding of two new entrepreneurial ventures in Underwater Torpedo League and Deep End Fitness. These pursuits of passion would go on to further solidify his own way of thinking and positively impact the trajectory of his life to this day. On the podcast, Tran discusses life as a troubled youth, his journey into the world of Marine Corps Special Operations, toughness in transition, and his path to managing two quickly-growing business ventures.

This is Part One of a two-part podcast with the second part featuring Don's business partner and friend, fellow Marine Raider Prime Hall. Be sure to check out Don and Prime’s book, F.R.E.E. Your Mind Guidebook. To get a visually in-depth look into Don and Prime’s story check out their project. This podcast is sponsored by our friends at Rifle Supply, Ten Thousand, and Elevate Weekly.

Deep End Fitness: www.deependfitness.com

Underwater Torpedo League: www.utlnation.com

This is part one of a two-part podcast. Host Tim K. sits down with Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter, at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kyle is the youngest Medal of Honor Recipient currently living and was only the third Marine to receive our nation’s most prestigious honor since the beginning of the GWOT (Global War On Terrorism). On the podcast, Kyle discusses his youth always on the move and how it better prepared him for his time in the Marine Corps. He also speaks on his time in combat and that fateful day on a Marjah rooftop that would cement his legacy forever in the Halls of Marine Corps lore. Beyond that, Carpenter speaks on what it truly means to live a life of service even after the military.

This is part one of a two-part podcast. Host Tim K. sits down with Medal of Honor Recipient Kyle Carpenter, at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Kyle is the youngest Medal of Honor Recipient currently living and was only the third Marine to receive our nation’s most prestigious honor since the beginning of the GWOT (Global War On Terrorism). On the podcast, Kyle discusses his youth always on the move and how it better prepared him for his time in the Marine Corps. He also speaks on his time in combat and that fateful day on a Marjah rooftop that would cement his legacy forever in the Halls of Marine Corps lore. Beyond that, Carpenter speaks on what it truly means to live a life of service even after the military.

This is Part Two of a two-part podcast. Host Tim K. sits down in Portales, New Mexico with a legend of MAC V SOG, Mike Stahl. The Studies and Observations Group (also known as SOG, MACSOG, and MACV-SOG) was a top-secret, joint unconventional warfare task force created on January 24th, 1964 by the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a subsidiary command of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). The unit would eventually consist primarily of personnel from the United States Army Special Forces, the United States Navy SEALs, the United States Air Force (USAF), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and elements of the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance units.

The mission of MAC V SOG was to execute an intensified program of harassment, diversion, political pressure, the capture of prisoners, physical destruction, acquisition of intelligence, generation of propaganda, and diversion of resources, against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Throughout Part Two, Mike discusses his time in leaving the military and the difficulty of transitioning from one of the most specialized units in the world to a civilian world that despised him.

Check out The Veterans Project 2021 Summer Raffle at thevetsproject.com/raffle.

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.

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.

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.

This is part one 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.

A combined five tours and 20 years of combat unit 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.

Check out www.capellaaudio.com to stay up to date with all the latest.

Host Tim K. sits down in Colorado Springs, Colorado with Tu Lam who enjoyed a 23 year career in the Army, with 18 of those years in a Special Operations capacity. He went on to start an extremely successful tactical company known as “Ronin Tactics.” On the podcast Tu discusses his journey to positive mental health after decades of serving in some of the hottest spots in the world. Lam also speaks about the mastery of Bushido and his journey to live up to that distinct code.

To learn more about Tu Lam, read his legacy project, follow him on Instagram: @ronintactics and check out www.ronintactics.com. Also, check him out on Activision’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as the first ever character to be modeled directly after a veteran of the Global War On Terror.