Vetted the Podcast

3 minute teaser/trailer for upcoming podcast.

In episode 7, we meet Kory Knowles, who’s worn many hats over the course of the past few decades. From Navy SEAL to BUDs instructor to recruiter to NSW contractor, Kory speaks about the hardest parts of his own transition story, including the abrupt lack of community & accountability, feeling isolated, learning how to navigate a structure-less environment, and being thrust into an unfamiliar world where camaraderie and loyalty were absent. Kory talks about feeling completely void of emotions and sleeping 16 hours a day after transitioning out, and the struggle of having a unique skill set but the inability to figure out where to use it.
Kory touches upon how, like many service members, he had to stuff things away & compartmentalize them, but was never taught or encouraged to unpack, revisit or process any of it. Kory shares how he found (& created) newfound mission, structure and purpose in his life after the military in a successful & fulfilling career that’s spanned 17 years.

In episode 2, Host Nic Sanchez has a candid conversation with Air Force veteran Rob Sanders. Join Rob and Nic as they talk injury, reduction of force, and how anxiety presented itself during Rob's transition. As their conversation comes to a close, we will hear from Elena, our "In House" therapist who will weigh in on how we can recognize the onset of anxiety, and provide insightful tips on how to combat panic attacks!

Today we have a fascinating conversation with Army
Special Forces Green Beret (turned wildlife-conservationist) Kevin Garrad. Kevin speaks about his experiences joining the US Army on a green card after September 11, deploying to war at just eighteen, serving eighteen years in the military, and his personal struggles with being medically retired, including suicidal thoughts, drug addiction, wanting to crash his motorcycle, and lacking any sense of purpose. Kevin shares the radical & remarkable decision he made to sell his houses, cars and all material possessions and move to Africa with nothing but a ruck sack. There, he rediscovered passion & happiness through hanging out with “hippies and conservationists” and leading & training anti-poaching teams to save wildlife. Kev was able to experience firsthand the immense healing power of being in nature, and he speaks to the necessity for all humans- but especially veterans- to find a “new tribe,” after service because there is tremendous healing in togetherness. Kev shares about the power of manifestation, particularly how his dream job didn’t exist so he had to create it; and how these days, he’s “broke as fuck but happy as hell.” Our conversation with Kev is an episode you definitely won’t want to miss! To learn more about Kevin’s nonprofit, Wild Response, please visit: www.wildresponse.org

In episode 5, we meet Navy SEAL Chief Kevin Stark, who talks about the experience of joining the military straight out of high school, his time in the SEAL teams, and the personal fulfillment he felt in his time as a BUD/s instructor. Kev talks about the importance of carrying the “core you” & maintaining rituals throughout transition, the crushing self-doubt that can show up in the absence of a uniform, and feeling just plain “different” as a civilian. He touches upon how finding multiple facets of purpose rather than just one can be super helpful and far less daunting, and speaks to the importance of recognizing the spiritual and energy components of transition. He leaves us with his “trust and go” advice, which is super helpful for anyone facing a transitionary time or moment in life.