Lessons Learned

Ep.33, Dominic Davila

In the summer of 2009 Dominic Davila deployed to the city of Garmsir in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan with 2nd Battalion 8th Marines as a machine gunner in weapons platoon . On July 23rd his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device that severely wounded him, resulting in his right leg being amputated below the knee. Cpl. Nick Xiarhos and LCPL. Jeremy Lasher were killed in the blast and Corpsman HM2 Trevor Parr was wounded as well.  In this episode Dom shares what happened on that day and how it impacted his life and the lives of many others.

Ep.32, LTCOL Tom Schueman

On this episode, we feature Lieutenant Colonel Tom Schueman, a Marine Corps officer who served as a Rifle Platoon Commander with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines during a harrowing deployment to Sangin, Afghanistan in 2010-2011. There, he forged an unbreakable bond with his platoon’s interpreter, Zainullah “Zack” Zaki—a young Afghan who risked everything to support U.S. forces on the front lines. A decade later, as Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021, Tom launched a desperate and determined effort to rescue Zack and his family before they were discovered. What followed was a powerful story of loyalty, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. Tom and Zack later co-authored the book Always Faithful: A Story of the War in Afghanistan, the Fall of Kabul, and the Unshakable Bond Between a Marine and an Interpreter. Tom also shares insights into his nonprofit, Patrol Base Abbate, which helps veterans find renewed purpose and community after service.

Ep.31, Scott Payne: Deep undercover with the FBI

Scott Payne is a retired FBI Special Agent who spent twenty-eight years in law enforcement investigating cases against drug trafficking organizations, human traffickers, outlaw motorcycle clubs, gangs, public corruption, and domestic terrorists. He was also a SWAT team operator and instructor for firearms, tactics, and undercover operations. Scott recently published His first book titled, Code Name: Pale Horse How I Went Undercover to Expose America's Nazis, where he shares the realities of living the life of an undercover FBI agent and how it affected the rest of his life. On this episode he shares what led to his career with the FBI, how he managed the stressors of the job, and how he transitioned into retired life.

Ep.30. USMC Capt Frank "Gus" Biggio: The Wolves of Helmand

Ten years after serving his country as a U.S. Marine, Captain Frank “Gus” Biggio signed up once again because he missed the brotherhood of the military. Leaving behind his successful law career, his young wife, and newborn son, he was deployed to Helmand Province—the most violent region in war-torn Afghanistan. As a participant in a combined coalition offensive named Operation Khanjar, Biggio and his fellow Marines fought to take back control of the Taliban stronghold city of Nawa. The offensive began with a troop surge designed to thwart the Taliban, and was followed by the restoration of the local government and real-time capacity building among the withdrawn and destitute Afghan people. Years after his return from the mission he decided to turn his experience into a book titled The Wolves of Helmand where he processes through a decade-long self-examination of a warrior’s heart, conscience, and memory.

EP.29, Dean Crisp: Leadership and Life Lessons

Dean Crisp is a leadership influencer and Founder / CEO of Leaders Helping Leaders Network (LHLN) where he is known as a highly energetic and motivational instructor who offers quality, impactful leadership development classes. He is a thirty-year veteran of law enforcement serving his last 17 years as a chief of police. Dean was also the former National Training Director for FBI-LEEDA and was instrumental in creating their Trilogy program. He is a best-selling author of Essential Leadership Lessons from the Thin Blue Line as well as The Leadership Recipe and is about to release his third book, 5 Simple Truths of Leadership: How to Be a Significant Leader in Your Business, Organization, and Life. He is also the host of his own podcast, “Straight Talk on Leadership” and enjoys doing keynotes for a variety of different organizations all over the country. On this episode Dean shares his lessons in leadership and how to implement them in your daily life.