She Ran CIA Operations. He Led Navy SEALs. Their Story Is Unreal | Karen Schaefer and John Burnham Interview

Green Beret & Cop Share the Reality of PTSD | Chris & Marsha Lessard

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530310/fan_mail/new] What happens when a former Green Beret and a former police officer stop surviving and start healing? In this powerful episode we sit down with Chris and Marcia Lessard to discuss Special Forces, law enforcement trauma, PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), addiction, marriage, autism recovery, hyper-vigilance, mental health, veteran healing, and the groundbreaking brain treatments changing lives for veterans, first responders, and families across America. Chris Lessard, a former Green Beret, opens up about combat trauma, alcohol abuse, prescription medication dependency, identity loss after military retirement, and the life-changing treatments that helped him reclaim his life. Marcia Lessard shares her journey as a police officer, young mother, trauma survivor, and advocate for mental health and neurological healing. Together, they reveal how brain mapping, MERT therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, neurofeedback, functional medicine, and trauma-informed care transformed not only their marriage—but their son’s severe nonverbal autism diagnosis. This episode dives deep into Special Forces culture, law enforcement stress, childhood trauma, veteran mental health, first responder burnout, emotional compartmentalization, healing relationships, addiction recovery, brain inflammation, sleep issues, toxic exposure, and finding purpose after service. If you’re a veteran, first responder, military spouse, or someone struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, TBI symptoms, addiction, trauma, or autism in your family—this conversation could change your perspective forever. Topics include: * Green Beret life and military transition * PTSD and traumatic brain injury recovery * Veteran addiction and alcohol abuse * Law enforcement trauma and hyper-vigilance * Autism recovery and brain treatment therapies * MERT therapy and neurofeedback * Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans * Functional medicine and mental health * Marriage, trauma bonding, and healing * Childhood trauma and emotional compartmentalization * Mental health in Special Operations and policing * Veteran suicide prevention and recovery * Brain health optimization and performance ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Chris & Marsha Are Special 02:21 – Marsha’s Story: Becoming a Cop at 21 as a Single Mom 04:48 – Chris Lessard: From High School Dropout to Green Beret 07:00 – How a Green Beret & Police Officer Met on Match.com 09:34 – Ride-Alongs, PTSD & The Difference Between War and Policing 12:33 – Trauma, Marriage & Learning to Be Vulnerable 14:46 – Childhood Trauma, PTSD & Emotional Compartmentalization 16:37 – Dopamine, COMT Mutation & Why High Performers Keep Chasing 21:24 – How Their Son’s Autism Diagnosis Changed Everything 25:44 – The Autism Treatment That Changed Their Son’s Life 28:28 – Green Berets Opening Up About Trauma Around the Campfire 29:22 – Alcohol, Painkillers & the “Dark Years” After Service 32:02 – VA Programs, Medications & Finally Finding Real Healing 34:48 – Sleeping Normally Again After Years of PTSD & Hypervigilance 36:51 – SGB From Dr. James Lynch 37:32 – Marriage, Masculinity & Learning How to Fight Fair 43:08 – From Johns Hopkins to Opening Brain Treatment Clinics 48:53 – Why Veterans Get Help Easier Than Police Officers 50:28 – The Difference Between Combat Trauma & Police Trauma 54:56 – Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Neurofeedback & Functional Medicine 57:47 – Toxic Exposure, Burn Pits, Lyme Disease & Brain Health 01:03:18 – The Most Rewarding Part of Helping Veterans Heal 01:10:53 – The Biggest Surprise Dealing With Clients 01:15:49 – What They Value Most in Life For more information go to the NoVa Brain Treatment Center website: https://www.braintreatmentcenterashburn.com/ Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Support those that support us:  Our great episode sponsor improving lives with SGB treatments www.drjameslynch.com

Former PsyOps Operator Explains Modern Warfare, Cancer & Veteran Health | Stuart and Jamie Gallagher

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530310/fan_mail/new] Former Special Operations PsyOps expert Stuart Gallagher and women’s health clinician Jamie Gallagher join the Not Special Podcast with Green Beret Herb Thompson and Corrie Thompson for one of the most powerful conversations yet. From Russia, Ukraine, psychological operations, Special Forces selection, cancer survival, veteran health, testosterone, prostate cancer awareness, hormone therapy, PTSD, military medicine, and life after service — this episode is packed with raw truth, hard-earned wisdom, and real conversations every veteran and family needs to hear. Stuart opens up about joining the military at 27 after working overseas in Russia, navigating Special Operations culture, serving in PsyOps, advising across government agencies, and watching modern warfare evolve through AI, drones, information operations, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Jamie  shares critical insights into hormone health, perimenopause, veteran healthcare gaps, prostate cancer screening, diabetes, longevity, and why early detection saves lives. Together, they reveal what military families, veterans, and everyday Americans are missing when it comes to resilience, performance, and health. This episode dives deep into: * Special Operations selection & mental toughness * Psychological operations (PsyOps) explained * Russia vs Ukraine analysis from a former insider * Drone warfare, AI, and the future battlefield * Surviving cancer while serving in Special Forces * Veteran healthcare failures & lessons learned * Prostate cancer awareness for men & veterans * Hormone therapy, menopause & performance health * Marriage, entrepreneurship & building a business together * Life after the military and finding purpose again CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Why Stuart Is Special 00:45 Working in Russia Before Joining the Military 02:00 Why He Joined Special Operations at 27 03:20 Running a Business With His Wife 04:20 Russia vs Ukraine Explained by Former PsyOps Operator 06:40 The Future of Warfare, AI & Drone Technology 09:25 Why the Ukraine War Matters to Americans 11:15 What Psychological Operations (PsyOps) Really Are 13:00 How PsyOps Works in Modern Warfare 15:10 Deception Operations & Military Strategy 17:10 Social Media, Technology & Information Warfare 18:15 Surviving Cancer During Special Forces Selection 20:00 Diagnosed With Cancer After SF Selection 21:10 The Mindset Required to Survive Special Operations 22:15 Special Forces Selection & Mental Toughness 23:45 Why Most Companies Fail at Hiring Talent 25:10 Hiding Cancer While Attending Military Schools 27:30 Admiral McRaven Story & Military Resilience 30:20 Jamie Gallagher on Veteran Health & Early Detection 31:00 How Jamie Helped Save Stuart’s Life 33:00 Why Prostate Cancer Screening Matters for Veterans 36:10 The Importance of Men’s Health Awareness 37:50 Why Veterans Avoid Going to the Doctor 39:40 Type 2 Diabetes in Veterans Explained 41:00 Problems With Military Healthcare & Prevention 45:50 Recovering From Prostate Cancer Surgery 49:40 Building Their Health & Wellness Business Together 50:40 Hormones, Anxiety & Perimenopause Explained 53:00 What Women Need to Know About Hormone Health 56:00 The Truth About Hormone Replacement Therapy 59:20 Menopause, Longevity & Modern Healthcare 1:02:00 Working Together as Husband & Wife 1:04:40 What Men Should NEVER Say to Their Wife 1:05:40 Strategic Communication in Marriage & Relationships If you enjoy authentic veteran stories, Green Beret interviews, Special Operations insights, military leadership, resilience, health optimization, and unfiltered conversations — this episode is for you. #PsyOps #SpecialForces #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #CancerSurvivor  Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_

She Ran CIA Operations. He Led Navy SEALs. Their Story Is Unreal | Karen Schaefer and John Burnham Interview

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530310/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Not Special, Karen and John share what it was really like inside the CIA, SEAL Team 6, Afghanistan, and the mission environment that led to the Osama bin Laden raid. Karen spent 26 years serving as a CIA operations officer, deploying to some of the world’s most dangerous environments after 9/11. John served as a Navy SEAL and later as deputy commander at SEAL Team 6. Together, they open up about leadership, sacrifice, intelligence work, combat operations, and how America’s national security system evolved during two decades of war. From the chaos of early Afghanistan deployments to the inner workings of the intelligence community, this conversation gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and relationships that shaped modern history. 🎙️ In this episode:  • Karen’s first deployment to Afghanistan after 9/11  • Growing up in a CIA family  • John’s unexpected path to becoming a Navy SEAL  • What SEAL Team culture was like before social media  • The reality of Hell Week and BUD/S  • CIA and military cooperation during the War on Terror  • Inside the environment surrounding the Osama bin Laden operation  • Leadership lessons from elite teams  • The future of national security and cyber warfare  • Why service, mentorship, and purpose still matter ⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Why Karen & John are Special 02:53 – CIA is More Scary Than Navy SEALs 04:15 – How Karen Got Into the CIA 09:12 – Whatever Led John to the Navy and SEAL Teams 20:39 – BUD/S and Hell Week 24:32 – What Was the First Day at the CIA Like 26:45 – Was Karen Ready for the CIA 32:06 – Reporting to SEAL Team 2 33:55 – The First Days in Afghanistan 36:53 – CIA and Military Power Struggle 40:26 – The Army - Navy Rivalry 41:56 – The Bin Laden Raid from the NSC 47:46 – The bin Laden Raid from the SEALs 51:56 – The Beauty of Afghanistan 54:35 – National Security in the US 1:02:02 – Balancing a CIA Career and Being a Mom 1:07:09 – Leaving the SEAL Teams 1:14:38 – Harry Potter Wisdom 1:18:02– Who is the Plus 1? 1:24:53 – How Karen & John Met 1:30:48 – What They Value Most in Life Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_

Navy EOD Operator Tells the Truth About War, Fear & Brotherhood | Pat McKenna Interview

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530310/fan_mail/new] Pat McKenna joins the Not Special Show with Herb and Corrie Thompson for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Navy EOD, war stories, overcoming adversity, mental toughness, and the journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal operator. In this episode, Pat shares powerful stories about growing up in Aurora, getting into fights, run-ins with the law, and how 9/11 changed his life, leading him to join the military and eventually become a Navy EOD technician working in Iraq and Afghanistan. This episode dives deep into combat experiences, IED threats, special operations, resilience, leadership, and the brotherhood formed in war. From near-death moments under fire to the mindset required to operate in high-risk environments, this is a real look at what it takes to survive and thrive in extreme situations. If you're interested in military stories, Navy EOD, Special Operations, leadership, mental resilience, and real-life transformation, this episode delivers. “He went from getting arrested… to defusing bombs in war zones.”

From Immigrant Kid to 48-Hour Jiu-Jitsu World Record Attempt 🇺🇸 | Charles Gomes Interview

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2530310/fan_mail/new] What kind of person pushes their body to the edge for 48 straight hours with no sleep and no quitting? Meet the inspirational Charles Gomes — Navy veteran, Brazilian immigrant, jiu-jitsu black belt, and a man on a mission far bigger than himself. From growing up in a poor fishing village in Brazil to stepping onto a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to working for Lamborghini. Now he’s attempting something almost no one on earth has done: 👉 48 HOURS of continuous jiu-jitsu rolling But this isn’t about records. This is about honoring fallen veterans and raising money for those who sacrificed everything.  ⚡ In this episode, you’ll hear: * The moment he knew he was “American” 🇺🇸 * The REAL reason he joined the military after 9/11 * Underground fight nights on a Navy ship 👀 * What 35+ hours of nonstop jiu-jitsu actually does to your body * Why most people THINK they can fight but can’t * The powerful mission behind his 48-hour challenge 💥 This episode isn’t about being “special.” It’s about discipline, purpose, and refusing to quit. 🎯 SUPPORT THE MISSION Charles is raising money for veteran organizations. 👉 Follow & support: @GBLeesburg #MentalToughness #JiuJitsu #Veteran #NeverQuit #NotSpecial