Veterans Series Episodes
From every branch of the U.S. military, we welcome veterans and active-duty service members who open up about their experiences in and out of uniform. These guests share powerful stories of resilience, sacrifice, leadership, and purpose, offering insight into the emotional battles behind the battlefield.
Whether it's transitioning to civilian life, overcoming adversity, leading through crisis, or rediscovering identity after service, each conversation is a tribute to the human side of military life — raw, real, and deeply inspiring.
Tune in as we go beyond the rank and the ribbons to explore the personal shadows and triumphs that shape our nation’s finest.
The Commandant Chronicles: Nathan Coy's Air Force Leadership and Wart…
In this episode of Shadows Podcast, join us as we sit down with Nathan Coy, a Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Air Force and the current Commandant at the Joint Base Charleston Airman Leadership School. Nathan takes us on a compelling journey through his military career, sharing …
Trailblazing Seas: Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz's 40-Year Coast Guard Jo…
Join Bodhi and special co-host Nina Choy-Rohmiller as they sit down with Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz, United States Coast Guard (Retired), in a riveting episode of the Shadows Podcast. A trailblazer in her own right, Vice Admiral Stosz was a pioneer member of the third class of cadets at the Coast Gu…
Inside Heroes Media Group: Adam Bird's Insightful Journey | The Shado…
Join us this week on the Shadows Podcast as we sit down with Adam Bird, the Founder and CEO of Heroes Media Group. In this candid episode, Adam shares a pivotal moment when someone's interest altered the course of his life, alongside reflections on his time in the Army National Guard. Get an int…
Navigating Shadows: Jay Ly's Near-Death Awakening and the Golden Comp…
Embark on a riveting journey in this episode of the Shadows Podcast, featuring Jay Ly—trainer, speaker, coach, military veteran, and President of Golden Compass. Listen as Jay opens up about the challenges he faced growing up and his pivotal decision to join the United States Navy in 2008. Explo…
Matthew Brackett: Navigating Shadows to Light - A Journey of Discover…
Embark on a profound journey with Matthew Brackett, a former Catholic Priest with 30 years of global service. In "The Chronicles of Matthew Brackett," he shares his upbringing as the tenth of thirteen children and the shadows he navigated. Delve into his ministry experiences, a transformative journ…
Fatherhood Chronicles: Tripp's Tribute to Charlie's Legacy of Love an…
In this special episode, the Shadows Podcast commemorates what would have been Charlie Bodenheimer's 71st birthday. Host Tripp Bodenheimer hands over the reins to Cameron Chilcote, who interviews Tripp about his father's impactful legacy. Join us as we explore Charlie's roots in Red Springs, North …
Chronicles of Valor: Jeff Knight's Journey from Military Service to A…
Happy 4th of July! In this Shadows Podcast episode, military veteran and Angels 14 co-founder Jeff Knight shares his journey. Tune in to discover the origins of Angels 14, Jeff's upbringing, his military career spanning two decades, reflections on 9/11, and his role in the charitable organization W…
From High School struggles to the White House: Gen. Larry Spencer's e…
This week on the Shadows Podcast, we are privileged to host retired 44-year United States Air Force General, former Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and author of "Dark Horse," Larry Spencer. Join us for an extraordinary journey from high school struggles to moments spent with the President of…
Allen Levi Simmons Beyond Combat: His Untold Marine Chronicles | The …
This week on the Shadows Podcast, we are privileged to host Allen Levi Simmons, a distinguished United States Marine Corps veteran, acclaimed author of “Can I Speak?”, and the dynamic host behind the Purpose Pod. In this compelling episode, Allen shares the intimate details of his upbringing, de…
Bill Brown: From Detentions to SEALs | Unveiling the Navy SEAL Hudson…
This week on the Shadows Podcast, we are honored to host Bill Brown, a distinguished United States Navy SEAL and co-founder of the Navy SEAL Hudson River Swim, as featured in David Goggins' best-seller "Can't Hurt Me." Join us as Bill recounts his tumultuous youth, marked by struggles and detention…
Kevin Osby: From Shreveport to Senior Noncommissioned Officer | Shado…
Kevin is a Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Air Force and is the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). He’s also the host of the Chief Chat Podcast. Kevin opens up about his tough upbringing in Shreveport, Louisiana and what sparked his inte…
Michael Bailey Smith: From Paratrooper to Super Freddy - A Halloween …
Happy Halloween from the Shadows Podcast! This Halloween, we have the honor of having the man who played Super Freddy in A Nightmare on Elm Street 5, Pluto in the Hills Have Eyes, and Belthazor and Sax in the television series, Charmed, Michael Bailey Smith, join the Shadows! Michael has been in ov…
Trevor Gilliland: From Airman to Veteran Advocate - A Two-Decade Mili…
Trevor Gilliland: From MTI to Orion Talent Executive. Join us as Trevor recounts his journey from growing up in Minnesota to becoming a dedicated Military Training Instructor. Discover the challenges and rewards of the MTI lifestyle, Trevor's decision to retire after two decades of service, and his…
Sandra Gonzalez: Marine to Mentor, Facing Regrets and Personal Triump…
Sandra Gonzalez, a former US Marine Corps officer turned life coach and public speaker, reflects on her journey in Part I of this Shadows Podcast episode. Hailing from Los Angeles, Sandra shares how her father's influence and moral guidance shaped her. Delve into her decision to join the Marines, t…
Sandra Gonzalez: Military Triumphs, Dubai Ventures, and Overcoming Lo…
In the second part of this compelling episode, Sandra Gonzalez, a retired United States Marine Corps officer, life coach, and public speaker, delves into poignant moments and challenges that shaped her journey. Sandra reflects on her proudest accomplishment and the weight of her biggest regret duri…
Retired USAF Mary Polanco on Mental Health, Emotional Intelligence, a…
United States Air Force (Retired) and host of the Live Well YouTube Channel, Mary Polanco, shares her experiences from her 23-year military career, and she talks about mental health, anxiety, depression, and emotional intelligence.
Demetrius Booth: Air Force Leader's Inspiring Journey of Overcoming C…
Embark on a powerful journey with Demetrius Booth, a Senior Enlisted Leader in the U.S. Air Force and Life Coach. Join us this week as Demetrius shares his Chicago upbringing, recounts a wild recruiter office experience, and discusses overcoming challenges like racial discrimination, mental health …
Llama Leadership Insights & Reflections with Joe Bogdan | Shadows Pod…
In this episode of the Shadows Podcast, we reconnect with Joe Bogdan, an Adjunct Professor, Chief of Enlisted Force Development, and a Senior Enlisted Leader in the United States Air Force. Join us as Joe reflects on the significant changes in his life since our premiere episode recorded on October…
Air Force Vet Robert Zackery III on Military Life, Leadership, and Me…
Robert Zackery III is a retired Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Air Force and a strategic leader and thinker. He kicks off our Veterans Series month on the Shadows Podcast! During this episode, Robert talks about his ups and downs in the military and emergent leadership issu…
Air Force NCO Sheena Baker: From Guam to Military Instructor, with a …
Sheena Baker is a Noncommissioned Officer and Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor in the United States Air Force. During this episode, Sheena talks about her upbringing in Guam, joining the military, and some early struggles she had to endure. This episode also covers vintage vid…
Air Force NCO George 'Fresh' Linen Jr.: TEDx Speaker, Author, and Adv…
George "Fresh" Linen Jr. is a Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Air Force and a Spoken Word Artist, Author, Videographer, Advocate, and TEDx speaker. To give you an idea as to some of the topics Fresh Linen discusses on this episode: he talks about the struggles he endured in his per…
Army Veteran Sylvester Jenkins III: From At-Risk Teen to First Sergea…
Sylvester Jenkins III retired from the United States Army and author of "From Combat to Comeback: How to Conquer the Battles of Adversity and Avoid Letting Circumstances in Your Life Define You." In this episode, Sylvester takes us through his remarkable turnaround story of being an at-risk teen…
Purple Heart Recipient's Heroic Journey: Ryan Hines Road to Wounded W…
The Shadows Podcast celebrated Purple Heart Day with a Purple Heart recipient and Hall of Honor inductee and a Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the United States Air Force, Ryan Hines. Ryan takes us back to his deployment to Afghanistan as a Personal Security Detail Gunner and the events that t…
Jonathan Mayo: From Middle-Class Upbringing to Military Service, and …
This week on the Shadows Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome our tag team partner, Jonathan Mayo of the Universal Learning Approach (ULA), the parent company of Sisu Stamina. Jonathan's an accomplished author, a podcast host, and he's joining us in the black and red corner! Jonathan takes us on a…