Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show

Liberty Speaks | Motivational Talks & Honest Conversations
  • 5.0 (5)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Welcome to Not Special with Herb & Corrie Thompson Real people. Real stories. Real growth.Join Herb, a Green Beret, and Corrie Thompson, his less hairy half,  as they sit down with special guests — from veterans, leaders, and everyday people who’ve faced extraordinary challenges.Each episode of Not Special explores what it means to be human — to face fear, lead through change, and find purpose in the in life. You’ll hear unfiltered conversations about resilience, mindset, leadership, and authenticity — the kind of wisdom that helps you get unstuck and start living with more courage and clarity.💬 Honest conversations that make you laugh, think, and feel.💡 Lessons on overcoming fear, embracing failure, and leading with heart.🔥 Motivation for anyone chasing purpose, growth, or a fresh start.🎧 New episodes every Thursday — subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a story that might just change the way you see yourself.

  1. 4D AGO

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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.”

    1h 30m

  2. APR 30

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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 9/11Underground fight nights on a Navy ship 👀What 35+ hours of nonstop jiu-jitsu actually does to your bodyWhy most people THINK they can fight but can’tThe 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

    33 min

  3. APR 23

    The “Broken Veteran” Lie Needs to End (What They’re Not Telling You) | Kevin Schmiegel Interview

    Send us Fan Mail The idea that veterans come home “broken” is everywhere but it’s not the full story. In this episode, Marine veteran and nonprofit leader Kevin Schmiegel shares his journey from service to leadership, through personal struggle, and ultimately to building a movement focused on “military thriving.” This conversation explores identity after service, the challenges of transition, and why the narrative around veterans may be doing more harm than good. Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_

    1h 7m

  4. APR 16

    The Story of a Soldier Who Saved His Team in Ramadi | Dan Pinion Interview

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with a retired Command Sergeant Major to unpack one of the most powerful and overlooked stories from the war in Ramadi. What begins as a conversation about leadership quickly becomes something much deeper. You’ll hear firsthand what it was like leading soldiers during one of the most dangerous periods of the Iraq War—where attacks were constant, casualties were mounting, and survival was never guaranteed. At the center of this story is Sergeant Marquise Quick, a soldier who made a split-second decision that saved the lives of his teammates. This episode explores:  The reality of combat leadership under extreme pressure  The emotional and psychological toll of sustained warfare  The moments that define courage and sacrifice  How extraordinary acts of heroism can be overlooked in the chaos of war  The ongoing effort to ensure those actions are properly recognized This is not just a story about war, it’s about responsibility, reflection, and what it means to lead when everything is on the line. More info about SGT Quick and the drive to get him the Medal of Honor: https://www.drivenperspectives.com/medal-of-honor Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Support those that support us:  Our great sponsor ZeroEyes doing incredible work saving time, saving lives. www.zeroeyes.com Our great sponsor improving lives with SGB treatments www.drjameslynch.com  👉 Don’t forget to give us a rating and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

    1h 17m

  5. APR 9

    Medal of Honor Recipient Reveals: Mindset That Saved His Life in Vietnam | Jim McCloughan Interview

    Send us Fan Mail Medal of Honor recipient Jim McCloughan doesn’t believe he’s special.  But during one of the most intense battles of the Vietnam War, he ran into enemy fire over and over again saving dozens of lives while wounded, outnumbered, and refusing evacuation as the enemy flowed down the hill like lava. In this episode of Not Special, Jim shares: * What it’s really like to arrive in Vietnam * The moment that changed how he saw war forever * Why he ignored direct orders to leave * And the promise he made that shaped the rest of his life * He is lucky to have been a teacher and coach for nearly 40 years This is a story about sacrifice, brotherhood, and what it means to show up when it matters most. 🎧 Listen. Reflect. Then make the call you’ve been putting off. Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Support those that support us:  Our great sponsor ZeroEyes doing incredible work saving time, saving lives. www.zeroeyes.com Checkout the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Convention 2026 in Detroit, MI. www.medalofhonordetroit.com 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

    1h 10m

  6. APR 3

    From Special Forces to Author: The Story Behind Desert Heist | Alex Dekker Interview

    Send us Fan Mail Alex Dekker is a former Green Beret, combat veteran, and author of Desert Heist. After being severely injured by a Taliban grenade, Alex fought his way back to his team—eventually deploying again while still recovering. In this episode, he shares the mindset behind Special Forces, the realities of war, and how his experiences shaped a novel that blends fiction with hard-earned truth. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and what comes after the mission ends.

    40 min

  7. MAR 27

    Ranger to Green Beret to Rock Bottom Then Redemption | Ricky Mills Interview

    Send us Fan Mail Ricky Mills is a former Army Ranger and Green Beret whose story goes far beyond combat. From a difficult childhood to elite military service, Ricky built his identity around strength and resilience, until a near-fatal accident and traumatic brain injury forced everything to unravel. In this episode, he shares:  What it’s like to lose your sense of self  How trauma affects families, not just individuals  The long road back from isolation and brokenness  Why helping other veterans became his mission This is a raw conversation about identity, leadership, and what it takes to rebuild your life from the ground up. Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Support those that support us:  ZeroEyes www.zeroeyes.com

    50 min

  8. MAR 19

    He Had No Military Background But Was Selected For Elite CIA Unit | Bryan Mabry Interview

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a “normal” guy walks into a world built for SEALs, Rangers, and operators and refuses to quit? In this episode of Not Special, Bryan Mabry shares the inside story of going from overlooked candidate to CIA Global Response Staff (GRS) operator. He eventually lead training for the next generation in this elite unit. We go deep into: * Getting rejected and coming back stronger * Earning respect in a room full of elite operators * What real leadership looks like under pressure * Life after the CIA: tech, venture capital, and defense innovation * The hidden challenges of transitioning out of high-stakes environments * Why decision-making, not perfection, is the ultimate advantage This isn’t Hollywood. This is what it actually takes. Connect with Liberty Speaks:  🌐 Website: www.libertyspeaks.com  🔗 Follow on Instagram: www.instagram.com/_ownyourjourney_ Support those that support us:  Dr. James Lynch www.drjameslynch.com ZeroEyes www.zeroeyes.com 👉 Don’t forget to follow, like, and share if you found this conversation valuable. Your support helps us bring more stories of resilience, leadership, and freedom to light.

    47 min
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About

Welcome to Not Special with Herb & Corrie Thompson Real people. Real stories. Real growth.Join Herb, a Green Beret, and Corrie Thompson, his less hairy half,  as they sit down with special guests — from veterans, leaders, and everyday people who’ve faced extraordinary challenges.Each episode of Not Special explores what it means to be human — to face fear, lead through change, and find purpose in the in life. You’ll hear unfiltered conversations about resilience, mindset, leadership, and authenticity — the kind of wisdom that helps you get unstuck and start living with more courage and clarity.💬 Honest conversations that make you laugh, think, and feel.💡 Lessons on overcoming fear, embracing failure, and leading with heart.🔥 Motivation for anyone chasing purpose, growth, or a fresh start.🎧 New episodes every Thursday — subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a story that might just change the way you see yourself.

Information

  • Creator
    Liberty Speaks | Motivational Talks & Honest Conversations
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show
  • Show Website
    Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show