Alone and Unafraid

Thad King and Tyler Huckett

Welcome to Alone and Unafraid. Real conversations about life, struggle, and finding purpose on the other side of hard times. If you’re a veteran, first responder, or just someone who’s been through the grind, you’ll feel at home here. We get into transitions, resilience, mindset, and the everyday battles most people don’t talk about. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s light, but it’s always real. Hosted by Thad and Tyler, both veterans of Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment, who bring their own experience from service and life after. New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Embrace

  1. #61 Healing the Unseen Wounds of Military Spouses

    FEB 10

    #61 Healing the Unseen Wounds of Military Spouses

    In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Cathy Turner and Jackie Wojtak, co-founders of The Restored Heart Collective, to explore the often-ignored emotional toll carried by spouses of combat veterans. We talk candidly about identity loss, emotional labor, walking on eggshells, and why healing the family—not just the veteran—is critical to real reintegration after war. This episode dives into trauma stored in the body, why “fixing your spouse” doesn’t work, and how community, somatic practices, and honest connection can change everything for military families. Resources & Links The Restored Heart Collective Alone and Unafraid Podcast: Available wherever you listen to podcasts Website: https://aloneandunafraid.org Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O'Kelly Guest Info Cathy Turner and Jackie Wojtak are educators, military spouses, and co-founders of The Restored Heart Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to creating healing retreats and community spaces for spouses of combat veterans. Their work centers on somatic healing, nervous system regulation, and helping women come home to themselves after years of emotional load-bearing. “This work isn’t about fixing your spouse — it’s about coming home to yourself.” “We heal war by healing the family.” “I thought I was protecting him, but I was erasing myself.” “Sometimes you don’t even know you’re in the circus.” “Community without competition is where real healing starts.” If this conversation resonated with you—or reminded you of someone who needs it—share this episode.

    1h 35m
  2. #60 Psilocybin & 5-MeO-DMT — The “Before” Episode: An Anonymous Q&A

    JAN 27

    #60 Psilocybin & 5-MeO-DMT — The “Before” Episode: An Anonymous Q&A

    In this episode, we sit down with a high-functioning professional who has chosen to remain anonymous due to career and personal considerations. This conversation captures an honest, unfiltered snapshot before participating in guided experiences with psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT. Rather than focusing on outcomes, this episode documents mindset, emotional state, identity, stress, anger, purpose, and intention prior to the experience. In a follow-up episode, we will return and ask the exact same questions to explore what—if anything—has changed. What This Episode Explores Baseline mental and emotional state Stress, irritability, and internal pressure Identity, ego, and rigidity of self-beliefs Intentions vs. expectations Parenting, relationships, and meaning What it feels like before the journey begins About the GuestOur guest is an experienced professional navigating significant responsibility in both personal and professional life. All identifying details have been intentionally withheld to preserve anonymity. Important NoteThis conversation is not promotional or prescriptive. It is shared for educational and reflective purposes only. Sponsors: Polestar Coffee Cadence Wealth Partners-Nick O'Kelly

    1h 20m
  3. #59 From Navy SEAL to Psychedelics: Performance at the Edge

    JAN 6

    #59 From Navy SEAL to Psychedelics: Performance at the Edge

    In this episode, Thad talks with Dr. Blaine Lints, a former Navy SEAL, ultra-endurance athlete, and PhD researcher who pushed his body and mind to the edge — and found his way back through psychedelic-assisted therapy. Blaine shares his journey from running 100-mile races at 16 to surviving BUD/S and combat in Mosul, then chasing perfection through pro-level Ironman training and academic performance. Eventually, the same drive that fueled his success nearly broke him — until he discovered Ibogaine and 5 MEO DMT a powerful psychedelic being studied for trauma, anxiety, and brain injury recovery in veterans. This conversation dives deep into performance, burnout, and brain recovery, exploring how psychedelics are reshaping what it means to be “hardwired for the edge.” Resources and Links Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly Alone and Unafraid Podcast Pole Star Coffee The Mission Within – Veteran Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT therapy UT Austin Center for Psychedelic Research & Therapy UT Dallas Center for Brainhealth 👤 Guest Info: Blaine Lints is a former Navy SEAL, ultra-endurance athlete, and PhD researcher in Applied Physiology at the University of South Carolina. His work explores human performance, cognitive resilience, and the potential of psychedelics like Ibogaine to repair the brain and reset the nervous system. 💬 Standout Quotes: “I’d done everything to optimize my body — Ibogaine was the first thing that optimized my mind.” “For warriors, psychedelics aren’t about escape. They’re about coming home.” “Performance at the edge isn’t sustainable — it’s what you learn when you finally step back from it.” If you’re a veteran, service member, first responder, or anyone exploring mindset, performance, and healing — check out Alone and Unafraid wherever you listen to podcasts.Visit aloneandunafraid.org to learn more.

    1h 56m
  4. #58 PsyOps, Perception, and How We’re All Being Manipulated

    12/16/2025

    #58 PsyOps, Perception, and How We’re All Being Manipulated

    In the Season 2 finale of Alone and Unafraid, TMFK! and Hucky Bear reflect on two years of the podcast, surprising growth stats, and then dive deep into how modern information warfare, media narratives, and psychological operations shape what we believe. Using real-world examples like COVID-19, 9/11, Iraq, and current global conflicts, they break down a practical framework for identifying manipulation—and why awareness matters more than ever. Resources and links NCI Scoring system NCI University and Chase Hughes The Why Files The WHO COVID SITREP #51 Sponsors Polestar Coffee Cadence Wealth Partners Standout Quotes “Manipulation doesn’t mean something isn’t real—it means someone benefits from how you’re told about it.” “Fear turns into opportunity faster than people realize.” “The speed of information today makes influence almost effortless.” “Trust—but actually verify.” If you’re into conversations about mindset, media literacy, mental health, and life during and after service—and you’re a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or honestly anyone—check out Alone and Unafraid. You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts and learn more at https://aloneandunafraid.org Call-to-Action

    2h 10m
  5. #57: Green Beret to Rock Bottom — and Back

    12/02/2025

    #57: Green Beret to Rock Bottom — and Back

    TMFK! and Huckybear sit down with Dan McDermott, a Green Beret medic who opens up about the battles that don’t end when the war does. From the chaos of combat and loss to the quiet moments that nearly cost him everything, Dan shares his journey through darkness, survival, and rebuilding a life with purpose. A raw and unfiltered look at what it means to fight your way home.Resources & Links Warriors HeartNick O’Kelly – Silent ValorNeed help: Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then press 1 Mission 22: www.mission22.comSponsors Pole Star CoffeeCadence Wealth Partners

    2h 23m
  6. #56 The Pathway to Ibogaine: What Veterans See on the Other Side

    11/18/2025

    #56 The Pathway to Ibogaine: What Veterans See on the Other Side

    In this powerful pre-journey conversation, TMFK! and Eli Gerhard—both veterans who have been through Ibogaine and 5-MEO-DMT—sit down with fellow veteran Mike Fransiolli as he prepares for his first Ibogaine experience. Together, they walk through the real thoughts, fears, and questions that come up before the medicine, while also sharing what brought them to their own breaking points: depression, emotional shutdown, hidden drinking, compartmentalization, and the “closet door” of stored trauma so many veterans carry. This is the before story—raw, unfiltered, and honest. A look inside the moment when someone decides they’re ready to step into healing and fight for their life again Links: The Mission within Foundation Donald Hoffman Wisdom Dojo Polestar coffee Cadence Wealth Partners -Nick O'Kelly GUEST INFO Eli Gerhard Retired US Army and former member of the 160th SOAR, offroad- motor sport enthusiast, Veteran advocate and board member with The Mission Within. Helps connect warriors to psychedelic-assisted healing after hitting his own breaking point and returning transformed. Mike Fransioli Retired US Army and former 160th SOAR crew chief turned UH-60 maintenance test pilot (MTP). Mike openly shares his pre-journey story for the first time and the moment he decided to seek true healing.

    2h 15m
  7. #55 Stigma: Military Mental Health We Don’t Talk About

    11/04/2025

    #55 Stigma: Military Mental Health We Don’t Talk About

    Former 160th SOAR(A) pilot, Green Beret, and author Nick O’Kelly joins TMFK! and Hucky Bear to talk about his new book, Stigma, and the realities of military mental health we don’t talk about. From the chaos of airborne school to the silence that follows service, this episode explores the culture of toughness, the cost of stigma, and why real leadership starts with vulnerability and a little dark humor. Nick's Book: Stigma Nick's website Nick's youtube Cadence Wealth partners-Nick O'Kelly PoleStar Coffee Nick O’Kelly, Stigma, Stigma book, Military Mental Health, Green Beret,160th SOAR, Special Operations, Veteran Resilience, Breaking Stigma,Alone and Unafraid Podcast, Mental Health Awareness, Veteran Stories, SOAR pilot, Special Forces, Leadership and Vulnerability

    2h 41m
  8. #54 Building Homes for Heroes

    10/21/2025

    #54 Building Homes for Heroes

    In this emotional and powerful episode, TMFK and Tyler Hucky Bear sit down with Kimberly Vesey, Executive Director of Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit that has changed lives since 2006 by gifting mortgage-free, fully accessible homes to wounded veterans and first responders. Kimberly shares her journey from prosecutor to nonprofit leader, inspired by her brother’s devastating injuries in Iraq. Together, they explore how tragedy transformed into purpose — and how Building Homes for Heroes has now built or gifted over 450 homes across 37 states, operating with 96% of every dollar going directly to the mission. The conversation moves from the personal to the powerful — from the realities of traumatic brain injuries and VA struggles, to moments of joy as families walk into their new homes for the first time. Links: Homes for Heroes🏠 Learn How to Support or Donate: https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/donate Homes for Heroes Instagram Homes for Heroes YouTube Homes for Heroes LinkedIn EOD Chocolates UT Dallas Center for BrainHealth CSM Ret. Gretchen Evans Guest Info Kimberly Vesey – Executive Director, Building Homes for HeroesFormer prosecutor turned mission-driven leader, Kimberly has helped grow the organization into a national powerhouse serving injured veterans and first responders through mortgage-free homes, wraparound services, and holistic support.

    1h 31m
See All (62)

Trailer

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Welcome to Alone and Unafraid. Real conversations about life, struggle, and finding purpose on the other side of hard times. If you’re a veteran, first responder, or just someone who’s been through the grind, you’ll feel at home here. We get into transitions, resilience, mindset, and the everyday battles most people don’t talk about. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s light, but it’s always real. Hosted by Thad and Tyler, both veterans of Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment, who bring their own experience from service and life after. New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Embrace

Information

  • Creator
    Thad King and Tyler Huckett
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Thad King and Tyler Huckett
  • Show Website
    Alone and Unafraid