The MisFitNation

Richard LaMonica
  • 5.0 (50)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Semiweekly

The MisFitNation Show: Empowering Stories of Resilience and Growth Welcome to The MisFitNation Show, hosted by Rich LaMonica, a proud US Army Veteran. Alongside a fellow Veteran and a prominent business leader, our mission is clear: to inspire and empower you to become a better human being. We spotlight the remarkable stories of Veterans and First Responders, showcasing their journeys of resilience, strength, and triumph over adversity. Each episode features captivating interviews with guests from diverse backgrounds, including authors, entrepreneurs, coaches, motivational speakers, and health & fitness professionals. Listeners will gain valuable insights, life lessons, and actionable advice from those who have faced challenges and achieved success. Whether it's the grit of our Veterans and First Responders or the expertise of thought leaders, The MisFitNation Show is a vibrant community dedicated to personal growth and collective well-being. Join us for an episode or become a regular listener! If you believe your story can inspire others, reach out to us to be a guest on the show. Accolades: 2025 Veteran Podcast of The Year - American Freedom Fund 2022 - Top 40 Over 40 - Podcast Magazine 2021 - Best Society and Culture Podcast - Veteran Podcast Awards Tune in to The MisFitNation Show, your ultimate platform for inspiration, motivation, and transformation. Discover stories that uplift and empower—because every voice matters! https://linktr.ee/themisfitnation

  1. 15h ago

    His Parachute Failed. Then He Spent 4 Years Without VA Benefits | Cory Gold

    U.S. Army veteran Cory Gold thought his military career was just beginning. Then a parachute malfunction during Airborne School changed everything. The hard landing left Cory with a broken back, traumatic brain injury, and a future that looked nothing like the one he had planned. His time in the Army ended quickly, but the physical and psychological aftermath followed him home. What Cory didn’t know was that help was available. For nearly four years after leaving the military, he lived with pain, instability, and untreated challenges without realizing he could access VA disability benefits and other veteran resources. It wasn’t until another veteran he met at a dog park told him about the VA that Cory began the process of getting the support he had earned through his service. That moment changed his life. In this episode of The MisFitNation Show, host and U.S. Army veteran Rich LaMonica sits down with Cory to talk about his military experience, the parachute accident that ended his Army career, the long road to understanding his VA benefits, and the mission that grew out of everything he endured. Today, Cory is the founder of Worth Their Weight, an organization focused on connecting veterans with the programs, services, and accredited support that fit their needs—at no cost to the veteran. The conversation also explores why so many veterans never file for benefits, why some feel they don’t “deserve” support, the dangers of paying unnecessary fees for claims assistance, and why organizations may need to stop waiting for struggling veterans to walk through the door and ask for help. Cory also shares what it took to build a nonprofit from the ground up, how Worth Their Weight reaches unsheltered and underserved veterans, and why something as simple as transportation, a phone, or one trusted connection can completely change someone’s path. This episode covers: • Surviving a parachute malfunction during Airborne School • Living with a broken back and traumatic brain injury • Spending four years without knowing VA benefits were available • Navigating VA disability claims and ratings • Why intent-to-file timing matters • The role of VSOs and accredited veteran representatives • Avoiding unnecessary fees and predatory claims services • Supporting homeless and unsheltered veterans • Post-service identity and purpose • Family support, mental health, and recovery • Building Worth Their Weight • Connecting veterans with the right resources • Why veterans should never assume they have to figure everything out alone Cory’s story is about more than a failed parachute. It’s about what happens when a veteran survives the injury—but doesn’t know where to turn afterward. Learn more about Worth Their Weight: https://worththeirweight.org/ Explore more episodes from The MisFitNation: http://www.themisfitnation.com If this episode resonates with you, share it with a veteran, military family, or someone who may not know what resources are available to them. Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Keep Hustling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 5d ago

    A New Heart, 20 Years Sober, and a Marriage Worth Fighting For | Gaylen Wilson

    What do you do with the years you were never promised? For Gaylen Wilson, that question became very real. After a lifetime of reinvention—from farmer to stockbroker, computer consultant, entrepreneur, and beyond—Gaylen faced battles that would reshape everything he thought he knew about survival, identity, and purpose. He battled alcoholism and ultimately built more than 20 years of sobriety. Then, years later, a virus damaged his heart and began a three-and-a-half-year decline into severe heart failure. Eventually, the reality became unavoidable: without a heart transplant, he was going to die. Gaylen and his wife, Heather, had already begun preparing for the possibility that their time together was running out. Then the call came. A donor heart was available. The next morning, Gaylen received a new heart—and with it, a second chance at life. But survival created a new question: What do you do with the years you were never guaranteed? In this episode of The ToosDay Crüe, Gaylen joins the crew for a deeply personal conversation about sobriety, heart transplantation, masculinity, marriage, emotional safety, intimacy, erectile dysfunction, conflict, second chances, and the power of intentionally rebuilding your life. Gaylen shares how his own experiences eventually led him and Heather to become Certified Thriving Relationship Coaches and create The Monument Method—an approach centered on protecting the relationship instead of protecting the ego. He explains why so many arguments are really about threats to emotional connection, how fight-or-flight can take over a relationship, and why couples can do lasting damage when they focus on winning the argument instead of protecting the bond. You’ll also hear Gaylen break down the idea of using a shared “sacred word” to interrupt escalating conflict, turn toward each other, restore emotional safety, and prevent small disagreements from becoming deeper wounds. The conversation also goes into a subject many couples struggle to discuss openly: erectile dysfunction and intimacy. After years of working with men and women dealing with ED, Gaylen saw how quickly physical challenges can create shame, fear, emotional withdrawal, loss of affection, and mistrust inside a relationship. He explains why rebuilding intimacy often begins with emotional safety—not performance. Gaylen also shares what more than two decades of sobriety taught him about recovery, why purpose matters as we get older, and why he believes your later years do not have to be a slow fade into the background. Sometimes the third act becomes the most meaningful part of the story. In this episode: • Surviving alcoholism and maintaining more than 20 years of sobriety • Living through severe heart failure and receiving a heart transplant • Reinventing yourself after failure, addiction, loss, and major life changes • Why emotional safety matters in marriage • How fight-or-flight affects communication and conflict • Why “winning” an argument can still damage the relationship • The philosophy behind The Monument Method • Using a sacred word to interrupt destructive conflict • Rebuilding intimacy in long-term relationships • Erectile dysfunction, shame, connection, and communication • Becoming your partner’s refuge instead of another source of stress • Finding purpose after 50, 60, and beyond • Building a meaningful life with the years you still have Gaylen’s story is ultimately about more than getting a second chance. It is about deciding what to do with it. Learn more about Gaylen Wilson and The Monument Method Institute: https://www.monumentmethodinstitute.com/ Learn more about The MisFitNation and The ToosDay Crüe: https://www.themisfitnation.com If this episode connects with you, follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. Be humble. Stay hungry. Keep hustling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Oct 6

    The Untold Stories of Female Veterans with Susan L. Combs

    What happens after the uniform comes off? For many female Veterans, the answer is far more complicated than most civilians ever realize. In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, Susan L. Combs returns to share the story behind her new book, Wonder Women: The Untold Stories of Female Veterans—a collection built around the real voices and lived experiences of women who served across generations, branches, and missions. Susan opens up about why she created the project, what surprised her most during the interviews, and why it was essential that each Veteran retain ownership of her story. The result is an honest look at military service that goes far beyond deployments and duty stations. You’ll hear about women navigating boot camp, combat environments, military leadership, motherhood, family separation, racism, trauma, identity, coming home, and the search for purpose after service. The book also explores what resilience really looks like when service ends and the difficult work of rebuilding and healing begins. One of the most striking themes is how often female Veterans move through civilian life without people ever realizing they served. These women may not always wear their Veteran status outwardly, but their experiences continue to shape the way they lead, serve, connect, and persevere. Susan also shares the lasting influence of her father, Major General Roger E. Combs, and how his legacy continues through Pancakes for Roger, the nonprofit that grew from a simple request for pancakes into a mission supporting Veterans and their families. This conversation is about more than military service. It is about being seen. Being heard. Knowing when to push forward, when to heal, and when to finally tell the story you have carried for years. If you have ever served, loved someone who served, raised a military family, or wondered what Veterans carry with them long after they come home, this is an episode worth hearing—and sharing. Listen now, follow The MisFitNation, and come back each week for conversations with Veterans, leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, first responders, and people who turned adversity into purpose. Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Keep Hustling. Learn more about Susan L. Combs and Wonder Women: PancakesForRoger.org Explore The MisFitNation: TheMisFitNation.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Oct 1

    She Never Knew She Had a Twin - Until Everything Started Making Sense | Laurie Kirk

    What if a feeling of loneliness had followed you your entire life—but you never knew where it came from? In this unforgettable episode of The MisFitNation, Rich LaMonica sits down with Laurie Kirk, author, screenwriter, actor, neurodivergent creative, and womb twin survivor, for a deeply personal conversation about loss, identity, grief, mediumship, creativity, and the unexplained. Laurie shares how her life changed after discovering that she had lost a twin brother in the womb—someone she says she had been grieving without consciously knowing he ever existed. That discovery helped her make sense of a lifetime of isolation, sensitivity, and the feeling that something was missing. She also opens up about her experiences with mediumship, her belief that she connected with her deceased twin brother Kyle, and how those experiences reshaped the way she views grief, family, trauma, and spiritual connection. But this conversation goes far beyond the paranormal. Laurie explains how neurodivergence, childhood loss, abandonment, and feeling like an outsider became fuel for her creativity. Her obsession with twins, duality, fractured identity, and complicated family relationships now runs through her work as a screenwriter and novelist. That includes her psychological horror novel Baby Marvin, based on her screenplay This Is What Happened to Baby Marvin. Laurie reveals how, only after completing the story, she realized that Marvin’s journey through loneliness, identity, and discovering another version of himself reflected much more of her own story than she initially understood. This episode explores: What it means to be a womb twin survivor Grieving someone you never consciously knew Mediumship and connection with deceased loved ones Childhood abandonment and lifelong loneliness Neurodivergence and creative hyperfocus Why outsiders often become powerful storytellers Twins, doppelgängers, duality, and identity Turning trauma into comedy, horror, and art The inspiration behind Baby Marvin Why understanding your past can change the way you live your future Laurie also delivers a powerful message for anyone who has ever felt different: the very experiences that made you feel like an outsider may be the same experiences that give you something meaningful to create, share, and contribute. If you’re drawn to conversations about grief, spirituality, trauma, twin loss, mediumship, neurodivergence, creativity, psychological horror, resilience, or finding purpose through adversity, this is an episode you’ll want to hear all the way through. Connect with Laurie Kirk: TheLaurieKirk.com Discover more from The MisFitNation: TheMisFitNation.com The MisFitNation — Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Keep Hustling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Sep 30

    What a Former VA Rating Specialist Wants Veterans to Know | Dewayne Kimble

    What happens after a VA disability claim lands on a rating specialist’s desk? For The MisFitNation’s 700th episode, Jake and Stephen welcome U.S. Army veteran and retired VA Rating Specialist Dewayne Kimble to The Toosday Crüe. Dewayne takes listeners inside the claims process: how a rater reviews service records and medical evidence, what a C&P exam needs to address, and why a veteran’s lay statement can matter. He explains the mistakes he sees with oversized evidence submissions and unnecessary nexus letters, then shares what to check in a rating decision—even when the claim is approved. The conversation covers BDD claims for transitioning service members, buddy statements, MOS-related evidence, appeals, and presumptive conditions. Dewayne also tells the story of rescuing two children from a house fire in Germany, an act that earned him the Soldier’s Medal and changed how he approached his Army service. Whether you are preparing your first claim, reviewing a decision, or helping another veteran, Dewayne’s message is clear: “Don’t Be Frustrated – Get Educated.” Explore Dewayne’s educational resources at kmd89.com, learn about his speaking work at dewaynekimble.com, and connect with The MisFitNation at themisfitnation.com. Dewayne provides claims education and does not serve as an accredited claims representative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Sep 29

    From Pastor to FBI SWAT: Eric Robinson’s 24 Years Inside the Bureau

    What happens when a Baptist pastor trades the pulpit for Quantico—and eventually becomes a 15-year FBI SWAT operator? On this episode of TheMisFitNation, former FBI Special Agent Eric Robinson joins Jake and Stephen for a wide-ranging conversation about his extraordinary journey from Christian ministry to 24 years inside the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Eric spent 12 years in ministry before entering the FBI, where he went on to work cases involving white-collar crime, public corruption, gangs, drugs, crimes against children, counterterrorism, national security, human intelligence, and more. He also served 15 years as an FBI SWAT operator, along with roles as a firearms instructor and tactical instructor. This is not the Hollywood version of the FBI. Eric breaks down what federal investigations and tactical operations actually look like, how SWAT teams prepare for dangerous arrests, why planning and overwhelming presence can sometimes prevent violence, and what civilians often misunderstand about how tactical teams decide when and how to engage. He also takes us inside the human side of federal law enforcement. Eric explains how his years as a pastor became one of his most valuable tools as an FBI agent. The ability to listen, build trust, withhold judgment, communicate under pressure, and understand what motivates people helped him interview suspects, work with victims, recruit confidential informants, and navigate some of the most difficult conversations imaginable. The crew also gets into: How FBI agents recruit and develop confidential informants What actually happens during federal interrogations Why yelling and table-slamming are often ineffective How agents prepare for long-term criminal investigations The difference between FBI arrests and local law enforcement encounters What FBI SWAT operators do before entering a dangerous situation How counterterrorism investigations are built What happens when suspects refuse to cooperate The reality of multi-agency investigations How Behavioral Analysis is actually used inside the FBI What shows like Criminal Minds and other FBI dramas get right—and very wrong The strange, disturbing, and unforgettable cases agents encounter that never make television How decades of investigating people from every walk of life changed Eric’s understanding of human behavior Eric also shares stories from counterterrorism cases, gang investigations, threats against public officials, undercover operations, informants, SWAT callouts, and some truly unbelievable moments from his career. Through it all, one theme keeps coming back: no matter how advanced the technology, how powerful the tactical equipment, or how large the investigation becomes, law enforcement eventually comes down to one person trying to understand another. Eric is now turning those experiences into stories through his upcoming book and speaking work. Connect with Eric Robinson: https://preachertobreacher.com/ Connect with TheMisFitNation: https://www.themisfitnation.com If you enjoy unfiltered conversations with veterans, first responders, law enforcement professionals, investigators, leaders, survivors, and people who have lived extraordinary stories, follow TheMisFitNation and share this episode with someone who loves real stories from behind the badge. Topics: FBI, FBI SWAT, FBI Special Agent, federal law enforcement, counterterrorism, confidential informants, interrogations, criminal investigations, Quantico, tactical operations, Behavioral Analysis Unit, undercover investigations, true crime, gangs, terrorism investigations, human behavior, faith, ministry, law enforcement leadership, and real FBI stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Sep 24

    What If YOUR Child Was Drafted? Claudia Hinz on War, Veterans & SAFEKEEPING

    What would happen if war stopped being something happening somewhere else—and suddenly came directly to your family? In this powerful episode of The MisFitNation, Rich LaMonica sits down with author and former television reporter Claudia Hinz, whose debut novel SAFEKEEPING imagines a near-future America where the military draft has returned. Set in 2027, SAFEKEEPING follows Tenley Ward, a wealthy Dallas mother whose 19-year-old son receives a low draft lottery number and is suddenly facing military service. Desperate to protect him, Tenley launches MOMS — Mothers Opposing More Senselessness, an anti-draft movement that grows from one mother's fear into a national force. As the movement gains momentum, the consequences reach deep into her marriage, family, identity, and relationship with Leland “Privately” Marks, a young Marine veteran carrying the emotional weight of combat. But this conversation goes far beyond the pages of a novel. Claudia and Rich explore the uncomfortable questions that surface when patriotism, protest, service, privilege, motherhood, and war collide. Can someone passionately support veterans while opposing the war they were sent to fight? Would Americans think differently about military conflict if their own sons and daughters could be drafted? And after service members come home, are we truly prepared to understand what they experienced—or do we too often reduce their stories to “thank you for your service” and move on? Claudia shares how her fascination with these questions began in childhood, when her father hosted Vietnam veterans and POW/MIA families in their home. She remembers listening to their conversations and recognizing, even as a child, that some families bore an enormous burden while others remained largely untouched by war. Later, as a television reporter, she covered military stories from bases in California, Texas, and Washington. One image would eventually become a major creative spark for SAFEKEEPING: graffiti photographed at a Marine base in Ramadi declaring that while America continued with everyday life, Marines were the ones actually at war. In the interview, Claudia explains how that idea forced her to confront the divide between the people who serve and the much larger civilian population that can often remain distant from the consequences of conflict. Rich brings his own combat-veteran perspective into the conversation as they discuss the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the treatment of Vietnam veterans, military families, reintegration after service, mental health, VA care, loss of purpose after leaving the military, and the responsibility Americans have to distinguish between the people sent to war and the political decisions that put them there. This episode asks listeners to wrestle with some difficult questions: Would a military draft bring Americans closer to understanding the true cost of war? Can protest itself be an expression of patriotism? How should civilians start more meaningful conversations with veterans? What happens when someone leaves a highly purpose-driven military life and suddenly has to build an entirely new identity? And perhaps the biggest question of all: What would you do if the draft notice had your child's name on it? SAFEKEEPING explores motherhood, activism, grief, privilege, desire, patriotism, veteran experience, the civilian-military divide, and the ripple effects of war far beyond the battlefield. Claudia's press materials describe the novel as a story designed to provoke conversations about who bears the burden of conflict and how families and communities are changed by it. Connect with Claudia Hinz Website: www.claudiahinz.net Instagram: @claudiahinzauthor Connect with The MisFitNation Visit www.themisfitnation.com for more conversations with veterans, first responders, authors, leaders, advocates, and people sharing stories that challenge the way we see the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Sep 22

    6 Years Beneath the Surface: Navy Submariner Rob Robertson on Resilience, Purpose & Life After Service

    What happens when the mission that defined your life suddenly ends? US Navy veteran, submariner, martial artist, and author Rob Robertson joins The Toosday Crüe for a powerful conversation about six years aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Louisville, the pressure of earning his submarine dolphins, and the lessons that came from serving in an environment where trust, discipline, teamwork, and accountability were not optional. Rob takes The MisFitNation beneath the surface and into a world most civilians will never experience. He shares what daily life aboard a nuclear attack submarine was really like, including long stretches without sunlight, demanding qualification standards, sonar operations, cramped living conditions, intense watch schedules, and the constant understanding that even a small mistake could become a serious problem. But this conversation goes far beyond submarine life. After leaving the Navy, Rob faced an entirely different mission: adapting to civilian life while dealing with service-connected injuries, chronic pain, struggles with the VA system, and the challenge many veterans face when the structure, purpose, and identity of military service suddenly disappear. Rob explains why he believes veterans are often wired to be mission-focused—and why losing that mission without finding a new outlet can become dangerous. He also shares the mindset that helped him continue moving forward: pursuing three college degrees, earning three black belts, building a career in management and security, teaching martial arts, and continuing to learn even through adversity. In this episode, Rob and The Toosday Crüe discuss: • What it really takes to earn submarine dolphins • Why trust between submariners can literally be life-or-death • Staying mentally focused in high-pressure environments • Life aboard a nuclear-powered attack submarine • What sonar operators actually hear beneath the ocean • Leadership, accountability, and attention to detail • Why the Navy taught Rob how to truly study and prepare • The transition from military service to civilian life • Finding purpose after losing the structure of the military • Service-connected injuries and navigating the VA • Why veterans need community, connection, and a new mission • Martial arts, resilience, discipline, and continuing to move forward • Why failure does not mean the journey is over Rob also discusses the story behind his book: A Submariner’s Tale: After the Dolphins: The Cost of Carrying On The book explores his journey from becoming a submariner to navigating the physical, emotional, and personal challenges that followed his military service. It is ultimately a story about endurance, identity, adaptation, and learning how to keep moving forward when life changes the mission. 📚 Find Rob Robertson’s book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0hOgJbXc One of the most important themes of this conversation is simple: You may not be able to control every situation you face—but you can control how you respond, what you learn, and whether you continue moving forward. For veterans, military families, leaders, first responders, and anyone rebuilding their sense of purpose after a major life transition, this is an episode worth hearing. If this conversation resonates with you, share it with someone who may need to hear it. And remember: check on your people. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988. Veterans can press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. Welcome to another conversation from The MisFitNation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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5
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

The MisFitNation Show: Empowering Stories of Resilience and Growth Welcome to The MisFitNation Show, hosted by Rich LaMonica, a proud US Army Veteran. Alongside a fellow Veteran and a prominent business leader, our mission is clear: to inspire and empower you to become a better human being. We spotlight the remarkable stories of Veterans and First Responders, showcasing their journeys of resilience, strength, and triumph over adversity. Each episode features captivating interviews with guests from diverse backgrounds, including authors, entrepreneurs, coaches, motivational speakers, and health & fitness professionals. Listeners will gain valuable insights, life lessons, and actionable advice from those who have faced challenges and achieved success. Whether it's the grit of our Veterans and First Responders or the expertise of thought leaders, The MisFitNation Show is a vibrant community dedicated to personal growth and collective well-being. Join us for an episode or become a regular listener! If you believe your story can inspire others, reach out to us to be a guest on the show. Accolades: 2025 Veteran Podcast of The Year - American Freedom Fund 2022 - Top 40 Over 40 - Podcast Magazine 2021 - Best Society and Culture Podcast - Veteran Podcast Awards Tune in to The MisFitNation Show, your ultimate platform for inspiration, motivation, and transformation. Discover stories that uplift and empower—because every voice matters! https://linktr.ee/themisfitnation

Information

  • Creator
    Richard LaMonica
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    696
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Richard LaMonica
  • Show Website
    The MisFitNation