Vetted the Podcast Nic Sanchez

In episode 7, we meet Kory Knowles, who’s worn many hats over the course of the past few decades. From Navy SEAL to BUDs instructor to recruiter to NSW contractor, Kory speaks about the hardest parts of his own transition story, including the abrupt lack of community & accountability, feeling isolated, learning how to navigate a structure-less environment, and being thrust into an unfamiliar world where camaraderie and loyalty were absent. Kory talks about feeling completely void of emoti...

Today we have a fascinating conversation with ArmySpecial Forces Green Beret (turned wildlife-conservationist) Kevin Garrad. Kevin speaks about his experiences joining the US Army on a green card after September 11, deploying to war at just eighteen, serving eighteen years in the military, and his personal struggles with being medically retired, including suicidal thoughts, drug addiction, wanting to crash his motorcycle, and lacking any sense of purpose. Kevin shares the radical & remark...

In episode 5, we meet Navy SEAL Chief Kevin Stark, who talks about the experience of joining the military straight out of high school, his time in the SEAL teams, and the personal fulfillment he felt in his time as a BUD/s instructor. Kev talks about the importance of carrying the “core you” & maintaining rituals throughout transition, the crushing self-doubt that can show up in the absence of a uniform, and feeling just plain “different” as a civilian. He touches upon how finding multipl...

Join us for episode 4, where U.S. Coast Guard Captain John “KZ” Kondratowicz shares about his impressive 36 year military career and the challenging transition that ensued. We’ll hear his “A for effort”thoughts on the military transition program, the stressors that accompanied his transition, the gift of getting to spend quality time with his family, the challenges of establishing trust in the civilian world, and the importance of relying on mentors. And as an added bonus, he shares his “7-3-...

In episode 3 we talk transition with Kyle Goodman, an 11-year Navy SEAL veteran, about biting off more than he could chew immediately after transition, unexplained anger & hopelessness, lack of mission & purpose, and battling overwhelming feelings of loneliness. Kyle shares how he found comfort, familiarity & community in a local boxing gym and restored hope through planning & executing a trip alone. As a medic, he also speaks to the intense physiological effects of tran...

In episode 2, Host Nic Sanchez has a candid conversation with Air Force veteran Rob Sanders. Join Rob and Nic as they talk injury, reduction of force, and how anxiety presented itself during Rob's transition. As their conversation comes to a close, we will hear from Elena, our "In House" therapist who will weigh in on how we can recognize the onset of anxiety, and provide insightful tips on how to combat panic attacks!