In this episode of Alone and Unafraid, we welcome back Air Force EOD veteran, author, and coach Benjamin John Lee for a powerful conversation about identity, purpose, failure, and rebuilding yourself after life changes direction. Ben shares the collapse of his ambitious solar nonprofit, his transition into coaching and psychology, and how writing his book Sincerely America became a healing process for himself and others.

We dive into military transition, addiction recovery, shadow work, intuition, ego, leadership, creativity, and why failure may be the most important thing that ever happens to you. This one goes deep.

Sponsors & Partners

This episode is proudly supported by:

• Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly
• PoleStar Coffee

Resources & Links

• Benjamin John Lee Website
• Benjamin John Lee Instagram
• Sincerely America on Amazon
• Warrior Surf Foundation
• Alone and Unafraid

Guest InfoBenjamin John Lee is an Air Force EOD veteran, author, speaker, and coach focused on identity transformation, shadow work, and helping people rebuild purpose after major life transitions. He is the creator of the Reforge Protocol and author of Sincerely America.

Standout Quotes

“Failure is just a necessary component of success.”

“You don’t build character when things are easy.”

“I’m not doing the work for you — I’m helping guide you to the crossroads.”

“The identities that once kept us safe can become the chains that hold us back.”

Call-to-Action

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs it.

If you are into this and you are a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or anyone really, check out our podcast Alone and Unafraid. You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts and check out our website aloneandunafraid.org.

Nick Shumpis shares his journey from Special Operations to life after the military—and the reality many veterans face when the mission ends.

This episode explores two critical themes:

Rebuilding Identity After War

Transitioning out of the military often means losing structure, purpose, and direction. Nick breaks down how jiu-jitsu provides a new mission—restoring discipline, focus, and control. Organizations like the We Defy Foundation are using jiu-jitsu as a tool to help veterans rebuild identity and regain a sense of purpose after service.

The Legacy You Leave Behind

Legacy isn’t just what you choose—it’s also what carries forward if left unaddressed. We talk about how unresolved trauma—whether from war, childhood, or life experiences—can shape behavior, relationships, and the next generation. The conversation focuses on recognizing that and taking action to change the trajectory.

We also dive into leadership, the challenges of transition, and what it takes to move forward with intention.

Resources:

We Defy foundation

Nick Shumpis-Victor Alpha Group

Nick's Instagram

Sponsors:

Polestar coffee

Cadence Wealth Partners-Nick O'Kelly

In this episode, we sit down with former Special Forces Communications Sergeant Garrett Kossick to talk about the reality of life after the military—identity loss, loneliness, and finding purpose again. Garrett shares how writing became his outlet during a dark transition period and why mindset, service, and faith play a critical role in rebuilding a meaningful life.Resources and Links

Garrett’s Substack: TrueNorth173

Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly
Polestar Coffee – Fuel your day with purpose-driven coffee

Guest Info

Garrett Cossack

• Former U.S. Army Special Forces (18 Echo)
• Writer on Substack (TrueNorth173)
• Focused on mindset, masculinity, and veteran transition

Standout Quotes

• “You’re not alone in the struggle—even if it feels like it.”
• “You’re not trying to survive anymore. You’re trying to live.”
• “Life is simple: be a good dude and work hard.”
• “It’s not about me—it’s about the legacy of everyone who made me who I am.”
• “Violence should always be the last option.”

If you are into this and you are a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or anyone really, check out our podcast Alone and Unafraid.

You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts and check out our website:
👉 https://aloneandunafraid.org

We sit down with bestselling author and war journalist Sebastian Junger to unpack why so many veterans struggle after leaving the military—and why it’s not just about trauma. From Tribe to The Great Abandonment, we dive into the loss of human connection, the dangers of modern society, and what purpose, duty, and belonging really mean.

Resources & Links

• Sebastian Junger Website
• Sebastian Junger Substack
• Sebastian's Books: Tribe, War, The Perfect Storm, In My Time of Dying

Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly

Polestar Coffee
Guest Info

Sebastian Junger is a bestselling author, journalist, and filmmaker known for works like In My time of Dying, The Perfect Storm, War, and Tribe. He has reported from conflict zones including West Africa, Afghanistan and Bosnia and co-directed the documentary Restrepo. His work explores human connection, combat psychology, and the deeper meaning behind modern life.

Standout Quotes

• “We’re social primates—take us out of the group, and things go wrong.”
• “Home is missing something—that’s why people miss war.”
• “Love means: stay here.”
• “Humans are not designed for comfort without purpose.”
• “The loss isn’t just to society—it’s to the individual.”

If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs it—especially a veteran or first responder.

If you are into this and you are a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or anyone really, check out our website https://aloneandunafraid.org.

When the mission ends, who are you?

In this episode, former 75th Ranger Regiment NCO and 160th SOAR officer Danny Archer joins us to talk about the hardest part of military transition — losing your tribe, your identity, and your sense of purpose.

We unpack why so many veterans struggle after service, why money doesn’t fix the void, and how Danny unexpectedly found healing through horses.

The Equine Valor Project isn’t group therapy. There are no circles. No forced conversations. No pressure.

Just horses, connection, and a quiet space where veterans can leave their armor at the gate.

If you’ve ever felt obsolete after taking off the uniform, this conversation is for you.

Resources & Links

🌿 Equine Valor Project
https://www.equinevalorproject.com

☕ Polestar Coffee

🏠 Victor Alpha Group Daniel Archer – VA Mortgage Guy

💼 Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O'Kelly

🎙️ Alone and Unafraid – Available wherever you listen to podcasts🌐 https://aloneandunafraid.org

Guest Info: Daniel Archer

• Former 75th Ranger Regiment

• Commissioned Officer & Warrant Officer, 160th SOAR

• Founder of the Equine Valor Project

• Co-founder of Victor Alpha Group (Veteran-led VA Loan Team)

Danny’s focus today: purpose and impact — helping veterans heal emotionally and transition successfully into civilian life.

Standout Quotes

• “Purpose and impact. If you're not in it for the right reasons, I’m out.”

• “You don’t lose your paycheck when you retire. You lose your tribe.”

• “Before you hit rock bottom, raise your hand.”

• “Plugging into a horse is like plugging your soul into a battery charger.”

• “Combat obsolete — that’s the part nobody prepares you for.”

If you are into this and you are a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or anyone really, check out our podcast Alone and Unafraid. You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts and check out our website https://aloneandunafraid.org.

If this episode helped you, share it with a veteran who might need it. Purpose doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.

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.

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 Guest
Our 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

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.