Explore the complex dynamics of corporate culture, mental health, and work-life integration with co-founders Stacey and Jared Haslam of the Kintsugi Institute. Discover why veterans often struggle to transition into corporate environments, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how self-awareness can transform workplace wellness. With insights on boundaries, stress management, and the impact of leadership, this episode unpacks what it truly means to create a healthy work culture.

Links:

Kintsugi Institute

Healing is Golden

Socials: Facebook

Linked In Healing is Golden at The Kintsugi Institute (@healingisgolden) • Instagram photos and videos

In this episode, former Navy SEAL Kevin Gatley delves into the intense journey of rediscovering self-identity after years in Special Operations. Kevin, Thad and Tyler explore the hidden tolls of military life, how labels like "SEAL" can shape and confine identity, and the challenges of returning to a world that sees you only through that lens. This conversation peels back the layers of purpose, ego, and the search for meaning beyond the uniform.

Links • On the Psychology of Military Incompetence

• Center for BrainHealth

• Great Brain Gain

• The BrainHealth Project

• Flow State Endurance Podcast

In this episode, hosts Thad and Tyler dive into the world of mental performance with special guest Kate Allgood, CEO of Quantum Performance Incorporated and author of Get in the Zone, Fortitude and The Athlete Within. Kate, a former top-ranked hockey player turned mental performance coach, shares her insights from working with elite athletes across the NHL, NFL, UFC, and more. Listeners will hear about Kate’s journey from the ice to sports psychology, her innovative approach to building mental toughness, and how athletes, military personnel, and high performers alike can enhance resilience and focus.

Kate breaks down core techniques like meditation, energy management, and the art of responding versus reacting under pressure. If you are looking to level up your mindset, this episode offers practical strategies and exercises to help you reach your full potential.

LINKS

Kate's Website

Kate's Books

Kate's Free Master Class in Confidence

TAIS assessment

Keywords: mental performance, peak performance, athlete mindset, mental toughness, resilience, Kate Allgood, Quantum Performance, high pressure performance, meditation for athletes, sports psychology, mental coaching, energy management

In this episode of Alone and Unafraid, Thad King and Tyler Huckett chat with Adam Magers, a therapist and veteran, about his experiences during the Iraq War, his transition into psychology, and the trauma veterans face. Adam shares intense stories from Sadr City and how his combat experience shaped his approach to therapy. The conversation also addresses the shortcomings of conventional treatments for PTSD and post-military issues, particularly through the VA, highlighting that it's not just PTSD affecting veterans but a range of other psychological factors. Adam argues that medication alone isn't enough and emphasizes the need for more in-depth, personalized approaches to healing. The discussion also explores how many veterans feel their suffering is invalid if it isn't combat-related, and how Adam's book, Odysseus and the Oar, uses Jungian psychology to offer a framework for veterans to transform and heal beyond traditional treatments.

Links

Adam Magers’ Book: Odysseus and the Oar

The Battle Within

Keywords

Veteran trauma, Iraq War, Sadr City, Combat experiences, Jungian psychology, Internal self-talk, Therapy, Healing, Panic attacks, PTSD, Odysseus and the Ore, The Battle Within, Emotional recovery, Military transition, VA issues, Conventional treatment, Ineffective PTSD therapy, Medication overuse, Anxiety, Panic attacks, Complex trauma, Non-combat trauma

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Susan Snow, who shares her deeply personal story of loss, trauma, and healing. As the daughter of an LAPD detective who was tragically killed in the line of duty, Susan discusses how the events of that night in 1985 changed her life forever. She opens up about her struggles with PTSD, navigating therapy, and how societal attitudes towards mental health—particularly for first responders—have evolved over the years.

Susan reflects on her healing process, from dealing with suicidal thoughts and anxiety to discovering the power of journaling, therapy, and tapping techniques. She shares the emotional journey of writing her book, The Other Side of the Gun, where she confronts the past to help others facing similar battles. Together, we explore the importance of mental health awareness, seeking trauma-competent help, and learning to manage post-traumatic stress in ways that allow for true recovery.

Links:

Susan Snow’s Website

Susan Snow’s YouTube

Susan Snow’s Facebook

Keywords:

PTSD recovery, Susan Snow trauma story, mental health for first responders, overcoming PTSD, healing from trauma podcast, mental health awareness for law enforcement, trauma recovery strategies, journaling for mental health, tapping for anxiety, post-traumatic stress therapy techniques, healing journey of Susan Snow, emotional avoidance and healing

In this episode of Alone and Unafraid, we sit down with Brandon Davis, the founder of The Davis Focus Project and a former Black Hawk pilot from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. Brandon shares his journey from the military to becoming a business owner and how overcoming a deep personal struggle led him to create a nonprofit that helps others unlock their full potential. He dives into the psychology of human performance, his experiences with mental health recovery, and the importance of faith and service. This episode is packed with insights on resilience, personal growth, and living with purpose.

Links

Home(thedavisfocusproject.com)

Restore '24(givebutter.com)

Keywords

Resilience, Military Transition, Mental Health Recovery, Human Performance, Special Operations, Black Hawk Pilot, Nonprofit Leadership, Faith and Service, Personal Growth, Veterans Mental Health

In this episode of Alone and Unafraid, Thad sits down with Dr. Michelle Maidenberg, a leading expert on emotional avoidance and anxiety, to discuss her ACE Method—Acceptance, Compassion, and Empowerment. With over 30 years of experience, Michelle explains how emotional avoidance, especially common in military and first responder communities, prevents people from fully engaging with both negative and positive emotions.

They dive into the impact of trauma, both big and small, and how our physiological wiring plays a role in our tendency to avoid discomfort. Michelle also shares personal stories from her family's Holocaust survival and how that shaped her understanding of trauma and healing. She offers practical strategies for breaking through emotional avoidance, stressing the importance of self-compassion and values-based living to foster personal growth and resilience.

Listeners will gain actionable insights on how to confront emotional challenges, build healthier habits, and move toward a more empowered life. This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone seeking to better manage anxiety, trauma, or emotional blocks, making it a must-listen for those looking to improve their mental health and overall well-being.

Links:

Michelle Maidenberg |

Dr.Michelle Maidenberg (@drmichellemaidenberg) • Instagram photos and videos

(19)Dr. Michelle Maidenberg - YouTube

http://twitter.com/DrMaidenberg

Dr.Michelle Maidenberg | Facebook

(3)Michelle Maidenberg, Ph.D., MPH, LCSW-R, CGP | LinkedInCircumventing EmotionalAvoidance | MichelleMaidenberg | TEDxBU (youtube.com)

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Emotional Avoidance

02:59 The Impact of Generational Trauma

05:49 The Nature of Trauma: Big T vs. Little T

09:05 The ACE Method: Acceptance, Compassion, Empowerment

11:56 The Role of Self-Acceptance in Healing

14:51 Compassion: The Key to Self-Worth

18:03 Empowerment: Sustaining Change Through Action

21:14 Practical Tools for Emotional Well-Being

Keywords: emotional avoidance, anxiety, trauma healing, ACE method, Dr. Michelle Maidenberg, mental health, self-compassion, mindfulness, first responders,military mental health, emotional blocks, acceptance, empowerment

In this episode, Thad and Tyler chat with Joey Johnson, an aviation professional with an inspiring and deeply personal story. Joey grew up in rural Louisiana, inspired by his uncle, a crop duster pilot, to pursue a career in aviation. He started flying with American Eagle and eventually became an FAA Designated Examiner and an American Airlines captain. Beyond his remarkable aviation career, Joey is a father and a man of many talents, from beekeeping to playing musical instruments.

However, the most important part of Joey's story is the Ashton Johnson Memorial Cloud Dancer Scholarship, which he founded to honor his middle son, Ashton, who tragically took his own life in October 2021. Joey reflects on the grief he experienced and how the scholarship became his purpose, providing financial support to veterans transitioning into aviation careers by bridging the gap in funding for their private pilot license training.

Links

Ashton JohnsonMemorial CloudDancer ScholarshipAshton Johnson Memorial CloudDancer Scholarship Donations

Veteran To Aviation Charity| Veteran-Run Non-ProfitOrganization | RTAG

Get your tickets for the Black Tie and Boots Gala on October 12th at the River RanchStockyards in Fort Worth, TX

Follow Cloud Dancer Scholarship on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook for updates and opportunities to help

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Grief and Loss

02:42 A Journey Through Aviation

09:51 The Impact of 9/11 on Pilots

16:56 The Struggles of Commuting Pilots

23:03 Mental Health in Aviation

30:44 Ashton's Journey to the Army

39:45 Ashton's Military Experience

52:42 The Impact of Purpose and Loss

01:04:09 Creating the Cloud Dancer Scholarship Foundation

01:18:40 Finding Purpose in Grief

01:30:18 Navigating the Scholarship Process

01:40:44 The Gala and Future Aspirations

Keywords

aviation, mental health, airline pilots, Joey Johnson, Ashton Johnson, Wingman Program, aviation career, challenges, family, military, military transition, mental health, aviation scholarships, veteran support, Ashton Johnson, Suicide awareness, Cloud Dancer Scholarship, community impact, legacy, grief, purpose