It’s the holiday episode, and this is one of my favorites. It gives me an opportunity to reflect on all the episodes of this year. It’s so much fun spending time looking at where this journey has taken me this year. 2025 has been a transformative year marked by profound growth, unexpected connections, and powerful stories from hammers out there crushing it in veteran and first responder mental health. I had some remarkable guests: from TBI pioneer Dr. Mark Gordon and psychedelic therapy...

Monica Robbins, LMSW, is a social worker and spiritual coach who guides clients in healing from trauma, anxiety, depression, and addiction, using spirituality, mindfulness, and EMDR to help them connect to their true nature and overcome limiting narratives. Monica Robbins, LMSW, began healing from complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) through a spiritual awakening at age 16. This transformative experience sparked her interest in the intersection of spirituality and healing, inspirin...

Lauren Burns, host of the Redeemed Podcast, survived a childhood kidnapping by her Jordanian father, a story dramatized in the 1993 TV movie Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story. She now shares her journey of healing through faith, inspiring others to overcome trauma on her podcast and through public speaking. Social Media: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/laurenbredeemed Lauren Burns endured a harrowing experience at age seven when her Jordanian father abducted her and took her to Jordan, pr...

Jay Kopelman is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel with 21 years of service and two combat tours in Iraq. He endured multiple TBIs and severe PTSD. After participating in a Mission Within retreat involving plant medicine, he overcame his PTSD and became deeply committed to helping others heal from TBI and PTSD. Social Media: The Mission Within: WebsiteFoundation WebsiteInstagramFacebookLinkedIn Jay Kopelman: About.me ProfileSpeaker Booking ProfileInstagramLinkedInJay Kopelman is a retir...

Jeremy, a medically retired Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and PTSD survivor, is the founder of Project Life Spark, a future charity dedicated to funding psychedelic therapy retreats, advocating for their legalization, and supporting research for Canadian veterans and first responders. Social Media: WebsiteInstagramXLinkedInYouTubeJeremy, a spirited former Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer turned PTSD advocate, brings a pilot’s precision and a father’s heart to his mission wi...

Matt Sandoval is the CEO of Free Arts, a nonprofit organization in Arizona that provides trauma-informed expressive arts programs for children, teens, and families who have experienced abuse, neglect, or homelessness. Social Media: WebsiteInstagramFacebookPodcast: Canvas of the HeartMatt's LinkedIn Matt Sandoval is the spirited CEO of Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, where he channels his big heart and creative zest into helping kids heal from trauma through art and mentorship. An A...

Dr. Lanny Snodgrass, a veteran psychiatrist, became the oldest American to join the U.S. Army at 62. His book, The Ageless Call to Serve, challenges age-based military recruitment policies while advocating for psychological resilience and improved veteran mental health support. Contact Information: Book Website: agelesscalltoservebook.com Publisher's Website: https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636244174/the-ageless-call-to-serve/Media Inquiries: jpmark@icloud.com Dr. Lanny L. Sn...

Stuart Grazier is a retired Navy officer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of The Kinetic Man Mastermind, dedicated to helping men, military veterans, and Christian business owners flourish by aligning their lives with their highest purpose through faith, leadership, real estate, and personal growth. Social Media: Storehouse Mastermind - The Kinetic Man Movement: https://youtu.be/d4_E1Eq3W68Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fillingthestorehouseFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/militaryinvestornetwork/...

26 years of law enforcement experience spanning corrections, probation, patrol, narcotics, SWAT, and detective work Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/punk_rock_son/I’m honored to introduce a man cut from the same cloth as Steve Odom—another absolute warrior with an incredible journey. Meet Sonny Gerber, a patrol sergeant on the central coast of California with 26 years of law enforcement experience spanning corrections, probation, patrol, narcotics, SWAT, and detective work. A former in...

Jon Foti is a U.S. Army Veteran and the CEO of Operation Song. Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanfoti01/Operation Song: https://linktr.ee/operationsong I’m honored to introduce an incredible guest who embodies leadership, resilience, and dedication. With over a decade of experience leading teams in government, non-profit, aviation, and military environments, he’s a natural mentor and communicator. Jon is U.S. Army Veteran and former helicopter pilot. Beyond hi...

Shawn Welsh is the Founder and Co-Host of the VET S.O.S. Podcast. Social Media: WebsiteYouTubeLinkedInFacebookXInstagramTikTokPodcast Platforms RSS.comSpotifyAppleShawn is a retired U.S. Army veteran with over twenty years of experience as an intelligence professional. As a senior noncommissioned officer, he was dedicated to taking care of his Soldiers and continues that mission today with VET S.O.S. Shawn holds several advanced degrees including a master’s degree in administrative leadership...

2024 has come and gone, and what an incredible year it has been. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some amazing people and collaborating with truly inspiring individuals. Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited about the opportunities to continue building these connections and growing together. To everyone who has been a part of this journey—whether you’ve listened, subscribed, shared an episode, connected me with a guest, donated, or simply shared something positive you gained from the podcast—I ...

Social Media: New YouTube Channel: Mark L. GordonOn-Line 7-part TBI Lecture Serieswww.MillenniumHealthStore.comLatest Podcast with Montel WilliamsLatest Podcast with Joe Rogan and Andrew Marr (700, 1056, 1589, 438, 574)Quiet Explosions; Healing the Brain – The documentary filmhttp://www.tbimedlegal.com Dr. Mark Gordon has spent over 35 years pioneering the use of natural ingredients to enhance memory, mental energy, cognition, and physical performance—all without the use of banned or restrict...

Dr. Cherylynn Lee is a First Responder Psychologist specializing in Police Psychology. Social Media: Website: https://thecounselingteam.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cherylynn-lee-6a1420120Dr. Lee is a Police Psychologist and a full-time employee of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office, overseeing the Behavioral Sciences Unit (BSU). The BSU houses four mental health co-responder teams, provides Crisis Intervention Training, engages in Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management ...

Dr. Erica Zelfand specializes in integrative mental health and functional medicine. Dr. Zelfand is a ketamine prescriber, facilitator of therapeutic psychedelic experiences, trainer of psychedelic facilitators, acclaimed international speaker, and medical writer. Social Media: Website: https://ericazelfand.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drzelfand/Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DrZelfandYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLf-uE2JAoUVRVoXMy26LCAInstagram: https://www.instag...

Lieutenant Sarko Gergerian is a distinguished member of The Winthrop Public Safety and Health Departments and holds a pivotal role as the outreach, peer support, and health & fitness officer. Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarko-gergerian-818967233/Email: Speakers@LawEnforcementAction.orgEmail: Media@LawEnforcementAction.orgWebsite: http://www.lawenforcementaction.org I'd like to introduce Lt. Sarko Gergerian, an individual deeply committed to reimagining the structure of la...

Dr. Nick Carleton is a Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Regina whose work focuses on supporting first responders and other public safety personnel. Links: Website: http://www.rcmpstudy.ca/ Dr. Carleton works to build evidence-based solutions that can help mitigate the impact of the numbers and varied stressors on the mental health and wellbeing of first responders and other public safety personnel. This episode resonated with me. I appreciated the extensive data pro...

Gina Gratza, MS, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator, and Psychedelic Educator and Researcher. Social Media: Websites: www.ginagratza.com & www.lookingglasscounselingpdx.comInstagram: @gina.gratzaAffiliated Websites: https://www.chrisstauffermd.com/, https://www.innertrek.org/, & https://www.coracenter.org/ Gina is the owner of Looking Glass Counseling, which supports individuals with complex trauma and eating disorders. She also operates...

Rob Sanderson is the Founder and Director of SWEL which provides a positive setting for Veterans and First Responders to decompress, disconnect, and reinvigorate through the sport of surfing. Social Media: Website: https://www.theswel.orgFacebook and Instagram: @theswelmissionSWEL hosts free, all inclusive, weekend-long guided surfing “missions” for deserving first responders and veterans where participants learn how to surf as a new way to decompress, disconnect, and reinvigorate thems...

Steve Odom is the Owner/Operator of Spartan Tactical Solutions, a Former Marine, Former Sergeant, and SWAT Team member for San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office. Social Media: Website: https://www.spartanshooting.com/Instagram: @spartan_steve_odom Steve Odom is owner/operator of Spartan Tactical Solutions firearms training company located in San Luis Obispo. He served four years in the United States Marines as an Infantryman, fireteam leader, and squad leader. He was meritoriously pr...