Best Global SOF Foundation Podcasts (2025)

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S6 E10 - Xavier Scruggs - Control What You Can Control 53:49

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21d ago53:49

53:49

What do the locker room and the team room have in common? A lot more than you’d think. In this episode, SOFcast host Matt Parrish sits down with Xavier Scruggs — former Major League Baseball player, ESPN and MLB Network analyst, and all-around grinder — to unpack the parallels between elite athletics and elite military service. From the grind of th…

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S6 E9 - Jim O'Brien - Leadership, Legacy & the Global Brotherhood of SOF 1:05:48

28d ago1:05:48

1:05:48

From dreaming of being a commando at eight years old to commanding the Special Forces Qualification Course, Colonel (Ret.) Jim O’Brien’s career is a blueprint for service, humility, and transformational leadership. In this episode, Jim sits down with SOFcast to unpack a lifetime in Special Forces — from chasing insurgents in the Balkans to shaping …

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S6 E8 - John Dailey — Forging the Foundation of MARSOC 1:04:33

1M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

🎙️ Before there was MARSOC, there was Det One — a hand-picked Marine unit tasked with proving that the Corps could integrate into U.S. Special Operations Command. And at the center of that mission was Force Recon Marine and plank holder John Dailey. In this episode, John joins SOFcast to talk about his journey from rural Virginia to becoming a team…

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S6 E7 - Michael Rodriguez — Service With & Without a Uniform 1:16:23

1M ago1:16:23

1:16:23

🎙️ Green Beret veteran, father, artist, and advocate — Michael “Rod” Rodriguez has lived a life marked by deep service, both in and out of uniform. In this powerful episode of SOFcast, Rod shares his journey from multiple combat deployments to post-9/11 healing, and how his own traumatic brain injury and his son's military service redefined his mis…

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SOFcast Brief | The OA-1K Skyraider II: AFSOC’s Newest Weaponized Workhorse 37:31

2M ago37:31

37:31

🎧 In this SOFcast Brief, host Matt Parrish sits down with Maj. John Bendokas from Air Force Special Operations Command to break down the newest addition to the AFSOC arsenal — the OA-1K Skyraider II. Born from hard-earned lessons in places like Tongo Tongo and designed to support geographically isolated SOF teams, the OA-1K is a modular, cost-effec…

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SOFcast S6 E6: Angel Cortes — From the Streets to the Regiment 1:12:28

2M ago1:12:28

1:12:28

🎙️ From a childhood of poverty and violence in Los Angeles to the ranks of the 75th Ranger Regiment, Angel Cortes’ story is one of grit, growth, and relentless purpose. In this raw and moving conversation, Angel shares how he escaped gang life, found a new mission in the Army, and eventually became a leader in the Ranger Regiment — even after setba…

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SOFcast Special Episode: “Moments That Matter” — Medal of Honor Panel at SOF Week 2025 1:01:58

2M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

🎙️ In this extraordinary SOFcast episode, we step away from the studio and onto the stage of SOF Week 2025, a premier joint conference co-hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Global SOF Foundation. Recorded live in Tampa, this powerful panel titled “Moments That Matter” features three living SOF recipients of the Congressiona…

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S6 E5 - Rob Zackery — Calling the Fight, Building the Team 1:07:44

2M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

🎙️ From calling in airstrikes with Green Berets and Rangers to leading Airmen across the globe, Rob Zackery’s career as an Air Force TACP is one of purpose, adaptability, and impact. In this episode, Rob shares what it takes to step into any team room and earn trust — not by rank or reputation, but by performance. He reflects on his early combat de…

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S6 E4 - Jariko Denman - Standards, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Regiment 1:17:15

3M ago1:17:15

1:17:15

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 4: Jariko Denman — Standards, Legacy, and Life Beyond the Regiment 🎙️ From being “the demon cadre” at RIP to advising Hollywood directors and embedded reporting in Kabul, Ranger veteran Jariko Denman brings unapologetic honesty and hard-won wisdom to SOFcast. In this wide-ranging episode, Jariko shares what made him choo…

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S6 E3 - Nick Lavery - Choosing to Fight Forward 1:05:16

3M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 3: Nick Lavery — Choosing to Fight Forward 🎙️ Few stories embody the spirit of SOF like Nick Lavery’s. The first Green Beret to return to combat as an above-the-knee amputee, Nick shares his incredible journey of resilience, mindset, and service — and how his fight didn’t end with recovery. Now an author, speaker, and me…

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S6 E2 - Melissa Johnson - Accelerating Innovation for SOF 56:11

3M ago56:11

56:11

SOFcast | Season 6, Episode 2: Melissa Johnson — Accelerating Innovation for SOF 🎙️ How do you rapidly deliver cutting-edge gear and tech to the world’s most agile warriors? USSOCOM Acquisition Executive Melissa Johnson joins SOFcast to pull back the curtain on how her team connects the team room to the tech world — fielding solutions faster, smart…

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Season 6 Premier - GEN Bryan Fenton & CSM Shane Shorter - USSOCOM Command Team 1:27:34

3M ago1:27:34

1:27:34

SOFcast | Season 6 Premiere: GEN Bryan Fenton & CSM Shane Shorter 🎙️ SOF is purpose-built for exactly what our Nation demands: unmatched agility, readiness, and lethality — fueled by our people. In this powerful season opener, GEN Bryan Fenton and CSM Shane Shorter reflect on leading U.S. Special Operations Command, the relentless pursuit of excell…

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SOF & Leadership with ADM (Ret) McRaven 46:02

1+ y ago46:02

46:02

We are honored to feature ADM (Ret) William H. McRaven in SOFspot Episode #70. He pulls from his legendary SOF career to share his views of leadership, the future of SOF, and the importance of international partnerships. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the greats! ADM (Ret) William H. McRaven's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/W…

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S5 E9 MSgt Jarad Stout - Retired Marine Raider and Silver Star recipient 1:17:41

1+ y ago1:17:41

1:17:41

On this episode of SOFcast, we talk to retired Marine Raider Master Sgt. Jarad Stout. In previous episodes we've interviewed the recipients of many different valor awards, but today’s guest earned the Silver Star in an unexpected and little known location, Bamako, Mali. Jarad describes the details from that harrowing day, but that is only part of h…

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What We've Been Up To 46:23

2y ago46:23

46:23

The Global SOF Team is BACK in your pod-feed! After a year-long hiatus from SOFspot, we're returning with all new episodes. A lot has happened for Global SOF since Summer '22, so Stu, Meaghan, Chelsea, and Jenn got together to discuss just what HAS happened over the course of the past year. From SOF Week to growing the team to policy education, we …

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More Reality Than Fiction 35:12

2y ago35:12

35:12

Chelsea sat down with Colonel (R) Jeffrey H. Fischer, a successful author of thrillers and an experienced journalist in international security with a 30-year military career. His service includes seven combat tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans, and he's taken inspiration and experiences from those deployments for his Curt Nover military fi…

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S5 E8 CSM JoAnn Naumann and CSM Thomas Baird 53:20

2y ago53:20

53:20

On this episode of SOFcast two senior leaders get personal, about their relationship and their careers. Command Sgt. Major JoAnn Naumann, U.S. Army Special Operations Command CSM, and her husband Command Sgt. Major Thomas “T.J.” Baird, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Senior Enlisted Leader, who have more than 50 years in combined military s…

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S5 E7 Hon. Christopher Maier, ASD SO/LIC 51:44

2y ago51:44

51:44

The Honorable Christopher P. Maier, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, joined SOFcast during SOF Week 2023 in Tampa, Florida. He discussed his role in advocating for the care of our people, the 1st SOF Truth, and how he works with the USSOCOM Preservation of the Force and Family team. Maier also di…

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S5 E6 CSM Matthew Williams and the Medal of Honor 59:08

2y ago59:08

59:08

Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Williams shares details about the fateful day he earned the Medal of Honor. He also discusses talking with the President of the United States over the phone in his truck, and what it's like continuing to serve while holding the military's highest award. All that and more on this episode of SOFcast!…

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S5 E5 CSM Robert Abernethy - Senior Enlisted Leader, US European Command 53:24

2y ago53:24

53:24

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Abernethy is the Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. European Command. In this episode CSM Abernethy talks about his career in Special Forces, valuable take-aways from working at the highest levels, and advice to those in the force to remain ready and vigilant. All that and more on this episode of SOFcast!…

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S5 E4 Chef Robert Irvine 54:44

2y ago54:44

54:44

British Royal Navy veteran and world-class chef Robert Irvine joins SOFcast to talk food, military service, and the lessons in service and leadership he's learned during his entrepreneurial journey. Chef Irvine tells is an inspirational story about transition from the military to success in the civilian business world, where he now owns a billion-d…

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S5 E3 1SG Jason Belford - A Ranger's journey to the brink of suicide and back 1:00:04

2y ago1:00:04

1:00:04

1SG Jason Belford is an accomplished combat veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment and respected a military leader. On this episode 1SG Belford opens up about not only his career coming up through the Ranger Regiment but also his personal struggles with suicide, the decision to change his career path for his family, and what he's learned through his p…

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S5 E2 Dr. Brittany Loney - Elite Cognition and Human Optimization 55:42

2y ago55:42

55:42

Operator Drift is real and can have negative effects on servicemembers, their families, and careers. Dr. Brittany Loney brings decades of research and real world experience to this discussion on helping increase operator efficiency, cognitive capability, and overall performance. All that and more on this episode of SOFcast!…

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New Season, New Hosts, Same Awesome Guests and Stories! 10:15

2+ y ago10:15

10:15

MGySgt Chance Stanley and retired Air Commando Mike Lundstrom introduce themselves and discuss the highlights of this upcoming season of SOFcast and the challenge and opportunities of hosting one of the DoD's top podcasts. Subscribe and listen now, also available on YouTube.By USSOCOM

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S4 E13 GEN Bryan P. Fenton - USSOCOM Commander 1:22:26

2+ y ago1:22:26

1:22:26

The 13th Commander of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) U.S. Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton discusses the journey that brought him to Special Operations, USSOCOM’s priorities, People – Win – Transform, and his steadfast belief that USOCOM can achieve any mission "because of the people". Don't miss this season’s finale! Subscribe and listen now, al…

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S4 E12 USSOCOM Ghost Acquisitions officers Lt. Col. Chris Michele and Cpt. Ricky Garcia 33:03

2+ y ago33:03

33:03

SOFcat host SGM Matt Parrish talks with Lt. Col. Chris Michele and Cpt. Ricky Garcia about the USSOCOM Ghost Program, a unique iniative under Special Operations Force's Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L) that bridges the gap between SOF operators and the acquistion power they need to accomplish their missions.…

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S4 E10 SFC Jason Howell - Special Forces, Ultra Marathons, and climbing Mt. Everest 1:17:22

2+ y ago1:17:22

1:17:22

Climbing Mt. Everest wasn't enough for Special Forces SFC Jason Howell. He set out to do it without using any supplemental oxygen! From becoming a Marine to donning a Green Beret, running Ultra Marathons, and becoming a Special Forces mountaineering instructor, tackling the toughest things in life is just part of SFC Howell's ethos. Find out how he…

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S4 E9 Retired Navy Vice Admiral Sean A. Pybus and Mrs. Patty Pybus- SEALs, Family, and Loss 57:52

2+ y ago57:52

57:52

USSOCOM welcomes back former Deputy Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, Retired Admiral Sean A. Pybus and his wife Patty. In this episode we discuss Vice Admiral Pybus's storied military career, life as the military spouse of a Navy SEAL, and the tragic loss of their son Christopher to suicide. This is an emotionally packed episode that h…

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SPECIAL EPISODE Bob Delaney - Undercover NJ State Trooper, NBA ref, and PTSD awareness advocate 1:00:57

2+ y ago1:00:57

1:00:57

To start the new year USSOCOM is focused on the "First Truth", humans over hardware. SOFcast presents this special episode. Bob Delaney is no stranger to stress and trauma. In this episode he discusses how he's coped with both as an undercover police officer working to take down the New Jersey mob, reffing Michael Jordan games in the NBA, and his w…

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S4 E8 Navy SEALs Mike Sarraille and Andy Stumpf 1:20:44

2+ y ago1:20:44

1:20:44

Mike Sarraille and Andy Stumpf talk about lessons learned from their time as US Navy SEALs, finding their own paths from breaking world records to writing books, and giving back to the families of fallen heroes. All that and more on this episode of SOFcast! Subscribe Today!By USSOCOM

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S4 E7 Zack Garner - To the edge of giving up and coming back 1:03:59

2+ y ago1:03:59

1:03:59

Zack Garner is a medically retired US Army Green Beret who's found himself repeatedly fighting serious heatlh issues. Zack shares the harrowing stories of coming back from the edge of giving up, from regretting waking up, and how he came back from those dark places. All that and more! Subscribe Today!…

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S4 E6 Mark Stephens - Retired SMU Operator and Chairman of the Executive Board of Task Force Dagger 1:16:36

2+ y ago1:16:36

1:16:36

SGM (R) Mark Stephens is a Commando Hall of Fame inductee, former SMU Operator, and now the Chairman of the Executive Board at Task Force Dagger providing assistance to wounded, ill, or injured US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) members and their families. Mark talks about his career in Army Special Operations, fighting in Somalia, striking ba…

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S4 E5 Pineland Underground - MAJ Bobby Tuttle and SGM Chuck Ritter 55:24

2+ y ago55:24

55:24

From the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School's hit podcast Pineland Underground, SOFcast welcomes hosts MAJ Bobby Tuttle and SGM Chuck Ritter. We talk about the show's success, dirty deeds done right and cheap, and how podcasts are opening a whole new world of dialogue. All that and more on this episode of SOFcast! Subscribe…

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S4 E3 Dan Rayburn - Know what you're worth! 51:37

3y ago51:37

51:37

Dan Rayburn is a successful entrenpreneur and business expert who's made it part of his mission to help SOF veterans maneuver the world of civilian job placement. Dan takes a no-nonsense approach to matching the best company's in the world with uniquely talented Special Operations servicemembers. This isn't your typical "transitioning" talk, this i…

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S4 E2 Chaplain (MAJ) Jeff Struecker - Rangers, Somalia, and Faith 1:00:26

3y ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Retired Chaplain Jeff Struecker recounts his experiences during Gothic Serpent, the military operation depicted in the film "Blackhawk Down". He and fellow members of Task Force Ranger endured some of the most intense and brutal fighting since Vietnam, suffered terrible loss, but ultimately proved to the world the strength of it's SOF members and w…

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S4 E1 Medal of Honor recipient and Green Beret MSG Earl Plumlee 1:41:33

3y ago1:41:33

1:41:33

On August 20, 2013 during a change of command ceremony on FOB Ghazni, Green Beret Earl Plumlee found himself facing a complex attack by a determined enemy force that had breached the perimeter and was approaching fast. Armed with his "super cool sniper rifle" and a side arm, MSG (then SFC) Plumlee took the fight to the enemy and miraculously surviv…

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S3 E12 USSOCOM CSEL CSM Shane Shorter 1:01:07

3y ago1:01:07

1:01:07

SOFcast host SGM Matt Parrish welcomes the 11th USSOCOM Command Senior Enlisted Leader CSM Shane Shorter. They discuss CSM Shorter's career, leadership philosophy, and how he's reinforcing the "team" concept and values at USSOCOM. All that and more, on this episode of SOFcast.By USSOCOM

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2022 Warrior Games - Army Green Beret MSG Ivan Morera 1:03:10

3y ago1:03:10

1:03:10

Amy Master Sergeant Ivan Morera is a Special Forces medic, the DoD's only military freefall qualified upper-body amputee, and a competitor at this year's Warrior Games! MSG Morera sits down with SOFcast host SGM Matt Parrish to talk about the day that changed his life, his road to recovery, and what it takes to prove all the naysayers wrong!…

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S3 E11 Lessons learned and more from a PSYDET's return from Europe 1:02:57

3y ago1:02:57

1:02:57

SOFcast talks with a PSYOP Det recently deployed to Europe. They share their experience, lessons learned, and what exactly is PSYOP.By USSOCOM

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S3 E9 Matt Hesse - "The Purpose Blueprint" 1:06:38

3y ago1:06:38

1:06:38

Matt Hesse is a US Army Veteran, entrepreneur, and the founder of the University of Health and Performance. Matt and SGM Parrish talk about the importance of physical fitness and how it contributes to a healthy transition and supports mental and spiritual well-being. They also discuss Matt's passion for helping SOF Veterans by providing a world-cla…

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S3 E8 CMDCM (SEAL) David Isom, Command SEL, SOCPAC 58:13

3y ago58:13

58:13

INDOPACOM is comprised of 36 nations, home to 50% of the world's population, and 3,000 different languages! CMDCM (SEAL) David Isom shares some of the unique challenges he faces as the Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) Senior Enlisted Leader and why SOF is critical to the mission in the Indo-Pacific region.…

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S3 E7 LtCol(R) John Griffin - YOU can innovate for SOCOM 39:56

3y ago39:56

39:56

Have you ever had an idea to fix a problem from deployment or training but didn't know how to make that solution a reality? Northeastern University Program Director for the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel John Griffin talks about how NSIN is meeting the needs of the DoD with problem solvers from academ…

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Project Tadpole 47:47

3y ago47:47

47:47

In this episode, we discuss military family building and fertility issues. While we DO talk about freezing sperm samples, more importantly we discuss the breadth of the family planning issue in the SOF community, how it's impacting retention, and what policy changes Congress needs to make to support our Special Ops families. Our experts today come …

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S3 E5 Czech Republic SOF operator Igor - Partnerships, J3-I, and Service 1:00:10

3y ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Fostering and maintaining relationships with our allies and partners is an integral part of USSOCOM's SOF Strategy. That's why USSOCOM hosts the largest gathering of international SOF personnel outside of NATO, known as J3-I and why this year's SOF Week is even more important as it includes the ISOF Commander's Conference. Our guest for this episod…

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First Casualty 48:17

3y ago48:17

48:17

In this episode of SOFspot, GSOF President and CEO Stu Bradin talks to Toby Harnden, an author and journalist who was awarded the Orwell Prize for Books in 2012.He also wrote "First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11," which was published in Sept 2021 and tells the story of Team Alpha, an "eclectic band of linguists, triba…

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S3 E4 Best Rangers 2022 - CPT Josh Corson and CPT Ty Boyle 1:07:31

3y ago1:07:31

1:07:31

Winners of the 2022 Best Ranger Competition, from the 75th Ranger Regiment CPT Joshua Corson and CPT Tymothy Boyle join the hosts of SOFcast to talk about what it took to not only complete the three-day grueling event but to beat 50 other teams. Tenacity, endurance, and faith, these Rangers indeed lead the way! Subscribe to SOFcast today!…

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S3 E3 ReBlast - Low Level Blast Exposure and SOF 27:40

3+ y ago27:40

27:40

Detecting and treating brain injuries continues to be a high priority for USSOCOM. That's why ReBlast is so important. ReBlast is a pilot study researching the long-term effects of repetitive, low-level blast exposure (RLLBE) on Special Operations Forces service members. In this episode, SOFcast is on the road again, this time to Massachusetts Gene…

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UKRAINE - Sasha II 42:21

3+ y ago42:21

42:21

In this episode, we continue our series of interviews with experts in Ukraine. Oleksandr "Sasha" Danylyuk, who we also interviewed in Episode 61, is back to give more updates on the war in Ukraine, what he thinks it will take to end the war, and the extreme actions he expects the Russians to take against his nation. Learn more about our Sustaining …

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From Warsaw with Love 49:42

3+ y ago49:42

49:42

In this episode, Stu chats with author John Pomfrets and COL (Ret) Fred Hart about the actions and inspiration behind "From Warsaw with Love," Pomfrets' latest book. COL (Ret) Hart was part of a daring mission in which Polish SOF rescued him and 5 other Americans from Iraq in 1990. Pomfrets tells the story, along with many more that set the scene o…

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S3 E2 SFC Doug Kiesewetter - Preserving what you've built 1:09:16

3+ y ago1:09:16

1:09:16

SFC Doug Kiesewetter is a Special Forces Engineer and Weapons Sergeant with the US Army National Guard 20th Special Forces Group and the Chief Content Officer at SOFLETE. In this episode, host SGM Matt Parrish and SFC Kiesewetter talk about the changing culture within SOF that encourages physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellbeing. "...it …