Not Special a Liberty Speaks Show
A very special thank you to our recent
Not Special Show Sponsors
In this episode of The Not Special Show, we sit down with Rob Hughes, Herb’s high school science teacher, coach, timber framer, outdoorsman, and one of the people who had the biggest impact on who Herb became.
Former Navy SEAL operator, leadership coach, and Doctor of Education Dan Luna joins The Not Special Show for a conversation about resilience, leadership, purpose, and the realities of life after elite military service. Yes, Dan served with the Navy SEALs and SEAL Team 6. But this episode isn't about tactics or war stories. It's about what happens after the mission.
After reaching the pinnacle of military service, former Delta Force operator Gary Harrington was unexpectedly removed from the unit he had worked his entire career to join. What followed was a battle with identity, purpose, failure, faith, and finding meaning beyond military service.
Green Beret Magnus Johnson shares his experiences in Ramadi, Army Special Forces, Mission 22, veteran mental health, military transition, purpose after service, resilience, leadership, and life after combat.
In this powerful episode we sit down with Chris and Marsha Lessard to discuss Special Forces, law enforcement trauma, PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), addiction, marriage, autism recovery, hyper-vigilance, mental health, veteran healing, and the groundbreaking brain treatments changing lives for veterans, first responders, and families across America.
Together, they reveal what military families, veterans, and everyday Americans are missing when it comes to resilience, performance, and health.
In this episode of Not Special, Karen and John share what it was really like inside the CIA, SEAL Team 6, Afghanistan, and the mission environment that led to the Osama bin Laden raid. Karen spent 26 years serving as a CIA operations officer, deploying to some of the world’s most dangerous environments after 9/11. John served as a Navy SEAL and later as deputy commander at SEAL Team 6.
Pat McKenna joins Herb and Corrie Thompson for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Navy EOD, war stories, overcoming adversity, mental toughness, and the journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal operator.
Brazilian immigrant, jiu-jitsu black belt, and a man on a mission far bigger than himself. From growing up in a poor fishing village in Brazil to stepping onto a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier to working for Lamborghini. Now he’s attempting something no one on earth has done: 👉 48 HOURS of continuous jiu-jitsu rolling But this isn’t about records. This is about honoring fallen veterans and raising money for those who sacrificed everything. The moment he knew he was “American” 🇺🇸 The REAL reason he joined the military after 9/11 Underground fight nights on a Navy ship 👀 What 35+ hours of nonstop jiu-jitsu actually does to your body Why most people THINK they can fight but can’t The powerful mission behind his 48-hour challenge 💥 This episode isn’t about being “special.” It’s about discipline, purpose, and refusing to quit.
Most people think veterans come home broken. They’re wrong and this story proves it. The narrative is everywhere: veterans are struggling, broken, and in need of saving. But what if that’s not just wrong. What if it’s actually hurting them? In this episode of Not Special, Marine veteran, nonprofit founder, and leader Kevin Schmiegel shares the real story behind veteran success, struggle, and the dangerous myth that’s shaping how America sees those who served. From leading Marines To building a movement that helped over a million veterans find jobs To hitting rock bottom and rebuilding his life This is one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about purpose, identity, and what happens after the uniform comes off. 👉 If you care about leadership, mental resilience, or the future of service in America this is a must-
This is one of the most powerful stories we’ve ever told. A retired military leader shares the moment one soldier made the ultimate sacrifice in Ramadi, jumping on grenades to save his team. SGT Marquees Quick’ heroic actions justify the Medal of Honor. But what happened next might shock you. This isn’t just a war story. It’s about leadership, failure, brotherhood, and the fight to make things right years later.
Medal of Honor recipient Jim McCloughan doesn’t believe he’s special. But during one of the most intense battles of the Vietnam War, he ran into enemy fire over and over again saving dozens of lives while wounded, outnumbered, and refusing evacuation as the enemy flowed down the hill like lava. In this episode of Not Special, Jim shares:
Green Beret Alex Dekker shares his inspirational journey from Ramadi to Special Forces to surviving a Taliban grenade blast and to deploying again with a cane. But what makes this episode different? What came after the war. After 20 years in Special Operations, Alex took everything he lived through: the chaos, the brotherhood, the loss and turned it into his debut novel Desert Heist.
Ricky Mills is an inspirational and authentic story of overcoming trauma to find yourself. He isn’t just a former Army Ranger and Green Beret, he’s lived through things most people wouldn’t survive:
Growing up in chaos
Hunting terrorists in the Balkans
Getting fired for protecting his men
Being hit by a car… and dying on the road
Losing his family after a traumatic brain injury