Not Special

From Army Green Beret to smokejumper, Marine, rodeo cowboy, and Montana outfitter, Aaron Todd has lived a life most people only dream about. But after years of combat, parachuting into remote wilderness, and chasing adventure, he discovered that his greatest accomplishments had little to do with any of those titles.

What does a former CIA operative know about human trafficking that most Americans don't?

Nic McKinley spent his career in some of the world's most dangerous places. From serving as an Air Force Pararescueman (PJ) to conducting covert operations with the CIA, he witnessed things most people will never experience.

But one investigation in Afghanistan changed the direction of his life.

Green Beret Dave Kenney spent more than two decades in U.S. Army Special Forces, deploying around the world and serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and beyond. But after years of combat, traumatic brain injuries, PTSD, and life as a Green Beret, the fight that nearly killed him came after the uniform.

The Army botched Cameron Cushman’s surgery. What followed changed nearly every part of his life.

Cameron Cushman is an Army veteran, Afghanistan veteran, filmmaker, and documentary producer whose life changed after a surgery at Fort Hood led to years of serious medical complications. Cameron shares his experience with military medical care, gastroparesis, chronic illness, anxiety, veteran mental health, and being told he might never work again.

But that isn’t where his story ends.

Andy Stumpf spent more than 17 years as a Navy SEAL, served with SEAL Team Six, became a record-setting wingsuit pilot, author, entrepreneur and host of the Cleared Hot podcast.

But those are things he's done. They aren't who he is.

We traveled to Montana to sit down with Andy for a conversation about what happens when the identity you've spent your life building starts to disappear.

They called her the “Angel of Death.”

Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Allison Black spent more than 32 years serving her country, but her path to becoming a special operations aviator was anything but planned.

Allison began her career as an enlisted SERE specialist before becoming an officer and eventually flying AC-130 gunships with Air Force Special Operations Command.

Harrison Bernstein left a path in the NFL to build Soldiers To Sidelines, a nonprofit helping veterans, service members, military spouses, and Gold Star families find purpose and community through coaching.

But Harrison's story didn't start with the military.

Vic Minella was a Navy intelligence officer assigned to the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. His office, the Navy Command Center, was directly hit in the 9/11 terrorist attack. Vic wasn't there that morning. Several of his shipmates were.

JoAnne Bass, the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to serve as the U.S. Air Force’s highest-ranking enlisted leader, never planned on making the military a career. She joined for the GI Bill, expected to serve four years, and jokes that she reenlisted because she still had a Honda Civic to pay for.

Thirty-one years later, she retired after reaching the highest enlisted position in the United States Air Force.

In this powerful episode, retired Lt. General John Mulholland shares his incredible journey from childhood dreams to becoming a three-star general and legendary leader of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He offers rare insights into the Green Berets' mission to "liberate the oppressed", their pivotal role in Afghanistan after 9/11, and the formation of Task Force Dagger.

In this moving episode, Herb and Corrie reflect on the enduring legacy of Task Force Dagger with John Mulholland and the pivotal role of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan. They share firsthand insights into the realities of joint military operations, the sacrifices made by service members and their families, and the importance of honoring those who served in the War on Terror.

In this engaging conversation, Frances Frei shares her unique journey as a thought leader in business, discussing her experiences with rejection, the importance of trust, and evolving leadership. She emphasizes the need for equal access to meritocracy and the role of bias in decision-making. Who has vanilla or chocolate ice cream on their grocery list?

The remarkable mental health journey of a Special Operations veteran with 2 Purple Hearts who immigrated from Moldova to America, joined the military, and faced the challenges of combat and mental health. Pasha Palanker highlights the importance of resilience, support from loved ones, and taking responsibility for one's life in the healing process.

In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Jim and Jodi Lynch to explore their inspiring journey from military service to building a medical practice dedicated to helping others. They share candid insights on the challenges of transition, the values that guide their work, and their recent humanitarian mission in Ukraine.

Twenty-five years after the USS Cole attack with Kirk Lippold, we revisit the leadership lessons forged in one of the U.S. Navy’s darkest days. This episode explores crisis leadership, accountability, and resilience when lives are on the line.

What does real leadership look like when chaos hits without warning? This conversation breaks it down with military leadership lessons.

What happens when the U.S. Army meets innovation, technology, and influencer culture?

In this episode of Not Special, hosts Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Colonel Kris Saling, a leader in Army talent management and innovation, to explore how the military is embracing change in a digital world.

What happens when a Hollywood stuntwoman used to facing real danger turns her experience into a platform to help others overcome fear and speak with confidence?

In this powerful episode of Not Special, hosts Herb & Corrie Thompson sit down with Hannah Betts for a full-throttle conversation.

From combat zones to camera crews this is the incredible story of Mark Kershaw, an Army veteran who turned battlefield lessons into cinematic storytelling.

In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Mark to explore his journey from struggling student to soldier, from firefights in Afghanistan to finding purpose through film.

Meet RJ Casey, the real-life Most Interesting Man in the World! He’s a Green Beret, Air Force Pararescue, SpaceX astronaut-recovery specialist, Hollywood aerial safety consultant, and co-founder of Four Branches Bourbon.

In this insightful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Nic Adams, former National Security Advisor to two Senators and one of the most sought-after voices on government dynamics, intelligence operations, and the hidden gears that make Washington move. Nic pulls back the curtain on what really happens on Capitol Hill.

In this powerful episode of Not Special, we sit down with Johnny Vargas, aka Viva La Vargas, Army veteran, viral content creator reaching 30–40 million views a month, and one of the most influential voices in the military community.

Herb and Corrie sit down with former Green Beret and Delta Force operator Tom Spooner who now dedicates his life to saving warriors instead of fighting wars.

From surviving near-death blasts, battling alcoholism, navigating brain injuries, and walking away from elite military life, his journey leads to the creation of Warriors Heart, a 500-acre healing center for veterans and first responders struggling with addiction, trauma, and TBI.

Former U.S. Congressman, Acting Secretary of the Army and Iraq War veteran, Patrick J Murphy joins Not Special for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation about leadership, unity, national debt, military service, and why moral courage not party loyalty is what America desperately needs right now.

What if the very things you think are “wrong” with your brain are actually what make you successful?

In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Chantel Prat, cognitive neuroscientist, professor, author of The Neuroscience of You, and one of the most relatable science communicators working today. Chantel breaks down how the brain really works — not as an average, but as a deeply individual system shaped by experience, environment, and relationships.

Jason DeBlasio doesn’t think he’s special but his story proves otherwise.

In this episode of Not Special, Jason opens up about dropping out of high school, entering a court-ordered reform program, and finding purpose through the U.S. Air Force. From freezing nights on the flight line in Dover to becoming a KC-10 flight engineer refueling fighter jets in active combat zones, Jason played a role few people ever hear about but countless lives depended on.

In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Spencer Hatcher, a rising country artist whose journey proves that overnight success is built over years of invisible work. From growing up in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to playing 500+ shows in smoke-filled bars, Spencer shares how faith, discipline, and an old-school mindset shaped his path to Nashville.

This episode flips the mic on Not Special co-host Herb Thompson and what comes out is raw, honest, and unforgettable.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Herb Thompson, former Drill Sergeant of the Year, Green Beret, Ivy League MBA, and co-founder of Liberty Speaks opens up to his wife Corrie about the moments that shaped him most: combat, chaos, purpose, addiction, recovery, leadership, marriage, and learning how to finally slow down.

What happens when a Navy SEAL trades combat deployments for commercial ovens?

Kevin didn’t make it on his first try. Or his second. Or even his first week of BUD/S.

Kristen left teaching, built a nutrition business, burned out and started baking sourdough at home.

Mike flew the most elite missions on earth for the 160th SOAR. He commanded one of the most selective units in the military. He was told he wasn’t smart enough. Now he runs a Chick-fil-A. Mike Athanasakis is proof that grit beats labels.

In this episode of Not Special, former Navy SEAL Michael Lahiff , the CEO of ZeroEyes breaks down the truth about military leadership lessons, risk, resilience, and what most people get wrong about success. No hype. No shortcuts. Just real lessons earned the hard way.

What happens after elite performers come home from years of high intensity missions?

In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Chris Frueh to unpack the powerful concept of Operator Syndrome, the collection of physical, psychological, and neurological challenges many high-performing warriors and operators experience after years of operating at the edge.

What happens when a “normal” guy walks into a world built for SEALs, Rangers, and operators and refuses to quit?

In this episode of Not Special, Bryan Mabry shares the inside story of going from overlooked candidate to CIA Global Response Staff (GRS) operator. He eventually lead training for the next generation in this elite unit.

Marc Andersen, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management and Comptroller, helps oversee roughly $200 billion in U.S. Army resources with one overriding mission: making sure America’s warfighters have what they need to fight and win.

Josh Martin seemed to be living the dream.

A West Point graduate, 160th SOAR (Night Stalkers) helicopter pilot, and one of the Army's elite aviators, Josh had accomplished nearly every goal he'd set for himself. Then a devastating motorcycle accident changed everything.

How does a Green Beret become a private equity executive, business leader, and president of a multimillion-dollar company?

What does it mean to become a Gold Star Family? How do you move forward after losing a Navy SEAL son in combat?

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.

Former Special Operations PsyOps expert Stuart Gallagher and women’s health clinician Jamie Gallagher join the show with Green Beret Herb Thompson and Corrie Thompson for a powerful conversation.

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.

What kind of person pushes their body to the edge for 48 straight hours with no sleep and no quitting?

This story is an inspirational story about professional growth and self-development. Meet Charles Gomes a Navy veteran, Brazilian immigrant, jiu-jitsu black belt, and a man on a mission far bigger than himself.

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.

Jim McCloughan is inspiring and real in this powerful conversation.

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