Garrett Cathcart served 9 years as a United States Army Cavalry officer and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Garrett’s service included three years in ground combat leadership roles. Garrett served as a Reconnaissance Scout Platoon Leader in Baghdad during the Surge in 2007, colloquially known as the bloodiest year in Iraq, as an embedded military advisor living and operating with the Iraqi Army in 2008, and as a Cavalry Troop Commander in Afghanistan responsible for the security, governance and development for two Afghan districts in 2010. His final assignment on active duty was serving as Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Division. Garrett’s awards include three Bronze Star Medals, an Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device and a Meritorious Service Medal.

In 2021, Garrett joined The Brickyard (formerly +More Perfect Union) as the Co-Founder and Executive Director. He leads the mission to establish the nonprofit as the next-generation civic and service organization. The Brickyard’s mission is to unite the country and strengthen communities through social gathering, service, and civic connection.

Prior to joining The Brickyard, Garrett served as the founding Executive Director of Mission Roll Call, a national organization that provides veterans a powerful and unified voice in public policy, and as the first Southeast Regional Director of veteran service organization Team Red, White and Blue.

Garrett is also a Major in the Army Reserves where he serves as an Associate Professor of Leadership and Military Science at Georgia Tech. Garrett graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2004 and the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University in 2018. He holds a certificate in nonprofit executive leadership from the University of Georgia, and he is a George W. Bush Veteran Leadership Scholar. He is also an accomplished public speaker who has addressed the Atlanta Hawks, New York University, The Home Depot, The Federal Reserve, and guest lectured at the US Military and Air Force Academies. He has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, New York Times, CNN, USA Today, Fox News, and CBS World News.

Dr Michael Greger is a physician, author and internationally recognized nutrition expert. We discuss the causes of chronic disease, plant based diet, carcinogens, disease reversal and much more.

Michael Greger, M.D. FACLM is a physician, New York Times bestselling author, and internationally recognized professional speaker on a number of important public health issues. Dr. Greger has lectured at the Conference on World Affairs, the National Institutes of Health, and the International Bird Flu Summit, among countless other symposia and institutions; testified before Congress; has appeared on shows such as The Colbert Report and The Dr. Oz Show; and was invited as an expert witness in defense of Oprah Winfrey at the infamous "meat defamation" trial. In 2017, he was honored with the ACLM Lifestyle Medicine Trailblazer Award.

Dr. Greger's most recent scientific publications in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Critical Reviews in Microbiology, Family and Community Health, and the International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Public Health explore the public health implications of industrialized animal agriculture.

Dr. Greger is also licensed as a general practitioner specializing in clinical nutrition and is a founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. He was featured on the Healthy Living Channel promoting his latest nutrition DVDs and honored to teach part of Dr. T. Colin Campbell's esteemed nutrition course at Cornell University. Dr. Greger's nutrition work can be found at NutritionFacts.org, which is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit charity.

He is the author of Bird Flu: A Virus of Our Own Hatching and Carbophobia: The Scary Truth Behind America's Low Carb Craze. Both of his latest books, How Not to Die and the How Not to Die Cookbook, became instant New York Times Best Sellers. View the book trailer here. Dr. Greger is a graduate of the Cornell University School of Agriculture and the Tufts University School of Medicine.

Dr. Greger is proud to be a Council of Directors member of the global voice for lifestyle as medicine, the True Health Initiative (THI). This is a growing coalition of more than 360 world experts representing 35 countries. It is an unprecedented assembly that includes physicians, university Deans, former Surgeon Generals, Olympic athletes, chefs, environmental professionals and a diverse group of nutritionists. Together they offer clarity over confusion and support the foundational principles of healthy eating and healthy living.

All speaking fees and proceeds Dr. Greger receives from the sale of his books and DVDs are donated to charity.

Brooke Bartlett is a Licenced Clinical Psychologist and the founder of the Center for Trauma, Anxiaety and Stress. She is als contracted by the Bureau of Land Management as a trauma specialist.

In this second conversation we discuss the mental health impact of wildfires, psychotherapy and psychedelics, unpacking Moral Injury, the physiology of anxiety and depression, organisational stress, NuCalm and so much more.

Dr. Bartlett is highly specialized in working with first responders and military members and has over 10 years of experience providing them with evidence-based clinical services in the therapy room and out in the field. She also has an extensive research history examining mental health correlates among first responders and military veterans, with over 20 publications in scientific journals, a published book chapter, and numerous presentations at national and international conferences.

Alongside her scientific research, she frequently publishes articles in first responder editorials. At CTAS, Dr. Bartlett provides a range of services exclusively for first responders, military members, and their loved ones including therapy and assessment. Another major focus of her professional work is promoting first responder wellness by assisting public safety agencies in the creation and implementation of effective mental wellness programs. She does so by providing a variety of services such as mental health presentations, peer support training and supervision, consultation, content development, and on-call critical incident response.

She is immensely passionate about serving those who serve others and has the utmost respect and admiration for the men and women who courageously serve our communities, our citizens, and our nation.

Kyle Ebersole, PhD, LAT is currently a Professor and a Licensed Athletic Trainer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences & Technology teaching within the Physical Therapy and Athletic Training programs. Since 2010, Kyle has partnered with the Milwaukee Fire Department on a research and service partnership where he serves as the Health and Fitness Coordinator for the department and continues to conduct research focused on the integrative contributions of movement efficiency, muscle function, and the autonomic nervous system to building work capacity for the health, fitness, and performance of cadets, recruits, and active-duty members.

Kyle has also been a research and sport science consultant with High Performance Department in the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club since 2011 and was a key contributor to the launching of the club’s heart rate variability program in 2012. He continues to be a member of the Athlete Availability team within the High Performance Department with a focus on creating strategies to maximize player development and readiness to perform. In 2021, Kyle was named a Lubar Entrepreneurial Teaching Fellow at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Kyle has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

Ashley Deringer is an educator, entrepreneur, curriculum creator, and nonprofit founder dedicated to changing lives through education and advocacy. Ashley is also the founder of the Clean Gier Foundation, a nonprofit established in honor of her father, firefighter Floyd Gier, who lost his battle with occupational cancer. The foundation is committed to improving the health, safety, and well-being of firefighters through education, cancer prevention initiatives, mental health awareness, and advocacy for safer working conditions.

As the founder of The Teacher’s Treasure Chest, Ashley creates evidence-based reading and math intervention resources used by thousands of educators across the country. Drawing from her experience as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and instructional coach, she is passionate about equipping teachers with practical tools that help struggling students build confidence and close learning gaps. (Teachers Pay Teachers)

Beyond her organizations, Ashley is the owner of AB Social Consulting, where she helps businesses, nonprofits, and public figures grow their brands through strategic marketing and storytelling. Whether she’s creating educational resources, advocating for first responders, or helping organizations amplify their message, Ashley believes that one person can make a lasting difference by using their voice to serve others.

Ashley lives in Nassau County, Florida, where she continues to lead with faith, compassion, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact in her community and beyond.

https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Clean-Gier-Foundation-61591282194722/

Lee Spencer is a 24 year veteran of the Royal Marines and has undergone some incredible feats to raise money and awareness for various charities. We discuss his early life, recruitment, Ireland, combat, his near death experience, rowing across the Atlantic and much more.

Lee Spencer, a single leg amputee, is the first physically disabled person to have rowed solo across the Atlantic. He smashed the previous able-bodied record, set by Stein Hoff in 2002, by over a month and gained two new World Records.

Leaving Portugal on 9 January 2019, Lee crossed the line on 11 March 2019 in French Guiana, South America, at 60 days, 16 hours and 6 minutes. He had rowed unsupported for a total of 3,500 miles.

He faced waves of up to 40 foot, four 15-metre sperm whales swimming beneath him, being pursued by a large shark, a bout of gastroenteritis and various technical issues. He slept for just two hours at a time, all while battling the daily routine at sea and the challenges of being a single leg amputee.

The goal behind Lee's mission was to enforce his message to the world; that no one need be defined by their disability, mental or physical.

Dean Lister is a veteran jiu jitsu competitor, MMA fighter, co-founder of Victory MMA and a member of the Echelon Front family. We discuss his early life in the Americas, his journey into grappling, competing in the UFC, the power of plant medicine, BJJ Hero Retreats and so much more.

Dean Lister is a Founder and Owner of Victory MMA, and instructs members daily in both Gi and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu. He has a unique and inspiring presence on the mat, where his incredible and in depth understanding of this sacred art is apparent.

Dean grew up in a military family and lived in such places as Venezuela and Panama, as well as several areas in the United States before his family settled in San Diego for Dean's high school years. Dean was a high school division wrestling champion. Shortly after high school he became interested in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. After becoming a U.S. National Sambo Champion, Dean took an introductory class with some wrestling teammates at Fabio Santos Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in San Diego. Dean was already familiar with the concept of groundwork but he found a new challenge in Jiu Jitsu, a unique sport that includes innumerable self-defense moves.

It is the depth of this sport that has kept Dean's dedication and commitment to his training at an optimum level. He believes that practicing this sport reveals the true character of each participant by showing courage, patience, honesty, discipline, innovation, and integrity. Dean also loves the challenge involved in practicing a sport that is constantly evolving. He is known for unstoppable foot locks and is always working to modify and refine existing moves and create new moves that will benefit him in competition and that will enhance the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Dean has competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 1996, starting just 6 months after he began training. He quickly made a name for himself in the sport and since has earned a respectable reputation as a fierce competitor.

Dean's record includes 111 wins and 12 losses, with over 90 of these wins coming by submission. In MMA competition Dean has never been knocked out or submitted but all his victories have come by submission.

Dean began instructing for Fabio Santos in 1997, and in 2000, Dean traveled to Brazil and trained at the world-renowned "Top Team" Academy for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro. Dean teaches both beginner and advanced students at Victory MMA in San Diego. He begins class by going over movements essential for mastering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu such as sweeps, takedowns, and submissions. These moves are applied during "free mat" time where students are matched with partners of different sizes and skill levels to practice what they have learned. Dean believes this is the most important part of the class because it mimics a realistic one-on-one combat situation, which prepares students to defend themselves on the street.

In this episode, I welcome the founders of The Unmasked Warrior: Sam Juan is a U.S. Army combat veteran, former CST with SEAL Team 6, artist, writer, and advocate for authentic leadership. Noah Galloway is a combat veteran and speaker focused on post-traumatic growth. Anton Nootenboom is a Dutch army veteran, multiple world record holder and men’s mental health advocate. Dr. Mike Sapiro is a clinical psychologist for first responders and special operations veterans.

"Unmasked Warrior is a live, veteran-led theatrical experience about what it takes to remove one’s armor and return to the self through vulnerability and authenticity. Our show: Three veterans share their personal stories of hurting and healing, a real and raw clinician-guided conversation on mental health struggles and growth, followed by audience Q&A.

Storytelling has been a fundamental component of human life since the dawn of language. Historically, it’s been used ritually, and around fires, to strengthen community connection, process personal struggles and share triumphs, and to help make meaning out of the chaos of life. Through modern science, we know that storytelling has been shown to reduce cortisol, increase oxytocin, evoke empathy and reduce trauma responses, thus overall reducing stress and increasing a sense of connection to self and others. Vulnerable storytelling is one of the most powerful, transformative tools of healing for both the speaker and the audience. Afterall, we are all in this together.

We invite you to join us for a veteran-led healing experience that will leave you feeling connected and inspired."

Mayra Uribe was elected to the Board of Orange County Commission District 3 in 2018 and has since been re-elected in 2020 and 2024. Mayra is currently running for the position of the Mayor of Orange County. She is an Orlando native, born and raised in the district she represents. Mayra is of Colombian and Argentinean descent and celebrates the diversity in herself and in our community.

Mayra is a business owner who understands the concerns of those calling Central Florida home. While the economy has strengthened for some, not everyone feels that the County has done enough to address their needs.

She serves on several boards, including MetroPlan Orlando, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, Affordable Housing Advisory Board, Community Action Board and The Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board. She motivates her office to focus on consistency and accuracy through believing no issue is too small if it affects her constituents. She is a fierce and tireless servant of the people in her district.

A fourth-generation Floridian, Bernard Taylor is a dedicated EMT/Paramedic, husband, father of five, and community advocate who has spent years serving and protecting the people of Florida.

Now, he's running for Congress to fight for the people our elected congressional representatives are ignoring. Bernard was inspired to run to represent his community after seeing how the disparities in access to affordable healthcare that resulted in the death of a diabetic patient who had to ration insulin due to the high cost. This loss was a stark reminder of the real human cost of systemic inequities. Witnessing firsthand how individuals and families are forced to make impossible choices between life-sustaining medication and basic necessities fueled his determination to change things.

https://bernardtaylorforcongress.com/

The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 is a deeply moving documentary narrated by actor Gary Sinise. Produced by Gier Productions in collaboration with SoldierStrong and directed by Michael Gier, an award-winning director/producer, the film goes beyond the tragedy of September 11 to showcase the incredible acts of bravery, humanity, and resilience that followed.

Through the eyes of first responders, survivors, and ordinary citizens who became extraordinary heroes, the movie will be released in 2026 for the 25th observance of 9/11, and honors the selflessness and bravery that defined a generation.

Featuring real-life accounts, archival footage, and dramatized reenactments, The Heroism and Resiliency of 9/11 is not just a tribute to those we lost, but a celebration of the indomitable spirit that rose from the ashes. It is a story of hope, proving that even in tragedy, light can be found in the courage and compassion of everyday people.

https://heroismandresiliency.com/