In this episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, Josh Kosnick sits down with Chief Deputy Matthew Thomas of the Pinal County Sheriff's Office—one of the nation’s foremost voices on law enforcement, leadership, and border security.

With over three decades of service, 700+ SWAT missions, and frontline experience battling cartel activity, Matt offers a raw, unfiltered look at what it means to lead under pressure.

🎯 Key Topics:
- How to lead when lives—not just livelihoods—are on the line
- Border realities most Americans never hear about
- The human toll of cartel-driven crime
- SWAT leadership, undercover ops, and legacy leadership
- Recruitment, retention, and redefining public engagement in law enforcement

📚 Grab Matt’s book, Interceptors: The Untold Fight Against the Mexican Cartels:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/Interceptors-Untold-Against-Mexican-Cartels/dp/0578374277

📱 Follow Matt on Instagram:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/deputy_onetime/?hl=en

🌉 Connect with Josh Kosnick and explore coaching, masterminds, and speaking engagements:
👉 https://www.joshkosnick.com

🛎️ New episodes every week — Subscribe for more bold leadership conversations.
🔥 Let’s build something that lasts.

#SpartanLeadership #JoshKosnick #MatthewThomas #LawEnforcement #Leadership #BorderCrisis #SWAT #Cartels #PublicSafety #FirstResponders #LegacyLeadership

Spartan Valor Foundation is dedicated to empowering veterans, military families, and survivors of child trafficking. Through strategic partnerships, we provide critical resources, advocacy, and hope for those who have sacrificed so much. Join us in making a difference—because no hero should stand alone.

🔗 Learn more: spartanvalor.org

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Welcome back to Spartan Leadership! In this powerful episode, Josh Kosnick sits down with Joe Smarro—Marine Corps veteran, former San Antonio police officer, and co-founder of Solution Point Plus.

Joe has seen combat, crisis, and mental health struggles firsthand—from the battlefields of Iraq to the frontlines of law enforcement. Now, his mission is clear: bridge the gap between mental health and public safety, eradicate suicide among first responders, and equip leaders with the tools to handle high-pressure situations with courage, compassion, and connection.

🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Joe’s transition from Marine Corps to Law Enforcement to Mental Health Advocacy
✅ The shocking personal battles that shaped Joe’s mission
✅ How to create mental resilience in high-stakes careers
✅ Practical strategies for de-escalation and leadership under pressure
✅ The power of vulnerability and leading by example

This conversation could save a life—if you’re a leader, first responder, or anyone battling mental challenges, you need to hear this.

⏳ Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction & Joe Smarro’s Background
03:00 - From Marine Corps to Police Officer to Mental Health Advocate
07:00 - The Dark Reality of Mental Health in First Responders
11:00 - Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts & Finding Purpose
16:00 - How Leaders Can Build Mental Resilience in Their Teams
22:00 - The Power of Vulnerability & Why Leaders Must Lead by Example
30:00 - Joe’s Personal Trauma & How It Shaped His Mission
38:00 - The Role of Stoicism in Overcoming Adversity
44:00 - Daily Practices for Mental Wellness & Leadership Growth
50:00 - How Businesses Can Create a Culture of Mental Health
55:00 - Final Thoughts & Where to Follow Joe

🔥 Subscribe for more powerful leadership insights! 🔥

📲 Follow Joe Smarro:
Instagram: @joesmarro
Website: https://joesmarro.com

📲 Follow Josh Kosnick:
Instagram: @joshkosnick
Website: joshkosnick.com

🚀 Support the Mission: spartanvalor.org

Spartan Valor Foundation is dedicated to empowering veterans, military families, and survivors of child trafficking. Through strategic partnerships, we provide critical resources, advocacy, and hope for those who have sacrificed so much. Join us in making a difference—because no hero should stand alone.

🔗 Learn more: spartanvalor.org

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
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In this episode, Josh Kosnick is joined by Jason Smith, a constitutional law expert turned business owner, and Emanuel Whitfeld, a bold voice on leadership and accountability. Together, they unpack the corruption in government, the real story behind Elon Musk’s involvement with the administration, and how poor messaging is hurting conservatives.

🔥 Key Topics:

The truth about Doge and why it’s exposing deep-seated government corruption.
How Elon Musk went from green energy savior to public enemy #1.
The Republican messaging problem and why they fail at communication.
The reality of tariffs and why America has been getting screwed for decades.
The bigger picture—what leaders must do to fix the system.

💡 Don’t just listen—engage! Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you think about the current political landscape.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more unfiltered leadership insights!

#GovernmentCorruption #ElonMusk #Leadership #Politics #SpartanLeadership #JoshKosnick #JasonSmith #EmanuelWhitfeld #RepublicanMessaging #Doge #Tariffs #AmericanEconomy #UnfilteredTruth

Spartan Valor Foundation is dedicated to empowering veterans, military families, and survivors of child trafficking. Through strategic partnerships, we provide critical resources, advocacy, and hope for those who have sacrificed so much. Join us in making a difference—because no hero should stand alone.

🔗 Learn more: spartanvalor.org

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
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SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
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Men today are more isolated, confused, and directionless than ever before. In this powerful conversation, Adam Zastrow joins Josh Kosnick to discuss what it means to be a true leader in your home, business, and faith.

🚀 Topics We Cover:

Defining Masculinity & the Joy in Sacrifice
The Secret to Strong Leadership
Fear Does Not Come from God
Why Men Need Brotherhood & Accountability
How to Manage Anger & Take Ownership
The Radical Commitment to Relationships
The Power of Faith in Leadership
This is an episode every man needs to hear. If you’re ready to step up and lead with strength, don’t miss this one!

📢 Share this episode with a brother who needs it!

🔗 Follow Adam Zastrow: https://www.instagram.com/zastrowadam/
🎙 Forging the Path Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgingThePathPodcast

🔔 Subscribe & Stay Connected:
👉 Josh Kosnick on YouTube
💬 Join the conversation in the comments!

#Leadership #Brotherhood #Faith #MenOfGod #Masculinity #SpartanLeadership #Podcast #AdamZastrow

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🚨 200 EPISODES STRONG! 🚨

We’re celebrating this major milestone with a powerhouse guest—Ryan Williams, a former Navy SEAL turned entrepreneur. From the grueling intensity of BUD/S training to the high-stakes world of business, Ryan has mastered the art of resilience, leadership, and calculated risk-taking—lessons that apply to any entrepreneur looking to dominate.

In this episode, Ryan breaks down:

🔥 The transition from SEAL teams to running a multi-million dollar business
🔥 Why discipline and reliability matter more than talent in business
🔥 The hardest lessons learned from scaling a company
🔥 How to create systems and processes that actually work
🔥 The brutal truth about leadership, accountability, and owning your mistakes

💥 If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or operator looking to level up, this episode is a MUST-WATCH.

🔔 Subscribe for more insights on leadership, business, and high-performance habits.

📲 Follow Ryan Williams:
https://www.instagram.com/invictus5326/

📲 Follow Josh Kosnick:
Instagram: @joshkosnick
Website: www.JoshKosnick.com

🚀 Support the Mission: Spartan Valor Foundation

#Leadership #NavySEALs #Entrepreneurship #Mindset #RyanWilliams #SpartanLeadership #JoshKosnick

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In this episode of Spartan Leadership, I sit down with Alana Stott—entrepreneur, author, producer, and philanthropist—whose career spans security, finance, media, and global activism. Alana shares her journey from running high-stakes security operations to raising millions for charities like Heads Together with the support of Prince Harry. We also dive into her relentless fight against human trafficking and how her work earned her the prestigious MBE (Member of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the King’s 2023 Honor List.

We cover:
✅ The defining moments that shaped Alana’s path
✅ How she and Dean Stott became involved in high-profile charity work
✅ The harsh realities of human trafficking and how to take action
✅ Breaking barriers in male-dominated industries
✅ The mindset of resilience and excellence

If you're looking for an inspiring conversation on leadership, purpose, and real-world impact, this one is for you.

Follow Alana Stott: https://linktr.ee/alanastott
Follow Josh Kosnick: https://linktr.ee/joshkosnick
Blue Dot Foundation: bluedotfoundation.org

📌 Subscribe & turn on notifications to never miss an episode!

#Leadership #HumanTrafficking #Philanthropy #AlanaStott #SpartanLeadership #Podcast #Mindset

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How do you truly influence people? Rene Rodriguez, a leading expert in behavioral neuroscience and leadership, joins Josh Kosnick on Spartan Leadership to break down the science of influence, personal branding, and leadership development.

🔹 The Neuroscience Behind Influence
🔹 Building a Personal Brand That Commands Attention
🔹 Leadership, Emotional Intelligence & Self-Awareness
🔹 How to Prepare for the Moments That Matter
🔹 Why Your Credibility is Determined by Others, Not You

📖 Rene's Book: Amplify Your Influence
🎙️ Listen to the full episode & subscribe for more leadership insights!

👉 Connect with Josh: https://linktr.ee/joshkosnick?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=d011d0d2-7c6a-4ace-8d1e-d4c995ec22d1

👉 Connect with Rene: www.meetrene.com/free-month

#Leadership #Influence #PersonalBrand #Podcast #JoshKosnick #ReneRodriguez

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In this episode, host Josh Kosnick dives into the latest political, economic, and cultural shifts impacting leadership today. Alongside Emmanuel Whitfield and special guest Jason Smith, owner of The Tasting Room cigar lounge, they tackle:

✅ The rapid-fire executive orders shaking up policies
✅ The real impact of DEI and its unintended consequences
✅ Immigration policies under Trump’s new administration
✅ The hypocrisy of modern political narratives
✅ The controversial role of the military in funding transgender surgeries

🔹 Why are America’s most critical issues being ignored in favor of ideological battles?

🔹 How do these policies affect business owners, professionals, and everyday citizens?

🔥 This conversation pulls no punches—just real talk about leadership, politics, and the future of America.

📩 Like, share, and comment! Join the conversation and help us push leadership forward.

#Leadership #Politics #Trump #SpartanLeadership #CigarsAndConversation #DEI #Immigration #Truth

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What do NBA superstars and top business leaders have in common? Elite discipline.

In this episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, Drew Hanlen shares how adopting an NBA-level mindset can transform your leadership, success, and resilience. From cutting sugar for 10 years as a teenager to embracing discomfort through cold plunges and relentless self-discipline, Drew reveals the mental edge that separates champions from the rest.

In this episode, we discuss:

🏀 The work ethic that fuels NBA stars & high achievers
🔥 How pushing past discomfort builds mental resilience
🛑 The "invisible string" holding most people back from success
🚀 Why small, consistent habits create unstoppable momentum
✅ Practical steps to build the mindset of an elite performer

If you want to lead, perform, and execute at the highest level—this episode is for you.

📺 Watch now and start applying NBA-level discipline to your life!

🎙 More from Josh Kosnick:
🔗 Website: JoshKosnick.com
🔗 LinkedIn: Josh Kosnick
🔗 Instagram: @JoshKosnick

📢 Subscribe for more leadership and high-performance insights!

📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
02:15 – Josh’s journey from adversity to leadership
10:30 – The importance of building bridges in business and life
22:00 – Why faith and mindset are crucial for success
35:45 – Lessons from coaching leaders and entrepreneurs
50:00 – How to apply these insights to your own growth

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In this powerful episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick sits down with Dave Bechtold, founder of Outside the Walls, to explore faith beyond traditional church settings. Dave shares his journey of ministry, the impact of Holy Smokes, Dads at Dave’s and others, and why real conversations often happen outside the pews—sometimes over a good cigar.

💬 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ Dave’s journey from Chicago to Madison’s faith community
✔️ How vulnerability builds trust in leadership
✔️ The mission of Outside the Walls and how it’s changing lives
✔️ The power of authentic relationships and why faith needs to be real, not performative
✔️ How cigar lounges and coffee shops are becoming modern-day sanctuaries
✔️ Why men need to step up as spiritual leaders in their homes

🚀 Join the Conversation:
💡 What’s your take on faith outside traditional church settings? Drop a comment below!

🔗 Connect with Dave & Outside the Walls:
🌍 Website: Outsidethewalls.co

#Faith #Leadership #Community #OutsideTheWalls #SpartanLeadership #ChristianPodcast #MensMinistry

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Dive into the latest episode of the Spartan Leadership Podcast, where Josh Kosnick and guests tackle the harsh realities facing America today. From the erosion of free speech to the government’s mishandling of resources, this highlight reel is packed with candid discussions and bold perspectives.

Featured Topics:

• The state of free speech in America
• Government accountability and the $36 trillion debt crisis
• The role of truth in today's divided society
• Conspiracy theories and the fight for transparency

🎧 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations and leadership insights.

Stay Connected: 🌐 JoshKosnick.com
📱 Instagram: @JoshKosnick

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