Veteran’s PATH

Jon Macaskill

Veteran’s PATH - helping veterans find Peace, Acceptance, Transformation and Honor through practical tools like meditation and mindfulness, physical and outdoor experiences, and a community of camaraderie. I’m Jon Macaskill, a Navy SEAL Commander turned Mindfulness Teacher. Here on the Veteran’s PATH podcast, I interview veterans, athletes, corporate leaders and many others who’ve overcome obstacles or adversity and found peace through the practices of meditation and mindfulness - breaking down the stigma of pursuing mental health and making it a priority - improving and saving lives! Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/veteranspath/support

  • 1 hour 1 minute
    Army Special Forces Captain who lost both legs and three fingers in an IED Explosion, Ben Harrow

    Ben (@bharrow37 on IG) reminds us to "take a knee" - take some time to assess where you are, what's going on in life, and what you need.  And his story is incredible.  

    Want to know about mental toughness - Ben's story will help you get some perspective!  


    Born in Brooklyn, New York, Ben Harrow grew up in Great Neck, Long Island. After graduating from the Woodberry Forest School in Virginia, he attended the United States Military Academy, where he was a 4-year letterman on the Lacrosse team that made NCAA appearances in 2003,2004, 2005. His senior year on the lacrosse team he was awarded the “Unsung Hero” Award for his selfless contributions to the team. 

    He commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry, attended Airborne School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, and Ranger School. He was an Infantry Platoon leader with 1st CAV division, and deployed to Iraq for 15 months with his platoon. Upon return from Iraq he immediately attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection, was selected and began the Special Forces Qualification Course. 

    In 2010, CPT Ben Harrow earned the coveted “green beret” and Special Forces tab. He was a Special Forces Detachment Commander, and led two separate Operational Detachment Alphas on deployments to Afghanistan supporting Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan. 

    On 15May2012 CPT Harrow stepped on an IED resulting in the amputation of both legs above the knee, two fingers on his right hand, as well as other injuries. During his recovery, he refused to give into his circumstances, and by his own ingenuity discovered a medical procedure to not only get himself up and walking but other wounded service members as well. He resides with his wife, and two children in Bethesda, MD and is the VP of Business Operations at PAM JETS. CPT Harrow was awarded three bronze stars, and a purple heart, amongst other awards.

    29 January 2021, 9:00 am
  • 56 minutes 23 seconds
    Marine Corps infantry officer veteran and former FBI special agent Killian Hemmy

    Killian had a life changing moment... literally dying and being brought back to life... which changed him forever after.

    Check out Killian on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/killian-hemmy

    Contact him to share your story of resilience - [email protected]


    28 January 2021, 9:00 am
  • 41 minutes 55 seconds
    Marine Officer Veteran Turned Boxing Gym Owner and Entrepreneur, “Iron Mike” Steadman
    Mike Steadman is the Founder & CEO of​ ​IRONBOUND Boxing & Education, a nonprofit organization based in Newark, NJ that provides free amateur boxing training, entrepreneur education, and employment opportunities for Newark youth & young adults. Mike and his partner Keith Colon, oversee the IRONBOUND Boxing Academy, their free boxing gym for youth in Newark, NJ. Mike is also a three-time National Collegiate Boxing Champion from the United States Naval Academy and Marine Corps Infantry Officer, with deployments to Afghanistan and Japan/Philippines. Mike trains CEOs and nationally ranked boxers. Outside of boxing, Mike’s provided consulting services to a billion-dollar corporation around veteran entrepreneurship. He also serves as an advisor and brand strategist to Dope Coffee Company, an Atlanta based e-commerce brand. In conjunction with Dope Coffee, he hosts a weekly podcast entitled “Confessions of a Native Son,” where he shares his perspectives on race, culture, and business. Through his efforts growing IRONBOUND Boxing, Mike has established himself as a high profile veteran advocate, and the new face of social entrepreneurship. To learn about IRONBOUND Boxing and their efforts in Newark, please visit www.Ironboundboxing.org
    27 January 2021, 8:45 am
  • 42 minutes 41 seconds
    Naval Surface Warfare Officer Clint Blankenship
    Clint Blankenship - @the_grill_billy on IG.  Current Navy Surface Warfare Officer - former Commanding Officer.
    26 January 2021, 8:00 am
  • 41 minutes 4 seconds
    Navy Linguist now helping military members and veterans overcome obstacles - Sabrina Ciaciura
    Welcome to the Veteran’s PATH Podcast - I’m Jon Macaskill your host and today my guest is Sabrina Ciaciura. Sabrina is a Navy Crytpologic Technician (Interpretrive). originally from Minnesota, served in the Navy for 6 years as a linguist. I got out January 2019 and now I lives in Australia. She has her degree in Family Social Science, and have studied psychology. She currently runs her own business as a online mentor for veterans and military members. She strives to provide tools to help those who wish to become free of the patterns and habits that trap them in unhappiness. She has an emphasis and passion on unraveling trauma and childhood wounds. Get a hold of Sabrina here: LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-ciaciura-3030061b2 Instagram https://instagram.com/sabrinaciaciura?igshid=6d39yucq3m7r YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCLnl-z9yC9jZdjNohrvchSw http://www.sabrinaciaciura.com/
    25 January 2021, 11:00 am
  • 42 minutes 30 seconds
    Former Navy SEAL who overcame depression and alcoholism with mindfulness, Rob Brinzer
    Welcome to the Veteran’s PATH Podcast - I’m Jon Macaskill your host and today my guest is Rob Brinzer . Rob is a former Navy SEAL and fellow US Naval Academy classmate who, since leaving the Navy, has served in multiple leadership positions within corporate America and volunteers for several local charities or nonprofit organizations in Sacrament. He and his wife have four children ... and Rob overcame alcoholism and depression through the use of mindfulness and meditation and is now thriving. You can reach Rob here: [email protected] http://linkedin.com/in/robertbrinzer
    22 January 2021, 11:00 am
  • 48 minutes 57 seconds
    Speaker, a serial entrepreneur, and a podcaster Peter Durand
    Welcome to the Veteran’s PATH Podcast - I’m Jon Macaskill your host and today my guest is Peter Durand. Peter is a dedicated father, speaker, a serial entrepreneur, and a podcaster focused on helping leaders and entrepreneurs bring emotional intelligence, empathy and mindfulness to developing teams. Peter can be reached on http://linkedin.com/in/petedurand Email: [email protected] Here’s his website: Eatingcrow.com
    21 January 2021, 4:47 pm
  • 56 minutes 17 seconds
    Navy Information Warfare Officer and author, John Miles
    My guest is Naval academy grad ... John Miles. At Annapolis, John was a multi sport Division 1 athlete. After graduating, he went on to serve as a Navy Information Warfare Officer serving at SEAL Team Eight, Naval Special Warfare Unit Ten, as the executive officer of the NSA detachment of the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) as well as on board a number of various ships and in a number of various conflicts all over the globe! Since his time in the Navy, John has led and founded several companies and been on the board of multiple nonprofits; he’s written a book, and he’s a keynote speaker! John also has a pretty wild mental health story - which we will get into in the show. John’s website: www.johnrmiles.com Email John: [email protected]
    20 January 2021, 10:00 am
  • 42 minutes 27 seconds
    Navy Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) and avid Mindfulness Practitioner, Ben Durbin

    Check out Ben on Instagram at @fromkilltochill

    19 January 2021, 1:19 pm
  • 44 minutes 3 seconds
    Air Force Veteran and Aspiring Para Yoga Teacher, Wendy Emminger
    Wendy Emminger is a 2003 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. She played soccer there and went on to lead and fly in the Air Force. Wendy battled with depression and found parayoga to be what saved and transformed her life. Wendy and I discussed her battles and overcoming them, her finding Four Desires Training, taking care of yourself first so you CAN take care of those you love/lead, and much more. A part of the Four Desires Training Wendy talks about is developing your Dharma Code (life purpose). One main part of the training is identifying your vikalpa, the thing that holds you back, and in Wendy’s case pride held her back from seeking out help - but she exhibits strength when she asks for help.   Check out Wendy’s video on ending veteran suicide here https://youtu.be/RrtdAOUwN9A You can contact Wendy here: [email protected] Find her here on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/wendy-emminger-0b17b67
    12 January 2021, 11:07 pm
  • 41 minutes 34 seconds
    Author, Psychologist, and Trauma Expert, “Doc” Shauna Springer
    My latest guest is “Doc” Shauna Springer - Author, Psychologist, and Trauma Expert. In this episode we cover so much - her work in the VA; her childhood; her book; her online education organization - Redefine Your Mission; military transition and the risks associated with that; and Stellate Ganglion Block treatment for PTS. Here’s all her information and information on topics discussed during the episode: Her company’s web address: https://www.docshaunaspringer.com/ Her most recent book, Warrior: How to Support Those Who Protect Us... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732167818/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_imm_t1_13TOFbWC83WGE Online Education Page: https://redefineyourmission.com/   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/docshaunaspringer Twitter: https://twitter.com/Doc_Springer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docshaunaspringer/ And here’s a great video summary of Doc Springer’s work... https://youtu.be/qju_0-ayBj4
    5 January 2021, 11:00 am
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