The Vantage Point

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lori James, a cognitive psychologist whose research explores the intricate relationship between memory, language, and aging. Drawing on decades of scholarship, Dr. James guides us through the fascinating science behind how new memories are formed and why some experiences remain vivid while others fade. Our conversation also explores reframing stress, and how it can act as a powerful tool that sharpens learning and strengthens memory. Finally, we examine the profound influence of language on thought through the lens of the Sapir–Whorf hypothesis, discussing how the words we use shape not only how we communicate but how we perceive and interpret the world around us.

In this episode, Vietnam veteran and former combat medic Jay Maloney reflects on the unseen weight carried by those who step into humanity’s darkest moments. But this episode is not only about trauma—it is about transformation. Jay speaks candidly about the lingering imprint of his experiences and the quiet reckoning that follows service. More importantly, he shares how he has refined that cost into clarity, developing a philosophical lens through which suffering refines clarity and deepens wisdom.

Inspired by a family legacy of service, Ted Severn entered the Army during one of the most turbulent periods in American history—the Vietnam War. As an infantry officer, he led young soldiers through unforgiving terrain, impossible decisions, and conditions that tested both the body and the conscience. In this powerful conversation, we explore what persevering truly means when survival is the reward for doing so. Ted reflects on leadership under fire, the moral weight carried long after the battlefield, and the kind of resilience that is not learned from books—but forged in necessity. This is not simply a story of endurance, but of perspective earned at great cost—an honest look at what remains after war, and how hardship can shape a deeper understanding of life itself. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 2:09 Tell Us About This Jeep 4:06 Life Before The Military 8:32 Family Legacy of Service 18:02 Preparing For War 25:53 A Warm Welcome to Vietnam 36:47 Operation Bach Ma 46:20 Hot LZ 54:51 Enemy Contact 1:08:35 Psalm 23 1:18:11 Evacuation 1:28:19 Controlling Fear 1:45:42 Family 1:47:42 Three Lessons From Vietnam 1:53:10 Advice For Young Men Thank you to our sponsors: Optum Medical - https://www.optum.com/en/ USAA - https://www.usaa.com/ Colorado Computer Support - https://www.coloradosupport.com/ Medicare Mentors - https://medicarementorsllc.com/ Visit https://www.veteranscenter.org/ to show your support. #PhilosophyOfLife #PsychologyMatters #Mindfulness #Belonging #VeteranMentalHealth #ptsd #ptsdawareness #USArmy #USMC #USNavy #USAF #CoastGuard #MilitaryLife #Veterans #VetTalk #VeteranVoices #HonoringHeroes #VeteranStories #RealTalk #MilitaryMinds #motivation #motivationalvideo #supportourtroops #wisdom #wisdomquotes #leadership #psychology #education #socialism #capitalism #vietnam #vietnamveterans #vietnamwar #TheVeteransVoicePodcast #TheVantagePointPodcast

Dr. Janice Thorpe, communications professor and researcher from the University of Colorado, joins us to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence in higher education and the architecture of effective communication. In this episode she talks about how to overcome public speaking fears, online vs. traditional classes, as well as AI guardrails in college, policy and society. As a professor, her career has been devoted to understanding how meaning is created, transmitted, and sustained through conversation, body language, cultural understanding and much more.

Charles “Chuck” Anderson is a man who has spent his life in the arena. Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Chuck carries over 43 years of leadership experience directing organizations from 400 to over 21,000 personnel. As an Air Defense Artillery officer who served across six Army divisions, he became the first and only officer from that branch to command a U.S. Army division and retired as a Major General. His career embodies the spirit of Roosevelt’s words: “the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena… whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.” Chuck’s leadership extends far beyond the military. In the private sector, he has coordinated global operations in training, security, engineering, enterprise IT, aviation, medical services, and logistics. With more than a decade of P&L leadership, he ultimately served as President of PAE—overseeing 21,000 employees across 72 countries and supporting clients such as the DoD, NASA, FEMA, and the Department of Commerce. Today, Chuck brings his combined military and business experience to Bernhard Capital Partners, where he is helping build a government services platform capable of solving some of the nation’s most complex challenges. From Afghanistan to Iraq, from Wall Street to the federal government, his leadership has been marked by humility, moral courage, and a consistent truth: his “audio matches his video.” Chuck Anderson is not a man who speaks of effort—he is the one who puts himself on the line, again and again, daring greatly. And in our conversation, he reflects on a life spent in the arena and the lessons forged through devotion, discipline, and the unrelenting pursuit of a worthy cause. Chapters: 0:00 The Man In The Arena 2:05 The Arena 4:03 Inflection Points 13:39 Squint With Your Ears 20:02 Effort vs. Outcome 24:31Humility 30:41 Preparation 33:09 The Role Of A Parent 41:57 Life Or Death Situation 46:35 Life Changing Conversation 50:32 Am I In The Arena? 51:12 Find Other Spartans 57:19 Future Leaders 59:14 The Big Eight Thank you to our sponsors: Optum Medical - https://www.optum.com/en/ USAA - https://www.usaa.com/ Colorado Computer Support - https://www.coloradosupport.com/ Medicare Mentors - https://medicarementorsllc.com/ #PhilosophyOfLife #PsychologyMatters #Mindfulness #Belonging #CombatVeteran #MilitaryCommunity #VeteranSupport #PatriotTalk #VeteranMentalHealth #LifeAfterService #MilitaryTransition #ptsd #ptsdawareness #VetLife #USArmy #USMC #USNavy #USAF #CoastGuard #MilitaryLife #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #VetTalk #VeteranVoices #HonoringHeroes #PodcastLife #VeteranStories #RealTalk #MilitaryMinds #vetpodcast #podcast #motivation #supportourtroops #wisdom #wisdomquotes #leadership #psychology #vietnam #education #socialism #capitalism #TheVeteransVoicePodcast #TheVantagePointPodcast

In this episode, we sit with Angela Darling—massage therapist, somatic practitioner, and author of The Age of Enough—to explore a question most people avoid: What if the life we’re chasing isn’t the one we actually need? Specializing in the Trager Approach, Angela works directly with the nervous system, helping people loosen the physical and emotional patterns they’ve carried for years. Her insights move beyond theory and into the body itself—where stress, memory, and identity reside long before we speak them out loud. Together, we dive into her white paper, an sobering examination of modern excess, the quiet poverty of purpose, and the human tendency to seek meaning everywhere except within. What unfolds is part philosophy, part confession, and part invitation to step back from the noise and ask a timeless question: When is enough, enough? Chapters: 0:00 Abstract 3:13 The Trager Approach 5:01 Nervous System Regulation, A Cultural Twist 7:31 The Age of Enough 10:41 Attachment vs. Authenticity 15:41 Wired For Connection 18:03 A New Societal Framework 23:44 Without Purpose... Destruction 27:37 Filing The Void of Connection 41:30 Rewarding The Calm 48:46 A Longing For Authenticity 1:02:52 You're Right On Time Thank you to our sponsors: Optum Medical - https://www.optum.com/en/ USAA - https://www.usaa.com/ Colorado Computer Support - https://www.coloradosupport.com/ Medicare Mentors - https://medicarementorsllc.com/ #PhilosophyOfLife #PsychologyMatters #Mindfulness #Belonging #CombatVeteran #MilitaryCommunity #VeteranSupport #PatriotTalk #VeteranMentalHealth #LifeAfterService #MilitaryTransition #ptsd #ptsdawareness #VetLife #USArmy #USMC #USNavy #USAF #CoastGuard #MilitaryLife #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #VetTalk #VeteranVoices #HonoringHeroes #PodcastLife #VeteranStories #RealTalk #MilitaryMinds #vetpodcast #podcast #motivation #supportourtroops #wisdom #wisdomquotes #leadership #psychology #vietnam #education #socialism #capitalism #TheVeteransVoicePodcast #TheVantagePointPodcast

Michelle “Sonic” Ruehl, a former U.S. Air Force pilot, Colonel, and White House Fellow with over two decades of leadership experience as an instructor at the Air Force Academy, leadership coach, youth mentor, and nonprofit founder. In this episode she talks about business, education, technology, parenting, equity, and more. She brings an unshakable belief that every child deserves to learn in an environment that challenges them, empowers them, and prepares them for the world ahead.

In this dual-guest episode, we explore the anatomy of entrepreneurship through two lenses—academic expertise and lived experience. Our first guest, Blake Schwank, embodies the resilience and grit it takes to launch a business during uncertain times. After losing his job in the fallout of the dot-com bubble, Blake leaned on his military background and passion for service to build Colorado Computer Support, a nationally recognized IT firm supporting healthcare and defense sectors. He shares the hardships of transitioning out of uniform, the loneliness of starting a business, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference. Joining him is Dr. Larry Plummer, Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at UCCS, whose research and teaching focus on the entrepreneurial mindset, strategy, and the socioeconomic dynamics of business creation. With clarity and precision, Dr. Plummer outlines what entrepreneurship really means—beyond the buzzwords. He helps us reframe it as a discipline, not just a dream, offering insights on risk, motivation, and what separates a great idea from a viable venture. Together, Blake and Larry bridge theory and practice, showing that entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for the fearless or the lucky—it’s a path shaped by reflection and perseverance. Whether you're a veteran contemplating your next chapter, a young professional toying with a business idea, or simply someone craving autonomy and impact, this episode is your invitation to start building. You're not alone.

Ray Linbaugh is one of the few survivors of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines of the U.S. Vietnam War. They were called The Walking Dead—not from Hollywood, but from the hardened jungles of Vietnam, where the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines earned one of the highest casualty rates of any unit in U.S. military history. In this powerful episode, we sit down with a veteran of this fabled battalion to explore what it truly means to walk through fire and come out the other side. It’s a conversation about grit, sacrifice, and survival—one that echoes far beyond the battlefield. Through the lens of lived experience, we unpack how these Marines carried the weight of their legacy, how war shaped their minds, and how they continue to serve in silence today. Perspective is earned in the trenches of life—and this story is no exception.

Retired Colonel, Bob McLaughlin is the Executive Director of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, as well as the former Chief of Staff of US forces Afghanistan and Fort Carson Garrison Commander. In this discussion we explore the mindset of the “Soldier for Life” not as a slogan, but as a philosophy. Service doesn’t retire. It transforms. And those who continue to give, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or simply showing up for someone in need, often find that in healing others, they begin to heal themselves. After 28 years in the U.S. Army—serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and across the globe—Bob could have stepped back. Instead, he stepped forward, founding and leading Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, a national model for veteran reintegration and community healing.

Hollywood Film Producer Tyler Kindred leads the Light Shop LA, a production studio that crafts commercials for brands across the globe and music videos for major record labels and stars like Beyonce. Tyler recently released Abbey Gate, a short film born from the harrowing real-life escape of his wife during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Dr. Eric Abbott is an Air Force Veteran and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He is currently working as a board-certified family medicine physician with Optum Medical. Mental health is a common subject these days, but a less common topic of discussion are the detrimental effects that not taking care of your mental health can have on your overall well-being. We are all busy, we are all stressed out, and things don’t seem to be getting easier. So, let’s learn about how we can lower our stress levels while maintaining our busy schedule and, understand the dangers if we don’t.

Dr. Tom Francis is a seasoned psychologist, educator, and executive coach whose career bridges the academic, corporate, and creative worlds. Holding a Psy.D. in Organizational Leadership and an M.A. in Psychology from the University of the Rockies, he has spent over a decade teaching undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at institutions such as Pikes Peak Community College and CSU-Pueblo. Known for his engaging, inclusive teaching style and consistently high student evaluations, Dr. Francis brings humor, empathy, and intellectual depth to subjects ranging from Abnormal Psychology to Leadership Ethics. Outside the classroom, Dr. Francis is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and a longtime facilitator for the Center for Creative Leadership, where he has guided hundreds of senior leaders through transformative coaching engagements.

Sam Westfall is an Army Veteran and passionate bow hunter. After being medically retired from the military following a debilitating injury as a tank mechanic, Sam struggled to find his place. It wasn’t until a friend put a bow in his hand for the first time that Sam started to feel the vivaciousness of life again. Sam tells us about one of his bear hunts, as well as why he made the morally driven decision to switch from rifle to bow hunting.

Retired Colonel, Bob McLaughlin is the Executive Director of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, as well as the former Chief of Staff of US forces Afghanistan and Fort Carson Garrison Commander. In this episode, we’re discussing Leadership. Whether you are a parent, member of an organization, or an individual trying to achieve your goals, being an effective leader plays a critical role in the success of each one of these situations.

Nicole Weis is a licensed professional counselor and licensed addiction counselor. She manages the Milestones mental health clinic, a resource center located within the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Nicole is also the founder of the Greater Resilience Toolkit, or GRIT program, an online course that she describes as basic first aid for social support.

Kirsten Belaire is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor. Her role is the Director of Behavioral Health at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center where she provides therapy to Active Duty, Guard, Reserves, Veterans, and their families. In this episode we talk about how to navigate difficult relationships with those we love. Issues like differing personalities, needs, and expectations, along with the need for constant communication and compromise can complicate relationships.

Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy, utilizes the unique relationship between humans and horses to promote healing and self-discovery. It encompasses various activities with horses, such as grooming, feeding, and riding, all while under the guidance of a mental health or physical therapy professional. The goal is to leverage the horse's natural qualities and behavior to help individuals develop emotional regulation, confidence, and social skills. In this episode Alexander Varn, a troop psychologist with the German Armed Forces, dives deep into the science, biology, and theories as to why this breakthrough healing modality is so effective, while also sharing inspirational stories of real-life case studies along the way. Types of equine therapy mentioned in the episode: 1) Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: Focuses on mental health issues, with individuals working with a licensed therapist and a horse specialist. 2) Hippotherapy: Utilizes the horse's movement to improve physical, occupational, and speech therapy goals. 3) Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL): Helps individuals develop life skills through interactions with horses. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:23 Meet Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Varn 7:39 The Origins of Equine Therapy 25:37 The Science and Biology, Theory 1 39:54 Horse Live in the Present, Humans Do Not 41:58 Overcoming Obstacles, Theory 2 1:04:18 Horses Are Naturally Calm. Theory 3 1:14:50 Healing for Couples 1:17:08 A Success Story 1:24:23 The Future of Equine Therapy 1:36:32 An Autism Case Study 1:44:51 First Experience with a Horse 1:53:17 Words of Encouragement Watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/g_ylJ5iTsn0 Resources: https://www.veteranscenter.org/ https://remountfoundation.org/ You’re not alone. #MilitaryCommunity #VeteranSupport #PatriotTalk #VeteranMentalHealth #LifeAfterService #MilitaryTransition #ptsd #ptsdawareness #VetLife #USArmy #USMC #USNavy #USAF #CoastGuard #MilitaryLife #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #VetTalk #VeteranVoices #HonoringHeroes #PodcastLife #VeteranStories #RealTalk #MilitaryMinds #vetpodcast #podcast #motivation #supportourtroops

Scott Wilson is a pastor of 32 years, a successful businessman and entrepreneur, and a father of four. In this intimate discussion, we talk through the importance of fostering a community and loving one another while working through dilemmas that may come up along the way. How can I love others when I don’t even love myself? Where do I vent my emotions when it seems like everyone else is dumping theirs onto me? How do I know God is real? These answers, as well as an abundance of wisdom, ahead in the episode.

Jonny is the Executive Director of Wild Warrior Adventure, a non-profit organization dedicated to healing our nation's warriors through fly fishing. After partaking in some of the most violent 15 months ever documented during the war on terror in Afghanistan, Jonny struggled to stay grounded while transitioning back into civilian life. "The Valley of Death", formally known as the Korangal Valley, is located in Dara-I-Pech District of Kunar Province, eastern Afghanistan. Jonny Benton, a former Army Airborne Infantryman, shares his intimate story with this valley and paints a picture of how this place earned its nickname.