Alone and Unafraid

About Alone and Unafraid

Welcome to Alone and Unafraid. Real conversations about life, struggle, and finding purpose on the other side of hard times. If you’re a veteran, first responder, or just someone who’s been through the grind, you’ll feel at home here. We get into transitions, resilience, mindset, and the everyday battles most people don’t talk about. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s light, but it’s always real. Hosted by Thad and Tyler, both veterans of Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment, who bring their own experience from service and life after. New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Embrace

Publisher

Thad King and Tyler Huckett

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

18 Nov 2023

Latest episode

12 May 2026

Latest episodes

69 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 May 2026

   #66 Sincerely America: Failure, Ego & Veteran Transition

   In this episode of Alone and Unafraid, we welcome back Air Force EOD veteran, author, and coach Benjamin John Lee for a powerful conversation about identity, purpose, failure, and rebuilding yourself after life changes direction. Ben shares the collapse of his ambitious solar nonprofit, his transition into coaching and psychology, and how writing his book Sincerely America became a healing process for himself and others. We dive into military transition, addiction recovery, shadow work, intuition, ego, leadership, creativity, and why failure may be the most important thing that ever happens to you. This one goes deep. Sponsors & Partners This episode is proudly supported by: Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly (https://www.cadencewealthpartners.com/nick-okelly?utm_source=chatgpt.com) PoleStar Coffee (https://www.polestarcoffee.com/) Resources & Links Benjamin John Lee Website Benjamin John Lee Instagram Sincerely America on Amazon Warrior Surf Foundation Alone and Unafraid Guest InfoBenjamin John Lee is an Air Force EOD veteran, author, speaker, and coach focused on identity transformation, shadow work, and helping people rebuild purpose after major life transitions. He is the creator of the Reforge Protocol and author of Sincerely America. Standout Quotes “Failure is just a necessary component of success.” “You don’t build character when things are easy.” “I’m not doing the work for you — I’m helping guide you to the crossroads.” “The identities that once kept us safe can become the chains that hold us back.” Call-to-Action If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs it. If you are into this and you are a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or anyone really, check out our podcast Alone and Unafraid. You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts and check out our website aloneandunafraid.org.

2. 

   21 Apr 2026

   #65 Legacy Matters: Jiu-Jitsu, Identity & Life After War

   Nick Shumpis shares his journey from Special Operations to life after the military—and the reality many veterans face when the mission ends. This episode explores two critical themes: Rebuilding Identity After War Transitioning out of the military often means losing structure, purpose, and direction. Nick breaks down how jiu-jitsu provides a new mission—restoring discipline, focus, and control. Organizations like the We Defy Foundation are using jiu-jitsu as a tool to help veterans rebuild identity and regain a sense of purpose after service. The Legacy You Leave Behind Legacy isn’t just what you choose—it’s also what carries forward if left unaddressed. We talk about how unresolved trauma—whether from war, childhood, or life experiences—can shape behavior, relationships, and the next generation. The conversation focuses on recognizing that and taking action to change the trajectory. We also dive into leadership, the challenges of transition, and what it takes to move forward with intention. Resources: We Defy foundation (https://wedefyfoundation.org/) Nick Shumpis (https://crosscountrymortgage.com/scottsdale-az-4542/nicholas-shumpis/)-Victor Alpha Group Nick's Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nick.shumpis_loansandlockdowns/) Sponsors: Polestar coffee (https://www.polestarcoffee.com/) Cadence Wealth Partners-Nick O'Kelly (https://cadencewealthpartners.com/veteran/)

3. 

   7 Apr 2026

   #64 The Art of Loneliness: A Green Beret’s Message to Veterans

   In this episode, we sit down with former Special Forces Communications Sergeant Garrett Kossick to talk about the reality of life after the military—identity loss, loneliness, and finding purpose again. Garrett shares how writing became his outlet during a dark transition period and why mindset, service, and faith play a critical role in rebuilding a meaningful life.Resources and Links Garrett’s Substack: TrueNorth173 (https://substack.com/@truenorth173?utm_source=global-search) Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly (https://cadencewealthpartners.com/veteran/) Polestar Coffee – Fuel your day with purpose-driven coffee (https://www.polestarcoffee.com/) Guest Info Garrett Cossack Former U.S. Army Special Forces (18 Echo) Writer on Substack (TrueNorth173) Focused on mindset, masculinity, and veteran transition Standout Quotes “You’re not alone in the struggle—even if it feels like it.” “You’re not trying to survive anymore. You’re trying to live.” “Life is simple: be a good dude and work hard.” “It’s not about me—it’s about the legacy of everyone who made me who I am.” “Violence should always be the last option.” If you are into this and you are a veteran, active duty service member, first responder, or anyone really, check out our podcast Alone and Unafraid. You can find it wherever you listen to podcasts and check out our website: 👉 https://aloneandunafraid.org

Who has been a guest on Alone and Unafraid

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Doug White
• Katie Huckett
• John Turner
• Ben Davis
• Darrell Utt

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

25 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

40 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

44

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Alone and Unafraid

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.