Podcast
Mentors for Military Podcast
Hosted by aka Mentors4Mil · EN
Imagine a bunch of veterans sitting around a living room with their favorite adult beverage and someone brings up a topic that takes the conversation down a rabbit hole. That's our show. Grab a chair and your favorite beverage and join in on an awesome topic. Our hosts are military veterans and our guests are real people with a message to share. Real Talk. Real People. (aka Mentors4Mil)
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP-419 | When Promotion Feels Like a Trap: Choosing Growth vs. Balance
4d ago00:47:16Tap to summarizeBrandon and the crew discuss the dilemma of internal promotions, imposter syndrome, and whether to chase pay or protect quality of life. They explore setting boundaries, delegating, negotiating expectations, and how company culture affects career moves. The conversation offers practical advice on when to say no, defining work hours, and making career decisions after long tenure or rapid role changes. This conversation is skewed somewhat towards Brandon, a civilian, but most of what is discussed can be used within the military as well. Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
Transcribe →EP-418 | The Guys' Circle: Vulnerability, Friendship, and Real Talk
3w ago00:46:22Tap to summarizeFour friends—some new to the mic—share candid conversation about vulnerability, the small circle of trusted friends, and how to balance authenticity with everyday life. Thanks for joining us Brandon and Daniel (aka Civilian Dan). Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
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EP-417 | Ryan Reitmeier: A Journey Through Trauma and Healing
Jul 701:47:22Tap to summarizeA candid conversation with a former athlete-turned-sailor who navigates baseball ambitions, service in the Marines and Army, family struggles with a special-needs child, a serious car accident, and a long path through trauma. Through faith, EMDR therapy, and reconnecting with coaching and home, he shares how treatment and support are helping him heal and rebuild his life.
Transcribe →EP-416 | Find a Way: Lessons from Major General Pete Gallagher
Jun 2301:29:26Tap to summarizePete Gallagher recounts a 35-year military career that spans small-town roots, mentorship, leading elite communications units, and driving Army network modernization. He highlights problem-solving, multidisciplinary teamwork, and the ‘find a way’ mindset learned at the tip of the spear. Through personal stories of loss, casualty assistance, and innovation—from tactical MacGyvering to building the integrated tactical network—Gallagher shares practical leadership lessons for serving soldiers and leaders transitioning to civilian life. Since joining the U.S. Army in 1986, he served in a wide range of ascending positions, including Commander of Network Enterprise Technology Command and the Chief Information Officer (CIO)/J6 of United States Central Command. He commanded troops at the Platoon, Company, Troop, Battalion, Squadron, and Brigade, and Army Direct Reporting Unit levels. His command assignments include United States Special Operations Command units including Commander of the Joint Communications Unit, Battalion Commander for the 112th Signal Battalion, Squadron Commander of a Special Mission Unit. He also served as the Brigade Commander for DISA Central Field Command. Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
Transcribe →EP-415 | A New Direction - 2026
Jun 701:04:32Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Robert, Kyle, and Sean catch you up on what's been going on behind the scenes and what to expect with the podcast going forward. We feel the new direction is needed. We appreciate you listening in all of these years and we hope you'll stay along for the ride going forward. Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
Transcribe →EP-414 | Ian Palmer: Leading Through Crisis
May 1801:53:05Tap to summarizeIan Palmer is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with more than 26 years of experience leading organizations in complex, global, and high-stakes environments. He commanded at every echelon from platoon to brigade combat team, culminating in service as Chief of Staff of the III Armored Corps, where he led the synchronization of operations and strategy for a 90,000-person organization across five Army installations. His career included combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, advisory and partnership missions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and strategic assignments on the Joint Staff in the Pentagon, where he advised national leaders on global operations. A lifelong leader and mentor, Ian has built teams from the ground up, led organizations through crisis and transformation, and shaped leader development across every level of the Army. ________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
Transcribe →EP-413 | Nick Merrick: Community - Competition - Purpose
Apr 2801:30:28Tap to summarizeNick recounts his path from infantry recruit to Green Beret, sharing intense selection stories, combat and training experiences, and a defining leadership moment where empowering a junior soldier changed a career. He also describes his transition out of active duty and how he founded Green Beret Racing/Battle of the Branches to build community, competition, and purpose for veterans struggling with life after service. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #specialforces #greenberet #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
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EP-412 | Matt Butler - From Green Beret to Shaman: One Soldier’s Healing Journey
Apr 1401:50:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode Matt Butler recounts his 27-year military career from enlisting and becoming a Green Beret through combat deployments, leadership roles, and the professional frustrations that followed. He shares candidly about addiction, suicidal ideation, and the turning point that led him to plant medicine and shamanic practice. Butler describes his ayahuasca and psilocybin experiences, subsequent apprenticeship with shamans, and his work helping veterans heal. He also discusses his book "From Green Beret to Shamanism," resources for veterans, and how to connect with him at AwakeGreenBeret.com. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #jsoc #specialforces #greenberet #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
Transcribe →EP-411 | Will Spears - From Enlisted Electrician to Submarine Commander: A Nuclear Journey
Mar 3101:32:27Tap to summarizeU.S. Navy Commander Will Spears shares his path from enlisting as a nuclear electrician to becoming a submarine officer, detailing intense training, life aboard attack and ballistic submarines, and the realities of operating nuclear propulsion undersea. He discusses leadership, accountability, damage control, and how stoic philosophy shaped his approach to moral decisions and resilience, and mentions his book "Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy." His book https://a.co/d/014W9QrP His substack https://williamcspears.substack.com/ _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #subs #nukes #submarinewarfare #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
Transcribe →EP-410 | Omar Melendez - One Shot: Owning Failure and Leading Forward
Mar 1701:38:38Tap to summarizeOmar tells his journey from Brooklyn to becoming a Ranger and First Sergeant, sharing how a mortar mistake became a key teaching moment about integrity, trust, and learning. He describes imposter syndrome, the grind of selection and Ranger life, and why humility and mentorship matter. The episode explores the Abrams Charter decision to leave the 75th Ranger Regiment for the 82nd Airborne, the challenge of living as a standard-bearer outside the Rangers, and how leaders can bring hard-earned standards and people-first leadership back to conventional units. _________ Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentors-for-military-podcast/id1072421783 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3w4RiZBxBS8EDy6cuOlbUl #drones #AI #artificialintelligence #mentors4mil #mentorsformilitary Mentors4mil Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mentors4mil Patreon Support: https://www.patreon.com/join/Mentors4mil Intro music "Long Way Down" by Silence & Light is used with permission. Show Disclaimer: https://mentorsformilitary.com/disclaimer/
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