Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show
Welcome to Not Special with Herb & Corrie Thompson
Real people. Real stories. Real growth.
Join Herb, a Green Beret, and Corrie Thompson, his less hairy half, as they sit down with special guests — from veterans, leaders, and everyday people who’ve faced extraordinary challenges.
Each episode of Not Special explores what it means to be human — to face fear, lead through change, and find purpose in the in life. You’ll hear unfiltered conversations about resilience, mindset, leadership, and authenticity — the kind of wisdom that helps you get unstuck and start living with more courage and clarity.
💬 Honest conversations that make you laugh, think, and feel.
💡 Lessons on overcoming fear, embracing failure, and leading with heart.
🔥 Motivation for anyone chasing purpose, growth, or a fresh start.
🎧 New episodes every Thursday — subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a story that might just change the way you see yourself.
Episodes
32 episodes
She Ran CIA Operations. He Led Navy SEALs. Their Story Is Unreal | Karen Schaefer and John Burnham Interview
In this episode of Not Special, Karen and John share what it was really like inside the CIA, SEAL Team 6, Afghanistan, and the mission environment that led to the Osama bin Laden raid.Karen spent 26 years serving as a CIA operations offi...
Navy EOD Operator Tells the Truth About War, Fear & Brotherhood | Pat McKenna Interview
Pat McKenna joins the Not Special Show with Herb and Corrie Thompson for a raw, unfiltered conversation about Navy EOD, war stories, overcoming adversity, mental toughness, and the journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an ...
From Immigrant Kid to 48-Hour Jiu-Jitsu World Record Attempt 🇺🇸 | Charles Gomes Interview
What kind of person pushes their body to the edge for 48 straight hours with no sleep and no quitting?Meet the inspirational Charles Gomes — Navy veteran, Brazilian immigrant, jiu-jitsu black belt, and a man on a mission far bigge...
The “Broken Veteran” Lie Needs to End (What They’re Not Telling You) | Kevin Schmiegel Interview
The idea that veterans come home “broken” is everywhere but it’s not the full story.In this episode, Marine veteran and nonprofit leader Kevin Schmiegel shares his journey from service to leadership, through personal struggle, and ultima...
The Story of a Soldier Who Saved His Team in Ramadi | Dan Pinion Interview
In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with a retired Command Sergeant Major to unpack one of the most powerful and overlooked stories from the war in Ramadi.What begins as a conversation about leadership quickly becomes so...
Medal of Honor Recipient Reveals: Mindset That Saved His Life in Vietnam | Jim McCloughan Interview
Medal of Honor recipient Jim McCloughan doesn’t believe he’s special. But during one of the most intense battles of the Vietnam War, he ran into enemy fire over and over again saving dozens of lives while wounded, outnumbered, and ...
From Special Forces to Author: The Story Behind Desert Heist | Alex Dekker Interview
Alex Dekker is a former Green Beret, combat veteran, and author of Desert Heist.After being severely injured by a Taliban grenade, Alex fought his way back to his team—eventually deploying again while still recovering. In this e...
Ranger to Green Beret to Rock Bottom Then Redemption | Ricky Mills Interview
Ricky Mills is a former Army Ranger and Green Beret whose story goes far beyond combat.From a difficult childhood to elite military service, Ricky built his identity around strength and resilience, until a near-fatal accident and traumat...
He Had No Military Background But Was Selected For Elite CIA Unit | Bryan Mabry Interview
What happens when a “normal” guy walks into a world built for SEALs, Rangers, and operators and refuses to quit?In this episode of Not Special, Bryan Mabry shares the inside story of going from overlooked candidate to CIA Global Respons...
Operator Syndrome Explained | Dr. Chris Frueh on Elite Performance & Veteran Health
Clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Frueh explains Operator Syndrome and the hidden physical and psychological costs of elite military performance in this honest conversation that impacts veteran stories.In this episode of ...
Navy SEAL Built AI Company To Lower Crime With a Veteran Team
Navy SEAL Mike Lahiff doesn’t believe he’s special.But he understands something most people don’t, ownership changes everything in this honest conversation.In this episode of Not Special, we talk about risk, pressure, bui...
Night Stalker Pilot to Chick-fil-A Owner | The Unlikely Story of Mike Athanasakis
Mike flew elite combat missions. He commanded one of the most selective aviation units in the U.S. military. He was told growing up he wasn’t intelligent.In this honest conversation, Mike Athanasakis shares his journey from a troubled ch...
Navy SEAL Now Bakes Bread for his Wife | Kevin and Kristen Seiff Interview
Kevin didn’t make it into the Navy SEALs on his first try. Or his second. He didn’t even make it through his first week of BUD/S.Kristen left a stable teaching career, built a nutrition coaching business, burned out… an...
Special Forces Don't Talk About This | Herb Thompson Interview | Episode 19
In this deeply personal episode, Herb Thompson former U.S. Army Green Beret, Drill Sergeant of the Year, Ivy League MBA, speaker, and entrepreneur, shares the moments that shaped him most: combat leadership, chaos, addiction, recovery, m...
High School Dropout to Military to Millionaire | Jason DeBlasio Interview | Episode 18
Jason DeBlasio shares his journey from a difficult upbringing and dropping out of high school to serving as an Air Force flight engineer, supporting critical mid-air refueling missions on the KC-10 during combat operations.In this...
No Plan B: Spencer Hatcher on Going All In on His Country Music Dream
Spencer Hatcher didn’t have a backup plan—and he wasn’t interested in playing it safe.In this episode of Not Special, Spencer shares his journey from growing up immersed in music and faith in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to bett...
Brain Expert Explains The Brain So Normal People Understand | Chantel Prat Interview | Episode 16
What if the very things you think are “wrong” with your brain are actually what make you successful?In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Chantel Prat, cognitive neuroscientist, professor, author of The Neuroscience of You, a...
United We Stand, Divided We Fall | Patrick Murphy Interview | Episode 15
Former U.S. Congressman, Acting Secretary of the Army and Iraq War veteran, and Patrick Murphy joins Not Special for a wide-ranging, no-BS conversation about leadership, unity, national debt, military service, and why moral courage—not party lo...
Delta Force Veterans Moves From Taking Lives To Saving Lives | Tom Spooner Interview
In this powerful episode of the Not Special Podcast, Herb and Corrie sit down with former 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Green Beret, and Delta Force operator Tom Spooner who now dedicates his life to saving warriors instead of fighting wars. ...
The Army Tried To Stop Him, He Kept Going | Johnny Vargas Interview | Episode 13
In this powerful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Johnny Vargas, aka Viva La Vargas — U.S. Army NCO, viral content creator reaching 30–40 million views a month, and one of the most influential voices in the military communi...
Former National Security Advisor Cracks Capitol Hill Wide Open
In this insightful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie sit down with Nic Adams, former National Security Advisor to 2 Senators and one of the most sought-after voices on government dynamics, intelligence operations, and the hidden gears tha...
The Most Interesting Man In The World
Meet RJ Casey, the real-life Most Interesting Man in the World — Green Beret, Air Force Pararescueman, SpaceX astronaut-recovery specialist, Hollywood aerial safety consultant, and co-founder of Four Branches Bourbon.In this episode of ...
Movie Producer Decided That Something Had To Be Done
From combat zones to camera crews — this is the incredible story of Mark Kershaw, an Army veteran who turned battlefield lessons into cinematic storytelling.In this episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit dow...
From Failing Speech Class to Fueling Leaders
In this powerful episode of Not Special, Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Shawn Dawley — former Air Force pilot, Harvard National Security Fellow, and professional keynote speaker — to talk about leadership, fear, failure, and finding pur...
Hollywood stuntwoman turned keynote speaker reveals how to master fear
What happens when a Hollywood stuntwoman—used to face real danger—turns it into a platform to help others overcome fear and speak with confidence?In this powerful episode of Not Special, hosts Herb & Corrie Thompson sit down with Ha...