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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
25 episodes
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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50:13
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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...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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46:34
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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40:54
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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1:00:04
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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1:08:22
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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42:45
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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43:12
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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46:39
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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52:44
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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41:33
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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49:51
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. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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1:05:06
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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51:42
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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59:36
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 ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:18:17
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:22:57
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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34:17
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...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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43:46
Surviving Innovation & the Use of Influencers in the Army Today
What happens when the U.S. Army meets innovation, technology, and influencer culture? In this episode of Not Special, hosts Herb and Corrie Thompson sit down with Colonel Kris Saling, a leader in Army talent management and inn...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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43:51
USS Cole Attack: 25 Years of Lessons and Leadership
Commander Kirk Lippold, captain of the USS Cole, shares his powerful story of leadership, sacrifice, and resilience after the 2000 terrorist attack. Hosted by Herb & Corrie Thompson, this episode of Not Special: A Liberty Speaks Show
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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58:26
They're Saving Lives, You Won't Believe How | Episode 5
In this episode of Not Special, we sit down with Jim and Jodi Lynch to explore their inspiring journey from military service to building a medical practice dedicated to helping others. They share candid insights on the challenges of tr...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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33:51
The Hidden Battle, Mental Health From a Warrior's Perspective
This conversation explores the remarkable journey of a Special Operations veteran with 2 Purple Hearts who immigrated from Moldova to America, joined the military, and faced the challenges of combat and mental health. Pasha Palanker highlights ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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36:24
Truths for Real Leaders Only with Frances Frei | Episode 3
In this engaging conversation, Frances Frei shares her unique journey as a thought leader in business, discussing her experiences with rejection, the importance of trust, and evolving leadership. She emphasizes the need for equal access to meri...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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34:40
The Untold Story of Special Forces Commander Dagger 6 | Episode 1, Part 2
In this moving episode, Herb and Corrie reflect on the enduring legacy of Task Force Dagger with John Mulholland and the pivotal role of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan. They share firsthand insights into the realities of joint military oper...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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29:38
The Untold Story of Special Forces Commander Dagger 6 | Episode 1, Part 1
In this powerful episode, retired Lt. General John Mulholland shares his incredible journey from childhood dreams to becoming a three-star general and legendary leader of the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He offers rare insights into...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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32:55