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After serving in the U.S. Navy, Chad Eaves built a career helping leaders communicate when the stakes are high. As the founder of Eaves Group, executive coach, and communication strategist, he works with executives, organizations, and veteran professionals to sharpen one of the most overlooked leadership skills: effective communication. Drawing on decades of experience spanning military service, corporate leadership, and academia, Chad focuses on the practical side of influence—how to lead teams, navigate difficult conversations, and build trust without relying on buzzwords or management fads. His work is rooted in the belief that communication isn't a soft skill—it's a competitive advantage. In this episode, Chad joins SOFREP Radio to discuss leadership after service, the communication mistakes that derail careers, and why the ability to clearly influence people is often the difference between merely getting the job done and earning the opportunity to lead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Mike Simpson is a former U.S. Army Ranger, Special Forces Green Beret, emergency medicine physician, and combat veteran. After serving with the 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry (Ranger), he went on to become a Special Forces Engineer and Medical Sergeant with the 7th Special Forces Group, deploying throughout Central and South America. Following his military service, he earned his medical degree and later served as an Army physician assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), deploying in support of the Global War on Terror. Dr. Simpson was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for valor and the Combat Medical Badge. Today, he is a board-certified emergency medicine physician, a recognized expert in tactical trauma and combat sports medicine, an MMA fight physician, podcast host, and speaker. He is also known for his work as a member of the investigative team on two seasons of the History Channel series Hunting Hitler. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shawn Johnson graduated from Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, with a degree in Criminal Justice before earning his Juris Doctorate from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was immediately accepted into the FBI, trained at the FBI Academy, and assigned to the Seattle Division. There, he worked on the Green River Serial Murder investigation before joining the Violent Crimes Squad, where he investigated bank robberies, fugitives, interstate theft, extortions, and kidnappings. His legal background also led to service as Assistant Chief Division Counsel. Johnson later joined the National Security Squad, working counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations, including joint overseas investigations with the United States Army and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Returning to the Violent Crimes Squad, he played a key role in the Hollywood investigation, helped establish the Puget Sound Violent Crime Task Force, served as Bank Robbery Coordinator, and authored the Division's Bank Robbery Response Plan. After transferring to the Milwaukee Division's Madison Resident Agency, he focused on drug conspiracy investigations, employing sophisticated surveillance techniques that contributed to major takedowns of drug organizations in Chicago and Madison. Following 9/11, he managed the newly established Madison Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), overseeing federal and local efforts to investigate international terrorism. Johnson later returned to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he instructed new agents in criminal investigations, counterterrorism investigations, and Human Intelligence (HUMINT). His final FBI assignment was with the Directorate of Intelligence, training agents in HUMINT policy and procedures. Upon retiring from the FBI, he founded Wolf & Owl LLC, where he continues to train FBI personnel in support of the Bureau's mission to protect the United States. Steven Meyers was the partner and principal accomplice of Scott Scurlock, better known as "Hollywood," the notorious bank robber responsible for a string of high-profile bank heists in the Seattle area during the 1990s. Over the course of four and a half years, Meyers worked closely with Scurlock and their crew in planning and executing 19 bank robberies that resulted in the theft of more than $2.3 million. Beyond participating in the operation, Meyers helped develop the plans, create disguises, and support the methods that allowed the crew to evade law enforcement for years. Meyers and Scurlock were deeply involved in every aspect of the enterprise, including planning operations, laundering money, and acquiring vehicles and equipment. As Scurlock's closest collaborator, Meyers gained a unique understanding of the man behind the "Hollywood" persona and the motivations that drove one of the Pacific Northwest's most infamous crime sprees. In 2023, Meyers was featured in the Netflix documentary *How to Rob a Bank*, providing firsthand insight into the robberies and the inner workings of the crew. Today, he joins retired FBI Special Agent Shawn Johnson—the lead investigator who helped solve the case—to share the untold stories behind the Hollywood robberies and offer perspectives from both sides of one of the most remarkable bank robbery investigations in modern history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nate Amidon is the founder and CEO of Form100 Consulting, a veteran-owned tech consulting firm that applies military leadership principles to modern software organizations. His team has improved technology practices for Fortune 500 companies across manufacturing, aviation, CPG, and defense sectors. Nate served over 20 years in the Air Force as a C-17 pilot, accumulating 4,000 flight hours, 800 combat hours, and earning 5 Air Medals. His experience leading aircrews and planning large-scale missions’ shapes Form100’s approach to alignment, clarity, and execution in technology programs. He holds a management degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from the University of Nebraska, and multiple industry certifications. Nate lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife and three children, and spends his free time fly fishing or skiing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dustin “Dusty” Turner is a former Navy SEAL trainee whose case has become one of the most controversial wrongful-conviction stories connected to the military community. Convicted in 1996 for the murder and abduction of Jennifer Evans, Turner maintained that his fellow SEAL trainee, Billy Joe Brown, acted alone — a claim Brown later confessed to under oath. Despite a Virginia court initially granting Turner a Writ of Actual Innocence in 2009, the decision was later overturned on appeal. After serving more than 30 years in prison, Turner was released on parole while continuing to fight for full exoneration. During his incarceration, he became known as a model prisoner, mentor, veterans’ support leader, and advocate for rehabilitation and second chances See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tod Robberson is the author of Globemaster Down: Soviet Espionage and the Doomed Attempt to Sneak Nukes into Europe, released on March 31, 2026. Tod is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who spent four decades as a reporter, bureau chief, correspondent and/or editor for various news organizations including The Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Reuters news agency. He currently is a senior editor for investigative news at ESPN. Robberson has lived in London, Panama, Mexico, Cyprus, El Salvador, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia and holds a master’s degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. He has covered wars throughout Latin America, the Middle East and Afghanistan and has provided guest commentary for CNN, MSNBC, National Public Radio, Sky News and Telemundo. In addition to his 2010 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing, Robberson has received a National Headliners Award, the SAIS-Novartis Award for international reporting, and statewide journalism awards in Texas and Missouri.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Butler is a former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and the founder of Awake Green Beret. After years of service in high-intensity military environments, he faced the difficult transition out of the military and the internal challenges that came with it. His journey led him beyond conventional paths and into deep personal work, including shamanic practices and spiritual exploration. Through that process, he rebuilt his sense of purpose and identity. Today, Butler works with veterans and others seeking transformation, helping them navigate trauma, reconnect with themselves, and integrate a more grounded, purposeful way of living—bridging the gap between the warrior mindset and inner healing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Magnus Johnson is a former Green Beret, Bronze Star recipient, and co-founder of Mission 22, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending the veteran suicide epidemic. He has spent his life studying what breaks men and what builds them, first on the battlefield, then in the long, often invisible struggle of coming home. After leaving the military, Johnson faced what so many veterans face: the disorienting work of rebuilding identity outside the uniform. That journey, through art, mindfulness, community, and faith, became the foundation for everything he has built. This includes Mission 22's Recovery + Resiliency program, designed to help veterans transform trauma into Post Traumatic Growth. Find out more about 'The Men we Make' here : http://www.magnusrjohnson.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack MacTavish is a retired United States Army Colonel and author of action-adventure and espionage fiction. Over a military career spanning more than 36 years in both the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, he served in airborne, special operations, and joint assignments, including roles supporting U.S. Army Special Operations Command and U.S. Special Operations Command. His operational experience took him across multiple global regions, including Afghanistan, Korea, Haiti, Central and South America, and the Middle East. In addition to his military service, MacTavish has supported missions within the U.S. Intelligence Community as a contractor. MacTavish is the author of Royal Diamonds (2026), his debut novel, which blends action-adventure, espionage, and historical intrigue. His writing is informed by firsthand experience, emphasizing realism, operational authenticity, and the complexities of modern conflict and global power dynamics. He currently resides in North Carolina, where he continues to write and remains an advocate for veteran causes, including support for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kyle Steiner is a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran and combat leader who served in the Global War on Terror. He enlisted in the Army in 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, serving in the Korengal Valley during some of the most intense fighting of the war. His experiences there were later captured in the acclaimed documentaries Restrepo and Korengal. During combat operations, Steiner was wounded in action and awarded two Purple Hearts after surviving multiple enemy attacks, including an RPG blast and a machine-gun round that struck and deflected off his helmet. He later went on to serve in U.S. Army Special Forces, conducting missions across the Middle East, Central America, and South America. Over the course of his career he became Ranger-qualified, Combat Diver-qualified, HALO-certified, and a graduate of the Special Forces Sniper Course. His assignments included service with SOCOM’s Crisis Response Force. Steiner’s military decorations include two Purple Hearts, three Bronze Stars, and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor. Today, he is the founder of Operator Mindset, a leadership and performance coaching platform focused on discipline, resilience, and purpose. He is also a husband, father, and speaker who shares lessons from combat, leadership, and personal transformation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Kracyla is a retired U.S. Army Green Beret with more than two decades of experience leading teams in environments where trust, judgment, and execution were critical under real pressure. Following his military service, he recognized a gap in the business world: many highly capable veterans and operators were entering the private sector without the systems, networks, or structured development needed to translate their leadership experience effectively. To address this challenge, Kracyla founded Business Sergeant, a leadership development and executive search platform designed for organizations that cannot afford leadership failure. The platform serves founders and CEOs seeking trusted leaders, while also preparing veterans and operators to step into high-level roles in business. At its core, Business Sergeant is built around community. Leaders are developed, observed, and held to high standards long before they are placed in positions of responsibility. Its executive search work flows directly from this network, allowing the organization to place leaders it knows, trusts, and has helped develop into mission-critical roles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rob Kelly is the founder of ALWAYS READY™ and a former New Hampshire police officer, Department of Defense contractor, K9 instructor/handler, and lifelong public servant. Built on a foundation of discipline, mindset, and action, ALWAYS READY™ was born from Rob’s personal transformation and his commitment to helping others take ownership of their lives. In December 2023, Rob hit a breaking point—overweight, burned out, and stuck in self-made excuses. Instead of chasing motivation, he chose discipline. That shift—from “I should” to “I must”—sparked a complete transformation and became the core philosophy behind ALWAYS READY™. Today, Rob’s mission is simple but uncompromising: help people uncover their “why,” eliminate excuses, and show up stronger in body, mind, and purpose. ALWAYS READY™ is more than a brand—it’s a movement for anyone willing to build real readiness for life’s challenges, whether in service, work, family, or personal growth. Being ALWAYS READY™ means cultivating a resilient body, a disciplined mind, and a heart grounded in service—ready to face whatever comes next. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Hallberg is a high-energy, straight-shooting coach who thrives on helping teams pursue something special. His philosophy is simple: go big—if not, go medium—but never settle or walk away. With more than 11 years of full-time experience implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), Chris has seen firsthand what’s possible when teams commit to clarity, discipline, and execution. He credits the grit, resilience, and passion of the organizations he works with for overcoming real obstacles and achieving meaningful wins in the face of adversity. EOS works when leaders want it to—and the results speak for themselves. A significant number of Chris’s clients have been recognized as a “Best Place to Work” more than 100 times combined, based on rigorous employee engagement surveys that often require 90+ percentile scores. These organizations consistently build world-class cultures alongside exceptionally profitable outcomes for all stakeholders. Chris primarily works with privately held, entrepreneurial organizations that aspire to be great—leaders willing to make tough people decisions, have honest conversations, and lead with kindness. His clients typically range from $10M to $1B in annual revenue and include parent companies, family offices, and private equity firms seeking stable, consistent growth. He is also the Founder and President of GoExpand, an officially licensed EOS software platform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Harmeet K. Dhillon is the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice and a nationally recognized attorney with decades of experience in constitutional, civil rights, and election law. Prior to joining the DOJ, she founded and led Dhillon Law Group, representing clients in high-profile cases involving free speech, religious liberty, and equal protection under the law. A former vice chair of the California Republican Party and longtime Republican National Committeewoman, Dhillon has been a prominent voice on legal accountability and individual liberties. She is known for her sharp legal insight, principled advocacy, and willingness to challenge powerful institutions in defense of constitutional rights. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Parsons is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War veteran. He earned the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry for his service in Vietnam. After returning home, Parsons used the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Baltimore, graduating magna cum laude, and later received an honorary doctorate from the university. In 1984, he founded Parsons Technology after teaching himself computer programming, growing the company to nearly 1,000 employees before selling it to Intuit in 1994. In 1997, he launched Jomax Technologies, which later became GoDaddy, building it into the world’s largest domain name registrar and a global leader in web services. Parsons is currently the founder and CEO of YAM Worldwide, overseeing a diverse portfolio of businesses that includes PXG (Parsons Xtreme Golf), real estate, marketing, finance, and hospitality. Alongside his wife, Renee, he co-founded The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, supporting causes such as veteran assistance, education, medical care, and homelessness. He is also the New York Times bestselling author of Fire in the Hole!, which chronicles his journey from combat veteran to successful entrepreneur. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.