Know Way Out

Divine Peace in today’s episode, Dr. Taylor and John converse with Master Gunnery Sergeant Dusty Lund. Through his unique combat experiences that both empowered him and humbled this leader of Marines, Master Guns discusses the importance of finding God in the midst of chaos. Through his reunification with the Divine in the firefights and from a young recruit, Master Gunnery Sergeant has found the peace and contentment to live a meaningful life here and the assurance that God has his six today and in the hereafter. Enjoy!

Sergeant Christopher Castaneda joined Chaplain Taylor and John on this inspiring episode of Know Way Out. Sgt “Cas” at the age of 20, was diagnosed with cancer while serving as a Marine in Japan. After this experience, he hit rock bottom, and wondered if he would survive and if he wanted to. Sgt “Cas’s” story is one of determination to live again and the steps it took to rise up to be a great leader of Marines, a devoted husband, and get his life back. We hope you enjoy.Also, please follow Sergeant Castaneda on YouTube and Instagram to get even more motivating content from him and his wife @wanderingcastanedas.

Dr. Taylor and John discuss the challenges associated with navigating the holidays for Marines, Sailors, and frankly everyone else. Through this conversation, individuals will hopefully recognize that the holiday season has its own unique problems that can heighten one's anxiety, stress, and depression.

Lieutenant Joshua Pacifico is the Company Commander of H&S. In this episode, LT Pacifico discusses his journey from truant High School student to a freshman in college lost in a drunken haze. He decides to change his life while sitting drunk on a bench in a park when he sees what his life could be. Through this experience, and the choices he makes thereafter, he becomes a Marine Officer and company commander who preaches the importance of travel, hard work, patience, and optimism.

Dr. Taylor and John interview Dylan Bender, the director of the veterans Services Center at Irvine Valley College. A former infantry and artillery Marine, Dylan discusses the unique challenges of transitioning out of the Marine Corps. He discusses how important the Marine Corps was for his education and identity. Due to an unfortunate medical issue, he could no longer be an active-duty Marine and needed to find a life outside of the Corps.

Dr. Taylor and John discuss the voice in our head that is blasting fear and worry into our hearts and minds. What is this voice telling you? Can that voice be trusted? How is fear and worry hijacking your mind into convincing you that the future is a bleak terrifying place? This episode is for anyone who wants to combat and analyze that voice and potentially keep that voice in its rightful place as a murmur rather than the primary actor in our minds.

LtCol Tyrone A. Barrion took command of 1st Combat Engineer Battalion in June 2024. In this episode, LtCol Barrion discusses his upbringing, leadership lessons he learned as a young officer, the importance of family, and the importance of "being a beginner and a sound decision maker." Through his multiple deployments, leadership, and being a father, LtCol Barrion explains the importance of giving Marines and Sailors multiple opportunities to succeed and fail and become a great human being in the process.

Dr. Taylor and John invite Donna Miranda (Director of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society) to the show to discuss the relationship each individual has with money! How to recover from financial mistakes, how to avoid potential pitfalls, and how the Marine Corps Relief Society helps Marines and Sailors become financial fit. We've all made our share of mistakes in our relationship with money. Donna and her team are here to help you recover and become educated on how to own up to your mistakes and be successful with the money you do have. Peace of mind is the greatest sleeping pill, and your relationship with money is vital to obtaining the serenity you desire.

In today's episode, Grace Kim, wife of LtCol Christopher Kim, discusses the journey of a military spouse. Through multiple moves, having a spouse in combat while nurturing a newborn back home, and working full-time, Grace highlights the joys and challenges associated with giving one's life to support a greater cause. Through the help of other military spouses, God, and her commitment to marriage and family, Grace and LtCol Kim continue to pursue a military life of meaning and purpose.

Dr. Taylor and John invited Corporal Colin York to the podcast for Alcohol Awareness month. This young man discusses his own struggle with overcoming alcohol use and seeing a path forward. Through his experiences, the listeners will learn the struggles associated with alcohol in the current Marine Corps. These stories will resonate not only with those who currently are struggling with alcohol use, but anyone who wants to be inspired to change their life for the better. Hope you enjoy.

In this episode, Dr. Taylor and John interview First Sergeant Select Jeremy Fletcher and retired Gunnery Sergeant Crystal Fletcher. This is a story about two hard charging Marines who fall in love and are faced with something they did not expect, a daughter with Autism. They are faced with a difficult decision, to put the needs of their family first, or the aspirations for both of them to progress in their careers. This episode highlights what true heroes are, and the importance to believe in something bigger than yourself.

Sergeant Major Nicholas Carrel has a storied career in the United States Marine Corps. With 9 deployments under his belt and over 20 years of service, Sergeant Major exemplifies what a true leader is. In this episode the subject of leadership is addressed. Through his lens, he identifies the traits and attributes of exceptional leadership, and opens the curtain to his life as a junior Marine that had its fair share of setbacks where he could have thrown in the towel and given up. Instead, he chose to move forward and dedicate his life to helping Marines and Sailors succeed in their careers and most importantly in their lives.

LT Ryan Bass and LT Jaycie Annable join Dr. Taylor and John to discuss the challenges and joys of being a young officer in the Marine Corps. This free-flowing conversation dives into their dating lives, the difficulty of communicating what a Marine's life is like to those who do not understand, the problem with assuming the worst when their is radio silence with a significant other, and the humility that needs to develop in a young officer when leading enlisted Marines who have more knowledge and years of experience than their own.

Dr. Taylor and John talk with Adam Vandiver, Camp Pendleton's EPBHC (Embedded Preventative Behavioral Health Capabilities Specialist) about how creating habits of sleep, spirituality, and community build resilience to the struggles of life.

Paige Blades Hanley discusses her role as the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and how to create a culture of a sexually safe Marine Corps and society. Through her life experiences including multiple deployments, 4 kids, Marriage of 21 years, obtaining a master's degree in psychology, and her current position, Paige helps us recognize what each individual can do to create a professional and comfortable workplace where equality can exist.

In this episode, Dr. Taylor and John discuss what influences, be them cultural, familial, or individual, that prevent people from seeking help for their internal suffering.

In this episode, Corporal Koons explains his journey to joining as an enlisted Marine at the age of 28. Koons is a quintessential Renaissance Man. A painter, songwriter, comic book creator, and martial arts expert. Through him the importance of fostering trust, creating an enjoyable working environment, pursuing your interests, and getting up like Spider-Man during the hard times leads to a productive and exciting life.

In this episode, First Sergeant Joshua Nicholson pulls back the curtain to the training and combat experiences of Marines. From his 9 deployments, 6 of which in direct combat with enemy forces, First Sergeant gives us a window into the importance of building a mentally and physically resilient fighting force.

Through multiple combat experiences, including witnessing the tragic death of a child, Lieutenant Colonel Kim discusses his journey of recovering his mind and soul through the help of his peers, professionals, and his wife. Without these sources, and LtCol Kim giving up control, he would not be the leader he is today.

In the opening episode of Know Way Out, Chaplain Taylor and John discuss the impetus for the podcast through Chaplain Taylor's personal story of an olive branch gifted to him by a judge who could have (and perhaps should have) sent him to prison for the first five years of his young adult life.