The After Action Report

Send us Fan MailEver wondered how one goes from Marine to dental hygienist to crafting groundbreaking caffeine supplements? Join us in this episode of the After Action Report from the Eden Project as Bren Briggs and Michael Stuart engage in a lively chat about the sweltering Georgia heat and life's little quirks. We proudly present our mission to support veterans in underserved areas and welcome listeners from across the nation.   We are thrilled to have Cynthia Jenkins, a Marine turned entrepreneur, sharing her journey of resilience and innovation. Learn how her passion for running and her Marine Corps background led her to develop a gut-friendly caffeine gummy, despite the hurdles posed by the 2020 pandemic. Cynthia's story of transitioning from a 20-year dental career to launching her product during a global crisis is nothing short of inspiring.  We'll also introduce you to Cynthia's latest creation, "Exuberance Go," an energizing electrolyte drink mix packed with green tea, ginger, and bioavailable vitamins. Discover the challenges of getting it on Amazon and taste-test the surprisingly pleasant flavor. As our season wraps up, we reflect on memorable moments, upcoming plans, and the importance of normalizing mental health conversations. Join us, share the journey, and support our mission to bring essential services to our veterans.

Send us Fan MailCould resilience and transformation be the keys to overcoming life's toughest challenges? Join hosts Bren Briggs and Michael Stuart as they connect with Christopher Duke, an Army combat veteran, in this compelling episode of the After Action Report from the Eden Project. Discover how Duke's friendship with Bren, forged during a difficult time in his life, became a beacon of hope and collaboration. Together, they navigate the rough waters of entrepreneurship and the unwavering commitment to helping others, despite personal struggles.They also delve into peer support programs transformative impact on veterans and first responders, highlighting the importance of mindset, honesty, and accountability in the healing process. Learn about Duke's unexpected pivot to massage therapy and his path toward renewed entrepreneurial success. They wrap up by emphasizing the power of human connection and a positive outlook in achieving wellness. Be inspired by Christopher Duke's journey and join the Eden Project community to connect and grow together.

Send us Fan MailJoin Bren and Michael as they dive into part two of resiliency. Resiliency isn't about avoiding the fall; it's about rising every time we do, stronger and wiser. They discuss several additional tools and techniques to build and maintain your resiliency. One of the main concepts is that you have control of your thoughts, these thoughts have power over your feelings and behaviors. Want to learn more? Check out this episode.Take a deep breath, stand tall, and keep moving forward. You've got this! 

Send us Fan MailLife is full of unexpected twists and turns, but it's in these moments of challenge that we discover our true strength. Resilience is not about bouncing back to where we were but growing through the journey and emerging even stronger.Remember, every setback is a setup for a comeback. Keep pushing forward, stay positive, and never underestimate your ability to rise above. Join Bren Briggs and Michael Stuart on The After-Action Report as they discuss being resilient.  #theedenproject #theafteractionreport #veteranowned #veterans #veteransupport #military #militarylife #army #navy #marines #coastguard #airforce #soldier #integration #volunteer #michaelstuartproductions #BrenBriggs #Resilience #StayStrong #KeepGoing 

Send us Fan MailWe spent the day with Adam Glendye of “The Pursuit Counseling”. He walked us through the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress and ways to deal with them. He also discussed the stress healing professionals carry when helping other people. Adam provided a few tools to ensure we are not pouring from an empty cup. Interested in what Adam said? Click on the link below or go to your favorite podcast host and listen to how we address the difficult topic of how to keep our healing professionals healthy. 

Send us Fan MailWhat is mental health and how do you define it. If you are looking for a definition of mental health or a good starting point of how to define it, tune in and listen to Bren and Michael as they define mental health as only they can. They briefly discuss the Nested Model and the concept of your mental health on a spectrum. What is the Nested Model and what do they mean by mental health spectrum?  Join us and find out! Let us know what you think after you listen to this episode and as always, please like and share it. 

Send us Fan MailBren and Michael discuss the importance of each of these holidays and the differences between the two. Memorial Day is to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives to support and defend the principles and values of our great country. Veteran’s Day is to honor our living veterans and active duty service members. Join them as they discuss in their unique way these two very important holidays. 

Send us Fan MailMegyn Kelly and UFOs, Bren and Michael and Post Traumatic Stress, what's the connection? Listen and find out. Bren and Michael kick off Mental Health Awareness month talking about Post Traumatic Stress. They are intention about leaving off the "D". Listen and find out why. 

Send us Fan MailRecording with Juliet Funt was so much fun! She is smart witty and has some powerful concepts to help individuals and organizations of all sizes. Her book, "A Minute To Think" is a must-read! Prepare to laugh and learn in her easy-to-read book on how to create white space.  What is white space? Listen to this podcast then go get her book, "A Minute To Think". 

Send us Fan MailThe eclipse, wow what an event, or not! The eclipse may have cast a big shadow, but our co-host and guest today cast an even bigger shadow. It is always an honor to work with Michael Stuart, but we also had an amazing guest, Mack Story. Mack is the co-founder of Blue-Collar Leadership. Mack spent many years in the blue-collar workforce, starting his career working as a frontline machine shop operator. Later in his career, he logged over 11,000 hours leading hundreds of leaders and their teams through process improvement, leadership development, organizational change, and cultural transformation, both as an employee and as an independent consultant. His transformation from a Marine infantryman to an international leader is a powerful story. 

Send us Fan MailWARNING!! Controversial topic. Our goal is not to cause controversy or create problems but rather to give people tools to deal with reality. This episode is one of those topics that has caused people stress and tension. Not because the topic itself is the issue but rather how people respond to it. Bren and Michael talk about the power of the mind and the amazing things it can and can’t do. Check out the latest episode of The After-Action Report and learn more about the power of the mind. 

Send us Fan MailBren takes Michael and The After-Action Report on a detour when he ignores their show notes and discusses a different topic that came to him over the weekend. Bren and Michael talk about the effects positive and negative talk has on kids while service members are deployed. They do eventually get back on track and talk about faith and the power it has on one’s life. After you listen to this 30-minute episode, let us know what you think at Eden-project.com 

Send us Fan MailWho is your tribe? Do you have a buddy or two (tribe) that you can turn to and talk to no matter what is going on? If not, this episode will help you.  Join us as we talk with Jack Perry about his career in the Marine Corps and Army and his service as a first responder. Jack shares some very personal stories from his military service and his need for community. We talk about a small town in Pennsylvania called Roseto and how they were healthy because of their close-knit community. We also list 5 steps to find or build your tribe. Let us know what you think!

Send us Fan MailBren and Michael talk about gratitude, being intentional with gratitude, and some great veteran organizations like Wild Warrior Adventures and other peer-based programs. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. It increases happiness and reduces stress, Post Traumatic Stress, and pain management along with many other benefits. Researchers suggest that this may be because gratitude shifts one's attention away from negative emotions to more positive ones. They also talk about the power of box breathing and walk through the steps of how to do box breathing. 

Send us Fan MailWhy do we need another veteran-focused podcast? Listen to hear why Bren and Michael think it’s time for a podcast focused on veteran mental health. They also share journaling as a wellness practice. 

Send us Fan MailWelcome to the inaugural “After-Action Report” podcast with Bren Briggs and Michael Stuart. This episode lays the groundwork for why we started The Eden Project and this podcast. It briefly discusses Bren's military background, military career, and dark times that led to the founding of The Eden Project and his service to other veterans. The After-Action Report podcast is designed to help veterans find and refine their purpose. It also helps veterans and their families learn about and deal with the mental and emotional struggles they face in their post-military life.

Send us Fan MailA short 4-minute episode that describes how and why The Eden Project started.