Through the Storm

On this episode of the Through the Storm podcast with Dr. Travis Hearne, Travis sits down with former NFL linebacker, leadership expert, author, and all-around amazing human, Thomas R. Williams.Since 2018, Thomas R. Williams has been a proud member of The Jon Gordon Speaking Team, dedicated to developing positive leaders and fostering stronger, more connected teams. With his signature passion and energy, Thomas helps organizations apply transformative principles from The Energy Bus, The Power of Positive Leadership, and The Power of Positive Teams to build winning cultures driven by positivity and purpose. Before stepping into the world of leadership development, Thomas built an impressive career in sports.As a standout linebacker at the University of Southern California (USC), he played a pivotal role in leading his Trojan teams to an incredible combined record of 59-6, securing two National Championships along the way. His success on the field led him to the 2008 NFL Draft, where he spent five years competing at the highest level, going head-to-head with the best and learning from world-class coaches. Through these experiences, Thomas gained invaluable lessons in leadership, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.But life had different plans. After a career-ending neck injury forced him to hang up his cleats, Thomas didn’t let adversity define him—he used it to redefine his purpose. Instead of being a game-changer on the field, he set out to become a life-changer in the world. Now, he’s on a mission to help others discover their greatness, face challenges head-on, and unlock their full potential.Thomas is fired up and ready to empower you with the mindset, tools, and energy to achieve extraordinary results.

On this episode of the Through the Storm podcast, Dr. Travis Hearne once again talks to CEO, leadership educator, speaker, fitness professional and retired Marine, Marc Rodriguez, a man whose career embodies resilient leadership. Rodriguez, who first appeared on the show to share his journey from the Marine Corps to a CEO, returns to explore what it takes to lead with strength, purpose, and humility through life’s toughest challenges.Rodriguez shares how his latest movement, The Gentlemen’s Circle, is redefining leadership and modern masculinity. What began as a simple list of friends’ names has grown into a powerful community of men committed to becoming better leaders, fathers, and citizens. Built on accountability, service, and connection, The Gentlemen’s Circle challenges men to rise above ego and lead with resilience and integrity.Drawing on his Marine Corps background and entrepreneurial journey, Rodriguez reminds listeners that true strength isn’t about dominance—it’s about responsibility, discipline, and courage. His philosophy centers on restoring accountability, integrity, and purpose among men and entrepreneurs—not through “alpha” energy, but through service, discipline, and community. By sharing his journey from a rigid military mindset to one rooted in empathy and adaptability, Rodriguez illustrates how resilient leadership can transform not only organizations but also the lives of those who lead them.

Chase Harris is a father, husband, entrepreneur, and all-around force of light. Alongside his wife, Carly, and their son, Cash, he has inspired millions online through messages of resilience, faith, and family. Their story is one of turning adversity into action — and hardship into hope.“We knew early on that Cash had this special gift of influence,” Chase shares. “He is bold and lives his life on purpose. He lights up any room he rolls into! The phrase, ‘my resilience is greater than life’s resistance,’ speaks to Cash’s tenacious attitude towards life. Cash’s adversity and the challenges he faces never stop him from accomplishing his goals and desires.”Born with spina bifida, Cash’s journey has shaped the Harris family into powerful advocates for accessibility, empathy, and perseverance. What began as sharing their daily life online evolved into a platform for awareness, especially during Spina Bifida Awareness Month, as the family realized how many others were walking similar paths. Their openness and positivity have inspired countless families to find strength through their own challenges.This mission of service led to the creation of the Harris Family Accessibility Assist, a nonprofit providing therapy, mobility aids, and adaptive equipment for children with disabilities—filling the gaps left by limited insurance coverage. Grounded in faith, the Harrises continue to use their growing influence to uplift others, reminding the world that resilience, compassion, and purpose can turn adversity into light.

Captain Stephanie Simon (USMC) is currently a professional boxer (2-0), a boxing instructor, and a Marine Corps reservist. She is the 2024 Olympic Trials Boxing Champion, 4x Elite National Boxing Champion, 3x National Collegiate Boxing Champion, and United States Marine Corps Boxing Hall of Famer.Stephanie Simon is originally from Atlanta, GA, grew up in Vancouver, WA, and is currently living in Los Angeles, CA. After graduating from Evergreen High School in 2012 as an all-American wrestler, all-state discus thrower, and honor roll student, Stephanie was accepted to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. There, she learned how to box and eventually became a 3x collegiate national champion. She was also the team captain of the track team and a member of the Glee Club. In 2017, Stephanie was commissioned as a US Marine Corps officer and became an Amphibious Assault Officer, where she led 50 people and commanded 20 Amphibious Assault Vehicles. She was honored to be a part of the first wave of women to serve in combat arms in USMC history.

In this episode of the Through the Storm podcast, Dr. Travis Hearne speaks with jewel thief, computer hacker, and world-changing leader, Lisa Bischoff. Lisa's life is a testament to the power of transformation. Her journey has taken her from being an electrical engineer to a hacker, a jewel thief, and now, a transformational coach dedicated to helping others navigate life’s storms. Through her work as the founder of Fit2Xist and co-founder of Life Reimagined, Lisa shares practical strategies and her personal story to inspire individuals to overcome limiting beliefs, embrace growth, and step into their purpose. Her approach, which blends mindset, wellness, and faith, has helped countless people rewrite their own stories and create lives of healing, purpose, and fulfillment.

On this episode of the Through the Storm podcast, Dr. Travis Hearne speaks with Retired U.S. Air Force Pilot, Global Keynote Speaker, and all-around badass, Jason O. Harris. Lieutenant Colonel Jason Harris is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, best-selling author, expert thought leader, and professional pilot.As a fourth-generation military member, Jason’s distinguished career in the US Air Force has spanned more than two decades. He has served (continuously) on active duty and currently as Squadron Commander in the Air Force Reserve Command. Since graduating from the United States Air Force Academy, he has flown multiple aircraft over the course of his career including 11 deployments with more than 2,000 combat hours and 470 combat sorties around the globe.These high-risk combat experiences have all served as the launching point for his proprietary “No Fail Trust™” methodology. His proven methodology serves organizations and teams as a tool to empower executives and team members to foster an environment of mutual trust, responsibility, and productivity.Lt. Col. Harris is an established, nationally recognized keynote speaker in the areas of Leadership, Corporate Culture, High Performance Teams and Psychological Safety. He has shared his expertise with numerous high-level associations and Fortune 500 companies including Cisco Systems, Caterpillar, Ford and Lockheed Martin. Additionally, his insights have been featured in publications like Forbes magazine, multiple podcasts and, most recently, on a six (6) part docu-series airing on the History Channel.While his impressive resume continues to grow with accolades, achievements and contributions, Jason Harris remains steadfast in his commitment to serve. Leveraging his experience and work alongside the most senior military leaders, Congressional Leaders and even the Vice President, Jason Harris’ mission is clear: To relentlessly dedicate himself and those he serves to develop a culture of commitment, accountability and trust.To learn more about Jason, check out his website and on social media: https://jasonoharris.com/

As the CEO and Founder of Tribe + Purpose, Otis McGregor provides the guidance and expertise to reshape the culture and structure of small businesses and launch them to the next stage of growth. With over 13 years of experience as a leadership and success coach, Otis McGregor has helped hundreds of clients around the world achieve their goals and make an impact.Otis' mission is to create a legacy of leaders who create great organizations that improve the world. As a former Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel, he leverages his unique blend of heart, passion, violence of action, and experience in leading the top 1% of the greatest men the USA has ever produced. He is also a TEDx speaker, an author, and a podcast host, where he shares his insights and stories on life, leadership, and team building. According to Otis, great organizations create great communities, and with great communities, we create a better world.

Sterling Hawkins, best-selling author, investor, entrepreneur and keynote speaker, who is globally recognized as a leading expert in organizational culture, joins Dr. Travis Hearne on the Through the Storm podcast to talk about the storms of failure. Founder of the No Matter What Movement, he shows people how to practice trust to achieve the results they want regardless of obstacles.Sterling developed his trust-powered success system to learn from the painful collapse of his multi-billion dollar startup involvement. He's since combined his business background, research, study and practice to come back and launch, invest in and grow more than 100 companies. He's taken that experience to work with C-level teams and leaders and speak on stages around the world. He's been featured in magazines like Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times and Inc.He believes that the depth of your trust determines the extent of your growth and success in life and business. Getting results requires being brave, declaring big goals and stepping outside your comfort zone. To inspire people to unlock their own inherent potential, he shares five practices that help us push beyond our perceived limits to make a difference for our companies, communities and families. When he's not at home in Colorado, he may be out skydiving, swimming with sharks or adventuring with the No Matter What Movement.For more information, visit SterlingHawkins.com

Dr. Travis Hearne links up with Retired Green Beret Lieutenant Colonel, Scott Mann, on the newest edition of the Through the Storm podcast. Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret with tours all over the world, including Colombia, Peru, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. He is a warrior storyteller and the founder of Rooftop Leadership, where he shares the rapport-building and storytelling skills he learned in Special Forces to help today's leaders make better human connections in high-stakes, low-trust engagements.Scott is the author of the instant New York Times Best-Seller, Operation Pineapple Express, a third-person narrative detailing the harrowing stories of the Veterans, volunteers, and Afghan Allies who navigated the US abandonment of Afghanistan in August of 2021. The Gary Sinise Foundation partnered up with Scott to bring his play, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret, to stages across the country in an effort to provide healing to our Veterans and Families of the Fallen, as well as providing insight to our citizens on the personal cost of the longest war in our Nation’s history. His newest book, "Nobody is Coming to Save You, A Green Beret's Guide to Getting Big Sh*t Done" is an instant classic, packed with tips on how to get huge things done well!To learn more about Scott’s full body of work, visit ScottMann.com.

Keynote speaker and leadership expert Waldo Waldman is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo. He teaches tactics on how to build trusting, revenue-producing relationships with employees, partners, and customers while sharing his experiences as a decorated fighter pilot and sales expert. A graduate of the Air Force Academy, he holds an MBA with a focus on Organizational Behavior and is a former top-producing sales manager.Waldo Waldman is a retired Lt Col who overcame massive claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a decorated fighter pilot with 65 combat missions and 2,650 flight hours. He was deployed worldwide and led combat missions in Iraq, SE Asia, and Kosovo during Operation Allied Force.His greatest honor is being a father to his son Ace and a partner to his loving wife Dana. He is passionate about 80's music, fitness, big dogs and Thai food. He shares his Atlanta home with his Great Dane “Willie” and two cats – Olive and Fig.

Chase, Carly, Charly, and Cash are the most motivating people you will ever meet. Cash, born with spina bifida, shows the world every day that "Their Resilience is greater than life's resistance". He is a future Paralympian and a kid who is truly changing the world.Here's a brief description from the Harris family:We knew early on that Cash had this special gift of influence. He is bold and lives his life on purpose. He lights up any room he rolls into! The phrase "my resilience is greater than life's resistance" speaks to Cash's tenacious attitude towards life. Cash's adversity and the challenges he faces never stop him from accomplishing his goals and desires. One thing that's next for the Harris family is that we have developed a non-profit called the Harris Family Accessibility Assist. Through sharing our story, we have realized that there is a huge need for other kiddos with different abilities to receive the therapy and equipment that our insurance has been so gracious to cover. There is a major gap when it comes to coverage for many others leaving families struggling to provide these things for their kiddo.Their story is inspiring. Check it out!

Since childhood, sports have been John Register’s passion. A born athlete, he began swimming competitively at a young age, and soon added baseball, football and eventually track and field to his repertoire.After high school, Register earned a scholarship to the University of Arkansas, where he became a four-time All-American — once in the NCAA long jump, once in the 55m high hurdles and twice in the 4x400m relay teams. Upon earning his BA in Communications in 1988, John enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he proudly served for six years. In 1988, John qualified for the Olympic trials in the 110m hurdles, and again in 1992 for the 400m hurdles. With these accomplishments, he seemed destined to compete as a member of the 1996 Olympic Team. On May 17, 1994, however, his life would be forever altered with one misstep over the hurdle.A faulty landing hyper-extended John’s left knee, resulting in a severed popliteal artery. An attempt to reconstruct the artery using a vein from his right leg failed; within days, gangrene turned the muscle black, and amputation was suggested. The alternative was a useless left knee and ankle, which would restrict his movements to a wheelchair for mobility.While watching closed-circuit television in the Athletes’ Village during his first Paralympics, John observed athletes with one leg running and jumping on the track. Excited by what he saw, an idea was born, and after being fitted with a running prosthesis, he set a goal of competing in track and field at the 2000 Paralympic Games, in Sydney, Australia.Not only did John begin to run, he began to make history! Two years after his first run with an artificial leg, he earned the Silver medal in the long jump at the 2000 Paralympic Games and set the American long jump record in the process, with a distance of 5.41 meters (17.8 feet). He also sprinted to 5th place in both the 100 and 200m dashes.In 2003, he accepted a position with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), and birthed the USOC Paralympic Military Program, which uses sports to assist in the recovery of wounded, ill or injured service members. The program, which serves both active duty and retired military personnel, has impacted thousands in creating their new normal.John is now a Hall of Fame speaker, motivator, and world-class human being advocating for healthy leadership and organizations. He lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his wife Alice.

On this episode of the Through the Storm podcast, Dr. Travis Hearne talks with the CEO, Leadership Educator, Speaker, fitness professional and retired Marine, Marc (Rod) Rodriguez about how to become a successful business owner and how to bring your experience into how you lead.Marc Rodriguez is a thriving entrepreneur and a retired United States Marine with 21 years of active service. He owns and operates several businesses across the health and fitness industry, including the Self Made Training Facility Dallas, Manifest Fitness Institute, RoSan Connect, A Better Way Maintenance, and Exec Wellness. In addition to hosting his podcast, Project Fitfo, Marc organizes four masterminds annually called the Solution Focused Mastermind, and will launch a leadership coaching program by January 1, 2025. As a mentor and public speaker, Marc is committed to helping others succeed in entrepreneurship, while building an international empire that benefits both his team and customers.

In the latest episode of Through the Storm, Dr. Travis Hearne speaks with MGySgt (Ret.) Scott Stalker about one of the most important leadership lessons there is — how to deal with suicide. Suicide, particularly within military ranks, has become an alarming issue that not only devastates families but also shatters the cohesion and morale of entire units.During the conversation, Scott shares his deeply personal experiences with suicide within the ranks, while emphasizing the critical role that authentic, face-to-face leadership plays in preventing crises.Here’s a bit about Scott and his illustrious career.Scott Stalker served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps for 31 years, retiring in August 2023. While on active duty, Stalker served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Defense Intelligence Agency, United States Cyber Command, National Security Agency, and in his final assignment, with the United States Space Command. He served in a multitude of locations during his distinguished military career, including combat operations in Somalia, Bosnia, and Iraq, and a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation in Tirana, Albania.In addition to his strategic leadership assignments, Scott served with HMM-365, 26th MEU (SOC), Joint Intelligence Center Pacific, 1st Battalion 7th Marines, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Intelligence Activity, 3rd Marine Division, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and the Joint Staff J-2.Stalker has a bachelor’s degree in intelligence studies and a master’s degree in cybersecurity, as well as an organizational leadership certificate from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He completed his studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, where he became a SECDEF Strategic Thinkers Program CAPSTONE graduate.Stalker currently serves as a senior consultant and executive advisor for several different corporations and is the founder and CEO of S2 – Stalker Solutions LLC. He is a keynote speaker for high-profile events within the federal government, intelligence community and national security sector and serves on the boards of several businesses and nonprofits. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP), Marine Raider Foundation, JCTM, and others focused on intelligence, space, and cyberspace. Additionally, he leads the DoD & Intelligence Community Business Development efforts for Clarity Innovations.Stalker lives in Wilmington, NC, with his wife Malerie, who is a Gold Star Sister, their three daughters, and their English Bulldog Charlie.

Welcome to "Through the Storm," where resilience takes center stage. If you were to look up the word in the dictionary, you might just find a picture of Charmeachealle Moore, known affectionately as Mike Moore. His life story reads like a testament to unwavering determination and perseverance. Mike is a former Linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers, cancer survivor, and community advocate.Bio:Mike Moore is a survivor in every sense — from battling brain tumors to championing mental health as a certified first aid responder. His journey includes a stint in the NFL, where he showcased not only athletic prowess but also resilience in the face of adversity. A devoted husband and father of five, Mike is also a member of the 6% club, having navigated a divorce just days before his draft, only to remarry later in 2020.Since retiring from professional sports in 2019, Mike Moore has dedicated himself to a noble cause: creating supportive pathways for fellow athletes transitioning into life after the game. Through his initiative, these athletes find purpose in education and community service, making profound economic and social impacts wherever they go.Mike's latest mission with The Hero’s Project aims to transform American schools into safe havens, rebuilding the village support system that COVID-19 disrupted. His goal is nothing short of covering every school in the nation, ensuring every child has the environment they need to thrive.Join us as we delve into Mike Moore's journey, discovering how resilience, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of bettering our communities define his life's work.

In today's fast-paced business environment, where companies are frequently buffeted by unforeseen challenges, the importance of a resilient and positive workplace culture cannot be overstated. This theme is especially relevant as organizations worldwide strive to navigate economic uncertainties and rapid market changes.How does a strong company culture contribute to business success during turbulent times? This core question is explored in-depth in the latest episode of the Through the Storm podcast.Hosted by Dr. Travis Hearne, the episode features a conversation with Jason Miller, Founder and CEO of the Strategic Advisor Board. The discussion centers on how fostering a positive company culture can be a pivotal strategy for managing crises and driving business growth. Miller shares insights from his extensive experience in scaling businesses and managing high-stakes negotiations, emphasizing the role of a positive workplace culture in sustaining operations and morale during tough times.Key points from their discussion include:The Role of Leadership in Culture Building: Leaders are the architects of workplace culture, and their actions significantly influence how it evolves.Culture as a Business Strategy: Beyond perks and benefits, true company culture involves daily interactions and decisions that align with the company’s core values.Impact of Culture on Crisis Management: A strong culture provides a foundation for resilience, allowing businesses to navigate storms more effectively.Jason Miller brings a rich background to this discussion, combining his military experience with his corporate achievements. He has founded over 24 companies and now leads the Strategic Advisor Board, where he focuses on strategic growth and operational excellence. His military background as a First Sergeant has instilled in him a pragmatic and straightforward approach to leadership and crisis management.

Joining Dr. Travis Hearne on Through the Storm is General ( U.S. Army Retired) David H. Petraeus for a wild discussion of how important leadership is and how important it is to get the “Big ideas” right. General Petreaus is one of the greatest strategic minds of our time and his conversation with Dr. Hearne dives deeply into wartime strategy and the importance of leading people well.General Petreaus says, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Dr. Hearne has taken that opportunity to ask General Petreaus about the most difficult leadership storm he’s ever been through, how he made it through the storm, and what he learned from the storm. His responses will floor you.Bio:General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) is a Partner with the global investment firm KKR and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, which he established in May 2013. He is also a member of the boards of directors of Optiv and FirstStream, a venture investor in more than 15 startups, and engaged in a variety of academic endeavors.Before joining KKR, General Petraeus served over 37 years in the U.S. military, culminating his career with six consecutive commands, five of which were in combat, including command ofthe 101st Airborne Division during the fight to Baghdad and the first year in Iraq, command of the Multinational Security Transition Command in Iraq, command of coalition forces in Iraq during the Surge, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan.Following retirement from the military and after Senate confirmation by a vote of 94-0, he served as Director of the CIA during a period of significant achievements in the global war on terror, the establishment of important Agency digital initiatives, and significant investments in the Agency’s most important asset, its human capital.General Petraeus graduated with distinction from the U.S. Military Academy, and he is the only person in Army history to be the top graduate of both the demanding U.S. Army Ranger School and the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College. He also earned a Ph.D. from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs. General Petraeus taught international relations and economics at the U.S. Military Academy in the mid-1980s. He was a Visiting Professor of Public Policy at the Honors College of the City University of New York from 2013 through 2016, and he was for six years a Judge Widney Professor at the University of Southern California and a Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center.He is currently a Visiting Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute, Co-Chairman of the Global Advisory Council of the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, Senior Vice President of the Royal United Services Institute, a Member of the Trilateral Commission, and a member of the boards of the Atlantic Council, the Institute for the Study of War, and over a dozen veterans service organizations.Over the past 15 years, General Petraeus was named one of America’s 25 Best Leaders by U.S. News and World Report, a runner-up for Time magazine’s Person of the Year, the Daily Telegraph Man of the Year, a Time 100 selectee, Princeton University’s Madison Medalist, and one of Foreign Policy magazine’s top 100 public intellectuals in three different years.General Petraeus has earned numerous honors, awards, and decorations, including four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, two NATO Meritorious Service Medals, the Combat Action Badge, the Ranger Tab, and Master Parachutist and Air Assault Badges. 13 foreign countries have also decorated him, and is believed to be the only person who, while in uniform, threw out the first pitch of a World Series game and did the coin toss at a Super Bowl.

Navigating through significant personal loss and trauma requires more than just time; it demands emotional healing and resilience. The latest episode of Through the Storm tackles this complex topic with guest Dr. Ted Wiard, the Clinical Director and Founder of Golden Willow Counseling, who shares his profound experiences and professional expertise in overcoming life-altering grief.Exploring Emotional Healing and ResilienceHosted by Dr. Travis Hearne, this compelling episode provides a deep dive into how individuals can foster emotional healing and resilience in the face of adversity. Dr. Wiard, a seasoned expert in grief counseling and emotional recovery, outlines strategies that aid individuals through their darkest hours, transforming personal suffering into strength.Key Discussion Points• The Foundations of Emotional Resilience: Dr. Wiard discusses the critical role of resilience in both personal and professional contexts, offering insights into building this essential quality• Support Systems and Emotional Healing: The indispensable role of support systems in facilitating emotional healing, underscoring their value in the recovery process• Navigating Life Transitions: Practical advice on managing life's inevitable changes and using them as opportunities for growth and emotional developmentRev. Dr. Ted Wiard, based in Taos, New Mexico, is a licensed professional clinical counselor and certified grief counselor. He directs Golden Willow Counseling and the Golden Willow Retreat, which focuses on supporting those dealing with grief, loss, trauma, and recovery. A noted public speaker and author, Dr. Wiard actively promotes the importance of emotional healing and resilience across various platforms, including national seminars and workshops.

Best-selling Author Mark “Oz” Geist joins Dr. Travis Hearne on the “Through the Storm” podcast to discuss navigating leadership storms. Geist draws parallels between his harrowing experience in Benghazi and leadership challenges in everyday life.