Before Shaun heads off to Asia, we take a moment to slow down and reflect. In this episode of The Collective, it’s just the two of us, talking about the transitions ahead, the lessons learned from the past few months, and what’s next for The Collective as we begin releasing our recorded conversations.From travel and change to rhythm and routine, this is a grounded conversation on staying intentional while life shifts around us. Sometimes, stepping away gives us the space to see the bigger picture and this episode captures that pause.📅 New Collective episodes every Friday🎙️ New Gold Mine episodes every Wednesday#TheCollective #Podcast #Mindset #Reflection #Change #Growth #Travel #VeteranVoices #IntentionalLiving #BeBetterEveryDay

Who are you when no one’s watching, and who do you become when the world’s looking back?In this episode of The Collective, We sit down to explore The Persona: the masks we wear, the authenticity we chase, and the growth that comes when we bridge the two.Matt Barnett – Founder of Bonetti Explosives in Texas, Matt blends creativity with precision as a craftsman and entrepreneur. His insights on leadership, personal responsibility, and authenticity come from years of balancing risk, craftsmanship, and self-awareness.Gordon Hurley – A Canadian Armed Forces veteran turned creative director and filmmaker, Gordon channels his experiences into design, apparel, and documentary storytelling that explore identity, service, and the pursuit of purpose.Eric Tung – A police commander and wellness advocate from Washington State, Eric leads with empathy and discipline. As the host of Blue Grit Radio and creator of Blue Grit Wellness, he focuses on leadership, mental health, and helping others align their mission with their mindset.This discussion unpacks how identity is built through challenge, reflection, and purpose. Revealing how each persona we adopt can either protect us or hold us back.#TheCollective #ThePersona #Leadership #Authenticity #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #VeteranVoices #Podcast #SelfReflection #BeBetterEveryDay

Everything great starts with a foundation. Values, lessons, and purpose forged through challenge and vision. In this episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun sit down with US Army Major General (Ret.) John Gronski, USMC Master Sergeant (Ret.) John Dailey, and US Army Ranger SGM (Ret.) Mike Burke to explore the origins and ethos that shaped elite organizations like the US Army, The Marine Raiders and the 75th Rangers.Together, they reflect on the principles that stand the test of time, how those lessons transfer to leadership and life today, and what it truly means to build something that lasts.📘 Founding principles that forged elite unitsHow ethos shapes performance and leadershipThe balance between tradition and evolutionLessons from military origins applied to modern life#TheCollective #Leadership #MilitaryMindset #FoundingPrinciples #OriginsAndEthos #ArmyRangers #JTF2 #Podcast #PersonalGrowth #PhilosophyOfLeadership

What does it take to truly bring people together?On this episode of The Collective, we dive into the art of facilitation — guiding without dominating, bridging worlds without breaking them apart, and turning friction into growth.Joining us are Alan Shebaro, former US Army Green Beret, Martial Artist with both Judo and BJJ black belts, now retired world traveler, and Clay Surratt, former U.S. Army infantryman, social worker, now martial arts gym owner and coach. Together, we explore how to hold space for voices that clash, create connection across communities, and grow through understanding.Tune in to learn:How facilitation builds trust across diverse communitiesStrategies for guiding without controllingLessons from military, martial arts, and social work on connection and leadershipDon’t miss this conversation about connection, growth, and the power of facilitation.🎧 Subscribe and hit the notification bell to catch every episode of The Collective.#TheCollective #Facilitation #Leadership #CommunityBuilding #VeteranVoices

No plan, just purpose. Chance & Shaun explore leadership, pride, and the patterns that shape us — in life, work, and the field.In this unscripted episode of The Collective, Chance and Shaun dive deep into what happens when leadership falters — and how pride, purpose, and accountability can keep us on track. From painting fences in the summer heat to handling explosives in Afghanistan, the conversation explores lessons learned through experience, mistakes, and mentorship.They discuss the danger of losing your “why,” the importance of calling out patterns before they become problems, and how true leadership exists at every level — from the field to the boardroom to the family. Featuring audience insights, laughter, and honest moments of reflection, this episode reminds us that we’re all responsible for the standards we live by.🔥 Topics Covered:The cost of poor leadershipFinding pride in the work you doThe power of patterns and accountabilityLessons from military life that apply anywhereStaying purpose-driven through adversity💡 Join the discussion. Learn, grow, and build The Collective.📩 Subscribe to The Reinforcement Loop newsletter for weekly insights 📅 Catch us live: Fridays on The Collective | Wednesdays on The Goldmine📧 Contact: buildthecollective@gmail.com👇 If this episode made you think — drop your thoughts in the comments and hit SUBSCRIBE.#TheCollective #Leadership #Accountability #PurposeDriven #VeteranPodcast

What do you do when the plan collapses? When the future looks uncertain and success has to be redefined?In this episode of The Collective, we dive into the raw reality of adaptability—what it means to thrive when everything changes.Featuring:Steve Gowin – US Army Veteran, seasoned Law Enforcement Professional, Tactical Leader, now Coach & EntrepreneurDean Stott – Former UK Special Forces Operator, World Record-Breaking Adventurer, Security ConsultantJames Geering – Former Firefighter & Host of the acclaimed Behind the Shield Podcast with over 1,000 episodes on resilience and serviceTogether, we explore:Is adaptability a skill you can train—or a mindset earned through trial and error?How do you stay grounded in your principles when everything shifts?What anchors you when the mission changes mid-stride?And what does success look like when the original plan no longer works?🔴 Join us for an unfiltered conversation on resilience, growth, and navigating the chaos of change.#TheCollective #Adaptability #Resilience #SpecialForces #FirstResponders #GrowthMindset

How do you pass on wisdom so it actually takes root? In this episode of The Collective, host Chance sits down with three men who have not only lived hard lessons but have mastered the art of communicating them so others can truly absorb their impact.Mike Burke — Former U.S. Army Ranger and seasoned entrepreneur, bringing insight from both the battlefield and the boardroom.Dave Grossman — Retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, law enforcement officer, and bestselling author of On Combat and On Killing, known worldwide for his powerful keynotes on human performance and leadership.Chris Burns — Former comic book artist turned Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and instructor, recognized on social media for his blunt, no-bones approach to sharing hard truths.In this conversation, we explore:How to transfer hard-earned lessons so they resonate with people who haven’t lived themWhat makes a message memorable—and what causes it to be forgottenTechniques for teaching, mentoring, and communicating wisdom across generationsThe responsibility of those who’ve learned through struggle to pass that wisdom onIf you’re interested in mentorship, leadership, or simply making sure the lessons you’ve fought to learn don’t fade away, this episode will show you how to make your voice last.🔔 Subscribe to The Collective for more thought-provoking conversations

Curiosity is more than a passing thought—it’s the engine of discovery and the driver of real growth.In this episode of The Collective, Shaun and Chance sit down with two guests who know how to turn questions into action:Arjun Grewal — a first-generation Canadian who forged his own path from university to deployment in Kabul, then into Canada’s Special Operations Forces (JTF2). Fluent in multiple languages, Arjun’s unique perspective carried him from Special Operations to leadership roles in technology and venture capital.Randy Turner — JTF2 veteran, former professional MMA fighter, and founder of Direct Action Combat, where he trains military, law enforcement, and civilians in full-spectrum combatives and mental resilience.Together we explore:How curiosity shapes personal and professional evolutionWhy asking better questions leads to stronger leadershipWhat it really takes to stay open to growth in high-pressure environments👉 Join the conversation and share your own thoughts in the comments.🔔 Subscribe for weekly discussions on growth, resilience, and high-performance living.#TheCollective #Curiosity #GrowthMindset #SpecialOperations #Leadership #Resilience