In this episode, Michael will share his wisdom on self-awareness, leadership, and the strategies he has developed to empower leaders in high-pressure situations. His involvement in Toastmasters and numerous awards, including Distinguished Toastmaster, further highlight his exceptional communication skills.

Managing fear is one of the most important skills that will serve you and your loved ones in every area of life. Whether you are starting a new job, raising children, being caught in a violent encounter, the one emotion that universally will be experienced by all is fear. The faster you are able to recognize fear and it’s psychological and physiological effects, you will be better able to reengage your cognitive thinking and apply tactics to overcome whatever stimulated to fear response. Doing this is easier said than done, which is why I am excited to introduce you to my guest.

My guest today is Coach Tony Blauer. Tony is a defensive tactics expert and has been training men and woman around the globe in self-defense. He founded Blauer Tactical Systems (BTS) in 1985 and it has grown into one of the world's leading consulting companies specializing in the research and development of performance psychology, personal safety, and close quarter tactics & scenario-based training for law enforcement, military, and professional self-defense instructors. His research on the neuroscience of fear and the startle-flinch led to the development of the SPEAR System® a modern personal defense system based on physiology, physics, and psychology. It has been used by defensive tactics and combative trainers all over the world for over 30 years. After decades of interviewing victims of violent encounters and studying violence, he created the KNOW FEAR® program which focuses on managing fear through self-awareness, resiliency, and a 'movement' mindset. This program has also been integrated by psychologists helping Vets to deal with PTSD.

Life can throw so many difficult things our way, but my guest today is Jay Tiegs and he is here to tell you that you need to "Do Hard Thing." Jay is a high performance leadership coach with over 25 years of service in the United States Army. Jay has led hundreds of men and women and has deep level of understanding when it comes to leadership and motivating others to reach their potential. Jay believes taking on difficult challenges in life with persistence and commitment enables people to find great success in life.

Today’s guest, Eric Rittmeyer is a former US Marine and an expert in the fields of mental toughness and emotional intelligence. He’s been a professional speaker for the past decade, and is a regular guest on all of the major television outlets including Fox, CNN, NBC and ABC. Eric’s also the author of the book “The Emotional Marine – 68 Mental Toughness and Emotional Intelligence Secrets To Make Anyone Instantly Like You”.

As children across the nation are preparing to return to school there are many important questions on the topic of school safety beyond the health concerns that parents need to be asking their children, their children's teachers and administrators. There are many questions about mental health and the toll the pandemic has had on children. It is critical that we all prepare now and know the risks that our schools face, not so we will live in a constant state of fear, but that we might be informed to have a greater level of confidence that the appropriate mitigation strategies are implemented to save the most lives should an act of evil come to our communities. "Knowledge diminishes fear," and this conversation with (Ret.) Chief Tony Pustizzi will move us one step closer to equipping ourselves with the information to engage in tough conversations with the local school systems.

On todays show Steve Hallman is joined by the founder of Veterans Club Inc, Jeremy Harrell. Jeremy shares his story of overcoming adversity in childhood and as an adult. After being deployed to Iraq in the U. S. Army Jermey had to confront an internal and external battle with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Jeremy found the courage to confront difficult circumstances head on and has overcome the effects of trauma in his own life and has since started the non-profit organization Veterans Club in the state of Kentucky to help other veterans learn learn about themselves through a variety of therapy methods.