Thad Forester's official site

LinkedinYoutube
  • Book
  • About
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Upcoming Events/Media
  • Blog
  • Patriot to the Core podcast
  • Affiliates/Sponsors
  • Contact

Episode 030 – Iraq veteran and financial planner Benjamin Brandt

June 12, 2017 By Thad Forester

benjamin brandt financial planner

I asked Benjamin Brandt how deploying to a war zone prepared him to be a financial planner.  He said in the military they learned to act without thinking.  In his profession now, it’s important to think without acting.

He was a member of Task Force Trailblazer where he was a combat engineer.  Their mission was to identify IED’s so US and coalition forces are assured mobility.  While deployed in 2003-2005 for 15 months, he saw IED’s get more and more sophisticated.

Now 12 years later he has a successful business teaching people how to retire.  He also gives us solid advice how to plan a vacation on a limited budget by:

  1. have 30 daily (not monthly) budget meeting with spouse
  2. do not round numbers, be specific.  You can save a few dollars here and there that will add up each month
  3. Press pause on what you can – cable, Netflix, lawn maintenance, etc

We have a great talk about actionable steps we can take to put ourselves in better financial positions.  And Benjamin is open about his PTSD and how he has no side effects now.

Retirement Starts Today

You can watch him on his weekly show “Money Monday” in a Gorilla suit here:

http://www.myndnow.com/news/bismarck-news/money-monday-trick-or-treat/603482833

He’s an interesting guy with no secrets.  He even hired a private investigator to find out everything about him and he published on his blog.

Learn more about Brandt here, including listening to his podcast:

http://retirementstartstoday.com/

Blog

Subscribe to his podcast

Benjamin created this link for our listeners:

http://retirementstartstodayradio.com/patriot/

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/325940654-user-645944549-benjaminbrandt.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: financial planner, iraq, national guard, oif, ptsd, recon by fire, retirement income planner, task force trailblazer

Episode 022 – Dan Sheehan, Marine, Cobra Pilot, author of After Action

February 20, 2017 By Thad Forester

Dan Sheehan authorDan Sheehan was fully prepared for combat.  He’d been an officer in the Marines for six years.  His father was a Navy pilot; his brother was a Marine.  This is what he was meant to do.  When it came to killing the enemy; no problem.  If they pose a threat, kill them.  If they try to kill him or his team, kill them.  It was that simple…. or so he thought.

He learned it wasn’t that cut and dry during his first deployment to Iraq in 2003.  When teammates eliminated terrorists, he had no problem with it–it was necessary.  But for some reason when Dan killed, it impacted him like he never imagined.  His attitude became worse and his emails home turned more negative.

He not only struggled with actually killing, but how could he be 100% certain those he was firing at were legit enemy combatants?  There was no way to be completely certain.  He also learned the results of inaction could cause death to him and his teammates.

Welcome Home

Dan returned home in 2002 to a welcoming nation.  Strangers bought him drinks and shook his hand.  But when things quieted down, he was a wreck.  He couldn’t sit still.  Even surfing wasn’t the therapy he thought it’d be.  How was he supposed to immediately adapt from an active battlefield to home life?  He turned to alcohol, which allowed him to calm down some.

Fortunately, he had an understanding and patient wife, plus he began spearfishing.  His wife helped him in a way that no one else could.  The spearfishing provided a rush and “high” that he needed to feel normal.

His journey has been long, but he told me he’s in a really good place now.  He’s a stay-at-home dad who vowed to not screw up his kids.  Writing provided therapeutic healing in a way nothing else did.  Now, his books help veterans and those close to them understand they aren’t alone.

To learn more about Dan, his books, and to see pics and videos from his deployments, check out his web site below:

www.dansheehanauthor.com

You can purchase his awarding winning books here:

After Action

Continuing Actions

 

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

 

 

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/307617701-user-645944549-episode-022-dan-sheehan.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: after action, cobra, continuing actions, forward air controller, good people don't kill, iraq, mark forester, ptsd, sheehan, spearfishing, va

Episode 013 – Michael Yon, War Correspondent, author

October 17, 2016 By Thad Forester

Photo of US soldier carrying an Iraqi girl wounded in an SVBIED attackDennis Miller called Michael Yon the “Premier Combat Journalist”.  You want captivating?? This is it.  We cover topics from hand-to-hand combat, North Korean’s kidnapping Japanese and presumably Americans, the United States’ biggest threat, pedophilia among our mid-east enemies, WWII 442nd Infantry Regiment, war crimes, and much more.

After getting out of the Army Special Forces, Michael embedded with our troops for longer than any other war correspondent, according to the New York Times.  He deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Thailand, Philippines and elsewhere.

Learn more about Michael here:

https://www.michaelyon-online.com/

And his book “Gates of Fire”:

https://www.michaelyon-online.com/gates-of-fire.htm
Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.

Copyright 2016 Thad Forester

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

 

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/287251052-user-645944549-episode-013-michael-yon.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 442nd Infantry Regiment, afghanistan, battle of tinian, combat journalist, danger close, deuce four, gates of fire, go for broke, hand to hand combat, iraq, north korea, Operation Phantom Fury, revenge, war crimes

Episode 006 – Maj Will Lyles, US Army (ret), Green Beret, bilateral amputee, OIF & OEF Veteran

July 25, 2016 By Thad Forester

Maj Will Lyles

As a college baseball player, Will was mentally tough and physically strong.  After graduating college, he joined the Army and became a member of Special Forces (aka Green Beret).  He shares the challenges of going through the pipeline and how the Army gave him much more than he ever gave it.

On his third deployment, he stepped on an IED and lost both legs above the knee.  This IED also killed some teammates.  He enlightens us with his road to recovery, mental toughness, and strain on his family.  He now hunts, snowboards and serves as a motivator and inspiration to anyone dealing with adversity.  He expresses how grateful he is to be alive and to live in this country.

Learn more about Will here:

http://poetsandquants.com/2015/10/19/meet-the-rice-jones-mba-class-of-2017/8/

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/274955347-user-645944549-maj-will-lyles-us-army-ret-green-beret-bilateral-amputee-oif-oef-veteran.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: adversity, afghanistan, army, bamc, bilateral amputee, green beret, iraq, johnnie yellock, magic legs, special forces, will lyles, wounded warrior

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicAndroidPandoraiHeartRadioPodchaserby EmailTuneInRSSMore Subscribe Options

Recent Posts

  • New GORUCK Boonie Hat: Does it Float? April 11, 2025
  • GORUCK Merino Challenge Socks vs. Smartwool vs. Darn Tough – Who Wins? January 4, 2025
  • GORUCK Merino Challenge Socks Review: Are they Legit? January 3, 2025
  • Ep 119 | Mark Roland – Insider Attack! November 25, 2024

agold-seller

Buy the book on Amazon

back cover - final

Become a Patron!

"The book excels at showing how combat deaths affect families, friends, and fellow service personnel and how such losses can inspire others."  Read more...

"..I am adding this book to my recommended reading list for my Cadets, as an example of the type of warrior, leader, selfless servant, and man they should strive to emulate."  Read more...

"A rare, personal and authoritative glimpse into one of the many, many lives that was willingly sacrificed to pay the the Price of Freedom."  Read more...

Become a Patron!

Proud Supporter & Affiliate

Proud Supporter & Affiliate

Mark Lauren Bodyweight – Affiliate and User Since 2017

Copyright © 2025 · Thad Forester