The MisfitNation With Rchard LaMonica

Some of life's toughest battles aren't fought on the battlefield—they're fought within. In this unforgettable episode of The ToosDay Crüe, host Cagney welcomes Brandon Burton, a retired U.S. Army veteran whose 20-year military career included two deployments to Afghanistan, seven years as an instructor, and leading soldiers as a Company Commander. Brandon's experiences shaped more than his military career—they transformed his understanding of leadership, humility, responsibility, and what it truly means to care for the people entrusted to you. Inspired by becoming a grandfather, Brandon wrote Authority Without Control, a memoir that goes beyond traditional military stories. Rather than focusing solely on combat, he shares powerful lessons about servant leadership, personal accountability, healing from trauma, fatherhood, marriage, and the lifelong pursuit of becoming a better leader. Throughout the conversation, Brandon discusses: • Why leadership is about influence—not control • Lessons learned from Afghanistan • Toxic leadership versus servant leadership • Transitioning from military to civilian life • PTSD, self-care, and asking for help • Building trust inside organizations and families • The inspiration behind Authority Without Control • Advice for young leaders beginning their journey Whether you're a veteran, first responder, business owner, manager, coach, parent, or someone searching for practical leadership wisdom, this episode delivers authentic stories and meaningful takeaways that extend far beyond the military. Featured Guest Brandon Burton • Retired U.S. Army Veteran • Combat Engineer • Afghanistan Veteran • Leadership Author • Speaker • Author of Authority Without Control In This Episode • Serving after 9/11 • Combat engineering • Military leadership • Company command • Building strong teams • Leading with humility • Healing after service • Becoming a grandfather • Writing a leadership memoir • Lessons every leader should know If this episode inspired you, please follow the show, leave a rating, and share it with someone striving to become a better leader. Every download helps us continue bringing authentic conversations to the Misfit Nation community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the institution you trusted to build you nearly breaks you? In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode of The MisFitNation Podcast, Navy veteran, podcaster, mentor, and mental health advocate Mr. Whiskey shares the difficult realities many service members experience but few openly discuss. Joining the U.S. Navy at just 17 years old, Mr. Whiskey expected purpose, brotherhood, and leadership. Instead, he found himself navigating toxic leadership, overwhelming pressure inside the Navy's elite nuclear training pipeline, addiction, suicide, broken systems, and a culture that too often ignored the emotional wellbeing of those serving. Rather than allowing those experiences to define him, he transformed pain into purpose by creating a platform dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, and anyone battling life's darkest moments. During this powerful conversation, we discuss: • Toxic leadership inside the military and its lasting effects • The hidden mental health struggles facing today's service members • Suicide prevention and why the statistics don't tell the whole story • Emotional intelligence and what great leaders do differently • Mentorship, accountability, and changing military culture • Childhood trauma and how it follows many into military service • Finding hope, healing, and purpose after military life • Why humor can become one of our greatest tools for resilience This isn't simply another military interview. It's an honest conversation about leadership, responsibility, healing, and creating a future where service members are supported before they become another statistic. Whether you're a veteran, active-duty military member, first responder, leader, family member, or someone searching for hope through difficult seasons, this episode offers powerful insights that extend far beyond military service. Learn More from Mr. Whiskey Visit CoupleOnNukes.com to explore his podcast, educational resources, speaking engagements, books, and free content focused on leadership, resilience, mental health, and personal growth. Explore More from MisFitNation Visit TheMisFitNation.com for hundreds of inspiring interviews featuring veterans, entrepreneurs, first responders, athletes, musicians, authors, and leaders who prove that adversity doesn't define your future—it strengthens it. If this conversation impacted you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear its message. Remember: Your story isn't over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if one of the toughest battles a service member faces isn't on the battlefield—but within themselves? In this compelling episode of The MisFitNation Show, host Rich LaMonica sits down with Leah Stiles, retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief, Founder and CEO of SEA WAVES, to discuss the often-overlooked issue of eating disorders within the military community. For more than 20 years, Leah served her country while privately fighting an eating disorder, a struggle hidden behind the expectations of strength, discipline, and resilience. Today, she has transformed that experience into a national mission, leading SEA WAVES to provide education, advocacy, prevention, and resources for active-duty service members, veterans, and military families affected by eating disorders and mental health challenges. Together, Rich and Leah explore the realities of military culture, the stigma surrounding mental health, the importance of vulnerability in leadership, and why asking for help is one of the greatest acts of courage. In This Episode You'll Discover: • Leah Stiles' remarkable journey from Navy Senior Chief to nonprofit founder • Why eating disorders remain one of the military's least discussed mental health challenges • The connection between trauma, military service, perfectionism, and recovery • How leaders can identify warning signs and create supportive environments • The mission and impact of SEA WAVES in the military community • Practical insights into resilience, healing, and breaking the stigma around mental health Whether you're a veteran, active-duty service member, first responder, healthcare professional, leader, or someone navigating your own mental health journey, this conversation offers powerful lessons in courage, resilience, and hope. Learn more about SEA WAVES: https://www.sea-waves.org/ If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The MisFitNation Show, leave a rating and review, and share this conversation to help amplify awareness around mental health and support those who may be struggling in silence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does over two decades of military leadership teach about war, leadership, service, and America's future? In this episode of **The MisFitNation**, we welcome **Lt. Col. Paul Darling**, a 23-year U.S. Army veteran, West Point graduate, combat leader, author of *Taliban Safari*, host of the **War 102 Podcast**, and advocate for veteran suicide prevention through **Real Plastic Heroes**. Paul shares honest perspectives on combat leadership, lessons from Afghanistan, military reform, recruiting America's next generation of warriors, and why every citizen should better understand the profession of arms. He also discusses the realities of serving in today's military, developing resilient leaders, supporting veterans after service, and preserving the values that strengthen our nation. Whether you're a veteran, active-duty service member, first responder, leader, entrepreneur, or simply someone passionate about service and personal growth, this conversation delivers practical wisdom and thought-provoking insight. In this episode: • Leadership lessons forged in combat • The biggest mistakes America made in Afghanistan • The military recruiting crisis • Why accountability matters in leadership • Raising resilient leaders • Supporting veterans beyond the uniform • Real Plastic Heroes and veteran suicide awareness • The War 102 Podcast and military education Connect with Paul Darling 🌐 Real Plastic Heroes https://realplasticheroes.com/ 🎙️ War 102 Podcast https://war102.buzzsprout.com Connect with The MisFitNation 🌐 https://www.themisfitnation.com ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@The_MisFitNation If you enjoy conversations with military leaders, first responders, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and people who continue serving long after the uniform comes off, be sure to follow The MisFitNation and leave a review. Your support helps us continue sharing stories that inspire resilience, purpose, and service. Remember... Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Keep Hustling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do when someone you love is spiraling into addiction or a mental health crisis—and they refuse help? This week on The ToosDay Crüe, a MisFitNation Production, Cagney welcomes nationally recognized attorney Mark Astor for one of our most important conversations yet. After more than three decades practicing law, Mark has become one of the country's leading advocates for families navigating addiction, mental illness, involuntary treatment, guardianship, and the legal complexities surrounding the Baker Act and Marchman Act. In this powerful discussion, Mark shares his remarkable journey—from prosecuting violent felony cases to dedicating his career to helping families save loved ones caught in the devastating grip of substance abuse and mental illness. Together, we explore the legal realities most people never learn until they're in crisis, including why waiting for someone to "hit rock bottom" can be a fatal mistake. Whether you're a parent, spouse, veteran, first responder, healthcare professional, recovery advocate, attorney, or someone searching for answers, this episode delivers practical knowledge, compassion, and hope. In This Episode • Mark Astor's incredible career transformation • Understanding the Baker Act and Marchman Act • Mental illness vs. addiction: what families need to know • Why trauma is often the hidden cause of addiction • Helping someone who refuses treatment • The legal rights families have during a crisis • Veterans and the challenges of mental health care • Common misconceptions surrounding involuntary treatment • Why early intervention saves lives • Hope, recovery, and finding purpose through service This isn't just another interview. It's a conversation that has the potential to change lives. If someone you love is struggling, don't wait until tomorrow to start looking for answers. Connect with Attorney Mark Astor 🌐 Mental Health & Addiction Law Firm https://mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com 🌐 Baker Act Attorneys https://bakeractattorneys.com ▶️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@astorsimovitchlaw 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/astorsimovitchlaw 💼 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/markastor/ 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/astorsimovitchlaw/ About The ToosDay Crüe The ToosDay Crüe is the flagship podcast of MisFitNation, where authentic conversations inspire action. Every week we feature veterans, first responders, entrepreneurs, athletes, authors, nonprofit leaders, and everyday people making an extraordinary impact. We believe in resilience. We believe in community. We believe every story has the power to help someone else. If today's conversation inspired you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Because sometimes one conversation can save a life. Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Keep Hustling. Welcome to MisFitNation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices