In this episode of Strength From Service, we sit down with Brian Taylor, a National Guard veteran who deployed to Bosnia and Iraq before building a career at Mankato Motors.

Brian shares stories from his time in uniform, the lessons learned while serving overseas, and how those same values—discipline, teamwork, and service—shaped his approach to leadership and business. We dive into the transition from the military to civilian life, the importance of community, and what it means to carry forward a spirit of service no matter where life takes you.

This conversation is a blend of grit, humility, and inspiration—whether you’re a veteran, a leader, or someone chasing purpose in your own career.

Congressman Brad Finstad joins Jack and the crew to share his journey from growing up on his family farm to serving in the United States Congress. We dive into his roots, the values he learned in agriculture, and the many roles he’s played along the way — from local leadership to national policymaking. Brad also shares insights on veterans’ issues, highlights key initiatives he’s championing, and talks about the importance of community and service.

#StrengthFromService #CongressmanFinstad #Veterans #Leadership #Service #Minnesota

Tim Adams’ career reads like an action novel — Naval aviator, Army pilot, ROTC instructor, and Veterans Resource Center leader at MSU. Now serving as Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Institutional Research, Tim joins Jake and Mike to share his incredible journey. From flying missions to shaping veteran resources on campus, Tim talks leadership, service, and the lessons learned in and out of the cockpit.

🎧 Strength From Service brings you real stories from those who’ve served, showing how grit, teamwork, and purpose carry far beyond the uniform.

Dr. Shawn Alderman, Army veteran and founder of the Magnus Veterans Foundation, joins Jack and Mike on Strength From Service. In this deeply personal conversation, Dr. Alderman opens up about how following in his family’s footsteps led him into military medicine, and how those experiences inspired him to launch a healing sanctuary for veterans.

You’ll hear how his service journey unfolded—from Green Beret to physician—and how the Magnus Veterans Foundation bridges the gap between military service and civilian life with whole-person care across body, mind, heart, and spirit.

Dr. Alderman also invites listeners to support the Magnus & Friends Festival on September 13, hosted on the Magnus Veterans Wellness Campus.

Explore more and find out how to help: https://magnusveteransfoundation.org/

Joel Peterson: Friendly Fire, Resilience, and Leading Through Service

In this episode of Strength From Service, we sit down with Joel Peterson — a combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, small business owner, and VFW Commander. Joel shares his incredible story from Iraq, including surviving a friendly fire incident and the chaos and heroism that followed.

We talk about what it takes to recover from trauma, the strength it takes to lead after service, and the importance of building community for veterans. From the battlefield to the business world, Joel’s journey is one of grit, purpose, and service beyond the uniform.

#StrengthFromService #PurpleHeart #FriendlyFire #VeteranStories #VFW #CombatVeteran #MilitaryLeadership #JackZimmermanPodcast

Dr. Staci Born — Breaking Down Barriers in Therapy

Dr. Staci Born joins Strength From Service to talk about real-world therapy—what works, what doesn’t, and how to actually help people. She’s the founder of Blue Couch, a therapy practice based in Mankato, Minnesota, and brings years of experience helping individuals navigate trauma, relationships, and mental health struggles.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between helpful and harmful therapy

• When to seek help—and how to find the right fit

• The power of listening and human connection

• Therapy myths and common misconceptions

• Real-life scenarios that show the value of good mental health care

This conversation is for anyone who’s ever considered therapy, wondered what it’s really like, or wants to better support someone else.

📍 Learn more about Blue Couch: https://bluecouchmn.com

#StrengthFromService #MentalHealthMatters #BlueCouchMN #StaciBorn #TherapyWorks #VeteranSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #RealTalk #JackZimmermanUSA

Navy veteran Rick Martagon joins Jack, Jake, and Mike on Strength From Service to share his journey from military service to his mission today: helping veterans and civilians alike explore the trades through Building Strong Communities, a nonprofit that partners with all the union trades in the area.

Rick explains how programs like Helmets to Hardhats create a clear path for veterans to transition from military life into high-demand careers while finding purpose, brotherhood, and stability.

If you’re a veteran—or anyone considering the trades—this episode is packed with insight, opportunity, and real-world advice.

🔗 Learn more about Building Strong Communities: www.BuildingStrong.org

#StrengthFromService #VeteransInTrades #HelmetsToHardhats #NavyVeteran #TransitioningVeterans #BuildingStrongCommunities #PodcastForVeterans

Tim Murray is back on Strength From Service—and if you haven’t heard his first episode, go back and give it a listen before diving into this one. In today’s update, Tim shares powerful progress on the Bravo Zulu House, a project that’s transforming the lives of veterans in need. From the mission to the momentum, this episode is all about what can happen when purpose meets persistence. Whether you’re familiar with Tim’s journey or meeting him for the first time, this one’s worth your time.

#StrengthFromService #BravoZuluHouse #VeteransHelpingVeterans #TimMurray #JackZimmermanUSA #MilitarySupport #PurposeDriven