Podcast Spotlight: Changing Hearts and Minds
Often, Jeff is joined by another veteran to share their experiences, what they went through, and what made the adjustment a little easier.
I was fortunate enough to speak with Jeff about the podcast. I was especially interested in how his listeners engage with the podcast, some success stories, and ultimately how he got into podcasting. See below for our Q&A.
Listen: Apple Podcasts
The difficulties of military personnel transitioning back to their home lives is something the entertainment industry has tried to capture on several occasions. Are there any you think have an accurate depiction?
Jeff: Film and television are in essence artistic representations of the subject matter they use to tell their stories. Each of the films or series that recently have tried to tell the stories of veterans each have their moments of dead-on accuracy and seemingly way off target creative license. From Thank You for Your Service which is a great representation of dealing with the trauma of war yet would lead you to believe every soldier is damaged and broken when they return home to American Sniper witch does a fantastic job of telling Chris Kyle’s story but seems to make him a superhero that was a war-making machine. I would say that I take caution in using modern stories of our veterans nowadays as a litmus test for what is real and I find the WWII based films and series are doing a better job of being realistic as they are not caught in the midst of political views on our war and whether or not we should be in it and if it is or is not breaking all the veterans who are serving in it.
How has listener feedback been since your podcast obviously deals with a very difficult topic?
Jeff: I get quite a positive response from my listeners. Many take splice and positive reinforcement hearing a Special Forces Veteran who was highly decorated admit to my own issues and demons and how I have been open about my struggles to find my way and come to grips with not only my place in the world but also how I view myself within that world. I am absolutely certain there are some out there who are not comfortable with my show and the topics I cover and I am also certain there are those who outright disagree or dislike me intensely. I try not to focus on them as they first do not engage me through reviews email or social media and second are not helping the situation we are in by attacking me through direct engagement or through character assassination. I receive no less than 2-3 messages a week from Veterans or spouses who thank me for what I am doing and tell me that I have helped them either see how they can make it through the tough times they are in or that they can be as successful outside the uniform as they were in.
Any success stories you can share?
Jeff: Beyond my own? Sure it is not a veteran story but it is a story of successful navigation of life outside your chosen career and dealing with mental health issues that have made the transition difficult. I grew up in a family of football players Keith O’Niel was the younger brother of a classmate and former team mate in High School football they were also the kids of a Former NFL Linebacker and college football coach Keith went on to play college football and eventually to not only play in the NFL but to be a member of Super Bowl XLI champions Indianapolis Colts all the while suffering with undiagnosed bipolar disorder Ethan did not manifest into major issues until he retired for the NFL and caused him the same struggles that many veterans with a similar story, including myself, suffer with. He was able through self-awareness and courage and with his families support was able to get help and proper care and was able to become a man who possibly could have been a statistic to now a leader in the work to bring change and awareness to the mental health issues we as a country face. He started 4th and Forever Foundation wrote a book called Under My Helmet. I recently had him on the show episode 26 and look to him as an example and warrior that helps me get up every day and realize that I owe it to myself, Keith and all our brothers and sisters facing the same challenges with telling our story without selfish fear of the opinions of the misguided or culturally manipulated who find us an uncomfortable reminder or a mentally unstable group that they rather not deal with. In a world filled with mental health issues that lead to suicide or school shootings, it’s more important than ever to address this head on without preconceived notions and with compassion and tolerance.
What made you choose podcasting over another medium?
Jeff: I was doing public speaking to students or Veterans on my story, leadership, team building and other motivational public speaking and was contacted by Eddie Lazzari a veteran who had a podcast called Change Your POV. He and his co-host Bennet Tanton, another Vet had asked me to be a guest on their show and after a few appearances and my quick and seemingly easy ability to tell stories and hold an audience they offered me my own show on their RSS feed and since I was a podcast addict already I accepted and I owe them so much for their confidence in me and for tolerating my at times overbearing and non-politically correct manner of speaking and sense of humor.
What’s something you didn’t anticipate when you started Changing Hearts & Minds?
Jeff: I didn’t anticipate the acceptance of my shows and especially my military history shows on non-veterans. I have quite an audience of non-vets who claim to live my history episodes! I also have been accepted and befriended many well-known shows Sofa King Podcast, True Crime Garage and Breakers Podcast have all become friends and mentors who have really welcomed me into the community.
What’s the biggest challenge for you as a podcaster?
Jeff: Getting my show to bridge into a larger and more effective movement. As many know most podcasts are self-funded. Although I have a dedicated and appreciated audience that is always growing I come out of pocket to produce and release my show. I want to do better shows and get more guests like Captain Dale Dye and Keith O’Niel who I am honored to have had on. We have a Patreon page and many do not know how important and effective even just a dollar donation monthly would do for our ability to produce better and more far-reaching episodes. Getting sponsors or patrons is the biggest challenge.
What are your must-listen podcasts?
Jeff: Well besides my shows, Changing Hearts and Minds and it’s spin-off limited series Lessons in Leadership, Band of Brothers? I would have to say any of the other Change Your POV Network Shows such as Change Your POV, or Headspace and Timing but outside of that I never miss an episode of Sofa King Podcast, Breakers Podcast, True Crime Garage and most recently a show called Just The Worst Podcast! They are not Veteran shows but when it comes to history, true crime, or narrative stories they are the best out there!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Jeff: I recently was able to attend the kcpodcon.com it is a podcast convention/meetup that had it’s first year events in Kansas City on the weekend of February 17, 2018 and I was honored and humbled to be invited as a guest meeting fans and spending time with the other shows hosts in attendance was a fantastic time and I look forward to it expanding next year and having even a bigger turnout. I would be missing an opportunity if I also failed to mention Kieth O’Neil’s book Under My Helmet or his recent appearance on my show Changing Hearts and Minds episode 26. Finally thank you Kevin for spotlighting my show and if anyone out there is struggling or knows someone who is struggling with mental health issues or transition from service or if you love history and specifically military history please come find my show and listen and send me your thoughts and interact I am always available to listen to the fans thoughts and ideas for how my show can improve and help reach more and make bigger strides!
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1 comment
Changing Hearts and Minds is an excellent show. Glad to see Jeff on here getting some love.
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