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Today, I sit down with fellow believer Desiree Taylor, a writer, speaker, and advocate whose journey of faith began in childhood and was deeply shaped by hearing loss and the stigma that came with it.

Ms. Taylor shares how she was diagnosed with nerve deafness as a child and the isolation she experienced growing up—especially in school where few understood her condition. But beyond her physical struggle, she opens up about a spiritual one, as her relationship with God began to take form while facing rejection and loneliness.

We talk about her teenage years, where a crisis of faith collided with depression, loneliness, and ultimately, an unplanned pregnancy. Ms. Taylor recounts the powerful moment when she audibly heard God’s voice during one of her darkest nights, assuring her of His presence and instructing her to keep her child. That turning point marked her return to faith and the beginning of a lifelong journey to walk in grace rather than shame.

We discuss the ways that certain churches and other members of faith can be hypocritical, overly-legalistic, and often implement shame and fear-mongering in an unbalanced way. Ms. Taylor shares about her book, Created to Relate: Living Beyond Religion, which confronts the damage of legalism and the healing power of a real relationship with Christ. She opens up about what it's like to grow up in a legalistic church, the long road to accepting God’s forgiveness, and how she now uses her writing, mentorship, and blog to encourage women, advocate for those with disabilities, and deepen discipleship.

https://www.arenewedcreation.com/

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...

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Today, I sit down with Jomel Powell, a man of deep faith and powerful testimony, who walks us through the raw and redemptive journey of a marriage deeply shaken by COVID-19.

Mr. Powell shares how the pandemic tested his relationship, his beliefs, and his resilience—but ultimately became the crucible through which his family found unexpected blessings. We dive into the early days of his marriage, the friction that came with time, and the way the global shutdown forced them into both conflict and reflection.

As Mr. Powell’s wife faced severe complications from COVID during her pregnancy, he stepped into new roles as father, caregiver, and spiritual leader—all while clinging to faith. He opens up about the emotional toll, the isolation, and the need to reevaluate his spiritual beliefs, especially after moving away from prosperity-based preaching and discovering the deeper truths about suffering and spiritual growth. From moments of despair to divine perseverance, he describes how biblical figures like Job, Joseph, and King David inspired him to endure hardship and find hope.

We also explore the transformative power of community, the fellowship that held him up when family couldn't, and how a renewed connection to the church became his anchor. Mr. Powell emphasizes the importance of forgiving others, valuing your spouse before it’s too late, and learning to find peace in the middle of life’s storm.

https://linktr.ee/AMarraigeBrokenCovid

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Email: coupleofnukes@gmail.com

Instagram: @coupleonukes

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...

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Today, I sit down with Brett Cordes, a former ENT surgeon whose story highlights the hidden epidemic of physician burnout and opioid addiction. Mr. Cordes walks us through his early life as a high achiever, his path through medical school and surgical training, and how a battle with cancer introduced him to opioids for the first time. Additionally, he shares how drinking cough syrup in place of beer leads to a growing addiction that nearly ends his career.

Mr. Cordes explains how high-functioning professionals often justify their substance use, how burnout presents as boredom and irritability, and how the medical system is unprepared to care for its own. We break down the slow ramp-up of addiction, the mental gymnastics involved in denial, and how even those who follow all the rules can find themselves in a life-threatening spiral.

Today, Mr. Cordes works as a life coach for physicians battling burnout, using tools from cognitive behavioral therapy and personal experience in recovery to help others regain clarity and control.

https://theburnoutdoc.com/

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Email: coupleofnukes@gmail.com

Instagram: @coupleonukes

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...

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Today, I reconnect with Kenneth Woodward, who I had met at Podcast Movement, Washington DC, where he shared a story with me about Captain's Mast.

Together, we share tales of Navy Sailing, operating submarines, and young love. We get into why Mr. Woodward joined the Navy, how his life unfolded from there, and some of the uniqueness of life as a Submariner. He shares about port calls and his pursuit of love in the service. We also get into a riveting conversation on cleaning in the military. Additionally, we share some advice for future and current military members and veterans.

From there, we pivot into what Mr. Woodward currently does as a question expert and enthusiast. We discuss the underestimated power of questions, getting into their relation to his podcasting journey, and finding the questions we need or didn't even know we needed.

https://www.curatedquestions.com/

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Email: coupleofnukes@gmail.com

Instagram: @coupleonukes

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...

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Today, I am joined by Vietnam veteran, therapist, and author Conard Hogan, who shares his raw and insightful journey from the battlefields of Vietnam to the healing process of writing and recovery. Mr. Hogan dives into his background growing up in Kentucky, his unexpected path to military service, and how the trauma of war led him to pursue a life of therapy, both for himself and for others. He highlights the emotional toll of war—even for those who never saw direct combat.

Mr. Hogan discusses the inspiration behind his memoirs, including Barbwire, Brothels, and Bombs in the Night, which chronicles his Vietnam experience, and Once Upon a Kentucky Farm, a reflection on his upbringing. He opens up about his post-service mental health struggles, his near-suicidal state, and the life-saving impact of counseling and community support. He emphasizes the critical role of connection, vulnerability, and healing through storytelling.

The conversation also explores the importance of veterans finding safe, understanding communities—whether through peer groups, therapy, or creative expression. Mr. Hogan encourages us, especially veterans, to avoid isolating themselves and instead engage with those who can truly relate. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, he offers practical advice on navigating trauma and finding purpose after service.

We wrap up the episode with a glimpse into Mr. Hogan's current projects, including his upcoming book about mountain climbing and facing fears. His words serve as a beacon of hope for anyone dealing with trauma, offering proof that recovery is a lifelong journey—and one that can be full of meaning, passion, and purpose.

https://www.connardhogan.com/about-3

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Email: coupleofnukes@gmail.com

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Website: https://coupleonukes.com

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...

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In this deeply moving episode, I have a somber but powerful conversation with Dennis "DJ" Quinn, a lifelong mentor and Big Brothers volunteer, to explore the transformational power of one-on-one mentorship.

From childhood trauma to the long-term impact of showing up for someone in need, Mr. Quinn shares his personal journey through decades of volunteering—highlighting how critical emotional support is for kids without stable homes or parental guidance. We discuss what impact he had, if at all, and how we can have an impact as mentors.

Mr. Quinn, still emotionally distraught about the suicide of one of his "little brothers" and his mentoring journey, shares the heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of Mike, a young boy he mentored from age seven through a lifetime of mental illness, institutionalization, and eventual tragedy. Through the story, we get into how mentorship is not about replacing parents, but about being consistent, compassionate, and present for someone who might otherwise feel invisible. This includes understanding that reciprocation and feedback are shown and presented to us by others in a variety of ways.

With all of this, we get into Mr. Quinn's new book, Stick Figures: A Big Brother Remembers, which chronicles his years with Mike and provides a real-world case study of how mentorship can be a lifeline.

https://www.djquinnauthor.com/

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Email: coupleofnukes@gmail.com

Instagram: @coupleonukes

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...

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Today, I sit down with U.S. Army veteran Ryan Reichert to explore a life marked by resilience, recovery, and unshakable faith. From childhood dreams of West Point to commanding troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Ryan opens up about the highs and lows of his 23-year military career. He shares how early injuries and prescription medications led to a long battle with addiction—a struggle that he would face for decades, often in silence, while leading soldiers and managing responsibilities as a high-ranking officer.

Mr. Reichert discusses how post-retirement life brought new challenges, including personal failures, broken relationships, and a relapse into addiction. He follows this with his journey to sobriety, the deep pain of divorce, and how discovering a renewed relationship with God helped him rebuild his life with purpose and clarity.

We both share about the power of vulnerability, the importance of mental health support, and the role of spiritual grounding in healing.

https://ourprotectordevelopment.com/

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Email: coupleofnukes@gmail.com

Instagram: @coupleonukes

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...

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After six seasons, consisting of 163 published episodes and 50+ deleted or archived ones, I reflect on the past two years and some months since I officially started podcasting.

Now a bi-daily show, I started with poor quality episodes being released every few weeks. I was inconsistent and not the best host nor a well-spoken guest. The show started as a niched-down place specifically for Naval Nuclear Operators, then to military mental health, and then to everyone.

I reflect on the show logos of the past and the future projects to come. I also share about the pivot toward speaking, comedy, writing, networking, and community-building through Couple O' Nukes.

Here's to all the episodes past, and those yet to come!

_______________________________________________________________________________

Email: coupleofnukes@gmail.com

Instagram: @coupleonukes

Website: https://coupleonukes.com

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Want to be a guest on Couple O' Nukes? Send me a message on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1726279485588093e83e0e007

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*Couple O' Nukes LLC and Mr. Whiskey are not licensed medical entities, nor do they take responsibility for any advice or information put forth by guests. Take all advice at your own ris...