Some heroes don't wear capes—they open their garage doors.

Jason's bimonthly poker nights have become a sacred space for military personnel and first responders seeking something deeper than cards: genuine brotherhood.

Behind the camaraderie lies Jason’s own battle—his service in the Coast Guard exposed him to trauma that embedded deep, leading to PTSD, and later, injuries during his time in the Army. Like many who serve, he struggled with vulnerability—finding it harder to ask for help than to face danger. Trained to be strong and self-reliant, he wasn’t prepared for a life where even basic tasks required assistance.

A year into recovery and at the brink of ending his life, Jason made a life-saving call to a friend—an act of courage that sparked a mission. Now CEO of Alpha Ready Company, and Alpha Ready clothing brand, he uses his experience to build community and create safe, stigma-free spaces for healing.

As a Christian, husband, father, and Podcaster, he reminds others that strength isn't in silence, but in connection. His story proves that purpose can rise from pain—and that sometimes, the most powerful battles are fought not in uniform, but around a garage table filled with hurting heroes learning to heal.

Connect with Jason:

Instagram: alpha_ready_com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alphareadyco

Website: https://alphareadyco.com/

Order your Alpha Ready t-shirt today! 🇺🇸
Proudly Donating 25% of Monthly Earnings to
Military, Veteran & First Responder Charities

Connect with Jen:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ineedbluepodcast/

YouTube: @ineedblue

Facebook: I Need Blue Podcast

Website: https://ineedblue.net/

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-need-blue/id1567450935

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/62R7ZEcZIp4gqtCVxgqRsv

Purchase my book or Audiobook:
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As a child, Adam watched police cars race past his window, dreaming of becoming an “ER car man.” That dream came true through military service and police work—until a call to Walmart on April 8, 2016, changed everything. Confronted by a woman with a hatchet, Adam made a split-second decision to use deadly force. Though cleared by investigators, the incident triggered a silent battle with PTSD. “I knew what I had done. I changed lives. I took her life, I changed my life,” he says.

What follows is a brutally honest account of self-destruction. Adam reveals how he drowned his trauma in alcohol, numbed himself through casual encounters, and pushed away those who cared about him. Most shocking is the institutional response—after years of exemplary service, his department issued a cease-and-desist order to stop speaking about his mental health and eventually terminated him. “I was completely ghosted by everybody,” Adam recalls.

After proper mental health treatment arranged by his sister, Adam returned to policing as a captain at a department that actively supports his mental health advocacy. He now works to shatter the stigma around first responder trauma through his organization.

Do you know someone struggling with invisible wounds? Adam's message is clear: healing is possible, help is available, and no one should suffer in silence.

Connect with Adam:

Website: StopTheThreatStopTheStigma.org

Email: adam@stopthethreatstopthestigma.org

Connect with Jen:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ineedbluepodcast/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1q8SfA_hEXRJ4EaizlW8Q
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567221068683
Website:
https://ineedblue.net/
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-need-blue/id1567450935

Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Purchase my book or Audiobook: Why I Survived: How Sharing My Story Helped Me Heal from Dating Abuse, Armed Robbery, Abduction, and Other Forms of Trauma by Jennifer Lee
https://whyisurvived.com/

Support the show

When tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Laura—a licensed school psychologist—found herself on the front lines of grief and trauma. But amid the heartbreak, she witnessed something remarkable: therapy dogs offering comfort in ways words couldn't. That experience sparked the creation of Everyday Feathers Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting families facing canine cancer while promoting mental health through the healing power of dogs.

Laura's journey from educator to mental health advocate deepened her belief in the human-animal bond. "Dogs aren't just pets, they're family," she says, highlighting how they ease loneliness, provide comfort, and help ground us during emotional crises. Everyday Feathers Foundation grew from this understanding, creating a space where both people and their dogs receive care during life’s toughest moments. This conversation offers powerful insights into how love, resilience, and the presence of a loyal companion can light the way through darkness.

Connect with Laura:

Email: hello@everydayfeathers.org

Website: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/

Submit request for Broody Blessings: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/

Donate: https://www.everydayfeathers.org/donatenow

Connect with Jen:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ineedbluepodcast/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp1q8SfA_hEXRJ4EaizlW8Q
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567221068683
Website:
https://ineedblue.net/
Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-need-blue/id1567450935
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Purchase my book or Audiobook:
https://whyisurvived.com/

Support the show