In this episode of Price of Admission, host Tony Haberer reconnects with Navy XO and former teammate John “Big John” McCauley. From football fields and boxing gyms in Western Pennsylvania to executive leadership in the U.S. Navy, John's story is rooted in grit, faith, and fatherhood.

He shares what it means to raise a son with American values, what he’s learned from leading sailors, and how his time on the Navy football team shaped more than just his toughness — it shaped his legacy.

💬 Final question? “What is your Price of Admission?”

🎧 Tune in for a deeply human episode about the values worth living for.

John Stanikzai: From Afghan Interpreter to Proud U.S. Citizen 🇺🇸

In this powerful episode of Price of Admission, host Tony Haberer reconnects with John Stanikzai—an Afghan-born translator who risked everything during the war in Afghanistan and later became a proud American citizen.

John shares his remarkable journey:
➡️ From growing up in Kabul under conflict
➡️ To working as a combat interpreter for the U.S. Marine Corps
➡️ To legally immigrating and becoming a police officer in Washington State

Together, they unpack John’s views on:
🔹 The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan
🔹 What it really takes to earn U.S. citizenship
🔹 His legal immigration path
🔹 How faith, identity, and service shaped his second chance at life

This episode is a raw and inspiring story of sacrifice, resilience, and patriotism—and a reminder of why America still matters to those who choose it.

👉 Subscribe to the channel for more veteran voices, leadership stories, and life lessons from those who’ve paid the Price of Admission.

#ImmigrantStory #VeteranVoices #AmericanDream #AfghanistanToAmerica #LegalImmigration #ServiceAboveSelf #USCitizenship #PoliceStory #PriceOfAdmissionPodcast

I sit down with three of my Navy Football brothers to have an honest and unfiltered conversation we’ve ever had about sobriety and health—including the shift toward living with more discipline and clarity.


How does giving up alcohol change your mindset? Your relationships? Your perspective on life? We dive deep into the habits we’ve broken, the lessons we’ve learned, and why this shift has been one of the most powerful moves we’ve ever made.

🔹 **Featuring:** Austin Milke, Corey Finnerty, and Matt Nechak

🔹 **Topics Covered:** Sobriety, personal growth, and leadership.

🔹 **Key Takeaway:** Winning in life is about discipline, not just motivation—on and off the field


Drop a comment below—what’s one habit you’ve changed that made a huge impact on your life? 👇