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Are you prepared to hear “no”—or hear nothing at all—from civilian employers after years of successful military service?

In this episode, I sit down with Tom Hoover, a soon-to-be retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant with 25 years of service, for an unarmored conversation about the realities of transitioning into the civilian workforce.

Tom shares his firsthand experience with job rejection, being ghosted by employers, and learning not to let either define his value. We discuss the importance of patience, networking, translating military experience into civilian language, improving resumes for ATS systems, and continuing to move forward when the hiring process doesn’t go as expected.

Most importantly, we talk about the mental side of transition and why service members should prepare themselves not only for their next career—but also for the rejection and uncertainty that may come along the way.

If you’re preparing to leave the military, already transitioning, or supporting someone who is, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Watch or listen to the full episode, share it with a transitioning service member or veteran, and subscribe to Unarmored Talk for more conversations that strengthen how we think and respond to life.

CONNECT WITH TOM HOOVER

🔗 Guest Link: Tom Hoover | LinkedIn

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
00:58 – Tom’s Air Force Story & Family
02:03 – SkillBridge & Helping Veterans Transition
03:24 – When the Job Email Says No
09:55 – Applying Widely & Handling Silence
11:15 – Networking Without Asking for a Job
13:38 – Advice to Younger Service Members
17:17 – Where to Find Tom & Closing

Thank you for your continued support.

Stay unarmored, stay authentic, and stay mentally fit.

God bless.

Support the show

• Become a Member Today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_M2Kfxb2hN1uHdlDKGtuQw/join
• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6pF-fF29KO1rqQsabaxHHO1nQQtn5lhd
• Still Serving, Inc.: www.stillservinginc.com
• Email: mario@stillservinginc.com

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What happens when your mind says, “keep going,” but your body says, “you’re done”?

You can be disciplined, prepared, and relentless—and still hit a wall you can’t outwork.

In this episode of Unarmored Talk, U.S. Army veteran Derik Robinson gets unarmored about resilience, identity, and the hidden cost of constantly pushing through.

From a sink-or-swim upbringing to military leadership, Derik built his life around grit and perseverance. But after an injury, a grueling ruck march, deployment, and ultimately a medical board, he was forced to rethink what success and failure really mean.

What is the end result you want—and is the path you’re taking sustainable enough to get you there?

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Welcome & Why Resilience Matters
01:21 – Who Derik Is & Contact Info
02:10 – Growing Up: Sink or Swim
05:14 – Training Injury & Ruck March Collapse
09:01 – Losing Control & Redefining Failure
11:49 – Deploying Anyway—Then Everything Breaks
16:53 – Advice for Sustainable Success
19:17 – Final Thanks & Mental Fitness

If this conversation resonates, share it with someone who always pushes through.

Thank you for your continued support.

Stay unarmored, stay authentic, and stay mentally fit.
God bless.

Support the show

• Become a Member Today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_M2Kfxb2hN1uHdlDKGtuQw/join
• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6pF-fF29KO1rqQsabaxHHO1nQQtn5lhd
• Still Serving, Inc.: www.stillservinginc.com
• Email: mario@stillservinginc.com

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What happens when the schoolyard bully grows up and enters the workforce?

In this episode of Unarmored Talk, I sit down with Joseph Musse II, author of Bullies: They’re Not Just in Schoolyards Anymore, to explore how bullying follows us into adulthood—showing up in workplaces through intimidation, manipulation, humor, authority, and the pressure to constantly overdeliver.

Joseph gets unarmored about his own past, including admitting he once bullied others, and how those experiences helped him recognize similar behaviors later in his career. We unpack boundaries, identity, control, the power of saying “no,” and recognizing when dedication to your job starts costing you your peace.

🎙️ Whether you work in corporate America, government, the military, education, healthcare, the trades, or anywhere in between, this conversation is for you.

CHAPTERS
0:00 — Welcome And The Big Question
1:20 — Share The Show And Meet Joseph
2:12 — A Life Built On Skill And Faith
5:36 — From Teen Bully To Self-Reflection
10:25 — Getting Bullied In Corporate Life
13:36 — Guilt Trips, Subtle Threats, Control
24:31 — Boundaries, Balance, Saying No
27:39 — The Blueprint To Becoming Unbullyable
34:47 — Consequences, Purpose, And The Mirror

CONNECT WITH JOSEPH MUSSE II
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmusse

📚 Get Joseph’s Books:

Bullies: They’re Not Just in Schoolyards Anymore! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015CYHD80?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_2V3AAPJ7Q88DHBQ44JVH&bestFormat=true

Bullies: The Blueprint to Becoming Unbullyable - https://www.amazon.com/BULLIES-Blueprint-Unbullyable-Joseph-Musse-ebook/dp/B0HD1L5KFC

SUBSCRIBE & SHARE
If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to Unarmored Talk and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay unarmored. Stay authentic. Stay mentally fit. God bless.

Support the show

• Become a Member Today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_M2Kfxb2hN1uHdlDKGtuQw/join
• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6pF-fF29KO1rqQsabaxHHO1nQQtn5lhd
• Still Serving, Inc.: www.stillservinginc.com
• Email: mario@stillservinginc.com