The Warrior’s Ascent Podcast: From Healing to High-Performance
You are at war....with yourself, and likely don’t realize it. Your thoughts, beliefs, habits, and actions often sabotage you. Are they helping you overcome adversity or setting you up for failure? To win this battle you must connect with your inner Warrior. We all have a Warrior within us, one that strengthens our resolve and helps us rise to meet life’s challenges. If you’re just surviving rather than thriving, then it’s time to embrace the Warrior archetype, live the Warrior Ethos, and ascend. If you are a Veteran, First Responder, or someone looking to take charge of your life, find your tribe, and be the hero of your own story then this podcast is for you. Join Mike Kenny and Matt Hastings, two retired US Army officers who served in US Army Special Forces and Aviation Units, as they share with you the optimal performance practices they learned in their time with the military and Warriors’ Ascent, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps Veterans and First Responders dealing with post-traumatic stress. Best practices developed to fortify the mind, body, and soul to strengthen your resolve and conquer life’s challenges. Vincit Qui Se Vincit
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Episodes
Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
✅ Strategic partnerships✅ Community support✅ The ripple effect of healing✅ Veteran and first responder mental health✅ Empowerment and ownership
🎙️ Season 5, Episode 5 – “Healing, Leadership, and Impact: Why Strategic Support Matters”
In this episode, host Mike Kenny sits down with Warriors’ Ascent Board Chair Steve Tanner—a national security expert and passionate advocate for veteran mental health—to unpack why strategic partnerships, community engagement, and holistic healing are vital for both mission success and long-term societal well-being.
They explore the life-saving impact of Warriors’ Ascent programming through personal stories, research-backed insight, and hard-won experience from the worlds of leadership, national defense, and nonprofit development. From breaking the stigma around mental health to emphasizing mental performance as workforce investment, this episode calls on leaders—especially in military, law enforcement, and first responder circles—to lead with integrity and action.
Discover how one veteran’s healing journey can impact hundreds—and why every individual transformation creates a ripple effect across families, organizations, and communities.
Friday May 02, 2025
Friday May 02, 2025
✅ Strategic partnerships✅ Community support✅ The ripple effect of healing✅ Veteran and first responder mental health✅ Empowerment and ownership
🎙️ Season 5, Episode 5 – “Healing, Leadership, and Impact: Why Strategic Support Matters”
In this episode, host Mike Kenny sits down with Warriors’ Ascent Board Chair Steve Tanner—a national security expert and passionate advocate for veteran mental health—to unpack why strategic partnerships, community engagement, and holistic healing are vital for both mission success and long-term societal well-being.
They explore the life-saving impact of Warriors’ Ascent programming through personal stories, research-backed insight, and hard-won experience from the worlds of leadership, national defense, and nonprofit development. From breaking the stigma around mental health to emphasizing mental performance as workforce investment, this episode calls on leaders—especially in military, law enforcement, and first responder circles—to lead with integrity and action.
Discover how one veteran’s healing journey can impact hundreds—and why every individual transformation creates a ripple effect across families, organizations, and communities.
Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
In this episode, Mike Kenny sits down with Brett and Seth—two alumni-turned-mentors whose journeys from trauma to transformation embody the warrior ethos. They reveal what led them to Warriors’ Ascent, how mentorship amplified their healing, and why the “special sauce” of the program is its community of brotherhood and unconditional support. Whether you're on the fence about attending or curious about the power of peer-led healing, this episode is a raw, inspiring look inside.
#WarriorsAscent #WarriorEthos #MentorshipMatters #VeteranSupport #FirstResponderWellness #PostTraumaticGrowth #PTSDRecovery #HealingThroughBrotherhood #MindfulnessInAction #InnerWarrior #ResilienceInUniform #PeerSupport #FromTraumaToTriumph #CommunityHealing #PayItForward #VeteranMentalHealth #FirstResponderSupport #SuicidePrevention #StrengthThroughService #HealingIsPossible
Friday May 09, 2025
Friday May 09, 2025
In this episode, Mike Kenny sits down with Brett and Seth—two alumni-turned-mentors whose journeys from trauma to transformation embody the warrior ethos. They reveal what led them to Warriors’ Ascent, how mentorship amplified their healing, and why the “special sauce” of the program is its community of brotherhood and unconditional support. Whether you're on the fence about attending or curious about the power of peer-led healing, this episode is a raw, inspiring look inside.
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
In this inspiring episode, Warriors’ Ascent welcomes two new Board Members, Mike Pinnell and Matt Panther, to share what fuels their commitment to the mission. From personal family histories of military service to firsthand experiences at Warriors’ Ascent events, Mike and Matt offer powerful insights into why they serve—and how they plan to help the organization grow. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the heart, strategy, and vision driving Warriors’ Ascent forward into a bold new chapter of healing and hope.
#WarriorsAscent #MissionDriven #VeteranSupport #FirstResponderWellness #LeadershipWithPurpose #BoardOfDirectors #NonprofitLeadership #ServiceBeforeSelf #HealingOurHeroes #WarriorEthos #BehindTheMission #PTSDRecovery #MentalHealthAdvocacy #VeteranNonprofit #BrotherhoodInHealing #VeteranMentalHealth #StrategicLeadership #GrowthMindset#TransformativeHealing #StrongerTogether
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
In this inspiring episode, Warriors’ Ascent welcomes two new Board Members, Mike Pinnell and Matt Panther, to share what fuels their commitment to the mission. From personal family histories of military service to firsthand experiences at Warriors’ Ascent events, Mike and Matt offer powerful insights into why they serve—and how they plan to help the organization grow. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the heart, strategy, and vision driving Warriors’ Ascent forward into a bold new chapter of healing and hope.
#WarriorsAscent #MissionDriven #VeteranSupport #FirstResponderWellness #LeadershipWithPurpose #BoardOfDirectors #NonprofitLeadership #ServiceBeforeSelf #HealingOurHeroes #WarriorEthos #BehindTheMission #PTSDRecovery #MentalHealthAdvocacy #VeteranNonprofit #BrotherhoodInHealing #VeteranMentalHealth #StrategicLeadership #GrowthMindset#TransformativeHealing #StrongerTogether
Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
In this insightful episode, Board Member Siobhan Rudicille—former police officer, military spouse, and financial advisor—joins Matt Hastings to unpack why Warriors’ Ascent is more than a retreat. They discuss the program’s unique mix of evidence-based tools, no-nonsense culture, and lasting community support. Siobhan shares personal stories of how healing ripples through entire families and why mental health care must be seen as strength, not stigma. Whether you’re a veteran, first responder, or ally, this episode challenges assumptions and inspires action for lasting change.
#WarriorsAscent #WhyItWorks #HealingInCommunity #WarriorEthos #PTSDRecovery #FirstResponderSupport #VeteranHealing #MindfulnessInUniform #BreakTheStigma #TraumaRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #PeerSupportNetwork #ResilienceTools #NotBroken #TransformativeHealing #SuicidePrevention #VeteranWellness #FirstResponderMentalHealth #StrongerTogether #HealingGenerations
Friday May 23, 2025
Friday May 23, 2025
In this insightful episode, Board Member Siobhan Rudicille—former police officer, military spouse, and financial advisor—joins Matt Hastings to unpack why Warriors’ Ascent is more than a retreat. They discuss the program’s unique mix of evidence-based tools, no-nonsense culture, and lasting community support. Siobhan shares personal stories of how healing ripples through entire families and why mental health care must be seen as strength, not stigma. Whether you’re a veteran, first responder, or ally, this episode challenges assumptions and inspires action for lasting change.
#WarriorsAscent#WhyItWorks#HealingInCommunity#WarriorEthos#PTSDRecovery#FirstResponderSupport#VeteranHealing#MindfulnessInUniform#BreakTheStigma#TraumaRecovery#MentalHealthMatters#PeerSupportNetwork#ResilienceTools#NotBroken#TransformativeHealing#SuicidePrevention#VeteranWellness#FirstResponderMentalHealth#StrongerTogether#HealingGenerations
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
In this powerful episode, Matt and Mike sit down with Major Marissa Barnes of the Kansas City Police Department—board member, leader, and 22-year veteran of the force. Marissa shares hard-won insights into the emotional toll of policing, the unique challenges officers face balancing trauma and family life, and why Warriors’ Ascent’s mission is personal for her. From bridging social work and law enforcement to advocating for mental health within the ranks, Marissa’s story is a must-hear for first responders, supporters, and anyone who believes in protecting those who protect us.
#WarriorsAscent#WarriorEthos#LawEnforcementWellness#FirstResponderSupport#BehindTheBadge#MentalHealthInUniform#BreakTheStigma#PTSDRecovery#HealingOurHeroes#KCPD#ResilienceInBlue#TraumaRecovery#MindfulnessForOfficers#VeteranAndFirstResponder#StrongerTogether#CommunityHealing#LeadershipInLawEnforcement#WarriorMindset#SupportOurPolice#TransformativeHealing
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
In this powerful episode, Matt and Mike sit down with Major Marissa Barnes of the Kansas City Police Department—board member, leader, and 22-year veteran of the force. Marissa shares hard-won insights into the emotional toll of policing, the unique challenges officers face balancing trauma and family life, and why Warriors’ Ascent’s mission is personal for her. From bridging social work and law enforcement to advocating for mental health within the ranks, Marissa’s story is a must-hear for first responders, supporters, and anyone who believes in protecting those who protect us.
#WarriorsAscent#WarriorEthos#LawEnforcementWellness#FirstResponderSupport#BehindTheBadge#MentalHealthInUniform#BreakTheStigma#PTSDRecovery#HealingOurHeroes#KCPD#ResilienceInBlue#TraumaRecovery#MindfulnessForOfficers#VeteranAndFirstResponder#StrongerTogether#CommunityHealing#LeadershipInLawEnforcement#WarriorMindset#SupportOurPolice#TransformativeHealing
The Warrior's Ascent Podcast
What you can expect from this podcast: Accompany Mike and Matt, two retired US Army officers, on their lifelong Hero's Journey where they share the trials, tribulations, successes, failures, and valuable lessoned learned they've garnered throughout their Army careers and at Warriors' Ascent, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress get on the path to healing in order to live joyous, fulfilling, and purposeful lives. Our goal is to provide actionable information through compelling stories, anecdotes, and cutting edge research that will empower the listener to take ownership of their life and thrive.