What happens to brotherhood when the uniform comes off and the structure disappears?In this episode of The Collective, we explore how real trust and loyalty are rebuilt when there’s no rank, no mandate, and no mission forcing people together. When the systems that once created proximity vanish, most people drift. This conversation asks what actually holds when everything else is stripped away.Shaun and Jesse are joined by Kia Tuala, Ben Strahan, and Jarred Taylor—each bringing perspective from vastly different worlds: wildfire hotshot crews, Polynesian service culture, and veteran-led media and post-service networks. Together, they break down how brotherhood is engineered from zero using skills, contribution, and earned trust rather than shared history alone.This isn’t about nostalgia or elite teams—it’s about rebuilding connection deliberately. We discuss the first calls made when life collapses, the silent rules that separate a crew from a crowd, the fractures that quietly kill loyalty, and how to draw hard boundaries without burning bridges. One story, layered perspectives, and practical insights you can apply immediately.What you’ll explore:Who earns the first call when everything falls apartThe difference between shared history and real trustSilent rules that define true brotherhoodWhen loyalty becomes liabilityHow to rebuild strong networks after structure is goneNew conversations every week focused on turning lived experience into practical lessons to live, lead, and relate better.

What if the story you tell yourself about being “broken” is the safest way to stay exactly where you are?In this live episode of The Collective, we’re unpacking safe narratives — the comfortable stories we use to avoid accountability, justify stagnation, and stay loyal to an identity that no longer serves us. From “I’m too messed up from service” to “I’ll start tomorrow,” we’re calling out how these narratives quietly run the show for veterans, first responders, and high performers.We’ll explore:How “I’m broken” becomes an identity instead of a starting point for growthWhy pain and trauma feel safer than uncertainty and changeThe difference between real healing and hiding behind your storyPractical ways to challenge your own narrative and lead yourself forwardThis episode sets the stage for tomorrow’s conversation with:Tyler Grey – former Delta Force operator, actor, author, and advocate helping veterans find purpose beyond the uniformSebastien Lavoie – former Canadian Infantry and RCMP Emergency Response Team Sergeant Major, now a security professional and outspoken voice on leadership and human performanceQuestions to sit with as you watch:Where am I defending my damage instead of building from it?What story about my past do I keep repeating to avoid taking the next hard step?If I dropped the “broken” label, what responsibility would that put back on me today?If you’re a veteran, first responder, or driven civilian who’s done with excuses and ready for unfiltered truth, this one’s for you.👉 Join the live chat, share your own “safe narratives,” and hit Subscribe so you don’t miss tomorrow’s episode with Tyler Grey and Seb Lavoie.Time to stop defending your damage — and start building from it.

You objectify people every day.So do we.Tall. Short. Strong. Fragile.Well-dressed. Exhausted. Confident. Dangerous.In less than a second, your brain can turn a stranger into an object. That doesn’t make you cruel—it makes you human. The real question is whether we stay there.On this episode of The Collective, we’re joined by Chris Lee, former Green Beret turned coach, and John Vargas, firefighter and paramedic. Together, we dive into the unavoidable tension between objectification, perception, and personhood.We explore how humans start as objects in our cognition—but with familiarity, exposure, and conversation, they become subjects deserving of dignity and respect. Leadership, ethics, and character are revealed in whether we move past first impressions and see a human being.This is not abstract philosophy. It’s grounded in military and emergency response experiences, where split-second assessments can save lives—or strip dignity. From strangers on the street to teammates in high-risk environments, this conversation challenges how we perceive, interact, and lead.🎙️ GuestsChris Lee – Former Green Beret, now high-performance coach John Vargas – Serving firefighter and paramedic 🧠 Key TopicsWhat objectification really means—and why it’s universalHumans as objects physically vs. subjects morallyHow we anthropomorphize objects but often fail to see peopleThe role of familiarity in moving someone from object to subjectDignity vs. deserving: the ethical floor we can’t ignoreWhy leadership is about refusing to stay blind to personhoodIf this episode challenges how you see people, subscribe, share, and comment:👉 When did a stranger stop being an object for you?