Behind the Armor

Spirituality, sobriety, and self-discovery collide on episode six of our addiction series as Judd sits down with ministry leader Victoria Washington. During their moving conversation, Victoria opens up about her upbringing in a home shaped by diverse religious backgrounds—from routine church visits to the teachings of Marianne Williamson. Feeling unanchored, she embraced new age spirituality, seeking empowerment and contro...

Stephen Van Hooser joins Judd for episode five of our addiction series—bringing a powerful, personal conversation that unpacks the true nature of addiction and the pathways to recovery. Drawing from his own experience as both a patient and a leader in substance abuse treatment, Stephen offers deep insights into how trauma, disconnection, and unmet mental health needs drive addictive behaviors.

During their conversation Step...

When Judd found himself alone on his garage floor, consumed by addiction and despair, he made a desperate phone call. Adam Greenspan answered. What followed wasn’t a dramatic intervention or scripted moment—it was one friend doing the next right thing, over and over again. Adam stayed on the phone, calmed Judd through a personal crisis, and helped orchestrate a cross-country plan to safely get him into rehab, despite being...

In episode three of our addiction series, Judd is joined by Shawn Livingston - veteran, ultra marathon runner, and recovery advocate, for a profoundly honest conversation about what it truly means to hit rock bottom—and how to climb back out. Shawn is a former combat veteran whose addiction to heroin landed him in prison, he recounts his journey from jail cells and failed rehab stays to becoming a beacon of hope for others...

In the second episode of Judd Shaw’s addiction series, Drug Lords and Dead Ends, Shaun Attwood joins the conversation for a raw and riveting first guest appearance. Once a millionaire stockbroker turned international ecstasy trafficker, Shaun sits down with Judd to reveal how two strangers on opposite sides of the drug trade were living dangerously parallel lives in the Arizona scene. With chilling detail, they unpack mome...

Judd Shaw opens Season 2 of Behind the Armor by confronting the foundation of his personal healing: addiction. Through raw storytelling, Judd shares his descent into substance abuse, validation seeking, and materialism, all rooted in his unmet need for safety and connection. His journey spans from drug trafficking with biker gangs to success-driven burnout as a lawyer. The common thread: unresolved pain. This episode invit...

Bridgett Burrick Brown is the founder of the Beyond Beauty Project, a movement dedicated to redefining beauty standards and promoting self-acceptance. As a former model turned activist, Bridgett uses her platform to educate and empower individuals struggling with body image issues, particularly in the age of social media. She is a keynote speaker and workshop leader, advocating for media literacy, digital wellness, and men...

Joey Aviles is a keynote speaker, executive coach, and thought leader specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion. With years of experience leading executive leadership programs for the U.S. Department of Defense, Joey has guided top leaders in developing inclusive workplace cultures. On this week’s episode of Behind the Armor, Joey sits down with Judd to talk about how embracing diversity can really only start when w...

Jenny DeRosse is a renowned speaker, coach, and advocate for personal and professional growth. As part of the Impact Eleven community, Jenny specializes in helping speakers and professionals amplify their voices by focusing on authenticity, storytelling, and audience connection. On this week’s Behind the Armor conversation, Jenny joins Judd to discuss the art of amplifying your voice and standing out in a crowded space—whe...

Former CEO turned keynote speaker and remote work expert, Chris Dyer knows a thing or two when it comes to creating a company culture that everyone (actually) wants to be part of. On today’s episode of Behind the Armor, Judd sits down with Chris to get to the heart of doing just that: crafting a work environment where your employees aren’t only set up to win, but also making work a place where everyone feels like they belo...

For this week’s episode of Behind the Armor, Judd sits down with author, thought leader, and keynote speaker, Sebastian Terry. After a childhood friend Sebastian admired died unexpectedly, the loss inspired Sebastian to be more present in his own life—setting him off on a journey toward completing a list of 100 goals geared towards greater happiness, purpose, and presence. Together Judd and Sebastian dive deeper into Sebas...

We’re back with another inspiring episode of Behind the Armor, this time diving deep into the heart of what matters with guest Bridget Hilton. From growing up in Flint, Michigan with dreams of being a rock star to founding revolutionary sound company, LSTN—Bridget has always been a pioneer. For today’s conversation, Judd sits down with Bridget to talk all things authenticity, the power of a simple change, and how we can al...

In this captivating episode of "Behind the Armor," Judd Shaw engages in a profound conversation with Riaz Megji, an international human connection keynote speaker, author, and coach. With 17 years of television hosting experience, Riaz shares his insights on building extraordinary relationships through human connection. Tune in to discover the key habits that can transform your interactions and create genuine connections.

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In this episode of Behind the Armor, host Judd Shaw speaks with Sara Schulting Kranz, a keynote speaker, best-selling author, extreme adventurer, and retreat organizer. Sarah shares her personal journey through trauma, overcoming adversity, and finding strength through nature and human connection. She discusses the pivotal moments in her life that shaped her framework for resilience and healing, offering insights into how ...

In this inspiring episode of Behind the Armor, host Judd Shaw sits down with the multi-talented Nina Sossamon Pogue. As a former U.S. gymnast, Emmy-winning journalist, and now a sought-after speaker, Nina shares her personal journey through failure, resilience, and ultimately, reinvention. From her Olympic dreams to a career-ending injury and beyond, Nina's story is a testament to the power of persistence and inner strengt...

In this episode of Behind the Armor, host Judd Shaw sits down with Smiley Poswolsky, a workplace belonging expert, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. Smiley shares his insights on creating a culture of belonging in the workplace, the importance of human connection, and his own personal journey from loneliness to belonging. Together, they dive into the challenges of building authentic relationships in both personal an...

In this episode of Behind the Armor, host Judd Shaw sits down with Mandy Gill, a successful female entrepreneur, keynote speaker, podcast host, and CEO, who has dedicated her life to helping others build sustainable habits and maximize positive outcomes. Mandy shares her journey, from overcoming personal challenges to scaling one of the world’s most effective behavior change apps. Together, they explore the nature of resil...

In this powerful episode of Behind the Armor, Judd Shaw sits down with Matt Emerzian, a former music industry executive who transformed his life after experiencing a life-altering panic attack. Matt shares his journey from the height of fame, working with some of the biggest names in the music industry, to finding true purpose and fulfillment through service and human connection. This episode delves into the importance of ...

n this episode of Behind the Armor, host Judd Shaw engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Michelle Johnston, a distinguished professor, keynote speaker, and author of The Seismic Shift in Leadership. Together, they explore the intricacies of human connection, the journey of self-discovery, and the pivotal role of authentic leadership. Dr. Johnston shares her personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the impor...