June 18, 2025 • 35 mins
When Mr. Whiskey's Navy ship set the record for most suicides in a year, he knew there had to be a better way forward. This powerful conversation reveals how one veteran transformed trauma into a mission of healing.
Following his military service as a nuclear operator, Mr. Whiskey founded Couple of Nukes LLC—not just another podcast, but a comprehensive resource hub designed to address the interconnected challenges of mental health, addiction recovery, physical wellness, and spiritual foundation. His approach acknowledges what many overlook: our mental, physical, and spiritual health exist in delicate balance, each affecting the other.
Growing up with an alcoholic father who weaponized religion, Mr. Whiskey's journey to authentic faith was anything but straightforward. From declaring himself the "Antichrist" in his darkest moments to reading the Bible cover-to-cover and discovering its transformative wisdom, his spiritual evolution provides hope for anyone feeling abandoned by God during life's harshest trials. "We're not chasing after God," he shares with quiet conviction. "God is chasing after us... we just need to turn around."
The statistics are sobering: approximately 76% of military suicides stem from spiritual and moral injury. Through his work, Mr. Whiskey addresses the epidemic of disconnection plaguing not just veterans but society at large. His mission extends beyond podcasting to speaking engagements, particularly targeting high schools where mental health crises and suicide rates continue to climb among younger generations.
What began as an introverted childhood in a controlling home has blossomed into a life of connection and service. Despite multiple attempts to quit podcasting, divine encouragement continually redirected his path. Today, his full-time mission extends to podcast production, speaking engagements, and comedy—all aimed at reaching diverse audiences with messages of hope and healing.
Check out coupleonukes.com to explore categorized episodes addressing specific challenges, or to connect with Mr. Whiskey directly. His story reminds us that our darkest moments can become catalysts for our greatest purpose—and that sometimes, the most powerful healing comes through helping others find their way.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everyone, thanks again for joining me on
another episode of the DorshowShow.
Today we have a special guestwith us.
His name is Mr Whiskey and heis a US Navy veteran.
Author, preacher, podcaster,speaker, comedian, voice actor,
(00:22):
dog, dad and more.
He is the founder of Couple ofNewt LLC, which serves as a
resource hub for people toimprove their lives, the main
source being his podcast, whereguest experts are the resources
for mental and physical health,lifestyle and business.
(00:47):
Mr Whiskier fought through thedark environment of suicide,
depression, anxiety, addiction,addicted loved ones, the
military and plenty of othertrauma and plenty of other
trauma.
Through those setbacks, he hasrebuilt his dreams and rebranded
(01:08):
his life, and he hopes to helpmentor young adults in order to
find peace and good health.
Thank you so much for coming onthe show today.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Thank you for having me.
As always, Gratitude to God andto you for allowing this
opportunity that we can put outsome value to the world.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Definitely.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
So what is the story behind the name of your podcast?
In the military and we referredto as nukes, and so a lot of
people they hear the word nukes,they think of weapons of mass
destruction, some people thinkof nuclear power.
For us we were nuclearoperators, they called us nukes,
and originally I wanted tocreate a show that highlighted
that unique community.
(01:56):
So we were sitting around as acouple of nukes.
I looked around and said lookat us, a couple of nukes having
these conversations, and that'show the show kind of formed a
name.
And even though I have branchedout to so much more than that,
you know it's where I started.
I like to recognize origin.
You know that ties intohumility and always remembering
(02:17):
where things started from andhow far we've grown.
I think that's really important, especially as believers, and
so I've kept it.
You know, not everyoneunderstands what the name is,
not everyone checks out the showbecause of it, but I know that
God can take it where it needsto be, regardless of what the
name is.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, what do you discuss on your show?
Is it a variety of topics?
Is it one specific topic orniche?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
So a lot of people always say you should niche down
, that the more you niche down,the better your podcast is.
They said, don't make your showfor everyone because then it's
for no one.
However, I have made my showfor everyone because I want it
to be a resource center.
So every episode is differentand what I like to do is on my
website I have it categorized.
(03:06):
So I only encouraged a website,but even just scrolling through
the show you can do this, whichis, you can find which includes
pornography, drugs, alcohol,whatever addiction it is.
Even sugar addiction is anepisode we recently did.
So a lot of different addictionrecovery.
Then we also do physical health.
(03:27):
That's both eating disorders.
You know diet and fitness aswell as you know new health and
recovery techniques to hormonetreatments.
Then we have, you know, I haveeach military branch categorized
.
So if you really like army,mental health and army stories,
there's army people.
I've got Vietnam veterans, I'vegot Marines.
I've got Air Force.
(03:48):
I've got unique individuals.
I've got faith-based episodesfor those who are believers.
So I try to have a variety ofdifferent approaches, experts
and techniques.
So when you come to the show,you can not only find what you
want to improve in your life andwith resources and experts
there, but also a variety ofdifferent ones, so if you're not
feeling one or the other, youcan connect with a different one
(04:11):
.
So even like I have plenty ofmental health podcast hosts and
self-improvement podcast hostson my show you know I don't see
them as competition trying tohelp one another and if someone
connects better with you know alistener than I do, then that's
how it is.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Now, what made you do the show?
You know what's the backgroundfor mental health and addictions
.
That said, hey, I want to starta show based on these things or
these topics.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Right.
So it actually was originallyjust a comedy.
It had nothing to do with anyof this.
It was supposed to be a comedywith occasional life advice
built in.
And really what happened is whenI got out of the military and
lost my ties to the nuclearcommunity.
You know, I kind of shifted tomilitary in general and we would
do a lot of funny stories.
(05:04):
You know Marines and Army guysgetting into trouble and whatnot
, and we would do a lot of funnystories.
You know Marines and Army guysgetting into trouble and whatnot
.
But we also hit a lot on mentalhealth because my ship had set
the record for most suicides ina year and a long time.
The base I was at before thatwas one in three suicides a
month.
You know there was a highdropout rate.
There was depression, anxiety,stress, and when I would record
(05:26):
with other military members,there was a lot of overlaps in
terms of how leadership affectedmental health, how camaraderie
affected mental health, howschedule sleep, all these
different aspects.
And so we really started todive into military mental health
.
And then I wanted it to be ashow for civilians as well.
I felt like it was good forcivilians to hear about this
stuff and apply differenttechniques into their life, but
(05:47):
also wanted civilian experts onmental health and suicide
prevention.
And then the show started tobranch out more and more.
I didn't want to be limited tojust PTSD or suicide prevention.
You know, I think addictionactually plays a huge role into
military mental health, morethan civilian health actually,
you know, because of the PTSDand just negative de-stressors
(06:09):
and coping mechanisms.
And so I also have ties intoaddiction with my father's
journey of alcoholism and otherpeople in my life.
I think it's about one out offive people are addicted and,
like you know, three out of fivepeople know someone who's
addicted.
So a lot of us know someone whohas given their life to drugs
or alcohol or pornography.
(06:30):
So it's important for me tocover those aspects.
But at the same time, physicalhealth plays a part into mental
health, just as mental healthplays a part into physical
health and same with how it canaffect your career and your
career can affect it.
So I want to make sure Icovered all the different
aspects of life so that a person, if they're struggling in one
(06:51):
or the other, could improve that, so it didn't affect everything
else in their life.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Did you ever struggle with any addictions while you
were in the military or when yougot out of the military?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
No.
So I'm very fortunate in thesense that, because of my
father's alcoholism and what Isaw it do to my family, you know
I was not into that and Iwasn't even of age to drink, but
in the military underagedrinking is very commonplace.
It is a huge issue.
In fact, the nuclear communitythat I was part of is probably
(07:30):
the number one base foralcohol-related incidents.
They had this big billboardwith days since last alcohol
incident and it was almostalways reset to zero.
They had said that if we couldget it to 50, we would get a day
off.
And I remember one time we hadgotten up into the 40s and
everyone was like fingerscrossed, come on.
And then it reset back to zeroand it barely made it to double
(07:52):
digits.
So I was in a community where Ithink addiction was more likely
than other military occupations,but I never had that urge to
cope with drinking or evensleeping.
A lot of military members willjust go to sleep and sleep away
their life, or they'll playvideo games for hours and hours,
and I never wanted to just, youknow, go from the military all
(08:14):
day to just subdued in afictional world.
I wanted to get off base andexplore the real world and, you
know, still try to talk tofamily back home and keep my
connection to the real world.
You know so many people justwant to escape and so they live
between, you know, thisfictional world of just
suppression and then themilitary, and I think that's
part of what damages theirmental health so much.
(08:36):
I mean I saw sailors, bothunderage and of age, who would
go home and just drink entirebottles of alcohol I mean
excessively, either to black outor to just, you know, numb
themselves, and I never wantedto be like that.
I never saw, you know, a desire.
You know I would go running, Iwould write poetry, I would, you
(08:58):
know, hang out with people andI would really listen to
everyone's.
You know my addiction becametrying to make everyone's lives
better so that they didn't copenegatively, and I ended up
getting burnt out.
Pretty bad because, as a chiefstopped me one time he said, mr
Whiskey, even Superman couldn'tsave everyone he goes.
You're always going aroundtrying to help everyone, be
(09:19):
everyone's therapist and bestfriend, and it's a lot,
especially when you're on a shipand everyone on the ship has
issues.
I wouldn't say I struggled withaddiction either inside or
outside.
Some people say I'm aworkaholic and work has become
my addiction.
But if that's the case, I'mvery glad to have that rather
than something like alcohol ordrugs.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Absolutely.
If you could be remembered forone thing, what would that be?
Speaker 2 (09:49):
If I could be remembered for one thing.
I think as a believer I workevery day on being more humble
and serving God more, and I'dwant to be remembered as a man
who glorified God and served God.
I want to be remembered as aman that people were like.
God used him.
He was a modern King David, aprophet, which sounds very proud
(10:12):
and prideful, but I want it tobe where people don't remember
me, necessarily for me.
They remember that God was ableto use me to reach so many
people and have that be aninspiration for others to serve
as a vessel for God.
You know, I'm not a perfect man.
I am a sinner and will be asinner again, and I have sinned.
But I have seen God, you know,forgive me and use me, and I
(10:39):
want him to use me more and more.
I know that every day I need towork on becoming a better
vessel for him to use.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Can you tell us your story a little bit more in depth
, about your story, especiallywhen it comes to the faith-based
aspect of it?
You know, did you grow up inchurch?
You know when did you get savedand think of that nature?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
For sure.
You know it's a story that Ireally appreciate because so
many people let that in feelingsof people who hurt them from
the church or just in real life.
You know, people just associatehumanity with God.
You know, I was recording theother day with a guest and it
was interesting.
(11:22):
We looked at other religionsand said you know, I was
recording another day with aguest and it was interesting.
We looked at other religionsand said every other religion,
the gods are like humans.
In Christianity, god is perfect.
He's not a flawed human.
So it's the only religion whereGod is perfect and humans are
the ones who are messed up.
And that's very much the case.
But so many people try to blameGod for the actions of people.
They want to have free will butthen hate when it's abused and
(11:45):
unfortunately that's on.
Looking back on my life, I couldhave very easily fallen into
that mindset, but I have alwaysbeen an intellectually curious
person.
When people said God said this,god did this or people hurt me,
what ultimately happened is Iended up turning to the Bible
(12:06):
and that's what set everythingstraight for me, for me.
So I grew up Catholic which Ino longer am Catholic, but I
grew up Catholic, going to theCatholic church with my father.
I went to this private schoolthat was very corrupt and so
they put a very sour taste forreligion in my mouth.
And then my father, you know,he weaponized and twisted
(12:28):
religion.
He was, as they call it, acherry picker for Bible quotes
and he kind of made religionthis thing to worship him and
put other people down, and thewhole purpose of religion is to
lift others up and praise God.
So he had it very twisted.
I just kind of really abandonedthe faith by freshman year of
high school, which is my familylife.
The traumatic childhood wasjust so bad and it was
(12:51):
completely outcasted that youknow I actually said I was going
to make my own religion.
I said, god, you know you'renot real, I can't do this.
I'm going to make my ownreligion.
I'll give you one last chance,which, looking back on it is,
you know, crazy to say that toGod.
But you know I said I'll giveyou one more chance.
You know, prove you're real,because I'm done with this.
(13:15):
And my right arm got split open, acquired seven stitches, and
so I have a scar on me.
So I think in my book God versusindomitable human spirit.
I talk about doubting Thomas.
I am, you know, because I talkabout my journey with that.
But you know I knew God wasreal from that day forward for
sure.
But knowing God is real andthen seeking after Him are two
very different things.
(13:35):
And I wasn't seeking after Him,I wasn't reading the Bible and
so much of my youth and even mymilitary years, if I had read
the Bible and known the wisdomthat was in there, it would have
saved me a lot of trouble, alot of heartache, a lot of pain,
a lot of trouble.
So I really encourage us asparents and adults to put
(13:56):
forward the Bible to the youth.
But after that point, you know,the military was definitely a
hard time for me.
A lot of people lose faith, infact spiritual and moral injury.
About 76% of military suicidescome from the fact that people
lost their faith during theirservice.
You know, and it's hard, youknow, when you're in that kind
(14:17):
of situation and environment andas much as the military tries
to, you know it's not a veryfaith-based, incorporated, you
know organization individually,when you're surrounded by people
who, especially the nuclearcommunity, was the highest
atheist population on the wholeship.
It's hard.
But you know I saw it, as theseare very difficult times and all
(14:40):
we can do is lean on God.
I said when times are rough,the last thing I want to do is
make God my enemy.
I said life is already hardenough.
I said so the best we can do isjust hope and believe in him.
You know his word is true andyou know he doesn't lie.
So that kind of brought mecloser to God again.
And it was really my father'salcoholism gotten so bad.
(15:00):
He started talking about how Iwas the antichrist and he was
Satan's best friend and theLegion wanted me.
And I ended up having thisdream where I spoke to Jesus
Christ, because I really myfather had a lot of influence
over me, especially in my youth,in my military years, and I
really started to believe that Iwas the Antichrist and that you
know.
I remember in my dream I calledout toward heaven.
(15:22):
I said Jesus, would you notsave also the Antichrist if he
called out to you?
And Jesus said I would.
And he gave me this farmer'sbelt buckle and after that dream
I was like I need to readRevelation, I need to know more
about the Antichrist, I need toknow more about Jesus Christ,
and from there I ended upreading the whole Bible and
that's what really brought meclose to God was actually seeing
(15:44):
his word and reading it inorder.
I had always just read randomparts of the Bible.
I didn't realize it wasactually a story.
It's a historical story.
And it always just read randomparts of the Bible, I didn't
realize it was actually a story.
It's a historical story and itall builds upon one.
You know each section on theother, so reading it from
beginning to end.
And now I'm going back andreading through it for like the
third time.
I study it and I'm looking atparts of it in Greek and Hebrew
(16:07):
and it's like it has brought myfaith to such a better
understanding and my ability toserve God has been brought much
better.
And so that's where I'm attoday, where you know I had
religion twisted against me,used against me by a Catholic
school, by my father.
I've been hurt by plenty ofpeople, but having read the
(16:28):
Bible and wanting to know thetruth, I understand and have
learned that.
You know people are people butGod is God.
We are not him and he is not us.
And when he was us, when hecame down as man, he was among
us, not of us.
He was a man who was perfect,and so I think it's so important
for people to know that theyshould seek God and the truth,
(16:53):
no matter how much hurt they'vebeen through.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Right, I know you do your podcast and you help people
with your addictions andeverything.
Do you have another careerbesides that or is that your
full-time career?
Speaker 2 (17:12):
So a couple of nukes is a company that I run
full-time it's just me, I doeverything for it, looking to
branch out, maybe get someemployees this year because it
is growing exponentially.
But you know, that's why I dofull-time, by the grace and
glory of God that I'm able tolive this life that I never
expected.
I've tried quitting podcastingprobably three, four times, and
(17:33):
every time I have gone to quit Ithought that it was the end.
God just came in and blessed mein ways I couldn't imagine,
took me to states I didn't eversee myself going to.
I grew up in a very controllinghome, very introverted, never
talked to anyone, was always anoutcast.
And God, the first time hebrought me to a podcast event it
(17:53):
was 3,000 people.
I said Lord, I don't know howto talk to people, I don't know
who these people are, and hesomehow made me this social
person.
That was like well articulated.
So I'm very grateful for that.
But you know, it's the podcast.
I've recently branched intopodcast production and I'll be
making a couple other shows forother people who want to make
(18:15):
podcasts but don't know how todo it this year.
And then I have a couple ofspeaking opportunities.
I'll be speaking at someconferences and events and
trying to branch into that, andmy ultimate goal is to one speak
at high schools and reach thoseyounger folk who really need.
You know, the youngergenerations are growing up with
(18:36):
a huge mental health crisis andsuicide epidemic especially.
You know I won't get intosocial media and all that, but I
talk about that a lot on myshow in a very negative way,
unfortunately, just because ofhow people have used it.
And then I am doing youmentioned comedy in the very
beginning.
I want to do more of that thisyear and that's just to reach
(18:56):
people in a different way.
You know I talk about the.
Speaking is one way of reachingpeople.
The podcasting is another way.
The comedy is another way.
Preaching is another way, youknow, and even just like artwork
and poetry, and there's so manydifferent mediums of
communication and everyone isreceptive to different ways.
You know there are some andthere's so many different
mediums of communication andeveryone is receptive to
different ways.
You know there are some andthat's why I think it's great
(19:17):
that there's so many differentpreachers and pastors out there,
especially with technologyenabling so many more believers
to reach others, becauseeveryone is receptive to the
word in a different way.
So I'm not upset that there'sso many translations of the
Bible, because, as long as it isaccurate which I, you know,
(19:40):
urge a spirit of discernmentwhen picking your Bible it helps
it reach more people anddifferent people.
So I think it's amazing andthat's why I enjoy doing this.
It's a lot of work some days,and some days are definitely
difficult, but, as you know, godwill send birds with
breadcrumbs to his prophets, sohe will take care of us.
We're worth more than sparrows.
I think that it is the path Iam on until God tells me
(20:01):
otherwise.
I'm kind of letting him takethe lead in my life, which can
be very scary, especiallyfinancially, but I know that he
will never leave or forsake me.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
What's one thing about your career that you
didn't expect?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Can I say all of it?
I didn't even know what apodcast was until about maybe
two and a half years ago, andthen I ended up making one a few
months after I first heard one.
So I never expected this.
I never expected to, havinggrown up so outcasted and so in
this little bubble, reaching andinteracting with so many people
(20:40):
.
I recently went on a cruise, apodcaster's cruise, and I never
expected to leave the country inmy life.
I grew up thinking that NewJersey was the greatest state of
all time in most of America andthen hadn't really gone to
other states.
And then when God brought meinto the military, he brought me
down south and that reallyopened up my eyes culturally and
(21:00):
going out of the country now,like I'm planning a trip to
Japan.
I grew up in such a small worldand I never expected the world
to be so big and to be able torecord with people in different
states in different countriesand have conversations with them
and get along.
You know, I was raised to thinkthat every country was just so
(21:21):
full of hate and raised towardseach other and really raised to
be almost racist and xenophobic,and so to now interact with
such a diverse range of peopleevery single day, multiple times
a day.
Honestly, that's the mostunexpected part and the part
that I really truly appreciatebeing able to interact with so
many unique individuals and justshow connection and unity.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
With what you're doing now.
What's the biggest challengethat you're facing and how are
you tackling it?
Speaker 2 (21:56):
The biggest challenge for me right now it's
interesting that you bring thisup because I was just thinking
about this is the world itself,the way society is receptive to
information, just pureentertainment, and they'll get
millions of likes and views,whereas I put out stuff you know
(22:23):
suicide prevention, addictionrecovery, self-improvement and
it is not receptive by socialmedia.
It is, you know, maybe a couplehundred or a couple thousand.
It does not do as well andthere are plenty of creators out
there who do what I do and theyhave a big reach.
But, honestly, getting it outthere is the most difficult part
and what I try to do to helptackle that is.
(22:47):
I always say it's God's show andit's in his hands.
And I say God, it's not abouthow many people it reaches, it's
about reaching the right peopleat the right time, and only you
, lord, are capable of that,because God is the perfect time
and the perfect place.
He exceeds time and space.
As long as he is takingepisodes to the people who need
them rather than hundreds ofpeople who don't need them, then
(23:09):
I'm OK with that.
But it is frustrating as acreator, as anyone running a
podcast or doing social mediainfluence to you know, not focus
on the numbers?
It's very difficult to not seethem and be disheartened.
You know like, are peoplereally listening to this?
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Oh yeah, I can definitely relate to that.
You know, I know how you'refeeling and you know just to I
mean, I'm sure you've heard itbefore from others but just
being encouraged, you know, as Iam to know, that, hey, at least
you got somebody listening andyou know, being encouraged by
(23:46):
what you, by what you're saying,by what you put out there.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah, and knowing that it's a marathon, not a
sprint, we're trying to makecontent for well after you and I
have passed away.
This is an episode right nowthat could be listened to 200
years from now and it can bringsomeone to Christ.
So that's when I say Godexceeds time and space.
This is something amazing.
Like I said, the right time andplace and a quote I like that I
heard recently was we'replanting the seeds of a tree
(24:14):
whose shade will never sit under.
This isn't for us, for you andme.
This is for whoever is going tohear it when it's the right
time and place.
So I use that to encouragemyself.
Like you said, at least we havepeople listening.
And I said, like I said, it'sexponential too With podcasting.
The longer you do it, the moreyou grow each and every day.
So it's nice.
(24:35):
It's just keeping that mindsetof all right, slow and steady,
but of course would I love towake up and it says, hey, your
podcast got 10,000 downloadslast night.
I'd be like who paid who?
Someone had to pay someone forthis.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
How long were you in the military for?
Speaker 2 (24:55):
I was in for three years.
I was supposed to be at onepoint.
I wanted to do the full 20.
I was very passionate about theNavy.
One point had that hoo-yahspirit and I just witnessed
things, experienced things thatreally broke that and I have a
lot of respect for the men andwomen serving our country always
.
You know it is not easy and youknow sometimes you get lucky and
(25:17):
you have the best chain ofcommand and military career
there is and sometimes you getvery unlucky.
I still get phone calls everyweek from shipmates of mine who
are in there and struggling withsuicidal ideation, with
depression, toxic leadership,with working hours, and I do
have hope that there is a waythe military can be ran where
(25:37):
everyone, or most people arehappy and satisfied.
It's such a big organizationthat change takes a long time to
ripple throughout and we see weare seeing shifts towards that
Every day.
I think the military is gettingmore conscious of the mental
health impact it has, how to runthings better.
We've got a lot of peoplespeaking up, both veterans and
(25:59):
civilians, about making itbetter.
So you know it was a journey ofits own and though it was only
three years, because of theovernight shifts, the holidays,
the way you work, it definitelyfelt like longer than that.
You know time is like doublewhat in the military.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
How do you keep your faith, especially during your
military career?
Speaker 2 (26:23):
You know, like I said , the nuclear community was one
of the highest atheistpopulations and I always, you
know, would spread the word.
In fact, I helped, hopefully,convert a few people and I
always put it forward, you know,and if they're not receptive to
it, they're not receptive to it.
What really got me through itwas actually two things.
(26:46):
The first was a Bible quoteit's one of the most popular and
most used Bible quotes which isthe Lord is close to the
brokenhearted and saves thosecrushed in spirit.
And I just focused on thatevery day and it was hard.
There was, I mean, most days Iwas brokenhearted and crushed in
spirit and that quote doesn'tnecessarily take that away, but
it helped me keep hope.
(27:07):
And then I had come across thispost on social media and it was
a compilation of pictures ofJesus Christ and it said the
seven promises you know of Godand it referenced Bible quotes.
And it was you know, I willalways love you, I have plans
for you, I hear your prayers, Iwill be your strength, I will
fight for you.
And like two others and I, justevery day I reflected on that
(27:31):
and part of it too, was like Iknew that abandoning God would
not benefit me any and it mayeven hinder me and hurt me more,
whereas keeping my faith andtrusting in God, you know that
it would only benefit me.
You know, and if it didn't doanything, at least it helped
(27:52):
maintain my morale a bit.
But there were a lot of dayswhere I said, god, I thought you
counted every tear.
Do you not see me?
You know God, you know why isthis like this.
You know it's it is a lot ofpeople lose their faith in the
military and I understand why.
But you know, we have to knowthat the God, that God, is
(28:13):
bigger than the military,whatever situation we're in.
And you know, looking back, heused that for a lot of different
reasons.
There are people in my lifethat I met that changed my life.
There are people in my lifethat have changed everything
that I only met because of themilitary.
There are lives that I havechanged because of God's power
that I would have never met.
There are events that needed tohappen.
(28:35):
So, just knowing that he has aplan and that, most importantly,
in the story of Joseph he'stalking to his brothers about
how they threw him in the welland he goes, what you intended
for evil.
God has used for the good ofmyself and others.
That oil is so powerful thatwhatever the enemy tries to use
against us, god will use for us.
And so, even if the militaryisn't the greatest thing, even
(28:58):
if you're surrounded by sinners,whether intentionally or
accidentally, god will use thatfor you.
And if you are someone who'slost your faith through the
military or whatever career itis, it's never too late to turn
back and say God.
I'm sorry that a period of timewas just too much, but I want
to know that you are here.
We're not chasing after God.
(29:21):
God is chasing after us, and somany people don't understand
that we had to just turn aroundand he's right there chasing
after us.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
What's one last encouragement that you would
give to my listeners, especiallyfor those that are struggling
with addictions or mental healthissues, anxiety, different
things of that nature?
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Now it's definitely.
I think consistency anddiscipline helps with almost
everything in your life.
It can never not benefit you,and the same goes with your
faith.
And what I mean by that is Ihave found that praying every
morning and every night, even ifit's just thank you God for
this day, even if it's just I'mglad I woke up, you know, I'm
(30:08):
glad that I have my health tothe degree that I have it, you
know, reflecting on that andreading the Bible every day, I
think that consistency anddiscipline really keeps your
faith strong.
You know, keeping that dailyfoundation, because when you let
that be compromised, it makesit so much easier for the enemy
to take everything from you tofeed you those lies.
(30:29):
By reading the Word every day,it will keep you full of wisdom
and focused on what you need toimprove your life.
The Bible is a guidebook for howto live your best life and to
fulfill God's plan, god's plan.
We have free will.
We can do what we want, but Godhas a plan for us.
(30:50):
That is the best possible lifewe can have and we have the
choice to chase after that.
So by reading the Bible andbeing disciplined in that,
praying every day and readingthe Word every day and then
finding a faith-based communityoutside of the church.
I know now more than ever trustin the church is down, but you
can be part of a community thatbelieves in God and gets
(31:13):
together and reads the Bible andprays together and just talks
about what's going on in yourlife, whether you're struggling
or doing well.
I have found that to be themost beneficial resource of all
time is talking to my fellowbelievers about both the good
and the bad and being vulnerableand humble and taking our
temptations to each other, notto spread it but to help other
(31:37):
people destroy for us by guidingus to the proper words of God
and by keeping our faith strongso that consistency and
discipline of reading the Bible,praying and then being
surrounded by an environment offaith that helps resonate with
each other and boost each otherup.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Where can people reach you and connect with you?
Speaker 2 (32:00):
where can people reach you and connect with you.
Yeah, so if you look up coupleof nukes calm, that's couple oh
nukes calm, just the letter.
Oh, you know.
That has everything you need toreach out on all my social
medias as well as, like I said,I have all my episodes
categorized.
So if you want just a faithbased episodes, if you want just
the addiction recovery, if youwant, you know, physical fitness
(32:21):
, they're all categorized.
So I want it to be as easy aspossible for people to come to
my show as a resource center andfind what they need.
In addition to that, I haveplenty of other information
about me from shows I've been on, to every guest who's ever been
on my show and their resourcesare there.
So, coupleofnukescom, you'llfind their way to email me
(32:42):
Instagram, facebook, linkedin,all of that and again, it's not
about me, it's about God usingme as a vessel to help y'all.
So I encourage you to check itout just as a resource page for
yourself or as something you cankeep in your back pocket to
send to other people who arestruggling with whatever it may
be Well.
Speaker 1 (33:02):
Mr Whiskey, thank you so much for coming on the show.
We greatly appreciate havingyou.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
Of course, much gratitude.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Well, guys and girls, thank you so much for coming on
and listening today and wegreatly appreciate Mr Whiskey's
service to our country andmilitary.
Hope you guys enjoyed thisepisode.
Please like and share thisepisode Until next time.
God bless, Bye-bye.
Hello everyone, thanks again for joining me on
another episode of the DorshowShow.
Today we have a special guestwith us.
His name is Mr Whiskey and heis a US Navy veteran.
Author, preacher, podcaster,speaker, comedian, voice actor,
(00:22):
dog, dad and more.
He is the founder of Couple ofNewt LLC, which serves as a
resource hub for people toimprove their lives, the main
source being his podcast, whereguest experts are the resources
for mental and physical health,lifestyle and business.
(00:47):
Mr Whiskier fought through thedark environment of suicide,
depression, anxiety, addiction,addicted loved ones, the
military and plenty of othertrauma and plenty of other
trauma.
Through those setbacks, he hasrebuilt his dreams and rebranded
(01:08):
his life, and he hopes to helpmentor young adults in order to
find peace and good health.
Thank you so much for coming onthe show today.
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Thank you for having me.
As always, Gratitude to God andto you for allowing this
opportunity that we can put outsome value to the world.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
Definitely.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
So what is the story behind the name of your podcast?
In the military and we referredto as nukes, and so a lot of
people they hear the word nukes,they think of weapons of mass
destruction, some people thinkof nuclear power.
For us we were nuclearoperators, they called us nukes,
and originally I wanted tocreate a show that highlighted
that unique community.
(01:56):
So we were sitting around as acouple of nukes.
I looked around and said lookat us, a couple of nukes having
these conversations, and that'show the show kind of formed a
name.
And even though I have branchedout to so much more than that,
you know it's where I started.
I like to recognize origin.
You know that ties intohumility and always remembering
(02:17):
where things started from andhow far we've grown.
I think that's really important, especially as believers, and
so I've kept it.
You know, not everyoneunderstands what the name is,
not everyone checks out the showbecause of it, but I know that
God can take it where it needsto be, regardless of what the
name is.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Yeah, what do you discuss on your show?
Is it a variety of topics?
Is it one specific topic orniche?
Speaker 2 (02:46):
So a lot of people always say you should niche down
, that the more you niche down,the better your podcast is.
They said, don't make your showfor everyone because then it's
for no one.
However, I have made my showfor everyone because I want it
to be a resource center.
So every episode is differentand what I like to do is on my
website I have it categorized.
(03:06):
So I only encouraged a website,but even just scrolling through
the show you can do this, whichis, you can find which includes
pornography, drugs, alcohol,whatever addiction it is.
Even sugar addiction is anepisode we recently did.
So a lot of different addictionrecovery.
Then we also do physical health.
(03:27):
That's both eating disorders.
You know diet and fitness aswell as you know new health and
recovery techniques to hormonetreatments.
Then we have, you know, I haveeach military branch categorized
.
So if you really like army,mental health and army stories,
there's army people.
I've got Vietnam veterans, I'vegot Marines.
I've got Air Force.
(03:48):
I've got unique individuals.
I've got faith-based episodesfor those who are believers.
So I try to have a variety ofdifferent approaches, experts
and techniques.
So when you come to the show,you can not only find what you
want to improve in your life andwith resources and experts
there, but also a variety ofdifferent ones, so if you're not
feeling one or the other, youcan connect with a different one
(04:11):
.
So even like I have plenty ofmental health podcast hosts and
self-improvement podcast hostson my show you know I don't see
them as competition trying tohelp one another and if someone
connects better with you know alistener than I do, then that's
how it is.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Now, what made you do the show?
You know what's the backgroundfor mental health and addictions
.
That said, hey, I want to starta show based on these things or
these topics.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Right.
So it actually was originallyjust a comedy.
It had nothing to do with anyof this.
It was supposed to be a comedywith occasional life advice
built in.
And really what happened is whenI got out of the military and
lost my ties to the nuclearcommunity.
You know, I kind of shifted tomilitary in general and we would
do a lot of funny stories.
(05:04):
You know Marines and Army guysgetting into trouble and whatnot
, and we would do a lot of funnystories.
You know Marines and Army guysgetting into trouble and whatnot
.
But we also hit a lot on mentalhealth because my ship had set
the record for most suicides ina year and a long time.
The base I was at before thatwas one in three suicides a
month.
You know there was a highdropout rate.
There was depression, anxiety,stress, and when I would record
(05:26):
with other military members,there was a lot of overlaps in
terms of how leadership affectedmental health, how camaraderie
affected mental health, howschedule sleep, all these
different aspects.
And so we really started todive into military mental health
.
And then I wanted it to be ashow for civilians as well.
I felt like it was good forcivilians to hear about this
stuff and apply differenttechniques into their life, but
(05:47):
also wanted civilian experts onmental health and suicide
prevention.
And then the show started tobranch out more and more.
I didn't want to be limited tojust PTSD or suicide prevention.
You know, I think addictionactually plays a huge role into
military mental health, morethan civilian health actually,
you know, because of the PTSDand just negative de-stressors
(06:09):
and coping mechanisms.
And so I also have ties intoaddiction with my father's
journey of alcoholism and otherpeople in my life.
I think it's about one out offive people are addicted and,
like you know, three out of fivepeople know someone who's
addicted.
So a lot of us know someone whohas given their life to drugs
or alcohol or pornography.
(06:30):
So it's important for me tocover those aspects.
But at the same time, physicalhealth plays a part into mental
health, just as mental healthplays a part into physical
health and same with how it canaffect your career and your
career can affect it.
So I want to make sure Icovered all the different
aspects of life so that a person, if they're struggling in one
(06:51):
or the other, could improve that, so it didn't affect everything
else in their life.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Did you ever struggle with any addictions while you
were in the military or when yougot out of the military?
Speaker 2 (07:07):
No.
So I'm very fortunate in thesense that, because of my
father's alcoholism and what Isaw it do to my family, you know
I was not into that and Iwasn't even of age to drink, but
in the military underagedrinking is very commonplace.
It is a huge issue.
In fact, the nuclear communitythat I was part of is probably
(07:30):
the number one base foralcohol-related incidents.
They had this big billboardwith days since last alcohol
incident and it was almostalways reset to zero.
They had said that if we couldget it to 50, we would get a day
off.
And I remember one time we hadgotten up into the 40s and
everyone was like fingerscrossed, come on.
And then it reset back to zeroand it barely made it to double
(07:52):
digits.
So I was in a community where Ithink addiction was more likely
than other military occupations,but I never had that urge to
cope with drinking or evensleeping.
A lot of military members willjust go to sleep and sleep away
their life, or they'll playvideo games for hours and hours,
and I never wanted to just, youknow, go from the military all
(08:14):
day to just subdued in afictional world.
I wanted to get off base andexplore the real world and, you
know, still try to talk tofamily back home and keep my
connection to the real world.
You know so many people justwant to escape and so they live
between, you know, thisfictional world of just
suppression and then themilitary, and I think that's
part of what damages theirmental health so much.
(08:36):
I mean I saw sailors, bothunderage and of age, who would
go home and just drink entirebottles of alcohol I mean
excessively, either to black outor to just, you know, numb
themselves, and I never wantedto be like that.
I never saw, you know, a desire.
You know I would go running, Iwould write poetry, I would, you
(08:58):
know, hang out with people andI would really listen to
everyone's.
You know my addiction becametrying to make everyone's lives
better so that they didn't copenegatively, and I ended up
getting burnt out.
Pretty bad because, as a chiefstopped me one time he said, mr
Whiskey, even Superman couldn'tsave everyone he goes.
You're always going aroundtrying to help everyone, be
(09:19):
everyone's therapist and bestfriend, and it's a lot,
especially when you're on a shipand everyone on the ship has
issues.
I wouldn't say I struggled withaddiction either inside or
outside.
Some people say I'm aworkaholic and work has become
my addiction.
But if that's the case, I'mvery glad to have that rather
than something like alcohol ordrugs.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Absolutely.
If you could be remembered forone thing, what would that be?
Speaker 2 (09:49):
If I could be remembered for one thing.
I think as a believer I workevery day on being more humble
and serving God more, and I'dwant to be remembered as a man
who glorified God and served God.
I want to be remembered as aman that people were like.
God used him.
He was a modern King David, aprophet, which sounds very proud
(10:12):
and prideful, but I want it tobe where people don't remember
me, necessarily for me.
They remember that God was ableto use me to reach so many
people and have that be aninspiration for others to serve
as a vessel for God.
You know, I'm not a perfect man.
I am a sinner and will be asinner again, and I have sinned.
But I have seen God, you know,forgive me and use me, and I
(10:39):
want him to use me more and more.
I know that every day I need towork on becoming a better
vessel for him to use.
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Can you tell us your story a little bit more in depth
, about your story, especiallywhen it comes to the faith-based
aspect of it?
You know, did you grow up inchurch?
You know when did you get savedand think of that nature?
Speaker 2 (11:02):
For sure.
You know it's a story that Ireally appreciate because so
many people let that in feelingsof people who hurt them from
the church or just in real life.
You know, people just associatehumanity with God.
You know, I was recording theother day with a guest and it
was interesting.
(11:22):
We looked at other religionsand said you know, I was
recording another day with aguest and it was interesting.
We looked at other religionsand said every other religion,
the gods are like humans.
In Christianity, god is perfect.
He's not a flawed human.
So it's the only religion whereGod is perfect and humans are
the ones who are messed up.
And that's very much the case.
But so many people try to blameGod for the actions of people.
They want to have free will butthen hate when it's abused and
(11:45):
unfortunately that's on.
Looking back on my life, I couldhave very easily fallen into
that mindset, but I have alwaysbeen an intellectually curious
person.
When people said God said this,god did this or people hurt me,
what ultimately happened is Iended up turning to the Bible
(12:06):
and that's what set everythingstraight for me, for me.
So I grew up Catholic which Ino longer am Catholic, but I
grew up Catholic, going to theCatholic church with my father.
I went to this private schoolthat was very corrupt and so
they put a very sour taste forreligion in my mouth.
And then my father, you know,he weaponized and twisted
(12:28):
religion.
He was, as they call it, acherry picker for Bible quotes
and he kind of made religionthis thing to worship him and
put other people down, and thewhole purpose of religion is to
lift others up and praise God.
So he had it very twisted.
I just kind of really abandonedthe faith by freshman year of
high school, which is my familylife.
The traumatic childhood wasjust so bad and it was
(12:51):
completely outcasted that youknow I actually said I was going
to make my own religion.
I said, god, you know you'renot real, I can't do this.
I'm going to make my ownreligion.
I'll give you one last chance,which, looking back on it is,
you know, crazy to say that toGod.
But you know I said I'll giveyou one more chance.
You know, prove you're real,because I'm done with this.
(13:15):
And my right arm got split open, acquired seven stitches, and
so I have a scar on me.
So I think in my book God versusindomitable human spirit.
I talk about doubting Thomas.
I am, you know, because I talkabout my journey with that.
But you know I knew God wasreal from that day forward for
sure.
But knowing God is real andthen seeking after Him are two
very different things.
(13:35):
And I wasn't seeking after Him,I wasn't reading the Bible and
so much of my youth and even mymilitary years, if I had read
the Bible and known the wisdomthat was in there, it would have
saved me a lot of trouble, alot of heartache, a lot of pain,
a lot of trouble.
So I really encourage us asparents and adults to put
(13:56):
forward the Bible to the youth.
But after that point, you know,the military was definitely a
hard time for me.
A lot of people lose faith, infact spiritual and moral injury.
About 76% of military suicidescome from the fact that people
lost their faith during theirservice.
You know, and it's hard, youknow, when you're in that kind
(14:17):
of situation and environment andas much as the military tries
to, you know it's not a veryfaith-based, incorporated, you
know organization individually,when you're surrounded by people
who, especially the nuclearcommunity, was the highest
atheist population on the wholeship.
It's hard.
But you know I saw it, as theseare very difficult times and all
(14:40):
we can do is lean on God.
I said when times are rough,the last thing I want to do is
make God my enemy.
I said life is already hardenough.
I said so the best we can do isjust hope and believe in him.
You know his word is true andyou know he doesn't lie.
So that kind of brought mecloser to God again.
And it was really my father'salcoholism gotten so bad.
(15:00):
He started talking about how Iwas the antichrist and he was
Satan's best friend and theLegion wanted me.
And I ended up having thisdream where I spoke to Jesus
Christ, because I really myfather had a lot of influence
over me, especially in my youth,in my military years, and I
really started to believe that Iwas the Antichrist and that you
know.
I remember in my dream I calledout toward heaven.
(15:22):
I said Jesus, would you notsave also the Antichrist if he
called out to you?
And Jesus said I would.
And he gave me this farmer'sbelt buckle and after that dream
I was like I need to readRevelation, I need to know more
about the Antichrist, I need toknow more about Jesus Christ,
and from there I ended upreading the whole Bible and
that's what really brought meclose to God was actually seeing
(15:44):
his word and reading it inorder.
I had always just read randomparts of the Bible.
I didn't realize it wasactually a story.
It's a historical story.
And it always just read randomparts of the Bible, I didn't
realize it was actually a story.
It's a historical story and itall builds upon one.
You know each section on theother, so reading it from
beginning to end.
And now I'm going back andreading through it for like the
third time.
I study it and I'm looking atparts of it in Greek and Hebrew
(16:07):
and it's like it has brought myfaith to such a better
understanding and my ability toserve God has been brought much
better.
And so that's where I'm attoday, where you know I had
religion twisted against me,used against me by a Catholic
school, by my father.
I've been hurt by plenty ofpeople, but having read the
(16:28):
Bible and wanting to know thetruth, I understand and have
learned that.
You know people are people butGod is God.
We are not him and he is not us.
And when he was us, when hecame down as man, he was among
us, not of us.
He was a man who was perfect,and so I think it's so important
for people to know that theyshould seek God and the truth,
(16:53):
no matter how much hurt they'vebeen through.
Speaker 1 (16:55):
Right, I know you do your podcast and you help people
with your addictions andeverything.
Do you have another careerbesides that or is that your
full-time career?
Speaker 2 (17:12):
So a couple of nukes is a company that I run
full-time it's just me, I doeverything for it, looking to
branch out, maybe get someemployees this year because it
is growing exponentially.
But you know, that's why I dofull-time, by the grace and
glory of God that I'm able tolive this life that I never
expected.
I've tried quitting podcastingprobably three, four times, and
(17:33):
every time I have gone to quit Ithought that it was the end.
God just came in and blessed mein ways I couldn't imagine,
took me to states I didn't eversee myself going to.
I grew up in a very controllinghome, very introverted, never
talked to anyone, was always anoutcast.
And God, the first time hebrought me to a podcast event it
(17:53):
was 3,000 people.
I said Lord, I don't know howto talk to people, I don't know
who these people are, and hesomehow made me this social
person.
That was like well articulated.
So I'm very grateful for that.
But you know, it's the podcast.
I've recently branched intopodcast production and I'll be
making a couple other shows forother people who want to make
(18:15):
podcasts but don't know how todo it this year.
And then I have a couple ofspeaking opportunities.
I'll be speaking at someconferences and events and
trying to branch into that, andmy ultimate goal is to one speak
at high schools and reach thoseyounger folk who really need.
You know, the youngergenerations are growing up with
(18:36):
a huge mental health crisis andsuicide epidemic especially.
You know I won't get intosocial media and all that, but I
talk about that a lot on myshow in a very negative way,
unfortunately, just because ofhow people have used it.
And then I am doing youmentioned comedy in the very
beginning.
I want to do more of that thisyear and that's just to reach
(18:56):
people in a different way.
You know I talk about the.
Speaking is one way of reachingpeople.
The podcasting is another way.
The comedy is another way.
Preaching is another way, youknow, and even just like artwork
and poetry, and there's so manydifferent mediums of
communication and everyone isreceptive to different ways.
You know there are some andthere's so many different
mediums of communication andeveryone is receptive to
different ways.
You know there are some andthat's why I think it's great
(19:17):
that there's so many differentpreachers and pastors out there,
especially with technologyenabling so many more believers
to reach others, becauseeveryone is receptive to the
word in a different way.
So I'm not upset that there'sso many translations of the
Bible, because, as long as it isaccurate which I, you know,
(19:40):
urge a spirit of discernmentwhen picking your Bible it helps
it reach more people anddifferent people.
So I think it's amazing andthat's why I enjoy doing this.
It's a lot of work some days,and some days are definitely
difficult, but, as you know, godwill send birds with
breadcrumbs to his prophets, sohe will take care of us.
We're worth more than sparrows.
I think that it is the path Iam on until God tells me
(20:01):
otherwise.
I'm kind of letting him takethe lead in my life, which can
be very scary, especiallyfinancially, but I know that he
will never leave or forsake me.
Speaker 1 (20:11):
What's one thing about your career that you
didn't expect?
Speaker 2 (20:17):
Can I say all of it?
I didn't even know what apodcast was until about maybe
two and a half years ago, andthen I ended up making one a few
months after I first heard one.
So I never expected this.
I never expected to, havinggrown up so outcasted and so in
this little bubble, reaching andinteracting with so many people
(20:40):
.
I recently went on a cruise, apodcaster's cruise, and I never
expected to leave the country inmy life.
I grew up thinking that NewJersey was the greatest state of
all time in most of America andthen hadn't really gone to
other states.
And then when God brought meinto the military, he brought me
down south and that reallyopened up my eyes culturally and
(21:00):
going out of the country now,like I'm planning a trip to
Japan.
I grew up in such a small worldand I never expected the world
to be so big and to be able torecord with people in different
states in different countriesand have conversations with them
and get along.
You know, I was raised to thinkthat every country was just so
(21:21):
full of hate and raised towardseach other and really raised to
be almost racist and xenophobic,and so to now interact with
such a diverse range of peopleevery single day, multiple times
a day.
Honestly, that's the mostunexpected part and the part
that I really truly appreciatebeing able to interact with so
many unique individuals and justshow connection and unity.
Speaker 1 (21:46):
With what you're doing now.
What's the biggest challengethat you're facing and how are
you tackling it?
Speaker 2 (21:56):
The biggest challenge for me right now it's
interesting that you bring thisup because I was just thinking
about this is the world itself,the way society is receptive to
information, just pureentertainment, and they'll get
millions of likes and views,whereas I put out stuff you know
(22:23):
suicide prevention, addictionrecovery, self-improvement and
it is not receptive by socialmedia.
It is, you know, maybe a couplehundred or a couple thousand.
It does not do as well andthere are plenty of creators out
there who do what I do and theyhave a big reach.
But, honestly, getting it outthere is the most difficult part
and what I try to do to helptackle that is.
(22:47):
I always say it's God's show andit's in his hands.
And I say God, it's not abouthow many people it reaches, it's
about reaching the right peopleat the right time, and only you
, lord, are capable of that,because God is the perfect time
and the perfect place.
He exceeds time and space.
As long as he is takingepisodes to the people who need
them rather than hundreds ofpeople who don't need them, then
(23:09):
I'm OK with that.
But it is frustrating as acreator, as anyone running a
podcast or doing social mediainfluence to you know, not focus
on the numbers?
It's very difficult to not seethem and be disheartened.
You know like, are peoplereally listening to this?
Speaker 1 (23:25):
Oh yeah, I can definitely relate to that.
You know, I know how you'refeeling and you know just to I
mean, I'm sure you've heard itbefore from others but just
being encouraged, you know, as Iam to know, that, hey, at least
you got somebody listening andyou know, being encouraged by
(23:46):
what you, by what you're saying,by what you put out there.
Speaker 2 (23:51):
Yeah, and knowing that it's a marathon, not a
sprint, we're trying to makecontent for well after you and I
have passed away.
This is an episode right nowthat could be listened to 200
years from now and it can bringsomeone to Christ.
So that's when I say Godexceeds time and space.
This is something amazing.
Like I said, the right time andplace and a quote I like that I
heard recently was we'replanting the seeds of a tree
(24:14):
whose shade will never sit under.
This isn't for us, for you andme.
This is for whoever is going tohear it when it's the right
time and place.
So I use that to encouragemyself.
Like you said, at least we havepeople listening.
And I said, like I said, it'sexponential too With podcasting.
The longer you do it, the moreyou grow each and every day.
So it's nice.
(24:35):
It's just keeping that mindsetof all right, slow and steady,
but of course would I love towake up and it says, hey, your
podcast got 10,000 downloadslast night.
I'd be like who paid who?
Someone had to pay someone forthis.
Speaker 1 (24:52):
How long were you in the military for?
Speaker 2 (24:55):
I was in for three years.
I was supposed to be at onepoint.
I wanted to do the full 20.
I was very passionate about theNavy.
One point had that hoo-yahspirit and I just witnessed
things, experienced things thatreally broke that and I have a
lot of respect for the men andwomen serving our country always
.
You know it is not easy and youknow sometimes you get lucky and
(25:17):
you have the best chain ofcommand and military career
there is and sometimes you getvery unlucky.
I still get phone calls everyweek from shipmates of mine who
are in there and struggling withsuicidal ideation, with
depression, toxic leadership,with working hours, and I do
have hope that there is a waythe military can be ran where
(25:37):
everyone, or most people arehappy and satisfied.
It's such a big organizationthat change takes a long time to
ripple throughout and we see weare seeing shifts towards that
Every day.
I think the military is gettingmore conscious of the mental
health impact it has, how to runthings better.
We've got a lot of peoplespeaking up, both veterans and
(25:59):
civilians, about making itbetter.
So you know it was a journey ofits own and though it was only
three years, because of theovernight shifts, the holidays,
the way you work, it definitelyfelt like longer than that.
You know time is like doublewhat in the military.
Speaker 1 (26:16):
How do you keep your faith, especially during your
military career?
Speaker 2 (26:23):
You know, like I said , the nuclear community was one
of the highest atheistpopulations and I always, you
know, would spread the word.
In fact, I helped, hopefully,convert a few people and I
always put it forward, you know,and if they're not receptive to
it, they're not receptive to it.
What really got me through itwas actually two things.
(26:46):
The first was a Bible quoteit's one of the most popular and
most used Bible quotes which isthe Lord is close to the
brokenhearted and saves thosecrushed in spirit.
And I just focused on thatevery day and it was hard.
There was, I mean, most days Iwas brokenhearted and crushed in
spirit and that quote doesn'tnecessarily take that away, but
it helped me keep hope.
(27:07):
And then I had come across thispost on social media and it was
a compilation of pictures ofJesus Christ and it said the
seven promises you know of Godand it referenced Bible quotes.
And it was you know, I willalways love you, I have plans
for you, I hear your prayers, Iwill be your strength, I will
fight for you.
And like two others and I, justevery day I reflected on that
(27:31):
and part of it too, was like Iknew that abandoning God would
not benefit me any and it mayeven hinder me and hurt me more,
whereas keeping my faith andtrusting in God, you know that
it would only benefit me.
You know, and if it didn't doanything, at least it helped
(27:52):
maintain my morale a bit.
But there were a lot of dayswhere I said, god, I thought you
counted every tear.
Do you not see me?
You know God, you know why isthis like this.
You know it's it is a lot ofpeople lose their faith in the
military and I understand why.
But you know, we have to knowthat the God, that God, is
(28:13):
bigger than the military,whatever situation we're in.
And you know, looking back, heused that for a lot of different
reasons.
There are people in my lifethat I met that changed my life.
There are people in my lifethat have changed everything
that I only met because of themilitary.
There are lives that I havechanged because of God's power
that I would have never met.
There are events that needed tohappen.
(28:35):
So, just knowing that he has aplan and that, most importantly,
in the story of Joseph he'stalking to his brothers about
how they threw him in the welland he goes, what you intended
for evil.
God has used for the good ofmyself and others.
That oil is so powerful thatwhatever the enemy tries to use
against us, god will use for us.
And so, even if the militaryisn't the greatest thing, even
(28:58):
if you're surrounded by sinners,whether intentionally or
accidentally, god will use thatfor you.
And if you are someone who'slost your faith through the
military or whatever career itis, it's never too late to turn
back and say God.
I'm sorry that a period of timewas just too much, but I want
to know that you are here.
We're not chasing after God.
(29:21):
God is chasing after us, and somany people don't understand
that we had to just turn aroundand he's right there chasing
after us.
Speaker 1 (29:29):
What's one last encouragement that you would
give to my listeners, especiallyfor those that are struggling
with addictions or mental healthissues, anxiety, different
things of that nature?
Speaker 2 (29:48):
Now it's definitely.
I think consistency anddiscipline helps with almost
everything in your life.
It can never not benefit you,and the same goes with your
faith.
And what I mean by that is Ihave found that praying every
morning and every night, even ifit's just thank you God for
this day, even if it's just I'mglad I woke up, you know, I'm
(30:08):
glad that I have my health tothe degree that I have it, you
know, reflecting on that andreading the Bible every day, I
think that consistency anddiscipline really keeps your
faith strong.
You know, keeping that dailyfoundation, because when you let
that be compromised, it makesit so much easier for the enemy
to take everything from you tofeed you those lies.
(30:29):
By reading the Word every day,it will keep you full of wisdom
and focused on what you need toimprove your life.
The Bible is a guidebook for howto live your best life and to
fulfill God's plan, god's plan.
We have free will.
We can do what we want, but Godhas a plan for us.
(30:50):
That is the best possible lifewe can have and we have the
choice to chase after that.
So by reading the Bible andbeing disciplined in that,
praying every day and readingthe Word every day and then
finding a faith-based communityoutside of the church.
I know now more than ever trustin the church is down, but you
can be part of a community thatbelieves in God and gets
(31:13):
together and reads the Bible andprays together and just talks
about what's going on in yourlife, whether you're struggling
or doing well.
I have found that to be themost beneficial resource of all
time is talking to my fellowbelievers about both the good
and the bad and being vulnerableand humble and taking our
temptations to each other, notto spread it but to help other
(31:37):
people destroy for us by guidingus to the proper words of God
and by keeping our faith strongso that consistency and
discipline of reading the Bible,praying and then being
surrounded by an environment offaith that helps resonate with
each other and boost each otherup.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
Where can people reach you and connect with you?
Speaker 2 (32:00):
where can people reach you and connect with you.
Yeah, so if you look up coupleof nukes calm, that's couple oh
nukes calm, just the letter.
Oh, you know.
That has everything you need toreach out on all my social
medias as well as, like I said,I have all my episodes
categorized.
So if you want just a faithbased episodes, if you want just
the addiction recovery, if youwant, you know, physical fitness
(32:21):
, they're all categorized.
So I want it to be as easy aspossible for people to come to
my show as a resource center andfind what they need.
In addition to that, I haveplenty of other information
about me from shows I've been on, to every guest who's ever been
on my show and their resourcesare there.
So, coupleofnukescom, you'llfind their way to email me
(32:42):
Instagram, facebook, linkedin,all of that and again, it's not
about me, it's about God usingme as a vessel to help y'all.
So I encourage you to check itout just as a resource page for
yourself or as something you cankeep in your back pocket to
send to other people who arestruggling with whatever it may
be Well.
Speaker 1 (33:02):
Mr Whiskey, thank you so much for coming on the show.
We greatly appreciate havingyou.
Speaker 2 (33:09):
Of course, much gratitude.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Well, guys and girls, thank you so much for coming on
and listening today and wegreatly appreciate Mr Whiskey's
service to our country andmilitary.
Hope you guys enjoyed thisepisode.
Please like and share thisepisode Until next time.
God bless, Bye-bye.
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