THE DECISION HOUR
Welcome to The Decision Hour, the podcast where we explore the tough decisions that people from all walks of life have made and the impact those choices had on their lives.
Each episode, we sit down with a different guest who shares their personal story of a time when they found themselves at a crossroads, with their feet on the line, and they had to make THAT decision. Our guests come from all different backgrounds, from business leaders and entrepreneurs to athletes, artists, and everyday heroes.
Through these candid conversations, we delve into the thought process and emotions behind each decision, exploring the challenges and obstacles that our guests faced, as well as the lessons they learned along the way.
Whether you’re facing a tough decision in your own life or just looking for inspiration and motivation, The Decision Hour is the podcast for you. So join us each week as we explore the tough choices that shape our lives and help us become the best versions of ourselves.
Brendon Smith made a decision. He could keep drowning in survivor’s guilt and addiction, or he could turn around and start pulling other people out of the same hole. He chose the second option. That choice led him to get clean, pick up a pen, and write the kind of veteran stories Hollywood refuses to tell.
Brendon served as a Marine Corps machine gunner through both the pre- and post-9/11 eras, including a deployment to Iraq. He came home to a fight he never trained for, one that dragged him through addiction and PTSD before he finally reached for help. Now he works as a drug and alcohol counselor, and he founded Black Cross Publications with a simple motto: Write. Resist. Rebuild.
His book Despicable Heroes is exactly what the title promises. It is honest about the VA, about loss, and about the fact that coming home can be harder than the deployment itself. In this conversation, Adam and Brendon dig into the exact moment Brendon decided to start writing, why survivor’s guilt is the war nobody warns you about, and what the first realistic step looks like when you are stuck in darkness. They also talk about The Anchorhouse Boys, Brendon’s newest book, and why he believes serving others is the fastest way to heal yourself.
If you are a veteran who feels like nobody sees the weight you carry, or you just need to hear that you are not alone, start here.
RESOURCES
Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
Black Cross Publications: Write. Resist. Rebuild.
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