March or Die

What happens when the uniform comes off and the identity you built underneath it goes with it? Marine Scout Sniper Dagan Van Oosten sat down with Jeremy Stalnecker, his platoon commander from the 2003 push into Iraq, and opened up about the moment a counselor asked him a question that hit "like a bolt of lightning" "If you died tomorrow, what would your tombstone say?" In this episode of The March or Die Show, Dagan walks through his journey as a Marine sniper in 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, three-plus years instructing at Quantico Sniper School, 14 years in federal contracting, training the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, and the painful realization that the institution he'd given everything to was never going to love him back the way he loved it. He gets honest about the marriage he almost wrecked chasing the mission, the brother-in-law (Justice Bartelt) the family lost in Afghanistan, the fear of leaving the uniform behind, and what it took to reset his identity around three words: husband, father, friend. Whether you're an active-duty service member, a first responder, a veteran in transition, or anyone whose job has become their identity, this conversation will give you a roadmap for the chapter after the chapter you can't imagine ending. Connect with Dagan Van Oosten:Nomadic Research: https://nomadicresearch.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/@daganvanoosten Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

"When you can't give clear, concise communication, sometimes it's on purpose. It's because I don't want to be held accountable for what I say." - Justin Atherton Bestselling author and retired law enforcement veteran Justin Atherton returns to the March or Die Show to make the case that politeness is one of the most dangerous habits in modern leadership. Drawing on 20 years as a detective, SWAT trainer, and training lieutenant, and the statement-analysis training he used in interrogations. Justin walks Sean Kennard through the WAVE method from his book *How to Get to the Damn Point*: a framework for stripping the hedges, equivocations, and stop-action verbs out of your communication so the people who depend on you can actually trust your word. The conversation gets pointed: why "I'll try to be faithful" lands the way it does with a spouse, why your team can hear when you're protecting yourself instead of leading them, and the daughter story (and the seven-hour command staff meeting) that finally pushed Justin to write the book. Justin Atherton is a 20-year law enforcement veteran, detective, SWAT operator, and training lieutenant, turned leadership communication consultant, public speaker, and TED talk presenter. His book "How to Get to the Damn Point" is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Justin's Links:Get Justin's book: How To Get To The Damn Point: https://a.co/d/0aFvrvx7 Justin's site: https://justinwatherton.com Follow Justin: https://www.instagram.com/justinwatherton If this episode hits home, hit the like button, drop a comment with the phrase you're going to stop saying this week, and subscribe so you don't miss the next one. Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The world feels more chaotic than ever, wars, political division, broken communities, and an endless firehose of social media noise. So how do you lead your family, your team, or your community without drowning in that anxiety yourself? In this episode of March or Die, Jeremy Stalnecker walks through a biblical framework for leading well during times of global anxiety. Whether you're a parent, a business owner, a pastor, or simply someone others look to for direction, this episode gives you practical, grounded principles you can apply today. What you'll learn in this episode: Why the chaos you feel isn't actually "unprecedented" and why that truth matters The single anchor that keeps leaders steady when everything else shiftsHow to build a "non-anxious presence" your family and team can feelWhat to consume (and what to cut out) to protect your peaceWhy leading small in light of the big is the most important thing you can do right now Key Scripture referenced: Matthew 24:6, Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, John 16:33 If this episode encourages you, share it with a leader in your life who needs to hear it. NEW March or Die website: https://marchordie.com Join the Men of Action community (men's content, leadership lessons, weekly Bible study): find it at https://marchordie.com/men-of-action Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Can you be a Christian and kill the enemy in combat? Black Hawk Down Army Ranger Jeff Struecker has been asked this question a lot and in this episode of March or Die, he gives his answer to Jeremy Jeff Struecker survived the 18-hour Battle of Mogadishu, outnumbered 100 to 1 with no air support, no armor, and no way out. He was 100% certain he would die that night. But instead of fear, he had supernatural peace. When the battle was over, hardened Rangers were waiting to ask him about Jesus. Jeff went from elite Army Ranger and special operations operator to military chaplain, and now serves as a senior pastor. In this conversation, we unpack his faith journey that started at 13, the battle that changed everything, the Christ-and-combat question he's answered thousands of times, and what it looks like to march when everything in you wants to quit. CONNECT WITH JEFF STRUECKER:https://jeffstruecker.com "A Warrior's Soul" free mini-series: https://jeffstrueckerministries.com/the-warrior-s-soul Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Every man is one choice away from stupid. Jim Ramos, bestselling author and host of the #1 Christian men's podcast Men in the Arena, sits down with Jeremy Stalnecker to talk about the guardrails every man needs to protect his marriage, why Gen Z men are filling churches in record numbers, and what it looks like when Christian leaders fall. Jim shares a story about the time the Holy Spirit quoted John Wayne to him in the middle of a counseling session and the lesson that came out of it changed the way he approaches every relationship in his life. He also reveals what's happening on college football fields across the country: 90 athletes praying in the end zone before games, teammates baptizing each other on the 15-yard line, and a generation of young men who are hungry for something real. Jim's new book "Guardrails: 10 Boundaries for an Unbreakable Marriage" releases April 7. https://a.co/d/082Q1M7V The March or Die Show gives you the perspectives and principles you need to march when it would be easier to stay where you are and die. Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Spiritual warfare is real and the armor of God is how you fight back. Most people see the battles in their life — marriage, finances, health, addiction — but they never recognize the spiritual battle behind it all. In this episode of the March or Die Podcast, host Sean Kennard sits down with Pastor Dave Edwards to explain what the Bible says about spiritual warfare, why your suffering is NOT coming from God, and how to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6) to fight the enemy you can't see. Dave Edwards has spent 25+ years as a traveling Bible teacher, authored 35 books, and now leads Church Project as a pastor. Together, Sean and Dave break down the spiritual warfare scriptures — Ephesians 6, Matthew 12, Daniel 10, and the book of Job — to reveal how the kingdom of light is at war with the kingdom of darkness, and your role in the spiritual battle. If you've been praying and wondering why God allows suffering, this episode will change the way you pray, fight, and believe. Whether you're a first responder, veteran, or believer going through a spiritual attack — this conversation will shift your perspective from fighting FOR victory to fighting FROM victory. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE:- What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare? It's real, not metaphorical- Why does God allow suffering? He doesn't. Jesus came to oppose it- Is this spiritual warfare or just my own bad decisions? How to tell the difference- The armor of God explained Ephesians 6 broken down piece by piece- How to pray spiritual warfare prayers with authority (not "if it be your will")- Spiritual attack: How the kingdom of darkness is organized against you- Jesus vs. the enemy 4 rounds (Desert → Ministry → Cross → Resurrection)- The book of Job explained what it ACTUALLY means (and what it doesn't)- Daniel 10:13 Why your prayers aren't answered immediately- The power of community, brotherhood, and deliverance prayer- Fighting FROM victory, not FOR victory 📖 KEY SCRIPTURES:- Ephesians 6:12-18 (Armor of God / Spiritual Warfare)- Matthew 12:25-29 (Kingdom of Light vs. Kingdom of Darkness)- Daniel 10:13 (Why Prayers Get Delayed)- Colossians 2:15 (Jesus Defeated the Enemy on the Cross)- 1 John 3:8 (Jesus Came to Destroy the Works of the Devil) Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When war dominates the headlines, parents are left asking an important question: How do we talk to our kids about it? In this episode of March or Die, Jeremy Stalnecker shares practical and biblical principles for guiding young people through confusing and frightening global events. Drawing from his experience as a Marine who lived through the wars following 9/11, Jeremy explains why moments of global conflict can become powerful opportunities for parents to teach their children about courage, faith, and moral clarity. Rather than avoiding difficult conversations, parents can use them to help their kids understand fear, the reality of evil in the world, and the responsibility we have to stand for what is right. This conversation explores how parents can alleviate fear, explain why conflict exists, and demonstrate a faith-filled response when the world seems chaotic. Jeremy also discusses the importance of teaching children the difference between necessary and unnecessary violence, why standing against evil matters, and how faith in God provides stability even in uncertain times. Ultimately, the goal is not just to help kids understand today’s headlines, but to prepare them for the battles they will face in their own lives. If you are raising the next generation in a confusing world, this episode will help you equip them with truth, courage, and faith. Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when the war goes on without you? Retired Army Master Sergeant Marcus McClain shares his journey from rural Indiana to multiple combat deployments, being wounded in Afghanistan, and facing the unexpected identity crisis that followed leaving the military. For nearly twenty years, he was “Sergeant Mac.” His purpose was clear. His mission mattered. His tempo was relentless. But when he found himself in a hospital bed in Germany realizing the war was continuing without him, something shifted. In this conversation, Marcus opens up about the dangerous trap of tying your identity to a title, rank, or profession. He shares the struggle of transitioning out of the Army at 38 years old and discovering he didn’t know who he was outside of the uniform. Success and drive masked deeper issues. Anger, restlessness, and burnout began to surface. Eventually, he had to confront a hard truth: maybe the problem wasn’t everyone else. Maybe it was him. We talk about faith, humility, and the two words that have reshaped his life: grace and rest. For a high performer who has always led from the front, learning to slow down and let God lead has been one of the hardest battles yet. Marcus also explains how rucking became more than fitness it became a tool for mental clarity, spiritual focus, and intentional space to hear from God without distraction. Whether you’re a veteran navigating transition, a leader in the corporate world, or someone who feels lost when the mission changes, this episode will challenge you to separate who you are from what you do. Your job may be important, but it is not your identity. Learn more about GORUCK: https://www.goruck.com Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it really mean to be a sheepdog in a world that feels increasingly unstable? In this powerful episode of March or Die, Jeremy Stalnecker sits down with Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, author of On Killing, On Combat, and co-author of On Spiritual Combat, to discuss the psychology of combat, the spiritual battle facing our nation, and the responsibility of men and women to stand as protectors in their homes and communities. From his experience as an Army Ranger and West Point psychology professor to his pioneering work in “killology,” Grossman unpacks: - Why preparation, realistic preparation, determines survival- The difference between PTSD and post-traumatic growth- The hidden epidemic of sleep deprivation and its connection to suicide- Why fasting builds spiritual and mental resilience- What it truly means to be a “sheepdog”- Why prayer is the ultimate weapon in spiritual warfare This conversation bridges combat psychology, spiritual discipline, and practical leadership for men who refuse to drift and choose instead to march. If you’ve ever worn the uniform, or carry the responsibility of leading a family, this episode is for you. Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Even when working hard, moments of drifting and questioning the purpose of life can arise. This happens when we fail to connect our daily actions to what we believe God's calling is for us. You can't build a meaningful life on disconnected actions. If your roles as a parent, friend, or boss aren't connected to a central purpose, you'll eventually lose your way. Jeremy outlines a practical process for sitting down with a Bible and a pen to nail down your purpose. Don't let another week pass without knowing exactly where you are going. Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional or text JOIN to (832) 333-8794 Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.