The Rooftop Podcast

This week on the 'OPE: One Year Later' series, Scott had the opportunity to sit down with another incredible and experienced individual, Lieutenant General Sami Sadat. Over the last year, many of our veterans and citizens have asked "what was the point?" in reference to Afghanistan. It has been very hard to process the loss and impact under the shadow of the withdrawal and abandonment. But as a former member of the Afghan National Army, Sami points out - the end is not written. The men and women of Afghanistan who grew up under relative freedom and other opportunities may just take back their country and carve out their future - with or without us. The future of Afghanistan and the U.S are inextricably linked. Join Scott and Sami to learn why.  CONTEXT ON THIS SERIESIn August of 2021, the United States Government officially withdrew from Afghanistan leaving hundreds of thousands of at-risk Afghans vulnerable to Taliban brutality. Immediately, the impact of this moral injury was apparent on out Afghan allies and veteran populations with many of them left behind to deal with the aftermath that no one was coming. Scott and a team of combat veterans began to leverage their network of relationships to provide safe passage and ultimately relocation of hundreds of at-risk Afghans. Scott now has the opportunity to share the story of those Afghan Allies who made it out and of those who are still fighting their way to safety today, alongside many of the extraordinary men and women who made this possible. In this podcast series, Scott sits down with some of the members of Pineapple Express to share their stories and reflect on where we are one year later after the collapse of Afghanistan.  PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN:“Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues” “Punching Above Your Weight”Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.orgJoin Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ

 21 years after the attacks of 9.11.2001, America is still reeling from the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and the wholesale abandonment of our allies. It’s more important than ever that we not forget the lessons of 9.11.2001. Not just because of the moral imperative, and of the numerous sacrifices made by so many, but because of the likelihood that this failed withdrawal follows us home and puts us at even greater risk for another strike. I hope you’ll join me on this commemorative episode where we look at where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going in the ever-progressing story of the battle against violent extremism.PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN: “Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues”“Punching Above Your Weight”  Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.org Join Rooftop Nation!     Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ 

This week on the 'OPE: One Year Later' series, Scott was given special the opportunity to sit down with another individual who has been doing incredible work since the US abandonment of Afghanistan, and is currently on the ground there continuing aid - Legend. Legend is an Afghan-American who came to the United States just a few days before the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. He later served in the United States military and has since retired. Legend founded the Legend Group Foundation in September of 2021 following the withdrawal from Afghanistan in August of 2021. Join Scott and Legend to listen in on a very personal view of the Afghanistan abandonment and learn what Legend believes needs to be done to help our Afghan Allies, all as we remember the lives lost because of and since the tragic events of 9/11 that began it all.CONTEXT ON THIS SERIESIn August of 2021, the United States Government officially withdrew from Afghanistan leaving hundreds of thousands of at-risk Afghans vulnerable to Taliban brutality. Immediately, the impact of this moral injury was apparent on out Afghan allies and veteran populations with many of them left behind to deal with the aftermath that no one was coming.Scott and a team of combat veterans began to leverage their network of relationships to provide safe passage and ultimately relocation of hundreds of at-risk Afghans. Scott now has the opportunity to share the story of those Afghan Allies who made it out and of those who are still fighting their way to safety today, alongside many of the extraordinary men and women who made this possible. In this podcast series, Scott sits down with some of the members of Pineapple Express to share their stories and reflect on where we are one year later after the collapse of Afghanistan. PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN:“Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues”“Punching Above Your Weight”Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.org ADDITIONAL RESOURCESLegend Group: https://www.legend.ngo/Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ

This week on the ‘OPE: One Year Later’ series, Scott had the honor of sitting down with Hasina Safi and Kelley Currie. Hasina has served as the former Minister of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan and Kelley as a former US Representative and the former Ambassador for Women’s Global Affairs. Once they connected, they began working closely together in their efforts to help Afghan women. And since the US abandonment of Afghanistan, they have worked together to ensure Hasina's safety from the Taliban. Join Scott, Hasina, and Kelley for this powerful episode with two phenomenal women and leaders to hear their stories. CONTEXT ON THIS SERIES In August of 2021, the United States Government officially withdrew from Afghanistan leaving hundreds of thousands of at-risk Afghans vulnerable to Taliban brutality. Immediately, the impact of this moral injury was apparent on out Afghan allies and veteran populations with many of them left behind to deal with the aftermath that no one was coming.Scott and a team of combat veterans began to leverage their network of relationships to provide safe passage and ultimately relocation of hundreds of at-risk Afghans. Scott now has the opportunity to share the story of those Afghan Allies who made it out and of those who are still fighting their way to safety today, alongside many of the extraordinary men and women who made this possible. In this podcast series, Scott sits down with some of the members of Pineapple Express to share their stories and reflect on where we are one year later after the collapse of Afghanistan.  PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN:“Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues”“Punching Above Your Weight” Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.org Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ

This week on the ‘OPE: One Year Later’ series, Scott is joined by Stacy "Duke" Gentile, Travis Peterson, and Thomas Kasza all former or current military service members who have continued fighting behind the scenes for our #AfghanAllies and veteran community since the collapse of Afghanistan in August 2021. These men took action when our government and senior military officials refused to honor the promise made to our allies. Duke, Travis, and Thomas are part of the many veterans and volunteers who have put their lives on hold and made personal sacrifices to rectify the moral injury left behind. Join Scott, Duke, Travis, and Thomas as they discuss what they've been through over the last year and what needs to be done to truly #HonorThePromise. CONTEXT ON THIS SERIES In August of 2021, the United States Government officially withdrew from Afghanistan leaving hundreds of thousands of at-risk Afghans vulnerable to Taliban brutality. Immediately, the impact of this moral injury was apparent on out Afghan allies and veteran populations with many of them left behind to deal with the aftermath that no one was coming.Scott and a team of combat veterans began to leverage their network of relationships to provide safe passage and ultimately relocation of hundreds of at-risk Afghans. Scott now has the opportunity to share the story of those Afghan Allies who made it out and of those who are still fighting their way to safety today, alongside many of the extraordinary men and women who made this possible. In this podcast series, Scott sits down with some of the members of Pineapple Express to share their stories and reflect on where we are one year later after the collapse of Afghanistan.  PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN:“Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues”“Punching Above Your Weight” Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.orgADDITIONAL RESOURCEShttps://soaa.org/afghanistanhttps://www.saveteam11.org/https://www.operationnorthstar.com/Operation Angel Wing: https://www.operationangelwing.org/Emergency Assistance: (865) 352-6699Non-Emergency Assistance: operationangelwing@gmail.com Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ

This week on the ‘OPE: One Year Later’ series, Scott is joined by three incredible individuals who have been working the safe passage and resettlement efforts from the collapse of Afghanistan - Jazz Cannon, Ben Owen, and Jess Owen. Jazz escaped Afghanistan with her family in the 90’s and now works with Legend Group to help evacuate American citizens and Afghan Allies left behind. Ben and Jess Owen are the CEO and Executive Director of their non-profit, Flanders Fields, where they help veterans and give them a new purpose in life. Join Scott, Jazz, Ben, and Jess to learn more about what they're doing to continue to #HonorThePromise and #FinishTheMission.  CONTEXT ON THIS SERIESIn August of 2021, the United States Government officially withdrew from Afghanistan leaving hundreds of thousands of at-risk Afghans vulnerable to Taliban brutality. Immediately, the impact of this moral injury was apparent on out Afghan allies and veteran populations with many of them left behind to deal with the aftermath that no one was coming.Scott and a team of combat veterans began to leverage their network of relationships to provide safe passage and ultimately relocation of hundreds of at-risk Afghans. Scott now has the opportunity to share the story of those Afghan Allies who made it out and of those who are still fighting their way to safety today, alongside many of the extraordinary men and women who made this possible. In this podcast series, Scott sits down with some of the members of Pineapple Express to share their stories and reflect on where we are one year later after the collapse of Afghanistan.  PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN:“Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues”“Punching Above Your Weight” Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.org ADDITIONAL RESOURCESFlanders Fields: https://flandersfields.org/Legend Group: https://www.legend.ngo/ Operation Angel Wing: https://www.operationangelwing.org/Emergency Assistance: (865) 352-6699Non-Emergency Assistance: operationangelwing@gmail.com  Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ 

On this week’s episode of ‘OPE: One Year Later’ Scott sits down with fellow retired Green Beret and 7th Group Special Forces member, Zac Lois. Zac has been instrumental in his efforts with Operation Pineapple Express and continues to contribute to the rescue of our Afghan Allies left behind. Join Scott and Zac as they discuss how Zac’s military background combined with his post-service educational career helped him navigate Afghan Allies to safety and ultimately answer the call when no one was coming.                                                       CONTEXT ON THIS SERIES In August of 2021, the United States Government officially withdrew from Afghanistan leaving hundreds of thousands of at-risk Afghans vulnerable to Taliban brutality. Immediately, the impact of this moral injury was apparent on out Afghan allies and veteran populations with many of them left behind to deal with the aftermath that no one was coming.Scott and a team of combat veterans began to leverage their network of relationships to provide safe passage and ultimately relocation of hundreds of at-risk Afghans. Scott now has the opportunity to share the story of those Afghan Allies who made it out and of those who are still fighting their way to safety today, alongside many of the extraordinary men and women who made this possible. In this podcast series, Scott sits down with some of the members of Pineapple Express to share their stories and reflect on where we are one year later after the collapse of Afghanistan.   PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN“Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues”“Punching Above Your Weight” Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.org Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the collapse of Afghanistan, it’s important to offer reflections on what happened last year, what it means for us today and for the future. Our veteran population and Afghan Allies, those brought to safety and those still at-risk, have been profoundly impacted from the events of August 2021 and many will grapple with the imposed trauma for years to come. Join Scott on this special look at Operation Pineapple Express One-Year Later as he offers reflections on where we have been, where we are, his hopes for the legacy of Operation Pineapple Express and what’s being done to continue to #HonorThePromise and #FinishTheMission.  CONTEXT ON THIS SERIESIn August of 2021, the United States Government officially withdrew from Afghanistan leaving hundreds of thousands of at-risk Afghans vulnerable to Taliban brutality. Immediately, the impact of this moral injury was apparent on our Afghan Allies and veteran populations with many of them left behind to deal with the aftermath that no one was coming.  Scott and a team of combat veterans began to leverage their network of relationships to provide safe passage and ultimately relocation of hundreds of at-risk Afghans. Scott now has the opportunity to share the story of those the Afghan Allies who made it out and of those who are still fighting their way to safety today, alongside many of the extraordinary men and women who made this possible. In this podcast series, Scott sits down with some of the members of the Pineapple Express to share their stories and reflect on where we are one year later after the collapse of Afghanistan. PREVIOUS EPISODES ON AFGHANISTAN:“Finding Meaning in the Madness of War”“Saving Space Monkey: Storytelling in Real Time”“Chaos in Kabul”“Operation Pineapple: Deadline”“Afghan Bombing” Operation Pineapple Continues”“Punching Above Your Weight” Operation Pineapple Express: https://operationpineappleexpress.com/Operation Pineapple Express Relief:  https://operelief.org Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ

This week we have special guest Rachel Walters, the Principal of Tinker K-8 School on MacDill Airforce Base, joining Scott to break down the effects the past few years have had on our children. No matter what arena you are in as a leader, you need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and one way to do that is by being vulnerable – or as we say it at Rooftop Leadership, being relatable. This is especially crucial when you are communicating with your children as you help them navigate through the chaos, churn, and reemergence from the pandemic. Join us for this episode of The Rooftop as Scott and Rachel dive deep into the importance of mental health not only for yourself but also for the ones you’re leading.   Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ

This week we have special guest Dr. Don Wood, a clinical counselor and the founder of The Inspired Performance Institute,  joining Scott to discuss the onset of anxiety when your brain is trying to put you into action. As a society, we’ve begin to believe that the visceral response of anxiety is negative, but not necessarily. If you can begin to accept that anxiety is normal and not inherently dangerous, then you’ll be able to keep it from spiraling out of control. Join The Rooftop Podcast as Scott and Dr. Wood breakdown the causes of anxiety and how you can combat it to help navigate your environment.  Check out Dr. David Rosmarin’s “How to Keep Anxiety From Spiraling Out of Control”: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thriving-anxiety/202206/how-keep-anxiety-spiraling-out-control?eml Join Rooftop Nation!    Website: https://www.rooftopleadership.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RooftopLeadershipInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rooftop_leadershipLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rooftop-leadershipTwitter: https://twitter.com/RooftopLeaderYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYOQ7CDJ6uSaGvmfxYC_skQ