From Military Service to Movie Sets: A Conversation with Dakota Wortman
Release Date: 04/28/2025
Finding Inner Peace: Ty Smith on The Kingdom Within
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this powerful conclusion to their two-part conversation, BD and Ty Smith go deeper into faith, purpose, and inner peace. Ty shares personal insights about overcoming anxiety, letting go of fear, and stepping boldly into action. Together, they explore the importance of building generational wealth, serving others, and living in the image of God. This episode ties together the key themes of Part 1 and challenges listeners to take action and create their own legacy — one decision at a time. Key Takeaways Everything you seek is already within you. Overcoming fear is the first step to...
info_outline
From SEAL Teams to CEO: Ty Smith on Leadership, Faith & Grit (Part 1 of 2)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this powerful first part of a two-part conversation, BD sits down with Ty Smith — combat-decorated Navy SEAL, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and serial entrepreneur. Ty shares his incredible journey from Navy linguist to SEAL Platoon Chief, recounting high-stakes missions, intense leadership challenges, and life-or-death moments from Afghanistan’s Tangi Valley. The discussion explores the mental toughness required for elite military operations, the camaraderie of the SEAL Teams, and the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. Ty also introduces his entrepreneurial journey...
info_outline
Full Send Friday | Meredith White on Addiction, Recovery & Hope
The Two-Promises Podcast
This is the Full Send Friday release — the complete episode of Meredith White’s powerful journey through addiction, trauma, and recovery. Every Friday, we publish the full version of episodes we previously released in parts, a segment we call Full Send Friday. In this conversation, Meredith White opens up about her early struggles, the role of trauma in addiction, and the pivotal moments that led her toward recovery. She highlights the power of hope, community support, and harm reduction in building a life of resilience and personal growth. Her story is an inspiring reminder that change is...
info_outline
From Nigerian Prince to Navy SEAL to Hollywood Advocate: The Journey of Remi Adeleke
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Two Promises Podcast, we sit down with Remi Adeleke, whose incredible journey began as a prince in Nigeria before his family lost everything and moved to the United States. From those humble beginnings, Remi overcame hardship, poor choices in his youth, and went on to serve in the elite U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. He shares powerful insights from his time in the SEALs—the brotherhood, humor, and hard lessons that shaped his character—and how he transitioned into the film industry. We dive into his work on the movie Plane, his writing projects (including a...
info_outline
Full Send Friday| From Battlefield to Healing – Shannon Book’s Story
The Two-Promises Podcast
This is the Full Send Friday release — the complete episode of Shannon Book’s inspiring journey. Every Friday, we publish the full version of part episodes we previously released, a segment we call Full Send Friday. In this two-hour conversation, Shannon shares his experiences in the military, the realities of war, and the impact of trauma on veterans. We dive into the importance of moral values, structure in life, and the power of perspective in overcoming challenges. Shannon emphasizes that not every veteran is a hero and highlights the need for personal responsibility and community...
info_outline
The Power of Authentic Friendship with Shannon Book (Part 5 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In Part 5 of our 5-part series with Shannon Book, the conversation comes full circle with a powerful focus on friendship, authenticity, and community. Shannon reflects on the lessons of military life, where every role is essential, and respect forms the foundation of trust. Together, we explore the importance of living fearlessly, embracing vulnerability, and staying true to who we are. This final part serves as both a reminder and a challenge: connection and authenticity are not just ideals—they are the keys to personal growth and stronger communities. What We Talk About: Friendship is...
info_outline
Faith and Purpose: Finding Direction in Life with Shannon Book (Part 4 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In Part 4 of this 5-part series with Shannon Book, we explore how faith, resilience, and purpose shape the journey through life’s challenges. Shannon opens up about moving beyond a victim mindset, the healing power of music, and the importance of self-acceptance. He also shares how nonprofit work empowers communities to grow beyond their struggles. This conversation is a reflection on how faith and personal growth can transform not only an individual but also those they seek to help. What We Talk About: The victim mindset is a common experience for many. Music serves as a...
info_outline
Healing Through Music and Faith with Shannon Book (Part 3 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this Part 3 of the 5-part discussion with Shannon Book, we talk about personal development, responsibility, and using music as a tool for healing. Shannon shares how his military life transitioned into a love for music that became a source of healing, along with the role of faith, choice, and mindfulness. The conversation explores how we can learn from failure, take ownership of our actions, and develop ourselves proactively. What We Talk About: Music was essential in the healing journey. Deliberately Broken symbolizes personal and spiritual growth. Faith plays a crucial role in...
info_outline
From Service to Self-Mastery: A Veteran’s Guide to Growth with Shannon Book (Part 2 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this episode, Shannon Book shares raw and insightful lessons from his journey transitioning from the structure of military life to the complexities of the civilian world. We explore what it takes to truly own your journey, the importance of accountability, and how shifting your perspective can transform challenges into stepping stones. Shannon breaks down why failure is an essential part of success, how to navigate life’s inevitable changes, and the power of recognizing and using your unique gifts. This is Part 2 of 5 in a powerful series designed to help veterans — and anyone facing...
info_outline
The Journey of a Veteran: From War to Wisdom with Shannon Book (Part 1 of 5)
The Two-Promises Podcast
In this episode of the Two Promises Podcast, we explore the lived experiences of — a Navy veteran, musician, and mental health advocate — as he shares raw insights into military service, war, trauma, and identity. Shannon reflects on the harsh realities of combat, the personal values that guided him, and the challenges veterans face reintegrating into society. The conversation brings to light the complexity of trauma, the erosion of constitutional values, and the importance of understanding each veteran’s individual journey. This is the beginning of a deeply personal and wide-ranging...
info_outlineIn this episode, we meet with Dakota Wortman—military veteran, cinematographer, and storyteller. We explore his path from serving as an IT specialist in the Army to becoming a full-time filmmaker.
Dakota shares the real-life struggles of pursuing film school during the pandemic, how he brought his first feature film The Cowboy Capital to life in just ten days, and what it meant to see his work on the big screen.
This episode is about following your passion, trusting the messy process, and creating a legacy through storytelling.
What We Talk About:
-
Transitioning from military service to filmmaking
-
The inspiration behind Dakota’s filmmaking journey
-
Shooting The Cowboy Capital in record time
-
Balancing family life, school, and creative dreams
-
Traveling internationally for film premieres
-
Advice for aspiring filmmakers on mindset and mistakes
What We Mention:
-
The Cowboy Capital feature film
-
The concept of the Pierogi Western
-
Film festival screenings in Poland
-
The importance of hands-on learning in film
-
Dakota’s future documentary projects and distribution plans
Timestamps:
⏳ [00:00:00] Intro
⏳ [00:00:57] Introduction to Dakota Wortman
⏳ [00:10:33] Experiences in film school and adapting during COVID
⏳ [00:18:28] International and domestic film premieres
⏳ [00:24:32] Future projects, aspirations, and lessons learned
⏳ [00:27:20] Support The Cowboy Capital and follow Dakota's journey
⏳ [00:28:41] Outro
Dakota’s journey shows that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself—and that sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from the biggest risks. From military life to movie sets, he’s proof that resilience, creativity, and heart can take you anywhere.
🎬 Want to support Dakota? Check out The Cowboy Capital and stay tuned for his upcoming documentary projects!
📌 Curious about the "Pierogi Western"? Follow Dakota Wortman and find out why The Cowboy Capital is just the beginning.