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War to Wisdom: A Marine’s Journey to Finding Humanity with MSgt Kevin Thompson| #thelastzebrapod

Published on: 21st October, 2025

Kevin Thompson — Marine veteran, husband, father, and optimist — joins The Last Zebra Podcast for an unforgettable conversation about resilience, leadership, and finding purpose beyond the uniform.

After nearly twenty years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Kevin reflects on the moments that shaped him — from growing up in Atlanta to surviving combat in Iraq, raising a family while serving overseas, and learning how to lead with empathy in one of the world’s toughest professions.


In this deeply human and often moving conversation, Dr. Ugo Ezema and Kevin explore what it means to grow through adversity, to redefine identity after service, and to balance duty with family, faith, and personal growth. From “reasoning with death” in the desert to building a life rooted in gratitude and authenticity, Kevin’s story is a reminder that even in chaos, there’s clarity — and that the best leaders are those who never lose their humanity.


This is The Last Zebra: where medicine, military, and humanity intersect. More than just a podcast about healthcare or service, it’s a space for real stories — raw, honest, and deeply personal — that remind us what connects us all.


🎙️ Listen to the FULL, unfiltered conversation with Kevin Thompson on The Last Zebra Podcast:


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https://open.spotify.com/show/13QjxW49xOkSqkP9zQKyRS?si=_94N98AiTYGFD02EgHXZtA


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Hosted by Dr. Ugo Ezema, The Last Zebra explores the extraordinary side of ordinary lives — doctors, veterans, and professionals whose experiences redefine what it means to serve, to lead, and to care. Every episode looks beyond titles and diagnoses to uncover the authentic, human stories at the heart of medicine and modern life.


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About the Podcast

The Last Zebra
Nuanced conversations about different walks of life and those who live them
“The Last Zebra” draws its essence from the timeless medical adage:

“When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.”

Coined by Dr. Theodore Woodward in the 1940s, this maxim reminds us to prioritize common diagnoses over rare and improbable ones.

In a medical world often defined by seeking the most likely causes, “The Last Zebra” podcast takes a different approach. Here we are looking for the common in all of us.

The common focuses on the unique, diverse, and individual experiences of medical professionals. We hope to showcase the stories of these individuals, highlighting how they infuse their backgrounds, beliefs, and characteristics into their medical practice. By doing so, they add an artistic and personal touch that goes beyond the clinical norms and transforms their work into a deeply profound and meaningful endeavor.

Through these stories, “The Last Zebra” aims to reveal the extraordinary side of medicine— "heavy on the ordinary".

The stories that deviate from dogma and delve into the exceptional. It seeks to capture the essence of these medical professionals’ journeys, shedding light on their challenges, triumphs, and the remarkable ways they shape the landscape of healthcare.

In each episode, we delve into the non-clinical nuances that define the day-to-day lives of medical professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties. This podcast will start and go beyond the clinical, shedding light on the intricate artistry, mosaicism, and diversity in medicine.

We explore how every guest crafts their unique personality and characteristics into the very fabric of their practice.

These stories not only celebrate individuality but also embody the soul of healthcare.

In a world where uniformity is prioritized, “The Last Zebra” podcast honors the rare and unique elements that medical professionals bring to their work. Together, we’ll discover how these exceptional individuals are shaping the future of healthcare, one personalized interaction at a time.

So, come along as we embrace the zebras — the extraordinary stories that make medicine a true art.
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Ugo Ezema