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At the Coalface
At the Coalface is a series of conversations hosted by Philippe Rose.
Philippe's guests share stories about their life beyond the headlines of international affairs. They look for lessons learned about making an impact in the world as practitioners in diplomacy, international organisations, NGOs, journalism and the private sector.
Many of Philippe's guests are connected by their common experience of taking time away from work to attend graduate school at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.
At the Coalface
Daniel Freeman - The Search for Belonging, Reinvention, and Second Chances
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In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Freeman, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, entrepreneur, and community builder whose life has been shaped by movement, reinvention, and the search for belonging.
Daniel reflects on growing up in a military family, constantly adapting to new places while carrying a quiet sense of not fully fitting in. Over time, that same tension would shape his path through service, marriage, fatherhood, and a deeper journey of self-understanding.
We talk about his 20 years in intelligence, what it revealed about how large systems really function, and why institutions so often drift away from the people they are meant to serve.
Daniel also speaks candidly about leaving the military, hitting a personal low point, and the transformative role of therapy, recovery, and community in rebuilding his life. He shares how those experiences led him into entrepreneurship, where he now helps veterans build businesses with less risk while pursuing a broader mission around poverty, second chances, and access to meaningful mental health care.
Recorded on 16 April 2026.
Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/danieljfree/.
Instagram: @at.the.coalface
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