Breaking Formation

What happens when the child isn't the problem? When you sit a kid down to talk through their "behavior," and you realize the real story is happening at home? In this episode of Breaking Formation, we explore parentification, parental mental illness, and the quiet ways teens learn to survive when family dynamics get turned upside down. Hosted by retired Air Force Colonel Merryl Tengesdal and child...

Are your friendships changing as you grow older? In this episode of Breaking Formation, we dive deep into the evolving nature of friendships and how to figure out who your true friends really are. Join retired Air Force Colonel Merryl Tengesdal and child psychotherapist Shea Phinney as they explore the complexities of relationships across different stages of life. From the playground to adulthood,...

The traditional path of going to school, getting a degree, and working for 30 years before retiring is rapidly shifting. In this episode of Breaking Formation, we explore the profound impact of AI on traditional career paths and how young adults can navigate unprecedented workforce changes. Merryl Tengesdal and child psychotherapist Shea Phinney sit down to discuss why flexibility and creativity a...

Dive into the reality of school safety, mental health, and digital identity in this episode of Breaking Formation. "Classroom Under Pressure" explores how shifting societal norms and active shooter drills impact the daily lives and focus of students. We sit down with retired Air Force colonel Merryl Tengesdal and resident child psychotherapist Shea Phinney to unpack the heavy burden placed on toda...

In this episode of Breaking Formation, co-host Merryl Tengesdal becomes the "guinea pig" as licensed psychotherapist Shea Phinney demonstrates the powerful trauma technique known as Brain Spotting. We explore the fascinating science behind how our brains process information and why "where you look affects how you feel." Shea breaks down how trauma can get stuck in the subcortical brain—the surviva...

Ever feel like your social media feed knows exactly what you're thinking? It’s not magic—it’s math. In this episode of Breaking Formation , we dive deep into the invisible algorithms that curate your digital life and create what we call "reality bubbles." Join hosts Merryl Tengesdal, Col, USAF (ret.), and Shea Phinney, MFT, as they uncover how these digital feedback loops shape your opinions, rein...

Have you ever typed out a comment online, only to delete it out of fear of saying the wrong thing? In a world of online shaming and instant judgment, the fear of being "canceled" is real, especially for young adults. This episode of Breaking Formation tackles the pervasive anxiety surrounding cancel culture and its deep impact on our digital lives. Join hosts Merryl Tengesdal, Col, USAF (ret.), an...

From the moment a child is born, their life is often documented and shared online. But what happens when that digital footprint starts to shape their reality? In this eye-opening episode of Breaking Formation , hosts Merryl Tengesdal, Col, USAF (ret.), and Shea Phinney, MFT, dive deep into the phenomenon of "sharenting"—parents sharing their children's lives on social media. This conversation goes...

Ever wondered what it takes to bring a 30-year-old dream to life? In this special episode of Breaking Formation, the tables are turned as co-host Shea Phinney, MFT, interviews Merryl Tengesdal, Col, USAF (ret.), about her incredible journey creating the graphic novella, "Shatter the Sky." Join them for an inspiring conversation that peels back the curtain on the creative process. Merryl shares the...

In a world of filters and carefully crafted captions, who are you really? Welcome to "The Profile and The Person," an episode that dives deep into the growing divide between our digital selves and our authentic selves. Join co-hosts Merryl Tengesdal, Col, USAF (ret.), and Shea Phinney MFT, a child development and psychology expert, as they explore the pressures of maintaining a perfect online imag...