PUSHING BACK CHAOS

What does it take to rebuild your life when everything feels like it’s fallen apart? Kris, Melon, and Justin “Porky” Nolan explore what recovery looks like across the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our lives. Drawing on Justin’s work with Sambar Ridge, we discuss the importance of brotherhood, faith in God, serving others, and creating the right environment for genuine chang...

What does it really take for a man to change? Kris, Melon, and Justin “Porky” Nolan dive deeper into addiction, responsibility, pain, surrender, boundaries, and the power of brotherhood. All three share the personal stories behind the biggest changes in their lives, including the moments that forced them to face the truth, take responsibility, and choose a different path. We explore the difference...

“Your mind is a dangerous neighbourhood. Don’t go in there alone.”Justin “Porky” Nolan knows what it means to lose your way & what it takes to find your way back. A talented boxer and rugby player, Justin spent years battling addiction, destructive habits and the consequences of his own decisions. Today, after many years of sobriety, he runs Sambar Ridge, a men’s retreat in Victoria’s High Country...

We spend years building careers, families, fitness, security and capability. But there’s a trap: What if parts of the life we’ve been working so hard to create are already here — and we’re too busy looking at the next problem to notice? In Episode 107, Paul and Kris sit down together in Australia after an extraordinary couple of weeks with family, old friends and some very good men. There have bee...

The Men Beside You What makes some male friendships endure across distance, careers, family, and time? In this episode of Pushing Back Chaos, Kris and Melon reflect on their time together in Melbourne, the High Country, and along the Murray, sharing fast cars, coffee, hiking, hunting, boating, family, and plenty of long conversations. But underneath all of it is a bigger question: What do goo...

The final chapter of the I’d Buy Me a Drink series brings everything together. Over the past five episodes, we’ve challenged you to take an honest look in the mirror, own your full ledger, accept reality without lowering your standards, build an internal barometer, and finally discover how that internal work transforms every relationship in your life. The truth is simple: you can’t...

When External Validation Stops Working For most of our lives, the scoreboards are clear: Ranks Titles Promotions Praise They tell us we’re doing well. But at some point, something shifts. The applause fades… and the question becomes harder: Who are you when no one is clapping? In Episode 4 of the “I’d Buy Me a Drink” series, your hosts explore the moment when external scorecards stop regulating yo...

The question is: Are you correcting yourself — or attacking yourself? How do you accept who you are… without lowering your standards? In this episode, we unpack Acceptance Without Drift: Acceptance is a starting point — not a finish line. Self-hatred is not discipline. Compassion is not complacency. Real discipline isn’t built on shame. It’s built on responsibility. Two truths must coexist: “I am...

The question is: Are you managing the whole thing — or just the part that makes you look good? What changes when you stop hiding your weaknesses — even from yourself? In this episode, we unpack The Whole Ledger Principle: • Insecure men hide flaws. • Arrogant men deny them. • Grounded men account for them. Real confidence isn’t pretending you’re flawless. It’s managing reality. Every man has stren...

Part 1— The Mirror Test Can you look at your life honestly — strengths and failures — and still choose yourself? In this episode of Pushing Back Chaos, we start where real stability begins: self-respect. Not ego. Not self-hype. But the ability to assess yourself accurately without tearing yourself apart. Most men don’t lack confidence — they’ve outsourced their worth. To approval. To performance....

Six Years. 190 Episodes total. Growth Across Continents. Episode 100 is more than a number—it’s a full-circle moment. For the first time ever, Kris flew down to Australia to spend two powerful weeks with Melon, bringing the Pushing Back Chaos conversation to the same room, the same table, and the same heartbeat. What started years ago as conversations through microphones and miles has now become r...

What does real masculinity look like when life gets heavy? In this episode of Pushing Back Chaos, Kris and Paul challenge cultural ideas of strength and explore a healthier model of masculinity—one rooted in presence, service, emotional awareness, and faith.“Masculinity isn’t proven by how much you can lift. It’s proven by how much you can carry—and still love well.”They discuss holiday pressures,...

After an extended break, Kris and Melon reunite behind the microphones for a powerful and deeply honest conversation. Life hasn’t exactly taken it easy on either of them during the time away, and this episode dives straight into the real-world challenges that have tested their leadership, their resilience, their emotional regulation, and ultimately—their commitment to keep pushing back chaos. • Le...

In this episode, Kris sits down with Hugh Vail, friend, founder, and lead facilitator of Mustang Medicine, an immersive program designed to help people reconnect with themselves, their emotions, and the natural world. Hugh guides participants through powerful practices that strip away the noise of modern life and bring them back to a place of truth, resilience, and presence. Over a four-day retrea...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with our Co-host’s cousin, Dion Pride, son of the late Country Music Hall of Famer Charley Pride, to explore what it truly means to carry a legacy with honor—without losing your own identity in the process. Dion shares his journey from performing on stage at just 14 years old to touring the world, writing original music, and carving out a space of his own in t...

In the final part of our mental health awareness series, Mike & Melon dive into the everyday practices that help stabilize, strengthen, and sustain your mental health. Life doesn’t slow down—and neither does the chaos. But we can meet it with clarity and resilience when we take care of the basics: sleep, diet, movement, and mindset. We break down practical, no-fluff strategies to help you show up...

In today’s episode, we talk about the weight that’s hardest to see — the one we carry inside. Whether you’re in military service, a first responder role, or simply the one everyone relies on, this episode speaks directly to you. We explore the silent struggles of burnout, PTSD, anxiety, and depression that too often go unspoken. Through honest storytelling and powerful insights, we’re breaking the...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the crew at Pushing Back Chaos is leading the charge with a powerful three-part series diving into some of the toughest questions and most necessary conversations surrounding mental health. Part 1: Stigma “The attachment of dishonor, embarrassment, or disgrace.” It exists—and we can’t ignore it. Roughly 1 in 5 people globally experience mental health chall...

 “Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found" -              Eckhart Tolle   Episode Overview In this episode, we go deep into the power of stillness — not as a luxury or escape, but as a weapon for clarity, control, and connection. Whether you’re navigating combat zones, high-stakes leadership, or the raw emotions of parenting, this conversation will give you the tools to f...

We all crave truth, but when it hits too close to home, why do we run from it? In this episode, we dive into the many reasons people avoid the truth—fear, shame, comfort, and even survival. Whether it’s denying personal flaws, avoiding accountability, or clinging to a false reality, we explore how deception holds us back and how we can break free. Through personal stories and hard-hitting insights...

We all like to think of ourselves as honest, but integrity goes way beyond just telling the truth. It’s about doing what you say you will—especially when no one’s watching. And let’s be real, how many times have you promised yourself you’d wake up early, hit the gym, or finally start that big project… only to bail on it? In this episode, we dive into why integrity is the foundation of personal gro...

Imagine a broke guy saying, “If I had a million dollars, I’d start my dream business and finally be successful.” Sounds logical—except he’d probably just blow it on a sports car and an espresso machine he never uses. Why? Because success isn’t about what you have—it’s about who you are. Most people think life works like this: Get the stuff → Do the things → Become the person. But it’s actually the...

"Our intention creates our reality” - Wayne Dyer In this action packed episode, your hosts cover daily routines and practical steps that can be implemented into your day immediately.  Melon and Mike share a conversation based around practices to gain mental clarity and focus throughout the day.  How can we consciously define how we show up in life- so that we can be in action taking the necessary...

All the best to you and your circle from Mike and Melon, plus the support guys here at Pushing Back Chaos and Heroes Media Group.  We take the opportunity to re-introduce ourselves for new listeners. You’ll hear about our professional and personal backgrounds- where we are at in 2025. You’ll hear WHY we have been doing this podcast for the past 4.5 years.  Coming from senior roles in special force...

Happy New Year everyone!  We just want to take this time and wish you, your families, and loved ones a bright and prosperous 2025 filled with great achievement, memories, and filled with meaningful relationships.  On this final episode of 2024, the guys recap their year while answering questions from you, the listeners. They cover the highlights of the show as well as highlights of their own perso...