PUSHING BACK CHAOS

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...

Last episode we started a conversation series about Achieving the Goal. The first episode was about gaining clarity on your individual goal- your personal “why”. This week we are starting to look at how we build teams that can achieve at the top levels.  Join Mike and Melon as they share from their decades of shared experience inside military aviation and special forces units about building teams...

Everyone wants to do something special on a beautiful sunny day surrounded by comfort, but what happens when that first obstacle lands in your path? Is it what you thought it would be? Is it still desirable? Are you still capable of moving forward? Can your reasons for starting overcome the challenge? Join us this week with Mike and Melon back in the saddle and ready to pour some honesty and exper...

Well, this one is going to be different. For the first time on PUSHING BACK CHAOS, we talk about a very powerful topic: FAITH.  What is it exactly and what does it mean to you? This week, Mike welcomes our special guest and owner of Heroes Media Group, Adam Bird. A great friend who is like family and the whole reason our podcast even exists.  Mike and Adam ask some upfront and hard questions on fa...

Well it’s been a minute, but here we are! Back after a long summer and full of stories! Melon and Mike welcome you back with an update after 2+ months of adventures between the two of them. From relocating to Australia from the Middle East with Melon to coming home after a successful final deployment with Mike, there is no lack of lessons learned to be shared! This week, the guys speak on their re...

If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you. -       Steve Jobs The term “vision” is thrown around a lot in the context of organisations and leadership. What is meant by this umbrella term? How important is it? How can we create a compelling and effective vision? How can this vision be sustained in the inevitable difficult...

 It’s been said that in life, we go through seasons. Seasons of growth, relationships, wealth, development, etc. What about leadership? Are there periods of our lives where leadership evolves? When do roles and responsibilities change? What and when are they? How will we know? In this week’s episode, Mike and Melon comb through the seasons of leadership. Using personal experiences, they equate the...