The Resilient Life

Taking extreme ownership in every circumstance. The balance of staying true to your values and open to other perspectives. Why motivation and glory are both fleeting. Retired Navy SEAL, author, podcaster, and CEO of Echelon Front Jocko Willink discusses his philosophy on resilience and emotional detachment, and why carrying the legacies of our fallen is both a burden and a gift. CONNECT with The R...

Lessons learned from 31 years of coaching and 14 years at the helm for Navy football. Why true leadership starts in the family and not on the field. Identifying victories between the wins and losses. Coach Ken Niumatalolo discusses finding his why in developing future military leaders and why the greatest refinement often happens in times of loss. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: Instagram...

Righteous wars vs. immoral wars and duty to country in both. The relationship between individuals and groups when survival is at stake. Reincorporating the warrior back into society. Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Sebastian Junger discusses the life-long impact of tribes, how to rebuild connection to country when it gets lost, and the dangers of generalizing service members as heroes. CONN...

Leaving Fox News in the wake of a historic sexual harassment scandal. Taking a risk in the name of empowering women with information. The discipline of nonpartisan reporting. CEO of SmartHer News and respected journalist Jenna Lee discusses the flawed business model of mainstream media and why delivering news should be seen as a public service. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: Instagram  S...

The desperate search for answers following the death of her husband, Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson. What donating his brain to medical research revealed. How 1,000 box step-ups helps her advocate for every victim and survivor of veteran suicide. Gold Star Spouse Sara Wilkinson discusses the fallout of her husband’s death and why she’s dedicated herself to helping others recognize the warning signs of a...

Losing his vision while serving on the Navy’s bomb squad. Finding comfort and capability in the water. Adopting blindness as a mission and forging a new path to Paralympic gold.  Retired Navy Lt. and Paralympic Gold Medalist Brad Snyder discusses swimming, triathlons, and why our ability to improve is often contingent on how we handle adversity. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: Instagram ...

Building mortgage-free homes for wounded veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation. Embracing the transformative role of Lt. Dan. Being welcomed by the military community. Actor Gary Sinise discusses his connection to veterans, what it means to be a grateful American, and why he’s committed to making sure people recognize the sacrifices of our service members.   CONNECT with The Resilient Life P...

Losing a limb and part of her face in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. The anger and bitterness that lingered after 46 surgeries and medical retirement from the Marines. The Afghanistan withdrawal and the debt we owe to service members. Marine Veteran Sgt. Kirstie Ennis describes losing purpose and identity after her combat injury, a return to gratitude, and why providing hope will always be wor...

Addressing moral injury with gratitude. The debt we owe to Afghan interpreters as the Taliban closes in. Mitigating risk by creating community for veterans through PB Abbate. Maj. Thomas Schueman discusses combat, making meaning out of every experience, and how normalizing feelings outside of happiness is key to mental health. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: Instagram  SUBSCRIBE  Get the...

Serving as Captain of Women’s USA Rugby Sevens five years after being cut from the squad. Choosing between medical school and being an elite athlete. Standing by her fiance during two rounds of cancer treatment. U.S. Olympian Abby Gustaitis shares her unlikely path to Tokyo and why finding something you’re passionate about always makes the obstacles worth it.  CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podca...

Racism, police reform, and kneeling for the flag in the NFL. The importance of listening when you disagree. Why celebrities should be regarded as more than just entertainers. Super Bowl Champion Chris Long discusses the consequences of weighing in on social issues and the work he’s done since donating a year’s worth of salary to charity. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: Instagram  SUBSCRIB...

The responsibility of playing a military spouse and Gold Star fiancee on CBS’ United States of Al . Advocating on behalf of Iraqi and Afghan interpreters. Using humor to raise awareness of real-life drama.  Actresses Elizabeth Alderfer and Kelli Goss sit down to discuss how their TV roles have changed their perspective and introduced them to the burden that military families carry.  CONNECT with T...

Facing scrutiny as the first Miss USA to serve on active duty. Refusing to succumb to limitations and challenging other women to do the same. Serving as a voice for active duty and veteran women to lawmakers. Former Miss USA Deshauna Barber discusses the challenges women face in the military and why embracing her femininity only made her stronger. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: Instagram...

Life as the lone survivor. The true meaning of Memorial Day and why living fulfilled is the best way to honor the fallen. The good and bad of inviting Hollywood into your story.  Navy SEAL Veteran Marcus Luttrell and his wife, Melanie, discuss adopting the sacrifices of our service members as part of who they are, and why it’s important for everyone to share the stories of our nation’s heroes. CON...

Being appointed by three U.S. Presidents and serving as the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The art of stepping back and leaning into the talents of those around you. Why maintaining integrity and character is far more important than being perfect. Gen. Joseph Dunford discusses leadership, his takeaways from 42 years of service in the Marine Corps, and why he has an enduring commitment...

Fulfilling the dream of serving and retiring as a Marine. Coping with separation by withdrawing from the military community. Finding new purpose through an unexpected reality show win. Marine veteran Kelly “Murph” Murphy, winner of CBS’ “Tough as Nails,” discusses the broken veteran myth, and his search for healing and identity after 20 years in the Marines. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast...

The life-and-death decisions that come with summiting Mt. Everest twice. Knowing when to push forward and when to turn back. Why setbacks should never be considered failures, on the mountain or in life. Mountaineer and Adventure Coach Dr. Jon Kedrowski discusses what he’s learned after decades summiting the world’s highest peaks and what it means to live “being Everest ready.” CONNECT with The Res...

The impact start-up capital can have on Black-owned small businesses. Actioning an idea versus having a hustle. Using the gift of entrepreneurship to create jobs and close the wealth gap.  Kennan Beasley, CEO of Sunday II Sunday and Venture Noire, discusses the difference you can make when you infuse passion with individual strengths and what it means to serve outside of the military CONNECT with...

Learning what it means to honor the fallen working under former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. How having a military connection can shape who you are. Turning a single Tweet on Memorial Day 2020 into a national movement with Travis Manion Foundation. Co-founder of The Honor Project Emily Domenech shares how a visit to Arlington National Cemetery set off an inspiring chain of events, and how th...

Earning legendary status after walking on to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976. Getting played by Mark Wahlberg on the silver screen. The joys and pressures that come with competing. Mr. Invincible and NFL Legend Vince Papale discusses finding greatness within yourself, the pressures of youth sports today, and the incredible odds he’s overcome in his life. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast: In...

The lasting effects of spending formative years in reality TV. Sharing the raw side of motherhood with thousands of people every day. Miscarriage, loss and the importance of having an outlet for grief. Entrepreneur and former reality MTV star Whitney Port shares the ups and downs of making her challenges public, and how being open has impacted her pursuit of happiness.   CONNECT with The Resilient...

TMF President Ryan Manion sits down with Jason McCarthy, CEO of GORUCK, to discuss the necessity of finding a tribe and uniting with people in a meaningful way, and the consequences that have come from nixing in-person interactions. A Special Forces veteran, Jason shares why building a community has always taken a front seat over building a company, and what he considers “acceptable risk.” CONNECT...

In a break from our usual cadence to address the events that occurred at the Capitol on January 6, political commentator Mary Katharine Ham has a candid discussion with TMF President Ryan Manion on First Amendment protections in the United States, social media and big tech, the role of the individual in creating a country he or she wants to see, and what it takes to put meaning behind the calls fo...

A family history that stretches from slavery to West Point. Media influence and the dangers of one-sided politics. Choosing to stand back up and try again after heartbreaking defeat. Veteran and former Texas Congressional candidate Wesley Hunt discusses why he’s wired for service and the unique characteristics that make veterans prime candidates for office. CONNECT with The Resilient Life Podcast:...

Breaking the barriers to veteran mental health at the nonprofit Headstrong. Running a COVID-19 field hospital in NYC at the height of the pandemic. Fighting against bureaucracy on behalf of small business and a city he loves. Veteran, philanthropist and NYC Mayoral Candidate Zach Iscol discusses why he’s never been afraid to do hard things, even if it means throwing his hat in the ring. CONNECT wi...