Summary In this episode, Barb Thompson interviews Willy Pascua, a former Marine Corps member, about his experiences and reflections on his military service. Willy shares how his early experiences and relationships shaped him into the person he is today. He discusses the significance of his military service, particularly his time in the Marine Corps Special Operations, and the importance of relationships and the impact of loss. Willy also opens up about the difficulties he faced, including the struggle to balance multiple roles and the challenges of transitioning out of the military. He reflects on his journey of self-discovery and finding his identity through faith and service. He shares how he was at his weakest moment when he found a Bible that caught his attention, leading him to realize that God had been with him all along. Willy emphasizes the importance of knowing who you are internally and eternally in order to move forward towards your purpose. He discusses the significance of living out your identity in relationship with others and the importance of serving and loving others. Willy also talks about his journaling practice and his desire to share his thoughts and experiences with others through his writing. You can find Willy's Suffer Better journal on Substack! Takeaways Early experiences and relationships play a significant role in shaping a person's character and values. Military service, particularly in special operations, involves a unique set of challenges and sacrifices. The most significant aspect of military service is the relationships formed and the impact of loss. Balancing multiple roles and identities can be difficult for service members, and transitioning out of the military presents its own challenges. Faith and family can provide support and guidance during difficult times. Knowing who you are internally and eternally is important for moving forward towards your purpose. Living out your identity is best expressed in relationship with others. Serving and loving others is a fundamental aspect of a fulfilling life. Journaling can be a helpful practice for self-reflection and sharing thoughts and experiences with others. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 10:04 The Significance of Military Service 25:18 Living Out Identity in Relationship 33:23 Journaling for Self-Reflection and Sharing
Summary In this episode, Dr. Barb Thompson interviews Joe O'Connor, a veteran who has overcome significant challenges. Joe shares his journey from joining the military to experiencing life-altering injuries. Despite these setbacks, Joe maintains a positive mindset and has found purpose in helping other veterans. He emphasizes the importance of mindset and the power of reaching out to fellow veterans for support. Joe's story highlights the resilience and determination of individuals who have served in the military. Joe discusses his master coaching strategies and techniques, as well as his mission to help one million veterans and business owners achieve their goals. He emphasizes the importance of being present and listening, and the power of asking good questions. Joe also introduces his Pathfinder program, which is designed to help individuals plan for success. He highlights the value of soft skills and the need for effective planning. Joe encourages individuals to find a mentor and offers resources for further support. Takeaways Maintaining a positive mindset can help overcome challenges and setbacks. Connecting with fellow veterans can provide a sense of understanding and support. Injuries and life-altering events can lead to a reevaluation of priorities and goals. Helping others can bring purpose and fulfillment. Being present and listening are key skills in coaching. Asking good questions leads to better answers. Finding your why is important for personal and professional success. Effective planning and soft skills are crucial for achieving goals.
Summary Lieutenant Colonel retired Isaac Lee shares his journey from growing up in Texas to becoming a combat aviator in the US Marine Corps. He discusses the influence of his childhood and sports on his development, particularly the lessons of mental toughness taught by his father. Isaac emphasizes the importance of meaningful relationships and the bonds formed with fellow service members. He also delves into the challenges of balancing military and personal life, especially the difficulty of transitioning between the intense mindset required for combat and the expectations of being a husband and father. Isaac reflects on the mental toll of combat aviation and the need for a short memory to maintain focus and clarity in high-pressure situations. Finally, he shares the catalyst for writing his book, highlighting the importance of sharing stories and seeking reconciliation and closure as combat veterans. Isaac Lee discusses the importance of sharing experiences and finding support in others who have gone through similar situations. He shares how the feedback he received from a friend in the military about his book was rewarding and motivating. Isaac also talks about his decision to stop flying and the satisfaction he found in completing his career as a commanding officer. He emphasizes the importance of counseling in his transition to civilian life and the ongoing process of self-exploration. Isaac discusses the need for excitement and challenge in his life and how he finds it in his work and volunteer activities. He encourages others to serve and help others as a way to better understand themselves. Takeaways Childhood experiences and sports can shape an individual's character and provide a foundation for leadership. Meaningful relationships and camaraderie with fellow service members are often the most rewarding aspects of military service. Balancing the demands of military and personal life can be challenging, especially when transitioning between intense combat situations and family life. Combat aviation requires mental toughness and the ability to maintain focus and clarity in high-pressure situations. Having a short memory, both for mistakes and successes, is crucial for making quick decisions and staying focused. Sharing experiences with others who have gone through similar situations can provide support and remind us that we are not alone. Receiving feedback and knowing that the book has helped others is extremely rewarding. Transitioning from a thrilling career like flying can be challenging, but finding new sources of excitement and challenge is important. Counseling can be helpful in unpacking experiences and understanding oneself better. Finding excitement and challenge in life is important for personal fulfillment. Service and helping others can provide a sense of purpose and self-discovery. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:19 The Influence of Childhood and Sports 07:09 Meaningful Relationships in the Military 09:16 The Challenges of Balancing Military and Personal Life 13:27 The Mental Toll of Combat Aviation 22:54 The Journey to Writing the Book 26:30 The Importance of Sharing Experiences 27:24 The Impact of the Book 28:36 The Thrill of Flying and Moving On 30:36 The Benefits of Counseling 35:29 Finding Excitement and Challenge in Life 40:22 Advice for Those Considering Military or Aviation Service 46:40 The Importance of Service and Helping Others For more information, please visit https://www.isaacglee.com
Summary In this conversation, Chad shares his military background, experiences, and transition to civilian life. He discusses the importance of culture and leadership in the military, as well as the challenges of transitioning from an Operator to a senior leader. Chad also talks about finding alignment and purpose in his post-military career, including starting a 3D printed drone company. He offers advice for current military members and emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and redefining success. Overall, Chad's story highlights the significance of relationships, authenticity, and finding meaning in life. Takeaways The military culture and leadership play a crucial role in shaping the experiences and success of individuals. Transitioning from an operator to a senior leader requires authenticity, adaptability, and a focus on building trust and improving culture. Finding alignment and purpose in post-military life involves managing expectations, redefining success, and embracing personal growth. Building strong relationships, particularly in marriage and family, is essential for personal and professional fulfillment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Gratitude 02:07 Military Background and Transition 03:33 Starting a 3D Printed Drone Company 04:07 Motivation to Join the Military 06:06 Deployments and Facing Adversity 07:01 Desire for Testing and Purpose 08:26 Dealing with Tragedy and Uncertainty 09:56 Balancing Military Life and Family 13:14 The Importance of Culture in the Military 14:56 Leadership and Authenticity 18:20 Building Trust and Improving Culture 20:08 Transitioning from Operator to Senior Leader 21:47 Perceptions of Special Operations Forces 22:46 Challenges of Transitioning to Civilian Life 23:45 Managing Expectations and Redefining Success 24:17 The Importance of Relationships and Marriage 27:05 Starting a 3D Printed Drone Company 29:31 Finding Alignment and Purpose 33:01 Advice for Current Military Members 35:24 Changing Expectations and Redefining Success 38:04 Living One Day at a Time 39:01 Conclusion and Gratitude
In this episode, Barb Thompson interviews Mackell Phillips, Shelly Kist, and her daughter Lily about their mission trip to Guatemala. They discuss their motivations for going on the trip, the impact it had on their perspectives and contentment, and the importance of carrying the experience forward. They also talk about the role of educators in providing these types of experiences for students and the need for a supportive and encouraging environment. Overall, the conversation highlights the transformative power of mission trips and the importance of prioritizing faith and service in education. The conversation highlights the importance of building a strong team, being intentional and providing support, living with purpose, the life-changing experience of the trip, reflection and encouragement, and continuing the conversation. Takeaways Mission trips can provide a perspective shift and increase contentment by exposing individuals to different cultures and challenging their priorities. Building relationships and fellowship with like-minded individuals is crucial for processing and carrying the mission trip experience forward. Educators can play a significant role in providing mission trip experiences for students, fostering a culture of faith and service in schools. Trusting in God's guidance and being flexible are essential when planning and executing mission trips. Encouraging students to embrace the mission trip experience with excitement and expectation can enhance their engagement and impact. Building a strong team is crucial for success in any endeavor. Being intentional and providing support can make a significant impact on individuals' experiences. Living with purpose and being intentional about each day can lead to a fulfilling life. Mission trips can be life-changing experiences that teach valuable lessons and strengthen faith. Reflection and encouragement are important for personal growth and motivation. Continuing the conversation and sharing experiences can inspire others to take similar actions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:04 Background and Motivation for Mission Trips 03:00 Perspective Shift and Contentment 13:20 Student Perspective and Encouragement 24:29 Personal Impact and Reflection 29:35 Carrying the Experience Forward 34:09 Changing the Culture of the School 40:07 Encouragement for Educators 49:56 Building a Strong Team 50:24 Intentionality and Support 51:16 Living with Purpose 52:14 Life-Changing Experience 53:14 Reflection and Encouragement 53:44 Continuing the Conversation