TMFK! and Huckybear sit down with Chris Maleta, a firefighter, paramedic, and founder of Carry the Flag USA. Chris shares the story behind his mission-driven brand—how a simple moment at a 9/11 stair climb turned into a movement to honor service, sacrifice, and resilience. The guys dig into the parallels between firefighting and the military, the hidden toll of trauma, the bond of brotherhood, and what it means to carry the flag for your crew, your family, and your country.

From war stories and firehouse calls to small-town politics and personal loss, this conversation is raw, real, and full of laughs. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps first responders and veterans pushing forward—this one’s for you.

Carry The Flag

Polestar Coffee Company | Veteran-owned Specialty Coffee Roaster

Cadence Wealth Partners-Nick O'Kelly

Tell this Story-Doug White

Guest Info

Chris Molita is a firefighter and paramedic who founded Carry the Flag USA, a brand and movement born from a moment of reflection at a 9/11 memorial stair climb. His mission is to inspire Americans to “carry the flag” for something greater—family, community, and the next generation

firefighter podcast, veterans, first responders, 9/11, Carry the Flag, service and sacrifice, brotherhood, mental resilience, leadership, military mindset, Alone and Unafraid, Chris Molita, duty, courage, heroism, firefighter stories, Carry the Flag USA

Marine combat veteran and entrepreneur Deric Keller shares how one simple shift—asking better questions—can completely change your path. From the battlefield to the boardroom, he opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating career pivots, and building a mindset rooted in resilience.

This conversation dives into how military discipline translates into business success, why self-doubt can actually fuel growth, and what it really takes to build teams with trust and transparency. Whether you’re battling imposter syndrome or searching for a way to level up in life and leadership, the lessons here will resonate.

Resources & Links

• Connect with Deric Keller on LinkedIn

• Learn more about Battlefield Boardroom & Exit Momentum

• Cadence Wealth Partners – Nick O’Kelly

• Polestar Coffee

• Visit: aloneandunafraid.org

Guest Info

Deric Keller is a Marine veteran turned entrepreneur, coach, and business builder. From scaling an infectious disease lab to transforming the car business with integrity, he now helps leaders and teams unlock their potential through Exit Momentum and Battlefield Boardroom. His focus: empowering others to ask the right questions, build resilience, and take ownership of growth.

This is a reissue of Episode #51 after Spotify accidentally deleted the original. We didn’t want you to miss it, because this Gripes & Grinds session hits on everything from lazy questions and fast food fails to broken schools, youth sports burnout, Hollywood inaccuracies, and the slow death of common sense in 2025.

In this short but sharp episode, TMFK! and Hucky deliver the kind of funny rants, cultural commentary, and unfiltered veteran banter that define the Alone and Unafraid podcast.

If you’re looking for a funny complaints podcast, culture podcast, or real talk on modern life, this one’s for you.

👉 Since this is a reissue, help us out: subscribe again, share it, and leave a quick ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts so the episode regains traction.

Sponsors:

Candence Wealth Partners-Nick O'Kelly

Polestar Coffee