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What happens when the funniest military memories also carry the deepest meaning?

I’m joined by my friend and fellow Marine, retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Adam Walker, to discuss his self-published book, Laughing and Crying as a U.S. Marine: Authentic Short Stories.

Adam shares his five-year writing plan, why he chose self-publishing, and how he made military stories accessible to Marines and their families. We also discuss building the right creative team and his hilarious boot camp “moment of truth.”

Chapters:

0:00 – Welcome and Adam Walker’s Story
2:25 – Getting the Book and Finding Adam
3:20 – Building a Five-Year Writing Plan
7:00 – Self-Publishing Without Losing Control
10:32 – Boot Camp Truth and the Candy Bar
12:50 – Writing for Marines and Families
16:10 – Cover Design and the Creative Team
18:39 – Trust Your Gut and Wrap-Up

Purchase Laughing and Crying as a U.S. Marine: Authentic Short Stories:
Amazon.com: Laughing and Crying as a U.S. Marine: Authentic Short Stories: 9798218924157: Walker, Adam: Books

Watch now, share your favorite military memory in the comments, and subscribe to Unarmored Talk for more authentic conversations.

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• Still Serving, Inc.: www.stillservinginc.com
• Email: mario@stillservinginc.com

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Have You Been So Busy Taking Care of Everyone Else That You Forgot About Yourself?

In this episode, I am joined by Amber Houghton, a retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and founder of Elite Performance Strategies. Together, we explore the leadership trap—the tendency to spend so much time caring for others that we lose sight of ourselves.

Amber shares how military service, leadership, retirement, divorce, and personal transition challenged her identity and taught her the importance of resilience, healthy boundaries, and self-care. Whether you're a leader, parent, caregiver, veteran, or someone others depend on, this conversation offers practical insights to help you care for others without abandoning yourself.

👇 Chapters:

0:00 Welcome And Meet Amber Houghton
1:45 A Rough Start And A 28-Year Career
6:08 When The Strong One Falls Apart
8:22 Divorce, Blame, And The Cost Of Armor
11:16 The Helper Addiction And The Boundary Wake-Up
14:38 Enforcing Boundaries With Kindness
17:00 Ask Better Questions Before You Help
19:35 Do Not Abandon Yourself
21:11 Connection Over Isolation And Closing

If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe, share it with someone who always puts others first, and let us know in the comments:

What's one boundary you're working to strengthen?

Connect with Amber 👉 Amber Houghton | LinkedIn

Support the show

• Become a Member Today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_M2Kfxb2hN1uHdlDKGtuQw/join
• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6pF-fF29KO1rqQsabaxHHO1nQQtn5lhd
• Still Serving, Inc.: www.stillservinginc.com
• Email: mario@stillservinginc.com

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Have you ever wondered how one moment can change the rest of your life?

A rollover crash on a dark Montana highway changed everything for Army veteran Darshan Shanti. The accident left him with a traumatic brain injury, severe injuries to his hand and arm, and a year-long recovery that forced one powerful question: What meaning do you attach to what happened?

In this episode, Darshan shares his journey from Army medic to survivor, revealing how resilience, perspective, and embracing progress—not chasing the "old version" of himself—transformed his recovery.

We also have an honest conversation about mental health. Darshan opens up about his personal experiences with medication side effects, including suicidal thoughts while taking gabapentin, how THC negatively affected him during recovery, and the challenges of living with multiple sclerosis. Together, we discuss why self-awareness, asking for help, and support from trusted friends and healthcare professionals can make a life-saving difference.

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
01:43 – Army Life & Constant Pressure
04:38 – The Montana Rollover & Recovery
07:39 – Mindset & The Meaning We Choose
10:34 – Medication Side Effects & Dark Thoughts
16:08 – A Future That Pulls You Forward
18:43 – Self-Love & Getting Help
20:31 – How To Connect & Final Words

If this conversation encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. What part of Darshan's story resonated with you the most? Let us know in the comments—we'd love to hear your thoughts.

Darshan’s website: https://savingourveterans.com/

Support the show

• Become a Member Today! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_M2Kfxb2hN1uHdlDKGtuQw/join
• Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6pF-fF29KO1rqQsabaxHHO1nQQtn5lhd
• Still Serving, Inc.: www.stillservinginc.com
• Email: mario@stillservinginc.com