Send us Fan Mail

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.

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

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

Send us Fan Mail

What separates someone who has a leadership title from someone people genuinely want to follow?

In this episode, I am joined by Mark J. O’Loughlin, a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major whose 30-year career includes infantry leadership, drill instructor duty, deployments to Desert Storm and Iraq, and senior roles supporting wounded Marines. Mark shares lessons from his new book, Validated Leadership, built around five practical leadership rules designed for real life—not just theory.

We discuss why organizations often promote top performers into leadership roles without preparing them to lead, what behaviors help teams succeed, and how empathy, accountability, and difficult conversations shape stronger leaders.

Whether you're leading a team, a family, or stepping into a new leadership role, this conversation delivers practical takeaways you can apply immediately.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome and Mission Plus Thanks
2:34 From Iowa Farm to Sergeant Major
5:46 Helping Veterans Through Psych Armor Work
7:19 Building Leadership Rules into A Book
9:40 The Moment He Started Writing
13:00 Rule One: Care About People
15:20 Learn More About Mark and Validated Leadership
17:11 Financial Counseling and Hard Truths
20:55 One Practical Tip for New Authors
22:19 Final Takeaways and Sign Off

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

Send us Fan Mail

Who are you when the uniform comes off?

In this episode of Unarmored Talk, I sit down with Angeletha Long, a U.S. Army veteran of 24 years and leadership strategist, to unpack one of the hardest questions veterans face after service: Who are you—really?

We go beyond the surface of transition and get into the identity shift that happens when the structure, mission, and title you’ve lived by are no longer there. Angeletha shares how this question showed up in her own life, how mental health counseling became a turning point, and why so many veterans struggle in silence trying to redefine themselves.

This conversation challenges the idea that identity is something you “find.” Instead, it’s something you build—through changing your environment, taking small steps, and surrounding yourself with the right people. From isolation to community, from overthinking to action, this episode offers a practical and honest look at rebuilding purpose after service.

If you’re navigating life after the military or questioning who you are beyond what you did, this episode will help you start answering that question with intention.

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 Welcome And Guest Introduction
1:24 Losing Yourself In Roles
4:54 Leaving Service And Identity Shock
9:24 Therapy As The Turning Point
10:24 Change Your Environment To Think
12:21 Purpose Grows Through Small Steps
14:27 Community Networks And Real Support
20:15 Jamaica And The Power Of Travel
21:24 The Mentorship Regret And Lesson
23:45 Where To Find Angelita Closing

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

Send us Fan Mail

The hardest pushback often comes from the people closest to you—so what if that resistance is actually confirmation you’re on the right path?

In this episode of Unarmored Talk, I sit down with Rachel Singletary—minister, facilitator, and leader—to talk about what obedience really looks like when your calling demands growth, discipline, and time. We get honest about the refining process people don’t post—the part that humbles you, stretches you, and challenges your relationships.

Rachel breaks down why resistance often starts at home, how to stay grounded when people bring up your past, and why being “qualified” isn’t the requirement for your calling. We also discuss the power of silence—why “no answer is an answer,” and how staying calm protects your peace and purpose.

If you care about faith, purpose, leadership, and mental fitness, this conversation will meet you where you are.

👉 Where do you feel the most pushback right now?

Rachel's Links:
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@lifedesignsbyracheljanielle
Website: rachelsingletary.carrd.co

Chapters:
0:05 – Welcome And Meet Rachel
1:18 – Her Call To Teach
4:20 – Obedience And The Refining Process
7:53 – Resistance From People Closest
10:24 – What’s Next: Outreach And Nations
12:04 – The Power Of Silence
16:09 – When Waiting Makes You Weary
19:24 – Self-Worth And How To Find Her

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

Send us Fan Mail

Cancer isn’t a solo fight—especially for veterans. But too many are still fighting it alone.

In this episode, Marine Corps couples Joe and Jennifer Worthy, and Casey and Ashton Kroner, share the reality behind colon cancer, testicular cancer, remission, and the grind of chemo. This is the side of cancer you don’t see—shock, denial, constant appointments, and the strain of trying not to lose your identity as husband and wife while cancer pushes you into patient and caregiver roles.

We break down veteran cancer risks—burn pits, Gulf War exposure, Camp Lejeune water, asbestos—and why one question from a doctor, “Have you ever served?”, can change everything.

If you’re a veteran or caregiver navigating this alone, this conversation offers real steps: build support, advocate for your care, and get screened early.

👉 Veteran Cancer Network: https://veterancancernetwork.org/

⏱️ Episode Breakdown

00:00 Welcome To Unarmored Talk
01:06 Meet The Veterans And Spouses
04:02 What Diagnosis Teaches About Support
06:46 Caregiver Shock And Daily Logistics
13:38 Finding Help When You Feel Alone
19:10 Military Exposures And Service Connection
24:54 Screening Early And Self Advocacy
28:40 Resources Thanks And Sign Off

📢 Call to Action (Optional but Recommended)

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a veteran or caregiver who may need it. Your support helps these conversations reach those who need them most.

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

Send us Fan Mail

What if success isn’t the right career?

In this Unarmored Talk podcast episode, I sit down with U.S. Army veteran Frank Van Buren, author of Life Lessons from the Cockpit, to explore his journey from flying night missions to Wall Street—and the realization that success alone doesn’t equal fulfillment.

A chance conversation on a beach in Cyprus during the Beirut Air Bridge set everything in motion. It led to business school, a career in finance, and ultimately a deeper truth: purpose comes from alignment, not just achievement.

Frank breaks down three leadership lessons you can use immediately:

Growth happens in adversity
Fear of regret outweighs fear of failure
Self-awareness reveals your strengths

If you’re navigating transition, leadership, or purpose, this conversation will help you choose meaning over burnout.

👉 What’s one decision you’re making today that your future self will thank you for?

⏱️ Chapters
0:06 – Welcome And Meet Frank
1:24 – Support The Mission
2:19 – Patriotism And Service
4:35 – Night Missions And Turning Point
8:48 – Wall Street And Leadership Shift
12:41 – Three Lessons From The Cockpit
16:46 – Meaning Over Money
20:13 – Talent Alignment And Where To Connect

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_M2Kfxb2hN1uHdlDKGtuQw/join

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