I’ll say it: Standards matter. During a recent conversation with Navy veteran Jenna Carlton, I shared an experience that stuck with me... An entire recruiting team, in uniform, drinking at a tailgate. 😵😳😖 I felt frustrated and disappointed. Because when you’ve served, you know standards aren’t just about appearance... they’re…
Some veterans wait decades before ever walking into the VA. In this week’s episode, I sat down with Navy veteran, Jenna Carlton, who’s made it her mission to create community and open honest conversations about life after service. What she shared hit hard...stories of veterans who suffered in silence, afraid…
What if the most courageous thing you can do after service is choose the unglamorous middle—the place where growth actually sticks? KP sits down with Navy veteran, author, and community builder Jenna Carleton to explore what it takes to rebuild identity, protect your peace, and find purpose that lasts. The…
Ever stop and think about all the people who helped you get here? The mentors, teachers, friends. The ones who saw something in you before you did. That’s what I was thinking about in this moment. 💭𝗪𝗵𝗼’𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂? Tag them in the comments!
People often talk about how the military changes you. But I’ve found that for many of us, we were already carrying weight long before enlistment. The uniform didn’t create the trauma... it just magnified what was already there. When I came home, I wasn’t the same person... 💬 What about…
Social media’s gotten out of control. Everything looks perfect. And now with AI in the mix, it’s getting harder to tell what’s real anymore. My guest next week, Jenna, made a good point... maybe we’ll start to value flaws again. Because that’s what makes us human. That’s what connects us.…
55 years ago, on Halloween night in 1970, Ken Kunken’s life changed forever. He broke his neck during a football game... leaving him a quadriplegic. But that moment didn’t stop him. It shaped him. When we spoke last year on The Morning Formation Podcast, it had been 54 years since…
People often ask me who this podcast is for… Is it just for veterans? Active duty? Military spouses? The truth is... it’s for anyone who values resilience, purpose, and growth. Yes, many of our guests are a part of the military community, but others are entrepreneurs, athletes, and leaders who’ve…
When recording a recent episode with my buddy Rietta, we got to reminiscing about how we first met… on a voice-only app, back in 2020. No video. No filters. Just real conversations and good vibes. I still miss that app sometimes. 👇 Comment if you know which one I'm talking…
From the battlefield to the boardroom, from trauma to transformation. We’ve all faced battles that changed us. Every guest I talk to has a story of resilience...and it's a reminder that we’re more similar than we realize. 🎙️ The Morning Formation Podcast shares conversations with veterans, military spouses, and everyday…
One life... One chance... One goal: grow Who inspires you to be better every day? Share in the comments 👇 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦, 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩, 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩.
Military spouse life looks very different today. More connection, more opportunity, more support. What’s the biggest positive change you’ve seen? 💬Comment Below.
Have you ever asked for a sign… and actually gotten one? While working on Heather Turner’s case, true crime podcast host, Rietta experienced something incredible... The moment she asked for a sign, her left ear started ringing. The same side where Heather was shot. Some people call it coincidence. Others…
When your body lives in constant fight-or-flight mode, it starts to break down. I learned that the hard way in my 20s when I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. What my guest, Rietta (@rietta_books_truth_vibes) said in this clip hit hard: 👉 “You can’t just fix the symptom. You need to…
⚠️ Something doesn’t add up… A mother found dead — but the scene doesn’t make sense: • Fresh out of the shower, her child still in the house • A weapon found wrapped in a bloody towel • A 30-minute gap before anyone called 911 My guest Rietta (@rietta_books_truth_vibes) breaks…
Being stalked is something you never forget. I’ve been there... the fear, the hyper-awareness, the feeling of being watched. That’s why I asked Rietta, a military spouse and true crime host, if she ever fears for her safety while doing what she does. Make sure to check out the episode…
We trace the unresolved death of Heather Turner through verifiable facts, while exploring how a military spouse-turned-host balances advocacy, intuition and family life. Along the way we talk stress, functional medicine, compound grief and why facts must lead feelings. • military life rhythms and finding stability during moves • origins…
So many veterans say, “They don’t understand us.” But have you ever flipped it and asked if you understand them? That mindset changed everything for me. You can’t expect connection if you’re not willing to meet people halfway. 💬 𝗩𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀: How do you handle feeling misunderstood in civilian life? Comment!
One of the most powerful things about hosting The Morning Formation Podcast is realizing how much we all have in common. Every guest, from veterans to entrepreneurs, has faced major obstacles, yet they’ve chosen to grow through them instead of being defined by them. We may have walked different paths,…
Just because you wear a uniform doesn’t make you a leader. And just because you’ve failed before doesn’t mean you’re a bad one. In military service and in civilian life, real leadership is about learning from mistakes and applying those lessons forward. Veterans understand that growth and integrity matter more…
Last week was World Mental Health Day, but this message matters every day. Don’t wait until everything you’ve buried comes spilling out. Healing starts when you stop running from what’s inside. This can apply to veterans, first responders, and anyone who’s ever carried too much alone. 👇 What’s one thing…
A Medal of Honor recipient once told me: “A job will pay you money, but a career will fill your soul.” That hit me hard. Because it’s not about chasing likes, possessions, or clout... It’s about purpose, service, and how you show up for others. What really fills your soul…
Sometimes the biggest reminders come from the smallest things. This cord almost ended my life. Now it reminds me every day why I’m still here, and what I’m here to do. Life is short. Purpose isn’t guaranteed. If you’re here, it’s for a reason. Don’t waste it. 💭 What’s something…
Whether in uniform or in life, we’re all running a marathon. You’ve got to know your position, pace yourself, and watch out for those on your left and right. Because losing track of where you are can mean losing faith in why you started. 💭What helps you stay grounded and…