Forging Forward Podcast

Adam Thorne
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Forging Forward is a long-form podcast focused on growth, resilience, and honest conversations about what it means to build a meaningful life. Hosted by Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp, the show blends mental health, personal development, culture, and real-world experience—without clichés or therapy-speak. Each episode explores how people move forward through challenge: identity shifts, failure, discipline, masculinity, purpose, relationships, and mental health in the modern world. Some episodes feature thoughtful guest conversations, while others are grounded, reflective discussions that cut through noise and trend-chasing. Forging Forward is direct, practical, and human—designed for people who want to think clearly, take responsibility, and keep moving forward even when things get uncomfortable.

  1. 4D AGO

    Forging Forward: Raising Grounded Kids in a Distracted World | With Flora McCormick

    What does it actually mean to parent intentionally in a culture that constantly pulls families toward more noise, more pressure, and more consumption? In this episode of Forging Forward, I sit down with Flora McCormick, host of the Sustainable Parenting podcast, to talk about what it looks like to raise grounded, resilient children without falling into perfectionism or burnout. This conversation isn't about being the perfect parent. It's about being a steady one. If you care about raising strong, thoughtful kids while staying centered yourself, this one's for you. Instagram: AdamThorneCoaching Email us: ForgingForwardpod@gmail.com About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965 Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

    47 min

  2. FEB 23

    Forging Forward — AI Therapists Are Here: Interviewing Grok

    Episode Bio AI therapy is no longer theoretical — it's already happening. In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam interviews Grok, an AI built for conversation, to explore what happens when technology steps into the therapy room. Through real client scenarios, this episode tests how AI responds to emotional struggle, men who find it hard to open up, and moments of psychological risk — then breaks down what AI does well, what it misses, and what that means for the future of human therapy. Will AI replace therapists — or simply change how people begin the conversation? AI Articles  https://share.google/PMoArcXoE1mxXaED3 https://share.google/ABWC4i900hzE994Pn Instagram: AdamThorneCoaching Email us: ForgingForwardpod@gmail.com About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965 Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

    52 min

  3. FEB 10

    Forging Forward — When Boundaries Break: Ethics, Power, and Trust in Therapy

    In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam and Andy address a recent, widely discussed incident in the Bozeman community involving allegations against a therapist who also held a position of public authority. Without naming individuals or speculating on outcomes, the conversation focuses on what situations like this reveal about professional ethics, power dynamics, and the responsibility that comes with working in deeply trusting relationships. They break down why boundaries exist in therapy, how power imbalances can persist even after sessions end, and why ethical standards are designed to protect clients, clinicians, and the integrity of the profession. The episode also explores the broader community impact, including how cases like this affect public trust and how male therapists, in particular, can navigate the fallout without becoming defensive, withdrawn, or isolated. Adam and Andy discuss how male clinicians should talk with one another for support, why peer consultation matters, and whether current ethics training adequately prepares therapists for modern realities like digital communication, small-town dual roles, and blurred boundaries. The episode closes with a grounded reflection on accountability, due process, and the importance of strengthening trust through transparency, humility, and responsibility rather than fear or silence. Email us: ForgingForwardpod@gmail.com About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965 Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

    33 min

  4. FEB 2

    Forging Forward — Episode: Moral Fatigue

    Moral fatigue isn't burnout, and it's not depression. It's what happens when you're constantly trying to do the right thing in a system that never stops asking more of you. In this episode of Forging Forward, We break down moral fatigue—how it shows up in men who care deeply about their work, their families, and their values, yet feel increasingly numb, cynical, or quietly resentful. We talk about why willpower isn't the issue, why "just take a break" doesn't fix it, and how prolonged value conflict slowly drains motivation, clarity, and meaning. This is a grounded conversation about responsibility overload, ethical pressure, and what happens when your nervous system never gets permission to stand down. More importantly, we look at how to recover your internal compass without checking out, becoming bitter, or burning everything down. If you've ever thought, "I'm doing everything right, so why do I feel like this?"—this one's for you.   About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965 Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

    25 min

  5. JAN 24

    Forging Forward — Sleep – NapLab with Derek Hales

    Go to NapLab for the best mattress reviews In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam sits down with Derek Hales, founder of NapLab, to break down one of the most misunderstood pillars of mental health: Sleep. Sleep isn't just about feeling rested. It's about emotional regulation, decision-making, impulse control, anxiety, depression, and long-term brain health. Yet most people are guessing their way through it with caffeine, willpower, and bad advice. Derek brings a data-driven perspective from years of testing mattresses, sleep environments, and recovery variables, while Adam connects the dots between sleep deprivation and what he sees every day in therapy: heightened anxiety, low mood, poor focus, burnout, and nervous-system dysregulation. If you're working on yourself but still feel foggy, reactive, or exhausted — this episode might explain why. About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965 Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

    51 min

  6. JAN 20

    Forging Forward — Episode: Dry January

    Email us with questions or comments at: Forgingforwardpod@gmail.com In this episode of Forging Forward, we take an honest look at Dry January and what actually happens when you take a break from alcohol. We talk through the real changes people notice in sleep, anxiety, mood, energy, and focus, along with the psychological shifts that often show up once alcohol is out of the picture. This is not about shaming drinking or pushing total abstinence. It is about paying attention. We explore who Dry January tends to help most, where it can feel harder than expected, and how a short reset can reveal patterns around stress, coping, and emotional regulation. If you have ever wondered whether alcohol is truly helping you unwind or quietly working against your mental health, this episode offers a grounded place to reflect and decide what makes sense for you moving forward. About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965 Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

    23 min

  7. JAN 12

    Forging Forward: Losing Hope

    Forging Forward — Episode: Losing Hope What happens when the future feels closed, motivation disappears, and everything starts to feel pointless? In this episode of Forging Forward, therapists Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp go straight into one of the quietest and most dangerous emotional states there is: losing hope. They break down how hopelessness actually forms in the nervous system, why people often feel "stuck" even when nothing obvious is wrong, and how long-term stress, depression, trauma, addiction, and burnout slowly train the brain to stop expecting things to get better. This isn't a motivational talk or a "just think positive" episode. It's a grounded look at what happens when the mind gives up and how people can begin to feel forward movement again. You'll hear how hopelessness shows up in real therapy rooms, why it often looks like laziness or apathy from the outside, and what actually helps someone start to rebuild belief in themselves, their relationships, and their future. If you've been waking up tired of trying, feeling disconnected from your goals, or quietly wondering if anything is ever going to change, this episode is for you. About the Hosts:   Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965   Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276

    24 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Forging Forward: Gatekeeping

    About the Hosts: Adam Thorne Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1441965 Andy Kemp Psychology Today Profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/andrew-andy-kemp-bozeman-mt/879276 If you're feeling shut out, dismissed, or unsure whether your experiences "qualify," reach out to Adam or Andy for personalized support. Both offer free consultations—book yours today and take the first step toward being heard without having to justify yourself. In this episode of Forging Forward, Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp take on gatekeeping—the often subtle but powerful behavior where someone decides who is allowed to speak, belong, struggle, or be taken seriously. Gatekeeping can show up in relationships, families, workplaces, therapy spaces, and even personal growth communities, quietly reinforcing the message that you don't meet the standard. From being told your pain "isn't bad enough," to having your opinions minimized because of your background, identity, or experience level, gatekeeping undermines confidence and creates unnecessary hierarchy. Adam and Andy break down what gatekeeping actually looks like in real life, why people do it, and how it impacts self-worth, authenticity, and emotional safety. The conversation focuses on how to recognize gatekeeping when it's happening, how to respond without getting pulled into power struggles, and how to reclaim your right to your own voice and experience. Drawing on their work as therapists here in Bozeman, Adam and Andy offer practical insights for setting boundaries, trusting your internal compass, and staying grounded when someone else tries to control the narrative. If you've ever felt like you had to earn the right to speak, belong, or be taken seriously, this episode is for you. Tune in and keep forging forward—without asking permission.

    21 min
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About

Forging Forward is a long-form podcast focused on growth, resilience, and honest conversations about what it means to build a meaningful life. Hosted by Adam Thorne and Andy Kemp, the show blends mental health, personal development, culture, and real-world experience—without clichés or therapy-speak. Each episode explores how people move forward through challenge: identity shifts, failure, discipline, masculinity, purpose, relationships, and mental health in the modern world. Some episodes feature thoughtful guest conversations, while others are grounded, reflective discussions that cut through noise and trend-chasing. Forging Forward is direct, practical, and human—designed for people who want to think clearly, take responsibility, and keep moving forward even when things get uncomfortable.

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