MAX Afterburner

Matthew 'Whiz" Buckley

The MAX Afterburner Podcast with Whiz is a long-form conversation hosted by Matthew “Whiz” Buckley, featuring candid discussions with family, friends, leaders, and truth-tellers across veterans’ issues, markets, culture, and politics - always grounded in care for mind, body, and soul.The podcast also serves as a platform for the missions of the No Fallen Heroes Foundation and Sacred Warrior Fellowship, amplifying conversations around healing, purpose, faith, and helping men and women who have served return home to themselves and to God. 

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep. 147 - War, Honor, and the Warrior’s Soul

    In Episode 147 of MAX Afterburner, former U.S. Navy TOPGUN fighter pilot Matthew “Whiz” Buckley delivers a powerful and wide-ranging debrief covering air combat, current military operations, the cultural divide in America, and the spiritual path of the warrior.Whiz breaks down the shocking report of a Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet shooting down three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, explaining how an engagement like this could unfold and what it reveals about the realities of modern aerial warfare. He also shares his thoughts on Operation Epic Fury and the broader strategic picture as military tensions escalate.The conversation then shifts to the growing cultural and political divide in America, highlighted by the backlash Olympic hockey gold medalists received simply for taking a congratulatory call from the President and attending the State of the Union.From there, Whiz dives into a deeper discussion about religious freedom, tolerance, and the difficult questions the West must confront when dealing with radical Islam. Drawing from his own combat aviation experience and years of service defending the Constitution, he explores the tension between America’s commitment to religious liberty and the reality of confronting extremist ideologies that reject those same freedoms. It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation about faith, freedom, and the values worth defending.Whiz also honors the courage of two extraordinary American aviators who were awarded the Medal of Honor, reflecting on the warrior ethos that defines those who willingly fly into harm’s way.He then shares details about the upcoming Sacred Warrior Fellowship retreat taking place March 27–29, where veterans, first responders, and seekers gather in disciplined formation to reconnect with God and begin the journey of healing.The episode closes with a heartfelt prayer asking for peace on earth and God’s guidance during uncertain times.In this episode:• Tactical debrief of the Kuwaiti F/A-18 shooting down three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles• Analysis of Operation Epic Fury and what it signals strategically• The growing partisan divide and the reaction to Olympic gold medalists speaking with the President• A discussion on religious freedom, tolerance, and confronting radical Islamic extremism• Honoring two American aviators awarded the Medal of Honor• Sacred Warrior Fellowship retreat announcement (March 27–29)• A closing prayer for peace, wisdom, and guidanceSubscribe to MAX Afterburner on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch the full episode on the No Fallen Heroes YouTube channel.

    1h 15m
  2. FEB 5

    Ep. 143 - Religious Freedom on Trial: Entheogens, Sacraments, and Direct Communion with God

    In this episode of the MAX Afterburner Podcast, host Matthew “Whiz” Buckley sits down with Bridger Lee Jensen, founder of Singularism, a Utah-based entheogenic church currently engaged in a landmark legal battle with the state of Utah.Whiz, who founded Sacred Warrior Fellowship last year, shares how he discovered Singularism and was immediately drawn to their fight to defend religious freedom at its core. Together, Whiz and Bridger take a deep dive into the legal case, the constitutional foundations of religious liberty in America, and why the right to sacramental communion lies at the heart of what this country was built to protect.The conversation explores how entheogenic sacraments like psilocybin are not about recreation or escape, but about healing, transformation, and direct communion with God. Both men share their personal religious backgrounds, the faith traditions they were raised in, and the moments that ultimately led them to step outside institutional frameworks and into their current missions.This episode challenges listeners to reconsider where God is encountered, who gets to decide what counts as legitimate faith, and why so many seekers are finding profound healing and reconnection with the Divine within through sacramental practice.This is a powerful, timely, and deeply human conversation that speaks to veterans, seekers, legal minds, and anyone concerned about the future of religious freedom in America. A must-listen episode.To learn more or support their ongoing legal fight, visit singularism.org.Return Home.

    1h 8m
  3. JAN 15

    Ep. 141 - Combat Veteran Wives: Healing Through the Unknown

    Join us in this illuminating episode of the MaxAfterburner Podcast episode 141 as host Theresa Noach interviews Tommi Kirkpatrick, a combat veteran's wife and homeschooling mother of six, who recently embarked on a transformative journey with the Sacred Warrior Fellowship. Following her husband’s own life-changing ceremony, Tommi bravely confronts the dark secrets of her childhood navigating the complexities of motherhood, faith, and personal healing.In this heartfelt conversation, Tommi opens up about her struggles with identity, often hidden behind beautiful dresses and smiles and helping others, and the pain of feeling lost in the world. A dedicated mentor to women in her community, Tommi reflects on her journey of self-discovery that led her to explore her healing needs through a psilocybin ceremony—a choice initially seen as taboo within her cultural and faith background.Listen as Tommi and Theresa share relatable experiences about the challenges many women face when prioritizing the needs of others while neglecting their own healing journeys. Discover how Tommi's courageous decision has not only changed her personal narrative but also the trajectory of her family's legacy.Tune in for an inspiring discussion that encourages reflection, growth, and the importance of embracing one’s true self.Keywords: Tommi Kirkpatrick, Combat Veteran Wife, Homeschooling Mother, Personal Healing, Psilocybin Ceremony, Sacred Warrior Fellowship, Women’s Mentorship, Faith Community, Overcoming Dark Secrets, Personal Growth, Family Legacy, Mental Health, Transformative Journey, Podcast Interview.

    1h 4m
  4. JAN 8

    Ep. 140 - No Fallen Heroes: Justice, Healing, and Awakening

    In this episode, Matthew “Whiz” Buckley delivers one of his most unfiltered and important debriefs to date.He opens by addressing the Somalian fraud uncovered in Minnesota, and the deep outrage it ignites in him as a combat veteran. While millions are exploited through systemic fraud, countless veterans continue to fight exhausting, dehumanizing battles to access the benefits they were promised for their service. Buckley makes one thing clear: these benefits are not handouts. They are obligations. Earned. Owed.The conversation then shifts to a year-end debrief of No Fallen Heroes Foundation and what 2025 represented. Buckley reflects on the lives impacted, the healing witnessed, and the responsibility that comes with holding space for those carrying war, trauma, addiction, and loss. He also previews what lies ahead in 2026, outlining the next phase of growth, reach, and mission expansion as the foundation continues its work to bring real healing home to veterans and their families.The second half of the episode turns deeply personal and profoundly human.Buckley shares a raw debrief of his own spiritual awakening and why it became an inseparable part of his healing journey. He speaks to the spiritual injuries that so often go unnamed, especially among veterans, and challenges the idea that healing can be complete without addressing the deeper questions of identity, meaning, and connection. Awakening, he explains, is not a sign of being broken, but a process of remembering what was always there beneath the trauma.This episode stands at the intersection of accountability, service, and transformation. It is a call to honor veterans not just with words, but with action. And it is an invitation for anyone on a healing path to understand that spiritual awakening is not separate from recovery. It is often the doorway through it.This is not a comfortable conversation.It is a necessary one.Return Home.

    1h 11m
4.9
out of 5
103 Ratings

About

The MAX Afterburner Podcast with Whiz is a long-form conversation hosted by Matthew “Whiz” Buckley, featuring candid discussions with family, friends, leaders, and truth-tellers across veterans’ issues, markets, culture, and politics - always grounded in care for mind, body, and soul.The podcast also serves as a platform for the missions of the No Fallen Heroes Foundation and Sacred Warrior Fellowship, amplifying conversations around healing, purpose, faith, and helping men and women who have served return home to themselves and to God. 

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