Resilient Mental State

Kyle Shepard
  • 5.0 (3)
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Conversations with experts, writers, and extraordinary individuals on the skill of mental, physical, and spiritual resilience. www.resilientmentalstate.com

  1. 3D AGO

    Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy with William Spears

    William C. Spears is a US Navy Submarine Warfare Officer with over 25 years of service and author of Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy. It is one of the best modern interpretations of Stoicism I have read. As a husband, father, and military leader, Will has grown to use virtue — excellence of character grounded in reason — as a core standard for all actions within each role of life. In this conversation, we discussed the history, principles, and practical insights from Stoicism in extreme environments and everyday life. We also cover teaching virtue, cosmopolitanism vs. military duty, moral clarity, eclecticism, attitude, and much more. This was one of the best conversations I’ve had on philosophy. Will has a unique ability to make concepts actionable based on his understanding of philosophers throughout history. If you enjoy Stoicism, I strongly recommend getting his book. Military or civilian, Will’s writing makes Stoic principles relevant to all roles in life: Stoicism as a Warrior Philosophy Will just began writing on Substack. His first on James Stockdale, who we also discuss in this episode, is well worth your time. Get more from Will on Substack at: Officium: Stoicism and Military Service You can also find him on LinkedIn. Two must-reads from James Stockdale released through the Naval Academy: * Stockdale on Stoicism I: The Stoic Warrior’s Triad * Stockdale on Stoicism II: Master of My Fate Resilient Mental State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 23m

  2. MAR 28

    Beyond the Battlefield with Chris Lee

    Chris Lee is a former Army Green Beret of ten years specializing as a Combat Medic. Embracing the wisdom he gained from this decade of experience, he transitioned into the private sector to become an entrepreneur, coach, and author. His first book, Beyond The Battlefield, is one of the best modern self-improvement books I’ve read. He’s also one of the best guys I know. Chris is uniquely skilled in making the conceptual practical. He’s open-minded, curious, and deeply passionate about helping others become the best versions of themselves to live a fulfilled life. In this conversation, we dig into spiritual growth, internal excavation, differentiating calm and peace, the connective power of vulnerability, reframing the word surrender, and much more. Chris explains how his philosophy has continued to evolve since publishing his first book which is now becoming a trilogy. Beyond the Battlefield is a quick and outstanding read. There is also a link at the end of the book for a free call with Chris. This is how we initially met and I’m grateful I made that choice. For more from Chris, check him out on Instagram and MCHN Mentality. He also published a 90-Day Performance Workbook titled Legacy Forged full of challenges, journal prompts, and operating systems to take ownership of your life. The podcast I first heard him on was Gina Casazza’s Mindset: Lessons from the Field episodes 13, 29, and 53. It was listening to Chris talk on this show that prompted me to buy his book. Resilient Mental State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 38m

  3. MAR 21

    Exploring Fitness with Conor Heffernan

    Conor Heffernan is a professor of the sociology of sport at Ulster University in Ireland, a historian specializing in physical culture and fitness, and the author of several books including The History of Physical Culture in Ireland, The History of Physical Culture, Indian Club Swinging and the Birth of Global Fitness, and When Fitness Went Global. He is also the writer behind the outstanding substack - The Physical Culture Study. Conor’s work focuses on the origins of fitness including the prominent figures, equipment, supplements, and programs that influence today’s fitness culture. Willing to be brutally honest, open-minded, and hilarious, his writing reveals there is often much more to history than we assume. In this conversation, we discussed: * Definitions mattering * Adaptation specificity * The fitness industry * Good enough metrics * Progressive variability * And much more Conor is as entertaining as he is brilliant. This was such an interesting, fun, and funny podcast. He’s been on many more shows diving into the fascinating personalities, systems, and origins of fitness and they’re all great. Search his name on Apple and they’ll pop up. Shout out to Scott Shetler, my favorite personal trainer, whose name came up several times throughout the podcast. Read a fantastic interview of Conor by my buddy Chris DeMuth Jr here. If you’re interested in learning more about historical figures and programs, Conor recommended visiting strongmanproject.com which is an online library of resources and articles focused on the origins of strength training. Resilient Mental State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 23m
  4. Birds and Brain Injury with James Freitas

    MAR 9

    Birds and Brain Injury with James Freitas

    James Freitas is a writer, photographer, birder, and outdoorsman. It’s these passions, along with support of loved ones and medical professionals, that saved his life. On January 14th, 2022, James Freitas’s car was hit by an 18-wheeler forever altering the course of his life. Suffering a diffuse axonal brain injury, a severe form of traumatic brain injury causing tearing of nerve fibers throughout the brain, James had to relearn all the basic functions most take for granted. Rather than succumb to his condition, he progressively reclaimed his life through his love of birding. James embodies resilience and his story demonstrates some of the most beautiful aspects of life can be found in response to unexpected adversity. In this conversation, we discussed: * Capacity * Gratitude * Slowing down * Vulnerability * Acceptance * Leaning into discomfort * And much more As you will hear in this podcast, James has and continues to overcome significant hardship. His inspirational experience only adds power to his beautiful writing and photography. Adaptation is always possible. Purpose provides perspective to overcome life’s greatest challenges. For more of James’s work, I highly recommend checking out his Substack Rock & Hawk, as well as his website www.james-freitas.com. Resilient Mental State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 15m

  5. FEB 26

    Inchstones with Sarah Kernion

    Sarah | Profound Autism Mom is one of the most powerful voices and writers in the realm of neurodiversity. Rebelling against the common, linear milestone system for development, her Substack and podcast are called Inchstones. Progress is unique to us all. Mother to one typically developing child and two profoundly autistic, non-verbal children, Sarah has experiential wisdom to back her deep knowledge of neurodiversity and the culture around it. Always willing to share her story and empowering perspectives, Sarah inspires curiosity, authenticity, and resilience. In this conversation, we discussed: * Atypical progress * Choosing your perspective * Behavior as communication * The benefit of difficult conversations * Responding to hard days While her mission is to be the voice of radical acceptance for mothers and caregivers of children with profound autism to encourage fulfilled living, her work inspires calm, gratitude, and joy for anyone in all domains of life. Inchstones on Substack Inchstones Podcast My appearance on the Inchstones Podcast Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 17m

  6. FEB 9

    Primal Hardship with Sam Alaimo

    Sam Alaimo is my favorite living writer. His exploration of the human condition through stories of extraordinary individuals in extreme conditions throughout time encourage deep and uncomfortable reflection. Rather than provide how-to guides, Sam digs into what is possible despite adversity of all kinds. Leaving readers with questions, not specific answers, he allows us each to grapple with our own potential Why? and subsequent What? If I was forced to recommend only one account on Substack to subscribe to, it would be his. In this conversation, we discussed: * Suffering * Perspective * Contemplating death * Reframing adversity * Self-command * And much more Find more from Sam at What then? Resilient Mental State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 24m

  7. FEB 7

    Resilience Optimized with Michael Ostrolenk

    Michael D. Ostrolenk has been working in various fields of resilience development for over 30 years. Founder of Resilience Optimized, he is continually exploring and applying methods for individuals, couples, and businesses to build physical, mental, social, and spiritual resilience. In this conversation, we discussed: * Domains and pillars of resilience * Nuance * Pursuing productive discomfort * Abstract vs concrete * Resilience vs Antifragility * And much more As demonstrated in this podcast, Michael is a wealth of knowledge with perspectives and strategies to build resilience in any domain of life. Check out his work to learn more: Resilience Optimized Website Resilience Redefined Podcast Michael’s Substack Michael on LinkedIn Resilient Mental State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 56m

  8. FEB 2

    Investing in Life with Chris DeMuth Jr

    Chris DeMuth Jr is an incredibly successful hedge fund manager for Rangeley Capital, the investment company he founded in 2007. As impressive as he is in the financial realm, it’s his personal life that makes him truly remarkable. A husband, father, mixed martial arts practitioner, fitness enthusiast, outdoorsman, writer, and interviewer, Chris invests in all domains of life. In this conversation, we discussed: * Presence * Enjoyment vs. competition * Cross-training * Continuous improvement * Passion paired with curiosity * And much more The interview series Chris conducts through Vale Tudo, his Substack account, is outstanding. Highly recommend checking out all of his work to include investment strategies to improve your life financially and in every other domain. Resilient Mental State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Resilient Mental State at www.resilientmentalstate.com/subscribe

    1h 37m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Conversations with experts, writers, and extraordinary individuals on the skill of mental, physical, and spiritual resilience. www.resilientmentalstate.com

Information

  • Creator
    Kyle Shepard
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kyle
  • Show Website
    Resilient Mental State