Resilient Mental State

Kyle Shepard
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Philosophy
  • Updated Semiweekly

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

  1. May 21

    The Transition with Benjamin Davis

    Benjamin Davis is a former Navy SEAL, husband, father, veteran advocate, and writer of The Transition, a Substack newsletter that includes essays, fictional short stories, and some of the best long-form interviews you will find online, all focused on life during and after significant change. Ben is the Executive Director of the Veterans' Outdoor Advocacy Group whose mission is to promote the benefits of outdoor adjunct therapy for Veterans by delivering research and advocacy, while driving access and proving efficacy, and perpetuating the well-being of our public lands. In this conversation, we discuss identity, finding meaning after transition, doing vs. being, catharsis through creativity, interconnectedness, staying true to yourself, comparisons between fiction and nonfiction, fatherhood, and much more. Ben’s passions span many domains. His story and work show both the power of purpose and the importance of not becoming confined to a single identity. Whether through creative arts or connection forged during challenging outdoor experiences, transformation often begins with outlets that allow for authentic self-expression and community development. This is what Ben advocates for through VOAG and what he consistently demonstrates in his exceptional writing. For more from Ben, check out The Transition. Here are some of my favorites from his Substack: * Transition Interview with Mark Twight * Transition Interview with Brad Geary * What We Already Know * Anhedonia * Usefulness 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 18m

  2. May 8

    Paradox with Michael Woudenberg

    Michael Woudenberg is a mixed mental artist who breaks down complex ideas into practical wisdom for thriving in the octagon of life. The writer behind one of my favorite Substack accounts, Polymathic Being, Mike explores both conventional and controversial concepts relating to humanity. I grew up reading primarily fiction. These days, the majority of my reading is nonfiction; however, when I learned Mike had written a fictional novel based on many of his Substack posts, I immediately ordered a copy. Already having high expectations, Paradox exceeded them all. Paradox is a science fiction thriller based on moral dilemmas in creating advanced AI. Integrating science, psychology, and technology, Mike creates an engaging plot, likable characters, and a story that reads like a real possibility. It will challenge you to consider the pros and cons of continued development toward sentience of AI while allowing you to draw your own conclusions. Its premise poses a simple question, “In the battle over advanced AI, will we lose our humanity or learn what truly makes us human?” In this conversation, Mike and I discuss his outstanding book and the many themes that arise in it such as moral dilemmas, consciousness, identity, reason vs. emotion, technology vs. human experience, and the illusion of progress. We also discuss his creative process, merging of science and fiction, and the already published sequel to Paradox titled Integration. He’s now working on the third book in his series titled Rebirth which sounds like it’s developing into his most exciting novel yet. If you enjoy fiction in any way, I can’t recommend picking up a copy of Paradox enough. Order here I also highly recommend checking out The Singularity Chronicles website for more information on all of his novels to include sources of information for the various concepts he writes on, videos, order links at a discounted cost, and more. Posts we alluded to in our conversation: * AI: A Reflection of You * Becoming a Man * Sympathy -> Empathy -> Resiliency * Mixing Mental Arts 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 4m

  3. Apr 27

    Resistance with Kit Perez

    Kit Perez | Grey Cell Systems is a mother, wife, counterintelligence and deception analyst, liberty activist, trauma counselor, teacher, homesteader, writer on Substack of The Shepard Scale, host of Change the Game podcast, co-author of Basics of Resistance and author of The Mindset of Resistance. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Intelligence and the other in Trauma Counseling and Crisis Intervention. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Counterintelligence with additional studies in Criminal and Intelligence Profiling. Kit is one of the most brilliant writers and speakers I know. She developed Grey Cell Protocols to assess human conditions and systems to detect vulnerabilities and opportunities. While her work and all of her credentials are impressive, it’s the experiences behind them that make her truly interesting, credible, and inspiring. In this conversation, Kit shares the history behind her Why. From the military, to abuse, loss, militias, the dark web, reorientation, transformation, and faith, she doesn’t hold back. We discussed trauma, healing, growth, vulnerability, validation, weirdness, communities, and interconnectedness. Kit’s story demonstrates the power of resilience and how adversity can be used to elevate your purpose and life. Anything is possible for those who are willing to endure, explore, and evolve. On April 30th, Kit’s newest book she co-authored with Donald Vandergriff, a retired US Marine and Army Officer who specializes in military leadership, decentralized command, and maneuver warfare, will be released. It is titled Mission Command & The Grey Cell Protocols. Pre-order here. Kit’s Substack and podcast will sharpen your thinking and orientation to reality. I highly recommend both. Some of her recent written work includes: * The Discipline and Process of Synthesis * Spotting Deception Under Pressure * Orientation is the System * Why I’m Leaving the Three Percent (a powerful article she wrote ten years ago) * Why Good People Become Infiltration Vectors * Personality vs. Pathology * Pornography and Orientation: An Operational Hazard 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 17m

  4. Apr 14

    Left of Bang Evolved with Patrick Van Horne

    Patrick Van Horne co-authored one of the best books I’ve ever read — Left of Bang. Since it was released over a decade ago, he has continued to evolve his company and work to create and apply this powerful concept at an organizational and team level. Now offering Left of Bang Strategic Briefs and advisory work focused on preparedness as a capability, he has made getting left of bang actionable beyond military operations. In this conversation, we discuss his strategic framework for getting left of bang, preparedness vs. readiness, experience-based vs. proactive preparation, patterns in preparedness, the value of projects, personal preparedness, and much more. Patrick Van Horne is one of the best writers and speakers on applying strategic thinking. Being a paid member of The CP Journal has been one of the best investments I’ve made over the past two years. Use links below to access his work that inspired this podcast: * Preparing the Organization You Will Need * The Three Levels of Left of Bang * The Four Preparedness Personas: Where Your Organization Fits * The Individual Readiness Playbook 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. Apr 10

    Fighting & Writing with Peter Maguire

    Peter Maguire is a bestselling author and influential, independent writer/editor. The experiences that led up to the creation of his books and profession as a writer, however, are what make him truly fascinating. In this conversation, we discuss many of the interesting aspects of and lessons from Peter’s life. After nearly drowning as a one-year-old, Peter’s mother forced him to learn how to swim by the age of two. Despite wealthy parents and access to privileged societies, Peter was drawn to the water and the life of a surfer. Traveling the world, involvement in marijuana trade, learning to fight, near death experiences, heartbreak, and forced blue-collar labor led Peter to pursue a doctorate in history in New York. It was here he became committed to serving others. As a war-crimes investigator and professor of law and war theory at Columbia University, Peter began publishing books based on his work: Law and War Facing Death in Cambodia Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Drug Trade Peter trained various martial arts throughout his life earning black belts in multiple disciplines, including one from the greatest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighter of all time - Rickson Gracie. Through their friendship, Peter authored both of Rickson’s books, which are two of my favorites: Breathe: A Life in Flow Comfort in Darkness: The Invisible Power of Jiu Jitsu Peter continues to write and mentor in many domains, including his Substack, Sour Milk. To continue his life of service, Peter founded The Fainting Robin Foundation which provides financial support to independent scholars, writers, and thinkers whose work falls outside the mainstream. To hear more about Peter’s interesting story, check out his appearance on the Jocko Podcast. As a longtime Jocko Podcast fan, Peter’s episode remains one of my favorites. 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

    2 hr

  6. Apr 4

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 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
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kyle
  • Show Website
    Resilient Mental State