Grit Beyond Measure

In Episode 10 of Grit Beyond Measure, Frank Jackson sits down with Sam Sereni, his former Commanding Officer aboard USS Nitze, for a deeply personal conversation about grief, leadership, family, and the weight we sometimes carry silently.

Sam opens up about losing his father and his sister, how those losses changed him, and what it meant to continue leading as a Commanding Officer while processing grief behind the scenes.

For Frank, the conversation offers a perspective he didn't fully have while serving alongside Sam as his Command Master Chief: the human experience behind the person responsible for leading an entire command.

This isn't a conversation about rank. It's about the person wearing it.

How do you lead others when you're hurting yourself? How does loss change the way you see the people you're responsible for? And can grief ultimately make us more empathetic leaders?T

he Weight We Carry is a conversation about loss, resilience, vulnerability, and remembering that even the people we look to for strength may be carrying something we cannot see.

Grit Beyond Measure — Adapt. Survive. Thrive.

📩 Guest inquiries, stories & collaborations: [email protected]

Navy Command Master Chief Aaron Paul joins Frank J for an honest conversation about military leadership, grief, resilience, divorce, fatherhood, and men’s mental health. Drawing from 26 years of Navy service, Aaron shares how he endured the loss of his mother, professional adversity, and the end of his marriage while continuing to lead others. Together, they explore controlling your narrative, protecting children during divorce, finding clarity through trauma, and using running and writing as healthy outlets during life’s hardest seasons.

For questions, feedback, or to connect with Grit Beyond Measure, email [email protected].

Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and personal experiences shared in this interview belong solely to the individuals speaking. They do not represent the official views or policies of the United States Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or any other branch or component of the United States military. The use of military titles or affiliations is for identification purposes only and does not imply official endorsement.

What happens when life hits you from every angle? Norman “Hot Rod” Rodriguez joins me for a warm, honest, and often funny conversation about divorce, separation from his children, serious back problems, struggles during his Navy career, and the moments that nearly made him quit.

Norman shares how his children, faith, and a change in mindset helped him keep moving forward. His story reminds us that there are no wins and losses—only wins and lessons. And when my daughter unexpectedly FaceTimes me during the recording, the conversation becomes even more personal and memorable.

What does it really mean to be content?

In a world that constantly tells us to chase more—more money, more success, more recognition—it’s easy to believe happiness is always waiting somewhere in the future. But what if fulfillment isn’t found in having more, but in appreciating what you already have?

In this episode of Grit Beyond Measure, I’m joined by Captain Katie Jacobson—a friend and mentor—for an honest conversation about choosing contentment, navigating difficult leadership experiences, and discovering the freedom that comes from focusing on what you can control instead of what you can’t.

Katie shares a season in her military career where she felt unseen and unappreciated by a supervisor, how negative self-talk became a greater challenge than the circumstances themselves, and why one simple phrase—“This too shall pass”—became an anchor through adversity.

Together, we explore personal responsibility, emotional connection, treating people with dignity, giving yourself grace when life gets difficult, and why self-care isn’t selfish—it’s essential.

If you’ve ever questioned your worth, struggled with feeling overlooked, or found yourself constantly chasing what’s next, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that peace isn’t something you stumble upon. It’s something you choose.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why contentment is a decision, not a destination
• Finding fulfillment without constantly chasing “more”
• Leading through difficult seasons
• Controlling your response when life feels out of your control
• The importance of making people feel heard and valued
• Giving yourself grace after setbacks
• Why self-care is essential for effective leadership and healthy relationships

Sometimes the greatest victory isn’t achieving more.

Sometimes it’s finally realizing you already have enough.

Connect with Grit Beyond Measure

Have a story to share or know someone whose journey could inspire others? I’d love to hear from you.

Email: [email protected]

Follow, subscribe, and share Grit Beyond Measure on your favorite podcast platform, and join us as we continue having real conversations about adversity, resilience, leadership, relationships, and personal growth.

Adapt. Survive. Thrive.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guest and are provided for informational and inspirational purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy, or any other government agency. Appearance on this podcast does not imply endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the United States Government.

Many people think trauma only comes from major life events, combat,abuse, or tragedy. But unresolved trauma can quietly shape how we think, feel,react, and connect with others without us ever realizing it.

In this episode of Grit Beyond Measure, Frank J. sits down withholistic trauma therapist Edit B Kiss to explore how trauma affects both themind and body, why so many people live in survival mode, and how healingextends beyond simply talking about our experiences.

Together, they discuss nervous system regulation, emotionalawareness, practical healing tools, and why true strength may be found not inpushing through pain, but in understanding it.

Whether you’re navigating PTSD, chronic stress, anxiety, emotionalexhaustion, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of healing, thisconversation offers a fresh perspective on what recovery can look like.

Because survival is important—but healing is where transformationbegins.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts,feedback, or story.

📧 Contact: [email protected]

Adapt - Survive - Thrive!

Many people think trauma only comes from major life events, combat,abuse, or tragedy. But unresolved trauma can quietly shape how we think, feel,react, and connect with others without us ever realizing it.

In this episode of Grit Beyond Measure, Frank J. sits down withholistic trauma therapist Edit B Kiss to explore how trauma affects both themind and body, why so many people live in survival mode, and how healingextends beyond simply talking about our experiences.

Together, they discuss nervous system regulation, emotionalawareness, practical healing tools, and why true strength may be found not inpushing through pain, but in understanding it.

Whether you’re navigating PTSD, chronic stress, anxiety, emotionalexhaustion, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of healing, thisconversation offers a fresh perspective on what recovery can look like.

Because survival is important—but healing is where transformationbegins.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts,feedback, or story.

📧 Contact: [email protected]. Thrive

Beyond Survival: Holistic Healing for Trauma and PTSD

Many people think trauma only comes from major life events, combat, abuse, or tragedy. But unresolved trauma can quietly shape how we think, feel, react, and connect with others without us ever realizing it.

In this episode of Grit Beyond Measure, Frank J. sits down with holistic trauma therapist Edit B Kiss to explore how trauma affects both the mind and body, why so many people live in survival mode, and how healing extends beyond simply talking about our experiences.

Together, they discuss nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, practical healing tools, and why true strength may be found not in pushing through pain, but in understanding it.

Whether you’re navigating PTSD, chronic stress, anxiety, emotional exhaustion, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of healing, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what recovery can look like.

Because survival is important—but healing is where transformation begins.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or story.

📧 Contact: [email protected]

Adapt. Survive. Thrive.

The Burden of Leadership with Troy Hall

What happens when leadership becomes personal?

In this powerful episode of Grit Beyond Measure, Frank J. sits down with fellow Navy leader, brother-in-arms, and host of the Come Closer Podcast, Troy Hall, for an honest conversation about the unseen burden many leaders carry.

Troy shares deeply personal experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy—from losing his father at a young age to serving in positions where the lives, struggles, and well-being of others rested heavily on his shoulders. The conversation takes a profound turn as Troy recounts a deployment experience involving a Sailor battling severe personal hardship and suicidal thoughts, forcing him to confront one of the hardest questions any leader can ask:

“Did I do enough?”  

Together, Frank and Troy explore:

• The emotional cost of leadership
• Carrying responsibility for others without carrying their choices
• The realities of suicide, mental health, and isolation
• Learning from regret instead of being defined by it
• Faith, resilience, and finding purpose through adversity
• Why genuine human connection can save lives
• The legacy leaders leave behind through service and compassion

This episode is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about authority, rank, or position. Sometimes leadership means sitting with people in their darkest moments, offering hope when they can’t see it themselves, and continuing to show up even when the weight feels unbearable.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough for the people you care about, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.

Because leadership isn’t measured by titles.

It’s measured by the lives you impact.

Remember—we’re all walking this journey together.

Adapt. Survive. Thrive.

Contact me at: [email protected]

The Man I Hated Becoming | Grit Beyond Measure

What happens when success hides the struggle?

In this episode of Grit Beyond Measure, Frank J. sits down with Branton “BJ” Joaquin Jr. for a raw conversation about ego, divorce, depression, identity, and the painful realization of becoming someone you no longer recognize.

From professional success in the Navy to emotional collapse behind closed doors, BJ opens up about the pressure of providing, the loneliness of separation, working himself into exhaustion, and the moment he realized he had become the kind of man he never wanted to be.

But this episode isn’t just about adversity—it’s about accountability, self-awareness, resilience, and learning how to rebuild from the inside out.

If you’ve ever struggled silently while appearing strong on the outside, this conversation will hit home.

🎙️ Grit Beyond Measure
Adapt. Survive. Thrive.

Contact me at [email protected]

In this powerful episode of Grit Beyond Measure, Frank J. sits down with Ramiro “Romero” Monzon to unpack a story that proves how fast life can change—and what it really takes to come back from it.

One decision led to a devastating accident, the loss of his Navy career, incarceration, and a complete identity collapse. What followed wasn’t just external consequences—but an internal battle with guilt, shame, and the weight of knowing his actions changed lives forever.

But this isn’t just a story about failure—it’s about what happens next. From rock bottom to rebuilding his life piece by piece, Romero shares how he turned anger into fuel, rejection into direction, and his lowest moment into the foundation for a stronger future.

This episode is about accountability, resilience, and the truth that your worst decision doesn’t have to define your life—unless you let it.

Because grit isn’t about avoiding the fall—it’s about rising after it.

📩 Contact me at [email protected]