Everyone makes mistakes—but not everyone knows how to make them right. In this mission of the Load-Bearing Dad podcast, we break down what a real apology looks like (and what fake ones sound like), why owning your faults is actually a mark of strength, and how apologies can rebuild trust in your family, your work, and your community.

We’ll dig into:

• The psychology of apologies and why sincerity matters more than words

• Practical drills for stronger, more disciplined apologies

• Military history lessons from September 16th on accountability and course correction

• A salute to everyday people who carry the load through honesty and humility

• Tech tips for making apologies land in the digital age

• A spotlight on The Headstrong Project, helping veterans carry less by getting mental health support

Because saying sorry doesn’t make you weaker—it makes your relationships stronger.

Resources & Support Links:
👉 The Headstrong Project: https://getheadstrong.org
👉 Join the Load-Bearing Dad community: DeemedFit.co (code: loadbearingdad)

#LoadBearingDad #SelfDiscipline #Apology #Leadership #DadLife #MilitaryMindset #Veterans #MentalHealth #HeadstrongProject

Motivation gets you started, but discipline gets you finished. This episode breaks down why willpower fails and how to build systems that work when you don't feel like it.

Get Mental Fitness Training for habit building, military history from Munich Olympics to Continental Congress, real Q&A on consistency struggles, plus a deep dive on how technology can build or destroy your discipline. Spotlight on Mission BBQ and their disciplined commitment to honoring veterans.

Whether you're struggling with fitness goals, work commitments, or just keeping promises to yourself—this one's about developing the consistency that separates successful people from everyone else.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#SelfDiscipline #BuildHabits #LoadBearingDad #MentalFitnessTraining #MissionBBQ #Consistency #DoWhatYouSay #Subscribe

Most big problems in your life started as small problems you didn't want to talk about. The marriage that ended in divorce, the workplace conflict that destroyed morale, the family dysfunction that lasted years—all began with difficult conversations nobody wanted to have.

This episode breaks down how to speak truth with love, address conflict constructively, and turn difficult conversations into stronger relationships. Get Mental Fitness Training for conversation courage, military history from WWII declarations to peace treaties, real Q&A on family conflicts and workplace issues, plus fresh examples from Coach Belichick, General Patton, and Serena Williams. Spotlight on veteran-owned Article 15 Clothing from Ohio.

Whether you need tough talks with your spouse, kids, boss, or friends—this one's about turning conflict into connection and problems into solutions.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for communication and relationships? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• Military OneSource
• VA Mental Health
• Team Red White & Blue
• The Mission Continues
• Article 15 Clothing (Veteran-Owned)
• Calendly
• Day One Journal
• Headspace
• Marco Polo App
• Toastmasters International

Please subscribe and share with someone who needs courage for a difficult conversation.

#DifficultConversations #SpeakTruthWithLove #LoadBearingDad #ConflictResolution #MentalFitnessTraining #VeteranOwned #Article15Clothing #CommunicationSkills #RelationshipGoals #AllBranches #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission

The most influential people you know probably don't have the biggest titles. Real leadership isn't about having power over people—it's about having power WITH people. This episode breaks down how to create positive change when you can't give orders.

Get the Influence Without Authority Protocol, military history from the March on Washington to the Liberation of Marseille, real Q&A on workplace influence and family leadership, plus fresh examples from John Wooden, Dr. King, and Maya Moore. Spotlight on 5.11 Tactical and their Colorado operations.

Whether you're trying to improve workplace culture, strengthen family dynamics, make community change, or just be someone others look to for guidance—this one's about building influence that actually matters.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for leadership and influence? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• Military OneSource
• VA Mental Health
• Team Red White & Blue
• The Mission Continues
• 5.11 Tactical (Veteran-Connected)
• Slack
• Microsoft Teams
• Calendly
• Todoist
• LinkedIn Learning
• Coursera Leadership Courses
• Toastmasters International

Please subscribe and share with someone ready to step up and lead.

#LeadingWithoutAuthority #InfluenceNotPower #LoadBearingDad #LeadByExample #VeteranConnected #511Tactical #MarchOnWashington #WorkplaceLeadership #MentalHealth #AllBranches #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission

Making friends as an adult is harder than it should be—everyone's scattered, busy, and stuck in their routines. But deep friendships are more important now than ever. This episode tackles the real challenge of building your tribe when small talk feels pointless and putting yourself out there feels risky.

Get the Tribe Building Protocol, military history from the Liberation of Paris to Belarus independence, real Q&A on social anxiety and maintaining friendships across life stages, plus fresh examples from Coach Lombardi, Captain Winters, and Sue Bird. Spotlight on veteran-owned Grunt Style and their community-building mission.

Whether you're a veteran missing military brotherhood, someone who moved to a new city, or just realizing your old friendships have faded—this one's about creating the connections you need to thrive.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for building community and friendships? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• Team Red White & Blue
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
• American Legion
• The Mission Continues
• Grunt Style (Veteran-Owned)
• Meetup
• Bumble BFF
• Calendly
• Marco Polo App
• GroupMe
• Eventbrite
• Toastmasters International

Please subscribe and share with someone who's looking for their tribe.

#FindYourTribe #AdultFriendships #LoadBearingDad #BuildCommunity #VeteranBrotherhood #SocialConnection #VeteranOwned #GruntStyle #MentalHealth #Loneliness #AllBranches #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission

Every time you say no to something, you're saying yes to something else. This episode breaks down the art of the strategic no—how to protect your time, energy, and values without becoming a jerk or burning relationships.

Get the Strategic No Protocol for guilt-free boundary setting, military history from the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia to Estonia's independence, real Q&A on work pressure and family guilt, plus fresh examples from Oprah, General Mattis, and Kobe Bryant. Spotlight on veteran-owned Dixxon Flannel Co. and their "built different" mission.

Whether you're dealing with demanding bosses, guilt-tripping family, overcommitment, or just learning to say no to yourself—this one's about boundaries that actually stick.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for boundary-setting and mental health? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• Military OneSource
• VA Mental Health
• Team Red White & Blue
• The Mission Continues
• Dixxon Flannel Co. (Veteran-Owned)
• Calendly
• Freedom App
• Todoist
• RescueTime
• Forest Focus App

Please subscribe and share with someone who needs permission to say no.

#PowerOfSayingNo #HealthyBoundaries #LoadBearingDad #StrategicNo #BoundariesThatStick #VeteranOwned #DixxonFlannel #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #AllBranches #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission

The "suck it up and drive on" mentality might get you through tough times, but it can break you in the long run. This episode breaks down the difference between toxic toughness and sustainable resilience—the kind that makes you stronger over decades, not just deployments.

Get the Resilience Building Protocol, military history from Woodstock to Hurricane Andrew, real Q&A on emotional processing and burnout, plus fresh examples from Simone Biles, General Colin Powell, and Ronda Rousey. Spotlight on veteran-owned Ranger Road and their mental health mission.

Whether you're dealing with PTSD, work stress, parenting challenges, or just carrying too much—this one's about staying tough while staying human.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for mental health and resilience? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• VA Mental Health
• Military OneSource
• Team Red White & Blue
• The Mission Continues
• Ranger Road (Veteran-Owned)
• PTSD Coach App
• Headspace
• Sanvello App
• Day One Journal
• Calm App
• Forest Focus App

Please subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear that strength includes vulnerability.

#MentalToughness #SustainableResilience #LoadBearingDad #StayToughStayHuman #MentalHealth #PTSD #VeteranOwned #RangerRoad #SimoneBiles #EmotionalProcessing #AllBranches #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission

In a world that screams "just do it" and "good things come to those who wait," how do you know which advice to follow? This episode breaks down the difference between strategic patience and procrastination, between wise waiting and missed opportunities.

Get the Strategic Patience Protocol for timing decisions under pressure, military history from Japan's WWII surrender and D-Day delays, real Q&A on career moves and family situations, plus a spotlight on veteran-owned Combat Flip Flops and their "business, not bullets" mission.

Whether you're deciding when to change careers, have tough conversations, start a business, or make any major life move—this one's packed with tools to master timing when it matters most.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for strategic decision-making? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• Military OneSource
• VA Vocational Rehabilitation
• Team Red White & Blue
• The Mission Continues
• Combat Flip Flops (Veteran-Owned)
• Todoist Task Management
• Strides Goal Tracking
• Day One Journal
• Forest Focus App
• RescueTime Productivity
• Calm App

Please subscribe and share with someone struggling with timing decisions.

#StrategicPatience #TimingIsEverything #LoadBearingDad #WhenToWait #WhenToAct #DecisionMaking #AllBranches #VeteranOwned #CombatFlipFlops #MentalHealth #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission

Real confidence isn't about feeling good all the time—it's about trusting yourself to handle whatever comes, even when critics doubt you and your own brain reminds you of past failures.

This episode breaks down the difference between arrogance and genuine confidence, gives you the Confidence Building Protocol, and shows you how to act on your convictions when everyone else thinks you're wrong. Get military history lessons from Operation Dragoon, real Q&A on imposter syndrome and family doubt, plus a spotlight on veteran-owned Nine Line Apparel.

Whether you're transitioning careers, making tough parenting calls, starting a business, or just learning to trust your gut—this one's packed with tools to build unshakeable self-trust.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for building confidence? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• Military OneSource
• VA Vocational Rehabilitation
• Team Red White & Blue
• The Mission Continues
• Nine Line Apparel (Veteran-Owned)
• Strides Goal Tracking App
• Day One Journal
• Forest Focus App
• Headspace Meditation
• Todoist Task Management
• RescueTime Productivity
• Calm App

Please subscribe and share with someone who needs to trust themselves more.

#UnshakeableConfidence #TrustYourself #LoadBearingDad #SelfTrust #ConfidenceBuilding #AllBranches #VeteranOwned #NineLineApparel #ImposterSyndrome #MentalHealth #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission

Anyone can have values when life is easy—the real test comes when you're broke, stressed, or backed into a corner. This episode is your playbook for staying true to who you are when everything else is falling apart.

We dive deep into the psychology of values under stress, real-world scenarios where good people compromise, and military history of leaders who held the line under impossible pressure. Get the Pressure Test Protocol, Admiral Farragut's "damn the torpedoes" moment, and practical tools for making values-based decisions when it costs you something.

Whether you're facing financial pressure, family crisis, work conflicts, or just the daily grind testing your resolve—this one's packed with tools you can use today.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Need support or resources for living your values? Check these links:

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call/text 988)
• DeemedFit – Community & Support (use code: loadbearingdad)
• BuddyCheck Peer Support
• Military OneSource
• VA Mental Health
• Team Red White & Blue
• The Mission Continues
• National Domestic Violence Hotline
• Financial Counseling Association
• Integrity by Henry Cloud
• The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt
• Option B by Sheryl Sandberg
• Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
• The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
• Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend
• Jocko Podcast
• The Tim Ferriss Show
• On Being Podcast
• Borne the Battle
• The Art of Manliness

Please subscribe and share with someone facing a values test right now.

#ValuesUnderPressure #Integrity #LoadBearingDad #CharacterTest #AllBranches #MoralCourage #PressureTestProtocol #MentalHealth #VeteranLife #FamilyFirst #DoTheRightThing #MissionDriven #SupportSystem #DeemedFit #CarryTheLoad #YouAreNotAlone #Podcast #Subscribe #ShareTheMission