by Michael F. McNamara | Jun 4, 2026 | A3, FT2J Podcast
Here is a sample of the feedback we received from viewers and the topics we’ll discuss:
- Have any of you ever had someone push back hard on that?
- Have you ever had anybody say that they “got over it”?
- So, the Benevolent Trojan Horse is the truth? And that’s what becomes the warm blanket?
- I’d like to hear more about addressing this with children.
- Mac, how long did it take you to come to understand the four points you make relative to “You don’t get over it”?
- Tim mention wanting to see Viktor Frankl as a therapist, is there one thing you take away from his teachings more than anything else?
- For Tim & Wade… do you agree with Mac that you can change your life in weeks and months?
- Be gentle… I almost fell off my chair. Are you sure you guys were Marines?
- Being an informed consumer, I like that idea. Thank you for helping me…
- COMMENT FOR EVERYBODY: “Is this hard for you to do?”
- COMMENT FOR WADE: “I’ve heard you talk about holding your son’s ashes, and also him shooting himself in his bedroom… is this a form of ‘therapy’ for you?”
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by Michael F. McNamara | Jun 1, 2026 | A3, FT2J Podcast
Of all the things I’ve ever learned, this is the single thing that had the greatest impact on my life. As I rounded out the thought, it has four elements:
- You don’t “get over” the traumatic events of your life, ever.
- Struggling in the aftermath of trauma is 1000% normal, there is nothing wrong with you.
- Learning how to do that struggle is a learnable skill; I’ve seen so many people do it… and if they can do it, so can you.
- Finally, and maybe most important, trauma is not a death sentence… YOU CAN STILL LIVE A GREAT LIFE.
Tim Lynch and Wade Cates join me for a discussion about these ideas… it’s a wonderful discussion. If you’re struggling in the aftermath of a traumatic event, watch it. If you know someone who is struggling, tag them in the comment section of this video… there’s a good chance that you could open a door to changing their life.
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by Michael F. McNamara | May 29, 2026 | A3, FT2J Podcast
I’ve been involved in the world of “mental fitness” for the past ten years. I’d like to share with leaders some very basic data: Active Duty Endstrength vs Active Duty Suicide, from 1999-2023. I had to create the Active Duty Suicide slide because the data is never presented like this.
Conclusions:
- There is as much art as science in the treatment of “mental health issues,” but we don’t know that.
- The people you lead overwhelmingly do not suffer from Serious Mental Illness, lots have had their asses kicked by life though… and they enlist looking to transform their lives.
- YOUR leaders and their leadership count… it takes one connection to stop a suicide, one.
- “Hopium” doesn’t work… every single leader knows that. The truth works because it’s strong, it’s unbendable, and it makes them wiser and stronger.
- Teach them the truth… that trauma is a normal part of life; that we don’t ever “get over” those events – ever; that struggling is normal – there is nothing “wrong” with them when they struggle; that learning what to do when they struggle is a learnable skill; and most important of all… they can still live a great life.
There is no reason the US Military cannot WIN the fight in the Valley of the Shadow of Death and set an example for the Nation to follow.
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by Michael F. McNamara | May 29, 2026 | A3, FT2J Podcast
Life after trauma is not easy. This path from trauma to joy is not easy. As humans, we don’t default to behaving nobly… in fact, we default to easy, convenient, and comfortable… which can lead to awful consequences. We all need to understand that NONE OF THIS IS INTUITIVE… it is all learned, and it’s a very learnable skill… You can do that… I promise.
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by Michael F. McNamara | May 28, 2026 | A3, FT2J Podcast
Here is a sample of the feedback topics we received and discuss in this episode:• The frustration of being the most screwed-up person in the room
• Suicide trendlines in the US and the US military
• Making sense of data that is seemingly presented to obscure the truth
• “Hopium”
• The importance of “The Truth” as you find your way
• “These things you guys are talking about ARE basic life skills”
• Unhelpful faith-based comments and the anguish they cause
• Human beings are naturally unstable creatures
• Nothing about walking this path is intuitive!
These are great conversations!
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by Michael F. McNamara | May 21, 2026 | A3, FT2J Podcast
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