The Morning Formation Podcast
Hosted by KP Phillips—a U.S. Army combat veteran, former law enforcement officer, and seasoned instructor in tactics, firearms, and combatives—The Formation Podcast is built on the core pillars of Survivability, Situational Awareness, and the mindset to Adapt & Overcome. Drawing from over two decades of real-world experience in combat zones and high-risk environments, KP leads authentic conversations with warriors, protectors, and everyday individuals who’ve faced adversity head-on. This podcast is more than content—it's a movement for those who understand that the fight begins before the event. Through storytelling, lived experience, and expert insight, The Formation Podcast equips its listeners with the mindset, tools, and awareness to remain vigilant and prepared—whether on the battlefield, in the streets, or in everyday life.
Episodes
We sit down with MJ and David to unpack how a provocative Instagram brand turns into a surprisingly sincere way to connect veterans and civilians through humor, dating, and service. We talk about the hard parts of reintegration and why feeling seen can be the first step toward real relationships.
• the origin story behind the brand and why it took off around Valentine’s Day
• turning dark humor into a b...
We pick up with Mike Keevil after Afghanistan and follow the long, messy timeline of coming home, staying wired, and finally learning what it takes to heal. The thread running through combat, competitive shooting, jujitsu, and Warhammer 40K is decision-making under pressure and the courage to be a beginner again.
• the delayed crash after deployment and why it often hits in your 30s
• learning to s...
A lot of military stories get polished into highlight reels. We wanted the version that still has grit under the fingernails. I’m joined by Mike Keevil, a retired Recon Marine who served through multiple wars and carried those lessons into training, instruction, and the long process of figuring out who you are when the mission changes.
We dig into identity and the facades we build in different environmen...
We talk with Phil Nozaki about growing up in a faith-centered home, serving his community, and facing a hereditary kidney cancer diagnosis that turns daily life into a long fight. He shares what it’s like to navigate surgery, monitoring, an NIH clinical trial, and the question of legacy while still showing up as a dad.
• Getting Phil’s last name right and why names carry stories
• Phil’s Japanese America...
We talk with therapist Becky DeStefano about mental survivability and why mental readiness is tactical readiness for police, first responders, and military veterans. We break down stigma, trauma, proactive wellness checks, and how real strength looks like honesty and vulnerability under the uniform.
• Becky’s path from civilian supporter to emergency responder and military psychology clinician
• Bl...
We sit down with filmmaker Michael Mateo Rossi to unpack the creative spine of Censor Addiction, a near-future sci-fi thriller shaped by pandemic-era pressures, mental health fallout, and the pull between obedience and autonomy. From set culture to distribution, we trace his two-decade journey, core influences, and why he champions physical media alongside streaming.
• LA roots, early theater, shift to w...
We sit down with filmmaker Jeremy “Films More” to trace his arc from Monterey Park art kid to world-traveling storyteller, a harrowing night in Rio’s favelas, and the stroke at 33 that forced sobriety, focus, and a new path into tattooing. We talk craft, business, AI pressure, and why freedom and health now define success.
• art-driven upbringing and early graffiti roots
• finding direction after dea...
A 16-year-old founder walks us through the rise of Ella’s Angels, from beach cleanups to feeding 237 families and launching scholarships. We explore youth leadership, time management, and a new veterans initiative shaped by her family’s service.
• origin of Ella’s Angels and youth-led mission
• early projects from cleanups to toy drives
• the Thanksgiving pivot to 237 families served
• buildi...
We trace a path from Federal Air Marshal to entrepreneur, exploring faith, brotherhood and the hard work of rebuilding identity and income after burnout. We talk about men’s mental health, multiple streams of income, and why mentorship and family are the real wealth.
• early lessons from being bullied, football captaincy and work ethic
• air marshal service as purpose, training and community
• co...
We welcome Elaine Venez Whitehead, a veteran, spouse, Guard behavioral health officer, and LCSW, for a clear-eyed look at military families, hidden stress, and the resource map that too often stays invisible. We talk resilience without clichés, practical help for spouses and kids, and what growth looks like after hard truths.
• veteran-to-social-worker journey and mission
• what an LCSW does and why ...
We sit down with Joshua “JMach” Mach to talk burnout, identity after service, and how honest conversations can save a life. From raising resilient kids to setting standards in mentorship and sobriety, we unpack what it means to lead at home and in the community.
• asking twice to get real answers
• social media masks versus real burnout
• redefining success around family and service
• boundar...
We trace a raw, hopeful route from burnout and impostor syndrome to practical community, women veterans’ needs, and real-world resources that work. Jenna shares why “moderate” matters, how to face trolls, and what it takes to turn service into daily service.
• bridging service, leadership, transition, and civilian readiness
• creative work vs burnout and boundaries
• impostor syndrome as a sign o...
We trace the unresolved death of Heather Turner through verifiable facts, while exploring how a military spouse-turned-host balances advocacy, intuition and family life. Along the way we talk stress, functional medicine, compound grief and why facts must lead feelings.
• military life rhythms and finding stability during moves
• origins of the podcast and pivot into true crime
• how a suspect nar...
Leo Fuentes, Marine Corps veteran and attorney, shares his journey launching a personal injury law firm and the challenges of building from scratch in a competitive field.
• Transitioning from enlisted Marine to law school graduate to law firm owner
• Continuing jiu-jitsu training while building professional career
• Military experience providing foundation for entrepreneurial mindset
• Impo...
The military influencer community faces challenging questions about authenticity and service in light of recent Parade Deck controversy. I explain why I've maintained independence and chosen to align only with organizations like Act Now Education that share my values.
• Parade Deck organization has gathered numerous military podcasters under one umbrella
• Recent allegations have led to dissolve...
A combat veteran shares his perspective on America's growing political division and makes an impassioned plea for unity following recent political violence. Drawing from military experience and personal sacrifice, he argues that service to others provides meaning in life while highlighting the dangers of forming opinions solely from social media.
• Growing up as a military dependent with frequent mo...
SFC Alexander Stewart returns to share insights on leadership, resilience, and mental health advocacy, exploring how military experience shapes character and the universal lessons we can learn from service.
• Stewart is preparing for a 22-mile ruck march for Hick Strong, a nonprofit providing free counseling for service members
• Failure should be viewed as an opportunity to grow rather than a reason...
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Hasara shares his extraordinary experiences from 24 years in the Air Force as a KC-135 aerial refueling pilot, revealing how tanker missions form the backbone of modern combat operations while offering profound leadership lessons.
• Childhood dreams sparked by watching aircraft at LAX led to a career flying the KC-135 tanker despite facing discouragement from teachers and counselo...
Army Veteran Sumeya Gibril shares her powerful story of founding Rise Above, Be Relentless Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting military sexual trauma survivors through healing, mentorship, and empowerment.
• Experienced childhood sexual trauma and domestic violence from ages 6-11 before migrating to America
• Started the foundation after witnessing how military sexual assault victims were...
We dive deep into the powerful mission of Last Dram Standing, a nonprofit using whiskey as a vehicle to build community and honor fallen service members. Corey shares his journey from combat veteran to nonprofit founder and how he's turning personal pain into purpose through meaningful connection.
• Founded during COVID when Corey was seeking community after military service
• Uses whiskey not a...
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