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
138 episodes
Hidden Cost of Being "Always On" | Recon Marine Mike Keevil (Part 2)
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 ...
"Thought I’d Be a Chef. I Ended Up a Marine at War in Mortuary Affairs." with Mike Keevil (Part 1)
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 trai...
The Most Dangerous Mistake Men Make With Their Health with guest Phil Nozaki
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...
Why "Strong" Men & Women Break (The Silent Killer of Vets & Cops) with Becky DiStefano
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...
LA Director Michael Matteo Rossi Turned Pandemic Fears Into A Sci-Fi Uprising! I'm in this movie!
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 cultur...
Behind The Lens, Beyond The Hustle with Master Photographer Jeremy Filmsmore
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 t...
From Toy Drives To Scholarships: How Ella’s Angels Mobilizes Youth To Serve The Community!
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...
How A Former Federal Agent Rebuilt His Life, Income, And Brotherhood After Burnout with George T. Gammon
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 fami...
Veteran Turned Social Worker Helps Find Resources and Resilience with Eleni Veneris-Whitehead
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,...
Burnout, Military Brotherhood, And Being Honest with Joshua Mach aka JMach Podcast
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...
Jenna Carlton: How A Millennial Navy Veteran Turned Pain Into Purpose
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 ...
From Military Spouse to True Crime: A Case, A Calling, A Community with Rietta Boksha
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 ...
Breaking Barriers: Marine Vet Leo Fuentes Launches His Own Law Firm
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 la...
Guard Your Circle: Lessons from the Parade Deck Controversy
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 Educati...
Combat Veteran Insight: Finding Purpose in a Divided Nation
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 othe...
Steel Sharpens Steel: Combat Veteran Shares Leadership Lessons with SFC Alexander Stewart
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 2...
Nobody Kicks Ass Without Tanker Gas: Leadership Lessons at 20,000 Feet with Mark Hasara
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 leadershi...
Rising Above Trauma: Sumeya's Non Profit Path to Empowerment
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 child...
Service and Healing: One Dram at a Time with Army Combat Vet Corey Rzucidlo
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 per...
Boots, Bullets, and Blockbusters: A Devil Dog Takes on Hollywood with Maurice P. Kerry
Maurice P. Kerry shares his transformative journey from Marine Corps combat veteran to accomplished actor, highlighting how military resilience prepared him for Hollywood's challenges and rejection.• Combat veteran who served in Iraq in...
Serving Beyond the Uniform: A Marine's Journey to Law with Leo Fuentes, Esq.
Marine Corps veteran Leo Fuentes shares his journey from enlisting at 18 to becoming a California attorney, showcasing how military leadership skills transfer to civilian success in the legal profession.• Choosing military service as an...
Unspoken Words: A Combat Veteran's Journey from Chaos to Advocacy with SFC Alexander Stewart
Sergeant First Class Alexander Stewart shares his powerful journey as a combat veteran serving on three different fronts while becoming a mental health advocate and author. His raw account reveals how witnessing 9/11 as a child sparked his mili...
Grappling with Purpose: How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Shapes Character with Black Belts Mike Medina and Juno Lucero
We explore the transformative journey of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with black belt Mike Medina and competitor Juno Lucero, delving into how this martial art shapes character, builds mental resilience, and provides purpose beyond the mats.• Ju...
The Jobbaloon Show: Comedy, Candid Pranks, and Viral Content
Josh (aka Jobbaloon) shares the unexpected journey from obscurity to viral comedy sensation through his street pranks and the challenges of content creation without monetization. His hilarious approach of asking strangers to pretend they're fan...
Reclaiming Your Vitality: The Truth About Testosterone Therapy with Ultimate Male Clinic
Struggling with low energy, poor sleep, or diminishing physical performance? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Matt Schaefer, a former Division I football player turned medical provider, and Yuan, the clinical ...