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 pod ...
…
continue reading

1
From UCLA Gridiron Glory to Life Coaching: Kam Brown's Journey
58:46
58:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
58:46Shoot me a message! Former UCLA wide receiver Kam Brown shares his journey from growing up as the son of Super Bowl MVP Larry Brown to carving out his own path in college football and beyond. His story reveals profound insights about grit, faith, and determination that extend far beyond the gridiron. • Growing up in Texas football culture, playing …
…
continue reading

1
Gunshots to Grappling: Two Lives Transformed by Jiu-Jitsu with Black Belt Mike Medina and Nate Crisler
1:19:47
1:19:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:19:47Shoot me a message! BJJ Black Belt Mike Medina and Rising star Blue Belt Nate Crisler share their extraordinary journeys through trauma and resilience, revealing how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu transformed their lives from surviving childhood violence to building community through martial arts. • Mike survived being shot in a drive-by shooting at age 11 in…
…
continue reading

1
Pitching Through Pain: A West Point Athlete's Journey to Pro Baseball
55:37
55:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:37Shoot me a message! Tanner Gresham, former Army West Point pitcher now in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system, shares his remarkable journey of resilience and determination through baseball, military service, and recovery from Tommy John surgery. • Son of a minor league baseball player who reached AAA level and briefly made the majors • C…
…
continue reading

1
Ambitious AF: Where Mental Toughness Meets Neuroscience with Erin Whitehead
1:02:51
1:02:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:51Shoot me a message! Erin Whitehead, a brain health expert and CEO of Ambitious AF, shares her journey from surviving a traumatic car accident to coaching Navy SEALs on mastering attention through neurobiology. • Survived a car crash in 2007 where another driver attempted suicide, leaving Erin with a traumatic brain injury • Made a spiritual promise…
…
continue reading

1
Marine to Entrepreneur: Rob Martinez's Mission to Support Service Members
1:08:46
1:08:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:46Shoot me a message! Rob Martinez, founder of All Clear Gear, shares his powerful journey from Marine Corps veteran to entrepreneur creating solutions for transitioning service members by cleaning their gear to military standards. • Left the Marine Corps in 2017 after not being selected for MARSOC despite passing assessment • Struggled with purpose …
…
continue reading

1
Embracing Entrepreneurship: Sumi's Journey from the Army to Business Success
46:05
46:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:05Shoot me a message! Entrepreneurs face many challenges, and Sumi's journey illustrates this beautifully. Sumi emphasizes the perseverance needed to transition from military life into the competitive world of business, helping listeners understand the importance of community, adaptability, and self-belief. • Importance of embracing the entrepreneuri…
…
continue reading
Shoot me a message! Transform your life through the lens of a veteran's journey from service to success. Engage in a powerful discussion that focuses on resilience, identity, and the importance of community support for veterans. - The significance of mentorship in transitioning from military to civilian life - Challenges faced during reintegration …
…
continue reading

1
Embrace Forgiveness Through Meditation with Athena Desai
22:29
22:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:29Shoot me a message! Immerse yourself in a transformative meditation experience designed to help you release the past and embrace forgiveness. This episode invites you to explore the power of breath and intention in your healing journey. • Introduction to the benefits of meditation for emotional healing • Guided meditation focused on letting go of p…
…
continue reading

1
Finding Freedom in the Breath: The Art of Letting Go with Athena Desai
20:20
20:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:20Shoot me a message! A journey towards letting go unfolds through guided meditation and mindfulness practices. We emphasize the importance of breathwork and presence, guiding you to embrace this moment without judgment. • Meditation focuses on releasing past burdens • Grounding exercises create stability and connection • Breathing techniques promote…
…
continue reading

1
Fighting for Better Military Housing: Melissa Godoy's Advocacy Journey
57:48
57:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:48Shoot me a message! Caught in a whirlwind of systemic failures and neglect, Melissa Godoy brings her personal battle for better military housing to the forefront. Having once walked the halls of mold-ridden and poorly maintained military accommodations at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Melissa transforms her family's struggle into a relentless advocacy …
…
continue reading

1
Honoring a Fallen Hero: Mallory Crabtree's Journey as a Gold Star Daughter
31:47
31:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:47Shoot me a message! Growing up without a parent is an experience filled with both pain and resilience. Imagine navigating life not just without a father, but one who died a hero serving his country. Join me as we welcome Mallory Crabtree, daughter of the late Sergeant First Class Daniel Crabtree, and hear her personal story of honoring a fallen Gre…
…
continue reading

1
Empowering Rural Veterans: Michelle Lang's Mission to Bridge Support and Community
37:22
37:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:22Shoot me a message! This episode features a powerful conversation with Michelle Lang from Operation Honorary Salute, discussing the challenges rural veterans face and how the organization connects them with necessary resources. Listeners learn about the importance of community support, awareness, and the unique needs of this often-overlooked popula…
…
continue reading

1
Vee Morgan's Journey A Story of Resilience, Reality Show, Non Profits, and Legacy
50:29
50:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:29Shoot me a message! Army Combat Veteran Vee Morgan's journey from military service to civilian advocacy is both inspiring and insightful. During this episode, she discusses her military experiences, the reality of combat, her transition struggles, and the mission behind the Home of Record Project, which aims to support veterans in need. • Vee share…
…
continue reading

1
VA Loans & Building a Future with Army Combat Veteran Robert Tolan
1:01:33
1:01:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:33Shoot me a message! Have you ever wondered what it truly takes for veterans to transition from military life to civilian society? Join us as we uncover the emotional and practical challenges faced by veterans like Robert Tolan, an Afghanistan war veteran who found his calling in helping others navigate the complexities of civilian life. This episod…
…
continue reading

1
Holistic Healing and Trauma Recovery: Insights from Athena Desai
57:41
57:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:41Shoot me a message! Athena Desai, a visionary holistic trauma specialist, takes us on an enlightening journey through the integration of Eastern medicine, life coaching, and creative expression to facilitate healing. From her personal transition from broadcast journalism to holistic healing, inspired by her own health challenges and Eastern philoso…
…
continue reading

1
Firefighter Jermol Edwards Saving Lives After Service
1:15:34
1:15:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:34Shoot me a message! What does it take to balance the demands of a first responder with the entrepreneurial spirit of a media mogul? Join us as Jermol Edwards shares his inspiring journey from New Jersey roots to a multifaceted life as a firefighter, Air Force veteran, and visionary entrepreneur. Listen as Jermol recounts his compelling story of hon…
…
continue reading

1
How Mentorship Enhances Life's Transitions and Opportunities with Dr. Deborah Heiser
43:25
43:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:25Shoot me a message! Discover the transformative power of mentorship with insights from Dr. Deborah Heiser, founder and CEO of the Mentor Project. Join us as we uncover how mentorship can significantly enhance personal growth and happiness, especially during midlife, by addressing emotional development and civic engagement. Deborah, an applied devel…
…
continue reading

1
Veteran’s Day Special: The Story of MOH Eugene A. Obregon and His Ultimate Sacrifice
4:34
4:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:34Shoot me a message! What inspires someone to risk everything for a fellow human being? On this special Veterans Day episode, we honor Eugene A. Obregon, a remarkable young Marine from Los Angeles who faced this profound question and answered it with unparalleled valor. Listen to the incredible story of how Eugene, on a harrowing day in September 19…
…
continue reading

1
Triumph Over Adversity: Ken Kunken's Inspiring Journey from Quadriplegia to District Attorney
40:18
40:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:18Shoot me a message! Join us for an inspiring conversation with Ken Kunken, whose journey from overcoming a life-altering injury to thriving as a district attorney is nothing short of remarkable. At 20, Ken faced an immense challenge when he became a quadriplegic, yet he didn't let this deter him from pursuing his dreams. Through sheer resilience an…
…
continue reading

1
ANE & TMF Podcast: Overcoming Self-Doubt in Your Civilian Job Search
32:27
32:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:27Shoot me a message! Unlock the secrets to a seamless military-to-civilian career transition with insights from KP, the dynamic host of the Morning Formation podcast. Learn about his compelling journey from military service to civilian employment and the hard lessons he learned about the importance of strategic career planning. KP shares the pitfall…
…
continue reading

1
From Air Force to Academia: Autumn's Story
44:46
44:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:46Shoot me a message! What happens when a dedicated Air Force member’s career is abruptly altered by an unexpected illness? Join us as we sit down with Autumn, a former RPA sensor operator, who bravely recounts her journey from enlisting straight out of high school to facing a medical retirement after contracting COVID-19. Autumn’s story is one of re…
…
continue reading

1
From Black Hawk Pilot to Yoga Advocate: Sarah Moore's Journey to Mental Health
47:20
47:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
47:20Shoot me a message! Imagine the life of a former Army Black Hawk pilot who faced immense pressure and severe anxiety, leading to a life-altering panic attack. In this episode, we have the privilege of hearing from Sarah Moore, who poignantly shares her journey from post-9/11 enlistee to aviation officer, and how the intensity of military life steer…
…
continue reading

1
Generations of Service: A Father’s Perspective When His Son Goes to War
44:09
44:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:09Shoot me a message! What happens when a father and son, both veterans, sit down to share their military stories across different generations? Join us as we uncover the powerful, emotional journey that began with my father being drafted during the Vietnam War, me enlisting in the Army National Guard in 1998, September 11th, and my decision to commis…
…
continue reading

1
Creating a Legacy: Army Leader, JP Fights for Veterans
44:57
44:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
44:57Shoot me a message! What if you could find the perfect balance between a rigorous military career and a passion for martial arts? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with JP, the founder of Military BJJ Gees and an active-duty soldier. As he shares his experiences from Fort Drum, New York, JP opens up about the unique challenges he and his wife…
…
continue reading

1
Resilience and Adaptability: John's Journey from Navy Corpsman to Law Enforcement
32:29
32:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:29Shoot me a message! What if resilience and adaptability were the keys to conquering life's toughest transitions? Join us for an illuminating conversation with John Jones, a Navy hospital corpsman turned Homeland Security federal law enforcement officer, whose inspiring career journey defies the odds. John opens up about his experiences from a high …
…
continue reading

1
Bridging the Gap for Veterans Through the Southern Nevada Chamber of Commerce
37:30
37:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:30Shoot me a message! Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be challenging, but Lester Lombad, a veteran Air Force and current President of the Southern Nevada Chamber of Commerce, has navigated this journey with impressive success. How did his security clearance and background play a significant role in helping him find a job? Li…
…
continue reading

1
Military to Comedy: Dan Dean's Inspiring Journey of Courage, Transformation, and Laughter
48:09
48:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:09Shoot me a message! We're excited to share with you an incredible journey of courage, transformation, and laughter with our guest, Dan Dean. From his days in high school, to serving in the Marines and Army National Guard, and finally taking the leap into the world of comedy, Dan's story is truly unique and inspiring. Join us for an in-depth explora…
…
continue reading

1
Fighting to End Veteran Homelessness with US VETS Coordinator Heather Harvin
31:19
31:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:19Shoot me a message! Today I’m joined with a very talented guest who grew up as a military brat, her father and his twin retired from the United States Army and she grew up like many other military dependents, moving every 4-5 years learning how to make new friends all across the world. Today, our guest serves as National Corporate & Community Relat…
…
continue reading

1
Military Community Members Obtain 3 Major Certs for FREE! #Actnoweducation
41:05
41:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:05Shoot me a message! Warriors! Fall in… It’s time for formation! Today, I'm joined with two miliary community professionals that used Act Now Education to elevate their careers. And what exactly did they do to level themselves up? They joined the Act Now Education community and took advantage of one our many, great programs. Act Now Education launch…
…
continue reading

1
Creating & Killing Chaos After the Battle with Marine Veteran & Author Matt Stack
52:58
52:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:58Shoot me a message! Our guest today is a Marine Corps Veteran that has been featured on “About Face Radio,” Urban Valor, and Course of Action Podcast. He’s operates an adventure gear rental business with his wife called GOBE and is also an author of a book that helps the Veteran community through recovery through spirituality. I’m excited to learn …
…
continue reading

1
Air Force NCO Becomes a UFC Star with Leah Letson
33:21
33:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:21Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall in! It’s time for formation… Today I am joined with a Air National Guards service member who also happens to be a retired, professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. She been training in some form of martial arts since she could walk and spent time on The Ultimate Fighter 28 for Team Whittaker in 2018. Since then, s…
…
continue reading

1
Combat Marine Coaches The Next Generation For a Better Tomorrow with Coach Chris Torres
45:49
45:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:49Shoot me a message! Warriors, fall in...It’s time for formation. Today, I’m joined with a Marine Corp Veteran who I actually met while attending the Military Influencer Conference in Las Vegas, last year. At that time, I got an opportunity to hear all about his non-profit organization, more importantly I actually felt and listened to the passion be…
…
continue reading

1
An IT Career After Your Military Service with Act Now Education Board Member Mario Simon
36:30
36:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:30Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall in… It’s time for formation. Today, I’m joined with a very active Act Now Education board member. Unlike many other situations, being a board member for Act Now is a tall order, in itself because it means you’ve spent hundreds of hours helping the 50k plus community who are considered part of the Act Now Education…
…
continue reading

1
Marine Takes Combat Experiences to the Professional Executive Protection Realm with Byron Rodgers
1:04:32
1:04:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:32Shoot me a message! Warriors…Fall In. It’s time for formation. Today I am joined with a Marine Corps Combat Veteran who transitioned into being a private security professional after his military service. His professional accolades don’t stop there, he also is the host of the best private security podcast available on the downloadable market called …
…
continue reading

1
Managing Professional Character with Army Special Operations SFC Javier Guitron
1:01:57
1:01:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:57Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall in. It's time for formation. I'm joined with a Special Operations Sergeant First Class in the United States Army, who is currently serving as an 18E in the United States Special Forces. Now, this individual is rather unique, because over the years, he has heavily invested himself in real estate, which is really se…
…
continue reading

1
Reflecting on the Podcast Episodes from 2022 with Civilian Podcast Assistant Lina
48:49
48:49
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:49Shoot me a message! Welcome to 2023! 🥳 It's been an incredible year for The Morning Formation Podcast. We've seen tremendous growth and success thanks to the amazing team of content creators from Act Now Education. In particular, we want to give a big shoutout to Lina Gomez for her incredible contributions! Her enthusiasm and creativity have been i…
…
continue reading

1
College Isn't Enough! Set Yourself Apart! SDSU Army ROTC Cadre Dr. Michael Brantley Tells Us How?
50:11
50:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:11Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall In… It’s time for formation. If you’re an avid listener of TMF, you’d recall that I sat down and had a conversation with Professor of Military Science LTC Michelle Parlette about Army ROTC opportunities, well contacting her lead me to the San Diego State University Army ROTC Recruiter Dr. Michael Brantley. So toda…
…
continue reading

1
Act Now & Execute Your Goals Edition: Before 2023, Create Goals by Joining The Act Now Community with Sumeya Gibril
36:05
36:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:05Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall-in! It’s time for formation. Welcome to the Act Now and Execute Your Goals Edition. Today, I’m highlighting a member of the Act Now community who used the Act Now Resources to level up their career. So, let’s meet who we have today! I am joined with Sumeya Gibril, who’s an Army Veteran and we’re going to learn how…
…
continue reading

1
Active Duty Air Force & Pro MMA Fighter Breaking Barriers with Blake Perry
37:55
37:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
37:55Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall In! It’s Time for formation. Ladies and gentlemen, standing across from your host today at 6’3” and 175 lbs is a military service member who represents our community through his Mixed Martial Arts endeavors. Today, I am joined with an Air Force Service member who caught my attention on social media when I saw a sh…
…
continue reading

1
3 Effective Strategies for Military Career Transitioning Veterans with Dr. Nicole Dhanraj
42:16
42:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:16Shoot me a message! 🎙This week, we’re joined with one of the Act Now Education's Board Members‼️ 📍Dr. Nicole Dhranraj is currently the Director of Education for Act Now Education and amongst all her career accomplishments, she is an US Army Veteran. 📚Today, Dr. Dhanraj going to talk with us about her own transition experiences, her role with Act No…
…
continue reading

1
When Help is Needed, Veteran Help Point's Michelle Lang Has the Answers!
36:05
36:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:05Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall In!...It's time for formation. This week, I am joined with the Founder of military non profit Veteran Help Point’s Founder (VHP) Michelle Lang. Her organization's overall purpose states: "We believe finding the help veterans are looking for shouldn’t be stressful. We are here to provide you with available local an…
…
continue reading

1
Personal Brand Trends After the World Shutdown with Lida Citroen
51:07
51:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:07Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall In! It's Time for Formation! In this episode, I'm once again, honored to have a guest that is very authentic in her mission and overall career purpose. She has the military mentor hours and the overall time and energy to prove her value within our military community. Mrs. Lida Citroën is joining us this week! Just…
…
continue reading

1
Marine Veteran Creates a Contractor Start-Up App with Ron Nussbaum
36:09
36:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:09Shoot me a message! Today, we’re joined with a combat Marine Corp Infantryman, who proudly served during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. His entire civilian career has been focused within the construction industry and is now fixated on solving one of the world’s greatest issues- Communication. His business is looking to help both contractors and p…
…
continue reading

1
Life After Combat & Starting a Business with BJJ Blackbelt & Marine Vet Anthony Ferro #bjj #veteran
48:55
48:55
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:55Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall in! It’s time for formation… Today, I’m joined with a fellow Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, who also served in the United States Marines Corps and like me, today’s guest spent some combat time in Iraq. Today’s guest now owns his own gym just outside of Chicago in Elmhurst, Illinois. Over the time he’s been invo…
…
continue reading

1
Act Now & Execute Your Goals: How Jen-Liz Maldonado Leveled-Up Her Career Without Using VA Education
20:05
20:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:05Shoot me a message! Welcome to the Act Now and Execute Your Goals Edition. Today, I’m highlighting a member of the Act Now community who used the Act Now Resources to level up their career. I am joined with Jen-Liz Maldonado , who’s an Air Force Veteran, an academy graduate to be exact, so we’re going to learn how she used the Act Now’s Resources t…
…
continue reading

1
How the Art Community Helps Veterans Mentally Transition Beyond the Uniform with Air Force Veteran Cody Vance
45:00
45:00
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:00Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall In! It’s Time for Formation! Today we’re joined with an Air Force Veteran who’s going to share his own career transition into the world of sculpting and explain how he’s been giving back to the military community. And if you’ll remember we had the honor of interviewing a Grunt Style artist and San Antonio Muralist…
…
continue reading

1
Army Soldier of The Year to Hollywood Producer and Crypto Founder with Daril Fannin
1:04:03
1:04:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:03Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall in… Today we are joined with an 8-year Army Veteran who was inspired to further his education after speaking with Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, which having a conversation with such a high-ranking NCO is not a normal opportunity for any average NCO or Soldier. So, we’ll get more into that story. O…
…
continue reading

1
"Soledier Socks"Was Created with Combat Necessity with Founder Elle Rueger and Combat Navy Vet Tommy
31:24
31:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:24Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall in… Today, I’m joined with the founder of a company that’s in the business of making military inspired socks. I’m also joined with an Afghanistan combat war Veteran who inspired this husband and wife team to create this American owned business. On The Morning Formation Podcast, we talk about military career transi…
…
continue reading

1
Uber's Career Opportunities For Our Military Community with Army Veteran Michael Pett
48:10
48:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:10Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall In. It's time for formation. Today I'm joined with an Army Veteran who now serves as the Head of Veteran and Military Programs for Uber. In today’s episode you'll be surprised and intrigued by the amount of opportunities within this awesome company. Maybe you'll and see these opportunities within Uber in a differe…
…
continue reading

1
From Critically Combat Wounded to Esquire with Attorney Estefan Encarnacion
1:17:11
1:17:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:17:11Shoot me a message! Warriors, Fall In… Today, we’re joined with a Combat Marine Corps Veteran, who survived a deadly explosion during his Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment in 2004. This battle-tested warrior continued to fight-on through his wounds and successfully transition beyond the uniform, followed his goals, and is now a practicing attorney…
…
continue reading