What does it mean to be a hero?

We throw the word around a lot — soldiers, firefighters, nurses, neighbors, even SpongeBob. But what happens when our definitions clash? When one side’s “hero” is the other side’s “villain”?

On this episode of MAD Warfare, we dig into hero narratives — how they inspire, unite, recruit… and yes, how they get weaponized.

Our guest, Adam Bird, is a veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Heroes Media Group. He’s built platforms that amplify the voices of everyday heroes: veterans, first responders, educators, medical pros, neighbors who just show up. People who would never call themselves heroes — which is often what makes them one.

Adam shares what he’s learned from producing over 17,000 shows, building a network around positive stories, and stubbornly pushing back on a media culture that thrives on outrage.

In this episode:
• Why the truest heroes are the ones uncomfortable with the title.
• The difference between hero worship and actual heroism.
• How negative news hooks our brains — and what to do about it.
• Why we should shove more positivity down people’s throats (Adam’s words).
• What stubborn optimism looks like in practice.

If you think “hero” is just a label for action figures or campaign ads, think again.

Find Adam Bird and Heroes Media Group on all platforms at:
@mradambird
@heroesmediagrp
heroesmediagroup.com

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MAD SPONSOR: Randori Resources
This episode is brought to you by Randori Resources, founded by Sam Carus.

Randori helps you train your brain the way fighters train their bodies.

Visit randori-resources.com to learn more.

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MAD Warfare™️ is hosted by narrative strategist Jocelyn Brady and cognitive neuroscientist Sean Anthony Guillory. Edited and produced by Amine el Filali. Visit our website at madwarfare.com for extra giggles. And send your wishes, weird ideas, dream guests, and (yes it bears repeating) sponsorship inquiries to madwarfarepodcast@gmail.com.

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FAIR USE: This show is MAD enough to include homages, short clips, and references that provide vital context and/or moments of joy. We DEEPLY respect every creator’s work and use these moments purely for educational, artistic, and transformative purposes under Fair Use. If we are missing attributions or you would like to collaborate, please reach out—we’re always happy to chat!