What do you do when your life falls apart and you don’t even recognize yourself anymore?

Dr. Robb Kelly knows that feeling—he lived it. After losing everything to addiction, including his home, his identity, and his will to keep going, Rob had to rebuild his entire life from scratch. In this brutally honest conversation, he talks about what real recovery looks like, why connection is the antidote to addiction, and how strict daily non-negotiables keep him alive today. He speaks directly to men who’ve been taught to stay silent and explains why emotional suppression is killing us. This isn’t about success stories - it’s about survival, truth, and what it really takes to come back when you’ve lost everything.

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel.

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
01:02 – A Journey Through Mindfulness and Identity
06:07 – The Fall from Success: Addiction, Despair, and Loss
08:00 – Homeless but Not Hopeless: Rediscovering Meaning
10:48 – Hard Truths from the Streets: Healing After Addiction
12:11 – Connection as Medicine: What Recovery Really Looks Like
13:59 – What Makes Us Happy? The Science of Purpose and Neurotransmitters
18:07 – One Small Act: Paying Off Lunch Debts and Inspiring Others
19:32 – Lunch Debt in San Antonio: A Movement Begins
20:54 – Choosing a New Path: Recovery and the Road to Purpose
22:52 – Forgiveness, Impact, and the Ripple Effect of Kindness
24:34 – Big 'P' vs Little 'p': Rethinking the Idea of Purpose
27:11 – Start the Day Right: Rituals That Cultivate Joy
28:35 – Default or Design: How We Shape a Purposeful Life
30:29 – More Than Goals: The Pursuit of Inner Happiness
32:18 – Purpose Begins Within: Why the Inner Journey Matters
42:26 – Masculinity in Crisis: The Search for True Purpose
45:59 – Strength Reimagined: Trauma, Healing, and Masculinity
46:26 – Breaking Cycles: Helping Men Heal from Childhood Pain
49:49 – The Power of Women: Honoring Their Impact and Legacy
51:41 – Love, Identity, and the Strength We Find in Others
52:22 – Drawing the Line: Setting Non-Negotiables That Matter
53:38 – The Blueprint for Fulfillment: Living by Core Principles
55:45 – Legacy and Impact: What It Means to Live With Purpose

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this short micro dose episode, we explore the specialized qualities required for different SEAL Team missions. Our guest, retired Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney, shares his fascination with the unique attributes needed for high-stakes operations like combat diving and hostage rescue—emphasizing how patience, adaptability, and mental agility are mission-critical. Listen to full episode here: https://pod.fo/e/28e08f

Drawing from hundreds of real-world missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Rich unpacks the true purpose behind SEAL training—not to teach specific skills, but to reveal the core attributes required to perform under extreme pressure. Whether underwater for long durations or making life-or-death decisions in seconds, SEALs succeed not just because of what they know, but because of who they are.

Rich’s insights extend beyond the military. He shows how this same philosophy—prioritizing attributes over skills—can transform leadership and team performance in any environment.

Key Takeaways:

• Different SEAL missions require distinct personal qualities.

• Training is designed to reveal these attributes, not just build skills.

• The best teams are built on character, not credentials.

• This mindset applies equally in business and leadership.

Specific Missions in the SEAL Teams Require Specific Qualities
Success in SEAL missions depends on the unique attributes of each team member—not just their technical skills. This distinction is critical for maintaining adaptability in dynamic, high-risk environments.

Attributes Over Skills
Each mission demands specific traits. Combat diving requires deep patience; hostage rescue calls for rapid decision-making and agility. Someone who thrives in slow, methodical tasks might falter in a high-speed crisis—but they’d excel when endurance and calm are key. Recognizing these differences is central to building the right team for the mission.

Real-World Examples
Rich Diviney shares a story from 2010, reflecting on his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. SEAL training includes grueling exercises—carrying boats, lifting logs—not because those skills are directly used in combat, but because they create pressure. The goal isn’t just physical fitness—it’s to surface traits like grit, teamwork, composure, and resilience.

The Story of the Non-Swimmer
Rich tells the story of a SEAL candidate who couldn’t swim. On the swim test, he jumped in, sank to the bottom, and walked across the pool. When asked what happened, he admitted he didn’t know how to swim. But the instructor didn’t dismiss him. Instead, recognizing the young man’s determination and resolve, he said, “That’s okay—we can teach you how to swim.”

That moment illustrates a core principle: if someone has the right attributes—grit, tenacity, humility—you can teach them the technical parts. But the reverse isn’t always true.

From Military to Business
After retiring, Rich noticed that organizations often overvalue hard skills while struggling to define or develop the deeper qualities that drive performance. Terms like “soft skills” don’t do justice to traits like emotional control, adaptability, and drive. Focusing on attributes gives companies a more accurate view of who will thrive, grow, and lead effectively.

Conclusion
The highest-performing SEAL teams aren’t built on resumes. They’re built on character. That same principle holds true in every high-performance setting.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What does it mean to be a man in the age of AI?

This episode dives into how artificial intelligence is reshaping masculinity, communication, and mental health, offering both opportunities and challenges in the digital age. The conversation explores how AI can support emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and personal growth - when used as a tool rather than a crutch. With thoughtful discussion on the ethical implications of AI, the crisis of masculinity, and the importance of human connection, the episode urges men to redefine strength through vulnerability, advocate for responsible tech use, and navigate this new landscape with intention and integrity.

Feeling stuck? If you need help getting out of your rut, Will can help - head to willnotfear.com to learn more about his coaching to get you off the hamster wheel and make better decisions.

More from MTM at: https://mentalkingmindfulness.com/

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction

04:00 – Can AI Be Empathetic? Rethinking the Nature of Intelligence

06:02 – Masculinity in the Machine Age: How AI Is Shaping Identity

11:10 – Redefining Dialogue: What AI Means for Human Communication

18:57 – Are We Still Connecting? AI’s Effect on Relationships

22:56 – Masculinity in Crisis: Is Technology to Blame?

27:41 – Walking the Line: Harnessing AI Without Losing Intuition

33:08 – Men, Meaning, and Machines: AI in the Journey of Growth

40:49 – Designing Tomorrow: A More Conscious Future with AI

45:16 – Who’s Accountable? Building Ethics and Trust into AI Systems

48:06 – AI Email Fails: Early Lessons from Our Digital Helpers

50:33 – Why Human Connection Still Matters in a Tech-Driven World

53:27 – Meditation, Mindfulness, and Machines: Finding the Middle Path

59:26 – Incels, Isolation, and AI: What the Future Holds for Belonging

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.