Why Some Challenges Can’t Be Solved with a Checklist In life, work, and relationships, not all problems are created equal. Some can be solved with enough time, effort, and organization. Others shift under our feet the moment we think we’ve found an answer. Recognizing the difference between complicated, complex, and wicked problems helps us respond […]
Understanding Complicated, Complex, and Wicked Problems Read More »
Using CBT and DBT to Guard Against Influence and Manipulation What Is Cognitive Warfare? Cognitive warfare refers to deliberate efforts by state and non-state actors to influence the way people think, perceive reality, and make decisions. Unlike traditional warfare, which focuses on physical force, cognitive warfare targets the mind itself. It operates through propaganda, disinformation
Emotions are not the enemy. Misunderstood emotions are.To operate at full capacity — whether in a high-stakes profession, family role, or personal transformation — you need more than physical readiness. You need emotional intelligence. And that starts with knowing what you’re feeling, why it’s there, and how to respond without suppressing or exploding. This post
Basic Training: Core Emotions Read More »
Understanding Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, and Moral Injury — and Why Avoidance Can Make It Worse Trauma isn’t just a buzzword or something that only happens to soldiers and first responders. It’s something most people experience in some form — directly or indirectly — and it doesn’t always come with obvious scars. Words matter, and I
Let’s Talk About Trauma Read More »
When we talk about stress and trauma in the military, law enforcement, and first responder communities, we often use the metaphor of a ruck — the heavy pack we carry on our backs, filled with the emotional rocks that represent the weight of our experiences. Every mission, every critical call, every sacrifice adds another rock.
The Strength of Your Ruck Read More »
Navigating life’s challenges can feel overwhelming, but using structured methods can greatly simplify your emotional and behavioral responses. One highly effective tool rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is the ABCD Method. Understanding the ABCD Method The ABCD Method helps you systematically reflect on your reactions to life’s events, empowering
Tactical Tools: The ABCD Method Read More »
Overwhelm is a real problem for a lot of people, me included. This emotion can trigger a cascade of thoughts and behaviors that bog us down in the swamp of inaction and stagnation. The swamp of overwhelm is filled with nasty little critters. Thoughts that have us focused on everything that’s going wrong (mental filtering),
Slogging through the “Swamp of Overwhelm” Read More »
Focusing on the task at hand can feel overwhelming in a world of constant distraction and interruption. I think there is an inclination to blame modern distractions like phones, email, streaming, marketing, advertising, and every other external factor for our inability to stay on task or in the moment. What I’m about to say might
Fighting Overwhelm Read More »
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed because it seems like the world is constantly pulling at me to “do” everything. I think this is a pretty common feeling.
So what can we do about it?
What To Do About Overwhelm Read More »
