Podcast Summary: Cleared Hot – Full Auto Friday (June 13, 2025)

Host: Andy Stumpf
Episode Title: Full Auto Friday
Release Date: June 13, 2025

Cleared Hot is a podcast hosted by Andy Stumpf, a multifaceted individual with a diverse background in the military, aviation, fitness, and public speaking. In the episode titled "Full Auto Friday," Andy delves into profound personal challenges shared by his listeners, offering heartfelt advice drawn from his own experiences.

1. Overcoming Academic Setbacks and Mental Health Struggles

Listener’s Concern:
A 23-year-old man from a western state reaches out, sharing his struggle with repeating the first year of a four-year graduate program due to mental health issues. He expresses embarrassment, fear of disappointing his family and friends, and uncertainty about how to regain his confidence and momentum.

Andy’s Response:
Andy empathizes deeply with the listener’s predicament, emphasizing the universality of setbacks. He shares his own reflections on failure, highlighting that “failure is a part of life” and stressing the importance of resilience. Andy recounts the story of Petty Officer Michael Mansour, a Navy SEAL who overcame initial failures to achieve ultimate heroism, illustrating that setbacks do not define one's potential for greatness.

Notable Quotes:

• At 25:30: “Failure sucks. I did not have an experience when I went through BUDS having to go back, so I cannot talk about that from firsthand experience.”
• At 35:45: “Be honest about it. Control what you can control. If this still is what you want to do, then don't worry about how many attempts that it takes.”

Key Takeaways:

• Recognize that setbacks are temporary and do not diminish your worth or potential.
• Embrace honesty about your struggles without diminishing the experience.
• Use failures as learning opportunities to build stronger habits and resilience.

2. Supporting a Girlfriend with Self-Hatred and Suicidal Thoughts

Listener’s Concern:
A 19-year-old shares his distress over his girlfriend’s persistent self-hatred and suicidal ideation. Despite his efforts to support her by sharing personal coping mechanisms and affirmations, she remains unconvinced and questions the efficacy of his help.

Andy’s Response:
Andy acknowledges the complexity of mental health challenges in relationships. He advises seeking professional help, emphasizing that while peer support is valuable, trained professionals are better equipped to handle such deep-seated issues. Andy underscores the importance of approaching the conversation with love, compassion, and without judgment, suggesting gentle encouragement to seek therapy.

Notable Quotes:

• At 48:15: “I think in my unprofessional opinion, this is an example of when you need to bring in a higher level of care.”
• At 53:40: “Don’t be an overbearing asshole. Love, caring, and concern would be the pathways that I would take.”

Key Takeaways:

• Encourage loved ones to seek professional mental health support.
• Approach conversations about mental health with empathy and without judgment.
• Understand the limitations of personal support and the necessity of expert intervention.

3. Frustration with School’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum Amid Tragedies

Listener’s Concern:
A 16-year-old expresses frustration with his school’s SEL curriculum, especially after losing two friends to suicide. He feels that the lessons on bullying and kindness are superficial and disconnected from his real-life experiences and grief.

Andy’s Response:
Andy sympathizes with the listener’s pain and validates his frustration with the SEL program’s perceived inadequacies. He advises proactive engagement with school administrators by presenting constructive feedback and actionable solutions. Andy encourages the listener to articulate the disconnect between the curriculum and the real emotional turmoil students are experiencing, suggesting the inclusion of more relevant topics and flexibility in the curriculum to address current events.

Notable Quotes:

• At 1:12:10: “Life isn't fair. Programs aren't fair. Whether the selection programs or educational programs.”
• At 1:15:25: “Be the agent of change that you want to see. Change the program to the best of your ability.”

Key Takeaways:

• Advocate for curriculum changes by providing specific, actionable feedback.
• Bridge the gap between educational programs and students’ real-life experiences.
• Take initiative to create meaningful change within institutional frameworks.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Full Auto Friday, Andy Stumpf demonstrates profound empathy and practical wisdom in addressing significant personal and societal issues. By sharing personal anecdotes and actionable advice, he empowers his listeners to navigate their challenges with resilience, honesty, and proactive engagement.

Overall Insights:

• Resilience in the Face of Setbacks: Embracing failures as stepping stones toward personal growth.
• Empathetic Support Systems: Balancing personal support with the necessity of professional intervention in mental health.
• Active Advocacy: Taking initiative to influence and improve institutional policies and programs to better serve individuals’ needs.

Andy’s candid and relatable approach provides a beacon of hope and guidance for listeners grappling with similar struggles, reinforcing the importance of perseverance, honesty, and proactive change.

Notable Speaker Attribution:

All notable quotes and timestamps are attributed directly to Andy Stumpf, the host of Cleared Hot, ensuring clarity and proper acknowledgment of his insights and guidance throughout the episode.