Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged

Episode: Jeremy Stalnecker – Reveals Lessons in Leadership From Military Service

Host: Nick (Realm)
Guest: Jeremy Stalnecker (CEO, Mighty Oaks Foundation, Marine Corps Veteran, Pastor)
Date: August 28, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode delves deep into leadership lessons drawn from military experience and Jeremy Stalnecker’s personal journey of recovery and growth after warfare. It centers on the concept of moving from “Why” to “Because” — finding and living out the core purpose that drives one's actions — applied to personal healing, service, and authentic leadership. Jeremy unpacks insights on supporting veterans, being a servant leader, cultivating character, and navigating leadership in the modern, fast-paced world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jeremy’s “Because” – The Driving Purpose

Timestamp: 02:58–05:16

• After returning from Iraq with faith, family, and church support, Jeremy still experienced profound struggles, questioning his wholeness:

  “The bottom still fell out of my life. I struggled in a lot of different ways, and it was faith and it was the right people... that got me to a place where I was functioning well again.”
  (Jeremy, 02:58)

• Realization through reconnection with fellow Marines:

  “I realized... I’m not the only one who struggled like this, but B, this... I had a responsibility now to take that to the men that I had served with... and more broadly, since 2012, to the men and women who serve. There is an answer. There is a path forward.”
  (Jeremy, 05:12)

Supporting Veterans & Addressing Unseen Wounds

Timestamp: 05:16–09:12

• Jeremy stresses the damage caused by “unseen wounds” (mental/psychological trauma vs. physical), both in veterans and civilians:

  “...so many people are carrying traumas and brokenness within them that go undealt with... eventually it will have a very damaging effect on you.”
  (Jeremy, 05:50)

• The burden of reintegration post-military and the silent nature of trauma, with repeated emphasis that trauma is a universal, not solely military, struggle.
• Stark statistics underline urgency:

  “More than 22 veterans a day take their lives. More than four active duty service members a day take their lives. These are real numbers that speak to the consequence of life experience. Undealt with.”
  (Jeremy, 08:25)

The Mighty Oaks Foundation: Multifaceted Support

Timestamp: 09:12–11:58

• The foundation’s mission starts with providing hope — “There is a place that my friend, family member, loved one can go to and get the help that they need.” (Jeremy, 09:23)
• All programs are free, covering participant costs to lower barriers.
• Peer-led healing: programs run by prior students who share similar experiences.
• Ripple effect: Healing isn’t just individual — “You need to heal... so you can be a fully engaged husband, a fully engaged father... someone in our society that's giving instead of taking.”
• Resources for families and friends: books, digital content, and supportive tools available for all.

Leadership Insights: Being vs. Doing

Timestamp: 11:58–16:22

• Jeremy contrasts military’s “hyper-aggressive, type-A leadership” and the ‘tactics, techniques, and procedures’ approach vs. the civilian tendency for passive-aggressive or manipulative leadership.

  “My job as a leader is not to get you to do what I want you to do; it's to leverage everything I have at my disposal to make you better than you would be without me.”
  (Jeremy, 14:07)

• Defines true leadership:

  “Leadership is taking people from where they are to where they need to be...”
  (Jeremy, 14:22)

• Argues leadership is about being (a person of character) more than just doing (performing tasks) – a leader’s influence should be consistent in all life contexts, not just tied to a job or title.

Cultivating Character in Yourself and Others

Timestamp: 16:36–20:30

• Character development is intentional:

  “You have to make a decision that you prioritize character above everything else... character is who you actually are... and we make a decision to develop good character and then from there we learn how to do that.”
  (Jeremy, 17:53)

• Practices include reading, learning from mentors, honest self-reflection, and building trust in small daily actions.
• Genuine character starts at home:

  “Start by keeping your word to your kids. Start by doing what you said you’re going to do with your spouse. Start by showing up on time...”
  (Jeremy, 19:51)

Leadership Challenges in Today’s World

Timestamp: 20:30–24:16

• The main challenge for modern leaders: constant, rapid change and information overload.

  “It is so difficult... to know is that right or is that wrong? Is that real or is that not real?”
  (Jeremy, 21:20)

• Necessity for discernment, filtering noise, and grounding oneself in a personal mission statement:

  “If you don’t know who you are or why you’re here, then you will be dragged all over the place... the loudest voice, the most compelling argument is going to take you wherever they want you to go.”
  (Jeremy, 22:03)

• The importance of mission and personal clarity to withstand change.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Responsibility:

  "I have a responsibility now to take that [healing] to the men that I had served with... more broadly, since 2012, to the men and women who serve."
  (Jeremy, 05:12)

• On the Cost of Unseen Wounds:

  “Trauma is not something that is reserved for those who served in the military... These are real numbers that speak to the consequence of life experience, undealt with.”
  (Jeremy, 08:25)

• On Leadership:

  "Leadership is not about learning a list of tactics, techniques, and procedures. It's... being the right kind of leader, not doing leadership, but BE a person of character."
  (Jeremy, 15:04)

• On Modern Leadership Challenges:

  “...if you don’t know who you are or why you’re here, then you will be dragged all over the place...”
  (Jeremy, 22:03)

• On Cultivating Character:

  “Start by keeping your word to your kids. Start by doing what you said you’re going to do with your spouse. Start by showing up on time...”
  (Jeremy, 19:51)

Additional Highlights

• Jeremy’s Podcast & Projects:

  • “March or Die” podcast focuses on overcoming obstacles and choosing progress over stagnation.
  • Books: Leadership by Design, March or Die; new online course and resources for families dealing with post-traumatic stress and spiritual resiliency (find at Mighty Oaks website).
  • Active on Instagram, sharing daily content and devotionals.

• Notable Show Moment:

  • The hosts echo the sentiment that ‘culture reflects leadership’ and discuss the vital accountability that comes from developing other leaders and fostering a strong culture.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------|------------------| | Jeremy’s “Because” & Return from War | 02:58–05:16 | | Unseen Wounds & Veteran Trauma | 05:50–09:12 | | Supporting Families & Holistic Healing | 09:12–11:58 | | Servant Leadership Philosophy | 12:47–16:22 | | Cultivating Character | 17:53–20:30 | | Modern Leadership Challenges | 21:17–24:16 | | About “March or Die” Podcast | 25:41–27:15 | | Resources & Books | 27:29–28:37 | | Where to Connect w/ Jeremy | 28:47–29:14 |

Conclusion

This episode is rich with actionable insights for leaders at every level and those seeking healing from trauma. Jeremy draws from both military and ministry, illustrating that authentic leadership transcends titles and contexts, grounding everything in clarity of purpose (“because”), character, and service to others. The conversation serves both as inspiration and as a practical guide for building resilience, supporting veterans, nurturing character, and leading effectively amidst an ever-changing world.