Social 333 Podcast Episode #73

Title: From Being Shot-Point Blank to Developing Men to Walk with God | Carlton Young
Host: Chris D. Bentley
Guest: Carlton Young
Date: November 22, 2025

Episode Overview

In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, host Chris D. Bentley sits down with Carlton Young—Army veteran, men's development leader, and survivor of multiple near-death experiences—to discuss transformation, faith, trauma, and the power of accountability and brotherhood for men. Carlton shares his remarkable story of surviving being shot at point-blank range, the challenges of PTSD and recovery, and how these experiences shaped his mission to build communities that help men heal and walk in purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Carlton’s Background and Mission

• Introduction to Carlton (02:12)
  • "I am a husband. I'm a father. I am a man of faith...my mission is just to help men to transform themselves, to be empowered and be equipped to be the person that they were designed to be." —Carlton Young (02:12)
  • Carlton shares about his military service, struggles with PTSD and anxiety, and commitment to maximizing his "second chance" at life.

Surviving Trauma: The Shooting Incident

• Recounting the Near-Death Experience (03:15–08:41)
  • Carlton describes multiple close encounters with death, culminating in being shot at point-blank range as a young man. He vividly recalls the initial numbness, the immense pain, losing consciousness, and experiencing a "bright light" moment.
  • "I saw a dark light and I saw a bright light. And the bright light said, it's not time yet." —Carlton Young (03:40)
    • Carlton believes this was a spiritual moment and a sign that he still had purpose to fulfill.
  • The bullet hit his liver (the only organ that repairs itself) and narrowly missed his aorta and spine, leaving the bullet near his spine to this day.
  • Memorable detail: The arduous recovery, multiple surgeries, a lingering fever, and the visual of his father reading the Bible at his bedside drove home the significance of his survival (06:41).

The Aftermath: Wake-Up Calls and Life Transformation

• Catalyst for Change (08:41–09:19)
  • Carlton’s family, their faith, and his own spiritual experience propelled him to reevaluate his path.
  • "If you play Russian roulette long enough, you're going to lose. So that was kind of the start of my metamorphosis and it changed my life." —Carlton Young (09:17)

Discernment and Relationships Post-Trauma

• Heightened Awareness and Community (10:47–12:36)
  • Chris observes how physical adversity clarifies who is genuinely supportive.
  • Carlton agrees: "It's like I've been fortunate enough to be aligned with people who see something in me...aligning the pieces and the dominoes in place for me to walk out the purpose." —Carlton Young (11:32)
  • Both discuss how deep adversity sharpens discernment and reveals true relationships.

Faith, Letting Go, and Trusting the Process

• Lessons in Surrender (12:06–17:04)
  • Chris and Carlton reflect on spiritual lessons about relinquishing control and trusting God’s plan during times of uncertainty.
    • "He forces us to take our hands off the wheels. Because he knows what's best for us." —Carlton Young (13:03)
  • Carlton recounts a challenging 19-month period of unemployment after a successful sales career. His faith and community helped him endure without missing significant bills, reinforcing the idea of "daily bread" and patience.
  • "Now, was it tight? Some months...it was very tight in the stress of women. Like, my wife needed security...God is saying to me, if you trust me, I'll take care of you." —Carlton Young (15:04)

The AIM Framework: A Tool for Growth

• Breaking Down AIM (19:15–21:51)
  • Carlton explains his AIM framework—a philosophy for personal transformation, inspired by his military experience zeroing in a weapon.
  • Acknowledge: Recognize what needs to change or be accomplished.
  • Accept: Embrace the reality and necessity of change or improvement.
  • Action: Develop a concrete action plan.
  • Implement: Execute the plan with intentional discipline.
  • Measure: Regularly assess effectiveness and adjust as needed.
  • "A goal not written down is only a wish..." —Carlton Young (20:50)

The Importance of Brotherhood and Community for Men

• Men’s Groups and Accountability (21:51–29:11)
  • Chris raises the topic of male isolation and the lost art of male camaraderie.
  • Carlton advocates for spaces where men can be themselves, share openly, and hold each other accountable:
    • "There's a certain amount of camaraderie your wife can't give you...If you get with another brother...you can let other brothers see that chink in your armor." —Carlton Young (25:15)
    • He describes his Manu group (meetings on Zoom, GroupMe chat, events, and an upcoming conference) as a space for support, accountability, and vulnerability.
  • Power of Shared Struggles: Both Chris and Carlton share how discovering others with similar struggles (including addiction and mental health) was transformative and affirming.

Breaking the Silence Around Men’s Mental Health

• Suffering in Silence, the Cost, and Connections (29:11–32:08)
  • Carlton and Chris discuss the sobering reality of men suffering alone, leading to avoidable losses including suicide.
  • "My goal is...to help men transform from the older version of themselves, to empower themselves and equip them with the tools to cope in life. Because, again, we suffer in silence, and we lose far too many men suffering in silence." —Carlton Young (30:28)
  • Both agree that sometimes a simple check-in (e.g., "Hey man, you all right?") can make a crucial difference.

Carlton’s Continued Journey with PTSD

• Decade-Long Struggle and Breaking the Stigma (31:02–32:08)
  • Carlton candidly shares how he endured PTSD for over a decade after the shooting, self-medicating without knowing his condition.
  • "I really didn't know or feel safe enough to say, this is my problem. And I came up in the era where...when you talked about a therapist and mental help...are you crazy?" —Carlton Young (31:53)

Resources and Getting Connected

• How to Connect with Carlton (32:10–33:02)
  • Carlton invites listeners to reach out via Instagram (@iam8020Nation), his website (www.carlton-young.com), or YouTube (I am 8020 Nation).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I saw a dark light and I saw a bright light. And the bright light said, it's not time yet."
  —Carlton Young (03:40)

• "The bullet hit the only organ that repairs itself, which is the liver...barely missed my aorta...it landed close to my spine, but it didn't paralyze me."
  —Carlton Young (06:44)

• "If you play Russian roulette long enough, you're going to lose. So that was kind of the start of my metamorphosis and it changed my life."
  —Carlton Young (09:17)

• "Sometimes it's about patience, too. I've learned that sometimes we say something doesn't work, but we haven't even given it an opportunity to work or to grow."
  —Carlton Young (16:06)

• "A goal not written down is only a wish..."
  —Carlton Young (20:50)

• "There's certain things, there's a certain amount of camaraderie that, that your wife can't give you... you can let other brothers see that chink in your armor, because sometimes that chink in your armor is the same chink another brother has."
  —Carlton Young (25:15)

• "We suffer in silence. Men suffer in silence all the time."
  —Carlton Young (26:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Carlton’s background & mission: 02:12–02:55
• The shooting and its aftermath: 03:15–08:41
• Metamorphosis and faith after trauma: 08:41–09:19
• Discernment and changing relationships: 10:47–12:36
• Faith, letting go, and trusting the process: 12:36–17:04
• The AIM framework for transformation: 19:15–21:51
• Brotherhood, male isolation, and accountability: 21:51–29:11
• Importance of addressing men’s mental health: 29:11–32:08
• Contact info and resources: 32:10–33:02

Conclusion

This episode is a powerful exploration of resilience, the role of faith, and the life-changing importance of male community and accountability. Carlton Young’s journey from trauma and survival to faith-driven purpose offers hope and practical tools—not just for men, but for anyone seeking transformation and deeper connection.

For more on Carlton Young and to connect with his men’s community:

• Instagram: @iam8020Nation
• Website: www.carlton-young.com
• YouTube: I am 8020 Nation

Summary by Social 333 Podcast Summarizer