About this episode
Thomas J. LaGrave Jr. joins Something For Everybody this week. Tom is a licensed clinical social worker who served as a medical corpsman with the U.S. Navy SEALs. Over a span of 30 years Tom has been focused on the physical and mental health of young adults and adolescents, along with their healing and personal development. In this conversation, Thomas shares his profound journey through addiction, recovery, and the search for identity after losing his military career. He discusses the challenges of recognizing addiction in youth, the importance of emotional growth, and the redefinition of masculinity through the concept of the 'warrior poet.' LaGrave emphasizes the power of love and connection, the significance of myths and the hero's journey, and his drive to advocate for youth through writing and personal experience. He concludes with a message of hope for the future. - Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections 03:06 The Journey from Adversity to Purpose 05:58 Understanding Youth in Today's Society 08:58 The Importance of Community and Role Models 12:00 Initiation and Transition to Adulthood 15:05 Proactive Approaches to Mental Health 18:03 The Role of Failure in Growth 20:50 The Collective Responsibility for Youth 23:47 Personal Story and Military Experience 27:14 Identity and Loss: The Military Experience 29:17 Emotional Growth and Self-Acceptance 30:54 Redefining Masculinity: The Warrior Poet 34:43 The Power of Love and Connection 35:51 Myth and the Hero's Journey 39:21 Writing as a Form of Legacy 44:13 Hope and the Future of Youth - See discounts for all the products I use and recommend: https://everybodyspod.com/deals/ - Shop For Everybody Use code SFE10 for 10% OFF 👉 https://shopforeverybody.com/ - AMARE GLOBAL: The Mental Wellness Company – On a mission to create a holistic mental wellness platform of products, programs, and people. - Go to https://www.amare.com/155249/en-us/ for $10 off your next order. (use code: EVERYBODY) - Tom’s Links: Website: https://thehonorboundacademy.org/ iG: https://www.instagram.com/thomasjlagravejr/ - Get my free guide of 4 things to quit to transform your life here: https://aaronmachbitz.com/quit/ - To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/AaronMachbitz (Recorded on February 14th, 2025) Edited by Ben Rogerson (@BenRogerson_) Intro music by Residual Audio (Residualaudio.com) - Episodes You Might Enjoy: #320 - Exploring Youth Identity, Gender Affirming Care & Mental Health - Sasha Ayad, LPC https://everybodyspod.com/ayad/ #338 - How to Create a Life You Are Excited About - Joanna Horton McPherson https://everybodyspod.com/joanna/ - Get in touch: iG: https://www.instagram.com/AaronMachbitz X: https://x.com/AaronMachbitz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AMachbitz/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AaronMachbitz Email: https://www.aaronmachbitz.com/contact/