#85 - Blake Stilwell - Humor and Humanity
Send us a text In this episode of “Passing The Torch,” host Martin Foster sits down with Blake Stilwell—an accomplished writer, editor, and combat photographer who was recently named editor in chief at We Are the Mighty. The conversation dives deep into Blake’s unconventional and winding journey through multiple careers, his time in the military, and how he nearly “accidentally” became a full-time writer. Key Themes: The unpredictable path of career evolution after military serviceThe p...
In this episode of “Passing The Torch,” host Martin Foster sits down with Blake Stilwell—an accomplished writer, editor, and combat photographer who was recently named editor in chief at We Are the Mighty.
The conversation dives deep into Blake’s unconventional and winding journey through multiple careers, his time in the military, and how he nearly “accidentally” became a full-time writer.
Key Themes:
- The unpredictable path of career evolution after military service
- The power of storytelling and emotional connection in writing
- Leadership lessons learned in and out of uniform
- The importance of authenticity, humor, and taking risks
- Mentorship and supporting veterans transitioning into civilian life
Overall, this episode is a blend of wisdom, humor, and real-world advice, offering listeners inspiration to carve their own path and “carry the torch” forward, wherever their journey may lead.
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Time Codes:
00:00 Parents Unaware of My Work
08:59 Bridging Military-Civilian Cultural Gap
14:49 Advice for Veterans Entering Workforce
17:47 "Production Team's Grueling Schedule"
22:58 Boring Job Experience in D.C.
28:34 Simplifying Complexity Through Experience
33:07 Evaluating Veteran Education Programs
38:18 Enthusiastic Narrative Techniques
45:27 "Unrecognized Hero: George Henry Thomas"
49:42 "Everyman Leads After President's Stroke"
53:10 Reenlistment Dilemma: Missed College Deadline
01:02:21 "Live Your Own Life"
01:03:24 Embrace Accidental Success
Connect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartin
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00:00 - Parents Unaware of My Work
08:59 - Bridging Military-Civilian Cultural Gap
14:49 - Advice for Veterans Entering Workforce
17:47 - "Production Team's Grueling Schedule"
22:58 - Boring Job Experience in D.C.
28:34 - Simplifying Complexity Through Experience
33:07 - Evaluating Veteran Education Programs
38:18 - Enthusiastic Narrative Techniques
45:27 - "Unrecognized Hero: George Henry Thomas"
53:10 - Reenlistment Dilemma: Missed College Deadline
01:02:21 - "Live Your Own Life"
01:03:24 - Embrace Accidental Success
Meet Blake Stilwell—an accomplished writer, editor, and combat photographer who was recently named editor in chief at We Are the Mighty. The conversation dives deep into Blake’s unconventional and winding journey through multiple careers, his time in the military, and how he nearly “accidentally” became a full-time writer.
Blake candidly shares stories about his Ohio roots, including how he humorously ranks himself as the state’s 25,796th favorite son (he’s no John Glenn or John Legend, but proud to be “on the list”). The episode covers highlights from Blake’s diverse education—degrees in graphic design, TV and film, PR, and international relations—and his time working for high-profile outlets like Business Insider, NBC, ABC, HBO, and even the White House.
Martin and Blake discuss the importance of authenticity and connection in both writing and leadership. Blake reflects on his early days as a Hollywood assistant and the difficult but formative “suck phase” of many careers, contrasting things like handing out muffins in LA with his previous high-stakes military experiences. He offers candid insights about transitioning after military service, including the value of risk-taking and not being afraid to fail early and often.
Blake details his philosophy as a writer—how storytelling is powered by emotion, personal connection, and finding a relatable “hook.” He recounts his evolution as a storyteller, from learning how to grab a reader’s attention in fifth grade to making technical military topics accessible for a wide audience. The episode also touches on the responsibilities that come with providing veterans reliable information about employment and resources.
Blake and Martin share candid laughs (including tales of friendly family sports rivalry, and a story about Blake drawing the ire of the President of the Philippines with a viral listicle). Blake emphasizes the role of empathy and mentorship, and shares his approach to leadership, drawing on experiences from both the military and media worlds.
The episode wraps up with rapid-fire questions, fun personal anecdotes, and Blake’s advice for the next generation: don’t compare your journey to others, and remember that “comparison is the thief of joy.” Blake also announces his next venture—opening a bar in his hometown—demonstrating his ongoing commitment to community and reinvention.
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Key Themes:
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➡︎ The unpredictable path of career evolution after military service
➡︎ The power of storytelling and emotional connection in writing
➡︎ Leadership lessons learned in and out of uniform
➡︎ The importance of authenticity, humor, and taking risk.
➡︎ Mentorship and supporting veterans transitioning into civilian life
➡︎ Overall, this episode is a blend of wisdom, humor, and real-world advice, offering listeners inspiration to carve their own path and “carry the torch” forward, wherever their journey may lead.
=============================
Time Codes:
=============================
00:00 Parents Unaware of My Work
08:59 Bridging Military-Civilian Cultural Gap
14:49 Advice for Veterans Entering Workforce
17:47 "Production Team's Grueling Schedule"
22:58 Boring Job Experience in D.C.
28:34 Simplifying Complexity Through Experience
33:07 Evaluating Veteran Education Programs
38:18 Enthusiastic Narrative Techniques
45:27 "Unrecognized Hero: George Henry Thomas"
49:42 "Everyman Leads After President's Stroke"
53:10 Reenlistment Dilemma: Missed College Deadline
01:02:21 "Live Your Own Life"
01:03:24 Embrace Accidental Success
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🔥 Blake's Resources
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➡︎ Website: https://www.blakestilwell.com/
➡︎ We Are The Mighty: https://www.blakestilwell.com/wearethemighty
➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakestilwell/
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Quote:
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"Writer's live twice." - Natalie Goldberg
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Keywords:
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We Are The Mighty, military veterans, veteran employment, combat photographer, editor in chief, storytelling, writing careers, podcast interview, Ohio, military history, sports journalism, Bill Simmons, Grantland, sports fandom, Bengals, Browns, resilience, Sean Livingston, military transition, veterans benefits, mentorship programs, veteran entrepreneurship, journalism, military.com, veteran programs, media careers, HBO 24/7, leadership, creative writing, personal experience, storytelling techniques
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🎙️ Mentioned:
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John Legend
David Gale
Mark Harper
Paul Szoldra
Amy Bushatz
Jared Keller
Shannon Corbeil
Jim Fabio
Peter Lemon
Tula Goenka
Together We Served
Winfield Scott
George Henry Thomas
Ernest Hemingway
Kurt Vonnegut
Mindy Yu
Michael Schoonmaker
JT Lock
Sebastian Junger
Rodrigo Duterte
