Episode brought to you by TORCH LEAP LLC.
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Blake Stilwell shares his journey from combat photographer to Editor in Chief of@Wearethemighty, storytelling tips, and career advice on Passing The Torch.
Whether you’re a fan of military stories, creative writing, or just love hearing how people reinvent themselves, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and wisdom.
Blake’s authenticity shines through as he pulls back the curtain on how he found his voice—and how you can find yours.
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In this episode, you’ll hear:
➡︎ Blake’s honest reflections about his (not-so-glamorous) beginnings, including being fired as a Hollywood assistant and how those "suck phases" shaped him
➡︎ The transition from military service to creative writing, and how a single opportunity at We Are the Mighty changed his life
➡︎ Powerful insights into what makes a great storyteller and how his real-world experiences—both good and bad—fuel his writing
➡︎ A behind-the-scenes look at the unique mission of We Are the Mighty and its impact on bridging the gap between civilian and military cultures
➡︎ Funny and moving stories about everything from Ohio sports rivalries to accidentally angering the President of the Philippines with a viral article!
➡︎ Candid advice for veterans and aspiring writers on finding meaningful work, embracing risk, and building a life around stories that matter
Listen in and get inspired by stories that remind us all: you can reinvent yourself at every turn.
#PassingTheTorch #BlakeStilwell #VeteranStories #Storytelling #CareerJourney #MilitaryToMedia #WeAreTheMighty
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🔥 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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Support Passing The Torch Podcast
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🎙️ Podcast: https://www.passingthetorchpod.com/
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC04suOPTX3ny_M0aDxmBAXQ
➡︎ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/passing-the-torch/id1338122884
➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47ZwWTJWETz5SwEfcuPQwF?si=055366dec7154b3c
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Connect with Passing The Torch!
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Facebook: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/torchfoster
IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/torchmartin/
✖️➡︎ https://twitter.com/pttorch
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QUESTION - What did you take away from this video?
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This video is NOT sponsored.
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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:00 Podcast Preferences and Influences
00:22 Life as a Combat Photographer
06:08 The Role of Writing in Military Culture
11:51 Returning to Roots: A Journey in Journalism
15:24 Embracing Risks: The Power of Failing Fast
21:20 Finding Freedom: The Gift of Being Fired
24:07 Career Changes: From the White House to Writing
27:18 The Art of Writing: Distinguishing Good from Great
31:12 Authenticity in Communication
32:32 Connecting Veterans with Resources
33:44 The Importance of Clear Guidance
34:53 Mentorship and Support for Veterans
36:00 The Art of Storytelling
36:59 Visual Storytelling Techniques
38:51 Engaging Technical Writing
39:50 Personalizing Historical Narratives
41:03 The Emotional Core of Stories
42:47 The Impact of Relatable Details
44:41 Making History Engaging
46:22 Unearthing Historical Nuggets
48:52 Imagining Historical Writers
50:25 Leadership in Film
50:36 Fictional Leadership and Its Lessons
53:06 Real-Life Leadership Experiences
54:23 Name Game: Influential Figures
56:38 The Impact of Mentorship
59:27 Reflections on Writing and Consequences
01:01:07 Personal Aspirations and Community Impact
01:03:27 Wisdom for Future Generations
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Blake Stilwell Audio Episode #85
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1946508/episodes/17452339
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Mentioned:
@johnlegend
@Wearethemighty
David Gale
Mark Harper
@NearEastFoundation
Paul Szoldra
Amy Bushatz
Jared Keller
Recurrent Ventures
Shannon Corbeil
Jim Fabio
Gary Burdette
Peter Lemon
Tula Goenka
@TWSMilitaryWebsites
Winfield Scott
George Henry Thomas
Ernest Hemingway
Kurt Vonnegut
Mindy Yu
Michael Schoonmaker
JT Lock
Sebastian Junger
Rodrigo Duterte
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Quote:
"Writer's live twice." - Natalie Goldberg
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Keywords:
We Are The Mighty, military veterans, veteran employment, combat photographer, editor in chief, storytelling, writing careers, podcast interview, Ohio, military history, sports journalism, sports fandom, resilience, 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