Be the Weight Behind the Spear: Dr. Josh McConkie on Leadership, Mental Health, and Service

In this powerful conversation, Dr. Josh McConkie — emergency physician, Air Force Reserve commander, Pulitzer Prize nominee, and 2025 Telly Award winner — shares how two decades of service in medicine and the military shaped his mission to change how we think about leadership, resilience, and mental health. From leading lifesaving missions in war zones to founding the Weight Behind the Spear Foundation, Dr. McConkie’s story is one of purpose, sacrifice, and action. We discuss the mental health crisis in America, the critical need for pre-trauma training for soldiers, how social media and parenting are shaping a generation, and why community engagement — not government — is the key to solving our biggest problems. We also explore his deeply personal journey: turning down a multimillion-dollar bribe, overcoming betrayal and loss, and using his lottery winnings to give back. This episode is a must-watch for veterans, first responders, parents, leaders, and anyone who believes in building a stronger, more resilient future. 📘 Order Dr. McConkie’s Book: https://weightbehindthespear.com 💡 Support the Foundation: https://weightbehindthespear.com/foundation