A Wild Ride Called Life

09/06/2026

If I could speak to this little girl, I would tell her:

Life will not always be easy, but you will survive every chapter that tries to convince you otherwise.

Since retiring from the Army in 2016, I have had to rediscover who I am without the uniform. Then came a devastating car accident, six surgeries, divorce, losing my dad, changing friendships, broken relationships, and seasons when I barely recognized myself.

But I kept going.

What began as a blog became a podcast, a book, speaking opportunities, published music, songwriting, producing, filmmaking, media, mentorship, leadership, and advocacy for veterans and military families.

Sometimes I forget how much I have done because I am already focused on what comes next.

I would tell her that not everyone is meant to stay. The people who truly belong in her life will love her for who she is—not for her accomplishments, connections, title, or number of followers.

God will continue placing her on the path she is meant to walk, even when the detours make no sense.

You will bend. You will break. You will begin again.

But you will still be here.

Your journey is yours. Your story matters. And you are made for more. 🤍

09/04/2026

09/02/2026

It is hard to believe that I have already had the honor and privilege of serving as Commander of VFW Post 12235 for two months.

At our last meeting, we welcomed our VFW District 14 Commander for our post inspection—and I am proud to say that we passed! We were also honored to have another commander from the Belton area join us to observe our meeting and learn alongside us.

This is what our veteran community should look like.

We do not compete with one another. We serve alongside one another. We share what we know, support each other, and work together to strengthen the communities we represent.

People do not always see the long days, phone calls, planning, paperwork, difficult conversations, and problem-solving that happen behind the scenes.

We may not always win awards or gain thousands of followers—but that is not why we serve.

Leadership is not about a title, money, recognition, or a social media following. It is about how we lead, serve, protect, and make people feel.

The days are long and my phone stays busy, but I would not trade this opportunity for the world.

I am proud of our post, proud of our members, and grateful to continue serving. 🇺🇸

08/28/2026

What happens when a military spouse’s story doesn’t go viral?

That question has stayed with me after reading about a military spouse in Germany who feared being unable to return to the United States with her children during a divorce and custody dispute.

As someone who has personally gone through a difficult military-connected divorce, mentored women navigating divorce, and continues to advocate for stronger military-family protections, this issue is deeply personal to me.

I wrote more about the gaps that can exist when divorce, custody, overseas assignments, military regulations and international law collide — and why families should not have to wait until a crisis becomes public before someone pays attention.

Military family protections should not end when a marriage does.

Read the full article here: https://www.awildridecalledlife.com/post/what-happens-when-a-military-spouse-s-story-doesn-t-go-viral

08/28/2026

I’ll start by saying this: I am not a gamer. 😂

My son is, though—and plenty of people in our military and veteran community are.

That’s why a story I came across about Medal of Honor recipient and retired Marine Cpl. Kyle Carpenter caught my attention.

Carpenter is being featured in the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4.

At first glance, that sounds like an entertainment story.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this is really a story about how we preserve military history and reach the next generation.

What happens when someone playing a video game sees Kyle Carpenter’s name, Googles him and learns what he actually did in Afghanistan?

What if that is their first introduction to the Medal of Honor?

Storytelling does not always have to happen through books, museums or documentaries.

Sometimes we have to meet people where they are.

I wrote more about why I think this matters—and why this story is about much more than Call of Duty.

🇺🇸 Read the full story here:
https://www.awildridecalledlife.com/post/more-than-a-video-game-why-kyle-carpenter-s-story-belongs-in-call-of-duty

And I’d really like to hear from the gamers in my community:

Do you think featuring real veterans and military heroes in games helps keep their stories alive?

By Annette WhittenbergerI’ll start by saying this: I am not a gamer.My son is, though.And I know plenty of people in our military and veteran community who are.So when I saw that retired U.S. Marine Cpl. William Kyle Carpenter, a Medal of Honor recipient, will be featured as a playable character i...

08/26/2026

🐾 Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

I have five dogs, which means my life is filled with fur, noise, chaos, muddy paws, endless responsibilities—and more love than I could ever put into words.

People often say, “Who rescued who?” And honestly, I have never felt a phrase more deeply.

My dogs have been beside me through some of the hardest moments of my life. They have comforted me without needing an explanation, stayed close when I felt alone, and given me a reason to keep moving forward on days when it wasn’t easy.

They may depend on me to care for them, but in so many ways, they have taken care of me too.

Five dogs might sound like a lot—and trust me, some days it is! 😂 But I wouldn’t change a thing. I cannot imagine my home, my heart, or my life without them.

Who saved who? I think we saved each other. 🤍🐾

08/20/2026

I love supporting my friends! This week it’s Charlynda Scales | Founder & Author , the founder of MUTT’S SAUCE®

You can order your own bottle of goodness here — https://www.muttssauce.com/products/theoriginalrecipe

08/19/2026

🎶 A WILD RIDE CALLED LIFE MEDIA IS HEADED BACK TO ACL! 🎶

I am incredibly excited to announce that A Wild Ride Called Life Media will be attending the Austin City Limits Music Festival, October 9–11, 2026!

This will be my third year attending ACL—but my second year attending as my own media company.

Last year meant more to me than most people probably realized. A business venture I had poured so much of myself into took an unexpected turn, and I found myself having to start over. I had to regroup, rebuild, and completely revamp what my media business would become.

It was difficult. It was emotional. And there were moments when I questioned what the next chapter would look like.

But I kept going.

Being accepted again this year under A Wild Ride Called Life Media is more than another opportunity to cover an incredible festival. It is a reminder that starting over does not mean you failed. Sometimes it means you finally get the chance to build something that truly belongs to you.

This acceptance represents growth, resilience, and another step forward for the company I have worked so hard to create.

I cannot wait to bring you behind-the-scenes moments, artist coverage, music, stories, and the unforgettable energy of ACL 2026.

Austin—we’ll see you in October! 🎤🎸🤍

08/18/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: Beyond the Uniform

This one is personal for me.

Chris McPhee and I have known each other for years. We originally met through the military community when both of us were figuring out what came next after the uniform—and somehow, all these years later, we're still learning, building, creating, and showing up for each other.

But I didn't want this conversation to just be about Christopher J. McPhee the retired Green Beret.

Because he is so much more than that.

And aren't we all?

We talked about the women who shaped him, being raised by a single mom, the teachers and mentors who helped redirect his life, marriage, divorce, fatherhood, sobriety, failure, friendship, leadership, reinvention and legacy.

We also talked about something I think many veterans struggle with:

Who are you when you are no longer the person wearing the uniform?

For both of us, there was a time when the answer probably would have started and ended with the Army.

Not anymore.

Chris also shares the story behind giving his mother his first Bronze Star, why he believes relationships matter more than networking, how his documentary work eventually became his book Follow Me, and why the proceeds from that book support the work of the BLK OPS Foundation and its mission to inspire and mentor youth.

There are laughs in this one. There are lessons. There are some uncomfortable truths.

And there are two fifty-somethings admitting that we are still figuring life out. 😂

Because growth doesn't have an expiration date.

Neither does reinvention.

🎧 Listen to A Wild Ride Called Life wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the full conversation on YouTube.

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0WLQuQ8U6eHkZzZ66G7DOG?si=03xeOrAcTg6DQbtTbQWxLw
Youtube: https://youtu.be/aEF1bNfH9_c

Follow & Connect with Christopher J. McPhee:
🔗 LinkedIn: Christopher J. McPhee, PMP
📸 Instagram: Christopher J. McPhee / Green Beret Media
🌐 greenberetmedia.com
🌐 blkopsfoundation.org

📚 You can also find his book, Follow Me: Leadership Lessons from the Shadows That Shape Extraordinary Leaders, through the BLK OPS Foundation, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Who are you when the uniform comes off?In this episode of A Wild ...

08/17/2026

A full heart. A renewed purpose. A life-changing weekend. 💙

I returned to TAPS in San Antonio this weekend, continuing a journey that began when I became a volunteer mentor in 2019.

None of this would have happened without my Army sister, Andy Pratt. She introduced me to TAPS and opened the door to an experience that has continued to change my life. Being able to return and serve again is both a blessing and an honor.

This weekend, I met new people and shared some unforgettable reunions. I reconnected with a former mentee whom I had not seen in four years. I also saw a young woman Andy once mentored, who is now an adult attending college. The last time I saw her was in 2019. Seeing her again and witnessing how much she has grown was truly amazing.

We were there to support young children who have lost a loved one to suicide—to listen, create a safe space, and remind them that they are not alone.

But mentorship is never one-sided.

What we give to these children, they give back to us in so many beautiful ways. Their courage, trust, laughter, and resilience change us. Like so many of the mentors beside me, I left San Antonio with a heart fuller than when I arrived.

I am deeply grateful to Andy for bringing me into the TAPS family and to founder Bonnie Carroll for everything she has created for surviving military families.

If you feel called to serve, volunteer, or give back, visit www.taps.org.

We go there hoping to make a difference in their lives—and we leave realizing they have made a difference in ours. 💙