Mar 17 2025 27 mins
What happens when a decorated combat veteran and ER doctor witnesses an entire generation losing their will to fight? Dr. Colonel Josh McConkey has seen it all – from battlefield trauma to the youth mental health crisis flooding emergency rooms. In this can't-miss episode, he shares his explosive theory on why Gen Z lacks resilience, the simple dinner table solution every family needs, and the jaw-dropping story of the $3.4 million bribe he refused that forced him to flee the country with his family.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, or concerned citizen, McConkey's 'Weight Behind the Spear' philosophy might be the wake-up call America desperately needs.
Dr. Colonel Josh McConkey is a board-certified emergency physician, Air Force Colonel, decorated combat veteran, and bestselling author of "Be the Weight Behind the Spear." After witnessing firsthand the mental health crisis impacting today's youth, he developed a straightforward approach to building resilience and leadership that anyone can implement in their community.
In this episode, we discuss:
👉🏼 Why Gen Z is experiencing unprecedented levels of anxiety and depression
👉🏼 The dangerous impact of social media on child development
👉🏼 Simple strategies parents can use to build resilience in their children
👉🏼 His harrowing story of standing up to corruption that forced him to flee to Australia
👉🏼 How communities can come together to support the next generation of leaders
👉🏼 Get Dr. McConkey's book "Be the Weight Behind the Spear" on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or his website.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Colonel Josh McConkey
03:47 - The meaning behind "Be the Weight Behind the Spear"
05:31 - What inspired McConkey to write the book
07:22 - The Gen Z mental health crisis in emergency rooms
08:32 - Alarming statistics on youth depression and hopelessness
09:12 - How COVID isolation devastated youth development
10:43 - Simple solutions: The power of family dinner
12:16 - From helicopter parents to lawnmower parents
13:10 - Three critical tips for managing kids' social media use
14:16 - Why social media is like handing kids a loaded gun
15:50 - How to rebuild community engagement
17:00 - Leadership lessons from legendary Coach K
19:25 - Standing up to corruption: The $3.4 million bribe he refused
22:20 - Fleeing to Australia to protect his family
23:18 - A surprising lottery win after losing everything
24:00 - The heart of McConkey's message for everyone
25:56 - What's next for Dr. Colonel McConkey
27:11 - Closing thoughts
📲 Connect with Our Hosts:
Stacey: https://www.instagram.com/staceymgrant/
Mark: https://www.instagram.com/mark_lubragge_onair/
⭐️ Watch/Subscribe to Gurus and Game Changers on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@UCsRyuQWlLAYzM4IyJlF2IWQ
📲 Connect with Dr. Colonel Josh McConkey
Website: https://www.joshmcconkey.com/
Books: 'Be the Weight Behind the Spear' - https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Behind-Spear-Josh-McConkey/dp/B0CKDLBP9X
Nonprofit: https://www.weightbehindthespear.com/Foundation
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSQ7OpDAy4hr3doGNtqwtcA