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Summary:

In this episode, Jeff 'Bones' Bonner shares his journey from combat fighter pilot to performance strategist, introducing his daily debrief model for continuous improvement applicable across personal and professional life. 

Julie also sits down with the event coordinators and Cory Brown of the Eat Your Feelings Show to discuss VetFest happening this weekend Saturday September 12th in Malvern, Pa.

Key Topics:

• The fighter pilot mindset and leadership
• The development and application of the daily debrief model
• The importance of habits for continuous improvement
• Transitioning from military to civilian life and career
• The impact of reflection and visualization on performance

Takeaways:

• Experience alone doesn't make us better; adjustment does.
• A five-minute daily debrief can significantly improve performance.
• The debrief model is applicable to business, sports, healthcare, and personal growth.
• Practicing the habit of debriefing fosters continuous improvement.
• The importance of starting small and practicing consistently.

Chapters:

1. (00:00) Opening the episode and introducing Jeff Bonner and Forces Brands USA Business of the Week: VetFest
2. (01:02) Jeff Bonner’s background as a fighter pilot and Marine officer
3. (03:19) Growing up with Top Gun, air shows, and the fighter pilot dream
4. (06:44) How naval aviation training and service needs shape career paths
5. (09:35) Transitioning from military service to airline captain
6. (10:29) Harvard, the Kennedy School, and postgraduate research
7. (13:27) Why experience alone does not improve performance
8. (15:22) The five minute daily debrief concept
9. (16:24) The original audience for the book: business leaders
10. (17:51) How the model expanded to athletes, healthcare, and personal leadership
11. (19:55) The GREAT model and common debrief mistakes
12. (22:49) The five steps: gratitude, goals, evaluation, anticipation, lessons learned
13. (25:17) Why Jeff wrote the book and why a book was necessary
14. (27:21) Why the debrief works best at the end of the day
15. (28:44) Gratitude and starting with “I’m glad to be here”
16. (29:11) Reviewing goals and asking what you are trying to do
17. (29:40) Evaluating what worked and what did not work
18. (30:10) Using visualization and mental preparation to anticipate tomorrow
19. (30:39) Taking time for one lesson learned
20. (32:10) Why the habit works because it is consistent and nonjudgmental
21. (34:22) The new edition of The Daily Debrief and what changed
22. (35:15) Recording keynotes to keep improving the message
23. (36:12) The model stays the same, but the applications keep expanding
24. (38:18) Why knowing the model is not enough without practice
25. (39:15) Introduction to VetFest

Resources:

• Jeff Bonner's Website - https://debriefadvantage.com/
• Support our community and purchase from an amazing businesses on Forces Brands USA for the #ReplaceOneChallenge
• We are a proud member of Heroes Media Group 
• Check us out on Wreaths Across America Radio on Thursday mornings at 7 am.
• Register for the Veteran Social Summit 2026.
• Check out Vetfest if you’re in the Philadelphia area.
• Attend the C.R.A.F.T. event in Tampa. 

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