How to Share a Mission

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”There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots, the other is wings.” – Hodding Carter

In the days when I watched tv (somewhere about a decade ago before I had kids and started going to bed early so I could wake up early enough to write in that hour before they wake up), I really enjoyed watching Dancing with the Stars. There is something fascinating about watching someone translate their skills from one arena to another. Like when a football player does a ballroom dance and it reveals something essential about what they bring no matter the format.

It reminds me of the guest I spoke with on the How to Share podcast this week. Anthony Dyer was special missions aviator for the US Air Force for 20 years. Now he’s written a gripping memoir, Moon Child: Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator. In it you see his courage. First on the battlefield and then in his vulnerability in writing about it.

Anthony knows how to bring it. Here’s a short excerpt that gives a taste of his inspirational courage:

“In gambling, playing with house money means you’re ahead, taking risks with what you’ve already won. That’s exactly how I wanted to exist earthside: bold, fearless, and unburdened by the fear of losing. Life itself was the ultimate win, and I was determined to make the most of it. Living a ‘house money life’ means living with the mindset that you’re already ahead and willing to take the risks with what you’ve already achieved without fearing losing. It’s about embracing life’s uncertainties and challenges and making the most of every opportunity.” – Anthony Dyer, Moon Child: Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator.

Anthony tells us how he went from a childhood in Appalachia to becoming a special missions aviator for the US Air Force. We talk about how his desire to make a difference in the world led to a 20-year-career in the military.

He reveals how he healed from the visible and invisible wounds of war, healing by picking up a pen instead of a bottle. He tells us how he met his wife and what their mission is now.

Anthony has so many incredible insights about how to live fully, heal, and integrate traumatic experiences. He tells us what motto is inspiring him today. This is a great episode with an insightful author who takes life by the horns. I know you’ll love it.

Takeaways

  • Anthony chose writing over alcohol to heal from trauma.
  • The importance of aviate, navigate, communicate in life.
  • Healing can come from vulnerability and sharing stories.
  • Family plays a crucial role in personal healing.
  • God can help you rebuild after trauma.
  • Scars are badges of honor, representing resilience.
  • Conversations with God can lead to personal growth.
  • Fatherhood is Anthony’s most important mission now.
  • Roots and wings symbolize balance in life.

Here’s a great clip of Anthony talking about how writing has helped heal the wounds of war:

Here are some ways you can watch or listen to all of this fascinating and inspiring episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Expectations can inspire us to try—until they harden into a demand for a specific outcome. In this episode of The Life of Try, Wynne Leon explores how unmet expectations fuel disappointment, why that disappointment can keep us from taking healthy risks, and what it looks like to stay hopeful without clinging. From a childhood lesson about “pressing for the answer” to Alexander Fleming’s accidental discovery of penicillin, we’ll trace how openness, curiosity, and faith can turn apparent failures into forward motion. Along the way, we’ll draw from Brené Brown’s research on disappointment, Maya Shankar’s reframing of identity after loss, and spiritual wisdom about surrender and non‑attachment—so you can keep trying even when the path changes.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Recognize when expectations are motivating you—and when they’re setting you up for disappointmentPractice openness and curiosity when a try doesn’t go as planned (and why that matters)Name and communicate your expectations to reduce “unspoken contracts”Reconnect with your deeper “why” when your “what” gets taken awayHold onto faith that trying will lead somewhere good—even if it’s not the destination you imagined.The Life of Try is a podcast about personal growth, one try at a time.What happens when trying becomes more important thangetting it right?The Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence orclarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces achange you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying—again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:The Life of Try HomeLetting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving transcriptSir Alexander Fleming – Biographical – NobelPrize.orgHow to Regulate Your Emotions and Mental Chatter When Bad Things Happen | Maya ShankarAtlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Connection by Brene BrownPenicillin Wasn't Alexander Fleming's First Major Discovery | Scientific American
  1. 51: Letting Go of Outcomes: The Mindset That Keeps You Moving
  2. 50: How to Write the Book You've Been Meaning to Write | Dr. Victoria Atkinson (Slivers)
  3. 49: Personal Growth Pivot Points: Pause, Quit or Keep Going?
  4. 48-How to Get Unstuck: Michael Yang on Saying Yes, Resilience, and Coming Alive
  5. 47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat)

Links for this episode:

How to Share a Mission Transcript

Moon Child: Roots and Wings of a USAF Combat Special Missions Aviator on Barnes and Noble and Amazon

From the host:

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

48 thoughts on “How to Share a Mission”

  1. Excellent, Wynne, and an inspiration of how we can get to the essence of our missions. Kudos to Anthony for sharing his journey!

    Decades ago, as a junior leader in a large corporation, my mission emerged when the corporate trainer asked, “What do you want written on your tombstone?” I came up with this epitaph. ‘He cared enough to build leaders of leaders.’ My goal was to have each leader replicate themselves, and like the tide raises all boats, employee attitudes and productivity would rise with the use of positive leadership skills and practices.

    Now in retirement, here’s my updated mission. ‘Share with novice authors how to write a book readers will love.’ My goal today is to help authors positively shape the lives of young and old through fiction.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I find it fascinating how some people can go through great difficulties, and decide they want to make a difference in the world. Not everyone chooses, as Anthony did, to heal, to rebuild, to make better. I’m so glad you shared his inspirational courage Wynne.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I’m really looking forward to this one! We have many friends who are former special forces and, like Anthony, they emanate a deep awareness of what truly matters in life. I’m already feeling inspired just by what I’ve read here!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. What a cool guy! Anthony is 100% authentic. I loved learning about aviation in general and the Henry Ford quote about “an airplane always taking off against the wind instead of with it “and applying that to life. I love that he sought help and ultimately chose writing and his family life over drinking and that he has a mission to help others; which, in turn helps himself. His call name may have been Uncle Tito, but his favorite is dad. He’s amazing, Wynne. I truly enjoyed this. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. As always, you name my favorites, Melanie! Yes – taking off into the wind. I never knew that! You are so good at seeing in the heart of others and you are right, Anthony is 100% authentic. Thanks for tuning in, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Your comment made me go back to the super power conversation. I had listed “curiosity.” Can I add another, haha? Observer. And that skill helps a lot in seeing others. Thanks for such a kind response. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  19. I so enjoyed this conversation, as I drove on a dreary drive to the dentist this morning.

    Trauma is such an interesting and deep subject and to discuss it from the context of recovery from 20 years of service is so compelling. I’m glad that despite the detour to alcohol, he found his way and rooted himself in fatherhood and faith.

    Love the rich metaphor of wings and flying and the phrase “isolation before salvation” and “God rebuilt me in front of what broke me” – wow, so so rich and good.

    Sounds like his new mission in life is one so worthwhile and a deeply rewarding one coming from his past.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love hearing your thoughts, Ab. They remind me of what I liked so much about Anthony, his book and this episode. The phrase isolation before salvation — right! And the taking off into the wind. Isn’t that fascinating?

      I hope your dentistry was not too painful! Sending you great wishes for a fabulous weekend!

      Liked by 1 person

  21. I agree with you on Dancing With the Stars. I’ve never seen the show but I too am interested in how successful people apply their approach to other areas- and it often works! I have some catch-up listening to do!

    Liked by 1 person

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