It’s the first Monday of 2026 — and yes, this is a New Year’s episode… just not the kind you’re used to.
In this episode of the Talkin’ Crazy Podcast, I’m not here to sell you a “new year, new you” fantasy or pressure you into rewriting your entire life overnight. Instead, we take a moment to acknowledge the fact that we made it — through the highs, the lows, and a year that tested a lot of people in ways they never expected.
I break down five realistic New Year tips that actually work, especially if you’re tired of setting goals you never finish. We talk about why you don’t actually need a New Year’s resolution, how to start before you feel ready, setting goals that are realistic and obtainable, being kind to yourself without making excuses, building the right connections, and why prioritizing memories matters more than nonstop productivity.
This episode is about consistency over perfection, progress over pressure, and giving yourself grace while still holding yourself accountable.
If 2025 humbled you, stretched you, or forced you to grow — this one’s for you.
🎧 Tap in, lock in, and let’s move smarter in 2026.
If this episode resonates, don’t forget to rate, review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
You don’t have to support someone’s journey — but you don’t have the right to hurt them either.
In this episode of the Talkin’ Crazy Podcast, Meech breaks down the difference between neutral disagreement and intentional sabotage. From military leaders delaying transitions, to families discouraging dreams, to friends projecting their own failures — this episode dives into why people make environments hostile when they don’t agree with your growth.
Meech unpacks the idea of authority without empathy, calls out bystander leadership, and explains why some people try to derail your progress when it doesn’t fit the plan they had for your life. This episode is for anyone who’s been punished for choosing a different path — especially service members navigating transitions, growth, and identity outside the uniform.
If you’re fighting for your future while also fighting the people around you, this episode is for you.
🎙️ Key topics covered:
The difference between not supporting someone and intentionally hurting them
Authority without empathy and why it destroys trust
Why people sabotage growth they don’t understand
Military transitions, SkillBridge, and leadership resistance
Failed dreams, projection, and resentment
Standing up for your people — even when you don’t agree.
If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Growth shouldn’t come with punishment.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
Growth is a blessing — but nobody tells you what it costs.
In this episode of the Talkin’ Crazy Podcast, Meech breaks down what happens when you start evolving… and the people closest to you don’t.
From promotions and new responsibilities to changing habits, boundaries, and mindsets — this episode dives into the uncomfortable tension that shows up when your growth exposes someone else’s stagnation.
Meech shares a raw story from his early Marine Corps career about ego, rank, and learning the hard way what it means to respect growth — even when it comes from someone you came up with.
This episode is for:
Service members navigating new rank and leadership roles
Friends struggling with distance after personal growth
Anyone who’s been accused of “changing” for becoming better
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
Because just because your mindset changes…
doesn’t mean your heart did.
🎙️ New episodes every Monday
📲 Subscribe, rate, and review if this one hit home
You don’t realize how exhausted you are… until you finally get a chance to breathe.
In this episode of the Talkin’ Crazy Podcast, I reflect on burnout, recruiting duty, ego, purpose, and why sometimes being redirected is exactly what you need—even when it doesn’t feel like it at the time.
After spending time in California for the MEPS course, being back on a Marine Corps installation forced me to slow down, reset, and reflect. I open up about my first year on recruiting duty, getting pulled off the bag, the embarrassment of feeling benched, and why going back to the trenches was unfinished business I had to handle.
This episode is about:
Burnout and mental exhaustion
Ego, pride, and purpose
Military recruiting duty realities
Redirection vs failure
Why you shouldn’t quit while you’re losing
Ending the year with clarity and perspective
If you’re closing out the year tired, frustrated, or questioning your direction—this episode is for you.
Sometimes the detour isn’t a setback.
Sometimes it’s the plan.
👉 If this episode resonates with you, leave an honest rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—it helps the show grow and reach more people who need it.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
December isn’t just a holiday month — it’s your personal Unwrap.
It’s reflection.
It’s heavy.
It’s honest.
It’s where you evaluate the wins, the losses, the storms, and the quiet battles you didn’t post online.
In today’s episode, Meech breaks down how to Reflect, Reconcile, and Realign so you walk into 2026 prepared, focused, lighter, and stronger.
If this episode resonates, share it & drop a “Hell Yeah Brother” in the comments.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🔥
In this Thanksgiving Day Special, Meech breaks down the Top 10 Things NOT To Do on Thanksgiving — straight from the smoker, the kitchen, and the chaos of hosting.
From showing up empty-handed, to trying to cook late, to touching food before the prayer, to bringing random plus-ones, to making greedy to-go plates — Meech is calling out every offense he’s seen over the years.
Whether you’re driving to grab your first plate, hiding from your family in the bathroom, or cooking your heart out before guests arrive, this episode is the Thanksgiving dose of comedy, honesty, and realness you need today.
Meech also shares why Thanksgiving is his most meaningful holiday, the memories that built him, and the real Marine Corps tradition of taking care of people far from home.
You’ll laugh. You’ll relate. You’ll get checked. You’ll get blessed.
Tap in — and stop touching the food before the prayer.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
It’s Thanksgiving 101 — the annual Talkin’ Crazy tradition.
Every year somebody ruins the holiday, so I broke down the real rules: who can cook, who can’t, pet owners in the kitchen, bad kids, bathroom etiquette, and the politics of the first plate vs seconds.
This is the episode you listen to while cooking, driving, or avoiding your family for five minutes.
Funny, real, and painfully accurate.
Comment on Spotify: What’s YOUR #1 Thanksgiving rule?
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
In this raw and honest episode, Meech opens up about being in a slump — the kind where you don’t have the energy, the motivation, or even the desire to show up. No crisis, no meltdown… just exhaustion.
Meech breaks down what it really means to show up when you’re running on fumes, why your 100% changes day to day, and how to stop feeling guilty for not being “on” all the time. This episode is a reminder that you’re human — and that even 10% can be enough to keep you going.
Whether you’re burnt out, overwhelmed, or just tired of pretending everything’s fine, this one’s for you.
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
In this heartfelt episode of Talkin’ Crazy, Demetrius Thigpen (Meech Speaks) opens up about fatherhood, self-doubt, and the importance of protecting your peace.
After hitting 1 million views and celebrating Father’s Day, Meech reflects on his journey from recording in a storage closet to inspiring thousands — and what it truly means to own your space.
He dives into:
The fear of becoming your father — and breaking that cycle
What fatherhood has taught him about patience, pride, and purpose
Why being self-aware can feel like both a gift and a curse
How to stop shrinking yourself and start owning the room
The power behind the quote: “Be gentle to your mental.”
This episode is for every man learning to lead, every parent trying to show up, and anyone who’s been too hard on themselves.
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
🎙️ Host: Demetrius “Meech Speaks” Thigpen
💬 Follow: @meech.speaks
🧠 Mental Health x Motivation x Real Talk
📅 New Episodes Mondays & Thursdays
Men are burning out because we’ve been taught that self-care is soft. In this powerful episode of Talkin’ Crazy Podcast, Marine and motivational speaker Demetrius Thigpen (Meech Speaks) breaks down the truth about masculinity, rest, and what it really means to take care of yourself.
This isn’t about spa days or bubble baths — it’s about preventive maintenance. Meech shares personal stories from his time in the Marine Corps, lessons on burnout, and how to balance being strong with being human.
💬 In this episode:
Why men are afraid to practice self-care
The cost of saying yes too often
How to set boundaries without guilt
Why rest is part of discipline, not the opposite
The Marine mindset behind mental strength
🎧 Listen to Talkin’ Crazy Podcast every Monday & Thursday for real talk about mindset, motivation, and what it means to be human — from a United States Marine’s perspective.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
After tearing his MCL, meniscus, and fracturing his femur — and still walking on it — Meech realized something deeper: sometimes strength isn’t a choice, it’s survival.
In this episode of Talkin’ Crazy, Meech breaks down the double-edged sword of being “too strong.” From pushing through pain to learning when to ask for help, this one’s for anyone who’s been fighting silently, holding it down, and still showing up.
🎙️ Topics:
The hidden cost of being “too strong”
The difference between real toughness and emotional denial
Why asking for help isn’t weakness
What true resilience actually looks like
💬 Share your favorite quote on Instagram: @meech.speaks
🔥 New episodes every Monday & Thursday
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
After 16 years in the Marine Corps, Meech Speaks shares the lessons he wishes he knew as a young Marine. From building your exit plan on day one, to navigating racism, protecting your confidence, and finding your tribe — this episode delivers raw, unfiltered advice every service member needs to hear. Whether you’re fresh off the yellow footprints or deep into your career, this one will make you rethink how you move in and out of uniform.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
Meech gets brutally honest about five toxic mindsets he carried for years in the Marine Corps—judging Marines by appearance, shaming light/limited duty, putting mission before family, dismissing mental health, and treating MCMAP tabs like power levels. Stories include the moment he finally chose medical over pride, almost leaving the delivery room for a tasker, and a post-injury Marine who redefined what leadership looks like. This isn’t Corps-bashing—it’s growth: keep the standards, keep the humanity.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
In this episode, Meech keeps it all the way real about how we tend to make life harder than it has to be. From chasing “mental toughness” to trying to perfect our routines, we love to complicate simple things. But as Meech breaks down — success, consistency, resilience, all of it — it really comes down to one thing: getting back up.
He shares stories from his time at the MACE, the early days of Meech Speaks recording in a linen closet, and a powerful conversation that flipped his perspective on failure. The message is simple but solid — you don’t need perfection, a fancy plan, or a miracle. You just need to show up, stay consistent, and stop overcomplicating what’s already simple.
This one’s for the overthinkers, the perfectionists, and anyone who’s been stuck waiting for the “right time.” Spoiler: the right time is right now.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
In this episode, Meech opens up about taking leave, returning to the MACE, and why he decided to create a second Instagram — not to escape Meech Speaks, but to reconnect with Demetrius Thigpen. From the grind of recruiting duty to the constant pressure of being “on” as a creator, Meech shares how easy it is to lose yourself in the mission — and how stepping back doesn’t mean quitting, it means coming home to yourself.
This one’s for every service member, leader, and driven person who’s been giving everything to the mission but nothing to themselves.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks or meech.thinks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
After a year and some change away, I went back home — to the MACE, the place that made me. What started as a visit to the MCMAP 25th Anniversary turned into one of the most emotional experiences of my life.
In this episode, I talk about what it felt like to walk through those doors again, the brotherhood that never fades, and the lessons I didn’t know I still needed to learn.
From grace to legacy, from pain to purpose — this one’s personal.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
After 16 years in the Marine Corps, I’ve seen the highs, the lows, and everything in between — from getting NJP’d to becoming a Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, author, podcaster, and father who refuses to play small.
In this episode, I break down 5 hard-earned lessons (plus a bonus) that have shaped me as a Marine, leader, and man:
🕰 Patience: Why you can’t quit before the plan has time to work
🔥 Adversity as Fuel: How owning your mistakes turns setbacks into motivation
💡 Never Make Yourself Small: Stop dimming your light for people who can’t handle your shine
🏗 Rebuild & Rebrand: Forget what they say — you’re allowed to grow and start over
🎯 Life After the Marine Corps: Building your exit plan before it’s too late
🏀 Bonus – Rubber vs. Glass Balls: Learning what to protect at all cost.
This is a reflection on 16 years of lessons — and a challenge to look at your own career, own your story, and start building what’s next.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
This week on the Talkin’ Crazy Podcast, I’m coming in hot — we are talking about expectations, friendships, and why betrayal hurts so bad. Too many of us are expecting “us” from people who were never built like us. I break down:
Why expecting loyalty from everyone is setting yourself up for disappointment
How to stop giving “friend privileges” to classmates, coworkers, and followers
Why fake friends, silent supporters, and secret competitors are dangerous to keep around
How to reevaluate your circle and protect your peace
This episode is about boundaries, accountability, and clarity. If you’ve ever been betrayed, let down, or left wondering why someone you trusted switched up — this one’s for you.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
This week, I step back and break down the hard lessons I’ve learned watching Marines, influencers, and the world spiral over the past week and a half. From the assassination of Charlie Kirk to yet another Marine dragged through social media, this episode isn’t about adding to the noise — it’s about accountability, empathy, and shutting your mouth when it’s time to listen.
I cover:
Why you can’t keep giving people the power to take away what you value
How fake friends are worse than enemies
Why some military influencers don’t actually care about Marines
How to balance speaking up vs. staying silent
The need for compassion, even when we disagree
If you wear the uniform, if you’re a father, if you’ve ever felt like the world was waiting for you to slip — this one’s for you.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.
This is one of the most personal and honest episodes I’ve ever done. I take a step back and reflect on the darkest season of my life — the moment I almost ended it all — and why I’m grateful I didn’t.
This episode is about more than just my story. It’s about the pain we carry, the battles no one sees, and the choice to keep going when quitting feels like the only option.
If you’ve ever felt like giving up, I want you to hear this: your story isn’t done. You are not alone.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and this is one of the most personal episodes I’ve ever recorded.
In this remastered episode, I reflect on the darkest season of my life — the moment I almost ended it all — and why I’m grateful I didn’t. This conversation is for every Marine, veteran, and anyone out there who’s ever felt like they couldn’t keep going.
Your story isn’t done. You still have time to rewrite the ending. You still have a purpose.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial 988 (24/7, confidential)
Veterans Crisis Line – Dial 988, then press 1 (or text 838255)
Wounded Warrior Project Resource Center – 888-997-2586
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine – 1-800-950-NAMI
Check on your people — not just this month, but every day. Sometimes just one conversation can save a life.
IG & TIKTOK: meech.speaks
Let our sponsor BetterHelp connect you to a therapist who can support you - all from the comfort of your own home.
Visit https://betterhelp.com/meechspeaks
and enjoy a special discount on your first month.