Resilient Leadership: Lessons from Service, Failure, and Hard-Won Success
Release Date: 02/03/2026
Resilient Leadership: Lessons from Service, Failure, and Hard-Won Success
Bold Journeys Podcast
What does resilient leadership look like when the stakes are life‑and‑death? In this episode of Bold Journeys, Rob Spee sits down with MK Palmore — Marine, retired FBI executive, cybersecurity leader, and now founder of his own enterprise risk consulting firm — to explore how true leadership is forged through failure, discipline, and hard‑won experience. From childhood to the Marine Corps to a 22‑year FBI career, MK shares the defining moments that shaped his philosophy on courage, integrity, and leading under pressure. This conversation cuts through clichés and gets to the heart...
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info_outlineWhat does resilient leadership look like when the stakes are life‑and‑death?
In this episode of Bold Journeys, Rob Spee sits down with MK Palmore — Marine, retired FBI executive, cybersecurity leader, and now founder of his own enterprise risk consulting firm — to explore how true leadership is forged through failure, discipline, and hard‑won experience.
From childhood to the Marine Corps to a 22‑year FBI career, MK shares the defining moments that shaped his philosophy on courage, integrity, and leading under pressure. This conversation cuts through clichés and gets to the heart of what makes a leader resilient in the real world.
What You’ll Learn
- How early conversations shaped MK’s leadership mindset
- Why failure is essential for growth — and how to recover from it
- Lessons from the Marine Corps and FBI that apply to everyday leadership
- How MK transitioned from public service to entrepreneurship
- The role of values, discipline, and courage in resilient leadership
Why This Episode Matters
If you’re navigating a demanding season — in leadership, career, or personal life — MK’s story offers a roadmap for staying grounded, acting with integrity, and rising stronger from every setback.
About MK Palmore
MK is a former Marine officer and retired FBI executive with decades of experience in crisis leadership, cybersecurity, and enterprise risk. Today he advises organizations on resilience, risk, and strategic leadership.
Join the Journey
If this conversation resonates, subscribe for more stories of grit, faith, and the kind of leadership shaped in the fire.
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:24 Childhood and Early Influences
08:59 Dreams of the Naval Academy
13:00 Joining the Marines
15:38 Transition to the FBI
18:55 Challenges and Failures
23:41 Grit and Resilience
28:32 Are Leaders Born or Made?
29:31 The Impact of Parental Influence
30:23 Rapid Fire Round: Business and Leadership
32:33 Morning Routines and Core Values
38:56 Transitioning from Public to Private Sector
40:15 Writing a Leadership Book for Youngsters
45:50 Challenges and Running as an Outlet
52:30 Final Words of Advice