The Questions That Matter: Red Friday Talks Reflection Guide

Red Friday Talks isn't just about interviews—it’s about reflection, purpose, and belonging to something greater than ourselves. Whether you're a veteran, a first responder, or someone who supports them, the questions we ask shape the life we live. That’s why we built the Red Friday Talks Interview Reflection Sheet—a set of 12 powerful, life-tested questions designed to spark real conversation.

Some of these questions dive into the journey of healing after an Operational Stress Injury (OSI). Others are broader, touching on career, character, and what it really means to “show up” for life, mission, and each other.

Why These Questions Matter

In a world that moves fast, this sheet is designed to slow things down. The goal? Help each guest (or reader) connect with deeper truths—about resilience, regret, legacy, and what it means to be human after service.

Whether you’re speaking, journaling, mentoring, or podcasting, these questions are your compass. They can guide a one-on-one conversation, a self-reflection session, or a Red Friday community circle.

Top Themes Covered in the Interview Sheet

• Life after service

• Mental health & healing from OSIs

• The meaning of purpose and success

• Lessons learned across time

• The duty-minded lifestyle—on and off the job

• The role of connection, community, and legacy

Get Involved: Use This Tool

We invite you to use this guide for:

• Red Friday Talks interviews

• Peer support groups

• Journaling or therapy prompts

• Podcast discussions

• Leadership development & team-building

Because sometimes the greatest gift we can offer is not advice—but a question worth answering.

🔻 Download, share, reflect—and tag us with your answers.

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Full Red Friday Talks Interview Reflection Sheet

Each pair of questions below includes:

• (a) a version that touches on OSI or mental health

• (b) a version with a general life or career focus

1a. If you could go back and speak to your 20-year-old self, what would you say about mental health, service, and the journey ahead?

1b. If you could talk to your 20-year-old self today, what would you say about life, choices, and what really matters?

2a. Looking back on everything—service, struggle, healing, and growth—would you walk the same path again? Why or why not?

2b. What’s one decision you made that changed the course of your life—and would you make it again?

3a. What has been your greatest internal victory since facing your OSI?

3b. How has your understanding of success changed over the years?

4a. What role does connection—to others, to purpose, or to something bigger—play in healing from an OSI?

4b. Is there a moment in your career or life where you felt most aligned with your purpose? What was happening then?

5a. “Showing up” is a phrase we often hear—showing up for others, for the mission, for yourself. What does “showing up” mean to you now?

5b. What does “showing up” mean to you today—in your work, relationships, or mission?

6a. If you could leave one message etched into the mind of someone currently battling their own OSI, what would it be?

6b. What question do you think more people should ask themselves, but rarely do?

Let’s keep the conversation going.

– The Red Friday Talks Team
SupportOurHeroes.Directory
“Because showing up still matters.”