Badlands Story Hour Ep. 112: Top Gun Maverick – Masculinity, Mission, and the Future of Warfare with Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast

In this powerhouse episode of Badlands Story Hour, Chris Paul and Burning Bright welcome retired Lieutenant General Steven Kwast for an electrifying breakdown of Top Gun: Maverick. More than just a blockbuster, this film becomes a launchpad for deep conversation about modern warfare, American identity, masculinity, and technological transition.

The trio explores how the film reinvigorated national morale during a demoralized cultural moment, how it brilliantly balances archetypal storytelling with real-world nuance, and what it says about the current struggle between man and machine. General Kwast, who’s actually lived the life Maverick embodies, offers insider insight into the physical toll of combat, the training and mindset of elite fighter pilots, and how ego, humility, and intuition collide in life-or-death decisions.

They dive into the spiritual nature of heroism, the psychological cost of war, and the real-world threats posed by information warfare and silent societal sabotage. From the dangers of AI and energy weaponization to the role of America as the last great hope for global liberty, this conversation is as uplifting as it is urgent.

One part military analysis, one part cultural therapy, this is not your average movie review...it’s a mission debrief for the soul.