On the evening of September 13, 2022, Michael J. Penney went live on Veteran Nation, the NRN+ original series. The episode was titled “Guest: Michael J. Penney founder of 5paragraph.com and TedX speaker.” The stream ran about an hour and 45 minutes.
About the show
The episode description introduces him and the hosts:
Marine Veteran Michael J. Penney joins us today. He’s the founder and chairman of 5paragraph.com
Veteran Nation episode description
Veteran Nation is an NRN+ Original Series that’s dedicated to helping veterans improve their lives, hosted by fellow veteran M.T. “Skipper” Arthur and TC Pearson.
Veteran Nation episode description
A return visit
This was Michael’s second time on the show. His first was in August 2020, in season 1, episode 3, when Arthur co-hosted with Michael “SGT” Bluemling, Jr. Two years later Arthur was back with a new co-host, and Michael’s title had changed too. In 2020 he was introduced as “Michael J. Penney of 5Paragraph.com.” In 2022 he was its founder and chairman.
The description also sends viewers to michaeljpenney.com and to his TEDx talk on YouTube.
Why it mattered then
Long-form shows like this one gave him room. At well over an hour and a half, this was one of his longest guest appearances, the kind of conversation that can move from service to business to the issues veterans deal with after they come home.
The stream began just after 8:00 PM Eastern and ran until about 9:45.
His service record: eight-plus years in Marine Corps infantry and three combat tours: two to Ramadi, Iraq, with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (2005-06 and 2007), and one to Kajaki and Sangin, Afghanistan, with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in 2011, where he led a section of advisors. Between those tours he served at Quantico as a weapons instructor. He left the Corps as a Sergeant with an honorable discharge.
Looking back
Late 2022 was a busy time for Michael. Within two months of this episode he appeared on the Brett Davis Podcast in San Diego and did a five-hour livestream on Rumble, and in December 2022 he was on the cover of SHIFT magazine.
The show’s network, NRN, describes its programming as produced by a “dynamic community-based network” of everyday people and experienced reporters.
This post is part of the From the Archive series, which collects Michael’s past media appearances in one place. See the full media archive.
Work with Michael
Marine veteran, TEDx speaker and author of the 5 Paragraph Business Plan. Bring him to your stage, wear the gear, or catch him live.