Wake Up, Smile, and Mean It: Finding Purpose Through the SMILE Framework with Terrence Rotering

Wake Up, Smile, and Mean It: Finding Purpose Through the SMILE Framework with Terrence Rotering

From Healthy Mind, Healthy Life by Avik Chakraborty

April 28, 2026 · 24 min

About this episode

Terrence Rotering discusses the SMILE framework for finding purpose and improving mental health through simple daily practices.

What if the most powerful thing you could do for your mental health and your sense of purpose did not require a dramatic overhaul of your life? What if it started the moment you opened your eyes, with something as simple as a smile? In this grounded and quietly inspiring episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik sits down with Terrence Rotering, a retired US Air Force officer, fighter pilot, and author of the Chronicles of Trinian book series. Terrence shares the SMILE framework, a practical daily architecture built from 35 years of military service, that helps anyone move from aimless drifting to intentional, purpose-led living. Whether you are just starting out or wondering if it is too late to change course, this conversation has something real to offer. About the Guest: Terrence Rotering is a US Air Force Academy graduate who served 20 years flying F-111F and F-15E fighter aircraft worldwide before spending 15 additional years at NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). Since retiring, he has channelled his life experience into writing the Chronicles of Trinian, a multi-book epic series blending fantasy, science fiction, and spiritual themes. He lives on a…

People in this episode

Host: Avik Chakraborty

Guest: Terrence Rotering

Topics covered

  • mental health
  • purpose
  • SMILE framework
  • intentional living
  • military experience

Keywords

  • mental health
  • purpose
  • SMILE framework
  • intentional living
  • Terrence Rotering

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: US Air Force, NORAD

Books & works: Chronicles of Trinian

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