Latest Episode
Major General Patrick Roberson - Managing Risk and the Weight of Command
In military leadership, standard doctrine and gut instincts only get you so far. The most effective commanders are those who learn to thrive in extreme uncertainty, balance high-stakes risk, and continuously evolve.
In this episode, Major General (Ret) Patrick Roberson and I dive into his 35-year Army career in Special Forces: from his early foundation as an ROTC cadet at Mankato State and platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne, to commanding Third Special Forces Group. He was part of the operatio
Recent Episodes
56
Sept. 30, 2026
Major General Patrick Roberson - Managing Risk and the Weight of Command
In military leadership, standard doctrine and gut instincts only get you so far. The most effective commanders are those who learn to thrive in extreme uncertainty, balance high-stakes risk, and continuously evolve. In this episode, Major General (Ret) Patrick Roberson and I dive into his 35-year Army career in Special Forces: from his early foundation as an ROTC cadet at Mankato State and platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne, to commanding Third Special Forces Group. He was part of the operatio
55
Aug. 14, 2026
Lieutenant General Watson - Succeeding Through Subordinates
Leadership in the Marine Corps is often associated with uncompromising toughness and strict command. But the most impactful leaders learn to balance high standards with genuine empathy, recognizing that an organization’s true strength comes from investing directly in the success of its people. I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the evolution of military culture, and today’s Marines are sharper, highly observant, and deeply focused on purpose and authenticity. In this conversation, LtGen Wa
54
June 30, 2026
Lieutenant General Dave Bellon - From JAG to General: The Career Nobody Saw Coming
Most people think of a Marine general and picture a lifetime of infantry commands and combat deployments. They'd be right about Dave Bellon but they'd be missing half the story. In this conversation, Lieutenant General Dave Bellon (Ret.) pulls back the curtain on the parts of his career he rarely talks about: switching from JAG officer to infantry lieutenant, back to JAG, and into a capital murder defense case that put him at the center of one of Camp Pendleton's most high-profile court martial
51
May 18, 2026
Sergeant Major Carlos Ruiz - Culture, Communication, and Modern Marines
Leadership is often viewed through the lens of decisiveness. Direct orders and quick thinking. But the most impactful modern leaders are those who prioritize collaboration, and remain present in their leadership roles. I’ve been thinking about the future, and today’s junior Marines are different: researchers, thinkers, and seekers of authenticity. They aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions. In this candid conversation, Sergeant Major Carlos Ruiz and I explore why leaders must shift from issu
52
April 7, 2026
CMSSF John Bentivegna - From Imposter Syndrome to Chief of the Space Force
John Bentivegna didn’t plan to spend 30 years in the military. He joined the Air Force with a simple goal: serve a few years, earn veteran’s preference, and come back to New Jersey to become a firefighter. Instead, that four-year contract turned into a career that eventually led him to become the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force, the senior enlisted leader of the newest branch of the U.S. military. In this conversation, Bentivegna looks back at the moments that shaped how he leads. The
51
March 16, 2026
Rear Admiral James R. McNeal - Leadership Behind the Mission
Most leadership conversations center on the person out front. The one giving the orders. The one standing on the stage. I’ve always been fascinated by another side of leadership. The people who make the mission possible long before anyone sees the result. In this conversation, Rear Admiral James McNeal and I talk about a career spent supporting complex missions across the Navy. Logistics rarely grabs headlines, yet every operation depends on it. Ships move, teams deploy, and missions succe