<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms">Send us a text</a>On the release of his latest thriller, <a href='https://amzn.to/4qt7Dz7'>The Viper: A Zig and Nola Novel</a>, Brad Meltzer joins Joe for an in-depth conversation on writing, curiosity, service, and the often-hidden moments that shape a life. From bestselling thrillers to children’s books, Meltzer reflects on how stories—both real and imagined—help us make sense of who we are, what we’ve lived through, and the paths we choose moving forward.Drawing on his own unlikely origin story, Meltzer shares how a single teacher’s encouragement set him on the path to becoming a writer, why falling in love with the process matters more than chasing outcomes, and how curiosity has been the throughline of his career. They explore how paying attention—to people, details, and quiet acts of kindness—can open doors we didn’t even know existed.The conversation also dives into Meltzer’s deep connection to the military community, from his work with the USO to the research behind his Zig and Nola thriller series set at Dover Air Force Base. Together, Joe and Brad discuss service, sacrifice, grief, and why storytelling can help destigmatize mental health struggles—especially for those transitioning out of uniform.In this episode, Brad Meltzer and Joe also explore:<ul><li>How one teacher’s belief can change the trajectory of a life</li><li>Why curiosity is a more powerful tool than talent</li><li>Falling in love with the process—not the outcome—of creative work</li><li>What writing thrillers has taught Meltzer about human nature</li><li>Why Dover Air Force Base became the heart of his Zig and Nola series</li><li>How small acts of kindness ripple outward in unexpected ways</li><li>The challenge of transitioning from a life of constant motion to stillness</li><li>Why seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness</li><li>How reading builds empathy, critical thinking, and resilience</li><li>Why transformation is the hardest, and most important, kind of change</li></ul>Whether you’re a writer, a leader, a veteran, or someone navigating a transition, this conversation is a reminder that paying attention, staying curious, and honoring the quiet work of becoming can lead to a life richer than any plan you could have written in advance.<a href='https://youtu.be/sdrxDmUwK-I'>Watch the full episode on Youtube</a>! A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>Adyton</a>. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>here</a>!Meet <a href='https://www.roger.bank/'>ROGER Bank</a>—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. <a href='https://logistics-sys.com/'>Logistics Systems Incorporated (LSI)</a> is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business supporting DoD and federal civilian agencies with enterprise IT operations, global logistics support, cybersecurity, data, and mission support services. Founded by a veteran Army leader, LSI is known for operating inside complex, high-consequence environments where leadership, discipline, and execution matter. Their teams support large user communities and mis

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;On the release of his latest thriller, &lt;a href='https://amzn.to/4qt7Dz7'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Viper: A Zig and Nola Novel&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, Brad Meltzer joins Joe for an in-depth conversation on writing, curiosity, service, and the often-hidden moments that shape a life. From bestselling thrillers to children’s books, Meltzer reflects on how stories—both real and imagined—help us make sense of who we are, what we’ve lived through, and the paths we choose moving forward.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Drawing on his own unlikely origin story, Meltzer shares how a single teacher’s encouragement set him on the path to becoming a writer, why falling in love with the &lt;em&gt;process&lt;/em&gt; matters more than chasing outcomes, and how curiosity has been the throughline of his career. They explore how paying attention—to people, details, and quiet acts of kindness—can open doors we didn’t even know existed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The conversation also dives into Meltzer’s deep connection to the military community, from his work with the USO to the research behind his Zig and Nola thriller series set at Dover Air Force Base. Together, Joe and Brad discuss service, sacrifice, grief, and why storytelling can help destigmatize mental health struggles—especially for those transitioning out of uniform.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this episode, Brad Meltzer and Joe also explore:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How one teacher’s belief can change the trajectory of a life&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why curiosity is a more powerful tool than talent&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Falling in love with the process—not the outcome—of creative work&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What writing thrillers has taught Meltzer about human nature&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why Dover Air Force Base became the heart of his Zig and Nola series&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How small acts of kindness ripple outward in unexpected ways&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The challenge of transitioning from a life of constant motion to stillness&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How reading builds empathy, critical thinking, and resilience&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why transformation is the hardest, and most important, kind of change&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re a writer, a leader, a veteran, or someone navigating a transition, this conversation is a reminder that paying attention, staying curious, and honoring the quiet work of becoming can lead to a life richer than any plan you could have written in advance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/sdrxDmUwK-I'&gt;Watch the full episode on Youtube&lt;/a&gt;! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Veteran-founded &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Adyton&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;here&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Meet &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.roger.bank/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;ROGER Bank&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://logistics-sys.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Logistics Systems Incorporated (LSI)&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt; is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business supporting DoD and federal civilian agencies with enterprise IT operations, global logistics support, cybersecurity, data, and mission support services. Founded by a veteran Army leader, LSI is known for operating inside complex, high-consequence environments where leadership, discipline, and execution matter. Their teams support large user communities and mis&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text On the release of his latest thriller, The Viper: A Zig and Nola Novel, Brad Meltzer joins Joe for an in-depth conversation on writing, curiosity, service, and the often-hidden moments that shape a life. From bestselling thrillers to children’s books, Meltzer reflects on how stories—both real and imagined—help us make sense of who we are, what we’ve lived through, and the paths we choose moving forward. Drawing on his own unlikely origin story, Meltzer shares how a single teach...

Open Doors & Hidden Worlds: The Power of Curiosity with Brad Meltzer

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms">Send us a text</a>General Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa joins Joe for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, culture, and what it takes to drive real change at scale across massive, dispersed organizations.Having led at the division, corps, and now theater Army level, Donahue reflects on what doesn’t change as responsibility grows. Regardless of rank or scope, leaders must still create belief in the why, articulate a clear vision, translate that vision into a workable plan, and embed it into culture and process so change actually sticks.They also explore what is changing rapidly. From the impact of emerging technologies to the realities of modern warfare—where sensing, drones, and data shape every decision—they discuss why leaders must continuously adapt, integrate new tools, and keep developing themselves to stay ahead. The conversation reinforces a timeless truth: while the tools evolve, leadership remains the decisive factor.In this episode, General Donahue and Joe also explore:<ul><li>Why culture without process is just wishful thinking</li><li>How leaders turn intent into execution through clear systems and standards</li><li>Why meaningful change must be measured, not just announced</li><li>How repetition, standards, and accountability build real readiness</li><li>What improved culture looks like when performance rises and negative indicators fall</li><li>Why realistic training standards matter—especially under stress</li><li>Avoiding groupthink by rotating teams and encouraging honest feedback</li><li>Creating a climate where people can speak truth to power without fear</li><li>Why leaders should never expect to fight the last war again</li><li>The growing challenge of offense in a world of constant sensing and surveillance</li><li>How technology, data, and modeling are reshaping how leaders think about risk and capability</li><li>Why, in the end, it still always comes back to leadership</li></ul>Whether you’re leading a small team or a global organization, this conversation offers a grounded reminder that clarity, discipline, and culture—not slogans—are what allow leaders to turn complexity into coherent action.<a href='https://youtu.be/jTC2GwjdJk4?si=JQBTcPR5hEqX37K6'>Watch the full interview our our YouTube Channel</a>A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>Adyton</a>. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>here</a>!Meet <a href='https://www.roger.bank/'>ROGER Bank</a>—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;General Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa joins Joe for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, culture, and what it takes to drive real change at scale across massive, dispersed organizations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Having led at the division, corps, and now theater Army level, Donahue reflects on what &lt;em&gt;doesn’t&lt;/em&gt; change as responsibility grows. Regardless of rank or scope, leaders must still create belief in the why, articulate a clear vision, translate that vision into a workable plan, and embed it into culture and process so change actually sticks.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore what &lt;em&gt;is&lt;/em&gt; changing rapidly. From the impact of emerging technologies to the realities of modern warfare—where sensing, drones, and data shape every decision—they discuss why leaders must continuously adapt, integrate new tools, and keep developing themselves to stay ahead. The conversation reinforces a timeless truth: while the tools evolve, leadership remains the decisive factor.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this episode, General Donahue and Joe also explore:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why culture without process is just wishful thinking&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How leaders turn intent into execution through clear systems and standards&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why meaningful change must be measured, not just announced&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How repetition, standards, and accountability build real readiness&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What improved culture looks like when performance rises and negative indicators fall&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why realistic training standards matter—especially under stress&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Avoiding groupthink by rotating teams and encouraging honest feedback&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Creating a climate where people can speak truth to power without fear&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why leaders should never expect to fight the last war again&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The growing challenge of offense in a world of constant sensing and surveillance&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How technology, data, and modeling are reshaping how leaders think about risk and capability&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why, in the end, it still always comes back to leadership&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re leading a small team or a global organization, this conversation offers a grounded reminder that clarity, discipline, and culture—not slogans—are what allow leaders to turn complexity into coherent action.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/jTC2GwjdJk4?si=JQBTcPR5hEqX37K6'&gt;Watch the full interview our our YouTube Channel&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Veteran-founded &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Adyton&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;here&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Meet &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.roger.bank/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;ROGER Bank&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text General Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa joins Joe for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, culture, and what it takes to drive real change at scale across massive, dispersed organizations. Having led at the division, corps, and now theater Army level, Donahue reflects on what doesn’t change as responsibility grows. Regardless of rank or scope, leaders must still create belief in the why, articulate a clear vision, translate that visi...

Culture, Process, and Technology with General Christopher Donahue

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms">Send us a text</a><a href='https://alpha.coffee/'>Alpha Coffee</a> co-founder and retired Army lieutenant colonel Carl Churchill joins Joe for a candid conversation on leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build something that lasts after the uniform comes off.After serving more than two decades in the Army, Carl found himself facing an unexpected second career shaped not by careful planning, but by crisis. In the wake of the Great Recession, he and his wife Lori cashed out their savings and took an all-in leap to build Alpha Coffee from their basement—navigating years of uncertainty, near-misses, and hard-earned lessons before the business finally found its footing. Drawing on his military background, Stoic philosophy, and a refusal to quit, Carl shares how discipline, culture, and clarity of purpose carried him through nearly a decade of struggle.In this conversation, Joe and Carl explore what leadership looks like when there’s no rank to hide behind: how military lessons translate into entrepreneurship, why culture matters more than strategy, and how leaders must adapt their style as contexts and generations change. Along the way, they reflect on stress, perspective, boundaries, and the quiet confidence that comes from having faced truly hard things before.In this episode, Joe and Carl also explore:<ul><li>Tips for making great coffee</li><li>Why Carl chose to walk away from promotion to keep leading people, not staffs</li><li>What “burning the boats” looks like when your family and future are on the line</li><li>How military hardship inoculates leaders against stress and uncertainty</li><li>Why culture—not strategy—is the true differentiator between great and failing teams</li><li>Leading younger generations without abandoning standards or expectations</li><li>The challenge of setting boundaries when you genuinely love your work</li></ul>Whether you’re navigating life after military service, building something from scratch, or leading people through uncertainty, this episode offers a grounded reminder that the habits forged in discipline, humility, and persistence still matter—long after the mission changes.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>Adyton</a>. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>here</a>!Meet <a href='https://www.roger.bank/'>ROGER Bank</a>—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://alpha.coffee/'&gt;Alpha Coffee&lt;/a&gt; co-founder and retired Army lieutenant colonel Carl Churchill joins Joe for a candid conversation on leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build something that lasts after the uniform comes off.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After serving more than two decades in the Army, Carl found himself facing an unexpected second career shaped not by careful planning, but by crisis. In the wake of the Great Recession, he and his wife Lori cashed out their savings and took an all-in leap to build Alpha Coffee from their basement—navigating years of uncertainty, near-misses, and hard-earned lessons before the business finally found its footing. Drawing on his military background, Stoic philosophy, and a refusal to quit, Carl shares how discipline, culture, and clarity of purpose carried him through nearly a decade of struggle.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this conversation, Joe and Carl explore what leadership looks like when there’s no rank to hide behind: how military lessons translate into entrepreneurship, why culture matters more than strategy, and how leaders must adapt their style as contexts and generations change. Along the way, they reflect on stress, perspective, boundaries, and the quiet confidence that comes from having faced truly hard things before.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this episode, Joe and Carl also explore:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Tips for making great coffee&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why Carl chose to walk away from promotion to keep leading people, not staffs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What “burning the boats” looks like when your family and future are on the line&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How military hardship inoculates leaders against stress and uncertainty&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why culture—not strategy—is the true differentiator between great and failing teams&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Leading younger generations without abandoning standards or expectations&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The challenge of setting boundaries when you genuinely love your work&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re navigating life after military service, building something from scratch, or leading people through uncertainty, this episode offers a grounded reminder that the habits forged in discipline, humility, and persistence still matter—long after the mission changes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Veteran-founded &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Adyton&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;here&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Meet &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.roger.bank/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;ROGER Bank&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text Alpha Coffee co-founder and retired Army lieutenant colonel Carl Churchill joins Joe for a candid conversation on leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build something that lasts after the uniform comes off. After serving more than two decades in the Army, Carl found himself facing an unexpected second career shaped not by careful planning, but by crisis. In the wake of the Great Recession, he and his wife Lori cashed out their savings and took an all-in leap to b...

How To Make a Great Cup of Coffee with Carl Churchill 

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, Top Gun instructor, and leadership consultant Dave Berke joins Joe for an honest conversation about ego, responsibility, and what it truly means to lead—both in the arena of combat and in everyday life.As the bestselling author of <a href='https://amzn.to/48qOwxW'>The Need to Lead</a>, Dave pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of fighter aviation, the chaos of ground combat in Ramadi, and the quiet challenges of becoming a better leader at home.  He reveals how his biggest breakthroughs came not from triumphs, but from failure—from dogfights he should have won, leadership roles he wasn’t ready for, and moments where ego clouded judgment.In this episode, Joe and Dave also explore:<ul><li>Why ego is the most dangerous threat to good leadership—and how to recognize the voice that “loves you to death”</li><li>How Top Gun actually works (and why the instructors are more humble than Hollywood suggests)</li><li>Lessons from Ramadi—operating in chaos, fighting self-doubt, and learning fast under pressure</li><li>Why leaders fail when they cling to control instead of developing others</li><li>The danger of complacency—and how one “guaranteed win” dogfight changed Dave’s approach to preparation</li><li>Preparing for your own departure as a leader—why good leadership outlasts the leader</li><li>The hard emotional work of transition and why believing in your next mission matters more than salary, title, or prestige</li></ul>Whether you’re leading in uniform, managing a team, or navigating a major life transition, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom on how to stay grounded, remain teachable, and build teams capable of enduring whatever comes next.Dave Berke is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, former TOPGUN Instructor, and now the Chief Development Officer and a leadership instructor at Echelon Front. As an F/A-18 pilot, he deployed twice from the USS John C. Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He later spent three years at TOPGUN as an Instructor Pilot, Training Officer, and senior staff pilot overseeing the course.He also served on the ground in Ramadi in 2006 as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller with the Army’s 1st AD, leading his team on scores of combat missions and accompanying SEAL Task Unit Bruiser on nearly every major operation of the Battle of Ramadi.Dave was the only Marine selected to fly the F-22 and became the first operational pilot qualified in the F-35B, later commanding the Marine Corps’ first F-35 squadron. He holds a Master’s in International Public Policy and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.After retiring, Dave joined Echelon Front, bringing deep experience in combat leadership, decision-making, risk mitigation, and building high-performance teams.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>Adyton</a>. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>here</a>!Meet <a href='https://www.roger.bank/'>ROGER Bank</a>—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, Top Gun instructor, and leadership consultant Dave Berke joins Joe for an honest conversation about ego, responsibility, and what it truly means to lead—both in the arena of combat and in everyday life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As the bestselling author of &lt;a href='https://amzn.to/48qOwxW'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Need to Lead&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, Dave pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of fighter aviation, the chaos of ground combat in Ramadi, and the quiet challenges of becoming a better leader at home.  He reveals how his biggest breakthroughs came not from triumphs, but from failure—from dogfights he should have won, leadership roles he wasn’t ready for, and moments where ego clouded judgment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Joe and Dave also explore:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why ego is the most dangerous threat to good leadership&lt;/b&gt;—and how to recognize the voice that “loves you to death”&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;How Top Gun actually works&lt;/b&gt; (and why the instructors are more humble than Hollywood suggests)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lessons from Ramadi&lt;/b&gt;—operating in chaos, fighting self-doubt, and learning fast under pressure&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why leaders fail when they cling to control&lt;/b&gt; instead of developing others&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The danger of complacency&lt;/b&gt;—and how one “guaranteed win” dogfight changed Dave’s approach to preparation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;Preparing for your own departure&lt;/b&gt; as a leader—why good leadership outlasts the leader&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;b&gt;The hard emotional work of transition&lt;/b&gt; and why believing in your next mission matters more than salary, title, or prestige&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re leading in uniform, managing a team, or navigating a major life transition, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom on how to stay grounded, remain teachable, and build teams capable of enduring whatever comes next.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dave Berke is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, former TOPGUN Instructor, and now the Chief Development Officer and a leadership instructor at Echelon Front. As an F/A-18 pilot, he deployed twice from the USS &lt;em&gt;John C. Stennis&lt;/em&gt; in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He later spent three years at TOPGUN as an Instructor Pilot, Training Officer, and senior staff pilot overseeing the course.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;He also served on the ground in Ramadi in 2006 as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller with the Army’s 1st AD, leading his team on scores of combat missions and accompanying SEAL Task Unit Bruiser on nearly every major operation of the Battle of Ramadi.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dave was the only Marine selected to fly the F-22 and became the first operational pilot qualified in the F-35B, later commanding the Marine Corps’ first F-35 squadron. He holds a Master’s in International Public Policy and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After retiring, Dave joined Echelon Front, bringing deep experience in combat leadership, decision-making, risk mitigation, and building high-performance teams.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Veteran-founded &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Adyton&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;here&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Meet &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.roger.bank/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;ROGER Bank&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, Top Gun instructor, and leadership consultant Dave Berke joins Joe for an honest conversation about ego, responsibility, and what it truly means to lead—both in the arena of combat and in everyday life. As the bestselling author of The Need to Lead, Dave pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of fighter aviation, the chaos of ground combat in Ramadi, and the quiet challenges of becoming a better leader at home.  He reveals how...

The Need to Lead (Without Ego) with Dave Berke

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms">Send us a text</a>Dr. Joseph Loconte joins Joe for a powerful exploration of faith, imagination, and courage in times of crisis—how two Oxford professors used story to resist the darkness of their age and inspire generations to come.As a historian and author of <a href='https://amzn.to/4oHgCf9'>The War for Middle-earth: J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945</a>, Dr. Loconte reveals how the trauma of the First World War and the rise of totalitarianism shaped the moral imagination of both Tolkien and Lewis. While fascism, communism, and nihilism were eroding meaning across Europe, these two friends responded with mythic tales that reawakened the timeless virtues of courage, friendship, sacrifice, and faith.In this conversation, Joe and Dr. Loconte unpack what it means to lead with conviction in an age of cynicism—how to confront “the gathering storm” of fear and confusion not through force, but through imagination, integrity, and truth. They explore how literature can serve as resistance, how belief can ground moral clarity, and why cultivating the inner life is essential for any leader facing dark times.Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of the moral lessons behind The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia—and how these works still speak to the leaders, soldiers, and citizens called to stand in the breach today.In this episode, Joe and Dr. Loconte also explore:<ul><li>How the First World War shaped Tolkien and Lewis’s understanding of evil and heroism</li><li>Why the 1920s and 1930s created a “crisis of meaning” across the Western world</li><li>How their friendship became a creative alliance and a moral counteroffensive</li><li>Why The Hobbit and The Chronicles of Narnia are, at their core, acts of defiance against despair</li><li>What “the cataract of nonsense” teaches us about propaganda and the need for historical literacy</li><li>The spiritual courage required to use one’s gifts—even when the world seems to be falling apart</li><li>How both men modeled leadership through faith, fellowship, and imagination</li></ul>Whether you’re leading in the military, education, or business, this episode offers timeless lessons on how conviction, creativity, and courage can help us navigate our own modern storms—and remind us that even in the darkest times, grace and goodness still have the final word.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>Adyton</a>. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process <a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'>here</a>!Meet <a href='https://www.roger.bank/'>ROGER Bank</a>—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1410526/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dr. Joseph Loconte joins Joe for a powerful exploration of faith, imagination, and courage in times of crisis—how two Oxford professors used story to resist the darkness of their age and inspire generations to come.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;As a historian and author of &lt;a href='https://amzn.to/4oHgCf9'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The War for Middle-earth: J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, Dr. Loconte reveals how the trauma of the First World War and the rise of totalitarianism shaped the moral imagination of both Tolkien and Lewis. While fascism, communism, and nihilism were eroding meaning across Europe, these two friends responded with mythic tales that reawakened the timeless virtues of courage, friendship, sacrifice, and faith.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this conversation, Joe and Dr. Loconte unpack what it means to lead with conviction in an age of cynicism—how to confront “the gathering storm” of fear and confusion not through force, but through imagination, integrity, and truth. They explore how literature can serve as resistance, how belief can ground moral clarity, and why cultivating the inner life is essential for any leader facing dark times.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of the moral lessons behind &lt;em&gt;The Lord of the Rings&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;The Chronicles of Narnia&lt;/em&gt;—and how these works still speak to the leaders, soldiers, and citizens called to stand in the breach today.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this episode, Joe and Dr. Loconte also explore:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How the First World War shaped Tolkien and Lewis’s understanding of evil and heroism&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why the 1920s and 1930s created a “crisis of meaning” across the Western world&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How their friendship became a creative alliance and a moral counteroffensive&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why &lt;em&gt;The Hobbit&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;The Chronicles of Narnia&lt;/em&gt; are, at their core, acts of defiance against despair&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What “the cataract of nonsense” teaches us about propaganda and the need for historical literacy&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The spiritual courage required to use one’s gifts—even when the world seems to be falling apart&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How both men modeled leadership through faith, fellowship, and imagination&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re leading in the military, education, or business, this episode offers timeless lessons on how conviction, creativity, and courage can help us navigate our own modern storms—and remind us that even in the darkest times, grace and goodness still have the final word.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Veteran-founded &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Adyton&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.adytonpbc.com/ftgn-loge'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;here&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;!&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Meet &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.roger.bank/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;ROGER Bank&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. &lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text Dr. Joseph Loconte joins Joe for a powerful exploration of faith, imagination, and courage in times of crisis—how two Oxford professors used story to resist the darkness of their age and inspire generations to come. As a historian and author of The War for Middle-earth: J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945, Dr. Loconte reveals how the trauma of the First World War and the rise of totalitarianism shaped the moral imagination of both Tolkien an...

Fascism, Communism, and the War for Middle-Earth with Joe Loconte

Named for the ubiquitous government-issued, hardcover notebooks seen in the hands of servicemembers worldwide - This podcast dives into the notebooks of military leaders, business professionals, authors, and entertainers to examine lessons that will help listeners lead with the best version of themselves.

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