<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Daniel Z. Lieberman, psychiatrist and co-author of <a href='https://amzn.to/3QYHT0p'>The Molecule of More</a>, joins Joe to explore the powerful role dopamine plays in shaping our desires, decisions, and sense of fulfillment.Joe and Dan discuss how dopamine isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about possibility. It drives us to chase the future, often leading us to idealize what’s ahead while overlooking what’s right in front of us. From career ambition to relationships, this constant pursuit can leave us restless, unsatisfied, and always searching for the next thing.Throughout the conversation, they examine the tension between “wanting” and “liking,” why achieving our goals can sometimes feel empty, and how modern environments—from social media to consumer culture—are designed to keep us in a dopaminergic loop.They also explore practical ways to create balance—how to strengthen “here and now” awareness through journaling, reflection, and intentional habits, and why slowing down is not natural, but something we must train ourselves to do.Joe and Dan also discuss:<ul><li> Why dopamine is better understood as a “prediction” or “possibility” molecule—not a pleasure one </li><li> The difference between wanting something and actually liking it </li><li> How the “Daisy effect” (idealizing the future) shapes our expectations and disappointments.</li><li> How dating apps and social media amplify dopamine and distort reality </li><li> The transition from passionate love to companionate love—and why it matters </li><li> How a lifetime of goal-chasing (like in the military) conditions us to struggle with stillness </li><li> Why journaling helps uncover patterns, motivations, and meaning </li><li> Practical tools like meditation and breathwork to strengthen “here and now” awareness </li><li> The importance of asking “why” before chasing the next goal </li></ul>Whether you’re navigating a transition, chasing a goal, or trying to better understand your own patterns, this episode offers a powerful framework for recognizing when you’re being driven by the future—and how to reconnect with the present.<a href='https://youtu.be/siQygCKnDuU'>Watch the interview 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.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Daniel Z. Lieberman, psychiatrist and co-author of &lt;a href='https://amzn.to/3QYHT0p'&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Molecule of More&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt;, &lt;/em&gt;joins Joe to explore the powerful role dopamine plays in shaping our desires, decisions, and sense of fulfillment.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Dan discuss how dopamine isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about possibility. It drives us to chase the future, often leading us to idealize what’s ahead while overlooking what’s right in front of us. From career ambition to relationships, this constant pursuit can leave us restless, unsatisfied, and always searching for the next thing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Throughout the conversation, they examine the tension between “wanting” and “liking,” why achieving our goals can sometimes feel empty, and how modern environments—from social media to consumer culture—are designed to keep us in a dopaminergic loop.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore practical ways to create balance—how to strengthen “here and now” awareness through journaling, reflection, and intentional habits, and why slowing down is not natural, but something we must train ourselves to do.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Dan also discuss:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why dopamine is better understood as a “prediction” or “possibility” molecule—not a pleasure one &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The difference between wanting something and actually liking it &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How the “Daisy effect” (idealizing the future) shapes our expectations and disappointments.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How dating apps and social media amplify dopamine and distort reality &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The transition from passionate love to companionate love—and why it matters &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How a lifetime of goal-chasing (like in the military) conditions us to struggle with stillness &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why journaling helps uncover patterns, motivations, and meaning &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Practical tools like meditation and breathwork to strengthen “here and now” awareness &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The importance of asking “why” before chasing the next goal &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re navigating a transition, chasing a goal, or trying to better understand your own patterns, this episode offers a powerful framework for recognizing when you’re being driven by the future—and how to reconnect with the present.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/siQygCKnDuU'&gt;Watch the interview on YouTube&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! &lt;/em&gt;&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 Fan Mail Daniel Z. Lieberman, psychiatrist and co-author of The Molecule of More, joins Joe to explore the powerful role dopamine plays in shaping our desires, decisions, and sense of fulfillment. Joe and Dan discuss how dopamine isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about possibility. It drives us to chase the future, often leading us to idealize what’s ahead while overlooking what’s right in front of us. From career ambition to relationships, this constant pursuit can leave us restless, un...

Dopamine and the Problem With Always Chasing What’s Next with Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Judd Kessler—a professor at the Wharton School and author of <a href='https://amzn.to/4ssxlE2'>Lucky by Design</a>—joins Joe to explore the hidden markets that shape our lives, careers, and opportunities.Joe and Judd discuss how many of the most important decisions we encounter—from job promotions to school admissions to performance evaluations—aren’t driven by price, but by rules we rarely see or fully understand. These “hidden markets” determine who gets what, often leaving people frustrated, confused, or convinced that success comes down to luck.Throughout the conversation, they examine how understanding the rules of these markets can shift outcomes, why preparation and self-awareness matter more than we think, and how leaders—whether they realize it or not—are constantly designing markets through the way they allocate time, attention, and opportunity.They also explore practical strategies for navigating these environments, from competing in high-speed, first-come-first-serve systems to knowing when it’s better to “settle for silver” rather than walk away empty-handed.Joe and Judd also discuss:<ul><li> What “hidden markets” are—and why they’re everywhere </li><li> Why success often looks like luck (but isn’t) </li><li> How understanding the rules gives you a competitive advantage </li><li> The strategy of “settling for silver” to improve your odds </li><li> Why preparation and clarity of values matter before entering any competition </li><li> How poorly designed systems invite “speculators” and unintended consequences </li><li> The three E’s of market design: efficiency, equity, and ease </li><li> Why leaders must be intentional about how they allocate time, attention, and opportunity </li><li> How misaligned or unclear expectations can quietly shape careers </li><li> The importance of aligning who you are with what the system rewards </li></ul>Whether you’re navigating promotions, competing for opportunities, or leading others in high-stakes environments, this episode offers a powerful framework for understanding the systems around you—and how to operate within them more effectively.<a href='https://youtu.be/R4XxxfaUooU'>Watch the full episode on YouTube</a>A special thanks to this week&apos;s 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>!<a href='https://www.dunedainsystems.com/'>Dunedain Systems</a> is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Judd Kessler—a professor at the Wharton School and author of &lt;a href='https://amzn.to/4ssxlE2'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Lucky by Design&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;—joins Joe to explore the hidden markets that shape our lives, careers, and opportunities.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Judd discuss how many of the most important decisions we encounter—from job promotions to school admissions to performance evaluations—aren’t driven by price, but by rules we rarely see or fully understand. These “hidden markets” determine who gets what, often leaving people frustrated, confused, or convinced that success comes down to luck.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Throughout the conversation, they examine how understanding the rules of these markets can shift outcomes, why preparation and self-awareness matter more than we think, and how leaders—whether they realize it or not—are constantly designing markets through the way they allocate time, attention, and opportunity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;They also explore practical strategies for navigating these environments, from competing in high-speed, first-come-first-serve systems to knowing when it’s better to “settle for silver” rather than walk away empty-handed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Judd also discuss:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; What “hidden markets” are—and why they’re everywhere &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why success often looks like luck (but isn’t) &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How understanding the rules gives you a competitive advantage &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The strategy of “settling for silver” to improve your odds &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why preparation and clarity of values matter before entering any competition &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How poorly designed systems invite “speculators” and unintended consequences &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The three E’s of market design: efficiency, equity, and ease &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why leaders must be intentional about how they allocate time, attention, and opportunity &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How misaligned or unclear expectations can quietly shape careers &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The importance of aligning who you are with what the system rewards &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re navigating promotions, competing for opportunities, or leading others in high-stakes environments, this episode offers a powerful framework for understanding the systems around you—and how to operate within them more effectively.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/R4XxxfaUooU'&gt;Watch the full episode on YouTube&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;A special thanks to this week&amp;apos;s sponsors!&lt;/em&gt;&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;a href='https://www.dunedainsystems.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Dunedain Systems&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt; is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail Judd Kessler—a professor at the Wharton School and author of Lucky by Design—joins Joe to explore the hidden markets that shape our lives, careers, and opportunities. Joe and Judd discuss how many of the most important decisions we encounter—from job promotions to school admissions to performance evaluations—aren’t driven by price, but by rules we rarely see or fully understand. These “hidden markets” determine who gets what, often leaving people frustrated, confused, or conv...

The Hidden Markets Shaping Your Career with Judd Kessler

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Jaron Wharton—a former brigade commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and co-editor of <a href='https://amzn.to/3POf6eu'>Bend but Do Not Break</a> joins Joe to examine the future of the all-volunteer force and the role of professional discourse in strengthening the military. Joe and Jaron discuss how education and self-study shape better leaders, why intellectual curiosity is essential in command, and how stepping outside of purely tactical experiences helps leaders avoid what Joe describes as a “soda straw” view of the world. They also reflect on the dangers of groupthink inside hierarchical organizations and the responsibility leaders have to create space for dissenting ideas.Throughout the conversation, they explore the growing disconnect between the military and the society it serves, the risks of an emerging “warrior caste,” and why service must be valued beyond just those in uniform.Joe and Jaron also discuss:<ul><li> Why education prepares leaders not just for success—but for failure </li><li> The danger of an “anti-intellectual bend” in the military </li><li> How groupthink develops—and how leaders can actively fight it </li><li> Why publishing isn’t the goal—promoting conversation is </li><li> The risks of a widening civil-military gap </li><li> Why service should be celebrated across all professions—not just the military </li><li> The importance of giving junior leaders a voice in shaping the profession </li><li> What it might take to mobilize society for large-scale conflict </li></ul>Whether you’re a junior leader trying to find your voice, a senior leader thinking about the future of the force, or someone simply interested in the relationship between the military and society, this episode offers a thoughtful and challenging look at where we are—and where we may be headed.Also, check out <a href='https://amzn.to/3PA1qUs'>Bend but Do Not Break</a>, with proceeds supporting <a href='https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/'>Wear Blue: Run to Remember.</a>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>!<a href='https://www.dunedainsystems.com/'>Dunedain Systems</a> is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.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/1410526/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jaron Wharton—a former brigade commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and co-editor of &lt;a href='https://amzn.to/3POf6eu'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Bend but Do Not Break&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;joins Joe to examine the future of the all-volunteer force and the role of professional discourse in strengthening the military. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Jaron discuss how education and self-study shape better leaders, why intellectual curiosity is essential in command, and how stepping outside of purely tactical experiences helps leaders avoid what Joe describes as a “soda straw” view of the world. They also reflect on the dangers of groupthink inside hierarchical organizations and the responsibility leaders have to create space for dissenting ideas.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Throughout the conversation, they explore the growing disconnect between the military and the society it serves, the risks of an emerging “warrior caste,” and why service must be valued beyond just those in uniform.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Jaron also discuss:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why education prepares leaders not just for success—but for failure &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The danger of an “anti-intellectual bend” in the military &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; How groupthink develops—and how leaders can actively fight it &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why publishing isn’t the goal—promoting conversation is &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The risks of a widening civil-military gap &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; Why service should be celebrated across all professions—not just the military &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; The importance of giving junior leaders a voice in shaping the profession &lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt; What it might take to mobilize society for large-scale conflict &lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re a junior leader trying to find your voice, a senior leader thinking about the future of the force, or someone simply interested in the relationship between the military and society, this episode offers a thoughtful and challenging look at where we are—and where we may be headed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also, check out &lt;a href='https://amzn.to/3PA1qUs'&gt;&lt;em&gt;Bend but Do Not Break&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/a&gt;, with proceeds supporting &lt;a href='https://www.wearblueruntoremember.org/'&gt;Wear Blue: Run to Remember.&lt;/a&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;a href='https://www.dunedainsystems.com/'&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt;Dunedain Systems&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;em&gt; is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.&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 Fan Mail Jaron Wharton—a former brigade commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and co-editor of Bend but Do Not Break joins Joe to examine the future of the all-volunteer force and the role of professional discourse in strengthening the military.  Joe and Jaron discuss how education and self-study shape better leaders, why intellectual curiosity is essential in command, and how stepping outside of purely tactical experiences helps leaders avoid what Joe describes as a “soda stra...

Bend But Do Not Break: Rethinking the Future of the All-Volunteer Force with Jaron Wharton

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a>Andy Yakulis—West Point graduate, former Army pilot, and Special Operations officer turned defense tech entrepreneur—joins Joe to talk about leadership, transition, and the rapidly changing nature of modern warfare.Recruited to West Point just days before September 11th, Andy entered the Army knowing he would serve during a generation defined by war. After flying Kiowa Warrior helicopters and spending nearly a decade in Special Operations, he became increasingly frustrated with the gap between the technology soldiers used in combat and what existed in the civilian world.Together, they discuss Andy’s decision to leave the Army at 18 years to start Vector, a company focused on unmanned systems, as well as the challenges of military transition, the realities of leadership in the private sector, and how paying attention to what captures your curiosity might reveal the work you’re meant to pursue.<a href='https://youtu.be/GgXDfYKLIHg'>Watch the full interview on YouTube!</a>Joe and Andy also discuss:<ul><li>Why physical fitness and sleep still shape Andy’s decision-making as a CEO</li><li>The value of civilian education for military leaders</li><li>The “Saturday morning coffee test” for discovering what you’re passionate about</li><li>Why veterans shouldn’t feel pressure to find the perfect post-military job immediately</li><li>The challenge of leading teams in the private sector</li><li>Why the future of warfare may shift from one operator controlling one drone to one operator orchestrating many</li></ul>Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, exploring entrepreneurship, or curious how technology is changing warfare, this episode offers insights on leadership, innovation, and pursuing work you feel called to do.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>!Dunedain Systems is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.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, hi

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Andy Yakulis—West Point graduate, former Army pilot, and Special Operations officer turned defense tech entrepreneur—joins Joe to talk about leadership, transition, and the rapidly changing nature of modern warfare.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Recruited to West Point just days before September 11th, Andy entered the Army knowing he would serve during a generation defined by war. After flying Kiowa Warrior helicopters and spending nearly a decade in Special Operations, he became increasingly frustrated with the gap between the technology soldiers used in combat and what existed in the civilian world.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Together, they discuss Andy’s decision to leave the Army at 18 years to start Vector, a company focused on unmanned systems, as well as the challenges of military transition, the realities of leadership in the private sector, and how paying attention to what captures your curiosity might reveal the work you’re meant to pursue.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/GgXDfYKLIHg'&gt;Watch the full interview on YouTube!&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Andy also discuss:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why physical fitness and sleep still shape Andy’s decision-making as a CEO&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The value of civilian education for military leaders&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The “Saturday morning coffee test” for discovering what you’re passionate about&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why veterans shouldn’t feel pressure to find the perfect post-military job immediately&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The challenge of leading teams in the private sector&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why the future of warfare may shift from one operator controlling one drone to one operator orchestrating many&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, exploring entrepreneurship, or curious how technology is changing warfare, this episode offers insights on leadership, innovation, and pursuing work you feel called to do.&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;Dunedain Systems is a veteran-founded defense technology company building Warmind, an AI platform that accelerates military planning, operations, and document generation. Warmind connects to your unit’s data and learns how your warfighting function operates, delivering outputs tailored to your SOPs and operational context rather than generic AI responses. Whether your team is building OPORDs, running intel workflows, or generating CONOPs, Warmind handles the heavy lift so your staff can focus on decisions, not paperwork. Built by combat veterans who lived the problem firsthand, Warmind is already in use across SOCOM and the broader DoD. The beta is free for anyone with a .mil or .edu email at dunedainsystems.com.&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, hi&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail Andy Yakulis—West Point graduate, former Army pilot, and Special Operations officer turned defense tech entrepreneur—joins Joe to talk about leadership, transition, and the rapidly changing nature of modern warfare. Recruited to West Point just days before September 11th, Andy entered the Army knowing he would serve during a generation defined by war. After flying Kiowa Warrior helicopters and spending nearly a decade in Special Operations, he became increasingly frustrated w...

The Courage to Start Something New with Andy Yakulis

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new">Send us Fan Mail</a><a href='https://militaryeditor.com/'>Randy Surles</a>—retired Army Ranger and Green Beret turned editor, ghostwriter, and Story Grid-certified book coach—joins Joe to talk directly to veterans who feel called to tell their story but don’t know where to start.After 25 years in Special Operations, Randy transitioned from the military to the writing world, studying under <a href='https://storygrid.com/about/'>Shawn Coyne</a> and helping dozens of veterans turn their experiences into memoirs, leadership books, and fiction. Along the way, he’s seen what works—and what doesn’t.Joe reflects on his own year-and-a-half journey working with Randy on his forthcoming book—including the uncomfortable but necessary process of clarifying the message, identifying the right reader, and moving beyond “I just want to write a book” to “Here’s who this is for.”Randy explains why most military memoirs never gain traction, why writing “for everyone” is the fastest way to reach no one, and how to identify the single reader you’re actually trying to serve. He also breaks down the realities of publishing—from traditional deals to hybrid models to self-publishing—and why marketing is often harder than writing.<a href='https://youtu.be/qkk2vDQ1dDQ'>Watch the full interview on YouTube!</a>Joe and Randy also discuss:<ul><li>How the Hero’s Journey mirrors a military career</li><li>The power of identifying your single audience member (SAM)</li><li>Why most books sell fewer than 500 copies</li><li>What veterans misunderstand about traditional publishing</li><li>The truth about hybrid publishers and upfront costs</li><li>Why building an email list may matter more than social media followers</li><li>How writing 600–700 words a week can turn into a finished book</li><li>Why accountability (even the annoying kind) makes the difference</li></ul>Whether you’re transitioning out, reflecting on your career, or feeling the quiet pull to capture your experiences before they fade, this episode offers a practical roadmap—and a reality check—for veterans who want to turn their story into something that serves others. Also, check out Randy&apos;s website: <a href='https://militaryeditor.com/'>Militaryeditor.com</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 mission-critical systems across defense and civilian agencies.

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/1410526/fan_mail/new"&gt;Send us Fan Mail&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://militaryeditor.com/'&gt;Randy Surles&lt;/a&gt;—retired Army Ranger and Green Beret turned editor, ghostwriter, and Story Grid-certified book coach—joins Joe to talk directly to veterans who feel called to tell their story but don’t know where to start.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After 25 years in Special Operations, Randy transitioned from the military to the writing world, studying under &lt;a href='https://storygrid.com/about/'&gt;Shawn Coyne&lt;/a&gt; and helping dozens of veterans turn their experiences into memoirs, leadership books, and fiction. Along the way, he’s seen what works—and what doesn’t.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe reflects on his own year-and-a-half journey working with Randy on his forthcoming book—including the uncomfortable but necessary process of clarifying the message, identifying the right reader, and moving beyond “I just want to write a book” to “Here’s who this is for.”&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Randy explains why most military memoirs never gain traction, why writing “for everyone” is the fastest way to reach no one, and how to identify the single reader you’re actually trying to serve. He also breaks down the realities of publishing—from traditional deals to hybrid models to self-publishing—and why marketing is often harder than writing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://youtu.be/qkk2vDQ1dDQ'&gt;&lt;b&gt;Watch the full interview on YouTube!&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Joe and Randy also discuss:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;How the Hero’s Journey mirrors a military career&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The power of identifying your single audience member (SAM)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why most books sell fewer than 500 copies&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;What veterans misunderstand about traditional publishing&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The truth about hybrid publishers and upfront costs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why building an email list may matter more than social media followers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;How writing 600–700 words a week can turn into a finished book&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Why accountability (even the annoying kind) makes the difference&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re transitioning out, reflecting on your career, or feeling the quiet pull to capture your experiences before they fade, this episode offers a practical roadmap—and a reality check—for veterans who want to turn their story into something that serves others. Also, check out Randy&amp;apos;s website: &lt;a href='https://militaryeditor.com/'&gt;Militaryeditor.com&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 mission-critical systems across defense and civilian agencies.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us Fan Mail Randy Surles—retired Army Ranger and Green Beret turned editor, ghostwriter, and Story Grid-certified book coach—joins Joe to talk directly to veterans who feel called to tell their story but don’t know where to start. After 25 years in Special Operations, Randy transitioned from the military to the writing world, studying under Shawn Coyne and helping dozens of veterans turn their experiences into memoirs, leadership books, and fiction. Along the way, he’s seen what works—an...

How To Tell A Good War Story with Randy Surles

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.

From The Green Notebook

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