Leadership Lessons From The Great Books

The Man That I Would Become: Lessons from a Life of Hard Work, Faith and Purpose by Victor L. Bretting --- Exploring the intersection of legacy, grit, and faith, this episode features a candid conversation with Victor Bretting about his memoir, The Man That I Would Become. The discussion unpacks the vital role of hunting in conservation and ecological stewardship, the necessity of resilience and discipline for the next generation of leaders, and how faith shapes enduring leadership and personal purpose. Listeners gain actionable insight on leading by example, persevering through adversity, and shaping a legacy that lasts beyond a single lifetime. Book Title: The Man That I Would Become Author: Victor Bretting Hosts: Jesan Sorrells & Victor Bretting --- Time-Stamped Overview: --- 00:00 Victor's hunting and ranching journey 03:24 Transitioning Ranch to Charity Work 06:34 Understanding conservation and its benefits 11:07 Books on masculinity and fatherhood 15:15 Balancing mental and physical work 16:11 Discussing empathy in construction 20:15 Understanding hard-headed empathy 24:27 Challenges for Young Professionals 28:28 Reflections on Upbringing and Family 30:49 Parenting different age groups 35:54 Importance of Biblical Foundations 39:37 Reflections on Retirement Life 43:34 Books every leader should read 44:49 Impactful books on teamwork --- Connect with Victor by clicking the links below: --- Book: https://www.amazon.com/Man-That-Would-Become-Lessons/dp/B0H2BMNTFQ/ Website: https://brettingtexanranch.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-bretting/ --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air" from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music. --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list! --- Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribe Check out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Neuromancer by William Gibson with John Hill and Jesan Sorrells --- Jesan Sorrells and John Hill dive deep into William Gibson’s Neuromancer, unravelling how this seminal work predicted the psychological and societal ramifications of our fully networked times. They discuss the book’s dystopian tech vision, how its themes shaped tech leadership and culture, and why leaders must now confront meaning, value, and noise in a flattened digital world. Together, they examine Gibson’s influences, the enduring tension between art and commerce, and the urgent leadership challenge of integrating humanity and technology in the 21st century. Book: Neuromancer Author: William Gibson Guests: Jesan Sorrells, John Hill --- Time-Stamped Overview --- 00:00 Observing tech use at the store 05:36 Post-Cold War tech realities 11:57 Reflecting on book rereads 17:52 Influence of Gibson on tech leaders 27:13 Gibson's shift from sci-fi 32:45 Struggling with overwhelming concerns 38:31 Sci-fi themes of immortality 43:09 Themes of timeless cultural issues 49:49 Tolkien's Influence on Fantasy Writers 52:51 Reflecting on cyberspace concepts 01:01:13 Discussing Neuromancer's Relevance Today 01:02:47 Discussion on demonizing new trends 01:11:43 Finding time for self-reflection 01:14:47 Discussing hierarchy of meaning 01:21:45 Expanding the franchise legally 01:27:45 Discussing human nature and warfare --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air" from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music. --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list! --- Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribe Check out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo with Tom Libby and Jesan Sorrells --- Dive into Don DeLillo’s Cosmopolis as Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby unpack the novel’s critique of leadership in an era of wealth, technology, and cultural upheaval. They discuss the dangers of disconnected leadership, the ongoing crisis of accountability among elites, and the pitfalls of managing strictly by data and dashboards. The episode draws sharp parallels between fictional failures and real-world leadership challenges, offering actionable lessons for those navigating today’s ever-shifting leadership landscape. Book Title: Cosmopolis Author: Don DeLillo Hosts: Jesan Sorrells, Tom Libby --- Time-Stamped Overview --- 00:00 Eric Packer's limousine journey. 09:54 Discussing a prolific modernist author. 16:00 DeLillo's risk-taking in writing. 17:47 Reflecting on character minimalism. 25:36 Discussing key themes in book and movie. 28:33 Early AI's impact on finance. 35:52 Challenges of Leadership Disconnect. 41:42 Billionaires don't live in my town. 49:38 Reflecting on 9/11 emotions. 55:27 Catharsis in Cosmopolis. 56:19 Reflections on WWII veterans' honor. 01:06:32 AI accountability in decision-making. 01:09:49 Wealth Redistribution for Global Issues. 01:15:24 Discussing money and character. 01:18:23 Exploring Worldview and Character Development. 01:27:08 Discussing a retirement plan. 01:31:38 The crisis of tech outpacing morality. 01:35:09 Gut feeling vs data in decisions. 01:40:30 Leadership lessons from Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo. --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air" from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music. --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list! --- Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribe Check out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

"Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut with Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger --- Diving into Kurt Vonnegut’s Welcome to the Monkey House, Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger examine the prophetic warnings about conformity, institutional control, and the battle over language and individual agency. The conversation connects the stories “Harrison Bergeron,” “Report on the Barnhouse Effect,” and “Where I Live” to today’s challenges for leaders navigating a culture of safetyism, linguistic manipulation, and technological disruption. Practical takeaways center around preserving individual responsibility, resisting institutional overreach, and regrounding leadership in local, real-world community. Book title: Welcome to the Monkey House Author: Kurt Vonnegut Host: Jesan Sorrells, Guest: Libby Unger --- Time-Stamped Overview: --- 00:00 Discussing 20th-century sci-fi authors 08:46 Kurt Vonnegut's literary journey 12:12 High school memories and Vonnegut 18:13 Publication dates and context of stories 26:07 Lindsay Clancy's controversial trial 27:31 Jury deadlock in Lindsey Clancy case 34:20 Reflecting on Gloria Steinem's Impact 42:31 Authors and technology of books 47:38 Vonnegut's views on language usage 52:27 Technology, communication, and culture overlap 58:36 Hourglass analogy and chaotic transitions 01:01:24 Impact of 2020 lockdowns 01:05:56 Barnhouse effect report analysis 01:16:06 Discussing global conflict and climate agendas 01:19:58 American culture and equality debate 01:27:48 Reflecting on personal growth 01:32:19 Exploring an abandoned harbor clubhouse 01:34:09 Wendell Berry and localism themes 01:43:28 Local community and cultural shift ---- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air" from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music. --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list! --- Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribe Check out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ --- ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

A Conversation on How to Lead in a Post-Literate Work World --- The panel examines the meaning and crisis of literacy in a post-literate society and what it means for 21st-century leadership. The discussion highlights how declining long-form reading impacts critical thinking, decision-making, and social cohesion, while exploring the evolving responsibilities of leaders as communicators, teachers, and curators of insight in a digital, short-attention world. Practical strategies and perspectives are shared for bridging generational gaps, fostering book-based conversation, and adapting leadership to new realities. Mentioned Book Titles and Authors: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Leadership Lessons from the Five Books of Moses by Jonathan Sacks The Odyssey by Homer (referencing Emily Wilson’s translation) Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Ulysses by Alfred, Lord Tennyson Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The Federalist Papers and Anti-Federalist Papers Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill Host: Jesan Sorrells Guest Panelists: Richard Messing John Hill Tom Libby Brian Bagley Hana Kabele Gala Neal Kalechofsky Dorollo Nixon, Jr. David Baumrucker Christen B. Horne Dr. Moumin Quazi Hana Kabele Gala --- The Articles that Inspired the Conversation: The End of Reading is Here by Rose Horowich - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/08/reading-crisis-postliterate-age/687618/ Leading in the Post-Literate West by Jesan Sorrells - https://jesanmsorrells.micro.blog/2026/07/16/leading-in-the-postliterate-west.html --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air" from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068 Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music. --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading list! --- Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Books Podcast: https://bit.ly/LLFTGBSubscribe Check out Leadership ToolBox at: https://leadershiptoolbox.us/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★