Leadership Lessons From The Great Books

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 ★

The Power of the Powerless by Vaclav Havel [REDUX] w/Harvey Seifter & Jesan Sorrells --- Exploring Václav Havel’s influential essay, The Power of the Powerless, Jesan Sorrells and Harvey Seifter unpack what it means for leaders to “live in truth” in the face of societal conformity. They examine the dangers of moral and cultural hollowness, the practical implications of dissidence, and how authentic leadership begins with individual conscience rather than systemic change. The episode also connects Havel’s ideas to modern challenges in leadership, ethics, and the search for a transcendent anchor in turbulent times. Book: The Power of the Powerless Author: Václav Havel Guest: Harvey Seifter Host: Jesan Sorrells --- Time-Stamped Outline: --- 00:00 Discussing "The Power of the Powerless" 11:43 Forming and Scaling Arts-Based Organizations 17:12 Raising kids as future leaders 23:11 Discussing LLMs and historical figures 24:37 Discovering Vaclav Havel's Plays 30:48 Generational challenges in Hollywood writing 37:13 The need for societal self-reflection 42:12 Rereading a book in Prague 46:35 Reflecting on 9/11 and authenticity 52:32 Weekly Bible discussion lunch 57:36 Relatable job struggles and realities 01:05:45 Feeling disconnected from larger systems 01:08:49 Havel's philosophy on private pursuits 01:16:14 Turning to Biblical truth 01:23:22 Exploring the concept of truth 01:28:10 Value of truth in oppressive regimes 01:34:33 Differentiating ethics from morals 01:40:03 Connection between arts and ethical leadership 01:42:09 Empowering leaders for innovation --- Connect with Harvey Seifter by clicking on the links below: Creating Futures That Work - https://futuresthatwork.com/ The Art of Science Learning - https://www.artofsciencelearning.org/ Harvey Seifter LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hseifter/ --- 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 ★

The Life of Henry V by William Shakespeare w/Jesan Sorrells and Zac Stucki --- Delving into William Shakespeare’s The Life of Henry V, Jesan Sorrells and Zac Stucki analyze the cultural foundation of leadership, the decline of cultural confidence in Western societies, and the complex responsibilities leaders face when making consequential decisions. They connect Shakespeare’s lessons on accountability and mentorship to today’s leadership crises—highlighting generational gaps, the impact of cultural narratives, and how leaders can prepare to uphold a standard in turbulent times. Play: The Life of Henry V Author: William Shakespeare Guest: Zac Stucki Host: Jesan Sorrells --- Time-Stamped Outline: --- 00:00 Debating France's royal succession 21:07 Discussing OK Boomer Cultural Dynamics 24:34 Emergence of New Political Powers 42:06 Discussing future Shakespeare episodes 43:58 Portraying the French as complex characters 01:00:11 The thin red line of America 01:05:25 Shakespeare's historical context and audience 01:23:28 Defining true intelligence beyond academics 01:31:32 Child's simple requests for water 01:46:11 Current insurgency tactics and alliances 01:55:04 Post-War Nuremberg Trials Discussion 02:00:40 Discussing moral standards and politics 02:15:59 Discussing King Harry's Agincourt dilemma 02:28:08 Learning from older generations 02:35:29 Wrapping up the podcast episode --- 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 ★