The Declaration of Independence at 250 w/Dorollo Nixon, Jr. and Jesan Sorrells --- --- Time-Stamped Overview ---- ---- 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 L...
Jul 01, 2026•1 hr 51 min
Leaders, never bet against the American people. --- 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...
Jun 25, 2026•12 min
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo w/Jesan Sorrells & Libby Unger --- Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger explore Victor Hugo's masterpiece Les Misérables, examining its insights on moral authority, the impact of historical trauma, and the power of redemption in leadership. They discuss Hugo's romanticism, the enduring influence of French history on civic institutions, and how individual heroism still inspires contemporary audiences. The episode also draws parallels between Les Misérables' characters,...
Jun 24, 2026•1 hr 51 min
Leaders, we almost never examine the assumptions that underlie the scaffolding of the decisions we make. --- 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 Fro...
Jun 18, 2026•8 min
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace w/John Hill & Jesan Sorrells --- In this episode, the hosts dive deep into Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace, exploring the novel’s themes of sacred vs. profane worldviews, the challenges of re-sacralizing modern Western culture, and how historical shifts in meaning affect society today. They examine the influence of religion, technology, and literature on leadership and personal identity, drawing parallels between ancient struggles and contemporary moral di...
Jun 17, 2026•2 hr 34 min
Order of the Day (1944) by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander. --- 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 Podc...
Jun 06, 2026•9 min
Books overcome the challenges of human change. --- 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 ...
Jun 02, 2026•11 min
The Gulag Archipelago / One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn --- Exploring Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s The Gulag Archipelago and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich , Hasan Sorrells delves into the catastrophic effects of suppressing free speech in totalitarian regimes. This episode examines the necessity of robust free speech for effective leadership, the dangers of totalizing ideologies, and the role of literature in preserving individual liberty and truth. Liste...
May 27, 2026•1 hr 19 min
Leaders, it's time to start performing the long, hard work of resacralizing the Western world. --- 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 Grea...
May 26, 2026•10 min
Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion --- Exploring Joan Didion's classic Slouching Towards Bethlehem , hosts delve into the unraveling of American culture, the evolution of masculine-coded communication in leadership, and strategies for grounding meaning and tradition in turbulent times. Special guest Nikki Ballou joins Hasan Sorrells to discuss the importance of personal reflection, myth-making in modern culture, and practical steps for rebuilding trust and community in a fragmented world...
May 20, 2026•1 hr 42 min
Books smuggle ideas across time. --- 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 Lead...
May 19, 2026•6 min
A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells --- Delving into Joan Didion’s A Book of Common Prayer , Jesan Sorrells and guest Tom Libby analyze the intersections of perception, privilege, and empathy within leadership. They discuss the pitfalls of solipsism, the evolving role of journalistic language, and how understanding regional and cultural context is essential for authentic engagement. The conversation expands to address practical empathy in business, the impact ...
May 13, 2026•1 hr 30 min
Leaders, the scourge of our time, is one Joan Didion spotted, because it lay deep within herself. --- 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 G...
May 12, 2026•13 min
The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells --- Explore how Eudora Welty’s The Optimist’s Daughter delves into themes of grief, regional identity, and the challenge of preserving cultural memory in a rapidly globalizing world. Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby discuss the impact of community traditions, the evolving role of observation in literature, and the struggle to find objective meaning amid today’s digital noise. They highlight the contrast between sincere storytel...
May 06, 2026•1 hr 42 min
Leaders, we are in the midst of a cultural transition as we head into a generational Spring. --- 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 ...
May 05, 2026•11 min
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky --- Exploring Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground, hosts unpack the dangers of self-deception and the challenge of living with integrity as a leader. They analyze how self-awareness without mastery leads to alienation, the importance of matching words with actions, and the societal consequences of habitual lying. The episode weaves Dostoevsky’s legacy with real-world leadership, discussing how courage and honest self-examination are vital in mo...
Apr 29, 2026•2 hr 1 min
Leaders, can I get a witness? --- 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 Leaders...
Apr 28, 2026•11 min
Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov --- Exploring the surreal world of Vladimir Nabokov's Invitation to a Beheading , Jesan Sorrells and Claire Chandler analyze the novel’s absurdist critique of totalitarianism and the societal pressures for conformity. They examine Nabokov’s literary style, the challenge of translating Russian nuance into English, and how the narrative’s exploration of meaning, individuality, and truth remains relevant for modern leaders. The episode draws powerful co...
Apr 22, 2026•1 hr 57 min
Leaders, Dostoyevsky had some ideas about how to navigate the prison known as the Land of Nod. --- 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 Grea...
Apr 21, 2026•9 min
East of Eden by John Steinbeck --- Exploring John Steinbeck’s magnum opus, East of Eden , Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby break down how the novel’s multi-generational narrative reveals timeless truths of human nature, leadership, and morality. They discuss Steinbeck’s powerful depiction of rural California and the tension between rural and urban values, dissect the novel’s deep biblical allusions and the theme of free will, and examine how leaders can leverage the diversity of personalities within...
Apr 16, 2026•2 hr
Leaders, the myth of the city is almost as old as the city itself. --- 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...
Apr 14, 2026•11 min
Mash Up Episode ft. 12 Rules For Leaders Deep Dive - Leadership Models from Sun-Tzu to Albert Murray w/David Baumrucker & Jesan Sorrells --- Explore the gap between leadership models and real-world practice as Jesan Sorrells and guest David Baumrucker examine the pitfalls of rigid frameworks and the necessity for leader courage in today’s volatile environment. They discuss the enduring value of classical wisdom, the influence of myth according to Carl Jung, and the critical challenge technol...
Apr 08, 2026•1 hr 44 min
The death of the novel isn't exaggerated, but the death of the book is. --- 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:...
Apr 07, 2026•8 min
The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton --- This episode dives into G.K. Chesterton’s novel The Man Who Was Thursday , exploring its psychedelic narrative twists, literary influences, and enduring philosophical questions for leaders. Jesan Sorrells and guest Neal Kalechofsky discuss Chesterton’s critique of nihilism and anarchy, the book’s connections to figures like Nietzsche and Tolkien, and the challenge of retaining moral clarity in an age saturated by distraction and technology. They r...
Apr 01, 2026•1 hr 59 min
Will our egos rule over us, or will we master them? --- 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/LLFTGBSubsc...
Mar 31, 2026•12 min
This one is going to be a little more spiritual than perhaps you might be used to from me. --- 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 Bo...
Mar 24, 2026•14 min
The Third Man by Graham Greene --- Exploring Graham Greene’s postwar classic, The Third Man , Jesan Sorrells and Ryan J. Stout unravel the psychology of unreliable narrators, leadership in times of nihilism, and the timeless challenge of ethical decision-making amid a world of grifters and cons. They dive into Greene’s cinematic writing style, his nuanced character portrayals, and how postwar Vienna mirrors our own era of skepticism and manipulation. The conversation draws out practical leadersh...
Mar 18, 2026•1 hr 50 min
Leading in absurd times requires a commitment to objective truth. --- 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....
Mar 17, 2026•16 min
Oil! by Upton Sinclair --- Exploring the first 100 pages of Oil! by Upton Sinclair, Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby dive into the gritty realities of entrepreneurship, the evolving concept of work-life balance, and how leadership demands both killer instinct and humility. They draw parallels between entrepreneurship and film direction, critique society’s shifting attitudes toward work and success, and dissect how true leaders mentor others amidst competitive challenges. Hear lively debates on gener...
Mar 11, 2026•1 hr 58 min
God, save us from the tender mercies of the social reformer. --- 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/LL...
Mar 10, 2026•17 min
