What does it mean to Finish Strong? What is it about being an American that suggests we are too impatient to finish a task before we go on to the next thing? Why do we think that we can control our environment, as opposed to work within it? What does it mean to move toward "commencement"? Dr. Joe Thomas currently serves as the Director of the Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership at the Naval Academy. He is a retired Marine officer, and he served previously as the Class of 1961 Professor Of Le...
Jan 25, 2021•14 min•Ep. 45
How do you get through the Dark Ages? What does Perseverance have to do with it? Is there a framework to get through the day? What is the "long look"? What do you do if the future reward is a long way away? RDML Alan T. “Blues”Baker, USN [ret.] served as the 16th Chaplain of the United States Marine Corps and was the first graduate of the Naval Academy and former Surface Warfare Officer selected as a Chaplain Corps Flag Officer. He currently serves as the Director of Influencer Development at th...
Jan 19, 2021•10 min•Ep. 44
As we get ready to re-engage with the new semester, we thought it is timely to listen to an earlier presentation of Ethics and Cross-Cultural Competence, with Naval Academy professor Dr. Clementine Fujimura. Now is the perfect time to build a deeper appreciation for the complexities of our American culture, and your place in it. Build a better understanding of your need to be cross-culturally competent, in order to be a successful leader.
Jan 11, 2021•12 min•Ep. 43
This is an encore presentation of The Politics of Crisis Response. In these uncertain times, it is important that junior officers understand their roles within the politics of governmental affairs. What are you responsible for when communicating with your leadership, policymakers, and the public? Mr. Brian Kamoie served as Associate Administrator for Mission Support at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He discusses the need to tell the truth and maintain credibility, and understand...
Nov 22, 2020•11 min•Ep. 42
The demands placed upon naval officers to show courage comes in many forms. When guns are blazing and missiles firing; when you climb a rope ladder to board a suspect ship; all of those require courage. But moral courage, the courage to do the right thing day in and day out, is just as hard. And frankly, it's where most of your courageous leadership will be displayed.
Nov 15, 2020•13 min•Ep. 41
Who are the Department of Defense senior civilian leaders? We talk today with former Acting Deputy Secretary Christine Fox who has served in several administrations, and has been the second in command at the DOD. She has been the most senior female official in the history of the Department. Why is it important for a naval officer to understand the civilian-military relationship? Where is the "line" - Where do the civilian leaders "take over" from the Admirals and Generals? What is meant by the p...
Nov 08, 2020•26 min•Ep. 40
This is the story of a young officer, reporting aboard his first duty station, and an accident that ensued on his watch. Why is it important to embrace responsibility, for your actions, and the actions of your team? How do you balance the creative engineering initiative of your sailors and Marines with the classroom work you learn in school? When does it make sense to stop work, and reset the direction and focus of your unit's task? How can you have the courage to ask questions and seek help in ...
Nov 01, 2020•12 min•Ep. 39
What is the significance to immigration to the United States? Is immigration today any different than it was 100 years ago? Is America Full? As we "pivot" to Asia, might we see great powers competition in Latin America? Dr. Sharika Crawford is an expert on Latin America, and its interrelationship with the United States.
Oct 20, 2020•15 min•Ep. 38
Are leadership principles any different in Space? What's it like to be the commander of the International Space Station? Ground control is an integral part of your team. How do you build trust with a crew that doesn't share the same risk that you do on-board the station? How has Calculus III helped you on the ISS?
Oct 19, 2020•22 min•Ep. 37
What are the Attributes that a graduate of the Naval Academy must possess when he or she graduates? What is the Fleet and the FMF looking for in a graduate? Can you pick the ones you want, or do you need to embrace them all?
Oct 05, 2020•9 min•Ep. 36
ADM Mike Mullen is a retired Navy Admiral, who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2007. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968. We discuss: What are your responsibilities as a junior officer to the future of the Naval Service? Do senior officers really want to hear your opinion, and how should you best offer it? How does the civil unrest of the 1960's inform your leadership attitude in the 2020's?
Sep 28, 2020•27 min•Ep. 35
Roger Mosby is the President and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America. Roger has had a long career in servant leadership. It all began as a sailor, serving in a squadron on the USS Ranger. We talk about Trustworthiness and Loyalty - what it means in the Navy, and what it means to Boy Scouts. How can you trust your co-workers in one of the most dangerous work environments on the planet.
Sep 27, 2020•11 min•Ep. 34
What's the difference between an opinion and a position? Does your brain know the difference? What kind of biases are at work when I procrastinate? Will I have the same biases when I am much older? Find out more from our conversation with Brad Bishop, PhD., Professor of Weapons, Robotics, and Control Engineering.
Sep 21, 2020•19 min•Ep. 33
A close encounter between two ships on the ocean is a humbling experience. The Commanding Officer (CO), and the Officer of the Deck (OOD), learn when to take charge and when to trust each other. Communication and just the right amount of confidence, ensures success and safety.
Sep 08, 2020•20 min•Ep. 32
When perfect isn't always best. Balancing perfection and time management in a high pressure situation. Tommy Martinez, USNA Class of 1978 was a U.S. Marine Fire Direction Officer, plotting fires for his artillery battery. He and his team had to move at night, set up, and do geometry, all within range of an Iraqi counter battery fire. He talks about what he would do differently one night during Desert Storm.
Aug 31, 2020•27 min•Ep. 31
Innovation, is it just for Silicon valley start-ups? Mr. Ray Kwong, discusses the intersection of risk tolerance, innovation, and the military. Mr. Kwong is a Naval Academy graduate, served as an E-warfare officer and retired as a Commander. He is Chairman of the Board for Triton Services and is President and CEO of EPIC Optics.
Aug 24, 2020•12 min•Ep. 30
Making an assumption about another's life transition led to an uncomfortable parting when Dr. Clementine Fujimura was an academic Department Chair at the U. S. Naval Academy. Dr. Fujimura discusses a situation she would have handled quite differently regarding a colleague. She also talks about how to be a more effective leader with any age group.
Aug 17, 2020•14 min•Ep. 29
What's the difference, Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter? Captain Timika Lindsay, USNA Chief Diversity Officer and USNA grad, clarifies the difference. CAPT Lindsay holds an MS in Information Technology Management.
Aug 10, 2020•13 min•Ep. 28
Can I be an Ethical person and be Honorable at the same time? What is the interplay of both words? We ask is there Honor among thieves? Dr. Herbert is a retired Navy SEAL and holds a Ph.D. in International Relations and Political Theory.
Jul 27, 2020•10 min•Ep. 27
Why is it so hard to ground a pilot? What is the ultimate responsibility of a leader? What does it mean to "embrace your mistakes"? RADM Lawrence Chambers is the 2nd African American USNA graduate, and the first to make Flag Rank. Among many accomplishments, he was the commanding officer of the USS Midway during Operation Frequent Wind.
Jul 26, 2020•28 min•Ep. 26
LtGen John Wissler, USMC ret. reflects on what training and support he would have provided to the Marines and Sailors of the provisional Mortuary Affairs unit following the Second Battle of Fallujah. LtGen Wissler is a 1978 graduate of the Naval Academy. Among many roles in his more than 30 years in the USMC, he was the Commanding General, FMF Atlantic.
Jul 16, 2020•29 min•Ep. 25
Can a person crack under the pressures that life brings? What are the physics of Brittle Fracture and how does it relate to personal character and integrity? How can you prepare for the stresses of a naval career? Captain TR Buchanan is the 88th Commandant of Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy. A nuclear trained engineer, CAPT Buchanan has commanded the USS ALBANY and was Commodore of Submarine Squadron TWENTY.
Jul 13, 2020•11 min•Ep. 24
What makes Rugby unique? Is it the songs, the beer? How did Rugby sportsmanship become such an important part of the play, and what does Rugby teach you about resilience? Major Ryan Curry, USMC (ret.) served as a Marine for 24 years, starting in Parris Island and progressing to become a test pilot. He has over 10 years of playing experience in Rugby.
Jul 06, 2020•11 min•Ep. 23
How can we stay focused and on mission while we are deployed? Can you really be isolated in a crowd of people? And what lessons should you hold on to once you are back in the "world". COL MJ Pallotta, USMC, is a 1994 Academy graduate, and she is the Director of the Center for Experiential Leadership Development at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Jun 29, 2020•11 min•Ep. 22
What would you do without repercussions? How would you live in a world of no consequences? Dr. Shaun Baker is a philosopher at the Stockdale Center, and specializes in philosophy at the movies. He breaks down Aristotelian concepts in the movie “Groundhog Day”, focusing on what true happiness means. He holds his PhD from Wayne State University and coaches the ethics debate team at the Naval Academy.
Jun 22, 2020•12 min•Ep. 21
VADM Sean Buck, Superintendent of the US Naval Academy, talks about the Power of Listening. He tells us that "hearing is physics, listening is leadership". “The best leaders in the world are the best listeners." "Listening allows a commander to leverage the diversity within his team". He describes how he uses his listening skills throughout every day.
Jun 11, 2020•17 min•Ep. 20
What is Moral Injury and how does it differ from PTSD? Dr. Ed Barrett is the Stockdale Center's Director of Strategy and Research and he discusses how moral injury can happen, how it is diagnosed, and the three major steps of treatment.
Jun 08, 2020•11 min•Ep. 19
Wise advice on communicating up and down the command structure. We discuss the two key elements of mission command as a leadership philosophy - trust and intent. ADM Tidd was the Combatant Commander of the U.S. Southern Command.
Jun 01, 2020•11 min•Ep. 18
What is Justice? Is it about fairness? How do you learn to be a just leader? Col. Christopher Shaw is a former Marine Infantry Officer, and now serves as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
May 25, 2020•11 min•Ep. 17
What does it mean to be obsessed with future happiness? Dr. Marcus Hedahl, an Associate Professor of Philosophy, explains how to incorporate the stoic mindset in your daily life, and develop a perspective that will be useful in your military career.
May 18, 2020•13 min•Ep. 16
