Send us a text In this episode, host Joe sits down with Melody Wilding, an executive coach and author of Managing Up: How To Get What you Need From the People In Charge to explore the dynamics of power, status, and influence in the workplace. Melody shares practical strategies for managing up effectively, not by being a sycophant, but by building stronger relationships, communicating with confidence, and navigating workplace dynamics with integrity. Together they discuss What it really means to ...
Mar 08, 2025•1 hr•Ep 138•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text In this episode, Joe welcomes Corie Weathers, licensed professional counselor, author, and expert on military culture, to explore the shifting landscape of service, leadership, and the personal challenges faced by military members and their families. Corie shares insights from her latest book, Military Culture Shift , offering her thoughts on the past 20 years of war and what it means for the future of the force. Together, they discuss the key moments and lessons that shape milita...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep 137•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe welcomes David Baker, former President & Executive Director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to explore leadership, legacy, and the values that shape extraordinary careers. David shares lessons from his time working with NFL legends, his deep respect for the military, and his latest mission to impact youth sports. Together, they discuss the key moments and insights that shaped h...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep 136•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe welcomes Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership , to dive into the world of leadership and team dynamics. Sam shares the surprising insights from his 11 years of research, studying over 25,000 teams since the 1880s, to uncover what truly makes teams great and sustains their success. Together, they explore the counterintuitive behaviors and traits that sep...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep 135•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe welcomes Harvard professor and author Alison Wood Brooks to discuss her groundbreaking book, Talk: The Science and Art of Being Ourselves . Together, they explore the science behind conversations and how they shape our personal and professional lives. Alison introduces her TALK framework—Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness—providing actionable strategies to improve communication. She sh...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep 134•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! The 25th Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth joins Joe for a candid conversation about leadership, self-awareness, and the evolving challenges of guiding the largest branch of the U.S. military. With over three decades of experience in national security, she shares her expectations for Army leaders, the importance of self-development, and why critical thinking and communication skills are essential f...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep 133•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! Joe sits down with Rich McGuinness, the visionary founder of the U.S Army Bowl , to discuss how football is more than just a game—it’s a catalyst for building character, shaping lives, and creating lasting impact. Rich shares the inspiring journey of how he turned a bold idea into one of the nation’s most iconic high school football events, showcasing All-Americans from around the country and touching th...
Dec 20, 2024•52 min•Ep 132•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! Joe Byerly sits down with Furman Daniel, author of Blood, Mud, and Oil Paint: The Remarkable Year That Made Winston Churchill . Together, they explore a transformative year in Churchill’s life—a time of political humiliation, personal reinvention, and the development of five life-changing gifts, including painting, friendship, and a modern perspective on warfare. Furman shares how Churchill’s resilience ...
Dec 07, 2024•54 min•Ep 131•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe Byerly sits down with Dr. Galena Rhoades, co-author of Fighting for Your Marriage , to explore the essential skills needed for strong, lasting relationships. Drawing from her extensive research, Dr. Rhoades shares practical insights on improving communication, navigating conflict, and rekindling connection. They discuss the unique challenges faced by military couples, the importance ...
Nov 22, 2024•52 min•Ep 130•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe Byerly talks with CSM Walter J. Zajkowski, Senior Enlisted Leader of Special Operations Command Pacific. With 30 years of service, CSM Zajkowski reflects on his journey from young Ranger to senior leader, sharing lessons on leadership growth, feedback, and learning from both great and challenging leaders. Key topics include: The role of ego in leadership and how embracing tough assig...
Nov 16, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep 129•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe sits down with Stephen Riggio, former CEO of Barnes & Noble, to uncover the personal journey that led him to translate Sicilian Avengers , an epic historical novel set in 18th-century Sicily. But this is more than a conversation about a book—it's a story of deep roots, personal loss, and a quest to rediscover purpose. Stephen opens up about reconnecting with his Sicilian her...
Nov 08, 2024•54 min•Ep 128•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! The 41st Chief of Staff of the Army invites Joe to the Pentagon for a discussion on innovation, leadership, and the continuous transformation needed to keep the Army at the forefront of modern warfare. General George shares insights from his recent experiences leading the Army through complex changes, touching on battlefield innovation, training at combat training centers, and how leaders at every level ...
Oct 25, 2024•49 min•Ep 127•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! Joe McCormack returns to the show to discuss his newest book: Quiet Works: Making Silence the Secret Ingredient of the Workday . Together, Joe and Joe explore how quiet time enhances leadership, reduces distractions, and improves communication. They share insights on managing workplace noise, the balance between collaboration and focus, and practical strategies to help leaders and teams achieve clarity a...
Oct 12, 2024•56 min•Ep 126•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! In this episode, Joe welcomes Chase Jarvis, a creative powerhouse, entrepreneur, and author of Never Play It Safe . Chase shares how his own journey, from professional soccer aspirations to becoming a world-renowned photographer, taught him that real growth happens on the other side of fear. Together, they dive into actionable strategies for reclaiming creativity, focusing your attention, and leveraging ...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 125•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! Joe Byerly welcomes back Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL and bestselling author to discuss his first nonfiction work, Targeted Beirut , which explores the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, a pivotal moment in U.S. military history and the War on Terror. Together, they discuss the strategic missteps, the human toll of national security decisions, and the lessons that remain relevant for military leaders today. Ja...
Sep 27, 2024•52 min•Ep 124•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! Erin Wade, founder and former CEO of Homeroom, a mac-and-cheese restaurant in Oakland, to discuss her latest book: The Mac and Cheese Millionaire: Building a Better Business by Thinking Outside the Box and her journey from being an unfulfilled attorney to a successful entrepreneur. Erin opens up about the lessons learned while building a company culture that balances freedom with structure, and how she t...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep 123•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text On June 17, 2020, while deployed to Afghanistan, Jacob Cool was woken at 2 a.m. with the devastating news of his 16-year-old son’s sudden death due to an undiagnosed heart condition. In the aftermath of this tragedy, Jacob grappled with the overwhelming pain and questioned his own will to live, reflecting on how he avoided becoming another military suicide statistic. Through deep reflection, he uncovered the strength of his family's resilience, built long before the tragedy s...
Sep 07, 2024•53 min•Ep 122•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! Join Joe as he sits down with Silicon Valley legend Guy Kawasaki, author of Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference . In this episode, they dive into what it truly means to “Do Good Shit” and how to make a lasting impact on the world. Guy shares insights from his remarkable career and discusses key themes including: Embracing vulnerability and the power it brings to persona...
Aug 17, 2024•52 min•Ep 121•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear! General Scott Miller, U.S. Army Retired, returns to the show to reflect on a storied career spanning nearly four decades, offering candid insights on the key moments that shaped his leadership. In this episode, Joe and General Miller dive deep into foundational experiences that forged Miller’s approach to command, sharing valuable lessons that apply whether you're leading in the military or the corp...
Aug 09, 2024•48 min•Ep 120•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Jeff Wetzler, author of Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life joins Joe to dive into the transformative power of asking quality questions and how this simple yet powerful practice can unlock hidden wisdom within any organization. In this episode, Joe and Jeff discuss: The reasons why people don't share what's really on their minds Barriers to communication in organizations Jeff introduces the ASK approach...
Jul 27, 2024•55 min•Ep 119•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Laird Hamilton, a legend in the world of surfing joins Joe to provide a unique perspective on how to push boundaries, overcome fears, and find joy in the challenges life throws our way. In this episode, Joe and Laird discuss: Growth Through Adversity: Laird discusses how facing and overcoming challenges has shaped his life and career. Mental and Physical Preparation: The importance of rigorous training and mental fortitude in tackling big waves and life's obstacles. Leadershi...
Jul 13, 2024•55 min•Ep 118•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Will Bowen, author of A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted joins Joe to discuss the negative impact of complaining on our perception of the world. They also explore how making a conscious effort to quit complaining can significantly improve our lives. In this episode, Joe and Will dive into the following topics: How the 21-Day Complaint Free challenge works The social reasons why people actually complain The difference betwe...
Jun 29, 2024•47 min•Ep 117•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Former Navy SEAL and New York Times bestselling author, Jack Carr, joins Joe for a powerful discussion ahead of the release of his 7th book in The Terminal List series, Red Sky Mourning . They explore the following: Why leaders need to be readers The perfect way to gift a book Transitioning from the military The importance of values in decision-making Finding your purpose How Jack became a writer and much more!! From a young age, Jack Carr had two dreams: serving his country in un...
Jun 15, 2024•59 min•Ep 116•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Former World Series of Poker Champion and best-selling author, Annie Duke, returns to the show to discuss the concepts from her book, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away . Annie shares insights on how grit, often celebrated as a virtue, can also lead to sticking with paths that no longer serve us. Joe and Annie draw parallels to other high-profile figures like Jerry Seinfeld and Will Smith, who chose to step down from projects at the pinnacle of their careers. They also d...
May 18, 2024•1 hr•Ep 115•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Former World Series of Poker Champion and best-selling author, Annie Duke, joins Joe to share her journey from studying cognitive science to becoming a poker legend, and how this experience led her to explore the cognitive underpinnings of decision-making in everyday life. Joe and Annie explore the fundamental concepts from her book, Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts , and discuss how treating life’s decisions as bets can significant...
May 10, 2024•48 min•Ep 114•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Colin Stevens, author of Make Your Mark: Lessons from Legends for a Life of Fulfillment and Impact , joins the show to share his inspiring story of chasing a dream that didn't pan out the way he thought it would and the lessons he's learned along the way. Joe and Colin talk about the following topics: The importance of self-belief for achieving success Why we should study the "full game" over the "highlight reel". Leadership through transparency and o...
May 03, 2024•1 hr•Ep 113•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Dr. Amishi Jha joins Joe to discuss her book, Peak Mind: Find Your Focus, Own Your Attention, Invest 12 Minutes a Day . Amishi sheds light on the complexities of the brain's attention system to help us understand how we can navigate and enhance our focus in stressful and demanding jobs. In this episode Joe and Amishi discuss: How our attention shapes everything from emotions to relationships Challenges in maintaining attention in an information-saturated age How the attention...
Apr 20, 2024•59 min•Ep 112•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Dr. Michael Norton joins Joe to discuss his new book, The Ritual Effect: From Habit to Ritual, Harness the Surprising Power of Everyday Actions . In this episode, Joe and Dr. Norton explore the hidden power of rituals in our daily lives. Highlights from this episode include: Understanding the powerful impact of rituals The difference between a habit and a ritual How to find and examine our own personal rituals The role of rituals in transitions (becoming a leader, returning from c...
Apr 06, 2024•45 min•Ep 111•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue returns to the show to continue his previous conversation with Joe on culture and leadership. In this episode, they discuss: What LTG Donahue has learned since his last appearance on the podcast How the culture of the 82nd Airborne Division held up during the evacuation of Afghanistan Four reasons leaders need to focus on physical fitness The importance of innovation in today's Army What LTG Donahue is reading right now Tips for successf...
Mar 23, 2024•37 min•Ep 110•Transcript available on Metacast Send us a text The 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, General Randy A. George makes his first appearance on the podcast for a great discussion about leadership, his vision, and the lessons he's learned over the course of his four-decade career. General George and Joe cover a lot of ground in this episode, discussing topics including: Encouraging professional discourse Why leaders need to ask questions The training management program that's in the Chief's crosshairs Why great leaders...
Mar 08, 2024•51 min•Ep 109•Transcript available on Metacast 
