Lessons in Command, Culture, and Character From a Real Leader | Joe's Happy Hour Ep. 27

In this episode of Joe's Happy Hour, Frank Carlucci—former Naval Intelligence Officer, corporate executive, educator, and son of President Reagan’s Secretary of Defense—joins Joe for a candid conversation spanning war rooms, boardrooms, and classrooms. Frank shares stories of briefing Colin Powell and Dick Cheney during Desert Storm, reflects on lessons from his father’s career, and explains his unique path from Naval Intelligence to leading technology ventures and eventually becoming Commandant at a military school. With humor, humility, and deep insight, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and living with purpose.

🕓 Chapter Markers

00:00 – Welcome to Joe’s Happy Hour

00:20 – Meet Frank Carlucci

01:06 – His Father’s Legacy in Politics

03:04 – Frank’s Naval Intelligence Background

04:45 – Life Aboard an Aircraft Carrier

06:36 – Career Pivots: Military to Tech

08:58 – Becoming a Fixer in Business

12:15 – Lessons from Layoffs and Leadership

17:00 – Working With Global Giants (USAA, State Farm)

22:15 – Ethics, Respect, and Handwritten Notes

24:00 – Briefing Powell and Cheney at 28

27:15 – Hilarious Briefing Story With His Dad

30:00 – Cultural Adaptation in Global Business

35:00 – Politics vs. Values in Leadership

39:00 – Critical Thinking Is a Lost Art

44:00 – Congo Incident That Almost Changed History

46:15 – Navigating Different Business Cultures

50:00 – A Trump Fountain and a $1M Opinion

53:00 – Golf Talk With a Future President

56:00 – Final Reflections and Gratitude

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Got a favorite story or insight from Frank? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what resonated most with you.

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