From The Green Notebook

Dr. Joseph Loconte, historian and author, dives into the influences of World War I on J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. He discusses how their experiences shaped their writings against the rise of fascism and communism. The duo emphasizes using literature as resistance against evil through tales of courage and friendship. Listeners learn about the Inklings' impact, Tolkien's struggle amid war, and Lewis's advice to create without waiting for the perfect moment. This conversation sheds light on timeless themes of hope and moral clarity in dark times.

Phil Gilbert, former head of design at IBM and author of Irresistible Change, shares insights on driving lasting change in organizations. He discusses how to navigate cultural challenges and ensure transformation sticks. Gilbert emphasizes the importance of making change desirable and voluntary, rather than mandated. He also reveals his 'Culture Formula' and the role of language and branding in successful initiatives. With real-world examples from IBM, listeners gain a practical playbook for leading effective organizational change.

Send us a textStanford professor Jeffrey Pfeffer joins Joe Byerly for a candid and provocative discussion about power—what it is, how it works, and why more good people need to learn to use it. Drawing from his influential books Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t and The 7 Rules of Power, Pfeffer challenges listeners to see the world as it really operates—not as we wish it to be.In this conversation, Joe and Dr. Pfeffer unpack why power isn’t inherently bad, how to build influence without losing integrity, and why refusing to “play the game” guarantees you’ll lose it. They explore lessons that apply equally to military leaders, executives, and anyone who wants to make change in complex organizations—from overcoming imposter syndrome and likability traps to mastering visibility, networking, and personal branding.Listeners will come away with a sharper understanding of human nature, organizational dynamics, and what it really takes to lead with impact and authenticity in competitive environments.In this episode, Joe and Dr. Pfeffer also explore:Why power is a skill—and how good people can learn to use it for goodThe critical difference between power and influenceWhy authenticity, likability, and imposter syndrome can quietly sabotage effectivenessThe importance of appearing powerful—and how confidence often signals competenceHow building a personal brand and network expands your ability to lead and shape changeThe real costs of opting out of power—and how to navigate ambition without egoWhy leaders need a “personal board of directors” to stay grounded once they gain powerWhether you’re leading soldiers, managing teams, or influencing from the middle, this episode offers a masterclass in understanding power—how to earn it, wield it wisely, and ensure that good people rise to positions where they can make a difference.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. 

Ryan Holiday, a New York Times bestselling author and Stoic philosophy enthusiast, discusses themes from his latest book, Wisdom Takes Work. He explores how humility and curiosity develop wisdom in an age of surface-level thinking. Holiday emphasizes writing as a tool for clarity and accountability, revealing gaps in understanding. He contrasts intelligence with wisdom, using figures like Montaigne, Lincoln, and Elon Musk to illustrate both successes and failures of wisdom, while stressing the importance of continuous learning and critical thinking.

Send us a textThis is the longest episode ever of From the Green Notebook—and for good reason. Joe brings you a special LANDEURO Talks edition of the podcast, recorded at AUSA’s inaugural LANDEURO conference in Germany back in July.While at LANDEURO, Joe participated in both the Generation Next Forum and the Leadership Forum, hosted by the AUSA Center for Leadership. These gatherings were designed to educate, inspire, and connect leaders across the Army, NATO, and European partners. During the conference, Joe also caught up with three impressive leaders for one-on-one conversations about community, leadership, and the pivotal moments that shape a career.In this episode, Joe highlights three powerful conversations with leaders whose stories capture the spirit of growth and connection at the heart of LANDEURO.LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith on how losing his father as a child shaped his life, and how the “village” of family and community taught him the importance of the people we surround ourselves with.CSM Phil Blaisdell (44: 06), whose decades of service provide timeless lessons on leadership from the perspective of a noncommissioned officer.Sarah Draper (01:26), former Army officer and retired FBI Special Agent, who joins Joe for a fireside chat about career turning points, resilience, and leading through transition.Together, these stories remind us that leadership is not about titles or positions—it’s about people, connection, and the communities that shape us.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. 

Send us a textDr. Galena Rhoades, coauthor of Fighting For Your Marriage, returns to From the Green Notebook to talk with Joe about the strain that deployments, training, and time apart place on military marriages—and how couples can stay connected through it.Drawing on years of research and her work helping couples strengthen relationships, Galena explains why separation creates unique challenges, how communication often falls into “just logistics,” and what it takes to keep connection alive across distance. Together, she and Joe unpack lessons that every military family can use—lessons Joe wishes he had known during the nearly five years he spent away from home over his career.In this episode, Joe and Galena explore:How to keep communication from becoming only about schedules and logisticsWhy friendship talk, support talk, and even conflict talk are essential during separationThe “alternate universe” of deployment, and how to bridge that gap with your partner at homeThe emotional boundaries that can erode if couples aren’t intentional about protecting themWhy reintegration isn’t about picking up where you left off, but about building a new relationship on the same foundationWhether you’re facing your first deployment or your fifth, these insights will help you and your partner navigate the hard parts of separation and come back together with greater strength and understanding.Galena K. Rhoades, Ph.D., is a research professor and the director of the Institute for Relationship Science in the Department of Psychology at the University of Denver. Her research focuses on romantic relationship formation processes, such as dating and living together, and predictors of relationship success. She also conducts studies on the effectiveness of relationship interventions offered by community organizations across the United States. She has more than 140 publications in these areas. Dr. Rhoades founded a nonprofit in Denver called Thriving Families. This organization offers MotherWise, a relationship education program for women during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as mental health services for families. Dr. Rhoades is also a practicing clinical psychologist. In her private practice, she primarily sees couples and families.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. 

Send us a textIn this special Notebook Notes episode, Joe sits down with Sergeant Major Urzua and Sergeant Major Brady to discuss the Army Directive 2025-18, with a guest appearance from Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer.The intent behind the new Army directive and what it means for Soldiers and leadersWhy appearance reflects discipline, professionalism, and Army valuesHow commanders and NCOs are empowered to enforce standardsClarifications on what’s included—and not included—in this directiveTimelines for implementationBroader leadership insights from SMA Weimer on professionalism, trust, and readinessWhy SMA Weimer doesn't wear Army PT shorts (for now)Click here to read AD 2025-18 so you can stay informed. A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. 

Send us a textAuthor and researcher Dr. Colin Fisher joins Joe to unpack the invisible forces that shape teams—and why leaders ignore them at their own risk.From his book The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups Dr. Fisher shows how group dynamics are always at play, whether in a locker room, a boardroom, or on the battlefield. Together, he and Joe explore why the myth of the lone genius persists, why synergy is real but rare, and how leaders can deliberately build trust, structure, and norms that drive high-performing teams.In this episode, Joe and Colin explore:Why the Sorting Hat—not Voldemort—might be the real villain of Harry PotterHow the “lone genius” narrative hides the reality of collaboration behind breakthroughsWhat synergy really means and why structure—not speeches—is the leader’s most powerful toolThe difference between relational trust and task-based trust, and why the latter makes teams excelHow group norms emerge, and why they can drive both excellence and dysfunctionWhy psychological safety is about the freedom to disagree, not surface-level harmonyHow power changes leaders’ relationships with others—and why who you surround yourself with mattersWhether you’re leading a squad, running a company, or just trying to understand the groups you’re part of, this episode will change how you see teamwork—and give you tools to lead with intention.Since his days as a professional jazz trumpet player, Dr. Colin M. Fisher has been fascinated by group dynamics. As Associate Professor of Organizations and Innovation at University College London’s School of Management, Colin’s research has uncovered the hidden processes of helping groups and teams in situations requiring creativity, improvisation, and complex decision-making. He has written about group dynamics for both popular science and management audiences, and his work has been profiled in prominent media outlets such as BBC, Forbes, NPR, and The Times. Originally from Redmond, Washington, he now lives in North London with his wife and two children.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. 

Send us a textMilitary strategist and author George M. Dougherty joins Joe to unpack how robotics, AI, and precision weaponry are reshaping the future of warfare—and what history can teach us about navigating this transformation.From his book Beast in the Machine, George traces the roots of military robotics back over a century and shows how concepts like remote-controlled systems and autonomous weapons aren’t new at all—they’ve simply advanced with technology. Together, he and Joe explore the implications of universal precision, weapon–target asymmetry, and what it means for maneuver warfare in an era where small drones can neutralize tanks.In this episode, Joe and George explore:Why today’s robotics and AI revolution mirrors the onset of mechanization in World War IHow “universal precision” is disrupting maneuver warfare and creating a new no man’s landThe concept of weapon–target asymmetry: why cheap drones can outmatch billion-dollar platformsThe role of networks, ISR, and electromagnetic warfare in shaping the kill chainHistorical lessons—from Tesla’s 1898 robot to Kursk’s remote-controlled vehicles—that frame today’s challengesThe ethical and societal stakes of democratizing lethal technologyWhy leaders must avoid over-empowering AI and remain smarter than the algorithms they useWhether you’re a junior officer rethinking tactics or a senior strategist wrestling with AI’s role in warfare, this episode offers a sobering yet hopeful look at how leaders can outthink adversaries and shape the future fight.A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. Red Threadx is a team of industry leaders and veterans. As a follow-on to the conversation, Joe Byerly will join George Dougherty and a panel of experts at the Red Thread House during the AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on 14 October 2025. The invitation-only event will explore Beast in the Machine and the ethics of killing in war, alongside critical topics such as artificial intelligence, contested logistics, layered protection, and 21st-century command and control. To learn more about attending, contact info@theredthreadx.com

Laura Weimer, an Army officer and Harvard-trained scholar with a PhD in organizational behavior, discusses the intricate nature of leader identity. She unpacks how ego can cloud purpose in career choices and emphasizes the power of reflection. Laura introduces the 'swim lane' concept for enhancing fit without leaving the military and shares practical exercises for uncovering personal values. Their conversation underscores the importance of mentorship in helping others find fulfillment, ensuring that leader identity transcends rank and title.