From The Green Notebook

Send us a textU.S. Army Special Operations Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann returns to the podcast—this time from the range at Fort Bragg—for a conversation on leadership, transformation, and enabling the next generation of special operations forces.With nearly three decades in uniform and two years as the senior enlisted leader of USASOC, CSM Naumann shares the mindset shifts, hard-won lessons, and bottom-up insights that have shaped her time in the seat.In this episode, they explore:Why she believes she has the best job in the Army—and how she stays energized by the Soldiers around herWhat it means to lead across 80+ countries, and how she stays connected to the ground truthHow USASOC is driving transformation in structure, tech, and human performance—and why speed and soldier feedback are essentialThe challenge (and opportunity) of going from “operator” to enabler—and how shifting mindset scales impact across 36,000 teammatesWhy NCOs must be willing to say “that’s a dumb idea”—and the importance of modeling that kind of candor for the forceThe value of reading, curiosity, and lifelong learning in sustaining leadership at the highest levelsHow she adapts her approach to different commanders—and what it really takes to make that relationship workWhether you’re an NCO navigating your first staff job, a commander looking to build trust across the chain, or a lifelong learner looking for leadership insights forged under pressure, this episode delivers a front-row seat to how transformation happens—one question, one conversation, one Soldier at a time.Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader for U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), where she advises on matters affecting over 36,000 Soldiers across the special operations enterprise.Born in New Jersey, CSM Naumann graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in American Studies and Government before enlisting in the Army in 1996 as a 35P Voice Language Analyst. She completed the Arabic Basic Course at the Defense Language Institute and Advanced Individual Training at Goodfellow Air Force Base.Over nearly three decades of service, CSM Naumann has held a range of leadership positions, including assignments with the 311th MI Battalion, the 344th MI Battalion, and Special Mission Units. She has deployed 14 times across CENTCOM and AFRICOM, and previously served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Special Operations Command–Korea (SOCKOR).She is a graduate of the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy and has completed numerous military schools, including the Military Freefall Course, Airborne and Air Assault Schools, and the SOF Intel Leaders Course.CSM Naumann’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (1OLC) and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. She is married to SGM (Ret.) Thomas Baird.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

Send us a textIn this special Army Birthday Week episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson joins Joe to explore the deep roots of the U.S. Army and what its 250-year journey can teach today’s leaders. Known for his Liberation Trilogy and now two volumes into his Revolution Trilogy, Atkinson brings the American Revolution to life—warts, wonder, and all—and makes a compelling case for why understanding our founding story is essential for anyone in uniform.In this episode, they explore:What it was like growing up as an Army brat—and how Atkinson’s father’s 30-year career shaped his lifelong fascination with military historyThe surprising parallels between Washington’s army and today’s force, from self-study and logistics to leadership under pressureHow George Washington’s instinct for civilian control—and his rapid growth as a commander—still echoes in the Army’s DNAWhy the American Revolution was, in Atkinson’s words, “our first civil war,” and how its complexity is far more compelling than its mythologyLafayette, logistics, and the brutal truth of 18th-century expeditionary warfare (including the grim sound of horse carcasses hitting the sea)The power of books, curiosity, and informal learning among Washington’s officers—and why that tradition matters more than ever for leaders todayWhat Atkinson hopes readers, soldiers, and citizens will carry forward from the Founding Generation—and why we must not lose sight of what they gave usWhether you’re a company commander, a military history buff, or someone simply trying to understand where the Army came from and where it’s headed, this episode is a timely reminder: the past isn’t just prologue—it’s instruction.Rick Atkinson is the bestselling author of eight works of narrative military history, including The Fate of the Day, The Guns at Last Light, The Day of Battle, An Army at Dawn, The Long Gray Line, In the Company of Soldiers, and Crusade. He also was the lead essayist in Where Valor Rests: Arlington National Cemetery, published by National Geographic. He was a reporter, foreign correspondent, war correspondent, and senior editor at The Washington Post for more than twenty years. His many awards include Pulitzer Prizes for history and journalism, the George Polk Award, the George Washington Prize, and the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. He lives in Washington, D.C.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 candid conversation, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll joins Joe to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to modernize a military while staying grounded in soldier-level feedback. From wrestling with “irrationality and stupidity at scale” in the Pentagon to launching the Army Transformation Initiative, Driscoll shares why he’s flipping tables—sometimes almost literally—to give soldiers the tools and trust they need to win the next fight. In this episode, they explore:How a 15-year “gap decade” in law, finance, and private equity enriched Driscoll’s return to uniform and deepened his respect for everyday soldiersThe Army Transformation Initiative—delivering critical warfighting capabilities, optimizing force structure, and eliminating waste and obsolete programsA Fort Jackson drone drill where recruits with just five weeks in the Army changed training doctrine—proof that innovation starts at E-1Seasons vs. “work-life balance”: why high-tempo service demands conscious trade-offs at home, and how Driscoll keeps perspective as a husband and dad of twoThe IED-factory raid where rules forbade cutting a $2 padlock, and what it taught him about broken feedback loops in combatConcrete ways leaders at every level can accelerate change: send honest ground-truth up the chain, embrace small-unit credit-card innovation, and demand that processes serve soldiers firstWhether you’re a private, a Pentagon staffer, or a curious civilian, this episode offers a front-row seat to the Army’s most ambitious overhaul in decades—and a master class in leading large-scale change without losing sight of character, family, and the people who do the fighting.Daniel P. Driscoll is the 26th Secretary of the Army, sworn in on February 25, 2025. He leads the Army’s efforts in operations, modernization, and resource management for nearly one million Soldiers and more than 265,000 Army Civilians.A former Army officer and business executive, Driscoll brings a diverse background in military service, law, and the private sector. Commissioned as an Armor Officer in 2007, he served with the 10th Mountain Division and deployed to Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His military honors include the Army Commendation Medal, Ranger Tab, and Combat Action Badge.Following his service, he earned a J.D. from Yale Law School and held leadership roles in investment banking, private equity, and venture capital, including serving as COO of a $200 million fund. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.He is married to his high-school sweetheart, and they have 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. 

In a candid discussion, Sarah Blake Morgan, a former national correspondent for the Associated Press turned Army officer, reflects on her transformative journey. She shares how leaving journalism led to an unexpected exploration of identity and purpose, highlighting the fear of stillness compared to rigorous assignments. Sarah opens up about the painful process of relinquishing her past titles and the discoveries made through storytelling in uniform. Her metaphorical trek into the woods symbolizes finding clarity amidst uncertainty, reminding us that growth often flourishes at the end of familiar paths.

Retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal, author of 'On Character: Choices That Define a Life', shares his insights on leadership and character development. He emphasizes that character is a daily practice, rooted in conviction and discipline. McChrystal discusses the effects of power on leadership integrity and shares personal anecdotes about journaling and self-reflection. His reflections highlight the importance of aligning priorities, the lessons learned from military service, and the need for leaders to evolve continuously in their ethical framework.

Send us a textIn this episode, Joe sits down with Lieutenant General Mary Izaguirre, the 46th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and Commanding General of Army Medical Command, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, vulnerability, culture, and purpose. Drawing on over three decades of service, LTG Izaguirre shares hard-earned lessons on how to lead authentically and navigate professional complexity.Together, they discuss the evolving role of Army Medicine, the power of modeling vulnerability, and how intentionality—not balance—is the key to managing life’s trade-offs. Joe and LTG Izaguirre cover:Why vulnerability is a leadership strength, not a weaknessHow leaders can model safety, trust, and curiosity within their teamsThe importance of asking the right questions—and being okay not knowing the answersHow trade-offs, not balance, define sustainable leadershipThe impact of journaling and reflection in high-responsibility rolesBreaking down the “us vs. them” mentality in large organizationsWhat Army Medicine’s true mission is—and why it matters more than everWhether you’re a leader in uniform, a parent navigating a demanding career, or someone wrestling with how to show up fully for both your mission and your people, this episode is packed with wisdom, candor, and practical insights.Lieutenant General Mary K. Izaguirre is the 46th Surgeon General of the U.S. Army and the Commanding General of Army Medical Command. A board-certified family physician and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, she brings over three decades of military and medical leadership to her role. LTG Izaguirre has held key command and senior staff positions across the Army and deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. She holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Master of Public Health, and Master in National Security and Resource Strategy. She and her husband, Joseph, are the proud parents of five 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. 

In this engaging discussion, Bob O'Brien, a retired Army officer and lead for the Command Assessment Program (CAP), shares transformative insights on selecting future Army leaders. He reveals how CAP captures over 1,800 data points per candidate, emphasizing self-awareness and resilience. O'Brien debunks myths surrounding CAP, discusses the significance of executive coaching, and highlights the redemptive journey of candidates. Listeners will find practical advice on preparing for CAP and the vital role of reflection in leadership development.

Danny Ricker, an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and author, dives deep into the chaotic world of parenting. He hilariously likens parenting to a full-time assistant for little humans while highlighting the absurdities of modern parenting pressures. Ricker introduces the genius of the '17-Minute Birthday Party' and shares insights on creating ‘ruin rooms’ for guilt-free mess. With humorous anecdotes from writing for ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ he emphasizes cherishing small moments over big events and finding joy in the everyday chaos of family life.

Command Sergeant Major Christopher Mullinax, from the Army’s Training Directorate, shares insights on the revamped Army Fitness Test. He discusses the reasoning behind the changes, highlighting a more data-driven, soldier-focused approach. The conversation addresses common misconceptions and the removal of overly technical events. Mullinax emphasizes the link between physical fitness and combat readiness, and the importance of evolving standards that are adaptable for all soldiers. His insights are essential for anyone in the military navigating these changes.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, a leading neuroscientist and author, shares her groundbreaking insights on emotions. She explains the theory of constructed emotions, where feelings are predictions shaped by our brain. Dr. Barrett emphasizes the importance of emotional granularity, helping us articulate specific feelings for better emotional control. The conversation also touches on how sleep, social connections, and storytelling can enhance emotional well-being. Listeners gain practical tools for navigating their emotional landscape with confidence.