Send us a textThe 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 his career, offering valuable takeaways for leaders in sports, business, and the military. David and Joe dive into:Why success isn’t about a single job or title but about embracing the journey.Lessons in leadership from mentors like Jerry Jones, Roger Goodell, and Wellington Mara.The emotional power of "The Knock"—telling players they’ve been inducted into the Hall of Fame.How sports and the military share fundamental values like resilience, teamwork, and sacrifice.The importance of legacy—whether as a player, a leader, a parent, or a soldier.How his new initiative, World Youth Sports, aims to instill character and leadership in young athletes.Why every day matters, and how to make each one your masterpiece.Tune in to hear David’s incredible stories and gain timeless leadership lessons that can help you build your own Hall of Fame-worthy legacy.A special thanks to this week's 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!Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.Onebrief, the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows.

In this enlightening discussion, Sam Walker, author of 'The Captain Class,' reveals his decade-long research on team dynamics. He uncovers seven key traits that define elite leaders, emphasizing that effective leadership hinges on behaviors, not charisma. Discover the concept of 'carrying the water'—the quiet work great leaders do behind the scenes. Sam also highlights the pivotal role of strong team cultures and emotional regulation in guiding teams. His insights challenge traditional notions of leadership and offer practical lessons for thriving in high-stakes environments.

Send us a textThe 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 shares why talking can feel so cognitively demanding, the myth of natural charisma, and how intentional choices can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections.Joe and Alison discuss practical tools like navigating the "topic pyramid," creating psychological safety in group settings, and the surprising power of levity. They also highlight the art of mastering conversations in both everyday life and professional environments.Whether you’re a leader, a friend, or simply someone wanting to communicate better, this episode offers invaluable insights for connecting with others and being authentically yourself.Dr. Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where she created and teaches a course called TALK. As a behavioral scientist, she is a leading expert on the science of conversation. Her award-winning research has been published in top academic journals and is regularly cited in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and NPR. Her research was referenced in two of the top ten most-viewed TED talks of all time and depicted in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. In 2021, she was named a Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants. "TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves" is her first book.A special thanks to this week's 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!Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.Onebrief, the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows

Send us a textThe 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 for success at the highest levels.Secretary Wormuth also highlights her strong support for the Army’s Command Assessment Program (CAP), emphasizing early self-development, the power of feedback, and the role of humility and reflection in building resilient leadership teams. She also stresses the importance of maintaining the Army's apolitical stance, fostering public trust, and ensuring continuity through times of change.Topics Covered:The key attributes of effective Army leadersThe role of the Command Assessment Program in shaping leadershipWhy feedback and reflection are crucial for personal growthBalancing professional and personal priorities over a long careerWhy military leaders need to remain apolitical and be non-combatants in the culture warsHonorable Christine Wormuth was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and appointed as the 25th Secretary of the U.S. Army May 28, 2021. The Secretary of the Army is the senior civilian official within the Department of Defense responsible for all matters relating to the U.S. Army.Prior to confirmation, she was the Director of the International Defense and Security Center at the RAND Corporation where she was a frequent writer and speaker on foreign policy, national security and homeland security issues.Prior to RAND, she served in several roles during the Obama Administration. From December 2010 until August 2012 she was a special assistant to the president and senior director for Defense at the National Security Council. Wormuth then served as deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Forces, and led the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review. From 2014-2016 she served in DOD as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, where she advised the Secretary of Defense on the full range of regional and functional national security issues.Wormuth entered the government as a Presidential Management Intern and began her public service career in the Policy Office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1996 through 2002. After leaving government, she worked in the private sector on defense issues, and then was a Senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies for five years. A special thanks to this week's 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!Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.Onebrief, the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows

Rich McGuinness, founder of the U.S. Army Bowl, shares his journey of transforming a bold idea into a national high school football legacy. He emphasizes that football is a powerful tool for instilling values like teamwork and resilience in young athletes. Rich discusses the importance of daily rituals, hard work, and the mindset of ‘500 balls a day’ as vital life lessons. He highlights the role of parents in supporting their children’s athletic journeys and reflects on the impact of mentorship and legacy in shaping lives beyond the field.

J. Furman Daniel III, an associate professor at Concordia University and author of Blood, Mud, and Oil Paint, delves into Winston Churchill's transformative year during 1915. He shares how this challenging time fueled Churchill's resilience and adaptability, shaping his iconic leadership. They discuss the value of failure as a stepping stone, the restorative power of creativity, and the importance of genuine friendships. Furman emphasizes that lifelong learning and perseverance are key for leaders, offering timeless insights for navigating adversity.

Dr. Galena Rhoades, a research professor and director at the Institute for Relationship Science, dives into the art of maintaining strong marriages. She tackles the misconception that attraction alone guarantees success, emphasizing the need for intentional communication and conflict resolution skills. Explore unique challenges military couples face, learn the impactful 'Speaker-Listener Technique,' and discover how to cultivate fun and meaningful connections. Rhoades equips listeners with practical tools to navigate relationship hurdles, regardless of marital stage.

Command Sergeant Major Walter J. Zajkowski, a distinguished Senior Enlisted Leader with over 30 years in the Army, shares invaluable insights from his military journey. He discusses the transformative power of embracing tough assignments and the role of ego in leadership. Zajkowski emphasizes the importance of identifying one's purpose and the benefits of mentorship. He also highlights how a commitment to reading can enhance leadership skills. This conversation is a treasure trove of actionable advice for every leader.

Stephen Riggio, the former CEO of Barnes & Noble, shares his inspiring journey of translating the epic Sicilian novel 'Sicilian Avengers.' Motivated by personal loss and a quest for connection with his Sicilian roots, he brings the story of the Beati Paoli—a secret society fighting injustice in 18th-century Sicily—to English-speaking audiences. Riggio discusses the healing power of storytelling, the challenges of translation, and his reflections on a successful retail career that began with a single bookstore.

Send us a textThe 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 must embrace risk to drive progress. In this episode, we discuss:What it means to “transform in contact”  How empowering soldiers and junior leaders to innovate is crucial for adapting to ever-changing battlefield conditions.The role of leadership in fostering a culture of growth, The importance of sharing lessons learnedHow personal and professional development go hand-in-hand with leading change.General Randy A. George assumed duties as the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army on September 21, 2023.A special thanks to this week's 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!Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for unitsMy favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here