From The Green Notebook

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.

Roland Allen, a journalist and author renowned for exploring the history of notebooks, illuminates their profound impact on creativity and memory. He recounts how his personal diary ignited his quest into the legacy of notebooks, leading to discoveries like the Zibaldoni and its influence on modern literature. With anecdotes about Leonardo da Vinci and Isaac Newton, he emphasizes how notebooks serve as powerful tools for organization and thought. Allen also highlights the unique habits of literary icons, urging everyone to embrace the art of writing on paper.

Send us a textPulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Matt Richtel joins Joe for a powerful conversation about his new book, How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence.Blending neuroscience, history, and real-life stories from teens and families across the country, Matt offers a transformative understanding of adolescence—not as a problem to fix, but as a critical phase of growth. Whether you’re a parent, military leader, coach, or mentor, this conversation is packed with insight on how to support young people as they step into the most intense learning period of their lives.In this episode, we explore:Why adolescence isn’t just a set of teenage years—but a biologically driven journey of self-discoveryHow to understand risk-taking, rebellion, and boundary-pushing not as defiance, but as testing for survivalThe powerful metaphor of adolescents as “castaways,” and why we must let them leave the shore to growHow The Odyssey offers a timeless framework for understanding the adolescent hero’s journeyWhat neuroscience teaches us about reward sensitivity, risk tolerance, and the adolescent brainWhy digital life isn’t inherently bad—but what it displaces can harm growth and mental healthHow to lead, parent, and mentor with empathy—by not taking rebellion or distance personallyWhether you’re leading young soldiers, raising kids, or reflecting on your own adolescent journey, this episode delivers timeless wisdom and practical tools for helping the next generation grow up well.Matt Richtel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times journalist and bestselling writer of mysteries and thrillers. His books are fast-paced, character-centered stories in which things are not always as they seem. The backdrop for the books is the modern world. Technology is everywhere. Everything moves at lightning speed, from conspiracy, to love, business, and violence. Technology is our slave. Or has it become our dark master?The books relate to Matt's journalism. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 2010 for a series of stories on distracted driving. The next year, he wrote an acclaimed series for the New York Times called "Your Brain On Computers" exploring how heavy technology use impacts our behavior and our brains.Matt lives with his family in San Francisco. He writes from an office with a window that looks onto the former house of baseball legend Willie Mays. He -- Matt, not Willie -- is an avid tennis player, takes pride in making guacamole and coffee, and writes the occasional song.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. 

John Dailey, a retired Marine Raider and author of 'Tough Rugged Bastards,' shares his journey through elite military service and the lessons learned along the way. He discusses the founding of Marine Special Operations and the importance of mentorship and trust in leadership. John emphasizes the transformative value of breath work, meditation, and literature, including how Stoic philosophy shaped his resilience. He candidly addresses the emotional and physical toll of service and the therapeutic benefits of writing in rediscovering identity post-military.

Send us a textArmy veterans and leadership experts Brandon Young and Blayne Smith join the podcast for a powerful conversation about their new book, Perseverance > Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together.Blending combat-tested wisdom, lived leadership experiences, and hard-earned insight from both military and civilian life, Brandon and Blayne break down what it really takes to lead through uncertainty—not just by gutting it out, but by growing through it.In this episode, they explore:The critical difference between endurance and perseverance—and why one leaves you tired and the other makes you betterHow the “ridgeline of adversity” framework helps teams understand where they are—and what to do nextWhat land navigation teaches us about mental toughness, bad assumptions, and moments of decisionThe trap of prediction vs. the power of preparation—and why confidence matters more than certaintyThe real reason some leaders cling to the way things were—and how to accept change without losing hopeWhy open dialogue beats open-door policies—and how to create cultures of candor, feedback, and trustThe discipline to choose action over intention—and how real growth happens on the other side of hardWhether you’re leading in uniform, navigating a career transition, or helping your team through a difficult season, this conversation delivers timeless tools and modern mindsets for becoming the kind of leader adversity demands.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.