From The Green Notebook

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.

Send us a textIn this special episode, Joe sits down with Lieutenant General Greg Anderson, Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps, to discuss one of the most significant structural changes to the airborne community in decades. With 22,000 paid parachutist positions on the table for reclassification, LTG Anderson explains the data-driven process behind the decision, what it means for readiness, and how the Army is adapting to modern operational demands.They explore how emotional reactions to change can cloud understanding, why building consensus through transparency and method matters, and what this transformation says about leadership in complex organizations. Whether you're a paratrooper, a leader managing change, or someone passionate about the future of the force, this episode offers a rare inside look at how the Army balances tradition with transformation.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. Visit ROGER today! 

Victoria Trammel, a senior consultant at the Arbinger Institute, shares profound insights from the revised Leadership and Self-Deception. They discuss how self-deception impacts relationships and leadership, revealing patterns of collusion that inhibit collaboration. Trammel emphasizes the importance of an outward mindset and the power of self-reflection. Listeners learn practical tools for improving communication and accountability, alongside real-world stories that illustrate the transformation possible when one confronts their biases and embraces vulnerability.

General Randy George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, shares valuable insights from his extensive leadership experience. He talks about the transformative power of personal notebooks for reflection and decision-making. The discussion dives into the vital role of reading, especially military literature, in fostering intellectual curiosity. George highlights the importance of bottom-up innovation and consistent communication within the Army, emphasizing how engaging with troops drives progress. Personal values and honest feedback are key themes in his approach to effective leadership.

Send us a textIn this episode, host Joe sits down with Melody Wilding, an executive coach and author of Managing Up: How To Get What you Need From the People In Charge   to explore the dynamics of power, status, and influence in the workplace. Melody shares practical strategies for managing up effectively, not by being a sycophant, but by building stronger relationships, communicating with confidence, and navigating workplace dynamics with integrity. Together they discussWhat it really means to “manage up” (Hint: it’s not about being a suck-up)Why proximity to power can distort your focus—and how to avoid the status trapThe importance of upward empathy and understanding your boss’s pressuresHow to adapt to different leadership styles to build stronger relationshipsThe power of the “ME Manual” and why self-awareness is key to successHow to set boundaries at work—without damaging your reputationThe concept of “Pushback Power” and how to know when (and how) to say noWhether you work in the military, corporate world, or any hierarchical environment, this conversation will help you become a more effective leader from wherever you stand.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!FightCamp is the largest boxing and kickboxing community in the world. Their innovative fitness system combines real-time tracking, professional coaching, and an extensive workout library of over 3,000 sessions. Family-Friendly Access: Supports multiple user profiles under one subscription.Flexible Membership: After the trial, members can continue on a month-to-month basis with no contract obligations.To get the exclusive FREE offer and an additional 15% off accessories, email Joe@fromthegreennotebook for a listeners-only discount code at checkout. Free FightCamp Package: Includes punch trackers, quick wraps, and a 45-day membership trial to the FightCamp app. We will cover the shipping and taxes too (a $278 value per redemption).