

Jocko Podcast
Jocko DEFCOR Network
Retired Navy SEAL, Jocko Willink and Director, Echo Charles discuss discipline and leadership in business, war, relationships and everyday life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

29 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 8min
Jocko Underground: The Cure to Being Overwhelmed, Inadequate, and Afraid.
Explore the struggle of feeling inadequate and the path to overcoming overwhelm. Discover strategies to appreciate small victories and learn from past mistakes. Dive into the importance of focusing on present actions and making disciplined choices. Find out how taking action can transform feelings of worthlessness into confidence. Plus, Jocko shares personal insights on leadership challenges and navigating difficult workplace dynamics.

18 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 2h 44min
510: The Ego Trap In Leadership. The Need To Lead Pt.2. With Dave Berke.
Dave Berke, a former Top Gun instructor and fighter pilot, shares impactful leadership insights from his book, The Need to Lead. He reveals how ego undermines team dynamics and fosters division. The discussion emphasizes taking ownership over mistakes, illustrating how listening enhances relationships and trust. Berke recounts personal experiences, from learning humility in combat to the need for decentralized command in the face of crisis. His journey underscores the importance of adapting to change and empowering others for true leadership success.

53 snips
Oct 13, 2025 • 10min
Jocko Underground: Accept That The People Around You May Not Want To Do Their Best
Navigating relationships with family and colleagues can be tricky when motivation varies. Discover how to influence others to reach their potential without pushing too hard. Explore the performance bell curve, understanding that mediocrity is often a reality in organizations. Jocko emphasizes the importance of investing in top performers while respectfully engaging with those who struggle. Building trust and avoiding judgment can lead to better dynamics. Embrace diverse interests and keep setting a standard for those around you!

78 snips
Oct 8, 2025 • 2h 12min
509: The Need to Lead: Lessons from Dogfights, Dunker Drills, and Ego Checks. With Dave Berke.
Dave Burke, a former Marine Corps fighter pilot and Top Gun instructor, shares profound insights on leadership from his experiences in combat and aviation. He emphasizes the importance of humility and detachment, revealing how effective leadership goes beyond technical skills. Dave argues that every problem is a leadership problem and that leadership can be learned by anyone. Through gripping stories, he illustrates how overcoming complacency and embracing corrections are key to success. Discover how these principles apply across various life contexts.

30 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 8min
Jocko Underground: "Up Before The Enemy". Disciplined? Foolish? Or Not That Serious?
Are early risers disciplined or just plain crazy? The hosts dive into the debate over waking up at 2:55 AM for workouts, weighing the pros and cons of such a schedule. They discuss assessing performance effectively, the impact of workouts on poor sleep, and the importance of self-assessment in maintaining energy levels. Plus, they tackle the homeschooling versus public school debate and how political differences can shatter friendships. It's a thought-provoking mix of personal experiences and practical advice.

63 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 4h 7min
508: The Mission Continues Beyond Ramadi. With Major Scott Huesing
Major Scott Huesing, a retired U.S. Marine with 24 years of service and author of 'Echo in Ramadi,' shares gripping insights about combat leadership in Iraq's deadliest city. He discusses the moral weight of leading young Marines, the emotional toll of military service, and the urgent need to honor fallen comrades through storytelling. Scott reflects on the intense realities of Ramadi, the profound challenges veterans face upon returning home, and how writing became a vital mission to preserve these important narratives.

41 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 47min
507: Leadership and Accountability at the VA. With Secretary Doug Collins
Doug Collins, former U.S. Representative and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shares insights from his multifaceted career spanning military service, law, and politics. He discusses the challenging dynamics of leadership, especially within the VA, emphasizing accountability and veteran-centric reforms. Collins reflects on the harsh realities of 'full-contact politics' and offers anecdotes from his time as a military chaplain. His mission to shift perceptions of veterans from victims to warriors highlights the urgency of better care and services for those who served.

34 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 16min
Jocko Underground: How to Honor Your Commitments When It Gets Hard
Explore the art of honoring commitments when the going gets tough. Delve into how to navigate physical confrontations and improve Jiu Jitsu techniques against formidable opponents. Learn why achieving success on paper doesn’t always mean satisfaction, and discover strategies to escape toxic romantic relationships. Gain insight into planning long-term while managing short-term challenges, including practical advice for tackling a marathon.

57 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 3h 39min
506: Violence, War, and the Path to Redemption. With Clay Martin
In a riveting discussion, Clay Martin, a former Green Beret and author known for his impactful book, Barbarian Spirit, shares his journey from the battlegrounds of Iraq to personal battles after war. He talks about how writing became his salvation and the profound influence of ancestral spirits on his path to redemption. The conversation delves into the pitfalls of modern entertainment, challenges facing veterans, the concept of 'animal magic' for inner strength, and the transformative power of psychedelic experiences in healing.

162 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 25min
Declared Hostile: This Is America
Experience a gripping account of a SEAL task unit leader in Iraq, focusing on the strict rules of engagement amidst chaos. Delve into the influence of modern media, revealing its potential for manipulation and the impact of social media on behavior. Explore the themes of isolation and fear, stressing the importance of self-regulation and personal connections. Lastly, hear a passionate call for unity and collective responsibility, urging listeners to understand and protect the foundational ideals of freedom that define the nation.