In episode 39, Justin Haan and Eugene Yang interview Sergeant Major Troy Black, the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. They discuss the challenges and conflicts that the next generation of Marines will face, the importance of lifelong education, and the future of Marine Corps talent management. Follow the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps here on Twitter.

In Episode 38, Ryder Ashcraft and Eugene Yang interview Mickey Bergman, the Executive Director at the Richardson Center for Global Engagement. Mickey is a former paratrooper in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and a 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his work in fringe diplomacy and negotiating the return of American hostages from countries like Iran and North Korea. They discuss some of Mickey's experiences in the IDF as a paratrooper deployed to South Lebanon, the importance of developing...

In episode 37, Brigid Calhoun interviews Colonel Kevin W. Farrell, USA (Ret.) president and CEO of Battlefield Leadership, LLC, a consulting firm that prepares today’s business leaders for tomorrow’s challenges through the lessons of history. He served over 30 years in the U.S. Army as an Armor officer, commanding at the platoon, company, and battalion levels during combat in three different wars.  They discuss what we can learn from military history, why discipline and standards matter, and...

In episode 36, Justin Haan interviews Mr. Robert Richer, currently a senior partner at International Advisory Partners.  Mr. Richer served for over 40 years in the national security apparatus as a Marine officer and in the CIA. He retired in 2004 as the Assistant Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA after 20 years in the national clandestine service. Mr. Richer has been an advisor to every President since Ronald Reagan and remains actively engaged in the formulation and execution of US...

Thanks for a wonderful Season 1! DODReads: What are you Reading? will be back in February 2021 with new content and new voices for Season 2! If you haven't already, please take the time to leave us a review. Now is the perfect time to give us feedback, contact us @DODReads or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors. The views presented in this episode are those of the participants and do not reflect the views of...

In episode 35, Eugene Yang interviews Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, USAF, Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. They discuss the benefits of all types of conflict, fostering effective environments for facilitating conversations on diversity and inclusion, and the future of the Air Force and the Air Force Academy. Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads...

In episode 34, Eugene Yang interviews Rear Admiral Carl Lahti, USN, Commandant of Naval District Washington. They discuss Naval District Washington's recent webseries "Listen, Learn, and Lead," the importance of diversity for the future force, and the positive impact of good mentors in the profession of arms.

In episode 33, Eugene Yang interviews MG John Ferrari, USA (Ret.) who is currently a Visiting Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the Chief Administrative Officer of COMPLX, a data analytics and cybersecurity firm. They discuss the importance of indirect leadership, the future of acquisitions and user engagement for DoD projects, and the importance of intellectual curiosity for leaders and analysts.

In episode 32, Jacqueline Parker interviews Shannon Huffman Polson - author, speaker, founder of The Grit Institute and former Army Apache Helicopter pilot. They discuss learning from failure, the importance of mentorship, and why sharing stories is so important. Check out Shannon's books and leadership institute here.

In episode 31, Eugene Yang interviews MG Patrick Donahoe, Commanding General of the US Army Maneuver Center of Excellence. They discuss the future of the conventional force, maneuver in the information environment, and how to utilize Twitter as a professional development platform as military leaders. Follow MG Donahoe on Twitter @PatDonahoeArmy

In episode 30, Eugene Yang sits down with Captain Bill Hamblet, USN (Ret.) to discuss military authorship, the importance of fiction for creative thinking, and the challenges of gray zone warfare. Bill Hamblet is the Director of Periodicals and Editor-in-Chief of Proceedings, the flagship publication of the US Naval Institute. Be sure to check here for the essay winners of the CIMSEC and US Naval Institute Short Story Fiction Contest in December! Also check out the Commandant of the Marine...

In episode 29, Eugene Yang sits down with Dr. Aaron O'Connell, USMCR to discuss how to appropriately use history to inform the future, the next era of U.S.-China relations, and how the Marine Corps has marketed itself through the ages.   Dr. O'Connell is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin and the Director of Research at the Clements Center. He teaches courses in military history, U.S. foreign policy, U.S. military culture, and the U.S.’s role in the world...

In episode 28, Eugene Yang sits down with Colonel John Tien, USA (Ret.) to discuss the recent large organizational shifts in the military post-Cold War and post-9/11, the importance of diversity for developing agile thinking, and how to optimize broadening tours when away from the conventional operating forces. John Tien is currently a Managing Director at Citigroup. He served for over 24 years on active duty including 3 combat deployments to Iraq. He was a senior national security advisor...

In episode 27, Eugene Yang sits down with Brigadier General Kim Field, USA (Ret.) to discuss the role of the military in interagency endeavors, the importance of education and critical thinking for leadership, and how to ask good questions to solve future complex scenarios. Kim Field is currently a Professor of Practice at the Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service: https://bush.tamu.edu/faculty/kfield/ Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question...

In episode 26, Eugene Yang sits down with Lieutenant General John Wissler, USMC (Ret.) to discuss leadership development for junior officers, the importance of cross-cultural understanding, and the practice of individual reflection to sharpen personal leadership competencies and moral courage. LtGen Wissler is the Distinguished Chair of Leadership at the United States Naval Academy Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership. Visit his site at: https://www.jpw-solutions.com/ or connect with him...

In episode 25, Eugene Yang sits down with Dr. John Nagl, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Ret.), to discuss how organizations react to new challenges, from the current pandemic to counterinsurgency. Dr. Nagl reflects on his start in professional military writing and the importance of education for America's next generation of leaders. Dr. Nagl is currently the ninth Head of School at The Haverford School in Pennsylvania. You can follow him on Twitter @drjohnnagl. Interested in an interview with...

In episode 24, I sit down with Marine Colonel Maria "MJ" Pallotta to discuss how stoicism can help us weather the pandemic, why the classics are critical for leaders, and the importance of studying leadership and ethical philosophy. Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors. The views presented...

In episode 23, Jackie sits down with Army Lieutenant Colonel Laura Weimer to discuss learning from failure, how to reconcile leadership responsibility with doubts over the mission, and the importance of finding purpose. Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors. The views presented in this...

In episode 22, I sit down with retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Harold Davis. Dr. Davis is a graduate of the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and a veterinary pathologist who served 20 years in the United States Air Force. After retiring from Active Duty, Dr. Davis worked as a veterinary pathologist in the private sector and served as the first and only Black president of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.  Interested in an interview with a particular...

In episode 21, I sit down with retired Air Force Brigadier General Paula Thornhill to talk military history, force structure and design strategy, and the importance of writing for professional development. BGEN Thornhill's book is available here. Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReads or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors. The...

In episode 20, I sit down with retired Marine turned business leader and author, Mike Ettore to talk PME, leadership as an NCO versus as a junior officer, and how the business world differs from the military. Check out the Fidelis Leadership Podcast, Mike's own show here. His book is available for purchase here. Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReadsPodcast or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for...

In episode 19, host Eugene Yang sits down with Army Lieutenant General Robert Ashley, Director, Defense Intelligence Agency, to discuss leadership development, lifelong learning, and the relative merits of subject matter expertise and generalism. Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReadsPodcast or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military...

In episode 18, host Jacqueline Parker sits down with retired Army Colonel and serving California State Guard Brigadier General Denton Knapp, to discuss lessons in leadership, failure, and transition.  Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReadsPodcast or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military authors. The views presented in this episode are those...

In episode 17, Josh sits down with Lieutenant General Richard Newton, USAF (Ret.), former Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff to discuss current reads, the importance of writing, and how to execute a smart transition out of the military.  Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReadsPodcast or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military...

In episode 16, I sit down with General Lori J. Robinson, USAF (Ret.), former Commander of United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the first female Combatant Commander in U.S. history.  Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReadsPodcast or [email protected]. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free books, and interviews with military...