From The Green Notebook
Named for the ubiquitous government-issued, hardcover notebooks seen in the hands of servicemembers worldwide - This podcast dives into the notebooks of military leaders, business professionals, authors, and entertainers to examine lessons that will help listeners lead with the best version of themselves.
WWE, Burning Buildings, and Solving Big Problems with George Barrios
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George Barrios, former co-president of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), co-founder and co-CEO of Isos Capital Management, and author of Sometimes Wrong, But Never in Doubt, joins Joe to explore leadership, preparation, reinvention, and what it takes to transform an organization.
This episode examines George’s unconventional path from nearly failing out of high school to becoming one of the key executives behind WWE’s evolution into a global media and entertainment company. George reflects on the influence of his Cuban immigrant parents, the people who redirected his life, and the lessons he c...
Before the Lessons Disappear with Colonel Michael Kloepper
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Michael Kloepper, former commander of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and current Brigade Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy, joins Joe to explore leadership, readiness, and the responsibility to pass hard-earned lessons to the next generation.
This episode examines what it means for a generation of leaders shaped by more than two decades of war to “empty the rucksack” before leaving the Army. Michael reflects on the urgency he and many of his peers feel to pass on what they learned through success, failure, command, and combat so future generations do n...
The Soldier's Curse with Steven Pressfield
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Steven Pressfield, bestselling author of Gates of Fire, the War of Art, A Man at Arms, and
Are You Suffering from the Success Wound? with Brooke Taylor
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Brooke Taylor, author of Healing the Success Wound, joins Joe to explore the hidden pain that comes from mistaking achievement, productivity, and success for self-worth.
This episode examines the “success wound,” the belief that our worth is tied to what we produce, accomplish, or achieve rather than who we are. Brooke shares her own story of growing up in Silicon Valley, chasing gold stars, working at Google, and realizing that external success could not fill the emptiness underneath. What looked impressive on the outside was, internally, driven by a deep need for...
Steve Jobs in Exile with Geoffrey Cain
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Geoffrey Cain, author of Steve Jobs in Exile, joins Joe to explore one of the most overlooked chapters in Steve Jobs’ life: the twelve years between his fall from Apple and his return to build one of the most influential companies in the world.
This episode looks beyond the familiar story of the iPhone, iPod, and Apple’s second act to examine the wilderness years that shaped Jobs into the leader we remember today. After being pushed out of Apple in 1985, Jobs was forced to confront failure, ego, rejection, and the limi...
When Your Brain Won't Turn Off with Dr. Tommy Shavers and Carlos Perez
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Dr. Tommy Shavers, founder of NESTRE Health & Performance, and Carlos Perez, a retired Special Forces officer, join Joe to explore a powerful idea: the brain is not fixed. It can be measured, trained, strengthened, and improved.
This episode was recorded after Joe visited NESTRE’s performance center in Lake Nona, Florida, where he went through their cognitive assessment and brain training process firsthand. What followed was a conversation about performance, recovery, military transition, stress, and what happens when high performers spend years operating in survival mode and then struggle to turn th...
Developing a Monk's Mindset with Sam Yo
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Sam Yo, Peloton instructor, former West End theater performer, and author of The Monk’s Mindset, joins Joe to talk about discipline, mindfulness, and learning how to bring the right effort to every part of our lives.
Joe and Sam explore Sam’s journey from early success on the stage to life in a Thai monastery, and eventually to Peloton. Along the way, they discuss what it means to slow down, reflect, build daily anchors, and stop confusing constant movement with meaning.
Joe and Sam also discuss:
 Why life...Military Barracks, Accountability, and the Cost of Ignoring Small Problems with Rob Evans
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Rob Evans joins Joe for a conversation about military barracks conditions, leadership accountability, and why he created Hots&Cots to give junior service members a voice.
Drawing from his own experience as a junior enlisted Soldier, Rob shares how years of seeing poor living conditions—and reading reports from organizations like the Government Accountability Office—pushed him to stop complaining from the sidelines and start building solutions. What began as a weekend coding project has grown into a platform with tens of thousands of users across the military.
Throughout the...
Dopamine and the Problem With Always Chasing What’s Next with Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman
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Daniel Z. Lieberman, psychiatrist and co-author of The Molecule of More, joins Joe to explore the powerful role dopamine plays in shaping our desires, decisions, and sense of fulfillment.
Joe and Dan discuss how dopamine isn’t just about pleasure—it’s about possibility. It drives us to chase the future, often leading us to idealize what’s ahead while overlooking what’s right in front of us. From career ambition to relationships, this constant pursuit can leave us restless, unsatisfied, and always searching for the next thing.
Throughout the conver...
The Hidden Markets Shaping Your Career with Judd Kessler
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Judd Kessler—a professor at the Wharton School and author of Lucky by Design—joins Joe to explore the hidden markets that shape our lives, careers, and opportunities.
Joe and Judd discuss how many of the most important decisions we encounter—from job promotions to school admissions to performance evaluations—aren’t driven by price, but by rules we rarely see or fully understand. These “hidden markets” determine who gets what, often leaving people frustrated, confused, or convinced that success comes down to luck.
Throughout the conversation, they examine how understand...
Bend But Do Not Break: Rethinking the Future of the All-Volunteer Force with Jaron Wharton
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Jaron Wharton—a former brigade commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and co-editor of Bend but Do Not Break joins Joe to examine the future of the all-volunteer force and the role of professional discourse in strengthening the military.Â
Joe and Jaron discuss how education and self-study shape better leaders, why intellectual curiosity is essential in command, and how stepping outside of purely tactical experiences helps leaders avoid what Joe describes as a “soda straw” view of the world. They also reflect on the dangers of groupthink inside hierarchical organizations and the res...
The Courage to Start Something New with Andy Yakulis
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Andy Yakulis—West Point graduate, former Army pilot, and Special Operations officer turned defense tech entrepreneur—joins Joe to talk about leadership, transition, and the rapidly changing nature of modern warfare.
Recruited to West Point just days before September 11th, Andy entered the Army knowing he would serve during a generation defined by war. After flying Kiowa Warrior helicopters and spending nearly a decade in Special Operations, he became increasingly frustrated with the gap between the technology soldiers used in combat and what existed in the civilian world.
Together, they...
How To Tell A Good War Story with Randy Surles
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Randy Surles—retired Army Ranger and Green Beret turned editor, ghostwriter, and Story Grid-certified book coach—joins Joe to talk directly to veterans who feel called to tell their story but don’t know where to start.
After 25 years in Special Operations, Randy transitioned from the military to the writing world, studying under Shawn Coyne and helping dozens of veterans turn their experiences into memoirs, leadership books, and fiction. Along the way, he’s seen what works—and what doesn’t.
Joe reflects on his own year-and-a-half journey working with Randy o...
How Work Stress Hijacks Your Life with Dr. Guy Winch
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Dr. Guy Winch, bestselling author and psychologist, joins Joe to discuss his newest book, Mind Over Grind to explore how job stress quietly spills beyond the office—and into our evenings, our sleep, and our relationships.
What starts as a difficult meeting or looming deadline doesn’t end at 1700. It follows us home. From the “Sunday Scaries” to 2AM rumination loops, Guy explains how modern work keeps us stuck in fight-or-flight—and why we’re often blind to the ways we sabotage our future selves in the process.
Joe reflects on h...
Bring Your Own Pencil: The Leadership Lesson of Coach Bill Walsh with Griffin Brand and Dan Casey
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Griffin Brand and Dan Casey, co-authors of Bring Your Own Pencil: Bill Walsh’s Playbook for Winning at Anything, join Joe to explore preparation, leadership, and what separates sustained excellence from short-term success.
It’s Super Bowl weekend, so football is part of the lens—but it doesn’t stay there. The discussion moves from Bill Walsh and the San Francisco 49ers to Dyson vacuums, Raising Cane’s chicken fingers, JSOC, and even 50 Cent. Different worlds, same underlying question: why do some people and organizations endure while others flame out?
At the c...
Making the Call: Military Intelligence, Judgment, and Command with Lieutenant General Tony Hale
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Lieutenant General Tony Hale, the Army G-2, joins Joe for a conversation on military intelligence, judgment, and decision-making in modern war. Drawing on nearly four decades of service, Hale reflects on the evolution of the intelligence profession—from red pens and acetate maps to AI-enabled platforms—and why human judgment still matters most.
Hale shares his path into military intelligence, challenges common misconceptions about the field, and explains why intelligence is foundational to maneuver, lethality, and command. From battalion S2 shops to JSOC, Afghanistan, and the Army’s highest intelligence roles, he off...
Open Doors & Hidden Worlds: The Power of Curiosity with Brad Meltzer
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On the release of his latest thriller, The Viper: A Zig and Nola Novel, Brad Meltzer joins Joe for an in-depth conversation on writing, curiosity, service, and the often-hidden moments that shape a life. From bestselling thrillers to children’s books, Meltzer reflects on how stories—both real and imagined—help us make sense of who we are, what we’ve lived through, and the paths we choose moving forward.
Drawing on his own unlikely origin story, Meltzer shares how a single teacher’s encouragement set him on the path to becoming a...
Culture, Process, and Technology with General Christopher Donahue
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General Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa joins Joe for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, culture, and what it takes to drive real change at scale across massive, dispersed organizations.
Having led at the division, corps, and now theater Army level, Donahue reflects on what doesn’t change as responsibility grows. Regardless of rank or scope, leaders must still create belief in the why, articulate a clear vision, translate that vision into a workable plan, and embed it into culture and process so change actually sticks.
...How To Make a Great Cup of Coffee with Carl Churchill
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Alpha Coffee co-founder and retired Army lieutenant colonel Carl Churchill joins Joe for a candid conversation on leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build something that lasts after the uniform comes off.
After serving more than two decades in the Army, Carl found himself facing an unexpected second career shaped not by careful planning, but by crisis. In the wake of the Great Recession, he and his wife Lori cashed out their savings and took an all-in leap to build Alpha Coffee from their basement—navigating years of uncertainty, ne...
The Need to Lead (Without Ego) with Dave Berke
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Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot, Top Gun instructor, and leadership consultant Dave Berke joins Joe for an honest conversation about ego, responsibility, and what it truly means to lead—both in the arena of combat and in everyday life.
As the bestselling author of The Need to Lead, Dave pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of fighter aviation, the chaos of ground combat in Ramadi, and the quiet challenges of becoming a better leader at home. He reveals how his biggest breakthroughs came not from triumphs, but from failure—from...
Fascism, Communism, and the War for Middle-Earth with Joe Loconte
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Dr. Joseph Loconte joins Joe for a powerful exploration of faith, imagination, and courage in times of crisis—how two Oxford professors used story to resist the darkness of their age and inspire generations to come.
As a historian and author of The War for Middle-earth: J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis Confront the Gathering Storm, 1933–1945, Dr. Loconte reveals how the trauma of the First World War and the rise of totalitarianism shaped the moral imagination of both Tolkien and Lewis. While fascism, communism, and nihilism were eroding meaning acro...
A Blueprint for Leading Change with Phil Gilbert
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Phil Gilbert joins Joe for a masterclass on leading lasting change—how to move large organizations, overcome cultural antibodies, and build systems that make transformation stick.
As the former head of design at IBM, Phil was tasked with one of the most ambitious corporate transformations of the last decade: to reignite creativity, collaboration, and speed inside a century-old company known for its consistency. Drawing from his new book Irresistible Change: A Blueprint for Earning Buy-In and Breakout Success, he shares the playbook that helped shift IBM’s mindset from compliance to comm...
The 7 Rules of Power with Dr. Jeffrey Pfeffer
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Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeffer joins Joe Byerly for a candid and provocative discussion about power—what it is, how it works, and why more good people need to learn to use it. Drawing from his influential books Power: Why Some People Have It and Others Don’t and The 7 Rules of Power, Pfeffer challenges listeners to see the world as it really operates—not as we wish it to be.
In this conversation, Joe and Dr. Pfeffer unpack why power isn’t inherently bad, how to build influence without losing integrity, and why r...
Wisdom Takes Work with Ryan Holiday
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New York Times bestselling author Ryan Holiday returns to From the Green Notebook for his third conversation with Joe—this time diving into the themes of his latest and final book in the Stoic Virtues series, Wisdom Takes Work.Â
In this wide-ranging conversation, Ryan and Joe discuss the importance of curiosity, humility, and deep reflection in a world where shortcuts and surface-level thinking often dominate. They explore how writing, reading, and journaling serve as tools for developing wisdom—and how, for both leaders and creators, clarity of thought begins with clarity on pa...
The LANDEURO Talks
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This 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 abou...
Surviving Separation: Deployments and Relationships with Dr. Galena Rhoades
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Dr. 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 k...
Army Directive 2025-18 with Sergeant Major of the Army
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In 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 sho...Turning Groups into Teams: Lessons for Leaders with Dr. Colin Fisher
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Author 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.
...How Robotics and AI Will Transform Warfare and the Future of Human Conflict with George M. Dougherty
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Military 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...
Who Are You Without the Rank? A Conversation on Leader Identity with Laura Weimer
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Army officer and Harvard-trained scholar Laura Weimer joins Joe to unpack leader identity—how it’s formed, why it matters, and what happens when we never stop to question it.
From leading Soldiers in the field to earning a PhD in organizational behavior at Harvard Business School, Laura has navigated both the operational Army and academia. Along the way, she’s learned that one of the most important questions a leader can ask is: Do I want to do this job—or do I just want to be selected for it?
In...
The History of the (Green) Notebook and How It Can Change Your Life with Roland Allen
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Author Roland Allen joins Joe for a deep-dive into his book, The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper, and the surprising legacy of one of humanity’s most powerful tools: the humble notebook.
Whether it’s a green notebook in your cargo pocket, Leonardo da Vinci’s sketches, or a modern writer’s Moleskine, notebooks have shaped how people think, learn, and lead for centuries. In this fascinating conversation, Roland shares how these simple collections of thoughts, drawings, and quotes—what he calls “the first mixtape”—have been central to creativity, memo...
How We Grow up with Matt Richtel
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Pulitzer 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.
Tough Rugged Bastards with John Dailey
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Retired Marine Raider and author John Dailey joins the podcast to discuss his memoir, Tough Rugged Bastards, and the hard-earned lessons from a lifetime in Marine special operations.
In this episode, Joe and John explore:
The story behind the founding of Marine Special Operations—and what it took to prove they belongedWhy breath work, meditation, and reading became essential tools for combat and recoveryThe power of broad commander's intent—and how trust enables bottom-up innovationHow journaling and writing helped John process his experiences and reconnect with identity post-serviceWhy being yourself is a...Perseverance > Endurance with Blayne Smith and Brandon Young
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Army 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...Model the Courage: CSM JoAnn Naumann on Feedback, Innovation, and the NCO’s Role
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U.S. Army Special Operations Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann returns to the podcast—this time from the range at Fort Bragg—for a conversation on leadership, transformation, and enabling the next generation of special operations forces.
With nearly three decades in uniform and two years as the senior enlisted leader of USASOC, CSM Naumann shares the mindset shifts, hard-won lessons, and bottom-up insights that have shaped her time in the seat.
In this episode, they explore:
Why she believes she has the best job in the...The Army’s Origin Story: Rick Atkinson on War, Leadership, and Legacy
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In this special Army Birthday Week episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Rick Atkinson joins Joe to explore the deep roots of the U.S. Army and what its 250-year journey can teach today’s leaders. Known for his Liberation Trilogy and now two volumes into his Revolution Trilogy, Atkinson brings the American Revolution to life—warts, wonder, and all—and makes a compelling case for why understanding our founding story is essential for anyone in uniform.
In this episode, they explore:
What it was like growing up as an Army brat—and how...No More Business as Usual: Secretary Dan Driscoll on Fighting for the Force
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In this candid conversation, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll joins Joe to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to modernize a military while staying grounded in soldier-level feedback. From wrestling with “irrationality and stupidity at scale” in the Pentagon to launching the Army Transformation Initiative, Driscoll shares why he’s flipping tables—sometimes almost literally—to give soldiers the tools and trust they need to win the next fight.Â
In this episode, they explore:
How a 15-year “gap decade” in law, finance, and private equity enriched...Wandering into the Woods: Sarah Blake Morgan on Ego Death and Finding Purpose
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In this powerful conversation, award-winning journalist turned Army officer Sarah Blake Morgan joins Joe for a raw and reflective discussion on identity, purpose, and what happens when we step away from the life we always thought we wanted.
From chasing stories as a national correspondent for the Associated Press to standing in formation at Army basic training at age 31, Sarah opens up about what led her to leave a successful journalism career behind—and what she’s discovered about herself in the process.
In this episode, they explore:
The...On Character with General Stanley McChrystal
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In this powerful conversation, retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal joins Joe to discuss his new book, On Character: Choices That Define a Life. Drawing from decades of military leadership and personal reflection, General McChrystal breaks down why character is more than just a word—it's a daily practice rooted in conviction and discipline.
In this episode, they explore:
Why journaling would have made him a better leaderA practical method he used to align his time with his priorities in AfghanistanHow reading shaped his thinking both in and out of uniformThe su...It’s Not Balance, It’s Trade-Offs: Lessons in Leadership and Life with Lieutenant General Mary K. Izaguirre
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In 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 vu...