Leadership Lessons From The Great Books

The Man That I Would Become: Lessons from a Life of Hard Work, Faith and Purpose by Victor L. Bretting
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Exploring the intersection of legacy, grit, and faith, this episode features a candid conversation with Victor Bretting about his memoir, The Man That I Would Become. The discussion unpacks the vital role of hunting in conservation and ecological stewardship, the necessity of resilience and discipline for the next generation of leaders, and how faith shapes enduring leadership and personal purpose. Listeners gain actionable insight on leading by example, persevering through adversity, and shaping a legacy that...

Neuromancer by William Gibson with John Hill and Jesan Sorrells
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Jesan Sorrells and John Hill dive deep into William Gibson’s Neuromancer, unravelling how this seminal work predicted the psychological and societal ramifications of our fully networked times. They discuss the book’s dystopian tech vision, how its themes shaped tech leadership and culture, and why leaders must now confront meaning, value, and noise in a flattened digital world. Together, they examine Gibson’s influences, the enduring tension between art and commerce, and the urgent leadership challenge of integrating humanity and technology in the 21st century.

Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo with Tom Libby and Jesan Sorrells
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Dive into Don DeLillo’s Cosmopolis as Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby unpack the novel’s critique of leadership in an era of wealth, technology, and cultural upheaval. They discuss the dangers of disconnected leadership, the ongoing crisis of accountability among elites, and the pitfalls of managing strictly by data and dashboards. The episode draws sharp parallels between fictional failures and real-world leadership challenges, offering actionable lessons for those navigating today’s ever-shifting leadership landscape.

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"Harrison Bergeron" by Kurt Vonnegut with Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger
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Diving into Kurt Vonnegut’s Welcome to the Monkey House, Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger examine the prophetic warnings about conformity, institutional control, and the battle over language and individual agency. The conversation connects the stories “Harrison Bergeron,” “Report on the Barnhouse Effect,” and “Where I Live” to today’s challenges for leaders navigating a culture of safetyism, linguistic manipulation, and technological disruption. Practical takeaways center around preserving individual responsibility, resisting institutional overreach, and regrounding leadership in local, real-world community.

A Conversation on How to Lead in a Post-Literate Work World
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The panel examines the meaning and crisis of literacy in a post-literate society and what it means for 21st-century leadership. The discussion highlights how declining long-form reading impacts critical thinking, decision-making, and social cohesion, while exploring the evolving responsibilities of leaders as communicators, teachers, and curators of insight in a digital, short-attention world. Practical strategies and perspectives are shared for bridging generational gaps, fostering book-based conversation, and adapting leadership to new realities.

Mentioned Book Titles and Authors:

The Power of the Powerless by Vaclav Havel [REDUX] w/Harvey Seifter & Jesan Sorrells
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Exploring Václav Havel’s influential essay, The Power of the Powerless, Jesan Sorrells and Harvey Seifter unpack what it means for leaders to “live in truth” in the face of societal conformity. They examine the dangers of moral and cultural hollowness, the practical implications of dissidence, and how authentic leadership begins with individual conscience rather than systemic change. The episode also connects Havel’s ideas to modern challenges in leadership, ethics, and the search for a transcendent anchor in turbulent times.

The Life of Henry V by William Shakespeare w/Jesan Sorrells and Zac Stucki
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Delving into William Shakespeare’s The Life of Henry V, Jesan Sorrells and Zac Stucki analyze the cultural foundation of leadership, the decline of cultural confidence in Western societies, and the complex responsibilities leaders face when making consequential decisions. They connect Shakespeare’s lessons on accountability and mentorship to today’s leadership crises—highlighting generational gaps, the impact of cultural narratives, and how leaders can prepare to uphold a standard in turbulent times.

The Tragedy of Coriolanus by William Shakespeare w/John Hill and Jesan Sorrells
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Unpacking Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Coriolanus, this episode draws out timeless leadership insights on integrity, social hierarchies, and the tension between individual values and the demands of the group. The hosts explore how Coriolanus’ unwavering personal code clashes with political and social expectations, what the play reveals about family as the first organizational structure, and why the forces of social conformity remain so powerful for modern leaders. The discussion also connects classic themes to today’s leadership challenges, including sales management, organizational power...

The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare w/Katie Mestres & Jesan Sorrells
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Exploring William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, this episode examines the enduring power of tragic storytelling in leadership and culture. The conversation focused on why Macbeth continues to resonate with modern audiences, the complexities of Lady Macbeth’s ambition and gender roles, and how marriage dynamics shape decision-making under pressure. Key themes include the absence of redemption in tragedy, lessons for leaders about ambition and balance, and the timeless human struggle to make meaning from adversity.

The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers - What Lies at the Bottom of Our Constitutional Order w/Dorollo Nixon
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Jesan Sorrells and Dorollo Nixon, Jr. examine the foundational debates framing citizenship, rights, and law in the United States through readings from The Federalist Papers and recent (2026) Supreme Court case analysis. They discuss the evolving meanings of “a more perfect union,” birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment, Fourth Amendment protections in the digital age, and the challenges of culture and authority facing contemporary American leadership. Supreme Court rulings on mass migration, surveillance, and biological reality take center stag...

The Odyssey by Homer, translation by T.E. Shaw (Lawrence of Arabia) w/Jesan Sorrells
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Examining Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, this episode dives into timeless leadership lessons for modern managers and entrepreneurs. The conversation focused on the decline from heroic responsibility to entitlement in Western culture, the enduring value of facing challenges head-on, and the need for leaders to reclaim meaning by embracing tradition and personal accountability. Insights from translator T.E. Lawrence’s life and work sharpen the discussion on navigating today’s cultural shifts with courage and clarity.

Project Hail Mary, Masters of the Universe, and Sunsetting the Dark Knight w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells
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Explore the cultural impact and evolution of superhero films as Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby compare the archetypes of Batman and Superman, analyze changing generational tastes in cinema, and dig into new millennial-focused heroic narratives in movies like Project Hail Mary and Masters of the Universe. They discuss the importance of sincerity in modern heroism, debate whether Gen X or Millennial values dominate current film, and reflect on the future of movie storytelling in the age of AI and...

Millennials are beginning to be heroic at the movies. 
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The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams, July 4, 1776.
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Music: Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa, Performed by European Archive (https://musopen.org/)

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The Declaration of Independence at 250 w/Dorollo Nixon, Jr. and Jesan Sorrells
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In this special 250th anniversary episode, Jesan Sorrells and Dorollo Nixon, Jr. dive into the enduring leadership lessons from the U.S. Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers. They debate whether the U.S. is now in its “sixth republic,” explore the generational and ideological shifts shaping America’s future, and analyze how the founding document’s principles, evidence, and vision still frame leadership in a turbulent political climate. The episode also discusses how changing expectations of government, evolving party structur...

Leaders, never bet against the American people. 
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Les Misérables by Victor Hugo w/Jesan Sorrells & Libby Unger
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Jesan Sorrells and Libby Unger explore Victor Hugo's masterpiece Les Misérables, examining its insights on moral authority, the impact of historical trauma, and the power of redemption in leadership. They discuss Hugo's romanticism, the enduring influence of French history on civic institutions, and how individual heroism still inspires contemporary audiences. The episode also draws parallels between Les Misérables' characters, modern social issues, and the necessity of aligning leadership values with virtuous action.

Leaders, we almost never examine the assumptions that underlie the scaffolding of the decisions we make.
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace w/John Hill & Jesan Sorrells
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In this episode, the hosts dive deep into Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace, exploring the novel’s themes of sacred vs. profane worldviews, the challenges of re-sacralizing modern Western culture, and how historical shifts in meaning affect society today. They examine the influence of religion, technology, and literature on leadership and personal identity, drawing parallels between ancient struggles and contemporary moral dilemmas. The episode also addresses America’s unique cultural experiment in pluralism, the role of skepticism, and the power of books to tran...

Order of the Day (1944) by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander.
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Books overcome the challenges of human change.
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The Gulag Archipelago/One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn
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Exploring Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s The Gulag Archipelago and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Hasan Sorrells delves into the catastrophic effects of suppressing free speech in totalitarian regimes. This episode examines the necessity of robust free speech for effective leadership, the dangers of totalizing ideologies, and the role of literature in preserving individual liberty and truth. Listeners will gain insights on how intentional leaders can resist cultural and political pressures to protect both speech and societal integrity.

Leaders, it's time to start performing the long, hard work of resacralizing the Western world. 
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Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion 
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Exploring Joan Didion's classic Slouching Towards Bethlehem, hosts delve into the unraveling of American culture, the evolution of masculine-coded communication in leadership, and strategies for grounding meaning and tradition in turbulent times. Special guest Nikki Ballou joins Hasan Sorrells to discuss the importance of personal reflection, myth-making in modern culture, and practical steps for rebuilding trust and community in a fragmented world.

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Time-Stamped Overview
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00:00 Introducing: Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Books smuggle ideas across time. 
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A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells
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Delving into Joan Didion’s A Book of Common Prayer, Jesan Sorrells and guest Tom Libby analyze the intersections of perception, privilege, and empathy within leadership. They discuss the pitfalls of solipsism, the evolving role of journalistic language, and how understanding regional and cultural context is essential for authentic engagement. The conversation expands to address practical empathy in business, the impact of technology on communication, and the necessity of fostering grounded values at home and in organizations.

Leaders, the scourge of our time, is one Joan Didion spotted, because it lay deep within herself. 
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The Optimist's Daughter by Eudora Welty w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells
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Explore how Eudora Welty’s The Optimist’s Daughter delves into themes of grief, regional identity, and the challenge of preserving cultural memory in a rapidly globalizing world. Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby discuss the impact of community traditions, the evolving role of observation in literature, and the struggle to find objective meaning amid today’s digital noise. They highlight the contrast between sincere storytelling and modern content creation, drawing leadership lessons from Welty’s keen insight into relationships and local culture.

Leaders, we are in the midst of a cultural transition as we head into a generational Spring.
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Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
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Exploring Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground, hosts unpack the dangers of self-deception and the challenge of living with integrity as a leader. They analyze how self-awareness without mastery leads to alienation, the importance of matching words with actions, and the societal consequences of habitual lying. The episode weaves Dostoevsky’s legacy with real-world leadership, discussing how courage and honest self-examination are vital in modern organizations.

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Time Stamped Overview
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Leaders, can I get a witness?
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Invitation to a Beheading by Vladimir Nabokov
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Exploring the surreal world of Vladimir Nabokov's Invitation to a Beheading, Jesan Sorrells and Claire Chandler analyze the novel’s absurdist critique of totalitarianism and the societal pressures for conformity. They examine Nabokov’s literary style, the challenge of translating Russian nuance into English, and how the narrative’s exploration of meaning, individuality, and truth remains relevant for modern leaders. The episode draws powerful connections between the search for meaning in the 20th and 21st centuries, the impact of technological noise, and the leader’s responsibility to pursue authenticity in an in...

Leaders, Dostoyevsky had some ideas about how to navigate the prison known as the Land of Nod.
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East of Eden by John Steinbeck
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Exploring John Steinbeck’s magnum opus, East of Eden, Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby break down how the novel’s multi-generational narrative reveals timeless truths of human nature, leadership, and morality. They discuss Steinbeck’s powerful depiction of rural California and the tension between rural and urban values, dissect the novel’s deep biblical allusions and the theme of free will, and examine how leaders can leverage the diversity of personalities within teams for collective success. The episode emphasizes the novel’s ongoing relevance and what modern leaders can learn from Stein...

Leaders, the myth of the city is almost as old as the city itself. 
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Mash Up Episode ft. 12 Rules For Leaders Deep Dive - Leadership Models from Sun-Tzu to Albert Murray w/David Baumrucker & Jesan Sorrells
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Explore the gap between leadership models and real-world practice as Jesan Sorrells and guest David Baumrucker examine the pitfalls of rigid frameworks and the necessity for leader courage in today’s volatile environment. They discuss the enduring value of classical wisdom, the influence of myth according to Carl Jung, and the critical challenge technology poses to authentic leadership and organizational culture. The conversation is rooted in Sorrells’ own "12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Inte...

The death of the novel isn't exaggerated, but the death of the book is. 
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The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton
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This episode dives into G.K. Chesterton’s novel The Man Who Was Thursday, exploring its psychedelic narrative twists, literary influences, and enduring philosophical questions for leaders. Jesan Sorrells and guest Neal Kalechofsky discuss Chesterton’s critique of nihilism and anarchy, the book’s connections to figures like Nietzsche and Tolkien, and the challenge of retaining moral clarity in an age saturated by distraction and technology. They reflect on the power of literature to transmit subversive ideas, the legacy of Western tradition, and the importance of rooting leader...

Will our egos rule over us, or will we master them?
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This one is going to be a little more spiritual than perhaps you might be used to from me.
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