This is the final episode of the DODReads: What are you Reading? podcast. Thank you for listening! In Episode 63, host Tim Bettis interviews General Stanley McChrystal, USA (Ret.) on risk, learning from history, and the importance of language skills. General McChrystal is an Army Ranger who led Joint Special Operations Command and Commanded the Int…

In Episode 62, host Bryan Wittmeyer interviews retired U.S. Army General George Casey, the 36th U.S. Army Chief of Staff and the commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq from 2004 to 2007. The two discuss General Casey's philosophy on leadership and the skills leaders need today to succeed in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) e…

In Episode 60, Julie Stabile interviews Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment and Energy Resilience, Richard Kidd. They discuss how to develop climate literacy, the role of junior leaders in the response to climate change, and how to manage a diverse portfolio. The DOD’s Climate Adaptation Plan discussed was released on October 7, 2…

In Episode 59, Ryder Ashcraft interviews Rear Admiral Kenneth Bernard of the U.S. Public Health Service. They discuss the ability of government agencies to respond to a public health crisis, future biosecurity threats that may affect readiness, and how to plan for future challenges. Book Recommendations: Warnings, R. P. Eddy and Richard A. Clarke S…

In Episode 58, Julie Stabile interviews Vice Admiral Sandra Stosz, USCG (Ret.), the author of Breaking Ice and Breaking Glass. They discuss character development, lifelong learning, and how to continually grow as a leader. Book recommendations: Finding the Mother Tree, Suzanne Simard Make Your Bed, Admiral William McRaven The Boys in the Boat, Dani…

In Episode 57, Ryder Ashcraft interviews Lieutenant General Michael Plehn, USAF the President of the National Defense University. They discuss higher education opportunities, the value of working with periphery allies, and the future of joint and interagency cooperation. Book Recommendations: -How the Word is Passed, Clint Smith -Hungry Ghosts, Jas…

In Episode 56, host Tim Bettis interviews retired Air Force Lieutenant General Jack Shanahan, the Inaugural Director of the Department of Defense's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (JAIC). The two discuss graduate school, the implications of AI for international relations, and why reading broadly is crucial for leader development. Book Recommen…

In Episode 55, Ryder Ashcraft and Phoebe Kotlikoff interview Admiral James Foggo, USN (Ret). They discuss working with allied partners, the importance of building relationships on the peripheries, and operating in the Arctic in an era of Great Power Competition. Admiral Foggo Book Recommendations: -Oil & War: How the Deadly Struggle for Fuel in WWI…

In Episode 54, Bryan Wittmeyer interviews Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, USA (Ret.) the Pershing Chair for Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), an organization dedicated to ensuring a strong and enduring transatlantic alliance rooted in democratic values and principles. He served 38 years in the U.S. Army as an Infan…

In episode 53, the Season 3 kickoff, Ryder Ashcraft interviews Ambassador Kristie Kenney, the former Ambassador to Ecuador, the Philippines, and Thailand. They discuss the first month of leadership at a new posting/command, the importance of interagency operations during crisis management, and the relevance of Asia in foreign policy. Interested in …

Thanks for a wonderful Season 2! DODReads: What are you Reading? will be back in July 2021 with new content and new voices for Season 3! 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 podcast@dodreads.com. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free book…

In episode 52, Brigid Calhoun interviews Deborah Lee James. From December 2013 through January 2017, Ms. James served as the 23rd Secretary of the United States Air Force with responsibility for 660,000 military and civilian personnel and a budget of nearly $140 billion. She was the second woman to ever lead a military service in the United States.…

In episode 51, Ryder Ashcraft is joined by Ambassador Nicholas Burns, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. They discuss the relationship between the Department of Defense and the Department of State, the challenges the United States faces from the Great Power Competition, and the i…

In Episode 50, Ryder Ashcraft interviews Dr. Nancy Sherman, a Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University, where she specializes in ethics, the history of moral philosophy, moral psychology, military ethics, and emotions. They discuss Dr. Sherman's experience as the inaugural Distinguished Chair in Ethics at the United States Naval Academy and…

In episode 49, Ryder Ashcraft sits down with Major General Bruce Scott, United States Army (Ret.). MG Scott is the president and CEO of the George and Carol Olmsted Foundation, a scholarship program that sends active duty officers overseas for a cultural immersion tour. They discuss the benefits of earning a graduate degree abroad and the military'…

In episode 48, Ryder Ashcraft interviews Admiral Mike Rogers, USN (Ret.), the former head of the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command. They discuss how a lifelong commitment to reading influenced his career, the future of U.S. cyber capabilities, and implications for collaboration between the government and private sector in the cy…

In episode 47, Brigid Calhoun interviews Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, author of the New York Times bestsellers Ashley’s War: The Untold Story of a Team of Women Soldiers on the Special Ops Battlefield and The Dressmaker of Khair Khana. Ashley’s War is currently being developed into a major motion picture at Universal Studios. Her most recent book, The Dau…

In episode 46, Eugene Yang interviews Mr. Brian Murphy of the Department of Homeland Security. They discuss his depth of experience in counterterrorism both abroad and domestic, the intersection of law enforcement and the Intelligence Community, and the importance of continued education throughout a career. Before being appointed to the Senior Exec…

In episode 45, Brigid Calhoun interviews Lieutenant General Tom Spoehr, USA (Ret.) director of the Center for National Defense at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. They discuss LTG Spoehr’s baptism by fire as a platoon leader in Grenada in 1983, his role in the 2011 U.S. troop drawdown in Iraq, and David L. Roll’s biography George Marshal…

In episode 44, Eugene Yang interviews General David Petraeus, United States Army (Retired). General Petraeus served at the highest levels of the military during crucial periods of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, including as the commander of ISAF, Commander, US Forces - Afghanistan, US Central Command, and as Commanding General, Multi-National Fo…

In episode 43, Ryder Ashcraft interviews Lieutenant Colonel Rebecca Patterson, United States Army (Retired). LTC Patterson is the Associate Director of the Center for Security Studies at Georgetown University. They talk about topics such as gender and disability, overseas service, and the history of nation building in the United States Army. Listen…

In episode 42, Brigid Calhoun interviews Father Dominic Legge, a Catholic priest in the Dominican Order of Preachers. Fr. Dominic is an Army veteran, former DOJ lawyer, and director of the Thomistic Institute in Washington, D.C. They discuss the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas and how philosophy can help with military decision-making and taking care o…

In episode 41, Brigid Calhoun interviews Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Michael A. Grinston. SMA Grinston was sworn in as the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army on August 9th, 2019. He has held every enlisted leadership position in artillery, ranging from cannon crewmember to command sergeant major. He is a native of Jasper, Alabama and enlisted in …

In episode 40, Eugene Yang and Ryder Ashcraft interview the 15th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Russell Smith, as part 2 of our 3-part series interviewing Senior Enlisted Leaders from the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. They cover topics such as the recent changes to the Sailor of the Year promotion allocations, Navy talent management, and h…

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 he…

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 Ir…

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 batta…

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 se…

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 podcast@dodreads.com. Finally, head to DODReads for more resources, free …

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 intervi…

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. Interested in an interview with a parti…

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 QOMPLX, a data analytics and cybersecurity firm. They discuss the importance of indirect leadership, the future of acquisitions and user engagement for DoD projects, and th…

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. Interested in an interview wi…

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 Int…

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…

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 a colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and an Associate Professor of History at the …

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 Dir…

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…

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 …

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 curre…

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 @DODRead…

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 podcast@…

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 …

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? Conta…

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 pa…

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? Conta…

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 podcast@dodreads.com.…

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 answer…

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? Con…

In episode 15, I sit down with the first Navy Chief Learning Officer, Mr. John Kroger, to discuss Proust, physical courage, and the future of Navy professional military education. Interested in an interview with a particular leader? Have a question you'd like to hear answered? Contact us @DODReadsPodcast or podcast@dodreads.com. Finally, head to DO…