Leadership Lessons Episodes
Insights and analyses on leadership principles derived from military experiences, historical events, and notable figures that apply to everyday life.
March 4, 2026
530: The 8 Life Lessons to Keep Your Head Above Water. With Andy Stumpf
>Join Jocko Underground< Throughout his 17-year career, Andy executed hundreds of combat operations throughout the world in support of the Global War on Terror. He was medically retired in June of 2013. His awards and decorations include 5 Bronze Star Medals (Four with Valor), the Purple Heart, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, The Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medal with Valor, Three Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals, Two Combat Action Ribbons, and the presidential Unit Citation. ...
Feb. 25, 2026
529: Firebase Kate Was Under Siege, Surrounded, Outgunned. With Capt. Bill "Hawk" Albracht
>Join Jocko Underground< Abandoned in Hell: The Fight for Vietnam's Firebase Kate: When Firebase Kate was surrounded by a determined enemy force, there were no guarantees of relief and no easy way out. Cut off, outnumbered, and under constant attack, the men on the hill had one mission: hold the line and survive. This is the story of fear, faith, leadership under fire, and the breakout that got them off the hill alive. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-cont...
Feb. 18, 2026
528: Real Rank and Real Authority is Earned.
>Join Jocko Underground< Breaking down a 1965 U.S. Army manual, Basic Problems in Small Unit Leadership, and show how its lessons still apply today. They explore the fundamentals of leadership: building trust, developing confidence, balancing mission and people, and creating psychological “steel” within a team. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Feb. 16, 2026
Jocko Underground: How to Get Your Wife on The Path | Wife Won't Let Me Be The Man of The House
>Join Jocko Underground< How to get your wife on The Path. How to take the role of The Man Of The House / traditional man. What to do when you're calling is to serve. How to utilize confidence without letting pride get in the way. Bounce back better than ever after a break up. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Feb. 11, 2026
527: From Ego to Execution, and The Path to Command. With Nate Fry
>Join Jocko Underground< Nathan Fry shares the hard lessons that shaped his journey from a frustrated young officer to a battalion commander in the Vermont National Guard. Through failures, second chances, elite mountain training, and combat leadership, he explains why mentorship matters, why ego gets leaders in trouble, and why preparing people — not just equipment — is what ultimately wins wars. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Feb. 4, 2026
526: The 18 Things That Make You A Bad Soldier and a Bad Leader, In Battle and in Life.
>Join Jocko Underground< Breaking down a 1951 U.S. Army research report based on interviews with 57 infantrymen fighting in Korean War. The episode pulls blunt, field-tested answers on what makes a good vs. poor combat man and leader—things like combat know-how, staying on task under pressure, remaining calm, taking care of gear, putting the team first, and giving clear, fair leadership. They connect those traits to everyday life and work: master your job, take quick appropriate action, control ...
Jan. 28, 2026
525: Why Action Beats Analyzing. The Soldier and The Statesman.
>Join Jocko Underground< Breakdown of Soldiers and Soldiering by Field Marshal Archibald Wavell. They discuss the tension between soldiers and politicians, the importance of initiative and decentralized command, and what truly defines good leadership in war and life. The conversation covers discipline, toughness, morale, training, communication, and why action beats hesitation. Throughout, they connect historical lessons—from Lincoln, Grant, Rommel, and others—to modern leadership, combat, busin...
Jan. 21, 2026
524: How Soldiers and Soldiering Reflect Real Life Every Single Day
>Join Jocko Underground< Focusing on what makes effective commanders: robustness under stress, calmness, boldness, common sense, logistics, and staying connected to the troops—plus why “luck” usually follows action and risk. Breaking down leadership lessons from Field Marshal Archibald Wavell (and his “In Praise of Infantry” / Soldiers and Soldiering). Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Jan. 14, 2026
523: Honor, Commitment, Sacrifice, and Faith. What It Takes to Get Through Hell. With U.S. Marine, Landon Longgrear
>Join Jocko Underground< Landon Longgrear was a United States Marine who answered the call to serve with quiet resolve, carrying the weight of duty far from home into the unforgiving terrain of Afghanistan. His life stands as a testament to courage without fanfare—proof that honor is often written not in words, but in sacrifice. U.S. Marines at the Battle for Sangin is a battle-intensive and deeply personal war memoir following a small Marine infantry detachment who arrive in Afghanistan with a...
Jan. 7, 2026
522: How Discipline and Leadership Will Make You Survive 40 Months as a POW.
>Join Jocko Underground< Examining the wartime leadership of Air Commodore Leonard Burchill, a Canadian POW who protected and unified fellow prisoners under brutal conditions. His story illustrates extreme ownership, integrity, discipline, and selfless leadership, showing how character, competence, and comradeship sustain teams through the harshest adversity. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Dec. 31, 2025
521: Obey Your Own Orders. Discipline vs. the War in Your Head
>Join Jocko Underground< Jocko and Echo break down why “discipline wins wars” is not just about D-Day and SEAL teams, but about the quiet war in your own head every day. Using a 1944 Army pamphlet, combat lessons, and real-world examples (from donuts to debt to doom-scrolling), they show how tiny daily choices add up to victory or defeat—and how to train yourself to obey your own orders so you can actually reach your long-term goals. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast...
Dec. 17, 2025
519: A Soldier’s Pain, Purpose, and the Brotherhood That Endures. Crazy Joe Claburn Pt.2
>Join Jocko Underground< After a catastrophic parachute failure, Major Joe Clayburn’s life became a daily fight: against pain, against odds, against losing who he was. But what emerged was something deeper than survival. Joe talks about recovery, fatherhood, leadership, the impact of losing Seth Stone, and what it means to carry forward the stories of fallen warriors. A powerful look at resilience, identity, and the lifelong strength of the combat brotherhood. Support this podcast at — https://...
Dec. 10, 2025
518: Six Days in Hell, And Why That Was Just Normal. With Army Ranger Crazy Joe Claburn
>Join Jocko Underground< Joe Clayburn is a U.S. Army infantry officer who rose from a turbulent childhood to command Charlie Company, 1st and 506th — the “Gunfighters” — during the brutal Ramadi 2005–2006 fight. He led his unit through daily firefights, IED strikes, and ambushes, while building the company into a highly effective combat force. After Ramadi, he was selected to lead the 101st Pathfinder Company and later served with the British Parachute Regiment. His career reflects intense front...
Dec. 3, 2025
517: Put Your Legs On. Zero Excuses. The Relentless Journey Rob Jones
>Join Jocko Underground< Rob Jones reveals the mindset that carried him through pain, blisters, heat, back injury, self-doubt, and the “terrorist in his mind.” A raw, emotional, and powerful story of leadership, purpose, and the daily decision to stand up and lead — literally and figuratively. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Nov. 26, 2025
516: The Fat Electrician & Veteran With a Sign Talk Military Service, Life, and Putting Out Word.
>Join Jocko Underground< The conversation moves from military service and trades to online warfare, explaining how misinformation spreads, why memes are weapons, and how an entire digital community defended two creators from institutional falsehoods. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Nov. 19, 2025
515: Discipline, Detachment, and the Power of Going From "Why" to "What". W/ Dakota Meyer
>Join Jocko Underground< After 15 years away, Dakota Meyer reenlisted in the Marine Corps because, in his words, he had “more to give.” In this episode, he and Jocko talk about the lifelong duty to serve others, the cost of freedom, and the honor of carrying forward the legacy of fallen brothers. A raw, unfiltered look at sacrifice, resilience, and living for something greater than yourself. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Nov. 12, 2025
514: Devastating Loss, and Everyday Combat in Ramadi. With Army Medic, Adam Anderson
>Join Jocko Underground< Everyday combat, devastating losses, and the weight carried long after leaving the battlefield. Army medic Adam Anderson shares his raw story of Ramadi, recovery, and the ongoing fight at home — with Ryan Jackson on Canines for Warriors. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Nov. 5, 2025
513: Be Big in the Little Things. Lessons from a Hero. With Ryan Manion
>Join Jocko Underground< Ryan Manion joins to share stories from her brother Travis — Naval Academy graduate, Marine officer, Silver Star recipient — and how his character and choices live on through her new children’s book and the Travis Manion Foundation. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Oct. 29, 2025
512: Into the Delta. Charlie Platoon, SEAL Missions in Vietnam. With Hal Kuykendal and Tom Boyhan
>Join Jocko Underground< From boat insertions under monsoon rains to surprise assaults on hidden VC camps, this episode takes you deep into the Mekong Delta with SEAL veterans Tom Boylan and Hal McNulty. They reveal the challenges of intelligence, leadership, and survival—plus the hard lessons carried into life, family, and business long after the war. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Oct. 22, 2025
511: Between Firefights and Faith, Lessons From Ramadi to Recovery. With Ben Sledge.
>Join Jocko Underground< From the chaos of Ramadi to the pain of losing his best friend, Ben Sledge recounts combat, moral injury, and how faith and storytelling became his path to healing. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Oct. 15, 2025
510: The Ego Trap In Leadership. The Need To Lead Pt.2. With Dave Berke.
>Join Jocko Underground< The second part to The Need to Lead, by Dave Berke. How ego quietly sabotages leaders and teams. When we see others’ failures as our wins, frustration and judgment take over. We talk about how that mindset damages trust, limits growth, and creates division. The conversation shows how shifting from ego to ownership not only builds stronger relationships but also unlocks the real strength of leadership—helping others rise instead of hoping they fall. Support this podcast ...
Oct. 13, 2025
Jocko Underground: Accept That The People Around You May Not Want To Do Their Best
>Join Jocko Underground< Accept That The People Around You May Not Want To Do Their Best How to have the best relationship with your family members when they do not want to improve themselves. How to influence people to be a better version of themself. If you're struggling with balance and have an addictive personality. The 1-5 system of evaluating your performance on ANYTHING. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Oct. 8, 2025
509: The Need to Lead: Lessons from Dogfights, Dunker Drills, and Ego Checks. With Dave Berke.
>Join Jocko Underground< Dave Burke breaks down why humility, detachment, and rejecting perfection are the foundation of true leadership. Jocko adds his perspective from the SEAL Teams to reveal what separates leaders who win from those who fail. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Oct. 1, 2025
508: The Mission Continues Beyond Ramadi. With Major Scott Huesing
>Join Jocko Underground< Retired Marine Major Scott Huesing, author of Echo in Ramadi, to walk through the brutal realities of combat in Iraq’s deadliest city, the cost of leadership, and the transition back home. Scott shares the powerful story of his Marines, the memorials for the fallen, his personal battles after service, and how writing became a new mission to honor and preserve these stories. From Gold Star families to fellow veterans finding their voice, this is a conversation about sacri...