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Leadership Lessons Episodes

Insights and analyses on leadership principles derived from military experiences, historical events, and notable figures that apply to everyday life.
July 23, 2025

500: We Choose To Live.

>Join Jocko Underground< (Live in Chicago) Jocko Podcast 500 marks a major milestone—nearly 10 years of leadership, war stories, personal growth, and hard truths. In this powerful live episode recorded at the Vic Theatre in Chicago, Jocko Deeply personal reflection on the realities of war, the weight of leadership, and the power of choice. From recounting the harrowing cost of combat to the enduring bonds between team mates, Stories of fallen teammates, personal battles with grief, and the less...
July 16, 2025

499: Squelch The Noise. Disciplined Frameworks to Avoid Manipulation.

>Join Jocko Underground< How overreacting to headlines, battlefield reports, or business setbacks creates unnecessary panic and poor decision-making. Using the analogy of a “squelch” button on military radios, he explains the need to filter noise, assess information logically, and avoid emotional responses. Leaders must detach, gather reliable intel, and act with calm deliberation. From combat to media consumption, Jocko emphasizes processing input through disciplined frameworks to avoid manipul...
July 9, 2025

498: Regardless of the Distractions, You Know What To Do. Do It.

>Join Jocko Underground< >Explore Jocko Store< Exploring deeper themes from the Marine Corps Institute’s Leadership Credo. Leadership isn’t about rank—it’s about earning trust through action. True leadership requires understanding human will, stress, fear, and mission focus. The will to fight is central in combat—and in life. Emotional control, both personally and within teams, determines success or failure. Jiu-jitsu parallels are drawn to show how will, not just skill, defines performance. Lea...
July 2, 2025

497: Lessons About Human Will and Those Who Don't Break. "Combat Leadership at Iwo".

>Join Jocko Underground< The brutal legacy of the Battle of Iwo Jima—America’s bloodiest Marine Corps battle. Drawing from Marine Colonel Joseph H. Alexander’s powerful article Combat Leadership at Iwo Jima, they unpack the sheer scale, strategy, and human cost of the fight. Jocko highlights the critical role of combat experience, disciplined training, and small-unit leadership in surviving such savage conditions. The conversation also explores modern SEAL training, live fire exercises, and how...
June 25, 2025

496: Toxic Leadership. This Is How You Spot It. This Is How You Know.

>Join Jocko Underground< Discussing the broad and often misunderstood term "toxic leadership," noting how frequently he’s asked about it. A detailed paper by Colonel Denise F. Williams from the Army War College that identifies toxic leadership traits and categorizes 18 types of toxic leaders. Though the paper focuses on the U.S. Army, Jocko emphasizes that toxic leadership exists in all organizations, not just the military. Explore how such leaders emerge, why they’re tolerated, and whether str...
June 18, 2025

495: Look. Is Your "Check Engine" Light On? . With Human Performance Specialist, Rob Wilson.

>Join Jocko Underground< Get "Check Engine Light", by Rob Wilson >> HERE Rob Wilson is a Human Performance Specialist with over twenty years of manual therapy, coaching, and education experience. Rob's work spans a variety of avenues in the field of health and human performance. This includes multiple trademarks, the creation of global seminars and curriculums, and the research, development and implementation of best practices in human performance. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.co...
June 11, 2025

494: This is What It Takes to Be Undeniable. With Cameron Hanes

>Join Jocko Underground< In UNDENIABLE, I bring together outliers of today-men and women who are experts in their field, to share their unique and motivating perspectives on reaching the pinnacle of success and remaining there. From popular neuroscientist Andrew Huberman to ultramarathon runner Courtney Dauwalter, you will hear how undeniable individuals have obtained their winning mindset. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
June 4, 2025

493: Chris Cappy's Grunt Perspective From The Front Lines of Iraq and Ukraine.

>Join Jocko Underground< Chris "Cappy" Capelluto is a former US Army infantryman, Iraq veteran, and YouTube content creator. He has gained recognition for his YouTube channel, where he focuses on defense analysis, military history, and geopolitical topics. Cappy also worked as a head of video for Task & Purpose before launching his own channel. He's known for his unique perspective, combining his military experience with a media background Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-p...
May 28, 2025

492: The Path Is Hard. Team Dealer Bravo Company 2-6 Infantry. With Ryan Jackson.

>Join Jocko Underground< Bravo Company 2-6 IN "Team Dealer" owned and controlled its battlespace, Al-Taʾmīm. The regulars of Team Dealer were never attached to the command of other units. All units planning operations in Al-Taʾmīm, including NSW (SEALs) and other SOF or OGA units always reported to Team Dealer before planning ops in Al-Taʾmīm. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
May 21, 2025

491: SLEDGEHAMMER. Eugene Sledge's son Henry Shares Lost Stories of The Old Breed 1st Marine Division.

>Join Jocko Underground< Get "With The Old Breed: Full Story Revealed" >HERE< The Old Breed… The Complete Story Revealed brings to life an abundance of new material from the original manuscript of Eugene Sledge’s classic memoir With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa. By interspersing his own personal anecdotes throughout, Henry Sledge takes his father’s work and gives it newfound context, sharing memories of conversations between father and son. The result is a flowing narrative that portrays...
May 14, 2025

490: Accept All Challenges Involved. With Travis Barnes

>Join Jocko Underground< After 9/11, Travis Barnes enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, driven by duty and purpose. He endured grueling training, served three combat tours in Iraq, and rose to Sergeant in a Recon unit, surviving IEDs and earning multiple commendations. After suffering traumatic brain injury and PTSD, he returned home, went to law school, and found healing through discipline — this time in crafting whiskey. In 2014, alongside his wife Hilary, he founded Hotel Tango, named in honor ...
May 7, 2025

489: A Man Can Be Made To Do Exactly Anything. The Dark Truth About Brainwashing.

>Join Jocko Underground< Jocko Podcast 489 explores the power of thought control, the vulnerability of the human mind, and historical brainwashing techniques. Jocko and Echo discuss a declassified 1956 CIA document on psychological manipulation, drawing from Korean War POW cases and Soviet tactics to show how beliefs and values can be deeply altered. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
April 23, 2025

487: How Being a “New Guy” Can Help You in Life. W Bobby Holland

>Join Jocko Underground< Bobby Holland joins the pod to discuss what we can all learn from the guidelines of being a "New Guy" in the SEAL Teams. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
April 16, 2025

486: Warfare: The Missions, The Men, and The Movie. W/ Elliott Miller and Joe Hildebrand.

>Join Jocko Underground< Two of the US Navy SEALS that were in the Battle of Ramadi in the events depicted in the Movie "Warfare". Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
April 9, 2025

485: We Are ALL Susceptible to Arrogance, Vice, and Villainy. The Hunn-Beating Proverb.

>Join Jocko Underground< Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
April 2, 2025

484: It Might Not Go The Way You Want. With Navy SEAL Command Master Chief, Jim Foreman.

>Join Jocko Underground< Jim Foreman is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL Command Master Chief with 27 years of elite military service, including leadership at Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU – SEAL Team 6) — one of the most selective and operationally demanding units in the world. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
March 26, 2025

483: Grayisms. Thoughts on Leadership That Apply Right Now. From Al Gray.

>Join Jocko Underground< The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies produced a document called "Grayisms: And other Thoughts on Leadership from General Al Gray". Published by the Potomac Institute Press. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
March 24, 2025

Jocko Underground: What's Up With Military Recruiting, Recruiting Videos |

>Join Jocko Underground< Getting young, talented, but arrogant team members on board with the system. What's Up with the current state of Military recruiting? How to navigate good training for a fulfilling Jiu Jitsu experience. Loyalty VS My career. Solving recurring problems in my day to day professional life. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
March 19, 2025

482: Roll Up Your Sleeves and CHOP THAT S**T UP. With CSM Daniel Pinion.

>Join Jocko Underground< Daniel L. Pinion is a military veteran of the Cold War, Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and multiple tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served in numerous Infantry, Armor and Cavalry units and leadership positions during his 28-year career. CSM (R) Pinion has served as Squad Leader, Section Sergeant, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Instructor, Operations Sergeant Major, and Command Sergeant Major. Born in Ohio, raised in Andover, NJ, CS...
March 12, 2025

481: Deeds. Not Words. With Airborne Ranger, Will Bardenwerper

>Join Jocko Underground< Will Bardenwerper was an Airborne Ranger qualified infantry officer in the United States Army. He was stationed in Germany and his service included a 13-month deployment to Nineveh and Anbar Provinces, Iraq in 2006-7. While in Iraq, he helped lead his infantry battalion's reconstruction, civil affairs and tribal engagement efforts in the city of Hit. His unit helped contribute to the beginning of what would later become known as the “Anbar Awakening.” Will was awarded a ...
Feb. 26, 2025

479: First Troops On The Ground In Afghanistan. With Green Beret Scott Neil

>Join Jocko Underground< Green Beret, Scott Neil. Task Force K-Bar. First boots on the ground in Afghanistan after Sept. 11. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content
Feb. 12, 2025

477: "There's No Freedom In The Facade. With Martial Artist and Mentor, Jason Wilson

>Join Jocko Underground< Jason Wilson faced many challenges growing up-the types of challenges that make many men turn down the wrong path-the demonic path that destroys people and ruins their souls. But, Jason was able to break away from that path-and get on another path: the Righteous Path...and he has helped thousands of people do the same through his books: Cry Like a Man, Battle Cry, and his most recent book, The Man the Moment Demands: Master the Ten Characteristics of the Comprehensive Ma...
Feb. 5, 2025

476: Dog Ain't Got Nuthin' For Ya. With Retired SEAL Harold "Dog" Underdown.

>Join Jocko Underground< Harold Underdown (aka Dog) is a co-founder of Four Branches Bourbon, where he brings his 30-year career as a Master Chief Naval Special Warfare (SEAL) to the company. As a former Navy SEAL Command Master Chief and VP of the UDT/SEAL Association, Harold leads Four Branches Bourbon's efforts to support special operations veterans and causes. He manages collaboration ventures and giveback initiatives, promoting the company's message of Drink Honorably. Currently, Harold is ...
Jan. 22, 2025

474: Building More United Communities. With Force Recon Marine, Jake Harriman

>Join Jocko Underground< Jake graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and served seven and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Platoon Commander in both the Infantry and Force Recon. Following his service, Jake enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. While at Stanford, he founded Nuru International to eradicate extreme poverty in the world’s most unstable, vulnerable regions to help end violent extremism. Jake played a vital role in drafting, introduc...