Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Senior Deputy Regional Director Bryan Antonelli shares 25 years of leadership lessons from transforming America's most dangerous prisons. From Hazelton (where Whitey Bulger was murdered) to Coleman (largest prison complex in America), Bryan reveals how he used military counterinsurgency tactics to turn chaos into order and his new book "Seize, Clear, Build and Hold."

What You'll Learn:

• Why every prison reform starts with fixing the lockup first

• How to get staff buy-in when taking over a chaotic facility

• The counterinsurgency tactics that work inside maximum security prisons

• Why leadership training matters more than security technology

• How drones and cell phones are destroying prison security

• The parallel between Jiu-Jitsu training and leadership under pressure

Key Quote:

"There's always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success. Your jail's gonna go as your lockup goes - if your lockup's a crowded, undisciplined mess, your jail's gonna be a disaster." - Bryan Antonelli

Timestamps:

🔒 00:00 - From Air Force to 25 years transforming violent prisons

🔒 12:30 - Taking over Hazelton after Whitey Bulger's murder

🔒 18:45 - Why staff culture beats security technology every time

🔒 25:20 - The shower plan that changed everything in 48 hours

🔒 32:15 - How contraband (drones, cell phones, soaked mail) fuels prison violence

🔒 39:40 - "The storm before the calm" - expect resistance before reform

🔒 46:25 - Counterinsurgency tactics: Treating gangs like insurgent groups

🔒 52:30 - Always start with the lockup - your foundation for order

🔒 58:15 - The Sony Walkman descrambler: How smart inmates really are

🔒 64:40 - Incentivizing prisoners: Honor dorms vs restrictive housing

🔒 71:20 - First week takeover plan: Observe, listen, don't rush

🔒 77:50 - Building systems that outlast the leader

🔒 83:30 - The shocking lack of defensive tactics training in corrections

🔒 90:15 - Why Jiu-Jitsu makes better leaders and decision makers

🔒 96:40 - From elite athlete to "fat slob" and back: Brian's transformation

🔒 103:25 - Training at Max's Mixed Martial Arts with the Migliarese brothers

🔒 109:30 - Leave your ego at the door or it'll get choked out

🔒 115:45 - Extreme Ownership: The leadership bible that changed everything

🔒 121:20 - Final lesson: Make time for yourself and family first

Featured Book: "Seize, Clear, Build and Hold" by Brian Antonelli

Brian Antonelli's Background:

• 25-year career with Federal Bureau of Prisons

• Senior Deputy Regional Director, Northeast Regional Office (Philadelphia)

• Transformed Hazelton (WV) after Whitey Bulger murder - 7 murders/year to ZERO

• Chief of Emergency Preparedness for entire BOP

• Coleman (FL) - Largest federal prison complex in America

• 15 prison locations nationwide

• 4 years Air Force (1993-1997)

• 28 years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (black belt)

• 1996 Olympic Training Center - Greco-Roman wrestling

Connect with Brian Antonelli:

• LinkedIn: Brian Antonelli (13,000+ followers)

• Company: Forged By Freedom Fit (strength & nutrition coaching)

• Book: "Seize, Clear, Build, Hold"

Subscribe for more episodes with leaders who've transformed chaos into order.

#BrianAntonelli #SeizeClearBuildAndHold #PrisonReform #FederalPrisons #Leadership #ExtremeOwnership #Corrections #LawEnforcement #JiuJitsu #BuiltNotBorn

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Dave Berke: "The Need to Lead" - Former Top Gun Instructor & F-35 Commander on Why Every Problem is a Leadership Problem ✈️

Former Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Dave Berke shares his journey from Top Gun instructor to F-35 squadron commander to combat veteran fighting alongside Navy SEALs in Ramadi.

Now a leadership instructor at Echelon Front with Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, Dave reveals lessons from his new book "The Need to Lead" - the third in the Extreme Ownership series.

What You'll Learn:

• Why every problem is a leadership problem (and how that empowers you to solve it)

• The difference between extreme ownership and preemptive ownership

• Why "someone's gonna do it, it might as well be you" changes everything

• How to lead when you're leading your equals and peers

• Why good leadership must outlast the leader

• The power of being a leader who listens first

Key Quote:

"Someone's going to do it, it might as well be you. Every person needs to lead in order to succeed, no matter the environment." - Dave Berke

Timestamps:

🛩️ 00:00 - The Star Wars moment that sparked a fighter pilot dream

🛩️ 08:15 - Mom's powerful advice: "Someone's gonna do it, might as well be you"

🛩️ 15:30 - Growing up in Marine Corps town: El Toro flight path childhood

🛩️ 22:45 - First time behind the controls and the road to Top Gun

🛩️ 28:20 - Only Marine to fly both F-22 Raptor and F-35B Lightning

🛩️ 35:40 - Mom watching his first F-35B vertical landing - full circle moment

🛩️ 42:15 - Becoming a Top Gun instructor: Leading your peers

🛩️ 48:30 - Humble, credible, approachable: The ultimate teaching framework

🛩️ 55:20 - Leaving the cockpit for combat on the ground in Ramadi

🛩️ 62:45 - Fighting alongside Jocko and Leif's SEAL Team in 2006

🛩️ 68:30 - The dichotomy: Coming home to San Diego after losing a Marine

🛩️ 75:10 - Reconnecting with Jocko and Leif to join Echelon Front

🛩️ 82:40 - Writing the third book in the Extreme Ownership series

🛩️ 88:15 - Every problem is a leadership problem (and every solution is too)

🛩️ 94:20 - Preemptive ownership: Solving problems before they happen

🛩️ 101:30 - The leader as listener: Why talking less makes you more effective

🛩️ 107:45 - Good leadership outlasts the leader - you don't pick when you leave

🛩️ 114:20 - Everyone is a leader: Why title and rank don't matter

🛩️ 120:15 - The brutal truth about writing: First drafts are humbling

🛩️ 125:30 - Final lesson: Leadership is a skill anyone can learn

• Book: "The Need to Lead" by Dave Berke - Available October 2024

Third book in the Extreme Ownership series following "Extreme Ownership" and "The Dichotomy of Leadership"

Connect with Dave Berke:

• Instagram: @DavidRBerke

• Company: Echelon Front (with Jocko Willink & Leif Babin)

Subscribe for more episodes with elite performers who've overcome the odds.

#DaveBerke #TheNeedToLead #ExtremeOwnership #EchelonFront #JockoWillink #TopGun #Leadership #Marines #F35 #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #LeifBabin

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Amy P. Kelly and Julie Nee share their latest book "The Gift of Growth" - a daily growth guide proving that four minutes of intentional action beats four hours of planning.

Both corporate veterans who've worked with Jon Gordon for a decade reveal how 365 days of quotes paired with micro-actions creates sustainable transformation for busy people.

What You'll Learn:

• The formula: Idea + Action = Progress
• How to build a belief that fuels difficult days
• Why appreciating small wins transforms your inner critic
• Creating physical environments that support growth
• The power of daily micro-actions over grand plans

Key Quote:

"Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so."

Timestamps:

00:00 - Guest introductions & The Gift of Growth origin story

09:15 - How the book works: Quote + micro-action daily

18:45 - The CULTIVATE framework explained

29:30 - Curating your information diet

39:20 - Building your belief garden

44:45 - The basement stories: Growth through hardship

58:15 - The logistics of self-publishing

73:50 - John Gordon's impact on their lives

82:30 - Final takeaways: Take action & build your belief garden

Featured Book: "The Gift of Growth: Plant Presents Every Day" - Available on Amazon

Connect with Amy P. Kelly & Julie Nee:

• Book: Gift of Growth
• Website: YouGrowGirl.com
• IG: @YouGrowGirlCommunity
• Website: AmyPKelly.com
• Website: :JulieNee.com

Subscribe for more episodes with proven strategies on personal growth, leadership, and sustainable success.

#AmyPKelly #JulieNee #TheGiftOfGrowth #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #YouGrowGirl #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #JonGordon #DayOfDevlopment

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Episode: Built Not Born

Guest: Guy Kawasaki - Former Apple Chief Evangelist, Author of "Wiser Guy"

Host: Joe Ciccarone

Release Date: September 22, 2025

"Your true scorecard isn't measured in dollars, followers, or fancy titles. It's measured in lives changed, relationships strengthened and personal growth achieved. I hope you made people's lives better. I hope the world is better for you having lived in it." - Guy Kawasaki

Apple's former Chief Evangelist Guy Kawasaki returns to share wisdom from his new book "Wiser Guy" and reveals the leadership lessons learned from Steve Jobs, the power of saying yes early in your career, and why he started surfing at 60. From getting mistaken for Jackie Chan to learning the high road from his father, Guy delivers actionable insights on motivation, sales mastery, and building a remarkable life.

Key Topics Covered:

• Mission-driven leadership vs. being an asshole
• The foundation of great teachers and mentors
• Why motivation doesn't matter (but being motivated does)
• Sales fundamentals and the power of empathy
• Punch up, never punch down leadership philosophy
• Regret analysis and taking bold action
• Learning new skills later in life
• Measuring impact over money

🍎 [00:00] - Opening & Steve Jobs "Think Different" Story

• Guy recalls being in the room when the iconic "Think Different" campaign was previewed
• The moment Steve Jobs said "Don't give one to Guy" in front of everyone
• Guy's response: "Steve, it's okay because I don't trust you either"
• Why this probably cost him $250 million

👔 [08:15] - Mission-Driven Assholes vs. Regular Assholes

• The distinction between people who are assholes for themselves vs. for a mission
• Steve Jobs as the ultimate mission-driven asshole
• Why Melanie Perkins from Canva proves you don't need to be an asshole to succeed
• The chicken-and-egg question: Does being an asshole make you successful, or does success make people tolerate your behavior?

👩‍🏫 [15:30] - The Teacher Who Changed Everything: Trudy Akau

• How an elementary school teacher in Hawaii altered Guy's entire life trajectory
• The moment she told Guy's parents he had potential and should leave public school
• From potential "ghetto guy" to Stanford graduate because of one teacher's intervention
• How to become a "Trudy" in someone else's life

🌺 [22:45] - The Gardener Story: Taking the High Road

• Getting mistaken for the gardener while trimming his hedge in an affluent SF neighborhood
• His father's surprising reaction: "Statistically, she was right"
• Why being Japanese American in Hawaii vs. mainland created different perspectives
• The lesson in giving people the benefit of the doubt

🏎️ [28:20] - The Jackie Chan Moment

• Driving a Porsche, feeling like hot stuff, getting asked by teenage girls if he's Jackie Chan
• Guy's life goal: someday having Jackie Chan get asked if he's Guy Kawasaki
• Why you've got to get your motivation where you can find it

🚗 [32:10] - What Really Motivated Guy: Cars, Not Changing the World

• The Porsche ride in high school that made him want to study harder
• Getting robbed twice on the bus and vowing never to live in poverty
• The Stanford friend's family with the Rolls Royce, Ferrari, and Arizona Biltmore lifestyle
• "Forget changing the world, you gotta change the car"

✅ [40:25] - The Power of Saying Yes Early in Your Career

• Why Guy said yes to counting diamonds during MBA school
• How seemingly random experiences (jewelry sales) prepared him for Apple evangelism
• Learning hand-to-hand combat sales skills
• When to transition from saying yes to everything to being selective

🤝 [46:50] - Sales Fundamentals: Empathy Over Everything

• The one thing that separates great salespeople from mediocre ones
• Why great salespeople think about the customer, not their quota
• The importance of believing your product is genuinely good for the other person
• Why Guy could never sell Microsoft Windows

👆 [52:15] - Punch Up, Never Punch Down

• True strength means challenging those above you, never belittling those with less power
• How you can judge someone's character by how they treat "powerless" people
• The pragmatic and moral reasons to avoid punching down
• Why punching down is a sign of weak ego and overcompensation

😔 [58:30] - Regret Analysis: Action vs. Inaction

• Daniel Pink's Regrets Project findings
• Why people regret not taking risks more than taking risks and failing
• The evolutionary vs. modern context of risk-taking
• How social relationships factor into regret patterns

🏄‍♂️ [65:40] - Learning New Skills at 60+: Surfing and Hockey

• Started surfing at 60, hockey at 44 (both because his kids were interested)
• Why he reverses the typical parent approach - he takes up what his kids love
• The mental barriers people create about learning later in life
• Still surfing literally every day at 71

🌊 [72:20] - Business Lessons from Surfing

• "If you don't try to catch a wave, you'll never catch a wave"
• Why waiting for the perfect wave means never catching any wave
• The mental complexity of surfing as a metaphor for business decisions
• How surfing teaches you when to stop analyzing and just go

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 [78:45] - Staying Present as a Parent

• How his parents modeled being involved and present
• The theory of taking up what your kids love instead of making them love what you do
• Why he draws the line at wing suiting (his son's hobby)
• Being at the game vs. being at the game on your phone

🌍 [85:10] - Measuring Impact Over Money

• Keeping score by lives changed, not dollars accumulated
• Why Trudy Akau is more remarkable than many famous billionaires
• The difference between remarkable people and famous/rich people
• Making the world a better place as the ultimate scorecard

💎 [90:25] - Lightning Round

• Who he'd spend a day with: Nelson Mandela (dead) or Jane Goodall (alive)
• His life mantra: "Empower People"
• Why he'd never get a tattoo (sagging skin would distort the font)
• What would be on his gravestone: "Empower People"

📚 [95:30] - Closing & What's Next

• Hope for readers after "Wiser Guy": learn from every story and experience
• Upcoming book: "Signal for Dummies" (December/January)
• Where to find Guy: Remarkable People podcast
• His guest list: Jane Goodall, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Margaret Atwood, Angela Duckworth

• Mission-driven vs. ego-driven: Great leaders are assholes for the mission, not for themselves
• Punch up, never down: True strength challenges those above, never belittles those below
• Give people the benefit of the doubt: Assume positive intent rather than looking for offense

• Say yes early, be selective later: Accept opportunities when starting out, even if they seem unconventional
• Learn from every experience: Diamond counting led to Apple evangelism through sales skills
• Motivation source doesn't matter: Whether it's cars or changing the world, just be motivated

• Empathy is everything: Great salespeople think about the customer, not their quota
• Believe in your product: You must genuinely think what you're selling helps the other person
• Hand-to-hand combat experience: Direct sales teaches skills that translate everywhere

• Regret analysis: People regret inaction more than failed action
• Learn at any age: Started surfing at 60, still going strong at 71
• Reverse parenting: Take up what your kids love instead of forcing them into your interests

• Measure lives changed, not dollars earned: True scorecard is impact on others
• Teachers can change everything: One person believing in you can alter your entire trajectory
• Empower people: Simple two-word life philosophy that drives all decisions

"Wiser Guy: Lessons from a Life" - Available everywhere August 18th, 2025

Guy Kawasaki's latest book sharing wisdom from his journey from Hawaii public schools to Silicon Valley legend.

• Episode #136: "Steve Jobs, Surfing and the Power of Thinking Remarkable"
• This marks Guy's third appearance, tying the record with Seth Godin and Donald Robertson

• Podcast: Remarkable People
• Book: Wiser Guy (By Guy Kawasaki)
• Upcoming: "Signal for Dummies" (December 2025/January 2026)

#GuyKawasaki #JoeCiccarone #Apple #SteveJobs #Leadership #Sales #Entrepreneurship #Surfing #WiserGuy #RemarkablePeople #BuiltNotBorn #Motivation #CareerAdvice #PersonalGrowth #Mentorship #Legacy #Philly

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Co-author of "The One Thing" Jay Papasan returns to Built Not Born for his third appearance to discuss his latest book "The Rookie Real Estate Agent." In this power-packed conversation,

Jay reveals the research-backed strategies that separate successful real estate rookies from those who struggle, why 200 people in your database is the magic number, and how to turn busyness into productivity.

Drawing from interviews with 250+ top-performing agents, Jay breaks down the fundamentals that haven't changed in 20 years alongside the modern tools and technology that make everything more effective. Whether you're in real estate, sales, or any service-based business, this episode delivers actionable insights on database management, prospecting strategies, and building sustainable business systems.

Key Topics Covered: 🎯

• 🏡 Why treating real estate like a business from day one is crucial
• 📊 The 200-person database rule and 6.5% annual transaction rate
• 🎯 Focus as a superpower in an age of distraction
• 📞 The professional-to-personal call structure that works
• 🏠 How to conduct epic open houses that generate leads
• 💼 When to go part-time vs. full-time in sales careers
• 🔄 The four-touch event marketing system

Jay Papasan is the co-author of "The One Thing," one of the most popular business books of all time, and VP of Publishing at Keller Williams Realty 📚.

Jay's also the author of the newly released "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" and co-host of "The ONE Thing" podcast with Gary Keller.

Jay's writing and research have helped millions of professionals focus their efforts and build sustainable, profitable businesses. His newsletter "The 20 Percenter" reaches 13,000+ subscribers with a 65% open rate 📊.

"Focus is a superpower. Without delay, how fast can we get people into income-producing activities?" 💪 - Jay Papasan

"Your database is your business. 200 people in your database - that's the magic number from our proprietary research." 📈 - Jay Papasan

"The biggest mistake rookies make is they don't treat it like a business early enough. The moment you think of it like a business, you start doing things differently." 🏢 - Jay Papasan

"Most people's database is just their phone or a spreadsheet and they don't touch it until people reach out to them." 📱 - Jay Papasan

"If you're not talking to people about buying and selling real estate today, you probably weren't productive today." 📞 - Jay Papasan

"We all want to believe that people, even when we weren't there, were wishing we were." 🎯 - Jay Papasan (on the "missed you" call strategy)

[00:00] 🎬 Opening discussion about lost luggage and Air Tags 

[02:30] 📚 Jay's experience with The ONE Thing Domino program

[05:15] 🏠 Introduction to "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" book 

[08:45] 🔄 20 years of real estate: what's changed vs. what stays the same 

[12:20] 🐕 The Taco Taco success blueprint (Jay's dog as business model) 

[15:40] ⚡ Focus as a superpower - busyness vs. productivity 

[19:25] 💼 How to know if you're being impactful vs. just busy 

[23:10] 📊 The 200-person database magic number revealed 

[27:35] 🧮 Database math: 6.5% transaction rate breakdown 

[31:20] 📧 Database cultivation strategies and open rates 

[35:45] 📞 The professional-to-personal call structure 

[39:15] 🎉 Four-touch event marketing system 

[42:50] 🤔 Biggest myths that trip up rookie agents 

[46:30] 💰 Corner case: what to do with $5K and 90 days left 

[50:15] 🏠 Epic open house strategies for lead generation 

[54:40] 🎯 Finding your "One Thing" in multi-faceted real estate business 

[58:25] ⚡ Rapid fire questions: $100 purchase, worst advice, overwhelm strategies 

[62:10] 📱 Most used apps and life philosophy 

[64:35] 🚀 What's next for Jay and Gary Keller

• 🎯 Website: Jay Papasan
• 📖 New Book: "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" by Jay Papasan
• 📚 Classic Book: "The One Thing" by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
• 💼 Company: Keller Williams Realty
• Built Not Born Podcast (#122) - Jay Papasan: Think Like a CEO
• Built Not Born Podcast (#81) - Jay Papasan: The ONE Thing

Key Insights and Takeaways 💡

• Magic Number: 200 people in your database for sustainable business
• Transaction Rate: 6.5% of your database will transact annually
• Long-term View: 65% of people will own a home over 10 years
• Touch Frequency: Connect with database every 10 days maximum
• Quarterly System: Work through 2 letters of alphabet weekly (A-B, C-D, etc.)

• Professional First: Start calls with business, end with personal
• Event Marketing: 4 touches per event (save date, remind, day of, "missed you")
• Open Houses: Pick attractive properties, spend 4 days marketing vs. 45 minutes prep
• Lead Generation: Focus on activities that put you in path of motivated buyers/sellers

• Treat as Business: Success requires business mindset from day one
• Income Timeline: Need transactions in 45-90 days for viability
• Time Allocation: Morning for prospecting, afternoon for servicing clients
• Team vs. Solo: Join team for faster income if lacking personal database

Built Not Born explores how high achievers in business, sports, military, medicine and life overcome obstacles to reach peak performance 🚀.

Hosted by Joe Ciccarone, each episode delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories from leaders who've built something extraordinary ✨.

Subscribe to Built Not Born: 📱

• 🍎 Apple Podcasts
• 🎵 Spotify
• 📱 Google Podcasts
• 🎧 All major podcast platforms

#JayPapasan #RookieRealEstateAgent #TheOneThing #RealEstate #Sales #Database #Prospecting #Focus #Productivity #LeadGeneration #OpenHouse #BusinessDevelopment #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #Podcast #KellerWilliams #ServiceBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SalesStrategy #BusinessGrowth

Jay Papasan, Rookie Real Estate Agent, The One Thing, real estate sales, database management, prospecting strategies, lead generation, open house marketing, sales productivity, focus strategies, business development, Keller Williams, Built Not Born podcast, Joe Ciccarone, real estate training, sales coaching, service business, entrepreneurship, business fundamentals, client prospecting

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Built Not Born host Joe Ciccarone takes a break from guest interviews to share an end-of-summer reflection and preview the exciting lineup of guests coming in the fall season.

Joe opens up about the "best of times and worst of times" summer, sharing the loss of his father Fran and celebrating sending his second son off to college.

This episode offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the podcast's growth and Joe's personal journey, while building anticipation for upcoming conversations with bestselling authors, Navy Top Gun instructors, Apple executives, and championship coaches.

Episode Highlights:

• Personal reflections on family loss and growth
• Preview of upcoming bestselling author guests
• Behind-the-scenes podcast insights
• Call to action for subscriber growth
• Introduction to the Built Not Born Blog newsletter

• Loss of Father: Joe's father Fran Ciccarone passed away July 3rd after battling cancer
• Funeral Impact: 200 people attended the funeral luncheon for the 82-year-old - remarkable turnout that spoke to his father's character
• Family Process: July spent handling funeral arrangements, viewings, and reconnecting with family
• Eulogy Available: Joe recorded a special eulogy episode available on Spotify

• College Send-off: Dropped second son off at college in upstate New York
• Family Milestone: Now has two sons in college (senior and freshman) and one middle schooler at home
• Positive Outlook: Both college sons are "in great spots" and expected to thrive

Jon Gordon - Episode 172

• 18-time bestselling author
• Discussed "The 7 Commitments of a Great Team"
• $100,000 speaking fee performer
• 15-minute conversation packed with leadership insights

Jay Papasan

• Co-author of "The One Thing" - one of the most popular business books of all time
• New book: "The Rookie Real Estate Agent" (releasing next week)
• Expert on productivity, focus, and business success principles
• Specializes in thriving during recessions and crowded markets

Guy Kawasaki

• Former Apple Chief Evangelist who launched the Macintosh with Steve Jobs
• New book: "Wiser Guy" - follow-up to 2019's "Wise Guy"
• Joe received early pre-read copy
• Technology and entrepreneurship expertise

Dave Burke (Echelon Front)

• Former Navy Top Gun flight instructor
• Combat veteran who served on ground in Ramadi, Iraq with Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
• New book: "The Need The Lead"
• Currently working with Echelon Front leadership consulting

Amy P. Kelly & Julie Nee

• Co-authors discussing "Gifted Growth"
• Leadership and business development focus

Dudley Duncan

• Hall of Fame swimming coach
• Expert on succeeding in one of the most grueling sports
• Insights on mental toughness and athletic excellence

Subscribe to Built Not Born Podcast (Spotify, Apple, Google, Overcast)

• Why It Matters: Subscriptions drive algorithmic promotion within apps
• Impact: More subscribers = broader reach and discoverability
• Goal: Automatic episode downloads for loyal listeners

New Newsletter:

• Post-episode summaries of best habits, tactics, and strategies
• 3-minute read format for busy professionals
• Direct links to guest resources, books, courses, and platforms
• Easy way to follow and connect with featured guests
• Subscription available for regular updates

Built Not Born podcast, Joe Ciccarone, end of summer recap, podcast preview, Jon Gordon, Jay Papasan, Guy Kawasaki, Dave Burke, Echelon Front, Top Gun instructor, Apple Macintosh, bestselling authors, leadership podcast, personal development, business success, productivity, focus, military leadership, swimming coaching, Built Not Born blog, podcast newsletter, subscription growth

#BuiltNotBorn #PodcastRecap #JoeCiccarone #JonGordon #JayPapasan #GuyKawasaki #DaveBurke #EchelonFront #Leadership #PersonalDevelopment #BusinessSuccess #Productivity #MilitaryLeadership #Apple #TopGun #Swimming #Newsletter #PodcastGrowth #FallSeason #BestsellingAuthors

Built Not Born explores how high achievers in business, sports, and life overcome obstacles to reach peak performance. Hosted by Joe Ciccarone, each episode delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories from leaders who've built something extraordinary.

Subscribe to Built Not Born:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Google Podcasts
• Overcast
• All major podcast platforms

Built Not Born Blog: Subscribe for post-episode summaries and guest resources delivered in 3-minute reads.

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

Bestselling author Jon Gordon returns to Built Not Born to discuss his latest book "The 7 Commitments of a Great Team" - a book that took him 16 days to type but 54 years to write 📚. From his days as a Cornell lacrosse player to becoming one of the world's top leadership experts, Jon reveals the framework that transforms ordinary teams into extraordinary ones.

In this powerful episode, Jon shares the profound moment when his dying coach said "Teammates are forever" and how that revelation became the foundation for understanding what truly makes teams great. Discover why commitments matter more than goals, how to build unbreakable team bonds, and the secret to staying energized instead of drained by your work 💪.

Key Topics Covered: 🎯

• 🏆 The 7 Commitments that separate great teams from good ones
• 💥 Why commitments crush goals every time
• ❤️ The power of "Teammates are forever"
• 🎯 How to align your team around vision and mission
• 🔥 Why love drives grit and commitment drives greatness
• 🥊 Life as a series of sprints combined with a boxing match
• ⚡ How to stay energized instead of drained by your work

Jon Gordon is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant 🏆. Author of 32+ books including "The Energy Bus," "The Power of Positive Leadership," and "The Hard Hat," Jon has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, school districts, and nonprofits around the world 🌍.

His practical frameworks for building positive, high-performing teams have transformed organizations from the NFL to Fortune 500 boardrooms ✨

Key Quotes 💬

"Teammates are forever, Tim. Teammates are forever." 💫 - Coach Richie (Jon's Cornell lacrosse coach)

"Goals are great, but your goals will not take you to where you want to go. It's your commitments that will take you to your goals." 🎯 - Jon Gordon

"We don't get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it." 🔥 - Jon Gordon

"Commitment is really love in action." ❤️ - Jon Gordon

"Life is a series of sprints and a marathon combined with a boxing match. You're not just running, but you are getting hit along the way." 🥊 - Jon Gordon

[00:00] 🎬 Introduction and Jon's incredible writing journey 

[03:30] 💫 The profound "Teammates are forever" moment with Coach Richie 

[08:15] 🏆 Cornell lacrosse national championship connections and cosmic timing 

[12:45] 🎯 Why commitments crush goals - the dirty myth about goal setting 

[18:20] 📝 The powerful exercise: writing goals then ripping them up 

[22:10] 🔧 Which of the 7 commitments to start with as a leader 

[25:40] 🎯 Vision and mission: knowing where you're going and why 

[28:35] 🤝 Commitment to each other - having each other's backs 

[32:15] ⚡ Why some work energizes you while the same work drains you 

[35:50] 🥊 Life as sprints + boxing match - how commitments carry you through 

[38:45] ❤️ How love drives grit and commitment drives greatness 

[42:20] 🌟 Jon's mission: developing positive leaders worldwide 

[45:10] 📚 What's next: "The Energy Bus Rides Again" sequel teaser

• 📖 Book: "The 7 Commitments of a Great Team" by Jon Gordon
• 📚 Classic: "The Energy Bus" by Jon Gordon
• 🏆 Book: "The Hard Hat" by Jon Gordon
• 📝 Tool: 7 Commitments Checklist (available on Jon's website)
• 🎓 Program: Certified Positive Leader certification
• 🏆 Story: Cornell lacrosse national championship (21 years after George Barardi)
• 📖 Upcoming: "The Energy Bus Rides Again" (sequel)
• 📖 Upcoming: "The Power of Positive Habits"

• 💻 Website: JonGordon.com
• 🎓 Certification: Become a Jon Gordon Certified Leader
• 📸 Instagram: @JonGordon11
• 🐦 Twitter/X: @JonGordon11

Built Not Born explores how high achievers in business, sports, military, and life overcome obstacles to reach peak performance 🚀.

Hosted by Joe Ciccarone, each episode delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories from leaders who've built something extraordinary ✨.

Subscribe to Built Not Born: 📱

• 🍎 Apple Podcasts
• 🎵 Spotify
• 📱 YouTube

#JonGordon #7Commitments #TeamBuilding #Leadership #EnergyBus #PositiveLeadership #Goals #Commitments #TeamWork #Cornell #Lacrosse #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #Podcast #Motivation #Inspiration #TeamCulture #Vision #Mission #Grit #Love #Success #Mindset #PersonalDevelopment

Jon Gordon, 7 commitments great team, team building, leadership development, Energy Bus, positive leadership, commitments vs goals, team culture, vision and mission, teammate relationships, Cornell lacrosse, Built Not Born podcast, Joe Ciccarone, motivation, inspiration, team performance, leadership consultant, bestselling author, personal development, team dynamics, organizational culture

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All Rights Reserved.

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

New York Times bestselling author Martin Dugard joins Built Not Born to discuss his latest book "Taking Midway" and how he makes history as exciting as a spy thriller 🕵️‍♂️. From co-authoring 12+ books in The Killing Series with Bill O'Reilly to his solo Taking Series, Martin reveals his creative process for bringing pivotal moments in history to life ✨.

In this episode, Martin shares the incredible story of the Battle of Midway - the most decisive naval engagement of WWII that shifted global power from the British Empire to the American Empire 🌍. Discover the intelligence breakthrough that changed everything, the courage of pilots who knew they wouldn't survive, and why this battle saved democracy itself 🦅.

Key Topics Covered: 🎯

• ⚔️ The Battle of Midway: Why it was the turning point of WWII
• 🔐 Lieutenant Commander Joseph Rochefort's code-breaking breakthrough
• 👥 Admiral Nimitz vs. Admiral Yamamoto: Contrasting leadership styles
• 🌍 The "Europe First" strategy and its impact on the Pacific War
• 🎉 How Churchill celebrated Pearl Harbor (and why)
• ✍️ The creative process behind The Killing Series
• 📚 Making history accessible to casual readers
• 🔍 Research techniques for bringing historical moments to life

Martin Dugard is a New York Times bestselling author 12-13 times over 🏆 and co-author of The Killing Series, which has sold over 19 million books worldwide 📈. His solo work includes the Taking Series: Taking Paris, Taking Berlin, Taking London, and Taking Midway 🇺🇸. Martin describes himself as "a gateway drug for history's casual readers" and has mastered the art of making historical events as thrilling as modern spy novels 🎬.

"I don't have a research assistant, but I've got a really curious mind and it's like I just don't let go of a fact." 🧠 - Martin Dugard

"If we had lost [at Midway] and the Japanese had taken Midway, they would've been in a perfect position to launch a completely destructive second raid on Pearl Harbor... We would've been completely out of the war in the Pacific." ⚡ - Martin Dugard

"Those sailors, when they came home from the war, if they had seen what we have going on in our country right now, I think they would've been very disoriented. It is just weird to see history repeat itself." 🔄 - Martin Dugard

[00:00] 🎬 Introduction and Martin's incredible publishing track record

[05:30] 💡 How Martin developed his "gateway drug to history" philosophy

[12:15] 🤝 The creative process behind The Killing Series collaboration with Bill O'Reilly

[18:45] 🎉 Why Churchill was excited about Pearl Harbor

[25:20] ⚔️ The Battle of Midway: Most decisive naval engagement of WWII

[32:10] 🔐 Lieutenant Commander Joseph Rochefort's code-breaking breakthrough

[38:45] 😄 The "You don't have to be crazy to work here, but it helps" sign

[42:30] 📰 Censorship, propaganda, and the "ghost" USS Yorktown

[48:15] 👥 Admiral Nimitz vs. Admiral Yamamoto: Leadership styles compared

[52:40] 🌍 How Midway marked the end of the British Empire, birth of American Empire

[58:25] 🤔 Why some battles capture popular imagination (Pearl Harbor vs. Wake Island)

[65:10] 📚 Lessons from Midway relevant to today

[70:45] 🦅 The courage of torpedo bomber and dive bomber pilots

[75:20] ✍️ Martin's writing routine and research process

[80:15] 📖 Favorite books and Bruce Springsteen influence

• 📖 Book: "Taking Midway" by Martin Dugard
• 📚 Series: The Taking Series (Taking Paris, Taking Berlin, Taking London)
• 🔥 Series: The Killing Series (co-authored with Bill O'Reilly)
• 🏃‍♂️ Upcoming Book: "The Long Run" (April 2025) - About the running boom of the 1970s
• 🎬 Movie Reference: Pulp Fiction and the Wake Island watch story
• 🏢 Historical Location: Pearl Harbor code-breaking basement ("the dungeon")
• 🎵 Music: Bruce Springsteen's "Darkness on the Edge of Town" album

• 💻 Website: MartinDugard.com
• 📸 Instagram: @authorMartinDugard
• 🐦 Twitter/X: @MartinDugard

Built Not Born explores how high achievers in business, sports, and life overcome obstacles to reach peak performance 🚀.

Hosted by Joe Ciccarone, each episode delivers actionable insights and inspiring stories from leaders who've built something extraordinary ✨.

Subscribe to Built Not Born: 📱

• 🍎 Apple Podcasts
• 🎵 Spotify
• 📱 Google Podcasts
• 🎧 All major podcast platforms

#MartinDugard #TakingMidway #BattleOfMidway #WWII #WorldWarTwo #KillingSeries #BillOReilly #History #HistoryBooks #PacificWar #AdmiralNimitz #NavalHistory #Codebreakers #Intelligence #Leadership #Courage #BuiltNotBorn #JoeCiccarone #Podcast #NewYorkTimesBestseller #HistoricalNonfiction #AmericanHistory #PearlHarbor #NavySeals #MilitaryHistory

Martin Dugard, Taking Midway, Battle of Midway, WWII history, Killing Series, Bill O'Reilly, Pacific War, Admiral Nimitz, code breakers, naval battles, World War 2, historical nonfiction, New York Times bestseller, Built Not Born podcast, Joe Ciccarone, history books, military history, Pearl Harbor, American empire, British empire, torpedo bombers, dive bombers, courage in battle, historical research, making history accessible

© Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast

Views expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the host.

POWER QUOTE:

Jamie Cochran, Chief Operating Officer of Echelon Front, shares her incredible journey from working in higher education to becoming a leadership expert alongside Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. Jamie he breaks down the core principles of Extreme Ownership and reveals how these battle-tested leadership concepts apply to business, family, and personal growth.

✅ How Jamie went from part-time admin to COO in 9 years using an "experiment mindset"

✅ The four core beliefs of leadership that transform organizations

✅ Why "Cover and Move" is really about building relationships and teamwork

✅ The power of the "Read Back" technique for clear communication

✅ How to master "Prioritize and Execute" when overwhelmed with multiple priorities

✅ Why Decentralized Command creates stronger leaders at every level

✅ The barriers to Extreme Ownership and how to overcome them

[00:01:45] 🎯 Jamie's journey from SDSU to Echelon Front COO

[00:06:30] 🧪 The "experiment mindset" - giving yourself one year to assess

[00:11:15] 👥 Leadership definition: "Any human being who interacts with other human beings"

[00:14:20] 🤝 Cover and Move - Building relationships through reciprocal trust

[00:19:45] 📝 Simple - The Read Back technique for clear communication

[00:24:10] 🎯 Prioritize and Execute - Detaching from emotions to see clearly

[00:29:35] 🚶 "Relax, Look Around, Make a Call" - The power of stepping back

[00:34:50] 👑 Decentralized Command - Empowering everyone to lead

[00:41:20] 💪 Extreme Ownership - The barriers and how to overcome them

[00:47:15] 👩‍💼 Women in leadership - Natural advantages and self-imposed barriers

[00:52:30] 🏔️ Hiking for mental clarity and detachment

[00:55:45] 🥋 Jamie's Jiu-Jitsu journey and earning her blue belt

[01:01:10] 💡 Final advice: "Stop making excuses and start taking ownership"

💬 On Leadership:

"Leadership is truly how we solve every single problem or challenge we face in our life, business, or in our personal lives. Leadership can guide us to solving those problems and challenges."

💬 On Taking Ownership:

"The reality is that fear is completely unfounded. If I give you two options of people to work with - one who casts blame and makes excuses, or someone who steps up and says 'This is my fault, here's how I'm gonna solve it' - anyone would rather work with the person taking ownership."

💬 On Communication:

"I wanna get a read back so that I can make sure I communicated effectively and I didn't miss anything important. When I put that on me and show them this is a test for me, if they can give me a read back and we are aligned, I can say go execute."

💬 On Detachment:

"Look for every opportunity in your day to detach. The better we get at detaching in the small, insignificant ways, the more equipped we're going to be to detach when the time comes where we have big problems we need to solve."

💬 On Creating Leaders:

"You are doing your team a disservice if you are not putting them in a position to lead. If you are not giving them those opportunities to solve problems, to come up with solutions, you are not creating a team that can function without you."

Jamie Cochran is the Chief Operating Officer at Echelon Front, where she has worked for 9+ years building the company alongside Navy SEALs Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. She started in higher education at San Diego State University before joining Echelon Front in a part-time administrative role and working her way up to COO. Jamie specializes in teaching leadership principles to organizations worldwide and leads the Women's Leadership Assembly at Echelon Front.

#Leadership #ExtremeOwnership #EchelonFront #JockoWillink #LeifBabin #NavySEALs #WomenInLeadership #TeamWork #Communication #CoverAndMove #PrioritizeAndExecute #DecentralizedCommand #JiuJitsu #BJJ #MilitaryLeadership #BusinessStrategy #PersonalDevelopment #Ownership #BuiltNotBorn #Podcast

• Company: Echelon Front
• Book: "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
• Book: "The Dichotomy of Leadership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
• Training: Extreme Ownership Academy (free courses available)

👍 Like this video if you found value in Jamie's leadership insights!

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with top performers and thought leaders

💬 Comment below with your biggest takeaway from this conversation

Connect with Jamie Cochran & Echelon Front:

• Website: EchelonFront.com
• On Line Academy: Extreme Ownership
• Book: "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
• LinkedIn: Jamie Cochran (COO of Echelon Front)

Connect with Joe Ciccarone & Built Not Born Podcast:

• Website: www.BuiltNotBornPodcast.com
• Instagram: @JCiccarone
• LinkedIn: Joe Ciccarone

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu Connection

Jamie trains at Gustavo Machado's academy in Virginia Beach (Jocko's former instructor) and recently earned her blue belt. She discusses how Jiu-Jitsu reinforces leadership principles through humility, ego-checking, and present-moment focus.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Built Not Born Podcast.

Copyright © 2025 Joe Ciccarone - Built Not Born Podcast. All rights reserved.

💔 A Special Memorial Episode - Host Joe Ciccarone honors his father Francis, who passed away July 3rd, 2025 after a courageous battle with cancer. This deeply personal episode shares the life lessons, wisdom, and legacy of a Department of Defense Hall of Fame engineer who was the family's trusted advisor for 82 years.

• [0:00-2:30] 🕊️ Opening tribute and episode purpose
• [2:30-5:00] 👨‍💼 Francis's career: DOD Hall of Fame, Navy Yard, Pentagon meetings
• [5:00-8:00] 📝 Joe's Facebook tribute post (full reading)
• [8:00-12:00] 🤝 "The Consigliere" - Francis as family advisor and counselor
• [12:00-15:00] 🎤 The eulogy master - 25+ eulogies over 30 years
• [15:00-18:00] 📸 Magical moment: sharing 20 photos together
• [18:00-20:00] 🌺 The Hawaiian shirt story and promise
• [20:00-23:00] 🎓 POWERFUL: Career advice to grandson Luca
• [23:00-25:00] 🙏 Final reflections and gratitude

1. 🎤 Be a Good Public Speaker - Stand up, motivate people, be better than average
2. ✍️ Be a Good Writer - Craft emails, memos, connect on the page
3. 🤝 Be a Good Teammate - Share credit, show up when inconvenient
4. ⭐ Keep Your Nose Clean - High character attracts good people

• 💪 "Dad, thank you for leading the way"
• 🎯 "He didn't tell you what you wanted to hear. He told you what you had to hear"
• ✨ "There's moments of magic hidden in the hours of misery"
• 🏆 "Good people attract other good people"
• 🔥 "Life is built, not born"

• Legacy Building - How one person's wisdom impacts generations
• Grief & Growth - Finding meaning in loss and celebrating life
• Family Values - The importance of being present and honest
• Career Excellence - Timeless advice for professional success
• Character Matters - Why integrity defines your reputation
• Community Support - How people show up during difficult times

grief, loss of parent, father tribute, life lessons, career advice, family legacy, memorial podcast, Department of Defense, character building, public speaking, teamwork, writing skills, end of life, cancer journey, eulogy, family values

🎧 This episode will resonate with anyone who has lost a parent, seeks career guidance, or wants to understand what it means to live with character and purpose.

🕊️Francis Silvio Ciccarone - March 26, 1943 to July 3, 2025 🕊️