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Theresa Carpenter joins us to discuss her remarkable journey of advocacy and service, revealing the intricate dance between personal beliefs and military protocols. Theresa’s transparency about her struggles to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Navy, despite clashing with official narratives, offers a poignant look into the complexities of military life. As she prepares for retirement, her reflections on leaving the service to pursue change outside its confines underscore the pressing need for diverse voices in fostering innovation.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the nuanced challenges that military leadership faces in embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. We explore the tension between DEI initiatives and operational effectiveness alongside the impact of extremism training on military culture. Historical naval incidents and current events, like the Afghanistan pullout, serve as backdrops for examining systemic issues that stifle diverse thought. Through it all, Teresa remains hopeful about the potential for transformative leadership to transcend cultural divides and prioritize authentic service.

Additionally, we tackle the often-overlooked mental health struggles within the military, focusing on the alarming rise in suicide rates among service members. Teresa shares insights on how transparency and genuine leadership can begin to address these critical issues while also highlighting the evolving role of communication and storytelling in bridging gaps between military and civilian life. Her platform, "Stories of Service" (SOS), emerges as a beacon for sharing diverse experiences and fostering meaningful dialogue, inviting listeners to engage with these crucial topics.

John R. Boyd's Conceptual Spiral was originally titled No Way Out. In his own words: 

“There is no way out unless we can eliminate the features just cited. Since we don’t know how to do this, we must continue the whirl of reorientation…”

March 25, 2025

Flow Learning Lab

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