From The Green Notebook

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Joe sits down with Victoria Trammel from the Arbinger Institute to explore the life-changing insights from the newly revised edition of Leadership and Self-Deception. Together, they dig into the patterns of self-justification, the emotional energy we waste on false narratives, and the practical tools leaders can use to shift from an inward to an outward mindset. Joe and Victoria cover: 

• The concept of self-deception and how it shows up in leadership and relationships
• How “collusions” form between individuals and groups, sabotaging collaboration
• The difference between being helpful and looking helpful
• Real-world stories of self-betrayal at work and at home
• How to identify and interrupt the inward mindset in yourself and your team
• The power of journaling and reflection in shifting perspective
• Steps for becoming more outward-focused without sacrificing accountability

Whether you’re a leader in the military, the corporate world, or at home, this conversation offers powerful reminders and tools for transforming how we relate to others—and ourselves.

With almost 3 million copies sold worldwide, this new edition of an enduring classic is the definitive guide to dramatically improve leadership effectiveness, transform personal and professional relationships, and unleash organizational results.

Significantly revised throughout, this edition includes updated stories, brand new content, and a practical group discussion guide.

Over two decades since first being published, Leadership and Self-Deception continues to help readers discover and overcome the persistent lies that are at the heart of the people-related dysfunction that plagues relationships and hinders organizational results. Told through an engaging story, this book reveals the ways we blind ourselves to our true motivations and unwittingly sabotage our efforts to achieve success and rebuild broken relationships.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. Visit ROGER today! 

Cairn Leadership helps teams build trust, clarity, and accountability—without the buzzwords. Their approach blends coaching with real outdoor adventures, like climbing in Joshua Tree. Visit cairnleadership.com/ftgn for 10% off your team’s program.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of From the Green Notebook, General Randy George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, returns to discuss the habits, practices, and mindset that have shaped his leadership journey. From the pocket-sized notebook he started as a field grade officer to the lessons he's learning from visiting troops and reading deeply, General George offers a candid reflection on growth, command, and staying grounded in your values.

In this conversation, they discuss:

• The leadership lessons General George captured in his personal notebook and how reflection has guided him through multiple levels of command
• The role reading plays in staying intellectually curious and professionally sharp, including the books that have shaped his thinking
• How bottom-up innovation is driving the Army’s "Transforming in Contact" initiative and what he’s learning from frontline units
• The importance of consistency in communication and why leaders must seek out and act on honest feedback
• How personal values—and regular conversations with his spouse—help him stay aligned with what matters most, both in and out of uniform

This episode is brought to you by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA).
We know the U.S. Army protects our freedoms every day—but have you ever thought about who’s protecting the U.S. Army? Meet AUSA—the Army’s premier professional association, dedicated to supporting every aspect of the Army journey.

This year marks an incredible milestone: 250 years of the U.S. Army defending our nation. To celebrate, AUSA is offering exclusive Premium membership discounts for a limited time:

• 2 years for just $30 (normally $40)
• 5 years for $50 (normally $75)
• Lifetime membership for only $250 (normally $400)

Premium members receive top-tier benefits, including a subscription to ARMY magazine and access to over $300,000 in scholarships.

Join now and stand with those who serve. Sign up today at ausa.org/membership/premium—no code necessary.
AUSA—Supporting Soldiers. Strengthening America.

And don’t forget to check out AUSA’s official podcast, Army Matters.
Hosted by LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey, Army Matters brings you in-depth conversations with Army leaders past, present, and future—from the battlefields to the boardrooms and beyond. New episodes drop every other Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, host Joe sits down with Melody Wilding, an executive coach and author of Managing Up: How To Get What you Need From the People In Charge   to explore the dynamics of power, status, and influence in the workplace. Melody shares practical strategies for managing up effectively, not by being a sycophant, but by building stronger relationships, communicating with confidence, and navigating workplace dynamics with integrity. Together they discuss

• What it really means to “manage up” (Hint: it’s not about being a suck-up)
• Why proximity to power can distort your focus—and how to avoid the status trap
• The importance of upward empathy and understanding your boss’s pressures
• How to adapt to different leadership styles to build stronger relationships
• The power of the “ME Manual” and why self-awareness is key to success
• How to set boundaries at work—without damaging your reputation
• The concept of “Pushback Power” and how to know when (and how) to say no

Whether you work in the military, corporate world, or any hierarchical environment, this conversation will help you become a more effective leader from wherever you stand.

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

FightCamp is the largest boxing and kickboxing community in the world. Their innovative fitness system combines real-time tracking, professional coaching, and an extensive workout library of over 3,000 sessions. 

Family-Friendly Access: Supports multiple user profiles under one subscription.

Flexible Membership: After the trial, members can continue on a month-to-month basis with no contract obligations.

To get the exclusive FREE offer and an additional 15% off accessories, email Joe@fromthegreennotebook for a listeners-only discount code at checkout. 

Free FightCamp Package: Includes punch trackers, quick wraps, and a 45-day membership trial to the FightCamp app. We will cover the shipping and taxes too (a $278 value per redemption). 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Joe welcomes Corie Weathers, licensed professional counselor, author, and expert on military culture, to explore the shifting landscape of service, leadership, and the personal challenges faced by military members and their families. Corie shares insights from her latest book, Military Culture Shift, offering her thoughts on the past 20 years of war and what it means for the future of the force.

Together, they discuss the key moments and lessons that shape military service, leadership, and personal well-being, including:

• How the Global War on Terror shaped an entire generation of military leaders—and what comes next.
• The psychological toll of service, from combat stress to the unseen burdens of leadership.
• Generational shifts in the military—why Gen Z’s approach to work, leadership, and life is different from previous generations.
• The evolution of military family dynamics and the changing role of spouse support networks.
• Why taking time to reflect, heal, and process experiences is critical for long-term well-being.
• The importance of mental wellness and how leaders can foster a culture that encourages self-care.

Tune in to hear Corie’s insights and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s military leaders.

Corie Weathers, licensed professional counselor (LPC), is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and award-winning author. Corie has focused her career for the last 20 years as a clinician specializing in marriage, special forces, the service culture, and its impact on families. She has traveled internationally to visit troops and report on deployment conditions and has taught service families across the globe. Corie consults on military culture, produces content through interviews and videos, and facilitates meaningful and productive sessions and retreats on how to live, lead multi-generational teams, find purpose, and build relationships using their natural talents.

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.

My favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here

Send us Fan Mail

The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!

In this episode, Joe welcomes David Baker, former President & Executive Director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, to explore leadership, legacy, and the values that shape extraordinary careers. David shares lessons from his time working with NFL legends, his deep respect for the military, and his latest mission to impact youth sports.

Together, they discuss the key moments and insights that shaped his career, offering valuable takeaways for leaders in sports, business, and the military. David and Joe dive into:

• Why success isn’t about a single job or title but about embracing the journey.
• Lessons in leadership from mentors like Jerry Jones, Roger Goodell, and Wellington Mara.
• The emotional power of "The Knock"—telling players they’ve been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
• How sports and the military share fundamental values like resilience, teamwork, and sacrifice.
• The importance of legacy—whether as a player, a leader, a parent, or a soldier.
• How his new initiative, World Youth Sports, aims to instill character and leadership in young athletes.
• Why every day matters, and how to make each one your masterpiece.

Tune in to hear David’s incredible stories and gain timeless leadership lessons that can help you build your own Hall of Fame-worthy legacy.

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.

Onebrief, the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows.

Send us Fan Mail

The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!

In this episode, Joe welcomes Sam Walker, author of The Captain Class: A New Theory of Leadership, to dive into the world of leadership and team dynamics. Sam shares the surprising insights from his 11 years of research, studying over 25,000 teams since the 1880s, to uncover what truly makes teams great and sustains their success.

Together, they explore the counterintuitive behaviors and traits that separate extraordinary leaders from the rest, challenging many traditional notions of leadership. Whether you’re leading in sports, business, or the military, this episode is packed with practical lessons for creating and sustaining high-performing teams. Sam and Joe discuss:

• The seven key traits that define elite captains and sustain team success.
• Why leadership isn’t about talent, charisma, or speeches, but about behaviors.
• The concept of “carrying the water” and why great leaders often work in the background.
• How to regulate emotions and use them effectively to inspire and guide your team.
• Why strong team cultures are essential, and how to ensure people thrive within them.
• The importance of being “relentlessly boring” to conserve energy for what matters most.
• How these principles apply to military, business, and other high-stakes environments.

Tune in to hear how you can redefine leadership, uncover your team’s hidden potential, and apply Sam’s “cheat codes” to create lasting success in your own organization.

Sam Walker is an author, keynote speaker, and strategist who helps organizations strengthen their leadership selection and development practices, build stronger cultures, and create more cohesive and enduringly successful teams.

He has worked with a Super Bowl-winning NFL franchise, several high-achieving national, Olympic and NCAA-champion sports teams, a national law enforcement agency, elite U.S. military special forces units, one of the world’s largest money managers, one of the world’s leading surgical hospitals, one of the world’s largest media companies and the commanding officers of a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier.

 His most recent book, The Captain Class, is a meticulous analysis of effective leadership based on the traits of the captains who led the 17 most dominant teams in sports history. The book has become a cult classic, beloved by men and women worldwide who apply its principles to leading and building teams.

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.

Onebrief, the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows.

Send us Fan Mail

The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!

In this episode, Joe welcomes Harvard professor and author Alison Wood Brooks to discuss her groundbreaking book, Talk: The Science and Art of Being Ourselves. Together, they explore the science behind conversations and how they shape our personal and professional lives.

Alison introduces her TALK framework—Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness—providing actionable strategies to improve communication. She shares why talking can feel so cognitively demanding, the myth of natural charisma, and how intentional choices can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections.

Joe and Alison discuss practical tools like navigating the "topic pyramid," creating psychological safety in group settings, and the surprising power of levity. They also highlight the art of mastering conversations in both everyday life and professional environments.

Whether you’re a leader, a friend, or simply someone wanting to communicate better, this episode offers invaluable insights for connecting with others and being authentically yourself.

Dr. Alison Wood Brooks is the O’Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where she created and teaches a course called TALK. As a behavioral scientist, she is a leading expert on the science of conversation. Her award-winning research has been published in top academic journals and is regularly cited in media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and NPR. Her research was referenced in two of the top ten most-viewed TED talks of all time and depicted in Pixar’s Inside Out 2. In 2021, she was named a Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants. "TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves" is her first book.

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.

Onebrief, the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows

Send us Fan Mail

The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!

The 25th Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth joins Joe for a candid conversation about leadership, self-awareness, and the evolving challenges of guiding the largest branch of the U.S. military. With over three decades of experience in national security, she shares her expectations for Army leaders, the importance of self-development, and why critical thinking and communication skills are essential for success at the highest levels.

Secretary Wormuth also highlights her strong support for the Army’s Command Assessment Program (CAP), emphasizing early self-development, the power of feedback, and the role of humility and reflection in building resilient leadership teams. She also stresses the importance of maintaining the Army's apolitical stance, fostering public trust, and ensuring continuity through times of change.

Topics Covered:

• The key attributes of effective Army leaders
• The role of the Command Assessment Program in shaping leadership
• Why feedback and reflection are crucial for personal growth
• Balancing professional and personal priorities over a long career
• Why military leaders need to remain apolitical and be non-combatants in the culture wars

Honorable Christine Wormuth was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and appointed as the 25th Secretary of the U.S. Army May 28, 2021. The Secretary of the Army is the senior civilian official within the Department of Defense responsible for all matters relating to the U.S. Army.

Prior to confirmation, she was the Director of the International Defense and Security Center at the RAND Corporation where she was a frequent writer and speaker on foreign policy, national security and homeland security issues.

Prior to RAND, she served in several roles during the Obama Administration. From December 2010 until August 2012 she was a special assistant to the president and senior director for Defense at the National Security Council. Wormuth then served as deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Forces, and led the 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review. From 2014-2016 she served in DOD as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, where she advised the Secretary of Defense on the full range of regional and functional national security issues.

Wormuth entered the government as a Presidential Management Intern and began her public service career in the Policy Office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense from 1996 through 2002. After leaving government, she worked in the private sector on defense issues, and then was a Senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies for five years. 

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units.

Onebrief, the transformative software platform redefining operational planning and military staff workflows. 

Send us Fan Mail

The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!

Joe sits down with Rich McGuinness, the visionary founder of the U.S Army Bowl, to discuss how football is more than just a game—it’s a catalyst for building character, shaping lives, and creating lasting impact.

Rich shares the inspiring journey of how he turned a bold idea into one of the nation’s most iconic high school football events, showcasing All-Americans from around the country and touching the lives of countless young athletes and their families.

This conversation examines the power of team sports, highlighting how football provides opportunities for young athletes to learn values like teamwork, resilience, and hard work. Rich’s story is a testament to the power of vision, grit, and creating something that transcends the game itself. Some highlights from this episode include:

• The “500 balls a day” mindset and how it translates to life and leadership
• The origin story of the U.S Army Bowl and its impact on high school athletes
• How hard work and focus can change the trajectory of your life
• Lessons on building a legacy and embracing the unexpected challenges along the way
• How parents can best support their young athletes

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about how sports can shape lives and leave a legacy that goes far beyond the field.

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units

My favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here

Send us Fan Mail

The FTGN Merch Store is Live!! Help Support the site with official FTGN Gear!

Joe Byerly sits down with Furman Daniel, author of Blood, Mud, and Oil Paint: The Remarkable Year That Made Winston Churchill. Together, they explore a transformative year in Churchill’s life—a time of political humiliation, personal reinvention, and the development of five life-changing gifts, including painting, friendship, and a modern perspective on warfare. Furman shares how Churchill’s resilience and adaptability during his darkest days laid the foundation for his iconic leadership during World War II.

This conversation is packed with timeless insights on failure, perseverance, and finding restoration through personal passions, offering applicable lessons for leaders at all levels:

• Failure is a springboard for future success.
• Creative outlets restore energy and focus.
• Genuine friendships are invaluable during tough times.
• Presence builds trust and respect as a leader.
• Confidence balanced with humility fosters growth.
• Perseverance leads to breakthroughs over time.
• Stepping back provides clarity and perspective.
• Lifelong learning is essential for great leadership.
• And more!

Join Joe and Furman for an inspiring discussion on turning setbacks into triumphs and what it means to stay in the fight when the odds are against you.

Dr. John Furman Daniel III is an associate professor of political science at Concordia University. He has authored numerous publications on international relations theory, the influence of fiction on foreign policy decision-making, Edmund Burke, Carl von Clausewitz, George Patton, technology diffusion, space colonization and home-field advantage in Major League Baseball. His four books are 21st Century Patton: Strategic Insights for the Modern Era (2016), The First Space War: How Patterns of History and Principles of STEM Will Shape Its Form (2019), Patton: Battling with History (2020) and Blood, Mud and Oil Paint: The Remarkable Year that Made Winston Churchill (2024).

A special thanks to this week's sponsors!

Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here!

Exray a veteran-owned apparel brand elevating the custom gear experience. Exray provides free design services and creates dedicated web stores for units

My favorite coffee is veteran-owned Alpha Coffee and I've been drinking it every morning since 2020! They make 100% premium arabica coffee. Alpha has donated over 22k bags of coffee to deployed units and they offer a 10% discount for military veterans, first responders, nurses, and teachers! Try their coffee today. Once you taste the Alpha difference, you won't want to drink anything else!  Learn more here