What does it take to bring an American war hero's story to the big screen?

In this episode, host Zack Knight interviews film producer and director Michael Barder about his upcoming biopic on Sgt. Rafael Peralta, a Marine who was killed in action during the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004 after jumping on a grenade to save his fellow Marines. They talked about Peralta's inspirational story of courage and sacrifice, the controversy around his Medal of Honor nomination, and Michael’s mission to accurately capture his story on film.

This episode is a deeper look at bravery, the complexities of military recognition, and the impact of Peralta's actions on his fellow Marines and the nation.

[00:00:00 - 00:09:07] The Making of a Hero

• Michael Barder's journey into filmmaking
• Introduction to Sgt. Rafael Peralta's story
• The significance of the Battle of Fallujah

[00:09:08 - 00:13:24] Behind the Scenes 

• Challenges in bringing Peralta's story to the screen
• Working with the military and Peralta's family
• The role of authenticity in military biopics

[00:13:25 - 00:16:41] The Battle for Recognition 

• The controversy surrounding Peralta's Medal of Honor nomination
• Politics in military awards
• Naming a ship after Peralta

[00:16:42 - 00:19:32] Legacy and Impact 

• The broader implications of Peralta's story on military and civilian perceptions
• The power of a story to inspire and provoke change
• When the project is airing?
• How can you support this film?

[00:19:33 - 00:33:54] Q&A Section  

• The process of film production and challenges faced
• Community and veteran support for the project
• The possible impact of the biopic on audiences

Key quotes:

“There was something about the story that grabbed me as I kind dug into it, and found more about it. Rafael Peralta is really a quintessential American story.” - Michael Barder

“As a filmmaker, I love true stories.”- Michael Barder

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LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veteran entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join Our BATL Space and become part of the community.

Zack Knight interviews entrepreneur and author Steve Sims about his new book "Go For Stupid" on achieving ridiculous goals. They discuss Steve's mindset of seeing opportunity during COVID, not seeking approval from others, the power of connections, upleveling your standards and environment, demanding more from relationships, and overcoming adversity.

[00:00 - 09:16] Seizing Connections and Chances in the Pandemic

• Used downtime to deeply connect with more people
• Addressed core need for relationships and community
• Hundreds of new pandemic millionaires spotted opportunities

[09:17 - 21:28] Elevating Standards and Environments

• Don't lower standards based on groups' expectations
• Seek out challenging environments for growth
• Change peer groups by raising personal standard

[21:29 - 34:15] Positioning Yourself and Demanding the Best

• Create desire and momentum to receive chances
• Prepare to accept the opportunities that arise
• Treat loved ones with your same high standards
• Work through discomfort to improve relationships

[34:16 - 47:25] Pursuing Huge Goals

• Dream stupidly big goals that make people laugh
• Idolized figures failed toward grand ambitions
• Failure leaves you vastly ahead in long run

Key Quote:

"We're paralyzed when people have the potential to laugh at us." - Steve Sims

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue on putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

Pat D'Amico joins us for Tactical Friday to dive into the tactics and strategies he uses for leadership development programs. He outlines his process of first diagnosing the organization's needs through surveys and interviews. Then Pat customizes a long-term plan focused on competencies like differentiating leadership vs. management. He facilitates sessions aimed at bringing value to attendees, no matter who shows up.

[01:38 - 04:46] - Diagnosing Needs and Gaining Buy-In

• Starts with 1:1 interviews to diagnose leadership gaps
• Must get executive commitment to long-term development
• Creates a sense of ownership in the process

[04:47 - 09:47] - Customizing Development Plans

• Builds programs based on prioritized competency gaps
• Differentiates leadership vs. management training
• Plans sustained touchpoints like virtual sessions

[09:48 - 13:31] - Importance of Masterful Facilitation

• Aims to bring value through camaraderie and engagement
• Can make poor content seem incredible through facilitation
• Focuses on those who show up to grow

[13:32 - 17:51] - Overcoming Sabotaging Cultures

• Scarcity mindset prevents sharing employee successes
• Often tied to zero-tolerance vs. failure-positive cultures
• Must fix root leadership issues causing turnover

Key Quote:

"You could take exceptional content put in the hands of a mediocre facilitator and their opinion of the overall program is going to be mediocre." - Pat D’Amico

Pat's Website: https://aboutfacedevelopment.com/

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue on putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

In this episode, Zack Knight reflects on his conversation with leadership consultant Pat D'Amico and previews their upcoming discussion on Friday. He shares a story about a former boss who, despite having anger issues, gave him valid feedback to smile more. Zack realized years later that self-development is a continual journey and you can learn from every leader. Pat helps teams "about face" through internal leadership development strategies.

[00:00 - 03:29] - Recap of interview with Pat

• Pat D'Amico brings corporate leadership tactics from Army and 25 years in industry
• Focuses on organizational development and culture change
• About Face Development helps teams shift direction

[03:30 - 06:06] - Learning from Every Leader

• Story of boss with anger issues who gave valid feedback to smile more
• Realized years later it aligned with Dale Carnegie's teachings
• We can learn something from even ineffective leaders

[06:07 - 08:16] - Importance of Continual Development

• Poor leadership can unfortunately perpetuate toxic culture
• Need both personal and professional development
• Always opportunities to enhance capabilities

[08:17 - 09:51] - Helping Teams "About Face"

• Pat uses internal leadership strategies tailored to each client
• Focuses on development from individual to organizational level
• Builds sustainable change through many tactics

Key Quote:

"I think we have to have a personal journey, a personal connection to really highlight where we need to develop personally and professionally.” - Zack Knight

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue on putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

Zack interviews Pat D'Amico, a former Army officer turned leadership consultant. They discuss how Pat has brought military leadership tactics into the corporate world through his company About-Face Development. Topics include the lack of leadership training in many organizations, the importance of continuous development programs, managing expectations through the Pygmalion effect, and overcoming adversity to grow as a leader.

[00:00 - 09:16] From Army to Corporate Leadership

• Graduated military academy and enjoyed leadership roles
• Transitioned to sales and operations executive positions
• Realized passion for developing other leaders

[09:17 - 18:05] The Need for Ongoing Leadership Development

• Many corporations lack formal management training
• Must make development a continuous journey
• Design sustainable programs with multiple touches

[18:06 - 25:02] Driving Performance Through High Expectations

• Pygmalion effect: Belief in people becomes self-fulfilling
• Leaders underestimate influence on team’s success
• Adversity provides opportunity for growth

[25:03 - 36:13] Leaving a Legacy of Better Leaders

• Wants leaders to say "he made me better"
• True success comes from developing your team
• Aim is to help leaders maximize their people

Key Quotes:

"Every employee deserves a good manager." - Pat D'Amico

"Leadership and management development is a never ending journey.” - Pat D'Amico

Pat’s Website: https://aboutfacedevelopment.com/

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue on putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

Zack Knight interviews author and entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz. They discuss Mike's latest book "All In". Mike shares how going "all in" means transitioning from a business doer to a business designer and creator of jobs. He provides tactical advice on how to delegate tasks, take a mandatory one month sabbatical each year to gain perspective, hire the right people through simulations and skills assessments, and empower employees through transparency and appreciation.

[00:00 - 05:12] From Entrepreneur to Bestselling Author

• Went from losing everything to discovering business insights through journaling
• Writes books to share solutions to common entrepreneur struggles
• Realized the job of an entrepreneur is designing systems, not doing the work

[05:13 - 10:23] Assessing Critical Thinking and Grace Under Pressure

• Skills tests reveal how candidates react under stress
• Ask for multiple real examples of handling tough situations
• Simulations test critical thinking and problem solving abilities

[10:24 - 16:00] Hiring and Empowering the Right Team

• Past behavior indicates future performance
• More transparency and information sharing builds trust
• Create "quick start" manuals outlining communication preferences

[16:01 - 24:05] Leading with Humility and Leaving a Legacy

• Model integrity through apologies and admitting faults
• Reciprocity means team will follow leader's example
• Signed his wall: "Eradicate Entrepreneurial Poverty" to support small business success

Key Quote:

"The job of an entrepreneur is not to do the job. It's to be a creator of jobs." - Mike Michalowicz

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue on putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

In this episode, host Zack Knight interviews veteran Kevin Horgan about his journey from the Marine Corps to a long career at UPS to becoming an author of historical fiction, children's books and more. They discuss veteran transition, supporting charity organizations, important lessons from moving his family around the country for UPS, and the story behind Kevin's latest books.

Things you will learn in this episode:

[00:01 - 4:04] Opening Segment

• Kevin's background from college to the Marines to UPS
• The early days of veteran resource groups and the Vet Lab in Atlanta

[4:05 - 14:42] Life Outside The Battlefield

• Managing a career and family while moving around the country
• Kevin's son joining the military
• Achieving the goal of no debt by retirement

[14:43 - 17:58] Moving After Service 

• Balancing family and career while moving 
• Benefits of relocating for opportunities

[17:59 - 26:32] From English Major to Published Author

• Waking up inspired to write historical fiction on Civil War
• Tips for aspiring fiction writers
• Self-publishing platforms to keep costs down

[26:33 - 37:02] Advice for Transitioning Service Members

• Importance of determining location based on family needs first
• Believe that you are capable
• Vetting veteran charities before giving money

Key Quotes: 

"If being a Marine officer was a privilege of my life, the honor of my life was being a husband and father." - Kevin Horgan

"If your boss or your peers think that you are capable of doing something...don't take yourself outta that loop. If your boss thinks you're good enough. You're good enough." - Kevin Horgan

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue on putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

How did strategic missteps early in conflicts such as Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan haunt the United States in the long run? General David Petraeus joins Admiral Robert P. Wright to unpack failures in strategic leadership that plagued these wars from the outset. In a wide ranging discussion, he outlines the four key tasks he believes military and civilian leaders must tackle: getting the big ideas right, communicating them effectively, overseeing rigorous implementation, and constantly refining based on evidence and results. With historical depth and personal perspective from commanding troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Petraeus analyzes Russia's strategic mistakes in invading Ukraine as well. He explains why continued robust aid to Ukraine serves America's national interest in supporting democracies against autocracies aligned with US competitors like China and Iran.

[00:00 - 10:05] - Writing the Book and Strategic Leadership Framework

• Outlines 4 key tasks of strategic leadership
• Applied model to leadership roles in military, sees parallels in business

[10:06 - 25:15] - Vietnam and Iraq Case Studies

• Failure in Vietnam was not understanding population-centric counterinsurgency
• Two phases of Bush's leadership in Iraq war; early strategic missteps
• Petraeus empowered by Bush's direct leadership and oversight during surge

[25:16 - 39:10] - The Long Afghanistan Conflict

• Brilliant initial 2001 campaign but lacked sustainable inputs and strategy
• Still sustainable for US at low troop levels compared to Vietnam
• Biden withdrawal opens door for Taliban, Al Qaeda resurgence

[39:11 - 49:00] - Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

• Zelensky's strategic leadership rallied Ukrainians with powerful messaging
• Russia underestimated resolve and fighting capability of Ukrainian forces
• Petraeus argues continued robust support for Ukraine in US national interest

[49:01 - 50:42] - Key Takeaways on Strategic Leadership

• Importance of understanding context and getting big ideas right
• Communication and implementation matter little without strategic clarity
• Failures often trace back to flaws in initial strategic thinking and leadership

Key Quote:

“We could not win a war of attrition with a country that regarded casualties very, very differently  than we did. “ - General David Petraeus

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

What dynamic forces shape modern warfare, and how can strategic leaders apply historical lessons to guide decisions today? General David Petraeus analyzes major conflicts from the last 75+ years, finding that while technology transforms tactics, strategic leadership remains the essential element for victory. Discussing watershed battles in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan from his own unique vantage, Petraeus spotlights the urgency of civil-military integration. With insights on achieving strategic goals through a balance of hard and soft power, this far-ranging conversation provides a penetrating masterclass in statesmanship under fire.

[00:00 - 10:10] - Opening Segment

• Zack thanks partners for enabling the event

[10:11 - 22:20] - Evolving Nature of Warfare from 1945-Present

• Technology and ideas transformed warfare, e.g. drones in Iraq, social media for intel in Ukraine 
• Ukraine conflict shows need to evolve US military to a force of high quantity unmanned systems
• US left Afghan forces vulnerable without continued air support  

[22:21 - 38:45] - Importance of Integrating Diplomacy and Military Efforts  

• Strategic leaders empowered Petraeus and Crocker as civil-military partners in Iraq
• Joined State Department and military elements improved counterinsurgency operations  
• More resources needed to support and confirm US diplomats around the world

[38:46 - 51:00] - Comparing Leadership in Ukraine Invasion  

• Zelensky inspired Ukrainians with powerful communication and brave presence on frontlines   
• Putin underestimated Ukraine’s resolve and effectiveness
• Conflict shows open-source intelligence from internet and smartphones revolutionized modern war

[00:51:01 - 01:05:50] - Israel-Gaza Challenges and US Political Divisions  

• Israel faces immense urban warfare difficulties in destroying Hamas
• Mandatory military service strains Israel's economy but provides tech skills 
• Petraeus argues for political compromise in US domestic affairs 
• Credible deterrence essential to prevent Taiwan conflict from erupting into war

Key Quotes:

"The surge that mattered most was the surge of ideas." - General David Petraeus

"You have to deal with the world the way it is, not the way you would like it to be." - General David Petraeus

"Deterrence is a lot cheaper than war." - General David Patraeus

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.

In this episode, Catie Campbell returns to dive deeper into building self-awareness for leaders who struggle with lacking the interpersonal skills needed to advance. We discuss tactics like using survey feedback, 360 reviews, and consistent one-on-one meetings to uncover leadership blindspots. Catie shares examples of how middle managers often shield senior executives from knowing what's really happening inside a toxic culture. Additionally, we explore how the consistency of soliciting input, followed by transparency and follow-through, is key for organizations to uncover and address problems. 

[00:00 - 02:04] Introducing Tactics for Self-Aware Leaders

• Frame interpersonal skills as necessary rather than "soft" skills

[02:05 - 07:22] Implementing Systems for Transparency

• Use engagement surveys, 360 reviews, upward feedback meetings to uncover blindspots
• Hold quarterly fireside chats to directly gather employee perspectives
• Ensure consistency and follow-through on actions around feedback

[07:23 - 10:44] Toxic Leadership Hidden from the Top

• Mid-level managers frequently shield problems from senior executives
• Toxic leaders can still produce results, hiding issues from CEO awareness
• Lack of interventions like surveys and transparency allows problems to perpetuate

[10:45 - 14:26] Driving Organizational Change

• Catie's story of a CFO chokepoint creating ripples of dysfunction
• Even with awareness, inaction from the top allows toxicity to spread
• Organizational commitment to openness is key to reveal issues

Key Quote:

"It's about consistency and it's about then following through with what you say you're going to do." - Catie Campbell

Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to expand their leadership capacity or click here to listen to our previous episodes.

The Tactical Leader is powered by Advancing the Line for Veterans, a 501c3 supporting veterans with workforce development and entrepreneurship. If you or someone you know is passionate about supporting the veteran community, please head over to ATLVets.org and get involved!

If you want to learn how to build a better business, you can connect with me at ZackAKnight.com. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, or join BATL or ATLVets and become part of the community.