98: Simone Askew — On Being the First Black Female First Captain at West Point, Authentic Leadership, and Advice for Mentors

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It's great to be back after taking a few months off!  I'm really excited about all we can learn together in 2023!  

Today I have the privilege of sharing my interview with Simone Askew. In 2017, she became the first African American woman to earn the role of First Captain, the leader of the Corps of Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point.  This is regarded as a major step in racial and gender equality within the United States military. She was also named by Glamour magazine as one of the top 10 College Women of the Year. She is also a Rhodes Scholar.  Askew earned a MSc with merit in refugee and forced migration studies from the Refugee Studies Centre and a MPP from the Blavatnik School of Government at University of Oxford.

She also recently published her first book, Citizen Skyland, a compelling story of a young black woman finding herself, her courage and her legacy when the world needs it most.  If you'd like to learn more about Military Mentors and their upcoming event, The MMoment III, visit militarymentors.org.  

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If you’re interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader

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83: Mike Bassett — On Getting Out of the Ditch, Overcoming Shame, and Finding Redemption

Unapologetically passionate and transparent, Mike Bassett has never stopped believing in the power of his team, truth, and doing the next good thing. He is a civil litigation attorney who has practiced law for nearly four decades. In 2002 he founded The Bassett Firm, a Dallas-based boutique law firm specializing in defending catastrophic injury cases.

Mike has tried nearly 200 cases to verdict and is a highly sought-after national speaker, consultant, and mediator. He is also the host and co-creator of the Podcast, Legal Grounds: Conversations on Life, Leadership, and Law, whose guests have included everyone from bishops to military leaders and New York Times bestselling authors.

In his time as an attorney, Mike has embraced the hard path of grace and believes in second chances as much as he believes in honesty to his clients.

On this episode, we discuss his new book, The Man in the Ditch: A Redemption Story for Today.

The Man in The Ditch is a story about undeserved privilege, unlimited potential, hard work, and hustle. A story about self-inflicted wounds, hubris, insecurity, shame, and abandonment. A story, ultimately, about the Operation of Divine Grace that manifests itself as unapologetic joy. 

And while this is a story told by a lawyer, father, husband, and practicing Catholic, it is a story for all of us. A story that teaches us that our darkest moments don't define us, but have the power to radically change us for the worse or for the better. 

The Ditch will break us, but in that brokenness lies the potential for raw and radical transformation. 

Do we stay stuck in darkness, or do we overcome it? And once we overcome it, how do we emerge? Bitter and beaten down, or a stronger, better version of ourselves?

The Man in The Ditch: A Redemption Story for Today

By Bassett, Mike H

Are you interested in writing a book or finding your voice online?

Alexandra Davis at Davis Legal Media can help! She helped Mike make his book a reality.

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If you’re interested in growing in your leadership practice and being inspired to think differently and unlock greater personal potential, we want to give you a gift. Just click the link below and tell us where to send you 12 Ideas That Will Make You A Better Leader In 2022.

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#59: MG (Ret.) John Gronski — Iron-Sharpened Leadership

This episode is brought to you by HigherEchelon, Inc. HigherEchelon is a leadership development & organizational performance consulting firm providing human capital and technology services to optimize performance. HigherEchelon can help prepare your organization to meet the rapidly changing, complex and often ambiguous requirements of today’s world by developing Resilient and Adaptive leaders, modernizing and enhancing processes, and implementing transformational technology solutions. Visit HigherEchelon.com to connect with the amazing team at Higher Echelon and learn more about how they can help you and your team.

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John L. Gronski, Major General (U.S. Army Retired) is founder and CEO of Leader Grove LLC, a keynote speaker, leadership seminar facilitator, executive coach, author, and director of the leadership academy for student-athletes at Lebanon Valley College. John is a Certified DISC Practitioner and he serves on the Academic Advisory Council for Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies.

John has earned a superb reputation as a leadership and peak performance expert, a motivational storyteller, and a much sought-after speaker and leadership seminar facilitator. His presentations feature inspirational stories and wisdom gained from his own leadership experience and the experience of others.

John has provided leadership assessments, training and/or keynote addresses to many large organizations and companies including NATO, General Dynamics, Nutanix, PNC Bank, the United States Army, the National Conference on Ethics in America at West Point, Pennsylvania National Guard, Greater Philadelphia Veterans Network, PECO Energy, Exelon, Comcast, the YMCA, the Freedom Alliance, Penn State University, Drexel University, Widener University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Wilkes University, Lebanon Valley College, Albert Einstein Health Network, Buckman’s Inc., Delaware Valley Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Schlouch Inc., Boy Scouts of America, Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce, the Kulski Foundation, the USO, Rotary International, VFW, and the Young Presidents Organization.

John is the author of the inspirational leadership book, “The Ride of Our Lives – Lessons on Life, Leadership, and Love”. The book tells the inspiring story about a family on a transformational journey as they bicycled across the USA. This was 1983, no ubiquitous mobile phones, internet, email, Google, nor social media sites.  The closest thing to connectivity was a payphone along a dusty road. 

Through the journey they camped in a variety of places including farmer’s fields, state parks, behind churches and schools, town parks, fairgrounds, and even fraternity houses, John and Berti Gronski and their 15-month-old son Stephen experienced the best of Americans. John shares the lessons learned on this adventure that made a lasting impact on his leadership philosophy over the following decades as a military officer, combat Veteran, and business leader.

The Ride of Our Lives: Lessons on Life, Leadership, and Love

By Gronski, John

John is a proven combat leader with over forty years’ service in the United States Army including active duty and in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard where he led units at the company, battalion, brigade, and division level. His significant military assignments include serving as a Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe where he helped lead 30,000 Soldiers; Commanding General of the 28th Infantry Division (ID) where he led approximately 15,000 Soldiers; Brigade Commander of 2nd Brigade, 28th ID in Ramadi Iraq where he led 5,000 Soldiers and Marines in combat; Brigade Commander of 55th Brigade 28th ID where he led over 2,000 Soldiers on an overseas deployment to Europe; and Military Liaison Team Chief in Lithuania where he led a team of American and Lithuanian military personnel and civilians.

John is a graduate of numerous military schools to include the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Ranger School, and Airborne School.  His military awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, and Basic Parachutist Badge.  John has also been awarded the National Infantry Association Order of Saint Maurice in the rank of Primicerius; The Association of the United States Army McLain Medal; the Republic of Lithuania Medal of Merit; the Cross of the Knight of the Order for Merits to Lithuania; and the Golden Medal of the Polish Armed Forces.

In the private sector, John worked for many years at a family business, Paul Gronski Enterprises Inc., and then worked as a management consultant for approximately thirteen years with Greencastle Associates Consulting where he led implementation teams for Fortune 500 companies in the telecommunications, health care, and utility industries. 

John is a graduate of the University of Scranton where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Services. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Penn State University, and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. John has attended Alvernia University as a doctoral student in the corporate leadership program. He has been certified as a Project Management Professional and he holds a master certificate as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University.

John is the recipient of the Frank J. O’Hara Award in the Government Service Category, the highest award bestowed jointly by the University of Scranton and the Alumni Society.  He is a recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award and James E. West Award. The Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars presented the prestigious Eagle Award to John in recognition for his combat service and his leadership of the 28th Infantry Division. John was awarded the Washington Crossing Foundation Award by the Washington Crossing Foundation for service and dedication to the ideals of our Founding Fathers.  

John was raised by his father, a single parent, and was the youngest of seven children. John has an entrepreneurial mindset. His father, a WWII Veteran, opening a garage and used car business after returning from the war, and John grew up understanding the need to provide customer service in order to grow a business. His father grew the small business into a large enterprise that became a landmarking Northeast Pennsylvania.

John is a thoughtful leader and he has a reputation as a servant leader.

John’s new book, Iron-Sharpened Leadership, is now available for pre-order below:

Iron-Sharpened Leadership: Transforming Hard Fought Lessons Into Action

By Gronski, John L.

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#58: Adam Carr — How Warriors Find Peace with Vulnerability and Community

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Today's episode is very special.  According to the Department of Veteran's Affair, 20 veterans a day commit suicide.  Mental health doesn't just affect veterans.  It is an epidemic, and my guest today, Adam Carr, has dedicated his life to helping returning warriors find a better path.  Adam is the Executive Director of Save a Warrior.  Save A Warrior is an original, Warrior-led, well-grounded and timeless journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone.

This episode is brought to you by HigherEchelon, Inc. HigherEchelon is a leadership development & organizational performance consulting firm providing human capital and technology services to optimize performance. HigherEchelon can help prepare your organization to meet the rapidly changing, complex and often ambiguous requirements of today’s world by developing Resilient and Adaptive leaders, modernizing and enhancing processes, and implementing transformational technology solutions. Visit HigherEchelon.com to connect with the amazing team at Higher Echelon and learn more about how they can help you and your team.

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Save A Warrior is an original, Warrior-led, well-grounded and timeless journey for active duty military, returning veterans and first responders who feel desperately alone. Give them a week and you will change the way you see - and live - your life.

They provide counseling services in the fields of mental health and wellness, suicide prevention and post-traumatic stress to veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders. Their program is an alternative, warrior-led, holistic service that equips veterans, military personnel, police, firefighters and other first responders with a community of support and effective techniques to overcome the symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress and suicidal ideations.

Today, I’m honored to bring you my interview with the Executive Director of Save a Warrior, Adam Carr. Adam (Cohort 035) has over 12 years of service in the U.S. Army. As a Special Forces Green Beret, Adam hunted Al Qaeda operatives, developed intelligence networks, conducted diplomatic relations, and briefed Ambassadors and Generals on Geopolitical environments. In 2006, Adam earned his B.A. in Security and Intelligence from The Ohio State University. He spent the next eight years deploying to Asia, including Operation Enduring Freedom - The Philippines and Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan. Adam's passion comes from a deep-rooted desire to serve others and save lives.

Adam has been profoundly affected over the loss of his teammates, mentors, and close friends to suicide. He currently speaks to students, corporations, and a wide variety of audiences all over the country. He has over 20 years of leadership and managerial experience and is a Business Coach for MBA Students at The Ohio State University. Adam is a graduate of the Ignite Program at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Adam earned his MBA at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business and was selected as the Most Outstanding Student of his 2019 MBA Cohort. Adam is also the Co-Founder of the Western Zen, an organization providing leadership services to the private sector. Adam lives in Dublin, OH with his wife Tarah and their three children, Noah, Jonah, and Norah.

On this episode, we dive into Adam’s story of struggle after transitioning out of the military and how he came to discover Save a Warrior. We talk about the transformative approach Adam and his team take to change the lives of warriors and first responders through their retreats and pull out some of the practical tools that all of us can use to become more resilient and healthy leaders. We also discuss the power of vulnerability and community.

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Since 1979, 263,000 veteran suicides have occurred, which totals more than the lives lost in World War I, the Korean War and the Vietnam War combined. In add...

FROM SAW FOUNDER RONALD "JAKE" CLARK

In April of 2012, when my father was still alive, I shared with him an idea for solving the epidemic of Veteran suicide, an idea to connect with those who had lost all hope; an idea he admitted was novel and inspiring; an idea whose time had come. After listening to all of his fatherly concerns, after overcoming his objections as to why I shouldn't commit my life to this cause, the Vietnam era Marine said to me,

"YOU KNOW, IF YOU JUST SAVE ONE… IT WILL ALL BE WORTH IT"

His words were music to my ears. Save A Warrior™ was born. Although the challenge is daunting, my dad was right. They are worth it.

EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. 

Since that conversation of "just saving one," hundreds now share how Save A Warrior™ saved their life. Just Save One™ is ideal for gifting something truly meaningful to someone who has already given so much for others: their LIFE! You can give them back their life !!! 

Through Just Save One™, you can provide a scholarship for ONE Warrior's life-changing experience. Your tax deductible contribution includes an opportunity to connect with the life you touch, to learn firsthand the difference you made for them and their family. Only your generosity will provide the difference; perhaps a lifesaving difference.  

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#7: Live Courageously - 5 Principles to Face Your Fears and Be More Alive

When we think of courage, we often think of giant figures that have changed the world -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Soldiers on the battlefield -- but courage is required of all of us if we want to achieve our potential and live the life we are called to live.   In this episode, Cal passionately discusses 5 principles to live a life of courage and to overcome the fear that so often paralyzes us from walking into a more abundant and fulfilled life.   Life is short, let's make it count!

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When we think of courage, we often think of giant figures that have changed the world -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Soldiers on the battlefield -- but courage is required of all of us if we want to achieve our potential and live the life we are called to live.  

In this episode, Cal passionately discusses 5 principles to live a life of courage and to overcome the fear that so often paralyzes us from walking into a more abundant and fulfilled life.  

Life is short, let's make it count!

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