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What if the fastest way to become a better leader is to stop trying to do everything yourself?

In this episode of On Your Lead, I sit down with Mike Abrashoff, former U.S. Navy commander and bestselling author of It’s Your Ship, to unpack how he transformed one of the Navy’s lowest-performing ships into a fleet leader by giving ownership to the people closest to the work.

Mike shares the real mechanics behind the turnaround: interviewing all 310 sailors, inviting challenges to every process, and making junior crew members the VIPs when admirals visited. We talk about the “line in the sand” for delegation, why many top performers struggle when they become managers, and how leaders get trapped doing low-value work instead of the thinking only they can do.

We also dig into preparation as a form of freedom — including the bold decision that allowed his ship to pass every certification in record time, dramatically changing morale, schedules, and results. We close with a conversation about legacy leadership: measuring success not by what happens while you’re in charge, but by what happens months after you leave.

This is a practical, grounded conversation about trust, discipline, and building teams that don’t depend on you to succeed.

Contact Thad - VictoriousVeteranProject@Gmail.com

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What if the key to healing trauma lies in the unexpected fusion of military discipline and psychedelic therapy? This episode features an enlightening conversation with Army veteran Mark Cunningham, who reveals his journey from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the nuanced world of MDMA-assisted therapy. With a rich background in anthropology and marriage and family therapy, Mark shares how his experiences overseas not only reshaped his view of military service but also fueled his passion for addressing moral injury and PTSD among veterans. His story serves as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of sharing one's experiences in the quest for healing.

Together, we explore the profound impact of military service on personal identity and moral beliefs, diving deep into concepts like moral injury and its distinction from PTSD. Mark introduces wisdom from figures like Claude Anshin Thomas and Thich Nhat Hanh, highlighting the role of mindfulness and Zen Buddhism in addressing these complex issues. We also venture into the evolutionary lessons from our primate relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees, examining what their cultural adaptations can teach us about human evolution and the modern challenges young men face in defining masculinity.

The episode wraps up with a look at the transformative power of MDMA-assisted therapy and the broader societal implications of psychedelic use. Mark shares insights from his therapeutic practice, discussing how MDMA therapy can calm the fear response and foster trust, offering veterans a path to profound healing. We also touch on cultural perspectives around psychedelics, considering decriminalization efforts in Portugal and cannabis legalization in Colorado. As Mark and I reflect on our own journeys, we emphasize the importance of community and shared experiences, underscoring the healing power of connection for veterans transitioning to civilian life.

Contact Thad - VictoriousVeteranProject@Gmail.com

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Embark on an enlightening journey with Neil Krovats, the mastermind behind Clearline Technologies, as we unveil the secrets of his entrepreneurial metamorphosis. Discover how this visionary ventured beyond the family business to sculpt an eco-friendly empire from recycled tire rubber, crafting pipe supports that redefine industry standards and environmental stewardship. Neil's narrative is a homage to the ingenious potential that lies in fusing persistence with out-of-the-box thinking, providing a blueprint for success that both green-thumbs and business aficionados can admire.

Our conversation digs into the rich tapestry of cognitive styles that shape the landscape of business innovation. You'll learn about the 'middler' personality—individuals who straddle the line between structured and dynamic thinking—and how this trait can be a superpower for juggling myriad ideas. Explore the challenges random thinkers face in our sequentially-driven world and the ways they can harness their unique perspective to craft solutions that escape the conventional mind. Neil and I reflect on the synergies and struggles intrinsic to diverse thought processes and how they fuel the engine of entrepreneurial progress.

Wrapping up, we traverse the evolution of environmental consciousness, from its infancy as a fringe movement to its current status as a global imperative. Drawing parallels to this shift, we examine the entrepreneur’s path from outlier to innovator. We delve into the power of embracing individuality and the critical importance of cognitive diversity in driving change. Sharing anecdotes and personal reflections, we underscore the significance of innovative minds in sculpting the future, making this episode an essential listen for anyone passionate about creativity, the environment, or the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship.

Contact Thad - VictoriousVeteranProject@Gmail.com

Thanks for listening!