Dr. Christina Bates is a mom to two sweet girls, an entrepreneur, a leader, and an animal lover with three dogs, two cats, one bunny, and one guinea pig. Passionate about all things military, especially weapons systems, she is dedicated to helping leaders and organizations excel and realize their full potential. She believes that God has a purpose for each of us, and in small but impactful ways, she supports leaders and members of organizations in living out that purpose.

Rob Roy is a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Navy, with 21 years of service in the SEAL teams, including over a decade with the elite SEAL Team Six. After retiring, he transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding Trident Coaching and Consulting to deliver transformative leadership programs. Rob is an award-winning executive coach, a sought-after public speaker, and the author of Leadership Lessons of the Navy SEALs: The Art of War. His leadership training programs, including "Leadership Under Fire" and "Battlefield to the Boardroom," have received accolades, including multiple YPO-WPO BEST of the BEST awards. Rob's insights on leadership, resilience, and team-building have been featured on Bloomberg TV, Fox News, and NBC.

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Brabner’s journey from infantry combat leader to military robotics innovator shows how leadership can transform even the largest organizations. In this episode, he shares raw lessons from combat, where the absence of simple tools like soldier-borne sensors cost lives, and how those experiences fueled his drive to reshape the military’s approach to unmanned systems. Brabner reveals how visionary leadership—rooted in Boy Scout values, hardened in Ranger School, and tested in combat—has turned fragile, expensive assets into modular, mission-ready tools that give soldiers a decisive edge. His story is a powerful reminder that disruptive change requires both innovation and leaders willing to challenge the status quo.

Nestled in the foothills of Charlottesville, Virginia, Aerial Resupply Coffee emerges as a testament to service and community. Founded by U.S. Army Veteran Michael Klemmer, this brand embodies a dedication to honor those who serve. After a 20-year military journey and global exploration, Mike returned to Charlottesville with a passionate mission—to brew coffee that mirrored their values. This Charlottesville Coffee isn't just about premium roasts; it's a tribute to veterans, first responders, active military, and their families. Aerial Resupply Coffee fosters a community that cherishes both exceptional coffee and a shared commitment to service. Each carefully crafted blend tells a story of unwavering dedication, honoring the heroes and their supportive families. 

From Army Ranger to chaplain, Dr. Anthony Randall shares powerful lessons on character-based leadership, coaching culture, and embracing work-life rhythm over balance. This episode explores the soul of transformational leadership—and why prudent risk is essential for growth in any arena.

Ryan is a serial entrepreneur and life long learner that enjoys the pursuit of business while being a positive influence in his community and using his business platforms to help support causes he’s passionate about.  He started 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Company 10 years ago and is in the trenches running the daily operations with the goal of becoming a national, household brand.  He has also owned a restaurant for the past 22 years and has owned a motel for 8 years…both of which are still in operation.  He is passionate about using his business acumen to help support fellow entrepreneurs and is always keeping his eyes open for the next opportunity.

SGM Derek Kearns shares hard-won lessons from over two decades in the Army—covering attention to detail, adaptive leadership, and investing in people. From combat zones to Ranger School, this episode unpacks what it really means to lead with purpose under pressure.

What makes a truly exceptional leader?

Is it position, authority, or something deeper? In this profound conversation with Joseph Polanin, retired Navy Captain and award-winning CEO, we uncover leadership wisdom forged through 30 years of leading elite teams in high-risk environments across more than 1,000 combat missions.

Joe reframes leadership in a way that will transform how you view your role: "Leadership is not a position, rank, or title. It's a process of learning, growing, and caring about other people." This powerful perspective has guided his journey from Naval Academy graduate to commanding EOD units worldwide, where the ethos of "quiet professionalism" – doing what's right regardless of who gets credit – became his north star.

What does it take to reach the absolute pinnacle of military leadership? Command Sergeant Major (Retired) John Wayne Troxell brings wisdom forged through 38 years of service and five combat deployments to this riveting conversation on transformational leadership.

As the former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the highest position an enlisted service member can achieve—Troxell reveals his leadership framework built on the “three Ps”: presence, performance, and persistence. He explains why simply showing up isn’t enough. True leadership presence generates energy and inspiration. Performance means living out the standard, especially in adversity. Persistence is the grit to lead with both compassion and accountability.

From his humble beginnings to delivering a viral “surrender or die” message against ISIS, Troxell shares hard-earned lessons in resilience, authenticity, and leading under fire. Even under suspension, he stood firm in his convictions, later returning to his post with his values intact.

In this episode, you’ll hear how great leaders balance toughness with humanity, communicate the “why,” and evolve across increasing levels of responsibility. Now in civilian life, Troxell continues his mission through entrepreneurial leadership—proving service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off.

If you’re ready to lead with greater purpose, this episode delivers battle-tested wisdom that applies across every leadership arena.

When leadership fails, it's rarely about strategy – it's almost always about what lies beneath the surface. In this profound conversation with Dr. Ron Stotz, we explore the hidden dimensions of leadership that most development programs miss entirely.

Dr. Stotz brings a remarkable perspective forged through military service during Vietnam, a suicide attempt that became a spiritual awakening, and decades helping high-level leaders break through their limitations. His journey reveals how our early childhood experiences shape our leadership capacity in ways we rarely recognize until everything begins to crumble.