Jennifer Barnhill, award-winning journalist, researcher, and military spouse advocate, joins “Tipping Spears” for a powerful conversation about the stories of military families that often go unheard. As the host of “Military Dinner Table Conversations” and a leading voice in military family policy, Jennifer shares how journalism became her platform for advocacy and change. She discusses the gap between military policy and the lived realities of families navigating service, sacrifice, and uncertainty. Jennifer also reflects on how her reporting has influenced conversations on Capitol Hill, in the media, and across the military community. Drawing from her personal experiences and years of research, she challenges listeners to rethink what they know about military life. This conversation also explores the themes behind her bestselling book!

General Joseph Votel, former CENTCOM Commander, reflects on nearly 40 years of military leadership—from leading a 79-nation coalition against ISIS to redefining leadership in today’s complex battlespace. He breaks down the shift from command and control to command and feedback, and what it takes to lead with clarity, trust, and discipline under pressure.

Todd Connor, Navy veteran and founder of Bunker Labs, breaks down what it takes to build mission-driven organizations that scale. Drawing on years of supporting veteran entrepreneurs, he shares candid insights on the realities of transitioning to civilian life, the pressures founders face, and the traits that separate those who succeed from those who stall. The conversation also explores his work with Veterans for All Voters and how the military-connected community can play a stabilizing role in a polarized environment.

COL Jeremy Gwinn offers a strategic lens on modern warfare, where economics, technology, and industrial capacity are as decisive as tactics on the battlefield. Drawing on experience from combat leadership to the Pentagon and now the Eisenhower School, he unpacks how nations resource and sustain war in an era of great power competition. The conversation explores the defense industrial base, emerging technologies, and the concept of reverse innovation, highlighting what leaders must understand to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving security environment.

General (Ret.) Paul E. Funk II delivers a direct and experience-driven perspective on leading in high-stakes, “must-win” environments. From commanding a 72-nation coalition against ISIS to shaping the Army’s future through TRADOC, he breaks down the leadership principles behind building resilient, high-performing organizations. The conversation explores talent management, training, and decision-making under pressure, along with his concept of “positively intrusive” leadership and what it takes to prepare the next generation to succeed in complex, rapidly changing environments.

Major (Ret.) Trisha Wyman brings a nuanced perspective on modern conflict, where influence, information, and technology shape outcomes as much as traditional force. Drawing on her experience in psychological operations and intelligence, she unpacks how disinformation, narrative control, and cognitive warfare are redefining the battlespace. The discussion also explores the challenges of operating in ambiguous environments, the intersection of data and decision-making, and how her work now bridges national security and the private sector.

General Larry Spencer, USAF (Ret.), reflects on a 40-year career that took him from the enlisted ranks to Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, offering hard-earned insights on leadership, risk, and resilience. He discusses how warfare and decision-making have evolved across domains, what it takes to drive innovation inside massive institutions, and how early experiences shape leaders at the highest levels. The conversation also examines his continued mission supporting service members and what meaningful leadership looks like beyond uniform.

LTG Bob Ashley, USA (Ret.), former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, offers a clear-eyed view into the realities of intelligence in modern warfare. Drawing on decades of experience across Iraq, Afghanistan, and senior strategic roles, he explains how intelligence truly supports decision-making, how it has evolved over years of conflict, and what outsiders often misunderstand about the discipline. The discussion also explores the impact of AI and open-source data, and what it takes to develop the next generation of intelligence leaders.

Mike LeBlanc, former Marine officer and defense tech founder, brings a grounded perspective on building at the intersection of warfighting and innovation. From leading Marines in combat against ISIS to scaling venture-backed robotics companies, he unpacks what it takes to operate under uncertainty, lead high-performing teams, and translate battlefield experience into entrepreneurial success. The conversation explores the rise of autonomous systems in warfare, the realities behind defense startups, and the leadership mindset required to navigate risk, ethics, and rapid technological change.

Drawing on more than four decades of service, LTG Robert Caslen, USA (Ret.), unpacks the strategic and human dimensions of war, leadership, and national decision-making. From his role in shaping the Global War on Terror strategy to leading West Point and later a major public university, he offers a rare perspective on how wars are fought, how they end, and what leaders must carry long after. The conversation examines the Iraq withdrawal, the resurgence of ISIS, and the enduring importance of character, accountability, and disciplined leadership in moments of uncertainty and public scrutiny.

In this episode of Tipping Spears, William Bender, retired Air Force three-star general and former USAF CIO, offers a candid look at leading large-scale transformation at the intersection of defense, technology, and strategy. Drawing on his experience overseeing a $17 billion IT portfolio and shaping foundational cyber and data leadership roles across the Air Force, Bender breaks down what it takes to modernize bureaucratic institutions in real time. From standing up early innovation efforts that helped pave the way for today’s Defense Innovation Unit to navigating the complexities of industry-government collaboration, he provides a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges and opportunities facing today’s national security leaders in an era defined by AI, cyber threats, and great power competition.

Major Geoff Ball shares lessons from Marine Corps infantry leadership, spanning combat deployments, company command, and professional military education. From crisis response missions in CENTCOM to service at Abbey Gate during the Afghanistan withdrawal, he reflects on moments that reshaped his understanding of responsibility and sacrifice. He discusses the habits that distinguish exceptional junior officers from merely competent ones. Major Ball also explains why ownership of professional growth is essential in a rapidly evolving operational environment. The conversation highlights his work developing future leaders and fostering professional discourse across the force.

Major General Robert Edmonson II (USA, Ret.) discusses how infantry foundations shaped his leadership of large-scale IT and cybersecurity enterprises. As Commanding General of U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, he led a 9,000-person global workforce and a $3.1 billion portfolio supporting DoD operations worldwide. He explains what it means to modernize systems that never shut down and to drive change inside complex bureaucracies. MG Edmonson underscores that cybersecurity is fundamentally a people business, grounded in culture, trust, and accountability. The episode closes with a clear directive for senior leaders: develop enterprise judgment, accept 360-degree accountability, and invest in people as the decisive advantage.

LTG (Ret) Mike Ferriter shares lessons from 35 years of Army service, from combat in Mogadishu and Iraq to commanding a global enterprise spanning 75 installations and 17 time zones. He explains how early platoon leadership shaped his approach to leading large, complex organizations through crisis and transformation. Ferriter discusses decision-making under pressure, capability prioritization for multi-domain operations, and why “winners leave clues.” He reflects on building and leading the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic while expanding national impact. The episode concludes with direct advice for veterans in transition and a call to renew a culture of service and responsibility.

General (Ret) Charles A. Flynn reflects on his evolution from a self-described reluctant cadet to Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific, leading operations across the Army’s largest theater. He explains why intellectual curiosity is indispensable for senior leaders navigating ambiguity and strategic competition. General Flynn offers a clear-eyed assessment of the Indo-Pacific, the pacing challenge posed by the Chinese Communist Party, and why land power remains central to credible deterrence. He unpacks the concepts of lethality, strategic unpredictability, and alliance integration in preventing conflict. The conversation closes with candid insights on character, judgment under pressure, and building resilient organizations that endure beyond any single commander.

Lieutenant General H. Stacy Clardy III reflects on a career spanning infantry and reconnaissance command, combat in Iraq, and senior leadership across the Indo-Pacific. As Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, he prepared 25,000 Marines and Sailors for competition and potential conflict with the People’s Republic of China. He discusses how combat experience shaped his warfighting ethos and approach to leadership. The conversation explores decision-making under pressure, the future of warfare, and the enduring relevance of ground combat.

General Gary Brito joins Tipping Spears for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, modernization, and institutional change. As a four-star Army leader, General Brito reflects on leading complex, mission-driven organizations responsible for developing and sustaining the force. We discuss how data, innovation, and emerging technologies are reshaping training, readiness, and talent management. He shares hard-earned lessons on driving change while maintaining trust, discipline, and organizational coherence. The conversation offers practical insights for senior leaders navigating scale, complexity, and strategic uncertainty.