Over the past several months, I've had the privilege of interviewing some of the nation's leading experts on artificial intelligence, national security, democracy, and emerging technology. “AI in Action” brings those conversations together in one series, offering thoughtful perspectives on one of the most consequential technologies of our lifetime. Listen online!

From the Mississippi Delta to the highest levels of the U.S. Air Force, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) S. Clinton Hinote, PhD, shares the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership. In this episode of Tipping Spears, we discuss why career success is rarely a linear path, the importance of faith, relationships, and strong values, and how leaders successfully transition from technical experts to leading people. Clint also offers practical insights on adaptability, resilience, and preparing the next generation of leaders to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

What happens when the mission ends? In this episode of Tipping Spears, I sit down with Colonel Shawn Daniel (Ret.), USA, a West Point graduate, Ranger Hall of Fame inductee, and veteran of eight combat deployments across Afghanistan and Iraq. Drawing on more than two decades of Army service, Shawn shares hard-earned leadership lessons from commanding soldiers in combat, building high-performing teams under extreme pressure, and leading with trust, accountability, and purpose. We also discuss the difficult transition from military service to civilian life, the importance of identity after retirement, and why veteran suicide remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the military community. Today, as Executive Director of Darby's Warrior Support, Shawn continues to serve by helping Special Operations veterans reconnect, heal, and find renewed purpose beyond the battlefield.

What does it take to build one of the most disciplined and effective fighting forces in the world? In this episode, I sit down with Command Sergeant Major Michael T. Hall (Ret.), USA, the only soldier in history to serve as the senior enlisted advisor for the 75th Ranger Regiment, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. We discuss the origins of the Ranger Regiment's "Big Four" training standards, lessons learned from decades of special operations leadership, serving alongside General Stanley McChrystal, and what it means to lead in the most demanding environments imaginable. CSM Hall also reflects on his recall to active duty during the height of the Afghanistan War and his continued commitment to supporting veterans through the Three Rangers Foundation.

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.