harrison-bernstein-everyday-coach's podcast: Recent Episodes
Harrison Bernstein
Each episode features prominent leaders in professional sports, big business, and the US military discussing secret insights into their leadership/coaching approach to work and everyday life.
In this episode Florent “Flo” Groberg reflects on leadership lessons learned as a young athlete from his early coaches which ultimately shaped his heroic military career that resulted in receiving the Medal of Honor, the United States' highest award for military valor in action
Flo deployed several times to Afghanistan, and his actions on August 8th, 2012 earned him the famous Medal of Honor. As a result of his actions, Groberg sustained the loss of 45 to 50 percent of his left calf muscle with significant nerve damage, a blown eardrum, and a mild traumatic brain injury. He spent 3 years at Walter Reed Hospital from August 2012 through May 2015. He was medically retired, as a captain in July 2015.
In this episode, we discuss the concept of thoughts and the power we choose to give them. And sometimes we make them VERY powerful. Dr. Ben Freakly shares his perspective on the subject from his extensive experience and knowledge base.
Dr. Ben Freakley is the CEO and founder of Ready|Set|Resilient, a coaching business that uses best practices in sport, performance, and counseling psychology to help individuals and teams achieve the greatness that exists inside all of us.
Ben brings over 20 years of experience coaching high performers and teams in sports, tactical, and business environments. Some highlights of Ben’s career include:
· Google Resilience Team – Subject Matter Expert
· Atlanta United (Major League Soccer) Mental Performance Coach
· Tampa Bay Rowdies (United Soccer League) Mental Performance Coach
· University of Health and Performance – Vice President of Performance and Well Being
· Toronto Blue Jays (Major League Baseball) Head of Mental Performance
· 75th Ranger Regiment (Special Operations Forces) Mental Performance Coach
· National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) College Soccer Coach – 12 Seasons
· Tormenta FC (United Soccer League) First ever head coach & General Manager
Kristin Noto, the author of the book Live E.P.I.C Excellence Personified In Character, discusses her secrets to happiness and fulfillment through 7 virtues. This discussion explores and challenges these virtues to help discover peace and happiness within ourselves and those we coach.
In this episode, Shawn Springs and I revisit old football memories and leadership lessons which paved the way for him become the Founder and CEO of Windpact, a successful materials data and technology company. Shawn was a top national football recruit leaving high school, which led to an illustrious college career at Ohio State. Springs would be named the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, earn All-American honors, and follow his father’s legacy, Ron Springs, into the NFL. Springs was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks as the third pick overall in the 1997 NFL draft. To this day, no cornerback has ever been picked higher in the draft. He played in the NFL for 13 seasons with the Seahawks, Washington Redskins and the New England Patriots before retiring and building Windpact.
In this Episode we speak with Colonel Patricia Collins who served in the U.S. Army as a Communications Officer for 24 years. In 2006, after returning from Iraq, she was struck by a car while bicycling to work. Her injury left her as a below knee amputee, but did not affect her military service.Upon rehabilitation, she continued to serve, including a deployment to Afghanistan and commanding a Signal Battalion.
Patty challenged herself physically, post amputation. She returned to full military fitness, including free fall status, and became an avid mountain biker and triathlete.She realized incredible athletic success becoming member of the 2016 U.S.Paralympic team in Paratriathlon.
In this episode we discuss everyday coaching with Retired Air Force Veterans, Scott (AKA Soup) and Kim Campbell (AKA Killer Chick) who have been married for 25 years after meeting at the US Airforce Academy. Soup is a retired Air Force fighter pilot with 25 years of service, where he attained the rank of Colonel. His combat accolades are unrivaled, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times for missions in Afghanistan and the Bronze Star twice for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Kim, AKA Killer Chick, is a retired Air Force Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. Kim has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission in Baghdad.
In this Episode we talk with Marnie Schneider about the role sports play in the development of young Americans nationwide. Marnie comes from a prestigious sports family that greatly impacted her success. She is the granddaughter of Leonard Tose, former owner of the Philadelphia Eagles who also founded the Ronald McDonald House. Marnie’s mom, Susan Tose, was the first female General Manager of an NFL team. Marnie Schneider is a CEO, inspirational speaker, author, philanthropist, and best of all daughter and mom. A Philadelphia native now living in the Carolinas, she consistently devotes her time and resources to help others achieve their own victory. Marnie’s passion for sports shines through in her book series, Gameday in the USA, which made the Amazon Top 100 Kids Sports Travel Books. The series includes 8 books that focus on a city and its professional football team. It follows a young girl Freddie and her dog Fumble, and the rich history and culture of each city they visit.
Akili King, originally from Jackson, MS received an appointment to West Point where he played football for 3 years before leaving to attend Oregon State. He excelled at Oregon State and was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent. After training camp, he was cut by the team and enlisted in the Army National Guard. Akili made his way to active duty and served on multiple deployments with the 75th Ranger Regiment. While with the 75th Ranger Regiment, Akili was a part of the recovery mission for Operation Redwings, made famous by the book and movie, “The Lone Survivor”. He later attended OCS and received his commission as an Infantry Officer.
After leaving the military Akili reinvented himself as a business development and operations leader. He currently serves as the National Ambassador Program Director for Soldiers to Sidelines.
In this episode we discuss Leadership with retired US Army Major General Mark O’Neil who last served as the commander of U.S. Army Alaska. He previously served as Special Mission Unit Commander. He has participated in numerous combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mark has earned several medals and accolades including 8 Bronze Stars and a Bronze Star Medal for Valor. Prior to military service, Mark played football and Track and Field and was inducted into his College Hall of Fame at Norwich University. Mark O’Neil now operates his private consulting business where he works with professional sports teams and America’s top businesses.
In this Episode we discuss the delusion of disability and the reality of mixed abilities with (Ret.) US Army Command Sergeants Major Gretchen Evans. Gretchen was a successful senior military intelligence analyst and paratrooper, operating in several high tempo and dangerous missions around the world including Grenada, Kosovo, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In 2006, while working as a sergeant major in Afghanistan, a mortar blast threw her into a concrete bunker wall. She suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury and lost 95% of her hearing, ending her career in military service. Gretchen received the Bronze Star for valor and heroism in combat.
Gretchen’s story is featured in the new 2020 bestselling book, What’s Within You, and Gretchen and her adventure racing team, Team UNBROKEN, is featured in the “World’s Toughest Race” on Amazon Prime, hosted by Bear Grylls and produced by Mark Burnett. Team UNBROKEN is the first totally disabled team to ever compete in this arduous adventure race. Their desire is to bring awareness that disabilities do not define or limit what is possible with hard work, grit, gumption, and a rope team.
In this Episode we discuss life and leadership coaching Philosophy with (Ret.) US Army Command Sergeants Major Rob Lively. Rob retired after 28 years of military service, as the Command Sergeants Major of a Special Missions Unit within The United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. As a geopolitical subject matter expert, he regularly briefed and provided recommendations to the U.S. Government’s most senior military and political leadership while also cultivating critical relationships with foreign, civilian, and military leaders in support of U.S. national security objectives.
Rob currently translates his many life and leadership lessons from the US Military in his new career as the President of TRX Elite where he leads a diverse team that delivers human performance strategies and solutions in support of government, military and the first responder population as well as the veterans from each of those communities.
In this Episode we reflect on a life of service through military and sports with the legendary US Air Force (Ret.) Lt. Col. Terry Maki.
Maki wrestled for two years and played football for four at the US Air Force Academy. In wrestling, he won the Western Athletic Conference heavyweight title, named Outstanding Wrestler of the WAC tournament, and earned two NCAA qualifying bids.Maki was equally impressive on the gridiron and played linebacker under legendary coach Fisher DeBerry. In his senior year, Maki earned Kodak All-America honors, selected to play in the 1986 Hula Bowl, and was a finalist for the Butkus Award. He is being inducted into the US Airforce Athletics Hall of Fame this year. After his athletic career, Terry embarked on a 20-year career with the Air Force in Special Tactics. During his time he worked as a combat diver and executed more than 320 parachute jumps in tours all throughout the world. Upon retiring from the Air Force, Maki served as Head Football Coach for Florence High School in Montana, and now is the CEO of Bitterroot Services and Technologies which sells state-of-the-art technologies to the VA.
In this episode Coach Mike Pollak and I discuss the latest evolution of coaching sports and explore the benefits of the sacrifice of sport. Pollak played 7 years in the NFL as an offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Carolina Panthers. Prior to being drafted in the second round of the NFL, Mike earned All Pac-10 honors at Arizona State University, where he also earned the prestigious Pat Tillman Award. He now serves as the Director of Training for Tip of the Spear Football, which teaches revolutionary techniques that make football safer through improved performance.
In this episode we discuss the concept of Leader followership with US Air Force Retired Colonel Christopher Plamp who’s call sign is Sponge. Sponge was an Air Force Command Pilot, flight instructor, and evaluator, primarily flying the A-10 Warthog and the MQ-1B Unmanned Predator. He was an A-10 Fighter Squadron Director of Operations, an MQ-1B Reconnaissance Squadron Commander, a Flying Training Group Commander, and served in the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Christopher’s awards include: Defense Superior Service Medal; two Bronze Stars; the Legion of Merit; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; three Air Medals; and the German Silver Cross of Honor. He is currently the Senior Vice President of Operations, Programs and Entertainment for the USO.
In this Episode we speak with Matt Stevens who is the CEO of the Honor Foundation, a non-profit company that prepares and assists special operators in their transition from the military to the civilian workforce. Matt transitioned from the U.S. Navy in July 2017 after serving for 26 years as a SEAL. He attended one of the first Honor Foundation symposiums, which he loved so much that he got more involved, joined the board, and now serves as CEO.
Matt, an outstanding baseball player growing up, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991 with a B.S. in Ocean Engineering. He graduated Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in 1992 and then was assigned to the East Coast where he served in various SEAL Teams, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
Matt Stevens also serves as a little league baseball coach in Virginia Beach.
In this episode we explore leadership, coaching and parenting with my good friend Adam Silva. Coach Silva currently serves as Director of Player Development for Jacksonville University Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse and is a certified executive coach.
Adam played lacrosse and graduated from US Army West Point. He later coached at Johns Hopkins University and in Major League Lacrosse. In addition to coaching, Adam served as President of the professional lacrosse team, The Chesapeake Bayhawks, and he is a Senior Partner at Strategic Partners LLC.
In this Episode we discuss Human Development and Organizational Success with LTC Chevy Cook of the US Army. Chevy co-founded the nonprofit organization Military Mentors and recently earned a PhD in Human Development from Tufts University. He also holds Master’s Degrees in Leadership Development From UTEP and Organizational Psychology from Columbia University. A long serving member of the special operations community, he has served in the historic 82nd Airborne Division and became a Tactical Officer and a Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership instructor at the United States Military Academy (USMA). He is also a member of the American Psychological Association, the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, TeamRWB, and the Council on Foreign Relations. Chevy is a proud husband and a father of two girls.
In this episode we discuss coaching in education with renowned educator and long-time friend Gebhardt John Zurburg IV. Geb has a Master’s in Education from the College of New Jersey and has served as an educator in the NJ Public School System for 17 years. He has received numerous teaching awards including Applied Technology High School Teacher of the Year in 2017. Geb also teaches college level courses for Syracuse University Project Advance Program and serves as Teaching Partner for the Case Method Institute for Education and Democracy at Harvard University. Outside of the classroom, he coaches youth and high school basketball, works as an independent music recording artist, and is a dedicated husband and father.
In this Episode we discuss leadership and culture with Retired Lieutenant Col. JC Glick. JC served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer for 20 years, primarily in Special Operations and Special Missions Units with more than 11 combat tours. Since retiring from the military, JC has brought his innovative and unconventional thoughts on education, leadership and resiliency into the private sector, consulting with Fortune 500 companies, the NFL and professional sports teams including the Denver Broncos, the Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets.
He has earned 3 Bronze Stars, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Commendation Medal, and the Order of Saint Maurice. JC recently wrote and published the thought-provoking, groundbreaking book titled "A Light in the Darkness: Leadership Development for the Unknown". He also founded and operates Podromos: A Leadership and Culture Development Consulting Company. Please Welcome JC Glick.
Tony Mandarich played football at Michigan State and then was drafted by the NFL Green Bay Packers as the second overall pick in the 1989 draft. At the time, he was considered the best offensive lineman prospect ever. Tony made the cover of Sports Illustrated as the Big Bulk, and then after a battle with drugs and alcohol he was featured again as the Big Bust. At that moment, Tony began his path to recovery, cleaned up, and five years later returned to the NFL to start as an offensive lineman for three years with the Indianapolis Colts. He now has 25 years sobriety and is a thriving photographer, writer, and speaker. Mandarich wrote a book titled My Dirty Little Secrets — Steroids, Alcohol & God and has a feature ESPN E:60 Documentary about his life. He has recently launched a Podcast called One Man’s Ethos. He has created a lifetime of experiential wisdom and now coaches athletes on their road to recovery.
In this episode we sit down with Kyle Lamb and discuss how humans handle killing and how to coach through it. Sergeant Major (retired) Kyle Lamb spent over 21 years in the United States Army, with over 15 of that in 1st SFOD-D Delta Force. He has participated in many conflicts, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Iraq, as well as in the battle made famous by the movie Black Hawk Down in Mogadishu, Somalia. SGM Lamb has received numerous valorous awards and decorations. SGM Lamb is the Founder and President of Viking Tactics, a tactical training and tactical gear business.SGM Lamb also appears on several Sportsman Channel TV Shows and has written a carbine instructional book, Green Eyes and Black Rifles, a Pistol Book, Stay in the Fight, and his latest book Leadership in the Shadows, which highlights his time in the military as well as numerous events from the Law Enforcement world.
Jen Baker is the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Johns Hopkins University. One of her key initiatives at Johns Hopkins has been the launching of a unique leadership development program for Johns Hopkins student athletes called Blue Jays LEAD. The Blue Jays LEAD program has a mission of empowering student-athletes to actualize the leader within and inspire action in their communities at Johns Hopkins and beyond.
Baker is a co-founder of Athletics Leadership Consulting (ALC), whose mission is to make leadership development accessible to all athletes, coaches and organizational support staff. ALC leverages athletics as a tool for leadership education as it designs and delivers original content that allows athletes to develop leadership and teamwork skills as an integrated component of their competitive experience.
Baker graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in aerospace engineering and was a member of the Academy’s women’s lacrosse club team. After the Naval Academy, Baker spent seven years in the Navy, including three years as a pilot and four as a construction manager and facilities engineer. She later earned an MBA and a master’s in mechanical engineering from Cornell.
In this episode we speak with Dr. Joe Ross (Ret. US Army) who is the President and Founder of HigherEchelon and creator of the Resilient and Adaptable Leader Methodology. Joe has a PhD in Organization Psychology and has tenured expertise in developing high performance in teams and companies. Dr. Ross has consulted with Fortune 100 companies, college and professional sports teams, top tier Universities, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense. Since 2012, Joe has been the lead consultant for Army Game Studio in developing the GoArmy Edge (www.goarmyedge.com), a free software application adapted to help football athletes learn their team’s playbooks, make proper reads and play calls, and mentally practice their assignments in a virtual environment before taking the field. We are fortunate to learn from Dr. Ross about how we can improve performance within ourselves and those we lead.
In this episode we speak with the US Air Force Academy Executive Director of Athletics, Jen Block. Jen is a decorated former Air Force officer, director, squadron commander, staff officer, executive officer, combat veteran of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM ,and fully qualified level III contracting officer. She has a special expertise in developing and administering programs and projects ensuring diversity and sexual assault prevention. Jen Block graduated the US Air Force Academy where she played Volleyball as a captain of her team. Above all else, Jen is an expert in building healthy relationships and it is an honor to hear her approach to leadership.
This episode we discuss leadership with Col. Liam Collins retired from the US Army. Liam earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering (aerospace) from the United States Military Academy, and a Master in Public Affairs and PhD from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.
Liam Collins is the Executive Director of the Viola Foundation and the Madison Policy Forum and a permanent member with the Council on Foreign Relations. A retired Special Forces Colonel, Liam served in a variety of special operations assignments and conducted operational deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia, the Horn of Africa and South America.
Coach Tony Coaxum played football at Army West Point, served in the US Army and then returned to coach at his alma mater. He went on to coach for the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos where he won Super Bowl 50. He is currently the Head Football Coach at Bluefield State College in West Virginia and published the Leadership Playbook.
In this episode, we discuss with Mike Hall how leadership skills change and evolve as you progress up the leadership ladder. Mike is a retired Command Sergeant Major and a decorated combat veteran with over 34 years of service to the US Army and Special Operations. He retired from active duty in 2008 after 32 years of service and in 2009 was recalled from retirement, to serve as the CSM and Senior Enlisted Advisor for the International Security Assistance Force/United States Forces Afghanistan North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Afghanistan (ISAF). This force contained over 130,000 Soldiers from 46 countries, during the most dramatic change in strategy and troop increase in the history of the war, under General Stanley McChrystal and later General David Petraeus.
Dr. Shauna "Doc" Springer is known for pop-culture and mainstream insights in psychology and interpersonal relationships, affecting all people, originating from what she has gleaned from two decades of work at the extremes. Dr. Springer is a graduate of Harvard University and is one of the world's leading experts on PTSD, Trauma, and Moral Injury among veterans. Her work has been featured on CNN, VICE, Dr. Oz, NPR, NBC, CBS Radio, Forbes, The Philadelphia Tribune, Washington Post, and Military Times. She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today.
John Villanueva retired from the US Army, became a successful entrepreneur, a consultant on foreign affairs, a collegiate teacher, a husband, and a father. John sits on the Advisory Board of Soldiers to Sidelines. In this episode we discuss the concept of technique in leadership, coaching and everyday life. What is it? How do we cultivate it?
The following is a recorded conversation I had with Retired Brigadier General John Michel of the US Airforce in preparation for my book The Everyday Coach. This is a raw unscripted and authentic revelation on how coaching fits into leadership in sports, business and the military.
General Michel culminated his military service as Commanding General of NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan; NATO Training Mission/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan; and Commander of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing in Kabul, Afghanistan. He has authored two books No More Mediocre Me and The Art of Positive Leadership. John’s work has been featured in a wide variety of articles & journals, including the Harvard Business Review, Investors Business Daily, Fast Company, CEO Magazine, the Washington Post, National Geographic, Joint Forces Quarterly & Huffington Post. Currently, he is the co-founder of the Avalon Leadership Institute, Partner of the Minute Man Hospitality Group, and executive director of Skyworks Global. John Michel is one of the most interesting and interested people I have ever met, and I am thrilled to share with you his insights.
This podcast episode features General George Casey JR, a retired 4 star General who served 41 years in the United States Army. He rose to the highest position possible within the US Army as the 36th Chief of Staff. As Chief of Staff from April 2007 to 2011, Casey led what is arguably the world's largest and most complex organization of 1.1 million people strong, with a $200+ billion annual budget—during one of the most extraordinary periods in military and global political history.
Casey studied at Georgetown University where he was standout football player and went on to earn a summer job with the Washington Redskins under Vince Lombardi. Currently he teaches at the Cornell University Graduate School of Leadership and Management and at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Casey is also the current Chairman of the Board of the USO and an Advisory Board Member of Soldiers To Sidelines. We are honored and humbled discuss leadership and coaching with the esteemed General George Casey Jr.
This episode is a recorded conversation I had with Gregg Williams in preparation for the production of our book, The Everyday Coach. Coach Williams is currently the Defensive Coordinator for the NY Jets and has coached in the NFL for 30 years. Over the past three decades, Williams has served as Head Coach for the Buffalo Bills, Interim Head Coach for the Cleveland Browns, and defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and the St. Louis/LA Rams. He has coached in two Super Bowls and won one of them with New Orleans Saints in 2009. In this episode coach Williams discusses how culture beats strategy and the best methods in establishing a winning culture.
In this episode, we get the opportunity to hear a unique and wise perspective on leadership from Ret. Col. Greg Gadson. Col. Gadson played outside LB at West Point and went on to serve the U.S. Army for more than 20 years in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Joint Forge, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He attained master’s degrees from both Webster University and Georgetown University.
On the night of May 7, 2007, while returning from a memorial service for two soldiers from his brigade, he lost both his legs and severely injured his right arm to a roadside bomb in Baghdad
Over the course of his military career, Gadson earned an extensive collections of awards including 3 Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
Since retiring from the U.S. Army, Col. Gadson earned acting roles in the movies Battleship and The Inspectors. He is a successful motivational speaker and has worked for several professional sports teams. Two of his NFL leadership consulting gigs earned him Superbowl rings with NY Giants.
Currently, Gadson spends much of his time leading his consulting company, Patriot Strategies, practicing photography, and participating in several outdoor physical challenges. This episode begins with a leadership conversation I shared with Col. Greg Gadson.
In this episode we will learn from the vast experience of the famous basketball coach Matt Doherty. For those who don’t know much about Coach Doherty, let me give you a quick overview about Matt’s history in leadership and coaching. First of all, he was captain of the University of North Carolina basketball team. During this time, he played in two national championships and won one of them in 1982 with fellow teammates, James Worthy, Sam Perkins, Jimmy Black, and Michael Jordan. After college Matt was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers but had his contract voided and did not play. He transitioned from basketball to wall street, only to realize his passion was still in sports. He then began an illustrious coaching career. Doherty, served as head basketball coach for Notre Dame, SMU, Florida Atlantic, but most notably his alma mater UNC. Currently, Matt Doherty is a compelling speaker, a successful entrepreneur, a husband, and father of two children who currently play college sports. We are extremely lucky to hear insights from acclaimed coach, Matt Doherty.
Martin Rooney and Harrison Bernstein discuss revelations in the art of coaching based on decades fo shared experience.
Martin is husband, a father of 4 daughters, a strength and conditioning coach, an entrepreneur, and a best-selling author.
It is impossible to list all of the professional athletes and sports teams Martin has coached in the NFL, MLB, UFC, NBA, WNBA, and the NCAA.
He is currently the founder of the Training for Warriors system. The TFW System operates in over 200 fitness facilities in 20 countries worldwide and Martin’s programs have been used by over one million youth athletes and adults.
He has written several books, but probably his best book is being released as we speak. Its titled Coach to Coach, and it reads as parable that illuminates many of the deepest truths about coaching.
Each episode features prominent leaders in professional sports, big business, and the US military discussing secret insights into their leadership/coaching approach to work and everyday life.