The Rooftop Podcast

This is probably a question you’ve asked yourself many times when building your movement, or product, or next big thing. When life taps us on the shoulder and challenges us to play a bigger game, this question is usually not far behind. It causes us to question ourselves, our purpose, even our ability. In this final episode of the Rooftop Podcast we explore not just the answer to this universal qu...

As 2024 comes to a close, I think we could all take a little time to reflect on the tracks we’re leaving in this world. The impact we can make on our youth is one of the greatest legacy gifts we can give and one of the highest forms of social capital. Join me for a walk down the driveway to discuss what that looks like in your life!   I’ll see you on the Rooftop.   Scott   Nobody is Coming to Save...

In this time of elections and the churn, I reflect on the past few transformative years—from the chaos of Afghanistan’s collapse and Operation Pineapple Express to the resurgence of my play, Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret. These experiences shaped Rooftop Leadership, a methodology rooted in four pillars: strategic impact, human nature, human connection, and deep work. Drawing from my Green Beret...

While reflecting on the process of vulnerability in creative work, I shared a story inspired by Bubba, a friend writing about his near-death experience and grappling with fear as he prepares to release his book. I recalled my own anxiety when handing my first manuscript to Steven Pressfield, my literary hero. Despite initial doubts, his encouragement, including offering to write the foreword, chan...

As a nation, we can and must use the Green Beret Principles of trust, resilience, restoration, and more to face our foes abroad - and overcome the internal strife that besets American society today.” These are the words from “Hard Truths,” recently released by Congressman Mike Waltz, soon to be National Security Advisor (NSA) under President Trump. This podcast addresses the Hard Truths that Mike...

In challenging times, when no one is coming to your rescue, and you're striving to create something greater than yourself—a groundbreaking product, a new business, or a non-profit—you’ll encounter significant obstacles. Understanding the sacrifices your bold ambitions demand is essential. This podcast will guide you through the process.     Scott   Nobody is Coming to Save You - https://www.hachet...

What does the new National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz think about Afghanistan, the threat, and the resistance? Even before Shawn Ryan interviewed Commander Massoud, I hosted Congressman Mike Waltz, Legend, & Commander Massoud to discuss the botched Afghanistan withdrawal and what it might mean to us in the West. As Congressman Waltz prepares to take the reins as National Security Advisor to Pres...

As we move through another tough election, there is actually good news on the other side of it…if we choose to act on it. Join me and let’s discuss.   I'll see you on the Rooftop.   Scott   Nobody is Coming to Save You - https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/scott-mann/nobody-is-coming-to-save-you/9781546008286/?lens=center-street Scottmann.com   Join Rooftop Nation!   Patreon: https://www.patr...

This message emphasizes the importance of finding and sharing your authentic voice as a leader, embracing vulnerability, and telling personal stories to foster deep connections and build social capital. True influence goes beyond success; it requires relatability, relevance, and a willingness to share difficult experiences to resonate deeply with others. Leadership involves persevering through fea...

I believe in getting big sh*t done even when nobody else is coming. I believe it to my core. This country is built on this concept. For me, one of those areas is mobilizing the GWOT Generation of veterans and military family members to solve wicked problems that supplement the gaps that are often not filled by the federal government. The abandonment of our Afghan Allies. The wildfires in Maui. The...

I get this question a lot. It can seem like a daunting reality when we arrive at the conclusion that some of our biggest problems in life require fully stepping into the arena and leading the way to solving these wicked problems. But, the truth is…once you take that first step on wobbly knees, there is a level of compelling connection that follows you into the darkest places. We are meaning-seekin...

We face a lot of moral dilemmas in this time of Churn don’t we? It seems like every decision that comes our way has elevated stakes and tremendous pressure attached to it. We’re pressed to often play a game we didn’t even sign on for. I get it. Here’s the thing: There is a way to lead through this with a very simple metric that might just make a difference for you. Join me in this episode and let’...

What are you meant to do on this earth? Should you be playing a bigger game? Have you met success in what society says is important and still feel like there is a bigger game to play? You’re not alone. We are all primal creatures infused with a mandate to make meaning in the world. We ignore it at our peril. But how do you get big sh*t done in this time of Churn? We break it down and get the conve...

This is one of the most important realizations leaders can reach in this unprecedented Churn of division we live in today. But, then what? When nobody is coming, how do we step into the arena? That is exactly what this Rooftop Podcast aims to answer and this episode will get the conversation going!   I’ll see you on the Rooftop.   Scott   Nobody is Coming to Save You - https://www.hachettebookgrou...

 23 years after the attacks of 9.11.2001, America is still reeling from the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and the wholesale abandonment of our allies. It’s more important than ever that we not forget the lessons of 9.11.2001. Not just because of the moral imperative, and of the numerous sacrifices made by so many, but because of the likelihood that this failed withdrawal follows us home and...

This week on the ‘What’s Your Pineapple Express?’ series, Scott had the honor of sitting down and speaking with an incredible leader – Jason Howk. Jason leads a non-profit organization called Global Friends of Afghanistan and has continued doing amazing work while keeping Afghanistan at the forefront. Join us this week as Jason shares his many years of experience in Afghanistan, gives us insight i...

What’s your Pineapple Express? This is the question Scott is asking everyone after the creation of Operation Pineapple Express in August of 2021. A group of veterans took a stand when no one else was coming - they saw the moral injury the withdrawal from Afghanistan was going to cause and knew something needed to be done. As we continue talking about Afghanistan, we are going to start broadening o...

This week on the 'OPE: One Year Later' series, we are continuing our extended conversation on the collapse of Afghanistan and where we go from here. I’m reaching out to you and connecting with the prominent voices involved in the long war in Afghanistan as well as its future. Afghan voices, in many cases, have been muzzled and their voices are not heard. Our focus is to give them a platform to spe...

This week on the 'OPE: Three Years Later' series, Scott had the opportunity to sit down with another incredible and experienced individual, Lieutenant General Sami Sadat. Over the last year, many of our veterans and citizens have asked "what was the point?" in reference to Afghanistan. It has been very hard to process the loss and impact under the shadow of the withdrawal and abandonment. But as a...

This week on the 'OPE: Three Years Later' series, Scott was given special the opportunity to sit down with another individual who has been doing incredible work since the US abandonment of Afghanistan, and is currently on the ground there continuing aid - Legend. Legend is an Afghan-American who came to the United States just a few days before the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. He later se...

This week on the ‘OPE: Three Years Later’ series, Scott had the honor of sitting down with Hasina Safi and Kelley Currie. Hasina has served as the former Minister of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan and Kelley as a former US Representative and the former Ambassador for Women’s Global Affairs. Once they connected, they began working closely together in their efforts to help Afghan women. And since th...

This week on the ‘OPE: Three Years Later’ series, Scott is joined by Stacy "Duke" Gentile, Travis Peterson, and Thomas Kasza all former or current military service members who have continued fighting behind the scenes for our #AfghanAllies and veteran community since the collapse of Afghanistan in August 2021. These men took action when our government and senior military officials refused to honor...

I’ve been putting this off, but I wanted to share this podcast with you all - it’s “storytelling in real time" about what is happening in Afghanistan and solving hard problems when the world falls apart. In this episode, I’m going to share with you how an informal group of leaders from all over the country came together in a matter of days to save one Afghan Commando from the chaos in Afghanistan....

This week on the ‘OPE: Three Years Later’ series, Scott is joined by three incredible individuals who have been working the safe passage and resettlement efforts from the collapse of Afghanistan - Jazz Cannon, Ben Owen, and Jess Owen. Jazz escaped Afghanistan with her family in the 90’s and now works with Legend Group to help evacuate American citizens and Afghan Allies left behind. Ben and Jess O...

On this week’s episode of ‘OPE: Three Years Later’ Scott sits down with fellow retired Green Beret and 7th Group Special Forces member, Zac Lois. Zac has been instrumental in his efforts with Operation Pineapple Express and continues to contribute to the rescue of our Afghan Allies left behind. Join Scott and Zac as they discuss how Zac’s military background combined with his post-service educatio...