Acta Non Verba

In this episode Marcus delves into leadership lessons from Echelon Front's exclusive event, The Council 004. He discusses the importance of practicing leadership skills before facing real challenges, the power of detachment, and managing pressure within teams. Highlighting a significant leadership event, he shares insights from Navy SEAL snipers Jason Gardner and Steve Ward. Marcus emphasizes appl...

In this episode Mike Gnoffo, a Marine Combat Veteran and entrepreneur discusses balancing military service and business, launching his custom apparel brand Exray, and the importance of actions over words. Mike shares his experiences from failing out of the University of Delaware to starting a business that supports military and first responders with custom U.S.-made gear. They delve into the value...

In this episode Mark Devine, a retired Navy SEAL commander, founder of SealFit and Unbeatable Mind, and New York Times bestselling author shares his journey from Wall Street to the Navy SEALs, emphasizing the transformative power of meditation and Zen practices. He discusses the balance between 'yin and yang' life approaches, the importance of physical, mental, and emotional development, and how h...

In this episode Erik Schön, a seasoned leader, executive, and strategist shares his insights on leadership, integrity, and flexibility, drawing inspirations from ancient giants like Sun Tzu, Lao Tzu, and John Boyd. Marcus and Erik discuss the importance of understanding and applying the philosophy of actions, not words, to navigate a VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) environmen...

In this episode Kelsi Sheren, CEO and author shares her impactful work supporting Canadian veterans' mental health and her fight against MAID (Medical Assistance in Dying). Kelsi shares her personal journey, the detrimental effects of MAID on vulnerable populations, and the alarming expansion of such policies in Canada and the U.S. She also discusses broader societal issues, including the draft of...

In this episode, Sarah Kernion, a dedicated advocate for neurodiversity and mother of two non-speaking autistic children, shares how she embraces her children's unique ways of interacting with the world. She discusses her 'inchstones versus milestones' mentality, which celebrates the potential of neurodiverse individuals. Sarah offers personal anecdotes, emphasizes the importance of sitting with g...

In this episode, Brian 'Ponch' Rivera, a retired Navy captain, entrepreneur, author, and expert in various strategic and operational systems discusses the OODA loop, flow systems, and decision-making in complex environments. Rivera shares insights on applying these theories in both military and business contexts to enhance agility, resilience, and overall performance. The conversation also covers...

In this episode , Adrián Terrazas-González explores his early exposure to Central American traditional music in Chihuahua, Mexico, and his musicianship journey spanning from the flute to the clarinet and saxophone. The discussion highlights his fight against cancer, his stint with the Grammy-winning band The Mars Volta, and his artistic ventures in Los Angeles. Adrián elaborates on his multidiscip...

In this episode , Marcus dives into the principles of effective leadership, emphasizing the importance of actions over words. As a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, veteran, and leadership coach, Marcus guides listeners through insightful strategies employed by successful leaders to transform adversity into victory. This episode focuses on self-leadership and introduces the 'power list,' a tool fo...

In this episode , Dr. Megan McElheran, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Before Operational Stress, Inc. discusses stoicism's practical applications and the misinterpretations associated with it. Dr. McElheran shares her extensive work with trauma-exposed professionals, including military personnel and first responders, and highlights the importance of managing stress and trauma. Marcus and Dr. M...

In this episode, Brian Cramer shares insights from his military service, his battle with PTSD, and the constant journey of self-development. The conversation highlights the essential values of honesty, self-discipline, and accountability, and their impact on personal and professional success. Listeners gain valuable advice on effective leadership, mental resilience, and the importance of addressin...

In this episode, Emily Frisella, an entrepreneur, author, and business coach, recounts her journey of starting a business at 20, facing a financial crisis, and learning key lessons in financial management and leadership, culminating in her success through resilience and dedication. Listen in as Marcus and Emily discuss guerrilla marketing, financial comebacks, and determination in turning dire sit...

In this 200th episode, Marcus shares insights into the show's philosophy, highlights memorable episodes, and makes special announcements, including the launch of the Acta Non Verba apparel line and the release of his second book. The episode features discussions on leadership, performance, overcoming adversity, and personal growth with guests from diverse backgrounds such as psychotherapy, writing...

Nicky Billou, an immigrant from the Middle East turned successful entrepreneur and mindset coach shares his transformative journey from being overweight and out of the fitness industry to reentering it through a bodybuilding competition, demonstrating the power of self-leadership and the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. The discussion also ventures into Nicky’s immigrant backgroun...

In this episode Jeff Boss, a mental health coach and former Navy SEAL, to explores his journey from the military to civilian life. Listen in as Marcus and Jeff delve into the philosophical underpinnings that have guided Jeff’s life, touching on his early interest in martial arts and how it shaped his mindset towards resilience and overcoming adversity. Jeff discusses the transition from being a 'w...

In this episode Rabbi Yonason Goldson explores the essence of living by the ethos of actions, not words, across various spheres of life, including leadership, education, and personal development. Rabbi Goldson, known for his work in ethics, shares insights into ethical leadership, the value of intellectual integrity, and the importance of confronting and understanding different viewpoints to foste...

In this episode Jeff “Odie” Espenship, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and safety leadership speaker, shares the impact of leadership fails, the importance of humility, task saturation, decision-making under pressure, and the indelible influence of personal experiences. Espenship shares personal anecdotes from his military and aviation career, offering insights into overcoming adversity and...

In this episode Marcus discusses how constant stimulation from sound can lead to overstimulation, anxiety, and sleep issues. He proposes an auditory fast, a 30-day challenge where individuals minimize their exposure to sound, such as music, podcasts, and other forms of audio input during commutes and workout sessions. This practice, as revealed through Marcus's client stories, leads to major impro...

In this episode Dr. Donald Gibson, a Marine, chiropractor, and world champion trap shooter, explores his life's journey from South Africa to the United States and his experience living the philosophy of 'actions, not words'. The conversation delves into Dr. Gibson's career, his approach to chiropractic care, emphasizing patient education and non-invasive treatment methods, and his return to trapsh...

In this episode Kelly Harrison, a retired Navy Commander and award-winning helicopter pilot, shares her harrowing experience of a near-fatal helicopter crash in 2007, and the leadership lessons she learned from it. Kelly discusses the importance of preparation, courage, and the value of sharing difficult experiences for personal growth and greater team cohesion. The conversation delves into the si...

This week Mike Vacanti, author, speaker, and catalyst for human potential explores his journey with 'Humans First', a powerful movement aimed at empowering individuals and the abrupt shifts caused by the pandemic and social unrest. Mike shares insights from his own transformation during these times, including his faith journey and initiatives like 'Men of the Kingdom' aimed at young men's personal...

Brady Pesola shares his thoughts on integrating Stoicism into modern life, particularly as a tool against the emotional manipulation and challenges posed by artificial intelligence and social media algorithms. Drawing from his experience in tactical disciplines and Stoicism, the conversation showcases how Stoic principles of logic, reason, and personal responsibility can enhance resilience against...

Lee McKinney, the talented guitarist and songwriter of the American metal band Born of Osiris recounts his journey from being a seventeen-year-old professional musician to overcoming substance addiction that led to a coma. He offers insightful discussion on developing unique artistic voice, the significance of discipline, parallels between martial arts and music, and the value of quality over quan...

This week Marcus discusses Occam's Razor, explained as 'the simplest answer is usually the best one', and suggests applying it in business by simplifying processes. The story of Alexander the Great cutting the Gordian Knot is used as a metaphor for finding direct and rule-bending solutions to complex problems. Finally, teachings of Greek Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, are shared, emphasizing the im...

Seerut Chawla explores an array of topics including therapeutic styles, psychotherapeutic modalities, the influence of social media, and aspects of psychotherapy. Seerut also shares insights on how her religion, Sikhism, has shaped her perceptions. Marcus and Seerut underline the importance of resilience, self-care, and pro-active mental health management.   Episode Highlights: 07:26 Discussing th...