Leadership Lessons From The Great Books

The Man Who Was Thursday by G. K. Chesterton --- This episode dives into G.K. Chesterton’s novel The Man Who Was Thursday , exploring its psychedelic narrative twists, literary influences, and enduring philosophical questions for leaders. Jesan Sorrells and guest Neal Kalechofsky discuss Chesterton’s critique of nihilism and anarchy, the book’s connections to figures like Nietzsche and Tolkien, an...

Will our egos rule over us, or will we master them? --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast reading...

This one is going to be a little more spiritual than perhaps you might be used to from me. --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lesso...

The Third Man by Graham Greene --- Exploring Graham Greene’s postwar classic, The Third Man , Jesan Sorrells and Ryan J. Stout unravel the psychology of unreliable narrators, leadership in times of nihilism, and the timeless challenge of ethical decision-making amid a world of grifters and cons. They dive into Greene’s cinematic writing style, his nuanced character portrayals, and how postwar Vien...

Leading in absurd times requires a commitment to objective truth. --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books p...

Oil! by Upton Sinclair --- Exploring the first 100 pages of Oil! by Upton Sinclair, Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby dive into the gritty realities of entrepreneurship, the evolving concept of work-life balance, and how leadership demands both killer instinct and humility. They draw parallels between entrepreneurship and film direction, critique society’s shifting attitudes toward work and success, an...

God, save us from the tender mercies of the social reformer. --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcas...

Stomping the Blues by Albert L. Murray --- Exploring Albert Murray’s landmark book, Stomping the Blues , Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby unpack the true roots of jazz and blues as uniquely American art forms. The hosts break down how Murray distinguishes the blues idiom from jazz, the importance of improvisation in both music and leadership, and why understanding America’s cultural “soundtrack” is vi...

Leaders, we begin rebuilding Chesterton's Fence by restoring the fences in ourselves.  --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons F...

A Conflict of Visions: The Hidden Origins of Ideological Conflict by Thomas Sowell --- Exploring Thomas Sowell’s A Conflict of Visions, Jesan Sorrells and Ryan J Stout break down the enduring clash between constrained and unconstrained worldviews at the root of ideological and political strife. They discuss how these visions shape society’s approach to justice, leadership, and individual responsib...

Leaders, you might be listening to it, but can you hear it? --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Books podcast...

Leaders, two visions of human nature and human institutions have been locked in conflict since the time of Cain and Abel.   --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON...

The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America by Coleman Hughes --- Exploring Coleman Hughes’s new book, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America , Jesan Sorrells and Dorollo Nixon, Jr. examine how generational shifts challenge old narratives around race and victimhood. They discuss the historical roots of colorblindness, the rise of neo-racism in elite instituti...

Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements . George Breitman, ed. w/Dorollo Nixon & Jesan Sorrells --- Exploring “Malcolm X Speaks” by Malcolm X, Jesan Sorrells, and Dorollo Nixon, Jr. examine the fiery rhetoric, legacy, and leadership lessons of Malcolm X in the context of Black History Month. They break down the revolutionary’s stance on political action versus violence, his critique...

Leaders, it’s time to articulate a vision for black Americans, here at the end of the Fourth Turning.  --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Lead...

RE-BROADCAST - The Omni-Americans by Albert L. Murray w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells  --- Exploring Albert Murray’s The Omni Americans, hosts Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby unpack what it means to be “American” through the lens of race, culture, and music, and how these lessons inform modern leadership. They discuss the tension and synthesis inherent in America’s multicultural identity, the unique...

Leaders, our national critical thinking fails us around issues of race. --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great B...

Mash Up Episode ft. Leadership Models w/John Hill --- Examining themes from 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership by Jesan Sorrells, Jesan Sorrells and guest co-host John Hill discuss the critical role of vision in effective leadership, exploring the difference between constrained and unconstrained approaches. They break down the impact of post-pandemic changes on organiza...

Leaders, you must have a vision before you have a model of leadership. --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the Great Bo...

"The Great Instauration" by Francis Bacon w/Brian Bagley & Jesan Sorrells --- Delving into Francis Bacon’s "The Great Instauration," Jesan Sorrells and guest Brian Bagley examine how Bacon’s foundational ideas on empirical skepticism shape leadership and challenge modern secular idols. The conversation explores Bacon’s historical context, his impact on the scientific method, and how theology a...

Leaders restoration has more meaning behind it than as a synonym for gentrification.  --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons Fr...

Candide by Francois Voltaire w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells --- Dissecting Voltaire’s Candide with Jesan Sorrells and Tom Libby, this episode kicks off Season Five by exploring the absurdities of leadership, the legacy of Enlightenment thinking, and the challenge of sincerity in a meme-driven world. They unpack Voltaire’s satire to reveal practical lessons for modern leaders, including confronti...

Leaders gain more value from Voltaire than from the Harvard Business Review . --- Opening theme composed by Felipe Sarro - Bach - Silotti - "Air"  from Orchestra Suite No. 3, BWV 1068   Closing theme composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music . --- Pick up your copy of 12 Rules for Leaders: The Foundation of Intentional Leadership NOW on AMAZON ! Check out the Leadership Lessons From the G...

Season Five Trailer - Literate Leaders Restore The Chaotic World --- Kicking off Season Five, host Jesan Sorrells explores how deep literacy from great books equips leaders to separate signal from noise, solve problems, and prepare for generational change. The episode previews upcoming literary analysis, including The Great Instauration by Francis Bacon, East of Eden by John Steinbeck, and The Boo...

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis w/Christen Blair Horne & Jesan Sorrells --- 00:00 Welcome and Introduction - Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. 00:10 Belief, Theology, and Worldview. 08:32 "Confused Reading Journey" 10:44 "Fear of Critiquing Islam" 20:01 "Somme: 60,000 British Lost" 21:40 "Reflections on War and Legacy" 29:44 "Chesterton vs. Lewis: Class & Wit" 36:48 "Enlightenment's Law of...