Radio Stockdale

Who are the Department of Defense senior civilian leaders? We talk today with former Acting Deputy Secretary Christine Fox who has served in several administrations, and has been the second in command at the DOD. She has been the most senior female official in the history of the Department. Why is it important for a naval officer to understand the civilian-military relationship? Where is the "line...

This is the story of a young officer, reporting aboard his first duty station, and an accident that ensued on his watch. Why is it important to embrace responsibility, for your actions, and the actions of your team? How do you balance the creative engineering initiative of your sailors and Marines with the classroom work you learn in school? When does it make sense to stop work, and reset the dire...

What is the significance to immigration to the United States? Is immigration today any different than it was 100 years ago? Is America Full? As we "pivot" to Asia, might we see great powers competition in Latin America? Dr. Sharika Crawford is an expert on Latin America, and its interrelationship with the United States.

Are leadership principles any different in Space? What's it like to be the commander of the International Space Station? Ground control is an integral part of your team. How do you build trust with a crew that doesn't share the same risk that you do on-board the station? How has Calculus III helped you on the ISS?

What are the Attributes that a graduate of the Naval Academy must possess when he or she graduates? What is the Fleet and the FMF looking for in a graduate? Can you pick the ones you want, or do you need to embrace them all?

ADM Mike Mullen is a retired Navy Admiral, who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2007. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1968. We discuss: What are your responsibilities as a junior officer to the future of the Naval Service? Do senior officers really want to hear your opinion, and how should you best offer it? How does the civil unrest of the 1960's inf...

Roger Mosby is the President and CEO of the Boy Scouts of America. Roger has had a long career in servant leadership. It all began as a sailor, serving in a squadron on the USS Ranger. We talk about Trustworthiness and Loyalty - what it means in the Navy, and what it means to Boy Scouts. How can you trust your co-workers in one of the most dangerous work environments on the planet.

What's the difference between an opinion and a position? Does your brain know the difference? What kind of biases are at work when I procrastinate? Will I have the same biases when I am much older? Find out more from our conversation with Brad Bishop, PhD., Professor of Weapons, Robotics, and Control Engineering.

A close encounter between two ships on the ocean is a humbling experience. The Commanding Officer (CO), and the Officer of the Deck (OOD), learn when to take charge and when to trust each other. Communication and just the right amount of confidence, ensures success and safety.

When perfect isn't always best. Balancing perfection and time management in a high pressure situation. Tommy Martinez, USNA Class of 1978 was a U.S. Marine Fire Direction Officer, plotting fires for his artillery battery. He and his team had to move at night, set up, and do geometry, all within range of an Iraqi counter battery fire. He talks about what he would do differently one night during Des...

Innovation, is it just for Silicon valley start-ups? Mr. Ray Kwong, discusses the intersection of risk tolerance, innovation, and the military. Mr. Kwong is a Naval Academy graduate, served as an E-warfare officer and retired as a Commander. He is Chairman of the Board for Triton Services and is President and CEO of EPIC Optics.

Making an assumption about another's life transition led to an uncomfortable parting when Dr. Clementine Fujimura was an academic Department Chair at the U. S. Naval Academy. Dr. Fujimura discusses a situation she would have handled quite differently regarding a colleague. She also talks about how to be a more effective leader with any age group.

What's the difference, Black Lives Matter or All Lives Matter? Captain Timika Lindsay, USNA Chief Diversity Officer and USNA grad, clarifies the difference.  CAPT Lindsay holds an MS in Information Technology Management.

Can I be an Ethical person and be Honorable at the same time? What is the interplay of both words? We ask is there Honor among thieves? Dr. Herbert is a retired Navy SEAL and holds a Ph. D. in International Relations and Political Theory.

Why is it so hard to ground a pilot? What is the ultimate responsibility of a leader? What does it mean to "embrace your mistakes"? RADM Lawrence Chambers is the 2nd African American USNA graduate, and the first to make Flag Rank. Among many accomplishments, he was the commanding officer of the USS Midway during Operation Frequent Wind.

LtGen John Wissler, USMC ret. reflects on what training and support he would have provided to the Marines and Sailors of the provisional Mortuary Affairs unit following the Second Battle of Fallujah. LtGen Wissler is a 1978 graduate of the Naval Academy. Among many roles in his more than 30 years in the USMC, he was the Commanding General, FMF Atlantic.

Can a person crack under the pressures that life brings? What are the physics of Brittle Fracture and how does it relate to personal character and integrity? How can you prepare for the stresses of a naval career? Captain TR Buchanan is the 88th Commandant of Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy. A nuclear trained engineer, CAPT Buchanan has commanded the USS ALBANY and was Commodore of Submarine...

What makes Rugby unique? Is it the songs, the beer? How did Rugby sportsmanship become such an important part of the play, and what does Rugby teach you about resilience? Major Ryan Curry, USMC (ret.) served as a Marine for 24 years, starting in Parris Island and progressing to become a test pilot. He has over 10 years of playing experience in Rugby.

How can we stay focused and on mission while we are deployed? Can you really be isolated in a crowd of people? And what lessons should you hold on to once you are back in the "world". COL MJ Pallotta, USMC, is a 1994 Academy graduate, and she is the Director of the Center for Experiential Leadership Development at the U.S. Naval Academy.

What would you do without repercussions? How would you live in a world of no consequences? Dr. Shaun Baker is a philosopher at the Stockdale Center, and specializes in philosophy at the movies. He breaks down Aristotelian concepts in the movie “Groundhog Day”, focusing on what true happiness means. He holds his PhD from Wayne State University and coaches the ethics debate team at the Naval Academy...

VADM Sean Buck, Superintendent of the US Naval Academy, talks about the Power of Listening. He tells us that "hearing is physics, listening is leadership". “The best leaders in the world are the best listeners." "Listening allows a commander to leverage the diversity within his team". He describes how he uses his listening skills throughout every day. 

What is Moral Injury and how does it differ from PTSD? Dr. Ed Barrett is the Stockdale Center's Director of Strategy and Research and he discusses how moral injury can happen, how it is diagnosed, and the three major steps of treatment.

Wise advice on communicating up and down the command structure. We discuss the two key elements of mission command as a leadership philosophy - trust and intent. ADM Tidd was the Combatant Commander of the U.S. Southern Command.

What is Justice? Is it about fairness? How do you learn to be a just leader? Col. Christopher Shaw is a former Marine Infantry Officer, and now serves as the Staff Judge Advocate for the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

What does it mean to be obsessed with future happiness? Dr. Marcus Hedahl, an Associate Professor of Philosophy, explains how to incorporate the stoic mindset in your daily life, and develop a perspective that will be useful in your military career.