Words from the Wise Podcast

Send us Fan Mail When chaos strikes, true leadership is revealed. Drawing from decades of military experience as a Command Master Chief and damage control specialist, Gary Wise unpacks seven battle-tested strategies that help leaders not just survive but thrive during challenging situations. The journey begins with a fundamental mindset shift: seeing obstacles as disguised opportunities. Gary shar...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some teams excel while others flounder? This episode dives deep into what separates high-functioning collaborative environments from toxic workplaces through the lens of veteran leaders with decades of military and civilian experience. Our panel of leadership experts breaks down the essential components of building teams people actually want to join. They share can...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder what happens when military discipline meets civilian work culture? Jon Floyd's remarkable journey from undesignated fireman to business owner provides fascinating insights into leadership across vastly different worlds. When Jon first approached a Navy recruiter after being rejected by the Marines, he had no idea his career would span two military branches, multip...

Send us Fan Mail "Trust is the currency of leadership." This powerful statement forms the backbone of our fascinating discussion on navigating organizational and personal change. When facing transitions, what separates successful leaders from those who struggle isn't necessarily their strategy—it's how much trust they've banked with their teams. Throughout this conversatio...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a boy from the Amazon jungle finds himself thrust into the concrete jungle of New York City, and later becomes a commissioned officer in the United States Navy? Lesley Prasad's life story reads like an epic journey of resilience, faith, and transformation. Growing up along the Demerara River in Guyana, Lesley spent his early childhood "literally like th...

Send us Fan Mail Leadership experts Gary Wise and Chris highlight storytelling as a foundational skill for effective communication, inspiration, and meaningful connections with others. They explore how stories create lasting impact where facts alone cannot, drawing from their extensive experience in military leadership, business, education, and faith communities. • Stories activate the same brain...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when life's unexpected turns become your greatest opportunities? In this deeply personal conversation, Master Chief Jose Alonso reveals his extraordinary journey from Uruguayan immigrant to elite Navy medical provider, demonstrating how adaptability and resilience can transform apparent setbacks into stepping stones for growth. Alonso shares the remarkable story...

Send us Fan Mail "The world's a stage, and I can be anybody I want to be." In this thought-provoking conversation, Navy veteran Gary Wise welcomes Marine Corps veteran Chris Cahill to discuss how feedback shapes our personal and professional growth across generations. Drawing from their combined decades of military service and leadership experience, they dive deep into how our appro...

Send us Fan Mail What if the conflicts you dread most could become your greatest opportunities for team growth? In this candid conversation between two seasoned leaders with military backgrounds, we explore the counterintuitive truth that healthy conflict—when handled properly—builds stronger teams than artificial harmony ever could. Drawing from decades of leadership experience in high-pressure e...

Send us Fan Mail The difference between leadership and management often comes down to one critical skill: delegation. In this powerful episode, leadership mentor and retired Navy Command Master Chief Gary Wise reveals why so many aspiring leaders fall short by failing to distribute responsibility effectively. Drawing from nearly three decades of military and educational leadership experience, Wise...

Send us Fan Mail The line between effective leadership and emotional reaction is thinner than most realize. For 25 years as a Navy leader and now as a JROTC instructor, I've seen how emotions can either fuel or sabotage leadership effectiveness. Being "intelligently emotional" means using your mind to guide your emotions rather than letting emotions dictate your decisions. When your...

Send us Fan Mail **Episode 2: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential** In this powerful session of Words From The Wise, retired Navy Command Master Chief Gary Wise dives deep into the foundational elements that separate good leaders from truly exceptional ones. We explore four critical pillars of personal and professional growth: - Cultivating a growth mindset that turns challenges into opportunities...

Send us Fan Mail Join Gary Wise on this inspiring episode of Words from the Wise as he sits down with Myles Mcconico from Kut Different Non Profit to discuss their recent collaboration on a community fun day in Ocala. In this episode, you'll hear about: The importance of community engagement and leadership How Kut Different is making a positive impact in Ocala The power of collaboration and p...