Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with some remarkable voices—leaders, thinkers, and storytellers who have shaped how I see the mission, the world, and the people I’m lucky enough to serve alongside. Many of them I’ve met through their words, not in person.
This list isn’t a checklist. It’s not homework. It’s simply a collection of books and conversations that have helped me—offered clarity when the picture was cloudy, perspective when the pace was relentless, and a sense of connection to those who’ve led through times far tougher than ours.
Some titles are about history, like Partners in Command or Freedom’s Forge, where you can walk alongside Marshall, Eisenhower, and the people who built America’s wartime strength. Others, like Meditations, are about leading yourself before you lead anyone else. And yes, there’s fiction too—because sometimes an imagined future like Ghost Fleet can sharpen our thinking about the real one we might face.
You’ll also see a handful of podcast episodes alongside the books. They’re here because they bring these themes to life in another way—through conversation, reflection, and in-the-moment ideas you can carry with you on a run, a commute, or a quiet evening.
My hope is that somewhere in these pages and voices, you’ll find something that sticks with you. Something that helps you see a problem differently, lead with more purpose, or remember why the work we do—and the people we do it with—matters so much.
The appearance of material on this list in no way implies official endorsement or support for any particular author or speaker or for their views. This list is intended to be a sampling of ideas and viewpoints for professional development and to stimulate thought and discourse.
