No Clichés
with TD Smyers
⬆️ Listen now wherever you get podcasts ⬆️
Lessons from the Admiral with Mark C. Fava
Few people manage to navigate as many worlds — and lead in all of them — as my lifelong friend Mark Fava. He’s a world-renowned expert in aviation law, a senior officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve, and an elected official who brings integrity and discipline to every role he serves. Now, he’s sharing the wisdom he’s gathered from the cockpit, the courtroom, and the quarterdeck in his new book, Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders. It’s a masterclass in leadership you’ll both apply and enjoy. Today on No Clichés, we set sail with Mark Fava to explore what true command — and humility — look like in action.
Navigating Feedback with Brian Byrd, M.D.
Some leaders make an impact in one sector — others leave their mark across many. Dr. Brian Byrd has done it all: physician, city councilmember, author, and executive leader who knows how to bring people together for real, lasting change. Now, Dr. Byrd’s taking that same spirit of honest connection to a broader audience with his new book, Navigating Feedback at Work, Home, and Everywhere Else. In this episode of No Clichés, we’re unpacking what it really takes to lead — and listen — like he does.
The Unity Blueprint with Mayor Jeff Williams
The Dallas Cowboys don’t play football in Dallas. They play in Arlington — the same city where the 2023 World Series champion Texas Rangers play baseball. None of that happened by accident.
Behind Arlington’s rise as a world-class hub for sports, entertainment, and innovation is a visionary leader who built unity into the city’s blueprint. Former Mayor W. Jeff Williams turned collaboration into a superpower — and now he’s sharing that formula in his new book, The Unity Blueprint.
The 80s Called … They Want Their Top-Down Leadership Back!
On May 5th I had the honor of moderating a panel of leadership experts for Leadership Fort Worth’s LeaderPrime graduation. In front of an audience comprised of CEOs, Executive Directors and other top-level leaders, this panel shined as we tackled the disconnect between the command-and-control leadership structure that many of us grew up with and the humans who make up today’s workforce.
The Arsonist in the Office with Pete Havel
Pete Havel knows toxic.
A former lobbyist for some of the biggest, most powerful organizations in the US, Pete’s shocking corporate experience was the inspiration for his book The Arsonist in the Office: Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Careers and Cultures.
Pete is President of Fireproofed Leadership, a business that helps organizations fix their workplace culture problems and build better culture.