No Clichés
with TD Smyers
⬆️ Listen now wherever you get podcasts ⬆️
Letters to Myself with Dr. John Cordle
Some leaders make their mark by following the system — and others change the system for the good of everyone who comes after them. Long before the Navy was ready to talk about the impact of fatigue on readiness and safety, John Cordle was the commanding officer willing to put his reputation on the line to get the truth heard. His work — captured in Going Circadian — has changed how the Navy operates and saved lives in the process. Now he’s turning that same honesty inward with his upcoming book, Letters to Myself, a collection of life lessons written with humility, courage, and the hard-earned wisdom of a leader who’s walked the walk. On this episode of No Clichés, TD sits down with Captain John Cordle to explore a legacy still shaping the fleet.
Brotherhood is a VERB! with Samson J. DeSessa
The word brotherhood gets tossed around a lot.
In locker rooms. In firehouses. In club houses. In boardrooms. But much of the time, it’s just talk.
A career firefighter, EOD technician, combat veteran, keynote speaker, and now author of the bold new book Brotherhood is a VERB, Sam calls out what happens when “know your people” comes off as a slogan instead of a standard. He’s here to remind us that brotherhood—real brotherhood—isn’t about matching shirts or shared hashtags. It’s about sweat, trust, and climbing into the arena.
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.