Jocko Podcast

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Director, producer, and filmmaker McG joins Jocko Willink and Echo Charles to share his extraordinary journey from the Southern California punk rock scene to directing some of Hollywood's biggest films.McG discusses working with Sugar Ray, Korn, and other legendary bands, breaking into Hollywood with Charlie's Angels, and the crippling anxiety that nearly destroyed his career when he couldn't board a plane to direct Superman. He explains how exposure therapy, discipline, and persistence helped him reclaim his life.The conversation explores personal tragedy, overcoming fear, leadership, filmmaking, the realities of Hollywood, and the making of Way of the Warrior Kid, starring Chris Pratt.A discussion about creativity, courage, resilience, and refusing to let fear dictate your future.00:00:00 - Introduction: McG00:01:39 - Growing Up in Newport Beach and Discovering Rock & Roll00:05:47 - Battling Severe Anxiety and Panic Attacks00:09:40 - Sugar Ray, Korn, and Breaking Into Music Videos00:14:53 - Directing Charlie's Angels and Breaking Into Hollywood00:19:03 - Losing Superman and Overcoming Fear00:38:12 - Tragedy, Mental Health, and Finding Hope00:59:00 - Personal Loss, Hollywood, and Lessons in Leadership01:47:00 - Making Way of the Warrior Kid with Chris Pratt02:35:16 - Bringing the Story to Life and Final ReflectionsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Examining General Matthew Ridgway's timeless leadership principles, exploring the importance of character, courage, competence, and the moral strength to challenge bad decisions. From the battlefields of World War II and Korea to the distractions of modern life, they discuss what it takes to lead effectively, stay prepared, and earn the trust of others.00:00:00 – General Matthew Ridgway: A Legendary Military Leader00:05:33 – Is Leadership an Art or a Science?00:10:03 – The Three Keys to Leadership: Character, Courage, and Competence00:14:21 – Self-Discipline, Responsibility, and Leading by Example00:20:41 – Physical Courage vs. Moral Courage00:28:29 – When Good Leaders Must Challenge Orders00:36:32 – Physical Fitness as a Leadership Requirement00:48:38 – Modern Convenience Is Making Us Weak00:56:32 – Be Ready: Leadership Requires Preparation and Presence01:01:13 – Knowing Your People, Developing Leaders, and Leading from the FrontSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Marine combat veteran, author, and former senior defense official Bing West joins Jocko to discuss the brutal realities of war, the strategic failures of military and political leadership, and the lessons America continues to overlook. Drawing on firsthand experiences from Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, West reveals how flawed decisions at the highest levels can have devastating consequences on the battlefield.00:00:00 – The Brutal Reality of Combat in Vietnam00:04:17 – Bing West's Early Life and Marine Corps Career00:08:42 – The Strategic Failures of the Vietnam War00:14:49 – Winning the Trust of the Local Population00:21:56 – The Deadly Cost of Search and Destroy00:33:41 – The CIA, RAND Corporation, and Origins of Navy SEAL Operations00:44:45 – Iraq, General Mattis, and the Importance of Decentralized Command00:52:29 – Fallujah, Ramadi, and the Consequences of Emotional Decisions01:07:00 – Political Leadership and the War in Iraq01:25:00 – Afghanistan: Repeating the Mistakes of Vietnam01:44:50 – The Jupiter Complex: The Danger of American Arrogance01:57:45 – America's Military Readiness and the Future of Warfare02:12:35 – Leadership, Accountability, and America's FutureSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Breaking down General Melvin Zais’s 1977 speech Leadership and the Art of Command, exploring action, initiative, delegation, discipline, judgment, and the realities of leading people. After a lifetime of combat and command, Zais ultimately reduces effective leadership to one essential principle: you must care about your people. 00:00 – General Melvin Zais: A Lifetime of Leadership02:16 – Leadership Defies Definition08:24 – Stop Talking. Take Action.17:36 – The Basics of Good Leadership24:59 – The “It Factor,” Luck, and Creating Opportunity32:30 – Leadership Is Getting Others to Perform44:40 – Be FOR Something, Not Against Everything50:02 – You Must Care52:40 – What Caring Actually Looks Like59:30 – You Have to Actually Like Your People1:03:21 – Discipline Without Breaking People1:05:46 – Finding the Line1:08:12 – Caring Is in Your Own Best Interest1:09:34 – Taking Care of Your People Means Pushing ThemSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Jamie Cochran breaks down real-world leadership lessons from Echelon Front clients and organizations. They discuss overcoming resistance, merging cultures, developing leaders, taking ownership without doing everything yourself, and why leadership is a skill that must be continuously practiced. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Twenty years after Navy SEAL Marc Lee was killed in Ramadi, his mother Debbie “Mama Lee” Lee joins Jocko and Echo to reflect on grief, faith, brotherhood, and the legacy Marc left behind. They discuss the work of America’s Mighty Warriors, helping veterans heal from the invisible wounds of war, supporting Gold Star families, and turning unimaginable loss into a mission to help others.00:00 – 20 Years Since Mark Lee’s DeathMama Lee reflects on losing Mark, faith, grief, and the extraordinary legacy that has grown from his sacrifice.14:40 – Mama Lee ReturnsDebbie Lee joins Jocko and Echo to reflect on the Task Unit Bruiser reunion and seeing Mark’s teammates together again after 20 years.25:12 – Brotherhood Forged in RamadiRemembering fallen teammates, reconnecting with old friends, and why staying connected to the people who shared the experience matters.35:22 – Random Acts of KindnessHow Mark’s final message inspired America’s Mighty Warriors to provide immediate help to veterans, military families, and others in crisis.39:30 – Choosing to Keep Fighting Through GriefMama Lee describes the devastation of losing a child and the decision to turn that pain into purpose and service.45:28 – You Won’t Feel Like This ForeverJocko and Mama Lee discuss the overwhelming nature of grief, losing control of your emotions, and learning to ride the wave until you can move forward.1:00:35 – Get It Out of Your HeadWhy talking, writing, sharing stories, and connecting with others can help process pain instead of allowing it to grow darker inside.1:12:40 – Healing the Invisible Wounds of WarMama Lee explains Helping Heroes Heal, traumatic brain injuries, blast exposure, sleep problems, suicide, and the veterans whose lives have been changed through treatment.1:26:00 – Helping Veterans and Gold Star Families HealThe retreats, treatment programs, and plans for a dedicated facility designed to bring veterans and families together while supporting their recovery.1:31:14 – Gold Star Families and the Power of Helping OthersMama Lee discusses retreats for Gold Star parents and families, while Jocko reflects on how even a small act of kindness can completely change someone’s outlook.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

>Join Jocko Underground Full Episodes< How to be a dependable warrior.At what point does being ultra competitive become a weakness?How to mentally get back on track in life.How to kick the remaining vices in your life.How to guide a 3 year old in life.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

>Subscribe to Jocko Underground Full Episodes< Breaking down why strong relationships consistently outperform rank, how great leaders develop confident teams instead of micromanaging them, and why every interaction is an opportunity to train. From chain of command to building trust, this episode is a practical guide to creating teams that win under pressure.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content