In this episode of Joe's Happy Hour, Frank Carlucci—former Naval Intelligence Officer, corporate executive, educator, and son of President Reagan’s Secretary of Defense—joins Joe for a candid conversation spanning war rooms, boardrooms, and classrooms. Frank shares stories of briefing Colin Powell and Dick Cheney during Desert Storm, reflects on lessons from his father’s career, and explains his unique path from Naval Intelligence to leading technology ventures and eventually becoming Commandant at a military school. With humor, humility, and deep insight, this episode is a masterclass in leadership, legacy, and living with purpose.
🕓 Chapter Markers
00:00 – Welcome to Joe’s Happy Hour
00:20 – Meet Frank Carlucci
01:06 – His Father’s Legacy in Politics
03:04 – Frank’s Naval Intelligence Background
04:45 – Life Aboard an Aircraft Carrier
06:36 – Career Pivots: Military to Tech
08:58 – Becoming a Fixer in Business
12:15 – Lessons from Layoffs and Leadership
17:00 – Working With Global Giants (USAA, State Farm)
22:15 – Ethics, Respect, and Handwritten Notes
24:00 – Briefing Powell and Cheney at 28
27:15 – Hilarious Briefing Story With His Dad
30:00 – Cultural Adaptation in Global Business
35:00 – Politics vs. Values in Leadership
39:00 – Critical Thinking Is a Lost Art
44:00 – Congo Incident That Almost Changed History
46:15 – Navigating Different Business Cultures
50:00 – A Trump Fountain and a $1M Opinion
53:00 – Golf Talk With a Future President
56:00 – Final Reflections and Gratitude
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Got a favorite story or insight from Frank? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to hear what resonated most with you.
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