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July 28, 2025 28 mins

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⛴️ Matt DiGeronimo spent nearly two decades as a nuclear submarine officer, leading teams in the most high-stakes environments on Earth. In this fascinating conversation, he shares the leadership principles that kept nuclear reactors running safely 300 feet underwater - managed primarily by 24-year-olds who rotate out every three years.

From "hot racking" (sharing beds with strangers) to managing panic attacks in confined spaces, Matt reveals what extreme environments teach us about human psychology, team dynamics, and effective leadership.

Key Topics:

  • How submarine culture creates extreme ownership and accountability
  • The 20-60-20 rule that transforms how you see every team
  • "Mental Judo" techniques for handling difficult conversations without fighting
  • Why the smartest people are the least confident (Dunning-Kruger effect)
  • Operational excellence principles that translate from military to business
  • The psychology behind political discourse and finding common ground

Matt is a 7-time author whose books include "Extreme Operational Excellence," "Mental Judo," and "Dear Hunter: Letters from Father to Son." His insights on leadership, communication, and human nature come from managing life-or-death situations where failure wasn't an option.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating difficult relationships, or trying to understand what makes people tick, Matt's hard-earned wisdom from the depths offers practical strategies for success above water.

Connect with Matt:

  • YouTube: The Curious Patriot
  • Substack: Beyond Platitudes
  • Books available on Amazon

Connect with Matt:
Website: https://mattdigeronimo.com/
YouTube: The Curious Patriot
Substack: Beyond Platitudes
Books available on Amazon

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