Leadership Lessons From The Great Books

Leadership Lessons From The Great Books

Understanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet) another business book, Leadership Lessons From The Great Books leverages insights from the GREAT BOOKS of the Western canon to explain, dissect, and analyze leadership best practices for the post-modern leader.

Episodes

January 21, 2026 93 mins

"The Great Instauration" by Francis Bacon w/Brian Bagley & Jesan Sorrells
---
00:00 "Leadership Lessons: Knowledge and Strength"

07:03 Francis Bacon: Philosophy and Legacy

11:26 Francis Bacon: Enigmatic Historical Figure

20:25 "Voltaire's Shock at Christian Roots"

27:48 "Chaos, Society, and Leadership Insights."

33:46 "Turner's Civil War Film Flop."

38:34 "Idols of Human Perception."

42:11 "Searching for the Correct Rel...

Mark as Played

Leaders restoration has more meaning behind it than as a synonym for gentrification. 
---

---

Mark as Played

Candide by Francois Voltaire w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells
---
00:00 "Voltaire, Leadership, and Absurdity"

11:11 Voltaire, Swingers, and Pancakes

14:12 "Timeless Stories Often Retold"

17:38 "Reassembling Lost Meaning"

26:36 "The Impact of the Printing Press"

32:50 "Candide: Chapter 2 Overview"

37:58 "Voltaire, War, and Absurdity"

41:50 "Voltaire's Cynicism and Candide"

44:46 "Leaders Are Problem Solvers"

50:55 "Disgust, P...

Mark as Played

Leaders gain more value from Voltaire than from the Harvard Business Review.
---

---

Mark as Played

Season Five Trailer - Literate Leaders Restore The Chaotic World
---
00:00 Literacy Fuels Peace and Progress.

04:22 From the Current Chaos to a Future Golden Age.

10:06  What Questions Over Why Questions.

12:55  Patience, Persistence, and Leadership.

17:26  Subscribe to Leadership Lessons from the Great Books Podcast.

---
Opening and closing themes composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.
---

  • Pick up y...
Mark as Played

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis w/Christen Blair Horne & Jesan Sorrells
---
00:00 Welcome and Introduction - Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.
00:10 Belief, Theology, and Worldview.

08:32 "Confused Reading Journey"

10:44 "Fear of Critiquing Islam"

20:01 "Somme: 60,000 British Lost"

21:40 "Reflections on War and Legacy"

29:44 "Chesterton vs. Lewis: Class & Wit"

36:48 "Enlightenment's Law of Human Nature"

42:05 "Sec...

Mark as Played

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens w/Tom Libby
---

  • 00:00 Welcome and Introduction - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
  • 01:00 Charles's Struggles in Childhood.
  • 05:39 Charles Dickens: School to Journalism.
  • 11:44 Christmas' Modern Origins and Dickens' Influence.
  • 20:10 "Marley's Ghost Visits Scrooge."
  • 23:25 "Scrooge's Haunting Confrontation."
  • 30:18 Never Too Late for Leadership.
  • 38:29 Willingness to Change Matters.
  • 44:08 "C...
Mark as Played

A Burglar's Christmas by Willa Cather w/Tom Libby
---

  • 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction - A Burglar's Christmas by Willa Cather.
  • 04:25 - Opening A Burglar's Christmas by Willa Cather.
  • 08:21 - Willa Cather Wrote at the Crossroads of Modernity.
  • 12:43 - Setting Goals and the Vagaries of New Year's Resolutions.
  • 18:01 - Check Out Jesan's Time Management Training Videos on YouTube. 
  • 25:24 - Joan Didion, Virginia Woolf, and What ...
Mark as Played

A collection of ramblings about Christmas memories...
---
Opening and closing themes composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.
---

---

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

  • Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The...
Mark as Played

At Christmas Time by Anton Chekhov
---

  • 00:00 Welcome and Introduction - At Christmas Time by Anton Chekhov.
  • 02:50 Unable to Read, Write, and See Hope at the End of a Long Year.
  • 10:33 Struggles, Soldiers, and Family.
  • 13:41 Three Faces of Patriarchy.
  • 15:00 You Got What You Want. Now, You Can Hardly Stand It, Though.
  • 16:37 Understanding Power Cycles in Russia.
  • 21:18 New Year at the Door.
  • 25:56 Leadership Beyond Box-Checking.
  • 26...
Mark as Played
December 9, 2025 4 mins

Leaders, what is the reason for the season?
---
Opening and closing themes composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.
---

---

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

  • Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Great Bo...
Mark as Played

A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway w/Jesan Sorrells & Libby Unger
---
00:00 Welcome and Introduction - A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway.
00:36 A Farewell to Arms: Insights from the Book.

05:33 Hemingway's Vivid War Reflections.

14:17 Hemingway, War, and Modernity.

17:12 America's Role in WWI.

22:27 Technology, War, and Casualties.

32:12 System Conformity vs Resistance.

39:02 "Decoding Post-Modern Psyops an...

Mark as Played

Leaders lead, even through the holiday season. 
---
Opening and closing themes composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.
---

---

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

  • Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons From The Grea...
Mark as Played

From The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, The 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation.
---
00:00 Welcome and Introduction - The 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation by President George Washington (1789).
00:55 Origins of Thanksgiving in the United States of America.
04:43 The 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation by President George Washington.

08:00 Listen and Subscribe to the Leadership Lessons Fro...

Mark as Played

The Earth is All That Lasts by Mark Lee Gardner w/Tom Libby & Jesan Sorrells
---
00:00 Welcome and Introduction - The Earth is all That Lasts by Mark Lee Gardner 
02:10 Gender Roles in Warfare.

06:19 Tribal Wars and Custer’s Legacy.

14:11 War, Losses, and Retreat.

17:43 Research vs. Cultural Authenticity.

25:09 Black Hills Perspectives and History.

30:12 King Philip's War and Aftermath.

32:11 Hidden Native Heritage ...

Mark as Played

Leaders, my generation will lead. But we must do it without the pose of cynicism or skeptical disinterest.
---
Opening and closing themes composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.
---

---

★ Support this podcast on Patre...

Mark as Played

The Earth is All That Lasts by Mark Lee Gardner w/Jesan Sorrells
---
00:00 "Leadership Lessons: Winter & Spring."

04:57 "Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull."

10:07 Mark Lee Gardner: American West Author.

12:09 Mark: Expert on the American West.

15:59 Treaties and Warrior Cultures.

21:45 "Native Tribes and European Triumph."

23:32 Tragedy, Triumph, and Human History.

28:43 Bias in War Documentation.

30:19 "Lessons from History'...

Mark as Played
November 18, 2025 7 mins

Leaders, we have to acknowledge where the energies of young men can go.
---
Opening and closing themes composed by Brian Sanyshyn of Brian Sanyshyn Music.
---

---

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

  • Subscribe to the Leadershi...
Mark as Played

War by Sebastian Junger w/ John Hill aka "Small Mtn" & Jesan Sorrells
---
00:00 "Trade-Offs and War Decisions"

17:06 Sales Roles and Pride Dynamics

24:48 "Reflections on Military Legacy"

36:37 Future Warfare: AI and Drones

50:11 "Understanding Conflict and Consequences"

01:00:56 "Reflections on Military Service"

01:07:27 Leadership and Intentional Selling Parallel

01:20:24 Martial Arts and Community Connection

01:28:09 S...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.