John Graham: A Life of Adventure, Service & Leadership (S3 Ep 15)

✨🎙️ Episode Title: John Graham: A Life of Adventure, Service & Leadership

What happens when a former U.S. diplomat, mountaineer, and changemaker realizes that the greatest risk isn’t external—but internal?

In this soul-stirring episode, we sit down with John Graham, a man whose life reads like an epic novel. From scaling Denali’s treacherous north wall to navigating the high-stakes world of diplomacy in Vietnam, Libya, and South Africa, John’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

But it’s not the danger or accolades that define him—it’s the pivot to purpose.

John shares how he shifted from climbing literal mountains to climbing toward meaning. We talk about the moment he realized that true courage lies in choosing peace, service, and legacy over ego and fear. He opens up about his transformation from Washington insider to global activist, and how that evolution birthed the Giraffe Heroes Project—a movement celebrating those who “stick their necks out” for the greater good.

You’ll hear powerful stories of unsung heroes, reflections on what it means to live with purpose, and how he continues to inspire younger generations—even as the “Badass Granddad” on TikTok.

 

✨ We explore:

✨What diplomacy taught him about courage and character

✨How to find the meaning of your life—and why it matters

✨Why serving others is the path to deep self-discovery

✨The legacy he hopes to leave behind

✨And how you can make your one wild and precious life count

✨If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this all there is?” or “How can I live more boldly and meaningfully?”—this conversation is for you.

Press play and get ready to be moved, inspired, and reconnected with your deeper why.

 

About John

John Graham’s career spans diplomacy, daring exploration, and a deep commitment to social change. A former U.S. diplomat for 15 years, he played key roles in revolutionary Libya, Vietnam, NATO, the U.S. Mission to the UN, and served as a foreign policy advisor to Senator John Glenn. Beyond diplomacy, he’s an accomplished mountaineer, achieving the first (and still unrepeated) ascent of Denali’s treacherous north wall.

Since 1983, John has been a driving force behind the Giraffe Heroes Project, an initiative that honors those who “stick their necks out” for the greater good. A Harvard and Stanford graduate, he is also the author of several books, including Outdoor Leadership, It’s Up to Us, Stick Your Neck Out, and Quest. His work continues to inspire courageous leadership and service worldwide.

 

Host: Damesha Craig, Certified Mindset Life & Career Coach, Startup Board Advisor, Founder, Entrepreneur & Author

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Music by: Bryo

Song: Sunset Beach

https://soundcloud.com/bryomusic/sunset-beach

 

#leadership #motivation #courageanddetermination #veteran