In this reflection episode, host Shawn Robertson dives back into the compelling conversation with Vincent Gasparri, leader of the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s Bayonet Innovation Team. Vincent’s journey—from sending a critical email to standing up a specialized innovation cell—serves as a powerful case study in personal agency and organizational evolution.

Shawn breaks down the unconventional pipeline that led to Vincent’s current role and explores how emerging leaders can find the courage to speak truth to power while maintaining a commitment to the mission.

The 2 Key Takeaways:

• The Necessity of Personal Risk: Real innovation often requires leaders to put their own reputation on the line. Vincent’s story illustrates that telling an organization what it needs to hear, rather than what it wants to hear, is a prerequisite for meaningful change.

• The Leadership vs. Management Paradox: While the military heavily emphasizes leadership and vision, effective management—the systems that keep the organization afloat—is equally vital. Success requires a deliberate balance between inspiring a team and maintaining the "nitty-gritty" processes that ensure long-term winning.

How does a Lieutenant end up leading a Brigade-level innovation team? In this episode, we sit down with Vincent Gasparri, leader of the Bayonet Innovation Team for the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vicenza, Italy.

Vincent shares the unconventional story of how a critically honest email to his Brigade Commander led to the creation of a full-time innovation cell dedicated to closing capability gaps identified in modern conflict. We dive deep into the messy, rewarding reality of building a team with no doctrine or handbook, and the leadership lessons learned when ranks are blurred and the mission is the only metric that matters.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Power of a "Sustain and Improve": How a junior officer’s feedback led to a direct response from the Brigade Commander and the birth of an innovation pipeline.

• Locus of Control: Understanding the radical responsibility of a leader to manage risk and prioritize resources, even when it means breaking from traditional Army structures.

• Leadership vs. Management: Why management is about systems and tasks, while leadership is about managing the incentives and vision that drive a human to move.

• Leading Your Peers (and Superiors): Navigating the unique challenges of "rank-blind" collaboration and how to maintain respect in a rigid hierarchy while flattening the organization for creative problem-solving.

• The Culture of Feedback: How to move past anonymity and normalize face-to-face, honest confrontation to improve both equipment and people.

• Mission as a Filter: A simple but profound rubric for decision-making: if it doesn’t contribute to the mission, cut it.

What happens when you reach the summit, only to watch the rock roll back down? You smile and start pushing again.

On this episode of The Eternal Lessons Show, Shawn sits down with Lauren Moore, a leader who has consistently sought out the hardest environments imaginable. From serving as the First Captain of the Corps of Cadets and Captain of the Army Women’s Soccer team to earning both her Sapper and Ranger tabs, Lauren is a definition of grit.

But this conversation isn't just about accolades. Lauren drops serious "sauce" on the philosophy of struggle. She breaks down the Myth of Sisyphus, explaining why the journey up the mountain matters more than standing at the top. She opens up about the realities of dual-military marriage, the sting of failure when she recycled Sapper School, and the delicate balance of building professional trust without seeking popularity.

Regardless of where you are, Lauren’s perspective on being the architect of your own life is a lesson you need to hear.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Architect Mindset: How Lauren’s upbringing shaped her view on autonomy and leadership.

• The Benchwarmer Lesson: What winning a National Championship from the bench taught her about contribution.

• Leading Peers: The specific challenges of being First Captain and leading high-performers who might not want to follow.

• Ranger vs. Sapper: A direct comparison of the two hardest schools in the Army (and which one broke her down more).

• Sisyphus Happy: Why falling in love with the struggle is the ultimate hack for resilience.

In this reflection episode, host Shawn Robertson breaks down the powerful conversation with former West Point leaders Martayn Van de Wall and Wil Tearman. Leading a Corps of 4,400 cadets is no small feat, and the chemistry between these two leaders offered a masterclass in unified leadership.

Shawn consolidates the gems from the episode, focusing on how emerging leaders can apply these high-level experiences to their own daily lives.

The 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Feedback is a Gift: As leaders, we must actively seek out honest and even uncomfortable feedback.

2. Leaders are Readers: Both Martayn and Wil demonstrated that the best leaders are lifelong learners.

3. Perspective Changes with Progress: Leadership is a journey of shifting lenses.

How do you prepare to lead 4,400 of your peers at one of the world’s most prestigious leadership institutions? In this episode of Eternal Lessons, host Shawn Robertson sits down with the former West Point Brigade Command Team, Martayn Van de Wall and Wil Tearman.

From the initial "70% fear, 30% excitement" of taking the reins, to the grit required to graduate from Ranger and Sapper schools, Martayn and Wil pull back the curtain on the West Point experience. They share candid stories about failure and discuss the weight of making unpopular decisions for the good of an institution.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Weight of Responsibility: What it’s like to be informed you are leading the entire Corps of Cadets.

• Active Recovery from Failure: Why failure is just data, and why "recovering" is a proactive choice, not a passive one.

• Leadership Presence: The concept of "voting with your feet" and how showing up for your team changes everything.

• The "Why" Factor: Navigating the unique challenge of leading intelligent peers who constantly demand the "why" behind every order.

• Consistency is Key: Maintaining composure when emotions, hunger, and stress are "in a blender" during elite military training.

Recommended Reading from the Guests:

• Legacy by James Kerr: Lessons from the New Zealand All Blacks on "sweeping the sheds" and leaving the jersey in a better place.

• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: Focusing on the "Win-Win" mentality in hyper-competitive environments.

Join Shawn Robertson and Devin Adams on The Eternal Lessons Show as they dive into a candid conversation about their experiences in the military, exploring the dynamics of leadership, culture, and personal growth. Discover the secrets to thriving in high-stakes environments, the challenges of navigating toxic climates, the importance of having an honest support system, and the lessons learned from their time in the 173rd. This episode offers a unique perspective on resilience, excellence, and the power of truth-telling in both personal and professional life.

Join us on The Eternal Lessons Show as we dive into the journey of Torrance "TJ" Small. From his roots in Kenner, Louisiana, to his time at West Point, TJ shares how his experiences in basketball and the military academy shaped his leadership and resilience. Discover how TJ's story of overcoming challenges and embracing purpose can inspire you to let your light shine, even in the darkest moments. Tune in for an engaging conversation about perseverance, leadership, and the power of understanding your "why."

Join us on The Eternal Lessons Show as we dive into the inspiring journey of Marquel Broughton. From his roots in Gwinnett, Georgia, to becoming a football captain and leader at West Point, Marquel shares his experiences of overcoming adversity, the importance of mentorship, and the power of lifting others as you climb. Discover how his commitment and passion have shaped his path and continue to fuel his future endeavors on the gridiron and in the military. Tune in for a conversation filled with insights on leadership, resilience, and the impact of community.