In this powerful and deeply human episode, Charles sits down with Brent Gleeson—Navy SEAL combat veteran, bestselling author, and leadership expert—to explore how discipline, resilience, and radical accountability shape high-performance cultures both on the battlefield and in business. Brent pulls back the curtain on his journey from SEAL Team missions in Iraq and Africa to becoming a sought-after advisor for organizations navigating transformation, trust breakdowns, and change fatigue.
He unpacks the core principles that drive elite teams—clarity of mission, extreme ownership, emotional regulation under pressure, and the relentless pursuit of improvement—and reveals how those same habits can rebuild companies, strengthen families, and rewire your personal identity. From confronting loss and hardship to leading with compassion and courage, Brent shares the stories and systems that forged his mindset long before he ever stepped on a stage.
Together, he and Charles dive into the psychology of resilience, the realities of reintegration after combat, and what it truly takes to inspire people when the stakes are high and the path is uncertain. They explore why culture is never built by slogans, but by consistent behaviors—why trust is earned through action, not intention—and why leadership begins with mastering yourself before influencing others.
This isn't just a conversation about military grit. It's a blueprint for becoming a leader who others believe in, a teammate who shows up with integrity, and a human being who chooses purpose over comfort.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-How Brent Gleeson transitioned from Navy SEAL combat missions to becoming a leading authority on culture and organizational change
-Why accountability, clarity of mission, and emotional discipline are the backbone of elite performance
-The psychological cost of combat and the challenge of reintegrating into civilian life
-Why organizational change fails without trust, aligned behavior, and consistent communication
Head over to provenpodcast.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.
KEY POINTS:
01:22 – From SEAL Team missions to the boardroom:
Brent opens up about his deployments in Iraq and Africa—while Charles explores how combat forged the leadership philosophy Brent now teaches worldwide.
05:44 – The emotional weight of reintegration:
Brent discusses the silent battles veterans face after returning home—while Charles highlights the importance of identity, purpose, and psychological transition.
10:18 – What elite teams get right about culture:
Brent breaks down how SEALs create clarity, unity, and accountability—while Charles connects these principles to companies struggling with communication and trust.
15:33 – Why most organizational change fails:
Brent explains how behaviors—not slogans—determine success—while Charles reflects on why leaders often underestimate the human side of transformation.
22:07 – Extreme ownership in real life:
Brent shares stories of mission planning, failure, and course correction—while Charles emphasizes why great leaders take responsibility before assigning blame.
28:49 – The psychology of resilience:
Brent details the coping strategies used in high-stress environments—while Charles ties them to emotional health, burnout, and modern workplace pressure.
33:55 – Leading through fear and uncertainty:
Brent reveals how SEALs stay calm under fire—while Charles explores how those same principles apply to crisis leadership in business.
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Brent Gleeson is a Navy SEAL combat veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, author, and acclaimed speaker on topics ranging from leadership and building high performance teams to culture, resilience, and organizational transformation. Upon leaving SEAL Team 5, Brent turned his discipline and battlefield lessons to the world of business and has become an accomplished entrepreneur, best-selling author and acclaimed speaker on topics ranging from leadership and building high performance teams to culture and organizational transformation. He is the author of All In: The Pathway to Personal Growth and Professional Excellence (on-sale December 2, 2025). Pre-order the book here: Pre-order All In by Brent Gleeson.
Pre-order All In by Brent Gleeson using this link: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/brent-gleeson/all-in/9781668652077/?lens=balance