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Words from the Wise
Join Words from the Wise with Gary Wise, a retired Navy Command Master Chief, for authentic leadership insights forged in real-world experience. Through engaging discussions and actionable strategies, Gary empowers you to master emotional intelligence, build resilient teams, and unlock your full potential. Tune in for practical advice on delegation, conflict management, and inspiring others, drawn from his over 28 years of service and ongoing leader mentorship headquartered now in Ocala, Florida.
Episodes
34 episodes
The Investigation That Almost Broke Me
Leadership's darkest moments rarely make it into motivational speeches or training manuals. For this former Command Master Chief of Naval Base Guam, what began as a stellar career culminated in a 10-month nightmare that pushed him to the brink....
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:19:59
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Row Baby Row: Military Veterans Tackle Today's Workplace Culture
What happens when three military veterans with over 75 years of combined experience tackle one of today's most polarizing topics? In this explosive conversation, Gary Wise, Chris Cahill, and Enrique flip the script on DEI, reframing it as an IE...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:23:34
Fighting From Where You Stand
From the hills of Kentucky to the depths of nuclear submarines to commanding Naval Base Guam during an unprecedented global crisis, Captain Jeffrey Grimes' journey through naval leadership offers profound wisdom for anyone navigating challengin...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:52:58
Earning Trust Through Ownership
Accountability forms the bedrock of effective leadership, yet many struggle to embrace it fully. In this thought-provoking conversation, Gary and Jeremy explore the complex dynamics of taking ownership in professional environments.Drawi...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:06:31
What Are You Telling Yourself When No One's Listening?
Unlocking the secret language of true leadership begins with mastering the conversation you have with yourself. Gary Wise pulls back the curtain on his journey from high school dropout to Command Master Chief in the Navy to reveal how authentic...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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50:32
The Anchor Holds: Faith, Family and Finding Your Way Home
From the dusty baseball diamonds of Dublin, Georgia to the deck of a Navy warship in Japan, Chief Tavares Clover's journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and the power of staying true to your roots. In this heartfelt conversation with ho...
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1:44:57
The Man From Chicago: A Master Chief's Story
From the streets of Chicago to the highest enlisted ranks of the U.S. Navy, Command Master Chief Dennis Polli's journey is a masterclass in authentic leadership. In this captivating conversation, we explore how a 26-year-old construction worker...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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1:56:35
Sailors, Mission, Patriotism: A Master Chief's Leadership Journey
Every leader faces moments that define their legacy. For retired US Navy Command Master Chief Gary Wise, that moment came when sailors' personal belongings—including passports, wallets, and phones—were thrown into dumpsters during a critical da...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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1:07:10
From DC2 to Navy Chief: My Journey Up the Ranks
In this captivating episode, I take you through one of the most transformative periods of my naval career—the journey from being a newly-minted DC2 (Damage Controlman Second Class) to earning my Chief's anchors against seemingly impossible odds...
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1:08:57
Visualizing Success: My Journey from DC2 to Chief Petty Officer
How do you turn an unwanted assignment into your biggest career breakthrough? When I stepped aboard USS Ogden in the Persian Gulf at 2AM and heard "you are so effed" echo down the passageway, I had no idea this moment would fundamentally alter ...
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1:08:26
Chiefs Don't Sugarcoat—That Gives You Diabetes
From a small town in Mississippi to the pinnacle of Navy leadership, Master Chief Lisa Tisdale's remarkable 30-year journey embodies the true spirit of naval service. In this captivating conversation with Gary Wise, Lisa pulls back the curtain ...
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1:53:07
Positive Intelligence: The Mental Fitness Framework for Leaders
What if your mind could work for you rather than against you? Dr. Leigh Byers introduces us to the revolutionary concept of Positive Intelligence—a mental fitness framework that trains leaders to quiet their inner saboteurs and lead from a plac...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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30:58
The High Road: Navigating Leadership in a Divided World
What does it truly mean to "take the high road" in today's fractured world? For Pastor Mark D Cummins, it's not a cliché but a revolutionary approach to leadership that transforms both leaders and followers.In this compelling conversati...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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47:00
Is "Burnout" Just a Trendy Excuse or a Real Crisis?
The moment I thought I was having a heart attack in the ER, everything changed. That's when I realized my "burnout" was actually something much deeper.In this raw and unfiltered conversation, host Gary Wise and guest Chris Cahill tackle...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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56:59
The Power of Collecting and Using Data in Business and Life
Ready to transform your leadership approach with data-driven strategies? Gary Wise sits down with Mr. Elgin Carelock, a multifaceted entrepreneur and business strategist, to explore how collecting and applying the right information can revoluti...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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50:14
Why I Stayed: How the Military Transformed My Life When I Wasn't Looking
What happens when your reasons for joining the military have nothing to do with patriotism or service? In this deeply personal account, retired Navy Command Master Chief Gary Wise takes us through his remarkable transformation from troubled you...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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50:29
From Detroit to Leadership: A Navy Master Chief's Journey
Leadership isn't just a skill—it's a lifelong journey that transforms who you are and how you impact others. In this powerful conversation, Gary welcomes retired Master Chief Petty Officer Rory Bacon who shares his remarkable path from Detroit'...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:12:18
Relentless Tenacity: Finding Your Purpose After Memorial Day
Freedom isn't free. Standing among fellow Americans at our local Veterans Park on Memorial Day, I was struck by the weight of sacrifice that spans our nation's relatively brief history. From those early patriots who built a new country to the W...
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21:28
The Mentor's Journey: Finding Your Guide
The search for guidance in our personal and professional lives often leads us to mentorship – that powerful, transformative relationship that can unlock our potential and illuminate our path forward. In this deeply personal conversation, retire...
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1:15:33
Why Technology Is Both The Divide And The Bridge Between Generations
Generational diversity might be the most overlooked challenge in today's workplace. Drawing from my experience leading teams where 18-year-olds worked alongside 45-year-olds, I explore how different age groups bring unique strengths and challen...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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37:31
The Authentic Leader's Journey: Navigating Fear and Finding Purpose
What makes a leader truly effective? Is it unwavering confidence, technical expertise, or something deeper? This thought-provoking episode strips away leadership myths to reveal what actually matters when guiding others through challenges.<...
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1:03:01
When Everything Falls Apart: How Great Leaders Rise
When chaos strikes, true leadership is revealed. Drawing from decades of military experience as a Command Master Chief and damage control specialist, Gary Wise unpacks seven battle-tested strategies that help leaders not just survive but thrive...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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37:11
When Everyone Wants Off Your Team, You're Doing It Wrong
Ever wonder why some teams excel while others flounder? This episode dives deep into what separates high-functioning collaborative environments from toxic workplaces through the lens of veteran leaders with decades of military and civilian expe...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:28:01
The path from undesignated seaman to successful entrepreneur wasn't always smooth sailing
Ever wonder what happens when military discipline meets civilian work culture? Jon Floyd's remarkable journey from undesignated fireman to business owner provides fascinating insights into leadership across vastly different worlds.When ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:22:43
The Anatomy of Change: Leading Teams Through Transition
"Trust is the currency of leadership." This powerful statement forms the backbone of our fascinating discussion on navigating organizational and personal change. When facing transitions, what separates successful leaders from those who struggle...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:28:10