The Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast

#093: 2025 Year In Review

This episode, our Year in Review episode, touches on several of the exemplary leaders of 2025. Leaders from walks of life as diverse as politics and religion; as message driven as that from one of the greatest basketball players of all time, to a neuroscientist seeking to make sense of our troubled and turbulent world. The role and need for leaders has never been more critical. Happy Holidays everyone. Thank you all for tuning in.

#092: Government reopening and leadership

Leadership is about doing the right thing. Leaders must be deaf to expediency where principle is involved. What 8 Democratic Senators did in voting with the Republicans may have led to an ending of the U.S. government shutdown, but was not the right thing. It was capitulation. It was a cave in. They achieved little, if anything. They agreed to a future vote on ACA tax credits without the votes to prevail. A failure of leadership. The Democrats were winning. The American people supported them. Yet they caved in.

#091: Non Sibi - Not for Self

In our current troubled and turbulent world it is important to look at what a leader really is. This episode highlights an exemplary leader of character and selfless action, Fred Minier. A young Naval Officer on his first assignment following graduation from the United States Naval Academy. His life of leadership was Non Sibi, not for self, but others. He gave his life unhesitatingly for others.

090: Shiny Objects

We are drawn to shiny objects. They are present, current and draw our attention. These are important for leaders. As important, and perhaps more so, are the big questions. Questions that will transform our work, our workplaces and our lives. Taking this larger view and addressing the big questions is a critical leadership function. 

#089: U.S. Government Shutdown

The United States government has shut down. The reasons are myriad, but boil down to leadership. The Democrats have tried to represent those they serve and vote to protect them. The Republicans have their own agenda to advance tax cuts for the rich. This involves cutting costs, cutting programs, and cutting services for many Americans. Particularly, those in need.

Leadership is about “doing the right thing.”  On display by the Republican Party is exactly the opposite. 

#088: AI, Jobs, and Workers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here. And its development and engagement in our work and workplaces is growing. Do workers see threat or opportunity?  That is a key leadership question going forward. How do leaders, workers, companies, industries and institutions envision the role of workers in a rapidly evolving AI environment. This episode sends a message of hope. That increased efficiencies, reductions in mundane work, and increases in productivity will create more profitable workplaces needing more workers, not less. 

#087: Labor Day 2025

Labor Day should be a day of celebration. To celebrate work and workers.  Celebrate all those that make our goods and deliver our services, but today there is a very different reality. Workers and union representation are under assault. President Trump has issued Executive Orders eliminating workers rights, minimising their safety, their working conditions, and their opportunity to address concerns in their workplace. President Trump has made cleat that workers are not to be celebrated. This is a sad Labor Day.

#086: Leadership failures to our Veterans

Veterans are one of the Unites States most precious resources.  They stood up and answered the call to wear a uniform in the service of our country. Politicians espouse how grateful they are to all that have served, but regularly and routinely vote against Veterans, reducing their benefits. Let me be clear, Republican leaders overwhelmingly are in this camp. They say one thing and do another. This is a failure of leadership.

 

 

 

 

 

#085: Leadership, Texas, and the Voting Rights Act

President Lyndon Baines Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress on March 15, 1965. He said, “In our system the first and most vital of all our rights is the right to vote.” Today is the 60th anniversary of passage of the Voting Rights Act and today the rights of peoples vote to be heard is under attack. President Donald Trump and the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott are seeking to redraw the states congressional lines to silence the voice of Democrats. President Trump says the Texan Republicans are “entitled.”  This is not democracy. This is not “the right thing."

#084: The Case for Unifying Leadership

James Carville makes the case for unifying leadership in a New York Times guest essay. It is a simple argument with a simple message. Repeal President Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill.” This simple messaging from an iconic political strategist is a messaging lesson for all leaders. Keep it clear, keep it simple, have it have meaning and actual impact on voters. And, conclude with hope.