The Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast

#097: Communication - A Critical Leadership Competency

Two important axioms drive this episode. “You never have a second chance, to make a first impression," and “be mindful not only of what you say, but how you say it.” Through quotes and science, this episode seeks to highlight this critical leadership core competency: Communication.

#096: Nuclear Leadership

Not addressing climate change may end our world. Not addressing proactively the potentials of another global pandemic may end our world.  Today we discuss the expiration of our Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START). The proliferation of strategies arms, particularly nuclear arms, could end life in our planet in minutes. Nowhere could leadership be more important. Today we discuss the failure of leaders to lead on this planet critical issue.

#095: Davos - Leadership Exemplar

World leaders gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week. President Donald Trump of the United States and Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada both spoke. President Trump’s speech was full of misinformation, disinformation, and inaccuracy. Attacks were made on allied world leaders and praise and support was given to autocrats and dictators. The other was made by Prime Minister Carney. Prime Minister Carney’s presentation is a seminal leadership presentation. An exemplar.

Episode 094: Leadership in 2026 - A Look Ahead

2026 is going to be a year of leadership clashes. The battles, literal and figuratively, between autocracy and democracy, between capitalism and democracy, and those that champion these views. We will bring you the stories that illuminate these disparate leadership styles. This episode is a cameo of the year ahead in leadership.

#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.