The Dr. John Bedker Leadership Podcast

#054: Homelessness

The issue of homelessness is a far too frequent presence in our lives. Cities across our nation offer a disturbing display of a challenging and multivariate public health issue. From resource funding, to training, knowledge, and experience for public health leaders, to every one of us; we must be aware and sensitive to help those in need. The challenges are numerous and the time to mitigate homelessness may be lengthy, but we all must be aware of our common call to help those in need. A particular mention of homeless veterans is offered.

#053: Leading in a Turbulent World

Our world is troubled and it is turbulent. Leadership today is more needed and necessary than ever before. There is leadership strength in numbers. Each of us must speak up, speak out, and defend the truth, defend facts, and as we are all called to do: do the right thing. We know what the right thing is; the call to action for each of us is to do the right thing. 

#052: Thurgood Marshall - Exemplary Leader

This episode showcases an exemplary leader, Thurgood Marshall. The first African-American to serve as a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. A believer in realism, not textualism. A believer in equal protection.  Justice Marshall was a notable supporter of human, individual, and civil rights. In doing this he personified the quest of this podcast: do the right thing.

#051: Do The Right Thing

In this episode Dr. Bedker goes back to the very reason for this podcast; the halcyon call for leaders to “do the right thing.” In our troubled and turbulent world, leaders may find difficulty in doing the right thing. The case is made that doing the right thing, even in the most difficult of times, is the ultimate responsibility of leaders. Tell the truth, do not operate from fear, and give hope to those you lead.

#050: Follow-Up on Boeing and Leadership

In this episode, Dr. Bedker follows up on the Boeing leadership story that began in Episode 22. Follow-up is an important leadership competency and Dr. Bedker models this competency in this episode. Judgment and decision-making are highlighted. Incidents and events by suppliers and Boeing’s regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are documented. 

#049: America’s Role in Global Leadership

In this most important episode, Dr. Bedker discusses the current inflection point of U.S. global leadership. Does the United States retreat to isolationism and unravel the many global alliances that have accounted for peace and prosperity, or do we persevere in the grand experiment of democracy? Thought leaders and elected officials are quoted in this episode, from radio host Charlemagne Tha God to Ambassador John Herbst, to Dr. Fiona Hill. The article concludes by quoting Vice President Kamala Harris's remarks at the Munich Security Conference.

#048: Jay Powell and the Role of FED Leadership

In this episode, Dr. Bedker takes a complex topic with many moving parts and synthesizes the topic to better understand the role of leadership of the Federal Reserve. Chairman Jay Powell, the leader of the Fed is showcased. His many leadership challenges to provide a stable and growing economy with full employment is an immense challenge. Leadership core competencies of judgment and decision-making are highlighted.

#047: Leadership Core Competencies for a Troubled World

Dr. John Bedker operationalizes key leadership core competencies for our troubled world. What leadership competencies do each of us need, as leaders, in these turbulent times?  John unpacks several of them. From reflection to grounding in the truth, to empathy, Dr. Bedker operationalizes these leadership core competencies. Frequently practicing these competencies with genuineness, and intent over time is essential and needed in our world today.

#046: The World Ahead 2024

In this first episode of 2024, Dr. Bedker takes a look ahead into the new year. Tom Standage, the editor of The World Ahead 2024 has written the cover article for The Economist and this piece serves as the source for this year’s first episode. A top 10 list is given by Standage as ‘themes to watch” in 2024. Dr. Bedker provides a contextual leadership framework for each of these themes. 2024 will be a year of many challenges for leaders.

#045: Year in Review

In this year-end episode Dr. Bedker delivers a review of this past year’s episodes. It has been a busy and very challenging year for leaders and leadership. From institutions to individuals Dr. Bedker has showcased the good and the bad. Exemplary leaders such as Steve Kerr and Bill Russell began the year and fellow exemplars Rosalyn Carter and Charlie Munger, both having recently passed are showcased more recently. Leadership truly is critical in our world today. Leaders have never been more important.