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From The Green Notebook

Joe Byerly

Named for the ubiquitous government-issued, hardcover notebooks seen in the hands of servicemembers worldwide - This podcast dives into the notebooks of military leaders, business professionals, authors, and entertainers to examine lessons that will help listeners lead with the best version of themselves.

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  • 25 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 3 min
  • English

Episodes 25

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  • S1 · E173
    February 28 · 1 hr 28 min

    How To Tell A Good War Story with Randy Surles

    Send us Fan Mail Randy Surles—retired Army Ranger and Green Beret turned editor, ghostwriter, and Story Grid-certified book coach—joins Joe to talk directly to veterans who feel called to tell their story but don’t know where to start. After 25 years in Special Operations, Randy transitioned from the military to the writing world, studying under Shawn Coyne and helping dozens of veterans turn their experiences into memoirs, leadership books, and fiction. Along the way, he’s seen what works—and what doesn’t. Joe reflects on his own year-and-a-half journey working with Randy on his forthcoming book—including the uncomfortable but necessary process of clarifying the message, identifying the right reader, and moving beyond “I just want to write a book” to “Here’s who this is for.” Randy explains why most military memoirs never gain traction, why writing “for everyone” is the fastest way to reach no one, and how to identify the single reader you’re actually trying to serve. He also breaks down the realities of publishing—from traditional deals to hybrid models to self-publishing—and why marketing is often harder than writing. Watch the full interview on YouTube! Joe and Randy also discuss: How the Hero’s Journey mirrors a military career The power of identifying your single audience member (SAM) Why most books sell fewer than 500 copies What veterans misunderstand about traditional publishing The truth about hybrid publishers and upfront costs Why building an email list may matter more than social media followers How writing 600–700 words a week can turn into a finished book Why accountability (even the annoying kind) makes the difference Whether you’re transitioning out, reflecting on your career, or feeling the quiet pull to capture your experiences before they fade, this episode offers a practical roadmap—and a reality check—for veterans who want to turn their story into something that serves others. Also, check out Randy's website: Militaryeditor.com A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here! Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. Logistics Systems Incorporated (LSI) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business supporting DoD and federal civilian agencies with enterprise IT operations, global logistics support, cybersecurity, data, and mission support services. Founded by a veteran Army leader, LSI is known for operating inside complex, high-consequence environments where leadership, discipline, and execution matter. Their teams support large user communities and mission-critical systems across defense and civilian agencies.

  • S1 · E172
    February 14 · 59 min

    How Work Stress Hijacks Your Life with Dr. Guy Winch

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. Guy Winch, bestselling author and psychologist, joins Joe to discuss his newest book, Mind Over Grind to explore how job stress quietly spills beyond the office—and into our evenings, our sleep, and our relationships. What starts as a difficult meeting or looming deadline doesn’t end at 1700. It follows us home. From the “Sunday Scaries” to 2AM rumination loops, Guy explains how modern work keeps us stuck in fight-or-flight—and why we’re often blind to the ways we sabotage our future selves in the process. Joe reflects on his time in command and the culture of constant availability in the military, while Guy highlights research showing that leaders have far more power to reduce stress than they realize. Sometimes it’s not about solving the problem—just showing that you care. They also spend time on practical tools: reframing procrastination, managing rumination, cultivating a better relationship with your “future self,” and creating intentional rituals that signal the workday is over. Watch the full interview on YouTube! Joe and Guy also discuss: Why the dread of Monday is often worse than Monday itself How procrastination is really about avoiding feelings—not tasks The danger of treating your future self like a stranger How to stop replaying failures at 2AM The “Memoir Test” for putting problems in perspective Why naming your emotions reduces their intensity How journaling helps you spot recurring “icebergs” in your life Why Instagram reels don’t actually relax you The science behind clothing, rituals, and mental transitions Whether you’re in the military, the corporate world, or building something of your own, this episode is a reminder that stress doesn’t stay at work—and that managing your inner world is part of leading well. A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here! Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. Logistics Systems Incorporated (LSI) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business supporting DoD and federal civilian agencies with enterprise IT operations, global logistics support, cybersecurity, data, and mission support services. Founded by a veteran Army leader, LSI is known for operating inside complex, high-consequence environments where leadership, discipline, and execution matter. Their teams support large user communities and mission-critical systems across defense and civilian agencies.

  • S1 · E171
    February 5 · 1 hr 2 min

    Bring Your Own Pencil: The Leadership Lesson of Coach Bill Walsh with Griffin Brand and Dan Casey

    Send us Fan Mail Griffin Brand and Dan Casey, co-authors of Bring Your Own Pencil: Bill Walsh’s Playbook for Winning at Anything, join Joe to explore preparation, leadership, and what separates sustained excellence from short-term success. It’s Super Bowl weekend, so football is part of the lens—but it doesn’t stay there. The discussion moves from Bill Walsh and the San Francisco 49ers to Dyson vacuums, Raising Cane’s chicken fingers, JSOC, and even 50 Cent. Different worlds, same underlying question: why do some people and organizations endure while others flame out? At the center is a simple idea: success is a lagging indicator. Drawing on Walsh’s leadership philosophy, Griffin and Dan explain why outcomes take care of themselves when leaders focus on standards, habits, and ownership of preparation—long before performance is visible. From there, the episode broadens into leadership more generally: perseverance, the myth of overnight success, and how constraints can sharpen thinking instead of limiting it. A key theme is the idea of a permanent base camp—maintaining standards that keep teams within striking distance of excellence without burning them out. They also spend time on legacy. Not wins or titles, but people. The episode reinforces a simple measure of leadership: how many people succeed because you took the time to invest in them. Watch the full interview on YouTube! Joe, Griffin, and Dan also discuss: What “bring your own pencil” really means for leaders Alive time vs. dead time How the path to the top is rarely a straight line How to sustain excellence without burning people or culture Why inputs matter more than outcomes How culture becomes real when it carries itself forward What legacy looks like when leaders step back Why the best leaders make their ceiling someone else’s floor Whether you’re watching the Super Bowl or leading a team far from the spotlight, this episode is a reminder that the work that matters most usually happens long before anyone is watching. A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here! Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. Logistics Systems Incorporated (LSI) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business supporting DoD and federal civilian agencies with enterprise IT operations, global logistics support, cybersecurity, data, and mission support services. Founded by a veteran Army leader, LSI is known for operating inside complex, high-consequence environments where leadership, discipline, and execution matter. Their teams support large user communities and mission-critical systems across defense and civilian agencies.

  • S1 · E170
    January 23 · 1 hr 23 min

    Making the Call: Military Intelligence, Judgment, and Command with Lieutenant General Tony Hale

    Send us Fan Mail Lieutenant General Tony Hale, the Army G-2, joins Joe for a conversation on military intelligence, judgment, and decision-making in modern war. Drawing on nearly four decades of service, Hale reflects on the evolution of the intelligence profession—from red pens and acetate maps to AI-enabled platforms—and why human judgment still matters most. Hale shares his path into military intelligence, challenges common misconceptions about the field, and explains why intelligence is foundational to maneuver, lethality, and command. From battalion S2 shops to JSOC, Afghanistan, and the Army’s highest intelligence roles, he offers a clear view of how intelligence professionals shape outcomes across every echelon. They discuss the responsibility of “putting your rank on the table,” developing junior analysts, and creating environments where ideas matter more than hierarchy. The conversation also explores self-development, operating amid disinformation, balancing OSINT with historical context, and how AI can enhance—but never replace— disciplined thinking. In this episode, LTG Hale and Joe explore: Why “lethality starts with intelligence” The role of intelligence in enabling decision dominance Making analytical calls under uncertainty Developing confident, capable intelligence professionals The limits of AI and the enduring value of human judgment Preparing for future conflict while mastering the fundamentals Whether you’re an intelligence professional, commander, or leader navigating uncertainty, this conversation is a reminder that seeing clearly—and thinking well—remains the decisive advantage. A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here! Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. Logistics Systems Incorporated (LSI) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business supporting DoD and federal civilian agencies with enterprise IT operations, global logistics support, cybersecurity, data, and mission support services. Founded by a veteran Army leader, LSI is known for operating inside complex, high-consequence environments where leadership, discipline, and execution matter. Their teams support large user communities and mission-critical systems across defense and civilian agencies.

  • S1 · E169
    January 17 · 56 min

    Open Doors & Hidden Worlds: The Power of Curiosity with Brad Meltzer

    Send us Fan Mail On the release of his latest thriller, The Viper: A Zig and Nola Novel, Brad Meltzer joins Joe for an in-depth conversation on writing, curiosity, service, and the often-hidden moments that shape a life. From bestselling thrillers to children’s books, Meltzer reflects on how stories—both real and imagined—help us make sense of who we are, what we’ve lived through, and the paths we choose moving forward. Drawing on his own unlikely origin story, Meltzer shares how a single teacher’s encouragement set him on the path to becoming a writer, why falling in love with the process matters more than chasing outcomes, and how curiosity has been the throughline of his career. They explore how paying attention—to people, details, and quiet acts of kindness—can open doors we didn’t even know existed. The conversation also dives into Meltzer’s deep connection to the military community, from his work with the USO to the research behind his Zig and Nola thriller series set at Dover Air Force Base. In this episode, Brad Meltzer and Joe also explore: How one teacher’s belief can change the trajectory of a life Why curiosity is a more powerful tool than talent Falling in love with the process—not the outcome—of creative work What writing thrillers has taught Meltzer about human nature Why Dover Air Force Base became the heart of his Zig and Nola series How small acts of kindness ripple outward in unexpected ways The challenge of transitioning from a life of constant motion to stillness Why seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness How reading builds empathy, critical thinking, and resilience Why transformation is the hardest, and most important, kind of change Whether you’re a writer, a leader, a veteran, or someone navigating a transition, this conversation is a reminder that paying attention and staying curious can lead to a life richer than any plan you could have written in advance. Watch the full episode on Youtube! A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors! Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here! Meet ROGER Bank—a modern, digital bank built for military members, by military members. With early payday, no fees, high-yield accounts, and real support, it’s banking that gets you. Funds are FDIC insured through Citizens Bank of Edmond, so you can bank with confidence and peace of mind. Logistics Systems Incorporated (LSI) is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business supporting DoD and federal civilian agencies with enterprise IT operations, global logistics support, cybersecurity, data, and mission support services. Founded by a veteran Army leader, LSI is known for operating inside complex, high-consequence environments where leadership, discipline, and execution matter. Their teams support large user communities and mission-critical systems across defense and civilian agencies.

Showing 21–25 of 25 episodes