The VMI Leader Journey Podcast

Join us Friday, Feb. 18th for CIA and Special Forces Panel Discussion

The public is invited to attend a free event at VMI on Friday, February 18th at noon in the Gillis Theater at Marshall Hall. Toby Harnden, author of “First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11” along with some of the people featured in the book: retired senior CIA officer David Tyson, and Scott Spellmeyer, VMI '90 and Justin Sapp, VMI '94, will participate in a panel discussion. Followed by a book signing. Books will be on sale in the lobby of Marshall Hall. Visit our website for more information on the speakers, or email Kim Connolly.

Does Your Audio Match Your Video? with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Gwen Bingham

Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, U.S. Army (Ret.), is this year’s Binford J. H. Peay Leader-in-Residence. The VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics hosts this program and produces this podcast to educate, engage, and inspire the VMI Corps of Cadets, the greater VMI Community, and listeners like you!
Bingham’s visit coincides with this year’s leadership theme titled ‘Citizen Leaders.’ During our conversation, Bingham said that she believes leaders should communicate, coordinate, and collaborate, but which one of these does she believe is the most important?
Let’s listen in to find out! Don't forget to subscribe and help us grow our audience by sharing this episode!

Leading and Learning with VMI Regimental Commander Kasey Meredith ‘22

VMI's first female regimental commander, Kasey Meredith '22, sat down for the first episode of the 2021-22 academic year. During our interview, we were able to ask her more about her leadership style. She stressed the importance of working as a team, especially between the two leadership systems here at VMI, the traditional university class system with the military or regimental leadership system. We also got some insights into her support system. We even talked about her role as a 'dyke' mentor. Meredith has taken part in several interviews, especially given her historic role, but we think you'll agree that this one has a few more insights. 

"Be Humble - There's More to Learn" with Allen Xu '21

Episode No. 23 features Chief EMT Allen Xu '21 who has commissioned in the Army and plans to one day become an Army doctor. Xu is a New Jersey native. In addition to EMT chief, he was a prosecutor on the Honor Court and president of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. Xu said VMI gave him the opportunity to put his textbook understanding of leadership into practice. As an EMT, he's deepened his understanding of team dynamics, particularly in crises.  
As you listen to our interview, it will be no surprise to learn that Xu's top personal value is humility; in this episode, we've titled "Be Humble. There's More to Learn." We think that's a great message as we conclude our academic year of exploration on this year's theme, "Teamwork: Out of Many, One. 
To learn more about the VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics, please visit our website at https://www.vmi.edu/cle. 

Little Moments - Big Leadership Lessons with Whitney Edwards-Roberson '22

We caught up with Whitney Roberson in the PX to chat about her VMI leader journey. Whitney is a history major from Chesapeake, VA. She is the captain of the women’s soccer team, president of the Promaji club, an investigator for the CEA (Cadet Equity Association), and the vice president of SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Committee).
In this episode, we discussed how her views on leadership have changed since the Rat Line and how VMI has prepared her to lead in diverse settings. She talked about the ‘little moments’ that change you and teach you how to lead.
This podcast is a VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics product, which has three mission sets: cadet and faculty leadership development, co-curricular cadet programming, and strategic outreach. VMI's mandatory course 'LEAD344: Leadership in Organizations' is taught by faculty and staff of the center and a multi-disciplinary group of CLE fellows. The VMI Center for Leadership and Ethics is the proponent of the publication 'The VMI Leader Journey,' after which this podcast is named. You may find this publication linked from the bottom of our departmental homepage: vmi.edu/cle. 

All-In Commitment and Passion with Jordan Ward '21

Defensive Lineman and team captain for VMI's Keydets football team Jordan Ward dreamed of playing Division I football in college. He helped the Keydets to their first SoCon football title since 1977 and the program's first-ever FCS playoffs bid. But that's not the only 'feather' in Ward's cap. He has been an NCAA football player all four years of his cadetship, but also served as an S6 sergeant, a corporal, and worked with cadet-athletes.  In his third-class year, he was voted as a member of the Honor Court and served as an assistant prosecutor. In his 2nd class year, he was voted class vice president of education. To say the least, Ward has a very full and impressive resume! VMI conference team members Derek Pinkham, CMP, PMP, and our former Conference Assistant Emily Coleman sat down with Ward back in December before the excitement of the Spring 2021 season for a discussion about what kind of leadership development he's undergone as a VMI cadet.  Said Ward, "I'm committed." In this episode, you'll hear about his personal journey and what he'd like others to know about his leadership style. 

FULL EPISODE: The Art & Science of Leadership with Kevin Black ‘99

In this full-length episode of our interview with Kevin Black '99, you will hear all the engaging dialogue of our conversation hosted by Maj. Catherine Roy, communications and marketing specialist at the VMI Center for Leadership & Ethics. 
This full-length interview touches on Black's leadership journey beginning with his cadetship at VMI, some lessons learned from his years in the Army as well as his passion for World War II and how that led to learning leadership through running war game scenarios. Identifying a gap in leadership development that links strategy with leadership, Black founded Black Market Leadership leadership consulting. His website features an online community with free and paid-for leadership courses, links to his social media, and podcast. 
Wanna just hear the highlights? Follow this link instead.

The Art & Science of Leadership with Kevin Black ‘99

Forbes coach, entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and founder of Black Market Leadership alumnus Kevin Black '99 shares how VMI provided him the hands-on opportunities to lead and feel in real-time what went well and what did not. In this episode, we looked at the highlights of our conversation to focus on specific insights which connect leadership with strategy. We hope you will enjoy Black's engaging and energetic style of speaking. 
Listen to the full-length episode here.