Podcast · News

The Jedburgh Podcast

by Fran Racioppi · English · News

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 41 min
Latest: 6 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026 · 41 minNew

#209: Delivering Lethality, Survivability & Mobility - XVIII Airborne Corps Joint Innovation Outpost Colonel Tom Monaghan

Speed of innovation will be the deciding factor on today’s battlefields. The technology soldiers need to survive and win cannot take years to field. For generations, one of the Army’s greatest challenges has been closing the distance between the soldier who identifies a need and the acquisition system responsible for delivering the solution. At Fort Bragg, the XVIII Airborne Corps is attacking that problem head on. Colonel Tom Monaghan , has a mission - build the Joint Innovation Outpos t - putting soldiers, acquisition professionals, industry, funding, testing, and Army program offices…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E208 · 24 Sep 2026 · 58 min

#208: Small, Light, Fast, Agile...Lethal - 1st Special Forces Command BG Joseph Wortham, CSM Lee Strong, CW5 Jerry Brown

The battlefield is changing faster than ever before. Drones can find you. Technology can expose you. America’s adversaries are adapting in weeks instead of years. For U.S. Army Special Forces, rapid evolution while maintaining the people, partnerships, and culture that have made Special Forces effective for generations is the key to success on today’s battlefield. From the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum at Fort Bragg, Fran Racioppi sat down with the command team of 1st Special Forces Command : Brigadier General Joseph Wortham, Command Sergeant Major Lee Strong, and Chief Warrant…
E207 · 11 Sep 2026 · 43 min

#207: No Place to Hide - 18th Field Artillery Brigade Colonel Andy Hercik & Command Sergeant Major George Cabrera

Before ground forces can advance, the battlefield has to be shaped. Air defenses have to come down. Enemy weapons have to be destroyed. And the adversaries' will to combat America has to be lessened. This is the job of field artillery; a branch of the US Army where speed, distance, precision, and results determine who controls the battlefield before ground forces ever make contact. From Fort Bragg, NC, the 18th Field Artillery Brigade leads the Army’s rapidly deployable artillery units. As the largest HIMARS brigade, its soldiers must be prepared to deploy anywhere in the world within 10…
E206 · 2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

#206: Building The World's Best Special Operators - USAJFKSWCS Command Team MG Jason Slider, CSM Jeff Bochey, CW5 Gary Ostrander

Every Green Beret, Civil Affairs soldier, and Psychological Operations soldier starts somewhere. Before they can operate in the world’s most complex environments, they have to prove they can think, adapt, lead, and perform when the standard is uncompromising. At the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School , the mission is simple to say and extraordinarily difficult to execute: build the world’s best special operators, then continue making them better. In this episode, Fran Racioppi travelled to the center of the universe, Fort Bragg, NC, to sit down with the command team…
E205 · 11 Aug 2026 · 49 min

#205: Training For Victory - Did Special Forces Really Win In Iraq & Afghanistan? Retired Colonel Frank Sobchak

How do we define success on the battlefield? While many have labeled America's efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan failures, that narrative ignores some of the most remarkable successes ever achieved by U.S. Army Special Forces . In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Green Beret Colonel Frank Sobchak , professor at the U.S. Naval War College and author of Training for Victory , to discuss the principles behind one of Special Forces' most enduring missions: building partner forces capable of securing their own future. Drawing on decades of operational experience and extensive…
E204 · 28 Jul 2026 · 25 min

#204: Are Green Berets America's Best Entrepreneurs? Retired Green Beret Ben Harrow

Green Berets are trained to solve problems that don't come with instructions. Green Berets build trust where none exists. Green Berets lead small teams in uncertain environments. Green Berets adapt when the plan falls apart. Those same qualities that make exceptional Special Forces soldiers also make exceptional entrepreneurs. For Green Berets their next mission begins the day they leave the Regiment. In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Retired U.S. Army Captain and Green Beret Ben Harrow during the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic to discuss transition from Special Forces to…
E203 · 17 Jul 2026 · 30 min

#203: It Doesn't End Here - Green Beret Foundation President & CEO Charlie Iacono and Chief Warrant Officer Nick Lavery

The scoreboard may decide the winner, but it doesn’t tell the story of the game. The Stars and Stripes Classic pits America’s Green Berets against Navy SEALs, renewing Special Operations' greatest rivalries. But beyond the game, every operator on the field, and family member in the stands, represents an unwavering commitment to something greater than themselves. In this episode, Fran Raciopp i sat down with the President and CEO of the Green Beret Foundation Charlie Iacono, and Chief Warrant Officer Nick Lavery , to discuss why the Stars and Stripes Classic is much more than just a game. It…
E202 · 9 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

#202: Earned Never Given - 20th Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz

The title United States Marine is earned…never given. For over 250 years the Marine Corps has been front and center in the defense of America and our allies. But as technology and the battlefield have changed, the character and standard that define a Marine have never wavered. From the National Museum of the Marine Corp s in Quantico, VA, Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos A. Ruiz , the 20th senior enlisted leader of the United States Marine Corps , to discuss what it takes to serve in one of the world's most respected fighting forces. Drawing on decades of…
E201 · 27 Jun 2026 · 21 min

#201: Coaching America's Best - Army West Point Head Coach Joe Alberici and Naval Academy Head Coach Joe Amplo

For one day, the rivalry shifts from the battlefield to the lacrosse field. Green Berets. Navy SEALs. America's most elite special operations forces compete with the same intensity, discipline, and commitment to excellence that defines their military careers. But when the final whistle blows, the score becomes secondary to the brotherhood. Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic , Fran Racioppi sat down with Army Head Coach Joe Alberici and Navy Head Coach Joe Amplo just hours before the teams took the field. While the rivalry between Army and Navy is one of the greatest…
E200 · 19 Jun 2026 · 32 min

#200: We Play To Win - US Army West Point Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis

The United States Military Academy at West Point is the foundation of the US Army. Along the cliffs, through the halls, and on the fields America’s best and brightest are trained to lead not just soldiers, but America. But behind the tradition and pageantry, West Point understands that athletics of any level create disciplined warriors prepared to lead in any situation. In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Tom Theodorakis , Director of Athletics at West Point, to discuss how one of the most respected athletic programs in the country directly supports the mission of the United States…
E199 · 12 Jun 2026 · 48 min

#199: America's Contingency Corps - XVIII Airborne Corps Commanding General Lieutenant General Gregory Anderson

Modern warfare is no longer defined by who has the biggest force, but by who can adapt the fastest. The battlefield is changing in real time through artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, cyber capabilities, and the speed of information. But even in the most advanced operating environments, victory still comes down to disciplined leaders, trusted teams, and soldiers prepared to make decisions under pressure when everything is on the line. The responsibility for America’s rapid response to any crisis belongs to the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps. From their headquarters at Fort Bragg, NC,…
E198 · 4 Jun 2026 · 16 min

#198: One Last Last Trip To Vegas - Major Jeff Toczylowski's Letter To Family And Friends

Some people don’t just pass through your life. They leave a mark that stays with you long after they’re gone. Not because of what they did in a single moment, but because of how they lived every day, how they showed up for people, and how they made others feel. From the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic , Fran Racioppi sat down with Pam Patton and Tom Schneider to honor the life of Major Jeff Toczylowski , a Green Beret whose impact on the people around him is still felt nearly two decades later. A letter Jeff left to his family and friends in the event of his death defines the character…
E197 · 27 May 2026 · 59 min

#197: The Evolution Of The Green Beret NCO - CSM(R) Rob Abernethy

Green Berets are built over time. Special Operations Truth #3: SOF cannot be mass produced. America’s most elite warriors are developed through experience, through leadership, and through the responsibility of developing others. This is the job of the Special Forces Noncommissioned Officer. In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Command Sergeant Major Rob Abernethy to dissect the evolution of the Green Beret NCO, and their officer counterparts, to show how that development shapes the effectiveness of Army Special Operations and national strategy. CSM Abernethy served nearly…
E196 · 14 May 2026 · 36 min

#196: Iran, Military Housing & Unifying Congress - Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

The conditions service members live in directly affect Military readiness and national security. It’s the responsibility of Congress to authorize military funding to ensure the warfighter has what they need in combat and at home. Every decision impacts the strength of the force and their families. In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Representative Mike Levin , who serves California’s 49th District and sits on the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs to discuss the policies and decisions shaping today’s military bases. From…
E195 · 1 May 2026 · 54 min

#195: Setting The Record Straight - Secretary Of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins

There is a steady stream of headlines shaping how Veterans view the Department of Veterans Affairs . Disability benefits are being cut. The VA is being privatized. Programs are disappearing. That is the narrative. But is it the reality? In a social media environment driven by clicks, likes, and engagement, information spreads fast, and too often no one stops to ask whether it is actually true. When it comes to healthcare, benefits, and the systems Veterans rely on, the facts matter. In this episode, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins joins Fran Racioppi to address those concerns…
E194 · 24 Apr 2026 · 55 min

#194: Small Business Is Big Business - US Small Business Administration Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs

99% of all US businesses and almost 46% of American employees are, or work for, a small business. Although a small business is defined as having less than 500 employees, American small businesses are responsible for over 88% of net job growth. That means that America's economy, and the world's economy, rest on the backs of small businesses. The Small Business Administration plays a critical role in the success of small businesses; including those owned and operated by American Veterans. From business planning, strategy design, funding and specialty certification programs the SBA is one of…
E193 · 14 Apr 2026 · 31 min

#193: Progressive Traumatic Brain Injury - Silver Star Spouse Bianca Baldwin and Silver Star Mother Fran Wesseling

Service is an honor and a burden carried by more than just those who don the Green Beret. Service is borne by the family that stands in the shadows every step of the way. Through training, deployments, uncertainty, the highest highs and the lowest lows, it’s the family that waits for their Green Beret to return. From the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic , Fran Racioppi sat down with Bianca Baldwin and Fran Wesseling , the spouse and mother of Major Darren Baldwin; a Green Beret who came home from combat, but was never the same. Darren’s journey began at the United States Military…
E192 · 31 Mar 2026 · 24 min

#192: SSG Alex Viola Memorial Car Show - Gold Star Father Frank Viola

Cars aren’t just a mode of transportation. They’re a passion. An image. A lifestyle. For many families, they are the bond that brings together father and son. For Frank Viola, cars are the legacy of his son, Green Beret SSG Alex Viola. Alex graduated as a Green Beret in 2011 and then went on to get his Combat Dive Certification. In September 2013, his team deployed to Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom. On November 17, 2013 Alex lost his life to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while on dismounted patrol. After the loss of their son, Frank and his family faced the…
E191 · 20 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

#191: Last General Standing - Final Commander Of The Afghan National Army, General Haibatullah Alizai

In August 2021, the world watched in disbelief as Afghanistan collapsed, leaving two decades of sacrifice, hope, and war in question. America’s longest war, forged in the aftermath of 9/11 and costing thousands of lives and billions of dollars, ended in chaos, confusion, and the swift return of the Taliban. But what truly happened in those final, frantic days? Who held the line until the line was irrevocably gone? In this exclusive interview, host Fran Racioppi sat down with General Haibatullah Alizai , the final Chief of the Afghan National Army, now living in exile. General Alizai offers a…
E190 · 13 Mar 2026 · 51 min

#190: Building The Unified Global Special Operations Alliance - CSM(R) Warren Soeldner

Unified Special Operations commands are critical for allied nations to maintain the advantage over our adversaries. A single command structure enables interoperability at every level, from communications and equipment to tactics and acquisition, ensuring partner forces can train together, fight together, and answer to a common mission. From the Global Special Operations Foundation Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with retired Command Sergeant Major Warren Soeldner , a 10th SFG legend who now lives and works in Greece supporting the Global SOF community. Warren brought home…
E189 · 27 Feb 2026 · 52 min

#189: Building Army Warriors - Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer & CSM (R) Rick Merritt

What separates war fighting from a warrior? Is it skill? Is it experience? Or is it something deeper that only reveals itself when it matters most? From the Pentagon, Fran Racioppi sat down with Sergeant Major of the Army Mike Weimer and retired Command Sergeant Major Rick Merritt to discuss what it truly means to build and sustain warriors in the United States Army. CSM Merritt spent over three decades on active duty, including 25 years in the 75th Ranger Regiment, serving in every enlisted leadership position from rifleman to Regimental Sergeant Major. He conducted over 1,500 combat…
E188 · 20 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 16 min

#188: Veterans...Not Victims - Sheepdog The Movie Filmmaker Steven Grayhm

War stories are easy to tell. There’s action, adventure, and good vs evil. For most Veterans their service isn’t defined or explained by their war stories. For most Veterans the story that is far most difficult to write...and to live...is the story they have to write themselves. In this episode, Fran Racioppi sat down with Steven Grayhm , writer and director of Sheepdog , a film dedicated to telling the most difficult story of our Veterans. The story of what happens to us, our families, our friends, and those around us when the war stories fade, reality sets in, and the hard work must…
E187 · 13 Feb 2026 · 29 min

#187: NATO Leading Innovation - DIANA Chief Commercial Officer Ryan Benitez

The speed of innovation has long been the difference between military success and failure. Countries and militaries that rapidly develop, deploy and evolve technology thrive. Those who lag…flounder. America, NATO and the world order are being challenged…and innovated against…at a faster pace than ever before. From the Global SOF Symposium in Athens, Greece, I sat down with Ryan Benitez of NATO DIANA to talk about how innovation, technology, and rapid capability development are shaping the future of defense across the Alliance. As the DIANA’s Chief Commercial Officer, Ryan explains her work…
E186 · 5 Feb 2026 · 51 min

#186: Communication Wins Wars - Former Chief Technology And Innovation Officer at USSOCOM & US Space Force Dr. Lisa Costa

Communication is the backbone of every military operation. How well our forces talk to each other across air, land, sea and space is what sets the American military apart from everyone else. Without communication leaders can’t lead, and militaries can’t win. From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece, Fran Racioppi sat down with Dr. Lisa Costa , a leading technologist, former Chief Information Officer for U.S. Special Operations Command, and the first Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for the U.S. Space Force, to discuss how innovation, cyber, and modernization are…
E185 · 9 Jan 2026 · 23 min

#185: Air To Ground Integration - Retired LTG Ken Tovo And Chief Warrant Officer Sean McCormick

Who’s more important? The operators on the ground or the aviators in the sky? It’s hard to seize the objective without boots on the ground; but if you can’t get to the objective in the first place, there’s no mission at all. The reality is that operators need aviators and aviators need operators. Green Berets and the pilots of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment share bonds that transcend their MOS and their mobility platform. Live from the 2nd Annual Stars and Stripes Classic, I sat down with Chairman of the Green Beret Foundation retired Lieutenant General Ken Tovo and Chief…
E184 · 30 Dec 2025 · 13 min

#184: Building Elite Warriors - Premier Lacrosse League CEO Mike Rabil (2nd Annual Stars & Stripes Classic)

Lacrosse is a sport built on passion, precision, and community. It’s also a sport that defines service. Live from the Stars and Stripes Classic , Fran Racioppi sat down with Mike Rabi l, co-founder and CEO of the Premier Lacrosse League , to highlight the PLL’s partnership with the Green Beret Foundation and explore how the sport of lacrosse is intertwined with American Special Operators. A remarkable number of America’s Special Operators come from a lacrosse background. The sport builds toughness, discipline, teamwork, and the ability to perform under pressure. The same qualities that…
E183 · 17 Dec 2025 · 31 min

#183: Defending Eastern Europe - Romanian Special Operations Forces Commander Major General Claudiu Dobocan

Romania is one of America’s key allies in the fight for Eastern Europe. Romanian Special Forces are critical to the success of that mission; and the partnership between United States Special Operations and our Romanian counterparts sits at the center of that strategy. From the Global Special Operations Symposium in Athens, Greece , Fran Racioppi sat down with Major General Claudiu Dobocan , Commander of the Romanian Special Operations Forces, to discuss how Romanian Special Operations are combatting Russian aggression and holding the line in Europe. General Dobocan shared his perspective on…
E182 · 5 Dec 2025 · 23 min

#182: Special Operations In The Pacific - Philippine's Joint Special Operations Command Commander Brigadier General Eliglen Villaflor

America is not the only nation in a fight for freedom, stability, and security. International threats are complex, the missions are critical, and the operators leading them must think globally while acting locally. The Philippines is one of America’s longest strategic allies. From their geographical importance of World War II, to their front lines combating Chinese expansion in the Pacific, the military partnership between the United States and the Philippines is an important part of global stability. At the heart of this collaboration, is the Joint Special Operations Command of the Armed…
E181 · 21 Nov 2025 · 40 min

#181: A Badge of Distinction - President John F. Kennedy's Impact On Green Berets - USASOC Historians Dr. Troy Sacquety & Dr. Jared Tracy

Few leaders have shaped the identity of America’s Special Forces more than President John F. Kennedy. In just three years as Commander in Chief, JFK redefined how the United States would fight, lead, and prepare for an uncertain world, one that demanded unconventional solutions and elite warriors ready to face any challenge. As the Cold War escalated, President Kennedy saw the need for a new kind of Soldier, one trained to think, adapt, and win in conflicts fought not only on the battlefield, but through influence, innovation, and resilience. His vision for military modernization gave birth…
E180 · 4 Nov 2025 · 27 min

#180: America's Unknown War - MACV-SOG In Southeast Asia, Green Berets Doug Godshall & Jim Shorten

There are few chapters in American military history as daring, secretive, and defining as MACV-SOG, the Military Assistance Command-Vietnam, Studies and Observations Group . A small band of elite Green Berets who operated deep behind enemy lines, often without acknowledgment, and always with extraordinary courage. These men were tasked with missions that had never been done before and might never be done again. Their work in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam forged the tactics, technology, and mindset that would become the DNA of modern Special Operations. But when they came home, many faced a…

About The Jedburgh Podcast

The Jedburgh Podcast empowers leaders to achieve success on their journey to transform themselves and their organizations. Creator, Host and Special Forces Green Beret Fran Racioppi interviews the world’s most prominent visionaries, drivers of change, and those dedicated to winning. Each episode is an in-depth discussion with trailblazers who’ve earned success through a dedication to talent development, preparation, introspection, and the drive to get things done. Our conversation will empower listeners to define success and operate at an elite level, regardless of the task at hand. In May 1943 the Allied Forces determined a new type of leader was required to win World War II. Operation Jedburgh parachuted three-man teams deep behind enemy lines to win no matter the challenge. Jedburghs lived by the mantra “how you prepare today, determines success tomorrow.” Today's leaders are no different. Fran speaks with leaders in public service, business, athletics, and academics about their personal leadership stories of success, failure, and the road to continuous improvement. Our discussions focus on the character traits of elite performance used by Special Operations Forces to recruit, assess, select and retain elite performers. Through this lens, we show listeners that success in any field must be earned every day. We strive for each listener to take valuable lessons learned and concrete action steps to improve themselves, their teams, and their organizations. Although developed…

The Jedburgh Podcast is a English news podcast from Fran Racioppi. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Fran Racioppi
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 41 min
Latest episode: 6 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1558608802

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