#0415  –  Real Leadership Isn’t Learned in a Classroom with Chris Hossfeld

#0415 – Real Leadership Isn’t Learned in a Classroom with Chris Hossfeld

Author: Jon S. Rennie February 7, 2026 Duration: 39:25
Most leadership training happens in classrooms.Real leadership doesn’t. In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Hossfeld, a 27-year U.S. Army veteran and founder of Barrel Strength Leadership, who develops leaders by taking them to historic battlefields like Gettysburg and Normandy. We explore why pressure, emotion, and shared experience shape leaders far more than PowerPoint slides ever can. Chris explains how high-stakes environments force clarity, build trust, and reveal what leaders are truly made of—and how those lessons translate directly to business, manufacturing, and executive teams. If you believe leadership is forged in real moments, not theoretical ones, this conversation is for you. Learn more from Chris Hossfeld here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barrel-strength-leadership/ https://www.barrelstrengthleadership.org/ Subscribe for more powerful leadership conversations! Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cadre of Men⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Farrow Skin Care⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salty Sailor Coffee Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leader Connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Qualified Leadership Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone who’s ever felt that leadership advice can be too theoretical or disconnected from reality, Deep Leadership offers a grounded alternative. Host Jon S. Rennie operates from a simple, powerful belief: “Leadership is a People Business.” This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s about the tangible, often messy work of guiding teams and organizations. Jon brings a unique perspective shaped by his time as a Cold War Submarine Officer and over two decades leading within Corporate America before founding his own manufacturing company. In each episode, he translates that extensive experience into practical, actionable insights you can apply immediately. The conversations here delve into the core of what makes leadership work-or fail-across business, culture, and society. You’ll hear from Jon and a variety of expert guests as they explore the philosophical and practical dimensions of guiding people, discussing everything from daily management challenges to broader cultural forces that shape how we work. This podcast is built on the conviction that leadership matters profoundly, and that getting it right requires depth, reflection, and a relentless focus on the human element. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that cut through the noise and get to the heart of leading well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 424

Deep Leadership
Podcast Episodes
#0023 – Submarine Leadership Lessons with Will Bachman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:58
Today I’m joined by Will Bachman. Will is an independent management consultant and the Co-Founder of Umbrex, an organization that connects top-tier independent management consultants around the world. He also hosts the s…
#0022 – The 3 C’s of Leadership with Ronald Donnell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:31
Today I’m joined by Ronald Donnell. Ron is currently in the Air Force officer where he has spent the past 17 years. 14 of those years, he was enlisted and 3 years ago he was promoted into the officer ranks. He is also a…
#0021 – The Power of Relationships with Larry Williamson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:45
Today I’m joined by Larry Williamson. Larry is the founder of Anchored Values Coaching and Consulting where he helps businesses, executives, and people find balance and improve relationships. He is also the author of “Su…
#0020 - Leadership Reflections with Ed Brzychcy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
Today I’m joined by Ed Brzychcy. Ed is a US Army combat veteran and Founder of Blue Cord Management. Ed also hosts the Leadership Update Brief podcast of which I was a guest last year. He recently wrote two books, Daily…
#0019 – Work the Future with Whitney Vosburgh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:27
Today I’m joined by Whitney Vosburgh. Whitney is the Co-Founder and CEO of Brand New Purpose, a company that helps leaders and organizations identify their “True North Strategy.” He’s also the co-author of the #1 Amazon…
#0018 – Coach vs. Leader with Jason Oates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:47
Today I'm joined by fellow podcaster and coach, Jason Oates. Jason is the host of the popular Whistle and a Clipboard podcast where interviews successful sports coaches to learn their best practices. This was recorded as…
#0017 – Pivoting in a Crisis with Philip Freeman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:37
Today I’m joined by Philip Freeman. Philip is the Founder and CEO of Murphy’s Naturals - a manufacturing company focused on making natural products for outdoor living. He is also a former US Navy Deep Sea Diving Officer.…
#0016 – Passionate Leadership with Gretchen Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:48
Today I’m joined by Gretchen Smith. Gretchen is the founder of Code of Vets, a military veterans’ charity that is focused on helping veterans in need. She is a passionate leader who has rallied thousands of people around…
#0015 – Leading through a Crisis with Jack Riggins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:04
Today I’m joined by Jack Riggins. Jack is a retired Navy Seal Commander and Co-founder of Performance Mountain, an organization that helps people, teams, and companies develop an elite mindset and a winning culture. He’s…
#0014 – Leadership Impact with John Brubaker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:37
Today on the podcast, my guest is John Brubaker. John is a former college lacrosse coach who is now a leadership author, speaker, and executive coach. In this podcast, we talk about his award-winning leadership book call…