#1740 - Jocko Willink

At a Glance

• Resilience in Entrepreneurship - “When the pandemic hit for us at Origin, we already had the all-American supply chain. So we were able to continue to do stuff and make stuff happen while a bunch of other companies were scrambling”. Jocko Willink discusses the importance of having a robust, independent supply chain, which allowed his company to thrive during the pandemic when many others struggled, emphasizing resilience and strategic planning in his business approach.

• Critique of Dependency on Foreign Manufacturing - “It’s weird when the pandemic hit. And you find out that almost everything is made overseas. All of our medicine, all of our computer chips… We don’t make any chips. We’re going to have to do something about that”. Willink highlights the vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic regarding dependency on foreign manufacturing, particularly from China, advocating for a return to American manufacturing to enhance national security and self-sufficiency.

• Transparency and Accountability in Leadership - “From a leadership perspective, a lot of times from a traditional, what people imagine a leader to be, it’s the person that’s standing up on a pedestal and telling everyone what to do… But a real leader spends most of their time actually listening to what’s going on”. He underscores the importance of listening and understanding in effective leadership, contrasting it with the stereotypical authoritative approach, and advocating for a more inclusive and transparent style of leadership.

• Concerns about Social Media and Public Discourse - “The only way I’m going to get any recognition, the only ones that any, the only way anyone’s going to see me or listen to me is if I say something so extreme that’s so over the top that it causes a reaction”. Willink critiques the nature of social media, where extreme statements are often rewarded with attention, leading to a polarized and unhealthy public discourse, and stresses the need for more meaningful and respectful communication.

• Reflections on Personal and National Resilience - “You can’t allow yourself to get spun up over stuff. You just can’t allow yourself to get mad. You can’t allow yourself to lose your temper. You can’t allow yourself to, this is an interesting thing I was talking about the other day. I learned this”. Reflecting on his experiences, Jocko emphasizes the importance of emotional control and resilience both personally and nationally, sharing lessons learned from his military background about maintaining composure and perspective in challenging situations.

What to Do

• Engage in Physical Activity - Jocko emphasizes the importance of physical activity for mental and physical health.

• Limit Screen Time and Social Media - Both Joe and Jocko discuss the negative impact of excessive screen time and social media on mental health.

• Increase Vitamin Intake - They suggest increasing vitamin intake, particularly Vitamin C, to improve health and immune function.

• Take Ownership of Mistakes - Jocko advocates for extreme ownership, a leadership principle where one takes full responsibility for their actions and mistakes.

• Be Skeptical of Initial Information - Jocko advises being cautious with initial reports and not overreacting, suggesting that the first information received is often incomplete or incorrect.

• Stay Active and Healthy - They recommend maintaining an active lifestyle and losing weight as key factors for improving health.

• Build Resilience and Toughness - Jocko suggests that facing real challenges and adversities builds resilience and toughness, unlike being overly sheltered.

What to Get

• Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink - Amazon

• Jocko Fuel - Amazon

• Origin Supplements - Amazon - Jocko highlights the benefits of Origin supplements, mentioning their ingredients such as caffeine, thermobromine, B6, and B12, which help improve blood flow and provide a pleasant taste.

• Origin Boots - Joe and Jocko praise the craftsmanship and quality of Origin boots, noting their handmade nature and durability.

• High-End Hunting Gear (e.g., Sitka) - Amazon - Jocko mentions the use of high-end textiles from companies like Gore, used in brands like Sitka, for their advanced waterproof and breathable properties.

• Cold War (Vitamin Supplement) - Amazon - Praised for boosting immunity, especially relevant during COVID-19.

• Vitamin D Supplements - Amazon - Mentioned for health benefits and their importance during the pandemic.

• Quercetin Supplements - Amazon - Highlighted for aiding nutrient absorption and boosting immunity.

Summary

In the initial part of their discussion, Joe and Jocko delve into Jocko’s entrepreneurial ventures, particularly his company Origin, which produces everything from supplements to boots. Jocko elaborates on the quality and craftsmanship of their products, proudly noting their American manufacturing roots. Joe and Jocko share a light-hearted moment discussing the taste and benefits of Origin’s supplements, with Joe expressing his admiration for the boots he purchased. They both agree on the importance of reviving American manufacturing, a sentiment that Jocko underscores by detailing the advanced machinery and traditional techniques used in their Maine facility. This segues into a discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting how it exposed America’s reliance on overseas manufacturing, particularly from China. This dependency is framed as a strategic vulnerability, particularly given the geopolitical tensions with China.

The conversation takes a serious turn when they discuss the case of Peng Shuai, a Chinese tennis star who accused a government official of sexual assault and subsequently disappeared from public view. Joe and Jocko express their concern over the situation, with Jocko pointing out the eerie and controlled nature of Peng Shuai’s public statements following her disappearance. This sparks a broader discussion on China’s human rights abuses and the global response, particularly the stance taken by international organizations and governments. Jocko criticizes the lack of accountability and the suppression of dissent in China, comparing it to the freedom of speech in democratic countries, albeit with its own challenges, such as censorship and shadow banning on social media platforms.

The latter part of their discussion focuses on the divisive nature of social media and its role in exacerbating political and social divisions in the United States. Joe and Jocko reflect on how foreign powers, notably Russia and China, exploit these divisions through troll farms and misinformation campaigns. They discuss the recent revelations about troll farms running top Christian Facebook pages, emphasizing the disturbing effectiveness of these tactics in creating societal discord. Jocko shares his perspective on leadership, stressing the importance of listening and taking responsibility, contrasting this with the blame-shifting behavior he observes in current political leaders. He praises Joe’s ability to navigate controversial topics with nuance and calls for more leaders who are willing to accept responsibility and work towards genuine solutions.

This summary captures the essence of their dynamic conversation, highlighting the blend of humor, serious commentary, and insightful observations that characterize Joe Rogan’s podcasts. Their discussion not only entertains but also provokes thought on critical issues such as manufacturing, international relations, human rights, and leadership.