Admiral James Stavridis on the Bold Decision to Risk it All
Episode 140
The most defining moments in our lives are rarely the easiest. They’re the ones where we choose to act—especially when everything is on the line.
In this commanding and deeply insightful episode of Passion Struck, I’m joined by Admiral James Stavridis, a retired four-star admiral and former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO. Over his remarkable three-decade career in the U.S. Navy, Admiral Stavridis developed a reputation for calm under pressure, moral clarity, and the kind of leadership that doesn’t just inspire—it endures.
Drawing from his powerful book To Risk It All, we explore the anatomy of decision-making when the stakes couldn’t be higher. He shares stories of Navy heroes—spanning from the Revolutionary War to present-day conflicts—who made defining choices under unimaginable pressure. These aren’t just military tales—they’re blueprints for how to lead, live, and make courageous decisions in our own lives.
In this conversation, we unpack:
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