The VUCA world is a challenge. And it’s also a chance to collaborate with sharp minds who also teach strategy, leadership, and decision-making. Recently, I’ve had the privilege of meeting in person several brilliant Substack authors that and I have collaborated with. These collaborations have become vital in advancing the powerful theories of John Boyd. They amplify our mission of teaching leaders and teams to thrive in VUCA.
John Robb – Global Guerrillas
is the force behind Global Guerrillas. John explores the crossroads of technology, conflict, and strategy. His work is crucial for anyone who wants to grasp the changing nature of warfare and networked societies. John has joined us on No Way Out three times. John's insight on how Boyd’s theories apply in today’s fast-changing world is near peerless. He sees patterns where others don’t. His focus on decentralized networks pairs well with Boyd’s ideas on adaptability. Together, we’ve armed leaders with tools to stay ahead in a complex world.Sam Alaimo – What Then? and No Bell Podcast
is an entrepreneur and former US Navy SEAL. Sam writes the Substack What Then?. We recently met to discuss the OODA "loop" and its applicability in any domain. We specifically focused on how leaders and teams that understand OODA “loop” sketch effectively gain a massive advantage; which in turn empowers them to outmaneuver their competition. Sam’s intellectual curiosity and critical thinking are evident in the amazing work he creates on What Then? Stoicism, history, it's all there.
Andrew McLuhan – The McLuhan Newsletter
is the grandson of Marshall McLuhan. Andrew is continuing his grandfather’s work through The McLuhan Newsletter. He explores how media and technology shape our world, a topic that’s key to understanding today’s information landscape. I was introduced to Andrew by who writes the Substack “The Future of Leadership.” (Ponch and I have both appeared on Ed’s podcast, and have yet to meet him in person!)
Andrew and I have found a lot of common ground between John Boyd sand Marshall McLuhan. Andrew recorded with us on No Way Out, and we will release it in the coming weeks (Look out for early access here). We discussed how McLuhan’s “medium as the message” intersects with Boyd’s ideas of orientation and sense making. Our talk bridged media theory and strategy, giving leaders a fresh way to think about their environments.
Bruce Gudmundsson – The Tactical Notebook
writes The Tactical Notebook and Extra Muros. Bruce offers deep expertise in military history and decision forcing cases. He understands how lessons from the past apply to today’s challenges, and teaches leaders how to make better decisions. Bruce was also a guest on No Way Out.
I first met Bruce in 1998 when I was a brand new second lieutenant at The Basic School in Quantico. We reconnected on Boyd work, and I got to see him a few times in Quantico last year. It is interesting to point out that Bruce actually knew John Boyd and once had an unforgettable lunch with him. In the Boyd Archives, I even found a note Boyd wrote about meeting Bruce.
Hunter Hastings – The Value Creators
, author of The Value Creators, adds another layer to our network. His work on entrepreneurship and value creation is vital for leaders in today’s fast-changing economic world. Hunter and I have also collaborated on two academic papers on Boyd and entrepreneurial theory in the tradition of the Austrian School of Economics. Hunter has also been a guest on No Way Out, and his insights help leaders business learn sound economics.
Dr. Robert Malone – Who Is Robert Malone?
Finally, I’d like to mention , who writes Who Is Robert Malone?. Dr. Malone recently joined on No Way Out. His take on science, technology, and 5th Generation warfare offer a unique view on how leaders can tackle today’s complex challenges. You can see the early access to this podcast here on The Whirl.
The Power of Collaboration
These collaborations show the importance of building networks with others committed to learning. In a VUCA world, no one has all the answers. By connecting with these thinkers, we expand a pool of knowledge and understanding that helps leaders and their teams thrive.
Each of these authors—John, Sam, Andrew, Bruce, Hunter, and Dr. Malone—brings something unique to the table. Together, we’re building a deeper understanding of strategy, leadership, and creativity. These relationships have expanded my own thinking and opened new doors to share Boyd’s ideas.
The ability to collaborate, learn from others, and get different perspectives is more important than ever. As we continue to grow “The Whirl of Reorientation,” we're committed to developing these connections, and others like them. Together, we’ll equip leaders to be more agile, informed, and ready to thrive in the challenges of today and tomorrow.
The true power of our work lies in the relationships we build and the knowledge and understanding we share. I’m grateful for the chance to work with such remarkable individuals and look forward to adding more to this distinguished list!
Who is next?
Let’s keep challenging all assumptions, learning, and growing—together!
Our networks like these transcend institutional structure. All the great advancements typically don't happen as institutional initiatives. Institutions are good at scale and efficiency.
New perspectives take time to grow. They happen because a person has an idea. Lies awake at night thinking about. Starts scribbling notes on a notepad. Keeps adding to it and adjusting the clarity of the idea. Then they begin to share it. They discover that other people have been thinking in similar ways, but coming at from a very different direction.
Our podcasts are places where we can meet and talk about these ideas that matter to us. They are digital equivalent of the neighborhood bar after work. They are third places in the virtual realm where we can meet and discover kindred spirits.
Thanks Mark and Ponch for the advancement in understanding you are bringing to us through the ideas of John Boyd. It grows in significance every day.