In this episode of Chief Influencer, Anthony Shop sits down with JoAnne "Jo" Bass, the 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force and the first woman to serve as the highest-ranking enlisted leader of any U.S. military service. Over 31 years in uniform, Chief Bass advised the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force on the readiness, resilience, and well-being of more than 600,000 airmen and their families, and she brings that experience directly to bear on how leaders build trust, communicate under pressure, and create cultures where people speak up. The conversation ranges from the debrief rituals Chief Bass used after every mission to gather honest feedback to her now-famous observation that leaders must not confuse the chain of command with the chain of communication in an era when information moves faster than any official channel can control it. She also speaks candidly about carrying the weight of being "the first" without letting it become the whole story, and about why showing up as a real, human leader online, not just an institutional voice, builds the kind of trust that makes harder messages land. Whether you're leading a military unit, a company, or a cause, this episode is a masterclass in earning trust before you need it. Takeaways:Build Trust Before the Crisis: Trust isn't built on speeches or big platforms — it's built in the small, everyday interactions, decisions, and relationships that form a leader's reputation long before any crisis hits.Don't Confuse the Chain of Command with the Chain of Communication: Hierarchy still matters, but information now moves instantly and horizontally. Leaders who rely solely on top-down messaging get outpaced by the narrative.Speed Beats Perfection in a Crisis: In today's information environment, whoever shares their version of events first tends to shape the narrative — regardless of accuracy. Waiting to "see if it blows over" can cost leaders the chance to shape the story at all.Institutionalize the Debrief: After every mission, Chief Bass and her team gathered to ask what went well and what could improve — creating a standing structure for honest, upward feedback regardless of rank.Let People See You're Human: Chief Bass learned that leaders who show personality and authenticity — not just polished institutional messaging — earn the kind of trust that makes people willing to engage with harder, more important content.Let the "First" Be a Byproduct, Not the Goal: Chief Bass didn't set out to be the first woman in her role; she focused on doing the job well and building strong teams, and let recognition follow rather than define her.Recruit for Mission Clarity: Veterans bring a rare ability to define a mission, communicate it clearly, and execute with limited resources — a skill Chief Bass believes is underused in corporate and academic leadership development. Quote of the Show:"Trust is built in the little things. It's not built on the speeches. It's not built on the big platforms." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-bass/  Shout Outs:Face the Fight: wefacethefight.org Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsSimon Sinek

Robert Irvine has spent decades leading under pressure, transforming organizations, and championing causes larger than himself. But as he explains in this episode of Chief Influencer, influence isn't about being the loudest voice in the room—it's about earning trust, building relationships, and bringing people together around a shared mission. In conversation with Anthony Shop, Robert reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped him, from an early experience in the Royal Navy that forever changed his view of teamwork to the role empathy played in transforming his approach on Restaurant Impossible. Together, they explore what it takes to lead meaningful change, build credibility over time, and use influence in service of something greater than yourself. Takeaways:Trust is earned through consistency: Influence isn't built by having the loudest voice. Robert explains that trust develops when people consistently see you follow through, stay committed, and deliver on your promises over time.Great leaders never stop listening: One of Robert's biggest leadership breakthroughs came when he realized he wasn't listening enough. Understanding people's motivations and challenges ultimately made him a far more effective leader than simply telling them what needed to change.Persistence creates momentum: Systemic change rarely happens overnight. Robert shares how decades of persistence—and refusing to abandon a mission he believed in—eventually created the momentum needed to transform military food systems.Relationships are the foundation of influence: Whether changing public policy or leading a business, Robert believes influence begins long before you ask for support. Building genuine relationships creates the trust necessary to move important ideas forward.Leadership is about elevating others: Early in his career, Robert believed success meant personal excellence. A lesson from his Royal Navy training taught him that real leadership means helping everyone around you succeed—not just yourself.Vulnerability strengthens leadership: Some of Robert's most meaningful leadership moments came when he allowed himself to be human. Empathy and vulnerability have become essential parts of how he connects with people and builds trust. Quote of the Show:"Leadership isn't about you. It's about taking people with you on that journey." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chefirvine/ Website: https://linktr.ee/robertirvinefoundation 

Christian Tom has built his career at the intersection of government, technology, media, and digital strategy. After leading digital strategy at the White House, Now This, and Twitter, he is now helping shape the future of creator-led media. In this episode, Christian shares why influence has shifted from institutions to individuals, what brands often get wrong when working with creators, and why leaders need to become more comfortable trying new things as media continues to evolve. He also reflects on lessons from communicating during moments of national crisis, explains why platforms like YouTube and Reddit are changing how people consume information, and makes the case that while technology will continue to change, trust will always be at the center of influence. Takeaways:Creators have become one of the most trusted sources of information: People are increasingly turning to creators and personality-driven content instead of traditional institutions. Leaders need to understand where audiences are already spending their time and attention.The best creator partnerships are built on trust: Brands get better results when they allow creators to communicate in their own authentic voice instead of scripting every message. Audiences can quickly tell when content feels forced.Leaders need to be willing to experiment: Trying new platforms, formats, and communication styles is essential for staying relevant. Not every idea will succeed, but innovation requires a willingness to test and learn.Meet audiences where they are: Effective communication isn't about being everywhere. It's about showing up on the platforms your audience already uses and delivering information in a way that feels natural.Relationships create lasting influence: Christian shares that small acts of professionalism and respect can open unexpected doors years later. Influence is often built long before you realize it.Trust will always outlast technology: Platforms and algorithms will continue to evolve, but trust remains the foundation of meaningful influence. The leaders who build genuine relationships will always have an advantage. Quote of the Show: “The cultural, electoral, and monetary value —for digital media today and for the foreseeable future— will be led by creators." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cltom/ AND Media Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/another-normal-day/  Shout Outs:Landon Morgado: https://www.linkedin.com/in/landon-morgado-92a4491b/ Aisha Shah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aisha-shah-99362089/ John Della Volpe: https://iop.harvard.edu/about/staff/john-della-volpe Kareem Rahma: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kareem/?hl=en Subway Takes: https://www.youtube.com/@SubwayTakes Keep The Meter Running: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLk0wGsyxJWebbz1JwkbZDipr8S2eh3qvN Higher Ground Productions: https://www.youtube.com/@highergroundproductions Hunter Prosper: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunter_prosper/ Stories from a Stranger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFkVrdA6zxM&list=PLMar0AT704Q7wE9lSrMXDQmFx8kd_E27A Matt Buechele: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattbooshell/That Sounds Like A Lot Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@thatsoundslikealot Vox Media: https://www.voxmedia.com/ Derek Thompson: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-thompson-b2253549/ Everything is Television Article: https://www.derekthompson.org/p/why-everything-became-television  Megan Coyne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-e-coyne/ The Moment LIVE: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMoment_LIVE Meredith Lynch: https://www.instagram.com/meredithmlynch/Rebecca Sananes: https://www.instagram.com/rebzsays/

What creates influence in a world overflowing with information? In this episode of Chief Influencer®, Anthony Shop sits down with Josh Resnik to discuss how leaders can build trust, navigate complexity, and make better decisions in an increasingly volatile political and regulatory environment. Josh spent nearly a decade at FiscalNote in multiple executive roles, including General Counsel, COO, and ultimately CEO and President, before stepping down in June 2026.  Drawing on a career that spans law, media, technology, business development, and executive leadership, Josh shares lessons on communication, stakeholder management, and why influence is often the result of listening rather than persuading. The conversation explores the future of public affairs, the growing role of AI in decision-making, and why trusted information has become a competitive advantage. Josh also explains why the most effective leaders focus on solving problems, helping others succeed, and building credibility over time. Whether you're leading a company, shaping policy, or managing change, this episode offers valuable insights on trust, technology, and influence in today's rapidly evolving world. Takeaways:Influence is built on trust, and trust starts with listening. The strongest leaders spend more time understanding others' perspectives than trying to persuade them.Effective communication requires consistency and audience awareness. While the core message should remain the same, leaders must tailor how they communicate based on the needs and priorities of different stakeholders.Public affairs leaders create the most value when they connect policy developments directly to business outcomes. Understanding how external issues impact organizational goals helps elevate public affairs from a support function to a strategic driver.AI can dramatically improve productivity and decision-making, but it cannot replace human judgment. Leaders must combine technology with experience, context, and critical thinking.Trusted information is becoming more valuable as content becomes easier to create. Organizations that can provide authoritative, reliable insights will have a significant advantage in an AI-driven world.Influence often grows as a byproduct of helping others solve problems. Leaders who focus on supporting colleagues, building relationships, and creating value naturally expand their impact over time.The future belongs to organizations that can combine technology, data, and human expertise. Success will come from using AI to enhance decision-making while preserving the relationships and judgment that drive meaningful outcomes. Quote of the Show:"Make it your mission to solve interesting problems and help other people. The influence will just be a byproduct of those behaviors, of the listening, the building trust, and really with those things as the foundation." Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshresnik/ Website: https://fiscalnote.com/ 

In this episode of Chief Influencer®, Anthony Shop sits down with Bryan Myers, President and CEO of [solidcore], to explore why the most effective leaders don't lead from a distance—they lead through experience, authenticity, and connection. Bryan shares how becoming a [solidcore] coach helped him build credibility with employees, clients, and industry peers, and why understanding the frontline experience is essential for any leader. The conversation dives into personal branding, vulnerability, servant leadership, and the balance between staying authentic while adapting to different audiences. Bryan also explains why influence is less about persuasion and more about how you make people feel. From coaching under the blue lights to showing up in private equity boardrooms in a pink suit, Bryan offers a powerful reminder that leadership works best when people see the human behind the title. Takeaways:Credibility is built when leaders take the time to understand the frontline experience firsthand. By spending time alongside employees and learning what their work actually involves, leaders gain valuable perspective and earn trust that can't be achieved through a title alone.Authenticity doesn't mean showing up the same way in every room—it means staying true to who you are while adapting to the audience. Great leaders understand how to adjust their communication style to different situations without compromising their values or identity.Personal brands are built through consistency, not performance. A strong personal brand comes from regularly sharing your genuine perspectives and values, not from chasing trends or trying to create a polished image.The strongest leaders create environments where vulnerability and honesty are encouraged. When leaders are transparent about challenges and willing to admit they don't have all the answers, they create a culture built on trust and open communication.People connect with people, not institutions. Accessibility builds trust. Leaders who are approachable, visible, and willing to engage directly with employees, customers, and stakeholders create stronger relationships and deeper loyalty.Successful brands know exactly who they serve—and who they don't. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, the strongest brands stay focused on their core audience and consistently deliver an experience that aligns with their values.Lasting influence comes from making people feel valued, capable, and understood. The most influential leaders help others recognize their potential and leave people feeling more confident, empowered, and supported. Quote of the Show:“Real influence is really about how you make people feel. When they are in your presence, when you are working alongside them, because when you figure out the unlock to making them feel the way that you want, that is when they will run through a brick wall for you.” Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myersb/ Website: https://www.solidcore.co/