On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with General John Michel for an inspiring conversation about his remarkable journey from serving as a commanding general for NATO to becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur and community leader.

General John’s story is one of service, leadership, and transformation. From humble beginnings in ROTC at Texas State to flying jets and leading 14 nations in building the $8 billion Afghan Air Force, he reflects on the discipline, passion, and responsibility that shaped his military career. After retiring from the military, General John felt called to a new mission, addressing food insecurity with dignity and innovation. He shares the genesis of Soulcial Kitchen and Currency of Caring, a venture that mobilizes food trucks and empowers entrepreneurs to deliver hot meals and hope to neighbors in need.

About General John Michel,

Air Force Brigadier General (ret.) John Michel is passionate about people and possibilities. A soulcial entrepreneur at heart, he’s also an award- winning author, TED speaker, and business leader who has successfully led several multi-billion-dollar domestic and international transformation efforts.

Today, he serves as Founder of Soulcial Kitchen as well as President of the Food is Love Foundation. His passion is developing and operationalizing innovative approaches to addressing food insecurity and building sustainable community capacity via his Nationally acclaimed Currency of Caring tokenized free meal program.

In 2015, John completed a distinguished 26-year career in the United States Air Force, where in his final assignment, he led NATO’s unprecedented 14-nation effort in Afghanistan to build the $6.7 billion Afghan Air Force. His efforts leading this international coalition culminated in his team being awarded the 2014 Department of Defense’s highest award for innovative nation-building efforts.

John has earned several advanced degrees, including a Master’s of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Military Operation Art from Air University, and earned a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University. He is also a graduate of the Stanford University Supply Chain Leaders Course, the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, and served as a Senior Executive Fellow at Harvard University’s JFK School of Government.

Here’s a few additional resources for you…

Follow me on Instagram: @JonGordon11

Order my new book 'The 7 Commitments of a Great Team' today!

Every week, I send out a free Positive Tip newsletter via email. It’s advice for your life, work and team. You can sign up now here and catch up on past newsletters.

Ready to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose? The Certified Positive Leader Program is for anyone who wants to grow as a leader from the inside out. It’s a self-paced experience built around my most impactful leadership principles with tools you can apply right away to improve your mindset, relationships, and results. You’ll discover what it really means to lead with positivity… and how to do it every day. Learn more here!

Join me for my Day of Development! You’ll learn proven strategies to develop confidence, improve your leadership and build a connected and committed team. You’ll leave with an action plan to supercharge your growth and results. It’s time to Create your Positive Advantage. Get details and sign up here.

Do you feel called to do more? Would you like to impact more people as a leader, writer, speaker, coach and trainer? Get Jon Gordon Certified if you want to be mentored by me and my team to teach my proven frameworks principles, and programs for businesses, sports, education, healthcare!