JC Glick Former Army Ranger on Leading Through Transformation, Embracing Fallibility in Truth Seeking, and the Strength Found in Deciding to Commit

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with JC Glick, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and CEO of the Commit Foundation, for a deep conversation about leadership, transformation, and the power of questioning our assumptions. They explore how multiple truths can exist simultaneously, the dangers of concrete thinking in a complex world, and why being willing to be wrong takes more courage than being right. The discussion moves from philosophy and cognitive bias to veteran transition, AI as a thought partner, and the critical difference between transition and transformation.

Episode Highlights

• [3:33] The Philosophy Tree: JC proposes creating a "philosophy tree" tracing Tony Blauer's influence on modern warrior-philosophers and discusses why Tony deserves recognition as a philosopher, not just a self-defense expert.
• [6:49] Multiple Truths Exist: JC challenges the idea that you must stand firmly on everything, arguing that multiple truths can exist simultaneously and that your truth doesn't make someone else's false.
• [34:49] Transition vs. Transformation: JC explains the critical difference: "Transitions happen to you. Transformation is a deliberate process with a desired outcome." He uses the powerful metaphor of turning a can into a Tesla.
• [46:00] AI as Hybrid Intelligence: The conversation shifts to AI's potential as an equity builder and thought partner rather than an answer machine, with JC advocating for "hybrid intelligence" that superpowers human thinking.

JC Glick is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel with 11 combat tours in the 75th Ranger Regiment and Asymmetrical Warfare Group. As CEO of the Commit Foundation, he leads a transformational organization helping special operations veterans, their spouses, intelligence community members, and allied forces reconstruct their identity and purpose beyond military service. JC is the author of Meditations of an Army Ranger and A Light in the Darkness, and contributes regularly to Forbes on topics of resilience, innovation, and purposeful human connection. His work is grounded in evidence-based adult development theory and focuses on helping individuals transform rather than simply transition.

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