Episode Details

In this one-year anniversary special, Fran Racioppi takes the hot seat as guest host Cleo Stiller, author of Modern Manhood, takes over the mic. Cleo turns the table, pushing Fran to finally tell his story from his days growing up in New England and Florida, to Boston University and the Army. They cover what drove him to study journalism, why rowing was so impactful and what he actually did in the Special Forces. 

They also talk about his difficult post-Army career. The highs of business school and the lows of hard lessons learned in corporate America; plus his path to finding maturity to become the person he always wanted to be.

Thank you to all of our listeners, our guests, our sponsors and The Jedburgh Podcast Team for joining us on this journey. We are one year old with this episode. Let's celebrate then get back to work on the next 50! 

Read the full episode transcription here and learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website.

Highlights:

-Fran explains why he was drawn to journalism, what he learned watching some of the greatest journalists of all time and how Geraldo Rivera showed him he needed to join the Army instead of becoming a reporter.

-Cleo asks Fran to talk about how his career in the Army first as an infantry officer and later a Special Forces Green Beret was the result of the discipline and teamwork he learned rowing at Boston University.

-Fran describes what he learned working in Africa, the importance of perspective and how his experiences shaped his view of himself and the world.

-Fran’s transition from the military was not the easiest road as he struggled to find himself professionally and personally through a variety of different roles; including Merrill Lynch, Snapchat and a foray into cannabis. 

-Fran honestly addresses past questionable beh