In this powerful episode of From Battle to Business, Dean Van Dyke sits down with Chris Duprey—former infantry officer, sales strategist, and communication expert—to unpack what it truly takes to lead high-performing teams through better conversations. Chris shares the four pillars of Breakthrough Conversations, the traps leaders fall into with communication, and how AI is reshaping the future of leadership without replacing the human element. If you’re a business owner, team leader, or sales pro looking to drive growth through clarity and trust, this episode delivers real tactics you can apply today.

Communication breakdown is one of the biggest silent killers in business, and Chris Duprey is here to fix that. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Chris has transformed battlefield leadership into boardroom breakthroughs with his Breakthrough Conversations framework. In this episode, he and Dean get honest about why most conversations fall flat, how to ask better questions, and how to lead your team without micromanaging them into submission.

They also dive into how AI tools can enhance your conversations—but only if you know how to keep the humanity intact. You’ll walk away with leadership mindset shifts and a framework to get your people unstuck.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The four pillars of Breakthrough Conversations: Yes, And…, Vanguarding, Question First, and Law of Three
• Why “telling” breaks trust, but asking builds it
• How “law of three” helps prevent information overload
• A quick tactic to shift from micromanaging to empowering
• How AI can amplify your message, but not replace human connection
• Communication mistakes sales leaders make without realizing
• Chris’s personal transition from combat to coaching—and what he learned the hard way
• Why most leaders avoid silence, and why they shouldn’t
• Tactical use of frameworks to have better 1-on-1s
• What it means to “trust the conversation to do the work"

🛠️ Step-by-Step Process: (Breakthrough Conversations Framework)

1. Yes, And… – Build momentum by validating others before pivoting.
2. Vanguarding – Name the tension or risk upfront to build trust.
3. Question First – Stop defaulting to advice. Ask, don’t tell.
4. Law of Three – Group ideas in threes to enhance clarity and retention.

💬 Notable Quotes:

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• The Question First Group – Chris’s firm that trains leaders and teams on mastering Breakthrough Conversations.
• AI Tools – Discussed in the context of enhancing communication workflows, not replacing them.

Connect with Chris Duprey at

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cduprey/

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint

https://www.deanvandyke.com

In this episode of From Battle to Business, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Reichert shares his powerful transformation from military leadership to servant leadership guided by faith. With over two decades in the Army and four combat deployments, Ryan opens up about facing addiction, discovering purpose through pain, and answering God’s call to serve others. Now a business owner, motivational speaker, and author, Ryan reveals how rock bottom was the start of something greater. If you’re battling inner demons, searching for direction, or striving to lead with purpose, this episode will meet you where you are—and move you forward.

What happens when a soldier’s battlefield becomes internal?

Ryan Reichert’s story is not just about discipline, deployments, or rank—it’s about redemption. After 23 years in the U.S. Army and facing combat’s external pressures, Ryan returned home to face a deeper war: addiction, identity, and faith.

This episode is a raw, honest conversation about recovery, reinvention, and what it means to truly lead—with humility, integrity, and obedience to God’s call. Dean and Ryan dive into the tension between structure and surrender, and how Ryan’s business and ministry work now stand on the same foundation: service.

Whether you’re a veteran navigating life after the uniform or a leader seeking more clarity, Ryan’s journey is proof that your lowest point might just be your launchpad.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership without purpose eventually leads to burnout.
• Faith can become your greatest operational strategy.
• Recovery is not weakness—it’s real strength.
• God doesn’t waste pain—He uses it as preparation.
• Your identity isn’t your title; it’s your testimony.

3 Quotes from the Episode:

Resources Mentioned:

• Our Protector Development: Ryan’s platform for coaching, speaking, and spiritual mentorship.

My Advice:

Don’t wait until your structure collapses to question your foundation. Ask now: Is the life I’m building rooted in truth, or in ego? Ryan’s story reminds us—when you surrender control, that’s when true transformation begins.

Connect with Ryan Reichert at

https://ourprotectordevelopment.com/

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at The Breakthrough Blueprint

https://www.deanvandyke.com

https://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/

https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/

If you enjoyed listening, then please take a second to rate the show on iTunes. Every podcaster will tell you that iTunes reviews drive listeners to our shows so please let me know what you thought and make sure you subscribe using your favorite podcast player. It means a lot to me and to the guests.

How do you lead when everything around you is uncertain?

In this episode, I sit down with Schuyler Williamson, a West Point grad, Bronze Star recipient, real estate mogul, and author of The Steady Leader. From combat deployments to building million-dollar real estate portfolios, Schuyler brings battle-tested leadership principles that cut through the noise and get results. He breaks down his frameworks for decision-making in chaos, building clarity into your team, and how “steady” beats “busy” every time.

Whether you’re a founder, operator, or feeling the heat of uncertainty, this episode is a masterclass in staying mission-focused when everything feels like a firefight.

• Clarity is more powerful than control.
• “Busy” isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a lack of priorities.
• Real estate success is a byproduct of operational systems, not hustle.
• Systems create predictability and room to scale.
• You don’t need to do more—you need to lead better.
• Time management is energy management.
• The transition from military to entrepreneurship is about repurposing your discipline.
• Communication builds trust—and trust reduces friction.

1. Clarity First – Define what matters most.
2. Systems Before Speed – Don’t scale dysfunction.
3. Energy Allocation – Put your best energy into your biggest levers.
4. Team Buy-In – Everyone should know the “why.”
5. Measurement with Margin – Track results, but leave room for grace.

Connect with Schuyler at:

https://www.schuylerwilliamson.com/the-steady-leader

Connect with Dean Van Dyke at:

https://www.deanvandyke.com

https://www.instagram.com/dhvandyke27/

https://www.facebook.com/thepillarsgroup/

If you enjoyed listening, please take a second to rate the show on iTunes. Every podcaster will tell you that iTunes reviews drive listeners to our shows, so please let me know what you think and make sure you subscribe using your favorite podcast player. It means a lot to me and to the guests.