Live Like a Leader with John Bates

Captured by Love, Grounded in Honor with Col. Lee Ellis

Episode Summary

Today I sit down with someone who I honestly never imagined I’d get to interview — Col. Lee Ellis. He’s a hero in every sense of the word and an inspiration to anyone who believes in resilience, honor, and the power of love. Lee is the President of Leading with Honor, a leadership and team development company that coaches senior executives at Fortune 500 companies. He’s also a former fighter pilot, shot down over Vietnam and held as a POW in Hanoi for more than five years. He returned with honor and went on to become a highly decorated Air Force Colonel, an award-winning author, and a nationally respected leadership consultant and speaker. My heartfelt thanks to the Medal of Honor Museum Foundation and Kevin Basik for making this possible.

Episode Notes

In our conversation, we explore:

• What it was like to fly the legendary F-4 Phantom into combat.
• The moment his jet exploded — and the life-altering seconds that followed.
• What helped him survive nearly six years as a POW.
• The power of faith, friendship, and camaraderie under unthinkable conditions.
• One of the lowest moments of his time in captivity, and the lesson we can all learn from it. 
• Why honor isn’t just a virtue — it's also a strategy for long-term success.
• And how we can all bounce back from setbacks with resilience and grace.

We also discuss Lee’s latest and most heart-expanding book, Captured by Love: Inspiring True Romance Stories from Vietnam POWs, a best-seller that reveals powerful stories of real love forged in the fires of war and captivity.

💌 Want to get a taste of this incredible book? Head over to POWromance.com — you can download the first 50 pages for free and it will inspire you.

✈️ And check out all of Lee’s work, including his other books and leadership training programs, at LeadingWithHonor.com

This is one of those rare episodes that will stay with you. Lee’s courage, humility, and wisdom are unforgettable — and I’m honored to share this conversation with you.

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🙏 Thank you for listening — and as always, live like a leader.