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Subscribe now for an ad-free experience. Danny and Derek's promise ring ceremony regrettably must be relocated from MSG due to a scheduling conflict. In this week's news: The Iran negotiations show signs of progress (1:26) despite disputes over the agreement (5:20), plus conflicting reports over the status of the Strait of Hormuz* (9:24); Lebanon sees a reduction in fighting and another round of talks (12:31); in Gaza, Israel is targeting children (15:38), plus a Board of Peace update (16:48); Keir Starmer resigns as PM of the UK (18:40); the DPRK/North Korea appears to be back on Trump's radar (21:18); a battle over El Obeid, Sudan, still looms (22:53); Trump is again angry with NATO and has a spat with Italian PM Meloni (25:07); in Russia-Ukraine, an update on the war (27:40), Poland strips Zelenskyy of an award (30:21), and the Russians are again displeased with Trump (32:40); election updates in Colombia (34:25), Peru (36:08), and Ethiopia (37:27); and Trump unveils the new Air Force One (39:23). *After the time of recording, the initiative to rescue stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz was paused due to a vessel being attacked. Check out the replay of Wednesday's livestream. Join the Discord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
JD Vance treads water on Iran, D.C. swan dives into Reflecting Pool chaos, and Trump lifts a glass to his brand-new Air Force One. This week, Matt Hamilton stops by to discuss local journalism, the L.A. mayoral race, and, of course, a plague of fire rats. Ali Siddiq and Ify Nwadiwe find out if Father really does know best with a round of Would You Rather?, and we have regrets like we've never had them before when we share our many, many Second Thoughts.
Alpha Warrior and Josh Reid had to actively look for things to be sad about this week and could not find any. Yesterday and today the White House went full blown Q in public for the first time. The "Q means Quantum" post hid a special character at line 48, which decodes to Q drop 48 about Q clearance and the Department of Energy. The fake Always Trust 47 post landed at 14:25 Eastern, which decodes to Q drop 1425 reading "given we have now undeniably on purpose verified ourselves to be an inside source." Then the War CTO posted at 9:18 matching Q drop 918 about coincidences becoming mathematically impossible. The guys break down every contextual reference frame in order. Pete Hegseth confirmed the first successful Golden Dome test using directed energy and the DDAD system to defeat drones and cruise missiles autonomously. Bill Pulte walks into his first day as acting DNI and fires more than fifty career intelligence officials, sending Andy McCabe into a televised meltdown. Plus Trump's new Air Force One with Q clearance comms, John Solomon and Devin Nunes both quietly moved to ODNI, MK Ultra hearings Tuesday, the Hillary Clinton planes on the tarmac admission, and the Great American State Fair kicking off America's 250th tomorrow.
Donald Trump says the Reflecting Pool will need to be drained for repairs to the coating he said would "last for at least 50 years" — blaming vandals for the peeling and algae blooms that have turned his pet project into an instant mess, and ordering federal agents to start making arrests. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett react to the administration's scapegoating then turn to the rest of the news, including the latest from JD Vance's negotiations with Iran, Trump's luxurious renovation of the Qatari jet set to become the new Air Force One, and the beginning of Bill Pulte's term as acting Director of National Intelligence. Then, New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan join Tommy to discuss their new book, "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," which offers an unparalleled look inside Trump's second term.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast, episode title, and episode date.
This week we cover a wide range of current political and international issues, including the Iran deal, Trump's G7 appearance, Supreme Court decisions, and more. Join us for an in-depth analysis of these critical topics and their implications for the future. Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JATQPodcast Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jatqpodcast.bsky.social Intragram: https://www.instagram.com/jatqpodcast Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCET7k2_Y9P9Fz0MZRARGqVw This Show is Available Ad-Free And Early For Patreon supporters here: https://www.patreon.com/justaskthequestionpodcast Purchase Brian's book "Free The Press" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome to this most patriotic episode. In fact, this episode is so patriotic that we are dedicating this entire show to the President's plane. That's right the guys are talking about "Air Force One". On this episode, John knows the many festivals of Kazakhstan. Eric takes a strong stance on this show. And Richard tries to shirk his duty as Director. So pull up your captain's chair. Make sure your credentials are in order, and listen to Plot Spackle! Music: TheFatRat - Epic https://lnk.to/ftrepic
Headlines: – Welcome to Mo News + Toy Story 5 Box Office Success (02:00) – U.S.-Iran Talks Hit Challenges Immediately; Trump Threatens Hormuz Takeover (06:30) – President Trump Unveils New Air Force One (16:00) – Trump Admin. Tried To Block States From Regulating AI, But Some Are Forging Ahead (24:00) – The Memory-Chip Crisis Has Arrived (27:00) – Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Woes: Algae, Peeling Paint & Vandalism (29:20) – AI Replacing Authors, Musicians, Lawyers (33:30) – U.S., Mexico, Germany Clinch Spots In World Cup Knockout Round (37:45) – Viral World Cup Fan Freddy: From Internet Sensation To White House Guest? (39:20) – On This Day In History (44:30) Thanks To Our Sponsors: – Monarch - 50% off your first year | Code: MONEWS – Factor - 50% off your first box | Code: monews50off – Industrious - Coworking office. 50% off day pass | Code: MONEWS50 – LMNT | Free Sample Pack with any LMNT drink mix or 12oz cans purchase – Boll & Branch – 15% off first order, plus free shipping | Code: MONEWS
Today's Headlines: Oh boy, what a weekend! Trump deployed the National Guard to the reflecting pool, where they arrested a 67-year-old former Olympic cyclist who stopped during a bike ride and touched the water to feel the liner — charging him with destruction of government property. Trump posted that "multiple individuals" were arrested for vandalism and threatened "years in jail." The algae situation is now worse than ever, and we now know that the no-bid contract was awarded to a company owned by a Trump donor and Mar-a-Lago member named John Cafaro whose firm Greenwater Services was clearly not equipped for the job. Trump also got into a feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after claiming she "begged" him for a photo at the G7, which Italy responded to by canceling a planned state visit and Meloni posting a video saying "Italy and I do not beg," and Trump doubled down anyway. He also posted a photo of a random woman captioned "great daughter, my honor!!" who turned out to be a Clinton-era businesswoman whose actual daughter is the chairwoman of the Manhattan Republican Party. On the war beat, less than a day after signing the memorandum of understanding, US intelligence warned Trump that Netanyahu would likely undermine the deal — which he immediately did by continuing strikes in Lebanon, prompting Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz again. JD Vance made it to Switzerland for negotiations on Sunday with Tweedles Dee & Dum (Kushner & Witkoff), and Trump promptly torpedoed the meeting by posting threats of "harder strikes" against Iran while it was actively happening, causing Iran to walk out and demand an apology. As of Sunday night talks were back on, and Trump announced that if everything falls apart he's blaming JD Vance. The Pentagon also told Congress it needs $80 billion to cover the cost of the Iran war and replenish depleted ammunition supplies, Republicans need 60 Senate votes to pass it, and it's not looking great. Meanwhile, the Qatar-gifted $400 million plane has completed modifications and is ready to join Trump's Air Force One rotation, and the DOJ refused in a court filing to put in writing that they won't create the Traitor Fund, calling a written promise "unnecessary" because they already said so verbally, which is exactly what someone planning to do it anyway would say. Resources/Articles mentioned: Newsweek: Cyclist Arrested at Reflecting Pool Speaks Out as National Guard Deployed NYT: Firm Tied to Trump Donor Got No-Bid Contract to Clean Reflecting Pool NPR: Trump claims vandals damaged D.C. Reflecting Pool, and says it will be drained again AP News: Trump deepens the dustup with Italy's Meloni, who says his 'unprovoked attacks are senseless' Newsweek: Trump Late-Night Post Sparks Scramble to ID Mystery Woman in Photo WaPo: White House says goodbye to an Air Force One as it prepares for Qatar jet The Independent: Trump's DOJ refuses to supply signed statements saying ‘slush fund' is really dead WaPo: U.S. intelligence warns Israel is likely to undermine Iran peace deal, officials say The Guardian: Iran says it is closing strait of Hormuz over Israeli strikes in Lebanon AP News: US-Iran negotiations expected through the night after Trump shakes talks with threats WSJ: Pentagon Tells Lawmakers It Needs $80 Billion for Iran War and Other Bills Subscribe to the Betches News Room and join the Morning Announcements group chat. Go to: betchesnews.substack.com Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: The Latest Between the U.S. and Iran; What We Know Following Day One of Talks (0:19) What We Know About the Reflecting Pool Drama. Is It Vandalism or Something Else? (8:01) President Trump Unveils New Air Force One Plane (~18:20) Tulsi Gabbard Releases Files She Says Exposes Dr. Fauci On Her Last Day in Office. Here's What We Know (~26:28) Quick Hitters (~39:38) GOOD NEWS (~43:05) Critical Thinking Segment (~46:24) Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on Instagram and TikTok. All sources for this episode can be found here. Only by using my link, you can get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan! Go to groundnews.com/up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Greg Kelly Reports | June 19, 2026 - The episode opens with a full-throated defense of President Trump's brand-new Air Force One, arguing the upgraded jet is overdue, strategically necessary, and unfairly attacked by critics fixated on Qatar instead of America's actual military relationship there. - A major focus is Barack Obama's new presidential center in Chicago, with the show portraying the project as an expensive vanity monument while revisiting Obama's role in the Russia collusion narrative and broader efforts to undermine Trump. - Tulsi Gabbard's release of new Fauci-related documents becomes a central theme, with the episode arguing the files further expose Anthony Fauci's role in gain-of-function funding, COVID intelligence manipulation, and false testimony to Congress. - The show also zeroes in on national politics beyond Washington, spotlighting the Nebraska 2nd Congressional District race as a key House battleground and framing Republican candidate Brinker Harding as a firewall against Democratic dark-money influence. - The episode closes by condemning drag events aimed at children in public institutions like libraries and city halls, arguing that local leaders and police are normalizing behavior that would have been treated as outrageous child exploitation only a few years ago. The Greg Kelly Reports podcast is sponsored in part by : PARAMOUNT PLUS - Don't Miss "The Agency." All episodes now streaming on Paramount Plus Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media: • Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB • X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter • Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG • YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV • Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV • TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Another Week, Another Trump Lie? Here's What's Actually Happening Trump says one thing. Reality says another. As a new week begins, some things have become remarkably predictable: more claims, more contradictions, more attacks, and more headlines surrounding Donald Trump. On today's Karel Cast, we look at three stories raising serious questions: • The controversy surrounding the blue-painted Reflecting Pool and claims about vandalism. • The continuing conflict involving Iran and questions about whether peace efforts have actually produced results. • The ongoing debate over Air Force One, including the luxury aircraft provided by Qatar and the millions spent modifying it. Whether you support Donald Trump or oppose him, one question remains: when statements from public officials conflict with documented facts, who should Americans believe? We'll separate rhetoric from reality and examine what the media, government records, and public statements actually show. The Karel Cast is a progressive talk and entertainment show hosted by history-making broadcaster Karel, live Monday through Thursday at 10:30 AM Pacific. Support the show: Patreon: patreon.com/reallykarel Watch: YouTube: youtube.com/reallykarel Listen: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Spreaker, and all major podcast platforms. Follow Karel on TikTok, Instagram, and social media for daily content and live updates. #Trump,#DonaldTrump,#Politics,#PoliticalNews,#BreakingNews,#CurrentEvents,#USPolitics,#WhiteHouse,#NewsAnalysis,#Commentary,#Liberal,#Progressive,#Democracy,#Government,#FactCheck,#Truth,#Media,#PoliticalCommentary,#WorldNews,#Iran,#MiddleEast,#AirForceOne,#JDVance,#AmericanPolitics,#NewsUpdate,#PoliticalDiscussion,#KarelCast,#YouTubePolitics,#TrendingNews,#Opinion https://youtube.com/live/5bjCwoaJ6ws
In the first hour, Brad McElhinny drops by and Ogden Newspaper's Steven Allen Adams talks WV politics. Fox News' Jared Halpern describes the new Air Force One. Second hour, Jason Pizatella, CEO of the Contractors Association, weighs in on a bill that passed US House that could impact labor negotiations. US Attorney Matt Harvey details embezzlement allegations in Berkeley County.
On this week's Curmudgeon's Corner, Sam and Ivan talk about the latest developments with the Iran situation. But first, the reflecting pool, Air Force One, UK politics, and some movies! Show Details: Recorded 2026-06-20 Length this week 1:58:30 0:00:49 - But First Reflecting Pool Air Force One UK Politics Movie: Crocodile Dundee II (1988) Movie: Toy Story 5 (2026) Movie: The Godfather (1972) 0:56:04 - But Second Iran MOU Evaluating Outcomes Unforced Errors Breaks With Allies Might Makes Right Political Morality The Curmudgeon's Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is The Oh of Pleasure (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is Celestial Soda Pop (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album Deep Breakfast (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.
Today on America in the Morning Trump Threatens New Iran Attacks As Vice President JD Vance met in Switzerland with the Iranian negotiators, President Trump threatened new attacks on Iran if they don't comply with US demands. John Stolnis has the latest from Washington. Reflecting Pool Re-Drain As National Guard troops keep watch over the weekend, there were pro-algae protests around the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington where President Trump is now blaming the state of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall on vandalism. Correspondent Donna Warder reports one person, a former US Olympic team member was taken into custody, and US Attorney Jeaninne Pirro, speaking on Fox News, says ABC News reporter Jonathan Karl, who in a report reached into the green water and lifted up a floating section of blue paint in the pool, could also face criminal charges. Trump-Merloni Feud It's turning into a virtual he-said-she-said as President Trump's feud with the Prime Minister of Italy is escalating following last week's G7 summit in France. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports. NYC Carriage Death A New York tourist tradition may soon be coming to an end, following a tragic accident involving a horse-drawn carriage. Correspondent Ed Donahue reports. Chicago Shootings President Trump is calling for a military intervention in the nation's third-largest city, after as many as 8 people were killed and three dozen others were injured by gunfire over the three day Juneteenth weekend. Healthcare Costs The high costs for health care seem to be weighing more on Americans, with concerns growing in a poll about healthcare affordability. Correspondent Haya Panjwani reports. Talks In Trouble High-level talks in Switzerland led by Vice President JD Vance with senior Iranian leadership mediated by Qatar and Pakistan got off to a rocky start as President Trump threatens to shake up negotiations over the deal's details, talks that now Iran says it is pausing. Correspondent Julie Walker reports at issue is not just the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran claimed to have closed again, but fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon – audio of Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon and Energy Secretary Chris Wright courtesy of Fox News Sunday. Congressional Reaction To US-Iran Issue The growing tensions as negotiations have reportedly stalled in Switzerland between the Trump administration and Iran over the weekend have spilled into Congress and was the talk of the Sunday shows. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports on the Congressional concerns over events in the Middle East. New Air Force One In a ceremony over the weekend at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, DC, President Trump unveiled the new Air Force One, a plane gifted by Qatar to the United States. Correspondent Ed Donahue reports. Los Angeles Fire A massive fire in Los Angeles has been burning for days, and it's now causing smoke issues for the nation's second-largest city. Correspondent Katie Clark reports. Maryland Plane Crash Three adults are dead after a small aircraft crashed at a community park in Bowie, Maryland over the weekend. Sports – John Stolnis World Cup & more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Episode 57 of Flow comes in hot the weekend before GART Deadwood with Cam Cooksey riding the high of attending the Czechia vs. South Africa World Cup match in Atlanta with Jackie. He walks through Trump's True Social posts: no tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, no money for Iran, the "not just 13, an unlucky number" Supreme Court signal buried in the filibuster post, and the May 1st "I have all the cards" picture revisited as Netanyahu's reelection teeters. The Iranian resistance flag getting confiscated from fans at the World Cup and the team being sent back to Mexico sparks a bigger conversation about the regime versus the people. Trump trolls the country with back to back polls on renaming ICE to NICE and the correct spelling of Dumocrat. The UFC Freedom 250 fireworks and Justin Gaethje's White House lawn upset get a victory lap, and the July 4 flyover with F-22s and the new Air Force One gets teased. Father's Day gets a proper shoutout. Double American of the Week: William Williams and George Wythe.
The NEw Air Force One http://americanfinancing.net/craig Selena Studio Art https://www.etsy.com/shop/selenastudioart/?etsrc=sdt Jupiter Joe YouTube Channel Radio Show and Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@jupiterjoemoneyshow/videos https://www.jupiterjoe.com https://shibaorganics.com Save up to 80% off Top MyPillow Prodcuts with our Promo Code KANE at Checkout https://www.mypillow.com/kane Thank you to our Top Patreon Supporters! Andrew and Connie, Cristine, ETW, Chuck, Pamela, Nick, Wesley, Heather, David, Maria in Texas, Alice, LeeZep, Shawana, George, Brandon, John S, Frank, Dale,David,Laura B, Rob L. SFjr. Irene Support the show and become a Patreon Supporter! https://www.patreon.com/realbriancraigshow https://briancraigshow.com LaPorta Roofing https://www.laportaroofing.com
On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, Sash Tusa of Agency Partners, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss a Wall Street rally after Washington and Iran struck a 14-point deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz; takeaways from the G7 meeting that endorsed Ukraine's sovereignty and imposed new sanctions on Russia and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's announcement of a six-month review of US forces detailed to NATO; Britain's decision to develop ITAR-free strike missiles and what's next now that Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was elected to Parliament; analysis of the Eurosatory land systems show in Paris where Ukraine seized the spotlight as an innovative and capable supplier; L3Harris delivery to the US Air Force of a former Qatari royal aircraft modified to serve Air Force One — as the VC-25B “Bridge” aircraft — until Boeing delivers two new purpose-built presidential aircraft; the Air Force's award of six-year contracts to both Anduril and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to develop and delivery their Increment One versions of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft; Boeing's withdrawal from the US Navy's competition for a new training aircraft to replace the T-45 Goshawk, leaving Leonardo and Beechcraft to compete against Sierra Nevada with Northrop Grumman and General Atomics; Dassault's Falcon 10X business jet makes its first flight; and after 10 years of research, Qantas took delivery of new Airbus 350-1000 jetliners that allow the carrier to launch more than 20-hour nonstop flights from Sydney to New York and London includes lighting and wellness features to attract passengers.
Mégsem terjeszti be a kormány a vagyonvisszaszerzési hivatalról szóló javaslatot a jövő héten Kürtös László: a Hadtörténeti Múzeum visszatér otthonába, a Budai Várba Hegedűs Zsolt a tatabányai kisfiú haláláról: Nem engedhetjük meg magunknak, hogy ezekből az esetekből ne tanuljunk Már a görög partoknál is megjelent az invazív gömbhalfaj, ami az embert is megharaphatja Trump bemutatta az új Air Force One-t: egy Katartól ajándékba kapott gépet Trump nem akar Melonival barátkozni Polt Péter személyes véleményt közölt Sulyok Tamás indítványa kapcsán Megint lezárta Irán a Hormuzi-szorost - Izrael libanoni támadásai miatt Orbán Viktor a Szőlő utcai ügyről: "Egy nemzetközi eszkortfiút használtak fel" Tarolt: így zsebelt be több díjat is az Erste szakembere Ismét Európa-bajnok a magyar férfi kardcsapat Új igazolást jelentett be a Fradi focicsapata Figyelem: viharos meglepetés érhet minket délután! A további adásainkat keresd a podcast.hirstart.hu oldalunkon. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Matt Rivers has the latest on the massive fire that engulfed part of a popular resort in the Dominican Republic, sending hundreds of tourists to so-called safe zones; Mary Bruce reports on the new Air Force One unveiled by Pres. Trump – a $400 million gift from Qatar – as Iran postpones nuclear talks; Aaron Katersky has details on FBI joining the urgent search for a gunman after a string of highway shootings left one person dead in Kansas City, offering a $25,000 reward for information leading an arrest; and more on tonight's broadcast of World News Tonight with David Muir. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The new Air Force One is a luxury jet donated by the government of Qatar and is expected to enter service soon. What CNN is learning about how the military made sure this foreign plane was safe for the president. Plus, it's the first day on the job for Trump's controversial pick for acting director of national intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 20, 2026, 8 AM; The fund, which was designed to benefit Trump's allies, and possibly include compensation for January 6th rioters, was previously scrapped after fierce bipartisan backlash last month. The Trump Administration declined to submit a court-requested sworn declaration to a federal judge that the program is officially dead. Liz Oyer and Eddie Glaude Jr. join The Weekend to discuss the resurgance of the bill. Texas State Representative and U.S. Senate Candidate James Talarico also joins The Weekend in an exclusvie sit-down with Eugene Daniels on the momentum he's experiencing in the Senate race in Texas and attacks on his masculinity. For more, follow us on social media: Bluesky: @theweekendmsnow.bsky.social Instagram: @theweekendmsnow TikTok: @theweekendmsnow To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
President Trump unveils the new Air Force One plane, beginning it's first day of service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stacie Hueter delivers the latest news on U.S. air strikes killing Lebanese citizens and interrupting peace deals with Iran, the unveiling of the new Air Force One, and the status on Carlitos Ricardo Parias' detention in the Adelanto facility on 6/20/26.
For review:1. A B-52 on a routine test mission crashed shortly after takeoff Monday (15 June) in Southern California, killing all eight crew members on board.2. US Army aims to release proposal requests for its heavy variant of the ISV this fall, a senior service official told lawmakers, adding that the Army is attempting to field the capability as quickly as possible. The Army is seeking vehicles that can provide 60 kW of continuous high-voltage DC power, 15 kW of 28V DC power and 4.8 kW of 120V AC power. 3. After eight years as US Indo-Pacific Command, the Pentagon has announced it is restoring the original name to simply Pacific Command (PACOM).4. KNDS, the French-German maker of the Leopard tank and the Caesar truck-mounted gun, pitched a new howitzer with a barrel longer than any NATO production artillery, which the company said gives the weapon a range of up to 60 kilometers (37 miles) with standard high-explosive shells.The 155mm howitzer, named Loras for long-range artillery system, is equipped with a 58 caliber gun tube, about 12% longer than the 52 caliber barrels that equip most recent European cannons.5. President Trump on Friday unveiled the Boeing 747-8 that will serve as the new Air Force One, that the U.S. accepted as a gift from the Qatari government last year.6. US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is traveling to Switzerland for the first round of talks with Iran on a potential nuclear deal, Axios reports, citing a US official.Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is already in Switzerland, it adds.7. Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire on Friday afternoon, a US official said, after another flare-up in southern Lebanon that saw four Israeli soldiers and dozens of Lebanese casualties.8. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has set up secretive new cells in Iraq to carry out attacks on Gulf countries that host American forces, bypassing established militia networks to avoid detection, eight Iraqi sources told Reuters.
Michael's in the studio and we're working through the week. We start with two Pasadena officers horsing around with loaded guns. One of them ends up shooting the other through the windshield of the cruiser. We talk about the accountability that comes with carrying a badge. One oh-shit can unwind a career of attaboys. From there we get into the aircraft gifted by Qatar and whether it belongs in service as Air Force One. We cover the new Iran framework, what it cost, and how it stacks up against the deal that came before it. We talk about being able to disagree with your own side without burning the whole thing down. Then there's the UFC event on the White House lawn — the timing, the optics, and fighter bonuses paid out in crypto. We close with the beagle raid at Ridgeland Farms, where the line sits between legal and moral, and what we're willing to do in the name of science. Enjoy Today's Sponsors: Willies Remedies: Order now at https://www.drinkwillies.com and use code CLEAREDHOT for 20% off of your first order + free shipping on orders over $95, and enjoy life in the high country AG1: Go to https://www.DRINKAG1.com/CLEAREDHOT to get their best offer… get a FREE AG1 Flavor Sampler and AGZ Sampler to try all the flavors, plus FREE Vitamin D3+K2 and AG1 Welcome Kit with your first AG1 subscription order!
On this Juneteenth National Independence Day federal holiday, we hear from two African-American U.S. Senators, Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Scott (R-SC); President Donald Trump unveils the Boeing 747-8 that was a gift from Qatar and will serve as the new Air Force One. It is painted the president's preferred red, white & blue; Israel and Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire in Lebanon after continued military fighting there led to the scheduled U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland on such issues as Iran nuclear program to be postponed; Maryland's 6th Congressional District Democrat primary matchup between incumbent April McClain Delaney and challenger David Trone could end up being the most expensive U.S. House primary ever. We will talk about it with HuffPost Senior Reporter Arthur Delaney (28) ; Great Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer is looking at an impending challenge to his leadership from former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who just won a special election to a seat in Parliament, specifically so he can launch a bid to be Prime Minister. We will talk about that with C-SPAN's Westminster Correspondent Peter Knowles (41); Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) speaks on the Senate floor about Father's Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports on President Trump's new plane.
GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!! It's all about the celebration in America today - Team USA in the World Cup, unveiling the new Air Force One and Juneteenth!
MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump's 12:15 AM meltdown on Air Force One after suffering a historic defeat. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today's West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy Podcast for our especially special Daily Special, Metro Shrimp & Grits Thursdays is now available on the Spreaker Player!tarting off in the Bistro Cafe, Trump had a 12:15am meltdown on Air Force One after partying at Versailles like it was 1919.Then, on the rest of the menu, Tommy Tuberville's own words could get him disqualified from the Alabama governor's race; the Florida Attorneys General celebrated an appeals court panel lifting the forty-year ban on concealed carry for eighteen to twenty-year-olds; and, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers said the Trump administration removal of ocean observatories is a ‘direct threat' to the Oregon coast.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where Brazil's top court convicted son of ousted President Bolsonaro for coercion; and, a British yacht owner who was fired on by a Russian warship in the English Channel, criticized the UK government for downplaying the incident.All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!The Netroots Radio Live PlayerKeep Your Resistance Radio Beaming 24/7/365!“Everyone in this good city enjoys the full right to pursue their own inclinations in all reasonable and, unreasonable ways.” — The Daily Picayune, New Orleans, March 5, 1851Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/west-coast-cookbook-speakeasy--2802999/support.
It's Daddurday afternoon again, if only for a moment. And what better way to celebrate our favorite soon-to-be-dad than with two movies focusing on the unbreakable bond between father and daughter? The kind of love that defines a lifetime, changes you from the inside out, and most importantly, provides you with the most badass partner in crime fighting you can imagine.In this episode: Air Force One, Kick-AssBe sure to check out Imagine Dungeons, our actual play D&D podcast!Support us on Patreon for access to our exclusive Official Chunky Discord server!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Donald Trump's name has been removed from the Kennedy Center's website, after a court ruled that changing the name of the Kennedy Center was illegal, and only Congress may make such a change. Trump lashed out against the ruling on Truth Social, criticizing the judge and claiming opponents would rather see the venue struggle. While he initially threatened to hand complete control over to Congress, he later clarified on Air Force One that he intends to remain as chairman and pursue development plans.Let's hope more there are more deletions to come.Find Glenn on Patreon: www.patreon.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Donald Trump's name has been removed from the Kennedy Center's website, after a court ruled that changing the name of the Kennedy Center was illegal, and only Congress may make such a change. Trump lashed out against the ruling on Truth Social, criticizing the judge and claiming opponents would rather see the venue struggle. While he initially threatened to hand complete control over to Congress, he later clarified on Air Force One that he intends to remain as chairman and pursue development plans.Let's hope more there are more deletions to come.Find Glenn on Patreon: www.patreon.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ghost opens episode 111 with Trump's Air Force One gaggle, walking through Trump confirming the Netanyahu F-bomb call, comparing AI wealth sharing for Americans to Chavez's oil nationalization, and delivering the line of the week on the Strait of Hormuz: oil is flowing at $97 a barrel and it should have been $300. The biggest shift comes when Trump tells reporters he would be honored to meet the new Ayatollah, calls him probably a professional, and implies the press may have lied about him the same way they lie about Trump. Ghost maps out how this, the uranium entombment admission, the State Department killing Israel's Somaliland play, and Putin's SPIEF defense of Trump all add up to a coordinated squeeze on Netanyahu. Hunter Biden's viral X account gets its moment: the January 2021 hot mic plea deal clip, his posts torching Jake Tapper, Jared Kushner, and Eric Trump, and Ghost's cooperating witness theory. SPIEF closes the episode with Putin's multipolar world speech, Saudi Arabia as guest of honor signing 30 Russia agreements, the Russia-Uzbekistan nuclear plant launch, and Kirill Dmitriev announcing the signing of the Trump-Putin Alaska tunnel design agreement with a mysterious Asian partner now confirmed.
Coming at you from the scene of one of America's greatest political scandals, Jonah Goldberg and Sarah Isgur are geared up to spill the tea and answer listeners' most pressing questions: Was Sarah Ted Cruz's mistress? Has Jonah's second wife been born yet? How long could a homeless Jonah sleep on Sarah's couch? Also find out about finding a mentor, manicuring résumés, the most improbable part of Air Force One, how to be a pundit, first dates, finding a wife, making connections at events, staying positive, the Cartesian self, and being the person your dog thinks you are. Show Notes: —Advisory Opinions Podcast —Essay by Ben Sasse's daughter —Sarah's book: Last Branch Standing The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including the Saturday Ruminant, audio versions of all our articles and newsletters, and Jonah's twice-weekly G-File—click here. Instructions on how to set up your members-only feed can be found here, and if you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
【欢迎订阅】 每天早上5:30,准时更新。 【阅读原文】 标题:The Pageantry and Flattery of Donald Trump's Visit to ChinaThe President yielded potential deals for airplanes and soybeans but no apparent agreement on Iran.正文: In 1972, when Richard Nixon became the first American President to visit China, he was preoccupied with more than making diplomatic history. He wanted to ease his way out of an unpopular war in Vietnam and to burnish his image with scenes of statesmanship. As his aides plotted TV coverage that might impres audiences at home, they suggested that the First Lady emerge from Air Force One wearing a bright-red overcoat, to stand out against the drabness of Beijing.知识点:preoccupied /priˈɒkjupaɪd/ 形容词,源自动词 occupy,源自拉丁语 occupare(意为 “占领、占据”),前缀 pre- 表 “提前、预先”,词根 oc-(加强)+ cup-(抓住、占有)本义为 “全神贯注的、心事重重的”,外刊政治语境核心义为 **(领导人)被某件事完全占据心智,其他事务被边缘化,带有 “被国内私利主导” 的贬义色彩 **核心搭配:be preoccupied with re-election(一心想着连任)、be preoccupied with domestic crises(满脑子都是国内危机)、preoccupied with personal legacy(执念于个人政治遗产)・She was too preoccupied with her thesis to answer my phone calls. 她太专注于写论文,没接我的电话。・Nixon was preoccupied with ending the Vietnam War and winning re-election when he planned his visit to China. 尼克松在策划访华时,满脑子都是结束越南战争和赢得连任。获取外刊的完整原文以及精讲笔记,请关注微信公众号「早安英文」,回复“外刊”即可。更多有意思的英语干货等着你! 【节目介绍】 《早安英文-每日外刊精读》,带你精读最新外刊,了解国际最热事件:分析语法结构,拆解长难句,最接地气的翻译,还有重点词汇讲解。 所有选题均来自于《经济学人》《纽约时报》《华尔街日报》《华盛顿邮报》《大西洋月刊》《科学杂志》《国家地理》等国际一线外刊。 【适合谁听】 1、关注时事热点新闻,想要学习最新最潮流英文表达的英文学习者 2、任何想通过地道英文提高听、说、读、写能力的英文学习者 3、想快速掌握表达,有出国学习和旅游计划的英语爱好者 4、参加各类英语考试的应试者(如大学英语四六级、托福雅思、考研等) 【你将获得】 1、超过1000篇外刊精读课程,拓展丰富语言表达和文化背景 2、逐词、逐句精确讲解,系统掌握英语词汇、听力、阅读和语法 3、每期内附学习笔记,包含全文注释、长难句解析、疑难语法点等,帮助扫除阅读障碍。
June starts and we have a great President again!!! Oh wait, it was just a movie. It's Your 422nd Pint
【欢迎订阅】 每天早上5:30,准时更新。 【阅读原文】 标题:T jets to China with gaggle of CEOs, hoping Chinese leader will 'open up' to them正文: President Donald T called for the Chinese Government to “open up” the country as he traveled to Beijing alongside a large group of leaders from top U.S. technology and financial companies. In addition to his administration's delegation, T traveled with Tesla chief and former DOGE leader Elon Musk aboard Air Force One. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang joined the flight at a refueling stop in Anchorage.知识点:call for phr. v. /kɔːl fɔː(r)/to publicly demand or ask for something 呼吁;要求• The protesters called for immediate action on climate change. 抗议者呼吁立即就气候变化采取行动。• Local residents are calling for stricter safety regulations. 当地居民呼吁制定更严格的安全法规。获取外刊的完整原文以及精讲笔记,请关注微信公众号「早安英文」,回复“外刊”即可。更多有意思的英语干货等着你! 【节目介绍】 《早安英文-每日外刊精读》,带你精读最新外刊,了解国际最热事件:分析语法结构,拆解长难句,最接地气的翻译,还有重点词汇讲解。 所有选题均来自于《经济学人》《纽约时报》《华尔街日报》《华盛顿邮报》《大西洋月刊》《科学杂志》《国家地理》等国际一线外刊。 【适合谁听】 1、关注时事热点新闻,想要学习最新最潮流英文表达的英文学习者 2、任何想通过地道英文提高听、说、读、写能力的英文学习者 3、想快速掌握表达,有出国学习和旅游计划的英语爱好者 4、参加各类英语考试的应试者(如大学英语四六级、托福雅思、考研等) 【你将获得】 1、超过1000篇外刊精读课程,拓展丰富语言表达和文化背景 2、逐词、逐句精确讲解,系统掌握英语词汇、听力、阅读和语法 3、每期内附学习笔记,包含全文注释、长难句解析、疑难语法点等,帮助扫除阅读障碍。
For the middle of the week, listen in to our Harrison Ford & Treat Williams disaster movie 5-pack: How did Treat and Harrison get considered for similar roles yet never shared the screen together? How does either actor command the war on terrorism subgenre? And what kickass one-liners and gritty characterizations do the performers have in store here? MOVIES REVIEWED: The Devil's Own Air Force One Deep Rising Crash Point Zero/Extreme Limits Critical Mass GUESTS: Joseph Burke, Jon Mark, Night Taylor & Will Styer CLIPS USED: Harrison Ford - great 9-min interview (1987) Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno: Harrison Ford promoting Air Force One (1997)
SUMMARY In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, U.S. Air Force Academy boxing coach Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mark Clifford '97 shares how the sport shaped his approach to leadership, service and mentoring the next generation of cadets. A strong conversation on resilience and growth. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK COACH CLIFFORD'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS Leadership is about others, not you. Elevate the people around you—when your team wins, you win. Iron sharpens iron. Seek (and create) hard reps, tougher opponents, and uncomfortable situations to build real capability. Look for “dogs,” not resumes. Prioritize competitiveness, resilience, and willingness to get hit and keep going over pedigree. Turn on the hot water. Know when it's time to flip the switch from relaxed and joking to locked-in, all-business execution. Take the punch, then execute. Composure after getting hit—physically or metaphorically—is the true test of a leader. Accountability and care must coexist. You can deeply care for people and still enforce standards, discipline, and consequences. Bloom where you're planted. Be the best where you are before chasing the next opportunity; stop leading with the exit plan. Don't lead only with rank. Some of the strongest leaders on his team lead through work ethic, example, and quiet influence. Use mentors; don't go it alone. Pick up the phone, ask for help, and learn from those who've led through similar moments. Family and support systems are force multipliers. A stable, supportive home front enables you to show up fully for the mission. CHAPTERS 00:00:00 – Intro: “Sometimes leadership means the mission stopped being about you” + Mark's accolades 00:01:40 – From hoops to the ring: leaving basketball, discovering boxing, and Coach Weichers' influence 00:03:55 – Finding “dogs”: how Mark recruits scrappy, resilient cadets and builds national champions 00:07:57 – Growing up competitive: family, academics-first father and rivalry with his brother 00:11:09 – Leadership from the ring: iron sharpening iron and elevating everyone on the team 00:14:30 – Warrior mindset: teaching cadets to take a punch, stay composed and execute a plan 00:19:00 – Riding the emotional highs and lows: coaching, winning, losing and not burning out 00:21:08 – Accountability with heart: tough call in Korea, stripes, and good order and discipline 00:24:36 – Competing together: peer squadron commanders, shared struggle and mutual support 00:28:05 – When you want to quit: advice Col. Clifford got, what he tells cadets now and “bloom where you're planted” 00:32:16 – Quiet leaders and culture: cadets who lead through work ethic and example 00:37:23 – Daily leadership reps: mental prep, PE classes, influence in the athletic department 00:43:11 – Talk to young Col. Clifford: trust the process, shake off negativity and the power of family support ABOUT BIO Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mark Clifford, a 1997 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and former National Collegiate Boxing Association champion, is in his second season as head coach of the Air Force boxing program after leading the women's team to its first NCBA national title in his debut season, highlighted by a program-record four individual champions and a sweep of the men's and women's NCBA Western Regional titles. A former team captain and three-time NCBA All-American as a cadet, Col. Clifford also served two stints as an assistant coach, contributing to four national team championships and 21 individual national champions. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years of service, including assignments as director of fuel operations for Air Force One, commander roles in Hawaii and South Korea, combat tours supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, and work on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. Following his military career, Col. Clifford held leadership positions at Grand Canyon University and the DREAM Foundation, focusing on sports management education and mentorship opportunities for students. He earned a master's degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a doctorate from the University of New Mexico. CONNECT WITH MARK LINKEDIN | FALCON ATHLETICS CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LINE PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Ted Robertson | Producer and Editor: Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Ryan Hall | Director: Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org Bryan Grossman | Copy Editor: Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Wyatt Hornsby | Executive Producer: Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org ALL PAST LBL EPISODES | ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE AT USAFA.ORG/LONGBLUELEADERSHIP AND ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS FULL TRANSCRIPT OUR SPEAKERS: Guest, Coach Mark Clifford '97 | Host, Lt. Col. Naviere Walkewicz '99 Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:00 Sometimes leadership means realizing the mission stopped being about you a long time ago. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. Long Blue Leadership starts now. Mark Clifford, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Col. Mark Clifford 0:14 Thanks for having me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:15 Absolutely, you know, we could jump right in, but before I do, I have to just talk about this. I had to write this down to make sure I didn't miss it. Boxing team captain, obviously; three-time Wing Open champ; three-time regional champ, three-time National Collegiate Boxing Association All-American, and the national champion of the NCBA your senior year. Col. Mark Clifford 0:33 Yes, ma'am. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 0:34 I mean, that's just, and that's just as a cadet. Then you went on to serve 20 years in the Air Force as a logistics readiness officer, you know, you're commanding and you're leading squadrons. In addition to that, on the higher education side, assistant dean at Grand Canyon University in sports business. Col. Mark Clifford 0:49 Yes, yeah, ran the sport management program when I first got there, probably a year after I got there, just to get my feet wet with higher ed, and then was elevated to the assistant dean of the College of Business. And so it was, it was fun, it was amazing, it was very different from what you're used to in the military, because I tried to come in with a little bit of military mindset, but it's a civilian institution, so you know, just a little bit different, just bringing myself there and seeing what happened. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 1:13 Well, you know, I guess what it shows is that you're not afraid to jump in and do, you know, something new. And I think that's — we'll probably discover that in the conversation today. So, maybe where we can start is the fact that you are back at USAFA as the boxing coach. You're here now running and leading the program that shaped you. Col. Mark Clifford 1:31 Yes. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 1:32 Let's talk about that. Col. Mark Clifford 1:33 Yes, let's talk about — I mean, I love the program. You know, I came into the Academy, went to the Prep School, on a five-year plan, like some of us that need a little extra help, little extra year, you know. I took my time and really understand that came in, I'm such a competitor. I was playing basketball at the Prep School, came in my freshman year, hoping to be on the basketball team, worked really hard, did all things the coaches asked me to do, still sat the bench, and so, like a lot of cadets, like every cadet, even our women now have to take boxing class, you know, as a mandatory class. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:04 When did that start? What year? Do you remember? Col. Mark Clifford 2:07 I want to say 2017 is when the women started. It's always been instituted for our men. So my freshman year I did really well in the class, to the point where I had to box our assistant coach at the time, Ray Carter, for my GR, my test. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:22 Did you get an A? Col. Mark Clifford 2:23 I got an A. But it hurt. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:26 For him? Col. Mark Clifford 2:27 Heck no! He was the one punching me. He busted me up pretty good, but I still got the A in the class, and coaches — the same system I use today — is trying to find cadets in boxing class that are competitors that are looking to do more than just be either a cadet or on the team that they're on or ride a bench. I got tired of riding the bench behind a couple of folks until sophomore year, coach came and said, “Hey, you still interested in boxing?” I quit basketball, went to boxing and the rest is history. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 2:58 You didn't look back at all. Col. Mark Clifford 2:59 No, you know it's hard to look back because it's shaped — I think we all kind of think back to our cadet years. I know I do sometimes, and kind of reminisce about, “What if?” I remember walking across the street one time, and my brother was ahead of me in '90s — Class of '96 — on the football team, and I was walking across the street as a freshman to basketball practice and ran across Coach Fisher DeBerry. “Hey, Clifford, will you come play football with me?” And so, you always think about opportunities that kind of cross your path, and I think about what would have happened if I would have done something different. I don't know if this story would be as successful as it is, based off of what I've learned in boxing and where I am today. And so, I'm very thankful for the program. I'm thankful for Coach Eddie Weichers, who shaped me, was a father figure for us when we were here. And you know, it's tough being a cadet, so you got to have allies and friends and people and mentors, and he was definitely one for me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 3:55 Well, I'd love to know, you know — he saw you in class and discovered that talent. How are you finding potential nowadays in the cadets for the program? Because you just happened to have the women who defended a national champion, won it. So, two years now have been the NCBA national champs. Col. Mark Clifford 4:15 I think it's a couple of things I look for. One is, how scrappy are you? I think it was easy at Grand Canyon University to find, you know, the era of COVID, and the resiliency wasn't quite the same as what I remembered when I was here as assistant coach, and as a captain and as a major, as well. The cadets are different, the mentality is different, and so kind of make it simple, I'm looking for dogs, I'm looking for cadets that a) are excited to fight, are not afraid to box, aren't afraid to get hit, love the intensity of the sport, and I can shape that, and you know, the potential piece of that is, can they throw a pretty good punch, and can they take a punch, and they're not, you know, they're not jumping out of the ring with that. That kind of translates into what we're looking for with all of our officers and all officer candidates, is making sure that they can stay there and take a punch, collect themselves, and then go back and execute, right? And so that's what I'm looking for, and I've tried to find those in classes, and you know, a lot of times it's a lot of the athletes. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:21 Right. Col. Mark Clifford 5:22 Because they're recruited here for other reasons, well, and other… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:24 Other sports. Col. Mark Clifford 5:25 Other sports, or whatever, and they want to be competitive, and as a freshman and a sophomore. It's tough, because you got juniors and seniors who have experience on the team. They're out there performing, and you're sitting on the bench, well, you know, I get you in the sport where you don't have to sit the bench. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:43 That's right. Col. Mark Clifford 5:44 It's top person wins. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 5:45 So when I think about the team that you formulate and you grow, and they continue to hone in our craft, is it always the athletes that you kind of, that maybe have been benchwarmers, or have you found the diamonds in the rough that maybe have never fought in their lives, and never — that kind of surprise you, that have risen to the top? Col. Mark Clifford 6:04 You know, there are a lot of diamonds in the rough, there are a lot of, but back to what, there's a lot of cadets that come here that aren't necessarily on a divisional, we're lucky because we have 25% of our population at the Academy are divisional athletes. But there are so many other young cadets that are just as competitive, just as athletic, and looking for something else, and how do you give them something, right? And when they get to come to the Wing Open and see their classmates in the center of Clune Arena, and that thing is filled with all the rest of the Cadet Wing. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 6:37 Yes, and grads and the community. Col. Mark Clifford 6:39 And the community. They put the floor seats right there, you can sit ringside, it's an amazing thing. How do I be a part of it? And my philosophy is simple: If you enter the Wing Open and you win, then you're the person that represents this for regions and nationals. There's no favoritism, because I quote, unquote, recruited Naviere as a freshman. Now she's a senior, well, the senior gets her butt whooped, I'm taking a freshman. And so it's a very fair system, and so you find those diamonds in the rough. I'll give you one — two-time national champ. She's our team captain this year, Elise Bell. I don't think she's ever fought in her life. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 7:16 Wow. Col. Mark Clifford 7:16 When I walked in the gym last year, my first year, I just noticed her work ethic. How do you just pour into something like that and refine that in the gym to become a national champ. And last year — I just love to tell her story, because last year I believe in regionals and nationals, every first round she lost 5-0 to the judges. She was losing, and she won every bout. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 7:42 Interesting. Col. Mark Clifford 7:43 So it's just — you find those, and I'm hoping to find more of those cadets that just have that same energy, that resilience, that toughness and courage, really, and willingness to do what we ask you to do. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 7:58 So, were you like that growing up? Were you someone that had this mindset of, you know, a work ethic and, you know, scrappy, you know, before even getting into boxing? Were you like that as a kid? Col. Mark Clifford 8:09 I was just a competitor, and that's my father, that's my mother, that's my grandmother, my father's side, who was very — everything had to be put into place. My father was born in 1929 in Washington, D.C., went to Howard University, ROTC post-Tuskegee, and entered the Air Force through ROTC in 1949. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:41 Wow. Col. Mark Clifford 8:42 So his thing was academics, always. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 8:45 Yes. Col. Mark Clifford 8:45 But I had a brother who was a year ahead of me, and it was academics for both of us. But how do you best the guy that's right next to you? Like, it was always just — my brother's name is Larry. That's what Larry and I always did, whether it was girls or sports, school, right? Yeah, it was always Col. Naviere Walkewicz 9:02 You drove each other. Col. Mark Clifford 9:03 We drove each other, and it's just — it was amazing. You don't realize that until you're older, and so you go, “Yeah, that's what that did.” And so I think I was always just, 1) I was always a competitor, like I wasn't always the best, but I'd like to try to strive to be, and so that was just kind of how I was shaped. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 9:22 So was your dad very excited when you — you were recruited to the Academy, is that correct? Col. Mark Clifford 9:28 My dad kind of wanted me to go — more so than maybe I wanted to go. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 9:34 When did you realize, like — because obviously you were on the five-year plan, right? So I think you had a couple of times to make a decision, like, “I'm good,” but you stayed. So when was it that it really connected with you that this is where I want to be, and I want to stay. Col. Mark Clifford 9:47 Probably after my sophomore year. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 9:50 OK. Col. Mark Clifford 9:50 Yeah, because my first three years, like, I wanted to play basketball so bad. I was trying to recruit myself. This is when you had to go send out your videotape. You know what I'm saying. You're there with me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 10:01 Yes, yes, paper. Email's not the thing back then. All paper. Col. Mark Clifford 10:05 All paper. I'm trying to send videotapes out. Spring break at the Prep School, I think I went to Cal Riverside and tried to meet with the coach and drop off my tape. That's how bad I wanted to play basketball, right, and then I found success in boxing, and it was, I think, why go anywhere else? You start to realize, you get over, like, you're gonna have a job when you graduate. I don't have to look for a job, I don't have to go out there and struggle. I'm gonna get what I want to do out of the military, and it's gonna be a five-year thing for me, and then I'm out, right? And so I think that's what it was. I think it was my sophomore year, and I was going, my grades are terrible. I could say that now. It was — but no one's ever asked me for my GPA. I still was able to get a doctorate. Like, there's things that happen in your life that you'll still be able to achieve success, even though you weren't as great at it before. And so, yeah, I think it was just the realization of, “I could do this.” Col. Naviere Walkewicz 11:09 So in that journey of, you know, wanting to play basketball so bad, finding a space and a place that really you started to hone in on yourself in boxing, and then, you know, went into the Air Force, you were leading. What have you found out about yourself in a leadership perspective through those different situations, whether you ended up not playing basketball or something that went really well for you, like national champ? Col. Mark Clifford 11:35 I think just overall leadership was the ability for me to impact others to be successful, and I think that's what I took out of boxing, because it is an individual sport, but it's very team-oriented. We don't put banners on the wall that say “national champion” without a team mentality to make sure that our teammate, left and right of us, are also excelling. And so, in a small sport like boxing, at a time where I boxed, there was 12 weight classes, but you're boxing the guy above a weight and below a weight, because you're trying to make that person better, iron sharpens iron. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 12:10 Right. Col. Mark Clifford 12:10 I also had, I was a 172-, 175-pounder boxing the heavyweight, because in my mind was no one's gonna hit me as hard as this guy is gonna hit me. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 12:19 That's right. Col. Mark Clifford 12:20 And so if I can stand and get and last with this guy, I can last with anybody in college boxing. And that flowed for me into the military of — and part of my philosophy was how do I elevate everybody else, because I realized here at the Academy it's not about us, right? We're in the people business to make sure people around us are elevated, have the things that they need, resources they need to make sure that they're doing the job the best of their ability. Because then the unit does better as a team. The wing does better as a team. It's not about us individually. And so I think for me being able to translate that out of boxing into my Air Force career was part of what shaped me as a leader to make myself successful. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 13:02 Did you find yourself seeing if anyone could take a punch from you in your Air Force uniform, or how did you do that? Col. Mark Clifford 13:10 Well, you know, I punch my words when I know you can't put your hands on people. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 13:16 Of course. Col. Mark Clifford 13:19 You know, back in the early days, you know, I think the chief excused me from a meeting, and the meeting was back behind the fuel watershed. I can't remember… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 13:32 Fair enough. Col. Mark Clifford 13:33 Some wall-to-wall training that was going on with other individuals, but hey, chief said it was good. Roger that chief. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 13:40 That's hilarious. Col. Mark Clifford 13:41 Yeah, no, you know, you don't put your hands on people. I used to have to tell people, “Don't let my smile fool you,” you know. I like to have a good time, I enjoy myself, I enjoy the people that I'm around. Also, I know our job is very serious, and I was very serious about our job. And so, part of my leadership philosophy was always — my dad's thing was the Golden Rule, you know, treat people the way that you want to be treated. And I always — there's some things here at the Academy that I didn't love, so I took away from, “I'm not going to be that type of person,” into accountability, holding people accountable, myself included. And so even at the Academy, as a knucklehead cadet, I did goofy stuff. I'd be the first one to say, yeah, I take my lumps, march my tours, take my Form 10, do what you need to do, but just survive the place and learn from it, and it shapes you out as a leader. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 14:31 Absolutely. You know, I'm curious, because I think about — you just said, “I like to have fun,” and you know, “but don't let my smile fool you.” You know, when you think about boxing and the mentality you have to have to literally stand across from somebody and hit someone, or take a punch, or you know, be hit back. How do you train that kind of mindset? Because I have to think it parallels a lot with the fact that we are developing warfighters. You know, how do you train that? Col. Mark Clifford 14:57 Yeah, you know, that's kind of the bottom line of the boxing class. It's not about finding championship boxers. The boxing class is about exactly what you just outlined. It's how do you, as an individual, put a strategy and plan together knowing that you have an adversary across the ring that's going to hurt you. Like, the object of the game is to punch you. Pros is more so to hurt you. College boxing, amateurs, more to score more points than you. Bottom line, they'll hurt you, and that mentality of how do you compose yourself? Do the things that we asked you to do: a) defend yourself, b) have an offensive plan, even if you're losing, how do you compose yourself? Right, part of that warrior spirit is making sure that we always have that mindset of how we're going to achieve and beat our adversaries, and I think that's the bottom line of the boxing class. It's just, how do we do that? So, the mindset is exactly that, is you know you're gonna get punched, but can you punch that person when they punch you? Can you put some other things in place that I gave you tools — that I gave you, head movement, defensive movement — to take those punches away, right? From a strategic standpoint, and then be offensive, and then score your points. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:11 Right. Col. Mark Clifford 16:11 And so that's the mentality we try to have boxers to make sure that this is a sport where you're gonna get hit. Once you get past that hurdle, it's good, right? It's how you work on all these other skill sets that make you better than your opponent. And if the other person's just as skilled as you are, what's the edge that we get? And I think that's part of our mental preparation that we do as well as our physical preparation. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 16:34 So I think about you shaping that for the team, both the men and women. How was that shaped for you? Was that your coach at the time, Eddie Weichers? Was that Wiechers? Was that someone in your family? Who were those mentors in your life? Col. Mark Clifford 16:45 For me, it was Eddie Weichers and Ray Carter. Ray Carter was an enlisted assistant coach, and he was four-time, I think, All-Air Force heavyweight champ. Those two were instrumental for me, especially during my career times, before my time as a boxer, because I would work hard, work out a lot with Coach Carter, because the same mentality helped with a heavyweight. If this big joker can hit me, I can take the punch… He's also going to teach me some things. I mean, Coach Weichers was the same. It was the mental piece that his thing was knowing to turn on the hot water, and it was because I would have a good time, enjoy practice, have fun with the guys, but when you step in that ring, turn the hot water on, it's all about business. So, then, when you step out, turn it back on to cold, go back to goofing off and doing things that you do, but you get in there, it's all about business. And so, how do you train your mind to go, like, man, “I gotta go to war right now?” And it was, you know, I had a preparation before I got to the ring, and some things that I did that helped me mentally prepare before I jumped in there, but… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 17:52 What did you do? Col. Mark Clifford 17:53 You know, again, it was the Walkman CD Walkman, the CD Walkman. And I couldn't jump around too much because it was Skip. Yeah, the CB was skip had the little baby headphones had my little do rag on and I would just zone out on some music, I would zone out on music until it was time for me to get up and do my physical warm up with some jumping some rope shadow boxing and maybe little hand mitts with the coach before I jumped in the ring, but OK, yeah, it was a, you know, I couldn't jump around too much. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 18:25 It would skip, that's true. Now they just have — they don't have to have anything connected, just put in their ears. Col. Mark Clifford 18:30 I'm jealous about it, to be honest. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 18:35 So I imagine when you're coaching, and I'm saying I imagine because I've not coached ever to this level. I coach my son's little league basketball team, but which is a whole different level of coaching, but what I find curious is, have you ever found yourself in the feeling of, because you know how it felt when you win, when you lose, and when you watch your cadets going through that, how does that affect you as a coach? Col. Mark Clifford 19:01 Yes, I'm learning to not, I'm learning to not ride the emotion like they do, but I definitely did my first year, I think, as an assistant coach. So, I was assistant coach with Coach Wishers five years total as active duty officer, and that was different because I was on the sideline, he was the main guy, I was a support guy, but when you're the head guy, you're the one that gives the kids advice, giving them the strategy, and then really I felt it at nationals, especially when we started to win in with our women, we our first female won in the first half of the day, a freshman, I don't know if she was expected to win. She didn't expect to win, but in our hearts, in our minds, we knew. And then this is the motion, because I know how hard they work and what it takes to get your hand raised, because I came up short my first two years when I'm the guy standing with my hands down, the other guy's hand is raised, and then getting my hand raised my senior year was the most amazing feeling. I rode that same emotion when we lost, when we won, and I was worn out and tired. So I'm trying to train myself not to try to ride that emotion, but it's hard, like you know. I want to be in there with them, and I feel the same things that they feel, because I went through that same process they went through. And so it's interesting dynamic because I'm trying to peel myself away from mine. I just haven't detached yet. I think I'm still emotionally and mentally driven by what happens with our cadets, and it's a weird feeling. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 20:36 I imagine as a leader that's probably a common challenge you have because you care so deeply about your team, like family, that you do get emotional, right, and that might even be one of the sharpest knives in your, in your kit. It's just, you know, how you employ it, I guess. Col. Mark Clifford 20:52 Yeah, you know, that reminds me of a really tough situation when I was a commander in Korea. Back to, had to hold somebody accountable with that person. Part of the discipline action was taking a strike, right, blah blah blah, the things that happened for something negative, right, but he's such a good person, and it was a first, first mistake, but it was a big one, and what that led to was a person dropping rank, but then hitting higher tenure, and couldn't test for the next strike, and so I really struggled with that, and had really tough conversations with not only the group chief, but my commander, right, and my chief, my first sergeant. Is this really the right thing for this individual? I think ultimately for good organ discipline. Yes, I think emotionally because it was a small unit. We were in Korea, his, he had his wife there, I had my family there, right? So they became friends, close, right, close enough, because such a small group, and that's the type of organization that I like to have, because I think if it's you, almost play that disappointment role or daddy role, or whatever, however you want to characterize it, that leadership style, but it was, man, you really got to depend on your brother or sister, you let that person down, and you let us all down. Yes, and so that's part of my leadership style, especially in Korea. I took over for a commander that was let go and fired, and so there was a whole cultural change I had to do, so that was when the “don't let the smile full you” happened, right? And you just had to make sure that you held people accountable. That was one of the tough ones where emotionally you're going, "Man, am I making the right call?” Organizationally, absolutely. Personally, for that individual, it was tough. It was tough. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 22:36 How did those moments stretch you as a leader? I find that fascinating, because you do. You have such a warm and, you know, fun personality about you. I mean, I think when you think about command and the decisions you've had to make at different times, both in the ring, out of the ring, in uniform, et cetera. How did you grow as a leader? Col. Mark Clifford 22:53 I think we all grow every day. I think, for me, I lean a lot on my mentors. I'm not afraid to ask for help, right? I learned that early in my career, that it took me a while, because I was in the way, but it took me a while to understand that I can pick up the phone and ask somebody for help, and they're going to help you, because, as an organization, our Air Force, our Space Force is all about making sure people are successful. We don't set people up for failure. Why? Because if one individual fails, yeah. So I think for me making those tough calls was was challenging, because because of my leadership style. I think it was, I want people to get along, I want our team to be meet the standard of excellence, if not exceeded. I want us to be always on that front edge, because I'm a competitor. Yes, I want to be the best, but also that comes with accountability and tough decisions. And I think when you have to be in the moment, make some of those tough decisions, that's you just have to go back and reflect. You have to lean on people that do the same thing. I had a great group of fellow squadron commanders at my first command in Hawaii, that's a really terrible basis to go to, that's why I stayed there for 20, that's why I stayed there for 20. The plan was five. Oh, yes, yeah, 20 happened because I had some great people around me, and I, and the bases weren't bad either, and so my family loved it, and we saw some rough assignments, but it ended up being great, but I can lean on my fellow squadron commanders if I had some enough time. But it was just a bitch session, or if it was a leadership lesson. Most of us were about the same year group, age group. I think one or two of the commanders was a year or two ahead of me, but it was just — we weren't competing with each other. We were making sure we were all competing together and being successful together. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 24:53 I think about that theme of being a competitor, and I remember you telling me about your brother and your dad. So, has there been a continued, you know, competition, and how you guys have done in your, in your careers and in life, or have you leaned back to your dad, like, “Hey, Dad, so how do you go about this?” Col. Mark Clifford 25:09 No, you know, we unfortunately lost my dad a couple years ago. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 25:13 Oh, I'm sorry. Col. Mark Clifford 25:13 No, it's OK; 94 years of an amazing life. I found some old pictures of him and Chappie James, which is pretty — talk about history and legacy. But no, I think my brother — I found out — so, my brother left after his sophomore year. He hadn't finished the Academy. He stuck around here another year, so my sophomore year, and I really came to find out, although we competed against each other our entire lives, he was my No. 1 fan, and I didn't even know it. It was like — he would tell me stories of, I think, my first Wing Open, maybe my second Wing Open — my first Wing Open sophomore year, that he, for the first time, said some cuss words next to my dad because they were in the stands, because he was cheering for me, and it was just funny to hear, like, we're grown-ups, but you can't cuss in front of my dad. You don't say those things. He was like, “Oh no, Dad's gonna get me.” But no, I think since then it's been a really supportive relationship, and like anything that I do, he'll call me as soon as we're competing anywhere as a coach now, ask how we did, how the cadets did, he said he's proud of me, I'm proud of him too, and he's doing real estate in Southern California with his wife and his family. So it was weird to see that, or hear that from him, because it was always like… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 26:31 Yeah, you were always like mmmm mmmm. Looking over your shoulders. Col. Mark Clifford 26:35 Yeah, like who's going to get who? But it was awesome. It was kind of cool. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 26:38 I love that, and I'm just thinking, you know, I'm sorry to hear of your dad passing, but I'm sure throughout those years you had many calls to him about, you know, some of those decisions you had to make in uniform, and I'm sure he was extremely proud of you making it a career. Col. Mark Clifford 26:51 Yeah, yeah, I think he also was surprised I lasted as long as I did, just because I was so against it early on in my career. But no, I've been super proud, and it was always good to come home and just kind of share some stories with him, and he would reflect back on his stories, and he was a fighter pilot, and so just some of his fighter-pilot stories, and you know, the things that shaped me — talk about moments in your career and moments that shaped his career. It was just — it's just cool to have somebody like that in a different era that can share the different challenges, but also the same. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:31 That's a good point. Yeah. Col. Mark Clifford 27:32 I think that's what's interesting with the military, like, and coming back to the Academy is a perfect example. Like, there's challenges that we have, they're kind of the same that we've had, probably 15 years ago when I was here. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 27:45 Like a cycle. Col. Mark Clifford 27:46 It's a cycle. Yeah. So it's like now you have new leaders, how do they work through these different challenges differently than we did before? Not that we need to repeat history, but at the same time, you know what I'm saying, it just becomes a cyclical thing, that was how do we work. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 28:03 How do we navigate that? Yeah. Col. Mark Clifford 28:05 The same stuff, yeah. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 28:06 I want to go back to something you said, and I think it probably plays into some of the cadets that you work with, and or help to coach. You talked about how you weren't sure you wanted to go to the Academy, and staying, you know. The idea of quitting is where I'm really kind of going. What advice have you received to help you not quit, or to kind of push through when you wanted to quit? And have you seen that with cadets, and how are you navigating that? Col. Mark Clifford 28:29 Yes, and yes. I think the best advice I received when I was thinking about quitting was, “Just really ask yourself why, what's the purpose, and then where you're going to go, like what's the plan?” And that's what was one of my dad's themes was, especially when I got out, was looking to navigate civilian jobs, right, but you don't leave something unless you got something else in your other hand. And so I was like, “How do you really focus in on being the best at where you're at, right, before you even think about stepping somewhere else?” And I had to reflect on that, especially as a cadet, was I really being the best at where I was as a freshman? Sophomore, I could tell you no, because I wanted so many other things, and it wasn't had anything to do with the Academy, had nothing to do with the Academy, but you know… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 29:21 You were focused on basketball… Col. Mark Clifford 29:23 Focused on other things until I could really be the best at all the things, and it's a balance here at the Academy — academically, militarily, athletically. I wanted to be the best athletically. How do I go win a national championship as the boxer? And so I found out that you've got to prioritize, which is… Right? We all had to do that. We all have to do that in our lives today. And so my priority was boxing, because I wanted to be great at athletics; academics, because I knew I can't get out of this place unless academics met the standard. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 30:01 And you couldn't box here… Col. Mark Clifford 30:03 And I couldn't do that without the academics. My dad saying, like, “You don't do anything else unless your academics are where they need to be.” And lastly — it was OK for me militarily. I can make the military stuff work. It wasn't my party. Maybe I should have bowed a little bit more. So I share that with our cadets. Is how do you balance those things that want to make you successful? The one thing I tell the cadets now is, because I've been in the civilian world, it's tough. Like, if you leave here, you got to navigate A, go get a degree, and then B, trying to find a job which meets your standard and the standard of living that you want to have, it's going to be difficult. It's not — and so it's still a cadet's choice. Yes, and we've talked to them about, like, all right, make sure you put things in place to make yourself successful. But I try to give them same advice. I said, “There's no other place outside of the three military academies where you're going to go through a really tough time, you're going to have really awesome friends, you're gonna have a great experience, and, oh, by the way, you have a job, and you graduate — with free medical and dental, like that stuff's not cheap. Yeah, so I, you know, I think I share those things with the cadets, especially when they talk about leaving. And then I like to share — I try not to go back to, “Oh, back in my day” with that. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 31:19 Because our day was a long time ago. Col. Mark Clifford 31:21 Now you didn't have to say it out loud. I think we know that, but it's true, you know, it's there are still some challenges out there, but they have to navigate the waters, and there's some things that they do differently now at the Academy that we did when we were at the Academy, but this is a really cool place. It's a great place to be from. It's a great place to put on a resume when you decide to get out of the military after your obligation. It's a great place because they're gonna give you a job and occupation. You get to fly jets if that's what you want to do. There's so many opportunities here that the cadets have. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 31:59 Yes. Col. Mark Clifford 31:59 And I just overload them with that, because I think it is an amazing place. And the reason why I come back to it, because I think so highly of what it's done for me and shaped me. How can I do that for others and mentor others to make sure that they have a similar experience, but a successful one, no matter what their story is. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 31:17 Can you share an example of a cadet that surprised you from a leadership perspective, because of their work with you and their time in the ring. Col. Mark Clifford 32:25 Well, it's hard. So I'm only in my second year. I've got a couple of seniors this year. Elise Bell is one of them. Her fiancé, Kamari Jackson, is a cadet I met when I was here. He was starting his junior year, he's coming off a neck injury, and I challenged him because he's hanging around the gym. I didn't know why. Now I know why. I thought it was boxing, it wasn't. It was Elise, but I'm good with that, you know. I would whisper in Elise's ear, try to get him back, because he was really good as a freshman. Then got hurt, but he's another young man that's just took leadership by the horn. Came in back this year, I challenged him to be at a certain weight. He said, “Coach, I'm coming back, I want to win it. I made weight.” I didn't think he was going to make the weight his first semester, fall semester. He was a squadron commander, plate is full but still made it down. Was one of those — he wasn't our team captain, but he was a team captain. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 33:26 Yes. Col. Mark Clifford 33:27 It was just one of those… Col. Naviere Walkewicz 33:28 …leading without rank or title. Col. Mark Clifford 33:30 You didn't need it, yeah, but he just had that. He has an aura. I wouldn't say he surprised me. I just think it was just one of those success stories where you're going, man. I love to have a team like this that just — and we do. They lead in their own way. We've got some quiet ones; I've got some vocal ones. I've got ones — our senior this year, our heavyweight, the one that won the Wing Open, he did it with his work ethic. Elise Bell, she leads with her work ethic. There are different ways of leading in the gym, and I try to harness that, and then elevate those that are doing it, making sure the team sees what they're doing. There's a young lady, she's very quiet, prior enlisted two-time national champ now. She's won three Wing Opens, she's gonna probably get her fourth as a senior, she's gonna be our team captain this year, because she's quiet, but it brings out her show, forces her to use her voice a little bit more, because she does it quietly with her work ethic in the corner. But you all see her because she's always in the ring and she's always working. So, I wouldn't say they surprised me just yet. I haven't had so many surprises just yet, but I've had some that has solidified my resolve in why I came back because they understand where they're going, they're learning what leadership is, because you don't always have to vocally stand on the pedestal and be the person on top to be a leader, and I love that piece of this. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 34:56 So, I'm sure maybe this is a silly question, but obviously you have been assistant coach in the past. What made you come back as head coach? Col. Mark Clifford 35:03 It's a silly question, Naviere. These cadets — no, this place is special. I love the Athletic Department. I mean, back to what it's done for me: I had the opportunity to come back as a young captain, working in the athletic department, was able to get a doctorate degree out of this place, was able to come back again and be around the cadets to learn more from Coach Eddie Weichers. And I think all of those parts and pieces helped develop me, because it put me in positions where I was able to grab jobs and be in positions to be successful. I had no business picking up a squadron command the second time I was here, but I was able to pick up the squadron command, because I had people pulling for me, pushing for me, and that's what you go back to, like you said before, what helped shape you, and that it's just the people around here that help shape me. And how do I come back and give back to an institution, to a department that really shaped me as an individual? And that's what I'm doing. I think I come back because it's — I want to see the cadets who struggled like me, and I find them in class too, that are debating whether they want to be or not, looking for something else to be a part of, and I always invite them to be part of the boxing family, because I know what boxing did for me and others who went through this program that were competitive, that couldn't make another team, or wasn't on a different team that wanted to show their skill that wanted to balance something from the academic side, because that is so stressful. Punching something is very stress relieving. There's something about it — especially if I can punch something in the face in front of other people and not get in trouble — I was doing it. And so I think being able to come back and give that opportunity to other cadets and then watch them flourish with it and grow with it, I think is why I'm back. And so I'm thankful for the athletic department. I'm thankful for the Academy. So, how do I pay it forward in my way, paying it forward? This is my way of paying it forward. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 37:02 I love that. Well, I want to ask you something that we ask our guests on this, because it's really about how you continue to hone your skills as a leader through all the journeys, right? In uniform, out of uniform, in the private sector, higher education, etc. What is something you do every day to be better as a leader? Col. Mark Clifford 37:23 Well, you know, I think is internally, “How do I have an impact,” as a head coach in the athletic department, and I'm not an NCAA sport like some of our other coaches. How do I impact people around me in my sphere of influence? It's very different now when you're an officer, when you're a commander, you have entire unit that you have impact on. Mine are smaller. One, it's internally with my team, is how do I lead and impact my team, and so I want to make sure that I'm always prepared to support our cadets through practice, having a plan for them so they know when they walk in the door what we're supposed to do. Because I think that's important from a discipline standpoint of knowing and understanding what I have to do when I get to the gym, and what my end goal is. And I always come in for that mentally prepared, and then mentally preparing them for the rest of the season, because we have a long season. And then I always think about my series of influence. I'm in the athletic department on the physical education side. How do I make sure I am prepared for the other cadets in classes that aren't on the team? Make sure they have a positive experience in PE class, but also I make sure they know that I'm a grad. I make sure that they know I'm a high-level guy, because I think there's value in that when they can always ask questions that are driven towards operational air force, not necessarily about this particular class. So I make sure I'm prepared for those cadets, and then how do I then allow myself to be available for the rest of the department, not only the physical education department, but our athletic directors, and making sure that I'm a resource. I've been here before, right? I understand something. I may not have all the answers, but I'm willing to help the support. I'm always preparing myself daily for the cadets and the staff and the folks around me that my sphere of influence has, at least the best part of me every time I can work. And so I think daily for me it's a mental preparation, but also, you know, prepping for the day of the day of, from a leadership perspective, because my leadership role is very different now than what it was when you're active duty, when you're sitting at Grand Canyon University as a dean or assistant dean, right? Your influence is very different. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 39:40 So mentally you prepare yourself. What does that look like as far as like activity, right? So, are you taking care of yourself physically, so that you have the capacity to do more? Are you — I'm just curious, like, what does that look like when you say you're preparing yourself? Col. Mark Clifford 39:56 I do a couple of things. I think in the morning when I get up, I have a cup of coffee, and we typically — my wife and I typically watch the news together. It is thinking about the impacts of what happens in our world, how that impacts our Academy. I don't think — there's very little ripple effect that gets to the cadet, but also understanding why what's happening in our world is important to a cadet. I always try to prepare myself for those conversations, just in case they come up, and they have come up in classes sometimes. But I just give my perspective more so. Physically, I hit the gym, I work in a gym, so my wife says I have no excuse, at least you better be in a gym using equipment. I physically do that, and then I try to make sure I walk through our gym and put pieces together, equipment together, and make sure the equipment's in place and ready for our cadets, and sometimes I box and stuff. I gotta stay sharp. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 41:01 I was gonna ask, you know, how that you did with what was his name, the assistant coach at the time, Ray… Col. Mark Clifford 41:06 Ray Carter. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 41:07 Yes, are you ever across in the ring with someone; with a cadet? Col. Mark Clifford 41:12 My first year, I did. My last year, I let the young captains and majors do that. I realized that my mind will say do something — move out the way. I don't move out the way as quick as I used to, but I think I do. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 41:27 Then you feel that you didn't. Col. Mark Clifford 41:12 Exactly. I didn't. Never let the cadets know they got you. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 41:33 That's funny. All right, I want to ask you one more question. What's something, if you could have a conversation with young Mark as a cadet today, what would you tell yourself? Col. Mark Clifford 41:44 I think the one thing I would tell myself is, trust the process, be the best that you can be, where you are, and where you're playing it, and do that to the best of your ability, and then shake off the negativity and the nonsense. I had some great friends here, but also some friends that didn't want to be here either, and so you feed off that negativity. I think that got into who I was, especially as a young cadet, because some of that negativity that probably kept me from being my best in certain areas, especially academically, especially militarily, because I think if I were able to do that, maybe my outcome probably would have been on the same trajectory, but also it would have been more positive experience, Col. Naviere Walkewicz 42:27 Less painful for sure. Col. Mark Clifford 42:29 Yeah, not chasing other things, trying to get your tape out, go recruit somewhere else. You're happy where you are, you're doing the best that you can, and it's going to be challenging, tough. And understand that you're going to take some losses, that's what this place is about. It's not always going to be a win, because in life, it's not always a win. And if you can bounce back from a loss, at some point it took me two years, in that third year, I bounced back in the loss to get that W, life becomes very, very easy. Yeah, you kind of figured out, so that's what I tell myself to prepare myself a little better. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 43:05 No, that's excellent. What's something that we didn't talk about today that you would really like to make sure that we share? Col. Mark Clifford 43:11 I think we kind of talked about it, family, my family, my wife's been my rock for almost 30 years, we're on 29 this year, we're going on 30. We've got two boys that say they don't want to be in the military, I don't want to move. My oldest son is not in the military, he's moved three times since he graduated college two years ago. And then the youngest one, who didn't want to do it, would join officer training school in July. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 43:34 Congratulations! Col. Mark Clifford 43:35 Yeah, super-proud. He's taking an eight-week route, not the five-year route. So, I don't know if he's smarter, I don't know how to play that one, but you know, I can't say enough about making sure that your family supports what you do. I could not have been as successful or do the things that I was able to do in the Air Force without my wife Elise and my two boys, Caleb and Jaden, without their support, because there were some tough times when you're deployed and you're gone and you just need that rock to make sure that the household is good, so you focus on your job while you're gone and be home in your home, and she made sure that we did that when we had opportunities, and she also, no matter where we went, made sure it was a home, and so I'm thankful for that, because the boys always had home versus places that we had to move to, right, and like you said, we have some good ones, thankfully. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 44:29 Well, it sounds like you also have translated that, bringing that that Elise has brought to your family, to your boxing family. I mean, I think when cadets are there, they're home away, this is home away from home, right? And maybe not all of them have father figures or leaders in their lives, and it sounds like you kind of taken that mantle, placed it right there. Col. Mark Clifford 44:47 I tried, I tried. You know, we talked about this before we started, but I'm gonna push them hard. Make sure that they exceed that level of physicality and mentality that they think they can, because they will exceed it and be able to perform when it's time to perform. And I love it. Col. Naviere Walkewicz 45:07 Well, Mark, this has been amazing — Coach Clifford, I mean. What you're doing at the program, I mean, you started with you, right, embedded in you, and now you're taking it to the next level. What I learned today in your leadership lessons are those things that you've battled with in the ring, you're bringing out in life, whether in uniform, out of uniform, and you're not only sharing it with those that have been directly on your team, but those that may join your team. You know, we just talked about those basic cadets. So, what I really appreciate about you is you're willing to be there in that with them, celebrating their wins and helping them navigate those losses. So, thanks for being an incredible leader, and thanks for being on Long Blue Leadership. Thank you for investing your time, and for joining us here on Long Blue Leadership. I encourage you to share this episode with others who are on their own leadership journey. You can find this and all our conversations wherever you get your podcasts, or at longblueleadership.org. Until next time, I'm Naviere Walkewicz. KEYWORDS Leadership development, servant leadership, transformational leadership, competitive mindset, resilience, mental toughness, accountability, team culture, coaching and mentoring, leading by example, emotional intelligence, authenticity, character development, warrior ethos, growth mindset, discipline, perseverance, decision-making, ethical leadership, influencing without authority, role modeling, performance under pressure, purpose-driven leadership, mentorship, building trust, developing potential, talent identification, culture change, officer development, military leadership, sports leadership, motivation, intrinsic motivation, ownership, responsibility, humility, continuous improvement, self-reflection, family support, work-life integration, peer influence, values-based leadership, strategic thinking, adaptability, handling failure, bouncing back from setbacks, high standards, excellence, preparation, focus, commitment, dedication. The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation
Air Force One is the most famous plane in the world. With three floors, a fully-functional operating room, and a kitchen that can feed 100 people at once, there's not much the plane can't do. But what's it like to fly with the president on his signature aircraft? Is it stressful? Is the food good? How does the press corps interact in the air? Today, Daily Wire White House Correspondent Mary Margaret Olohan joins Tim Rice to discuss her latest trip with the president, and give us the inside scoop of what it's like flying on Air Force One. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.- - -Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3- - -Today's Sponsors:Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.Lean - Get 20% off when you enter code WIRE at https://TakeLean.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jonathan Lemire, co-host of Morning Joe on MSNOW; writer for MSNOW and staff writer for The Atlantic, talks about the late Barney Frank's advice for Democrats and other national political news of the day, including his analysis of how President Trump is changing as his second term continues, and why he thinks the president's age is less scrutinized than his predecessor's. Photo: U.S. President Donald Trump departs from Air Force One on May 20, 2026 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: U.S. officials are sounding the alarm over a potential new drone threat emerging just 90 miles off America's southern coast, after intelligence reports revealed Cuba has reportedly been stockpiling military drones supplied by Russia and Iran. Iranian forces have reportedly boarded and seized a Chinese-operated vessel described as a “floating armoury” in the Gulf of Oman, raising fresh questions about maritime security in the region following the recent conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. Federal prosecutors have charged a senior Iraqi militia figure tied to Iran with allegedly plotting attacks on Jewish sites in major U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles. And in today's Back of the Brief—after President Trump's trip to Beijing, White House staffers and reporters aboard Air Force One were reportedly ordered to throw away Chinese-issued gifts, badges, pins, and burner phones over ongoing espionage and surveillance concerns. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Acre Gold: Turn your pocket change into physical 24-karat gold and enter to win a limited-edition Hot Wheels gold bar at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB Hexclad: Find your forever cookware @hexclad and get 10% off at https://hexclad.com/PDB ! #hexcladpartner #sponsored Chapter: Compare every medicare plan call 915-671-5252 today! Chapter and its affiliates are not connected with or endorsed by any government entity or the federal Medicare program. Chapter Advisory, LLC represents Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO, and PFFS organizations and stand alone prescription drug plans that have a Medicare contract. Enrollment depends on the plan's contract renewal. While we have a database of every Medicare plan nationwide and can help you to search among all plans, we have contracts with many but not all plans. As a result, we do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 50 organizations which offer 18,160 products nationwide. We search and recommend all plans, even those we don't directly offer. You can contact a licensed Chapter agent to find out the number of products available in your specific area. Please contact https://Medicare.gov, 1-800-Medicare, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on The Necessary Conversation, Bob is still out dealing with some medical issues so Mary Lou, Chad and Haley hold down the fort and discuss:
This week on Sinica, I chat with Ali Wyne, Senior Research and Advocacy Adviser for U.S.-China at the International Crisis Group, just hours after President Trump's plane left Chinese airspace at the end of a three-day state visit to Beijing. We dig into the new framework Xi Jinping put on the table — what Beijing is calling 中美建设性战略稳定关系, a "constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability" — and ask whether it's a genuine doctrine of mutual restraint or a rhetorical tripwire that future American moves can be characterized as having violated. Ali and I work through Foreign Minister Wang Yi's morning-after media briefing, including his striking claim that the U.S. side now "does not accept" Taiwan independence — a notable shift from the standard American formulation. We talk about what Trump actually said on Taiwan in his Air Force One press gaggle, the gap between Trump's account of Xi's private remarks on Iran and what Beijing is willing to say publicly, and whether AI can serve as a durable basis for cooperation coming out of the summit. We also turn to the American domestic side: the bind Democrats find themselves in trying to critique Trump's China engagement without out-hawking him, the generational data showing a striking gap in American attitudes toward China that transcends partisan division, and the question of when that shift in mass opinion actually starts to bite on policy.Full podcast page with timestamps and links forthcoming! Just wanted to get this out quickly.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
David Rothkopf and Daily Beast executive editor Hugh Dougherty break down Donald Trump's lackluster China trip, the explosive fallout from his Iran crisis, and the growing signs that the president is struggling to maintain control on the world stage. From tense meetings with Xi Jinping to Trump's angry outbursts aboard Air Force One, the conversation tracks a presidency that increasingly looks weakened, isolated, and consumed by chaos. Rothkopf details how China dictated the terms of the summit, why Trump came home empty-handed on Taiwan, trade, and Iran, and how the president appeared both physically and metaphorically diminished beside Xi as America's stature seemed to shrink alongside him. The episode also digs into Trump's public meltdowns, mounting questions about his mental decline, and why even some longtime observers now believe the Trump era is entering its final unraveling. Ready to reach your goals? Visit https://hims.com/BEAST to get a personalized, affordable plan that gets you. #ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
-- On the Show: -- Ground beef prices hit record highs above $7 per pound while families increasingly rely on credit cards for groceries -- Donald Trump publicly agrees with Xi Jinping, describing the US as a declining nation, then tries to blame Joe Biden while praising himself -- Donald Trump struggles climbing Air Force One stairs and delivers confusing remarks about Iran and the Strait of Hormuz -- Donald Trump sas he defends selling American farmland to Chinese buyers and supports keeping Chinese students in US universities -- A three-time Trump voter posts an emotional apology video saying he regrets attending MAGA rallies, wearing the hat, and supporting Trump -- Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett says slower immigration means the economy now needs fewer jobs each month -- Former FBI Director James Comey mocks Trump's obsession with him and says his daughter was fired because of their family name -- The Friday Feedback segment
MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump panicking after being stood up by China's President Xi Jingping when Air Force One landed in China as the trip is already off to a bad start. Get 20% off your purchase at https://FastGrowingTrees.com using the code MEIDAS at checkout. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show The Ken Harbaugh Show: https://meidasnews.com/tag/the-ken-harbaugh-show Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Senate Democrats try to destroy Kash Patel over being an alcoholic. President Trump is greeted by a formal state welcome and massive fanfare in Beijing. Fortune 100 CEOs tag along Air Force One for this high stakes meeting. The swamp Texas House Speaker who kills and waters down all the Republican priorities is endorsing Chip Roy's opponent for Texas AG as Roy goes on Steve Bannon's show.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…HumanNhttps://Humann.com/Dana*This partner has been on my show the LONGEST - show them your love, this product WORKS! GhostBedhttps://GhostBed.com/DanaTake Advantage of GhostBed's Memorial Day Sale plus an extra 10% off for my audience with promo code DANA.Native Path Grass Fed Collagenhttps://getnativepath.com/DanaFor my special offer get up to 45% OFF. Try it risk-free with a 365-day money-back guarantee.Fresh Pressed Olive Oilhttps://DanaLovesOliveOil.comTry it now and get a full-sized $49 bottle of Fresh Pressed Olive Oil for FREE just pay $1 shipping with no commitment—Claim yours today.Relief Factorhttps://www.ReliefFactor.comDeclare your independence from pain with Relief Factor—start the 3-Week QuickStart for just $19.95. PreBornhttps://PreBorn.com/Dana or #250 AND SAY “BABY”Help Preborn Fund 1,000 ultrasounds and protect mothers and babies in crisis. We are 600 Ultrasounds away. Help us reach our goal!Pocket HoseText DANA to 64000For a limited time, get two FREE gifts—a 360° rotating pocket pivot and thumb drive nozzle when you buy a new Pocket Hose Ballistic; just text DANA to 64000, message and data rates may apply.Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/DanaTrusted by law enforcement, security professionals, and everyday Americans—defend yourself and your family with Byrna.Patriot Mobilehttp://PatriotMobile.com/DANAVisit online or call 972-PATRIOT and use promo code DANA for a free month of service.Noble Goldhttps://NobleGoldInvestments.com/Dana If you want to see how physical gold and silver could fit into your portfolio, download Noble Gold Investments FREE Wealth Protection Kit. Laundry Saucehttps://LaundrySauce.com/DanaUpgrade your laundry game with 20% off your entire order when you use code DANA. Subscribe today and stay in the loop on all things news with The Dana Show. Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramXMore InfoWebsite
Air Force One is wheels-up to Beijing. The Iran cease-fire is on life support — Trump himself just said it has a "1% chance of survival." And the Strait of Hormuz has now been closed for 10 straight weeks, choking the global oil supply. What happens next? Lance Wallnau breaks down the most consequential geopolitical week of Trump's second term — and why the war you're watching on cable news isn't the war that actually matters. Is China the real target — and Iran just the lever? In this episode: Why Trump is bringing Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and the entire tech CEO bench with him to Beijing The "garbage" counter-offer from Iran that Trump stopped reading halfway through How China's 90% dependence on Iranian oil gives Trump a leverage point nobody on cable is naming The Daniel prophecy about "two kings at a table" — and how it's playing out in real time Why the Kim Clement "hot blood" prophecy over Trump is activating this week Netanyahu's 59% confidence collapse — and the age split inside the GOP that should terrify every Christian The "Saturday people, Sunday people" warning from Congressman Randy Fine that every American needs to hear Why gold just crossed $4,671 — and what it's signaling about the road ahead This is the moment the world has been waiting for. Trump is the only one in the room who knows how to play it. Don't miss this one. Podcast Episode 2117: Trump Heads to China as Iran Ceasefire Crumbles | What Happens Next? | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast