Podcasts about Marines

Join Jim and Greg for the Monday 3 Martini Lunch as they as they have plenty to say about the shocking break-in and horrible security at the Louvre, the U.S. Army's major push into nuclear power, President Trump commuting the sentence of George Santos, and another California controversy that's literally explosive.First, after briefly noting the break-in and alarming security lapse at the Louvre, Jim and Greg turn to the U.S. Army's ambitious plan to install nine small nuclear reactors across key military bases. They applaud the move as a major step toward energy independence and boost warfighting capabilities.Next, they rip President Trump's commutation of convicted serial fraudster and expelled former New York Rep. George Santos after he served almost three months of a seven-year sentence. While still a convicted felon, Santos will no longer need to pay restitution to his victims. Unsurprisingly, Santos says he wants to focus on the future and not the past. Jim says this smells like Trump simply rewarding a political ally. Finally, they tackle the California uproar over closing Interstate 5 during the U.S. Marine Corps' 250th anniversary celebration at Camp Pendleton. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the shutdown due to live ordnance, but the Marines insisted it wasn't necessary. California Highway Patrol officers report a small piece of shrapnel damaged one of their vehicles when an explosive went off prematurely. They also rip Newsom for his self-incriminating tweet about the No Kings protests.Please visit our great sponsors:Get 20% off your first purchase of classic menswear. Visit https://MizzenAndMain.com with promo code 3ML20—shop online or visit a Mizzen and Main store in select states.Keep celebrating World Mental Health Day by starting your journey with BetterHelp—get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/3MLSupport your health with Dose Daily.  Save 25% on your first month when you subscribe at https://DoseDaily.co/3ML or enter code 3ML at checkout. 

The A.M. Update breaks down the astroturfed "No Kings" protests against Trump, which erupted into violence in Portland. Israel halts Gaza aid after alleged Hamas ceasefire violations, while a U.S. resident is charged for aiding the October 7th attack. JD Vance rallies Marines against "diversity quotas," and Trump commutes George Santos' sentence. Analysis of China's delayed Fourth Plenum (October 20-23) signals potential economic shifts amid trade tensions.   No Kings protest, Trump, Insurrection Act, Gaza ceasefire, Hamas violation, October 7th attack, George Santos, JD Vance, Marine Corps, China Plenum, CCP, Xi Jinping, five-year plan, Conduit Clothing

(October 20,2025)Amy King and Neil Saavedra join Bill for Handel on the News. Shrapnel hits cars on California highway during Marines celebration. Amazon says website outages ease after disruption. Thieves pull off daring heist at The Louvre, stealing jewels once worn by French royalty. Israel strikes Gaza and temporarily halts aid, saying Hamas broke truce.

(October 20,2025)How a ‘safe' plan to fire munitions over the I-5 didn't go as planned. No kings protests against President Trump took place again over the weekend. Why does everyone hate the valley in L.A.

EPISODE 110 -  “LON CHANEY SR, and LON CHANEY JR” - 10/25 LON CHANEY, known as the 'Man of a Thousand Faces,' amazed audiences in the silent era with his unforgettable performances in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923) and The Phantom of the Opera (1925). He was a master of transformation, using makeup, physicality, and raw emotion to create these classic characters no one had ever seen before. His son, LON CHANEY, JR., had the difficult job of following in his father's footsteps. But he made his own mark, especially as The Wolf Man (1941), a role that turned him into one of Universal's great horror stars. Join us as we discuss this remarkable father-and-son duo, their careers, their lives, and how the Chaney name became synonymous with both monsters and movie magic. SHOW NOTES:  Sources: “Not the Girl Next Door” (2008), by Charlotte Chandler;   “Lon Chaney: The Man Behind the Thousand Faces” (1993), by Michael F. Blake; www.lonchaney.com; PBS.org/WNET/AmericanMasters; Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces, Documentary (2022); Lon Chaney, Jr.: Son of a Thousand Faces, Documentary, A&E Biography (1995); “Secrets from Lon Chaney's Oklahoma Odyssey,” November 14, 1982, by Sam Anderson, The Oklahoman; “9 Transformative Facts About Lon Chaney Sr.,” November 6, 2019, by Jane Rose, Mental Floss; Wikipedia.com; TCM.com; IBDB.com; IMDBPro.com; Movies Mentioned: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923); The Phantom of the Opera (1925); The Wolf Man (1941); By the Sun's Rays (1914); The Wicked Darling (1919); The Miracle Man (1919); The Penalty (1920); He Who Gets Slapped (1924); The Unholy Three (1925); The Blackbird (1926); The Road to Mandalay (1926); Tell It to the Marines (1926); Mr. Wu (1927); The Unknown (1927);  London After Midnight (1927); The Big City (1928); Laugh, Clown, Laugh (1928);  While the City Sleeps (1928);  West of Zanzibar (1928); Where East is East (1929);  Thunder (1929); Girl Crazy (1932); Undersea Kingdom (1936); Of Mice and Men (1939); One Billion BC (1940); Billy the Kid (1941); Riders of Death Valley (1941); Badlands of Dakota (1941); Too Many Blondes (1941); San Antonio Rose (1941); Man Made Monster (1941); Frankenstein (1932); The Mummy (1932); The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942); The Mummy's Tomb (1942); Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man (1943); Son of Dracula (1943); House of Frankenstein (1944); Abbott and CostelloMeet Frankenstein (1948); High Noon (1952); Bride of the Gorilla (1951); The Black Castle (1952); Indestructible Man (1956); The Alligator (1959); The Bushwhacker (1952); The Silver Star (1955); The Haunted Palace (1963); Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971); --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the spring of 1945, the Battle of Okinawa became the bloodiest fight of the Pacific War. What was meant to be the final step toward Japan turned into a storm of mud, coral, and fire that tested every limit of courage and endurance. This episode follows the Marines through the final weeks of the campaign. It is a story of bravery and exhaustion, of shattered armies and civilians trapped between them, of generals who chose death over surrender, and of the staggering cost of victory. When the guns finally fell silent, more than two hundred thousand people were dead. The island lay in ruins, but amid that devastation came moments of humanity. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

David Waldman is back to sort out the weekend chaos. Belated RIP to Ace Frehley, yet Greg Dworkin is back in his New York groove today, presenting links from Ex-Twitter, which, alas, is still with us. Not long for this New York mayoral race world is Andrew Cuomo, whose absence won't be felt like Curtis Sliwa, world's easiest interview subject. Silwa voters aren't part of the Mamdanimentum, btw. No Kings rallies had a very nice day. Several million pleasant people at a few thousand locations made their presence known to everybody other than the New York Times. Sadly, in these days and times, terrorists will inevitably show up wherever large groups of patriotic Americans gather. Terrorist in Chief, Donald K. Trump wishes he could have been at all of them. Kenny Loggins is pretty certain that Trump is more of a bottom gun, but Mike Johnson believes that Donald is just perfect the way he is. Trump notes that the Constitution plainly states that he's allowed to be king, just like 50 or 60 of his predecessors did 1000 to 1500% of the time.  Unfortunately, he could be right. It turns out that the test for enemy terrorist drug runners is the same as the test for witches: If they float, they are innocent. Marco Rubio betrayed drug gang informants to get the El Salvadoran prison deal. Trump is betraying American ranchers to pay off Argentina. Australia discovers that they aren't on the good end of the kickback seesaw. JD Just Dance Vance was almost taken out by a Marines artillery shell. No way could his ear have withstood that.

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Episode 4861: Remembering The Fallen Marines; The Next Generation Of MAGA

Marines celebrate 250 years with a live ammo demo that won't close the 5 Freeway near Camp Pendleton. Dean Sharp, “The House Whisperer,” breaks down the best grasses for SoCal lawns and explains how to safely rebuild chimneys after earthquakes. And we revisit one of baseball's greatest moments — Kirk Gibson's legendary 1988 World Series walk-off, immortalized by Vin Scully's call.

Boortz! Ace Frehley, dear deer, gay Marines, President Trump and Ukraine, HCIS, a game See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corruption defines both the perception and reality of government, eroding trust and even threatening national security. Today, the safeguards meant to keep our government accountable are failing. From the mass firing of inspectors general to congressional stock trading and Supreme Court ethics scandals, abuses of power are weakening public trust and raising fears that the U.S. could slide toward kleptocracy.In this episode, host Simone Leeper speaks with Mark Lee Greenblatt, former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Interior; Jodi Vittori, Georgetown University professor and expert on corruption and national security; and Kedric Payne, Vice President and General Counsel at Campaign Legal Center. Together, they trace America's long fight against corruption — from the founders' earliest fears to Watergate reforms — and examine how today's failures of accountability threaten American democracy. The episode closes with solutions for restoring integrity, eliminating conflicts of interest and rebuilding trust in American government. Timestamps:(00:05) — Why did Trump fire 17 inspectors general?(07:36) — How has corruption shaped U.S. history?(11:14) — What reforms followed Watergate?(18:22) — Why does corruption feel worse in daily life now?(23:01) — How did Trump weaken watchdog offices and ethics enforcement?(28:47) — Why does congressional stock trading undermine trust?(33:58) — What do Supreme Court ethics scandals reveal?(39:59) — Could the U.S. slide toward kleptocracy?(46:04) — How does corruption threaten national security?(56:57) — What reforms could restore accountability and integrity? Host and Guests:Simone Leeper litigates a wide range of redistricting-related cases at Campaign Legal Center, challenging gerrymanders and advocating for election systems that guarantee all voters an equal opportunity to influence our democracy. Prior to arriving at CLC, Simone was a law clerk in the office of Senator Ed Markey and at the Library of Congress, Office of General Counsel. She received her J.D. cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in 2019 and a bachelor's degree in political science from Columbia University in 2016.Mark Lee Greenblatt is an expert on government ethics and compliance, an attorney and author. Most recently, he served as Inspector General for the U.S. Department of the Interior. His work bolstered the integrity of the agency's programs, rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Department's $10 billion in grants and contracts and $12 billion in natural resource royalties. Mark was elected by the 74 Inspectors General to serve as the Chairman of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency in 2022. He previously served in leadership roles at the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. He also served as an investigative counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice. He clerked for U.S. District Judge Anita Brody and was a litigator in two international law firms. Mark is the author of Valor, which tells untold stories of 21st century American soldiers, sailors and Marines who faced gut-wrenching decisions to overcome enormous odds. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, and he regularly appears in the news media. He graduated from Columbia University School of Law, where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone scholar, and he earned his undergraduate degree from Duke University.Jodi Vittori is an expert on the linkages of corruption, state fragility, illicit finance and U.S. national security. She is a Professor of Practice and co-chair of the Global Politics and Security program at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Jodi is also an associate fellow with RUSI's Centre for Finance and Security and was previously a non-resident fellow with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Before joining the Georgetown University faculty, she was the U.S. Research and Policy Manager for Transparency International's Defense and Security Program and a senior policy advisor for Global Witness. Jodi also served in the U.S. Air Force; her overseas service included Afghanistan, Iraq, South Korea, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and she was assigned to NATO's only counter-corruption task force. She was an Assistant Professor and military faculty at the US Air Force Academy and the National Defense University. Jodi is also a founder and co-moderator of the Anti-Corruption Advocacy Network (ACAN), which facilitates information exchange on corruption-related issues amongst over 1,000 participating individuals and organizations worldwide. She is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and received her PhD in International Studies from the University of Denver.Kedric Payne leads the government ethics program at Campaign Legal Center, where he works to strengthen ethics laws and hold public officials accountable at the federal, state and local levels. He conducts investigations into government corruption and initiates legal actions against officials who violate the law. At CLC, Kedric has been at the forefront of advancing reforms on issues such as congressional stock trading, Supreme Court ethics enforcement, executive branch conflicts of interest, and state ethics commission autonomy. His legal work and analysis have been featured in major media outlets. He has also testified at congressional hearings on government ethics and accountability. Before joining CLC, Kedric built a broad legal career across all three branches of the federal government and in private practice. He began as a litigator at Cravath and later practiced political law at Skadden. He went on to serve as Deputy Chief Counsel at the Office of Congressional Ethics and as a Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he advised on federal ethics laws. Earlier in his career, he clerked for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.Links: Understanding Corruption and Conflicts of Interest in Government – CLC Holding Government Officials Accountable for Unlawful Conflict of Interest Violations – CLC Ethics Pledges by Trump Cabinet Draw Questions and Skepticism – NY Times CLC Sues to Stop Elon Musk and DOGE's Lawless, Unconstitutional Power Grab – CLC Elon Musk Stands to Gain Even More Wealth by Serving in Trump's Administration – CLC Is Musk Using the FAA to Benefit Himself and His SpaceX Subsidiary, Starlink? – CLC Have Wealthy Donors Bought the Trump Administration? – CLC How a Second Term Introduces More Conflicts of Interest for Trump – CLC CLC's Kedric Payne on Trump's Brazen Removal of Nation's Top Ethics Official – CLC The public won't get to see Elon Musk's financial disclosures. Here's why that matters.  – CBS  Justice Clarence Thomas Should Be Held Accountable Under Federal Ethics Law – CLC Judicial Conference Decision Lowers Ethics Standards for Federal Judges and U.S. Supreme Court – CLC Improving Ethics Standards at the Supreme Court – CLC The Justice Department Is In Danger Of Losing Its Way Under Trump – CLC Congress Has an Ethics Problem. Now It's Trying to Get Rid of Ethics Enforcement – CLC A Win for Ethics: CLC, Partners Succeed in Preserving Office of Congressional Conduct – CLC Crypto Political Fundraising Raises Questions About Senate Ethics Committee Efficacy – CLC Stopping the Revolving Door: Preventing Conflicts of Interest from Former Lobbyists – CLC The Trump Administration Has Opened the Door to More Corruption – CLC Solving the Congressional Stock Trading Problem – CLCAbout CLC:Democracy Decoded is a production of Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to solving the wide range of challenges facing American democracy. Campaign Legal Center fights for every American's freedom to vote and participate meaningfully in the democratic process. Learn more about us.Democracy Decoded is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(October 16, 2025)Amy King and Neil Saavedra join Bill for Handel on the News. Judge temporarily blocks President Trump from firing government workers during shutdown. Hamas returns two more bodies but says it cannot retrieve remaining dead hostages. Man accused with starting Palisades Fire charged with more felonies. Marines showcase amphibious capabilities for Marine Corps' 250th Birthday.

Qatar, China, Palestine, Argentina- is there any nation Trump won't cut a deal with to fatten up his already bulging bank accounts?Plus- Thom reads from "Gangsters of Capitalism: Smedley Butler, the Marines, and the Making and Breaking of America's Empire" by Jonathan M. Katz.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Blown up by a 25lb IED. Hunted by a sniper. Lost six Marines in one of the deadliest provinces in Afghanistan.This is Marine Lt. Col. Mike Manocchio's story — and it's unlike anything you've ever heard, and it's right here on today's Urban Valor Episode! Mike led troops through nonstop combat in Marjah, Helmand Province — an area packed with IEDs, ambushes, and Taliban fighters tracking their every move. He survived a massive explosion, had sniper rounds miss his head by inches, and still went back out to lead his men.But the hardest part wasn't the firefights. It was what came after. The survivor's guilt. The PTSD. The faces of the Marines who didn't come home.He opens up about the chaos of war, the day Kyle Carpenter threw himself on a grenade, and what it's like trying to put the pieces back together when the war ends — but the battle doesn't.If you're looking for Afghanistan war stories, Marine IED survival, or veteran interviews — this one's going to stay with you.

A Marine was sentenced to 26 years for murdering his wife on base as the Army investigates another spouse found dead on Schofield Barracks weeks earlier. Wives are sounding the alarm about the violence and lack of information being provided to the community by military leadership. Staff Sgt. Alonzo Alcantara was sentenced on Sept. 30, 2025, for the murder of his wife, Ruby Tenorio Alcantara, who died just over a year prior, on Sept. 1, 2024. Alcantara admitted in court to using a rear-naked chokehold, a martial arts technique taught by the Marines, to kill his wife during an argument about finances and his legal troubles. But the autopsy report that HNN Investigates obtained shows she had a lot more injuries, indicating Alcantara did more that just a chokehold. The couple’s 8-year-old son witnessed the violence, it was revealed in court, and their younger child was also in the home at the time. The Alcantara children are now living with family members who are struggling to pay the bills. There is a GoFundMe set up to help.

By May 1945, Okinawa had become a war of exhaustion. The island's southern ridges, scarred by months of bombardment, hid Japan's last and strongest defensive line. When the Tenth Army resumed its drive on 11 May, the Marines faced terrain as deadly as any in the Pacific. To the east, the 1st Marine Division attacked into Wana Draw, a maze of ravines and caves leading toward Shuri Castle. A few miles west, the 6th Marine Division struck at Sugar Loaf Hill, a small rise commanding the road to Naha. For seven days, the two divisions clawed forward through mud, rain, and fire. By 18 May, both Wana and Sugar Loaf lay in Marine hands. The victory cracked the Shuri Line and forced the enemy's retreat. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

On Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, Avik digs into the real drivers of sustainable success with Dr. Ryan Williamson—board-certified neurologist, Navy veteran, and founder of Transcendent Health. Ryan breaks down his BRAIN Protocol (Breath, Rest, Activity, Intake, Nurturing) and shows why elite performance starts with biology, not hustle. From the physiological sigh to box breathing, sleep discipline, daily movement, and community, he maps out low-cost, evidence-based ways to reduce burnout, sharpen cognition, and extend both lifespan and healthspan. We also discuss purpose (“Find Your Why”), habit compounding, and how to vet health advice in a noisy marketplace. Direct, actionable, and built for busy professionals. About the guest : Dr. Ryan Williamson is a board-certified neurologist and former Navy Lieutenant Commander who has treated high-pressure performers, from sailors and Marines to special forces. He now leads Transcendent Health, helping entrepreneurs and leaders optimize brain health, stress resilience, and longevity. He's the author of The Incredible Brain. Key takeaways : Success needs health first: Hustle without sleep, nutrition, and recovery accelerates aging and chronic disease risk. BRAIN Protocol: B – Breath: Use the physiological sigh (long nasal inhale, quick top-up nasal inhale, slow mouth exhale) for rapid downshift. R – Rest: Protect sleep to support cognition, mood, and metabolic health. A – Activity: Daily movement offers the largest whole-body ROI; stand more, walk more, lift regularly. I – Intake: Prioritize quality nutrition and timing; you're already spending here—spend smarter. N – Nurturing: Community and relationships buffer stress and improve long-term health. Micro-habits work: Five to ten minutes of breathwork daily builds stress resilience via neuroplasticity. Move during work: Standing more and walk-and-talk calls can meaningfully raise activity; ~10,000 steps correlates with lower all-cause mortality. Purpose powers compliance: Write down your “why,” keep it visible, and reverse-engineer habits from that end state. Democratize longevity: Most wins are free or low-cost—breathing, sleep, walking, and social support. Vet your sources: Check credentials and incentives before adopting protocols or buying supplements. How to connect with the guest   Website: transcendhealthgroup.com Book: transcendhealthgroup.com/book Instagram & LinkedIn: Search Ryan Williamson / Transcend Health Group Upcoming free YouTube courses: Brain Health Mastery (via Transcend Health Group) Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik   Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third-party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.   Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty—storyteller, survivor, wellness advocate—this channel shares powerful podcasts and soul-nurturing conversations on: • Mental Health & Emotional Well-being• Mindfulness & Spiritual Growth• Holistic Healing & Conscious Living• Trauma Recovery & Self-Empowerment With over 4,400+ episodes and 168.4K+ global listeners, join us as we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters. Subscribe and be part of this healing journey. ContactBrand: Healthy Mind By Avik™Email: join@healthymindbyavik.com | podcast@healthymindbyavik.comWebsite: www.healthymindbyavik.comBased in: India & USA Open to collaborations, guest appearances, coaching, and strategic partnerships. Let's connect to create a ripple effect of positivity. CHECK PODCAST SHOWS & BE A GUEST:Listen our 17 Podcast Shows Here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/healthymindbyavikBe a guest on our other shows: https://www.healthymindbyavik.com/beaguestVideo Testimonial: https://www.healthymindbyavik.com/testimonialsJoin Our Guest & Listener Community: https://nas.io/healthymindSubscribe To Newsletter: https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/ OUR SERVICESBusiness Podcast Management - https://ourofferings.healthymindbyavik.com/corporatepodcasting/Individual Podcast Management - https://ourofferings.healthymindbyavik.com/Podcasting/Share Your Story With World - https://ourofferings.healthymindbyavik.com/shareyourstory STAY TUNED AND FOLLOW US!Medium - https://medium.com/@contentbyavikYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@healthymindbyavikInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/healthyminds.pod/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymindLinkedin Page - https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthymindbyavikLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikchakrabortypodcaster/Twitter - https://twitter.com/podhealthclubPinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/Avikpodhealth/ SHARE YOUR REVIEWShare your Google Review - https://www.podpage.com/bizblend/reviews/new/Share a video Testimonial and it will be displayed on our website -https://famewall.healthymindbyavik.com/ Because every story matters and yours could be the one that lights the way! #podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #wellness #HealthyMindByAvik #MentalHealthAwareness#comedypodcast #truecrimepodcast #historypodcast, #startupspodcast #podcasthost #podcasttips, #podcaststudio #podcastseries #podcastformentalhealth #podcastforentrepreneurs, #podcastformoms #femalepodcasters, #podcastcommunity #podcastgoals #podcastrecommendations #bestpodcast, #podcastlovers, #podcastersofinstagram #newpodcastalert #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcasts #spotifypodcast #applepodcasts #podbean #podcastcommunity #podcastgoals #bestpodcast #podcastlovers #podcasthost #podcastseries #podcastforspeakers#StorytellingAsMedicine #PodcastLife #PersonalDevelopment #ConsciousLiving #GrowthMindset #MindfulnessMatters #VoicesOfUnity #InspirationDaily #podcast #podcasting #podcaster #podcastlife #podcastlove #podcastshow #podcastcommunity #newpodcast #podcastaddict #podcasthost #podcastepisode #podcastinglife #podrecommendation #wellnesspodcast #healthpodcast #mentalhealthpodcast #wellbeing #selfcare #mentalhealth #mindfulness #healthandwellness #wellnessjourney #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #healthandwellnesspodcast #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #viral #trending #tiktok #tiktokviral #explore #trendingvideo #youtube #motivation #inspiration #positivity #mindset #selflove #success  

Why do gay men joke that “the Navy's the gayest branch” or “all Marines are bottoms”? In this episode, Ken Howard, LCSW, CST, explores how these myths reflect cultural anxieties about masculinity, sexuality, and belonging. Through the Six Principles of Sexual Health and 30+ years of clinical experience, Ken examines how humor, fantasy, and identity intersect—and how gay men can move from stereotype to sexual self-empowerment.

A new Franklin and Marshall College Poll shows fewer Pennsylvania voters support Donald Trump’s handling of the economy. Meantime, Pennsylvania is in its fourth month without a state budget, and that subject was covered in Franklin and Marshall’s poll as well. And we have poll results in one additional area. Gov. Josh Shapiro continues to earn solid marks from Pennsylvania voters, according to the new Franklin and Marshall Poll. You can hear more from Berwood Yost on the October F&M Poll on the October 14th episode of The Spark LGBT centers across Pennsylvania are struggling to keep their doors open as federal funding dries up and donors cut support. We are in the midst of a week-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Navy and Marines underway in Philadelphia. We're learning more about the shootout Wednesday night between state police troopers and a retail theft suspect in Franklin County. The injured and hospitalized officers are identified as 23-year-old Trooper Thomas Pack and 31-year-old Trooper Lucas Amarose. Governor Josh Shapiro joined two dozen other Democratic governors in a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's deployment of National Guard troops in American cities. And state officials with the Department of Labor and Industry rededicated a bronze sculpture honoring the state's legacy of laborers, last week. In uncertain times, our community counts on facts, not noise. Support the journalism and programming that keep you informed. Donate now at www.witf.org/givenow.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If Europeans have been swiftly divesting themselves of real amphibious capability, the reverse has been true of the ADF in recent years. Ray Leggatt, the first true Commander Amphibious Task Force of the Australian Amphibious Force, talked through his experience in putting together an amphib capability for a state that had not done this sort of operation in a couple of generations. Ray provides a remarkably honest and frank set of assessments about the capability when he was CATF, the essential trust and relationship needed with the Commander Landing Force (CLF), and the realities of doctrine versus practicality necessary to make a nascent capability tangible.

Andy and Diane talk about the riveting drama of TASK, why HOUSE OF GUINNESS is addictive & Must Watch, the new Netflix drama BOOTS & it's roots in the real-life Marines. We also catch up on ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and the beautiful storytelling of THE LOWDOWN. Also, SNL is back for it's 51st season and Diane couldn't be happier!

The fight against the first Stage... DENIAL

The 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) landed in Beirut Lebanon on May 29th, 1983, as part of a peacekeeping force during Lebanon's Civil War.  Once ashore, the MAU's battalion landing team, BLT 1/8, took up positions around Beirut International Airport.  Things escalated and the Marines began regularly taking fire.  They suffered their first deaths on August 29th when Staff Sergeant Alexander Ortega and Second Lieutenant George Losey were killed by mortar fire.  Then on October 23rd, the Marine barracks was attacked by a suicide truck bomber.  241 U.S. personnel were killed.  This attack remains the single deadliest day in Marine Corps' history since Iwo Jima.  Jack Carr and James Scott tell the story in “Targeted: Beirut”. 

This week, we sit down with the DAV Department of Minnesota Commander to explore their 100-year legacy, time capsule, and essential veteran transportation program. Plus, the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans shares their mission to end veteran homelessness and details on the Winter Salute event! Guests include: Commander John Walker – DAV Department of Minnesota […] The post DAV & MACV: Honoring Veterans appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

Is Lady Graham a paid FBI shill? Will we see right wing violence as these leftist judges keep releasing every violent offender they can from prison? Laticia James is finally indited. Are the Marines the only ones with balls? What does it mean to go ‘above and beyond the call of duty’? Follow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lori is from Florence, KY. and is a Surgery Scheduler at UC Health ENT. She was a mentor with the Marine Corps LINKS team for about 3 years and goes to Arlington National Cemetery every December for Wreaths Across America with her husband, who served 26 years in the Navy as a Corpsman with the Marines. Lori says she's been listening to B-105 her whole life and loves our commitment to the community and the Military. We had to cut our chat short because Lori was literally at her niece's wedding! LOL. For her induction song, Lori wanted to hear Cody Johnson's "Til You Can't". Welcome to the B-105 Country Club, Lori! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Are you afraid you'll miss God's plan for your life? Chaplain Ferguson's advice to new Marines struggling with their calling is the answer you need. The conversation turns spiritual as former Marine officer Jeremy Stalnecker and Chaplain Ferguson discuss the power of trusting God's guidance through life's biggest decisions, especially when ministry "was not in the cards". Together, they discuss the calling of military chaplaincy, the unseen emotional weight of ministering in war, and the spiritual history of Camp David, one of the most private and powerful places in American history. Ferguson’s new book, “Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp David,” pulls back the curtain on stories that shaped nations and souls alike. This conversation explores faith, leadership, calling, and what it means to serve where the stakes couldn’t be higher. Get "Presidential Seclusion": https://a.co/d/4C96SrI Hit Subscribe, share this episode with your community, and drop a comment on what landed hardest for you. Want more reinforcement? Subscribe to our newsletter, The Forward Edge, to go beyond the podcast and dig deeper into these topics and more: https://marchordie.substack.com! Join us daily for encouragement and biblical truth with the Mighty Oaks Daily Devotional, you can sign up for reminders: https://mightyoaksprograms.org/daily-devotional Follow March or Die:https://instagram.com/MarchOrDie https://Facebook.com/MarchOrDieShow https://TikTok.com/March_or_Die Follow Jeremy:https://instagram.com/jeremystalnecker https://jeremystalnecker.com Follow Sean:https://instagram.com/seantopgunkennard https://youtube.com/@SeanTopGunKennard Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Podcast Hosts:Grant Broggi: Marine Veteran, Owner of The Strength Co. and Starting Strength Coach.Jeff Buege: Marine Veteran, Outdoorsman, Football Fan and LifterTres Gottlich: Marine Veteran, Texan, Fisherman, Crazy College Football Fan and LifterJoin the Slack and Use code OKAY:https://buy.stripe.com/dR6dT4aDcfuBdyw5ksCheck out BW Tax: https://www.bwtaxllc.comBUY A FOOTBALL HELMET: https://www.greengridiron.com/?ref=thestrengthco14th Marine Reg T Shirts: https://usafulfillmentservices.com/14th-marine/Timestamps: 00:00 - Announcements02:47 - Staff Brief16:43 - Quiche23:36 - Tre's College Football Picks of The Week38:57 - What's The Most Mentally Challenging Lift? 44:38 - When To Use Fractional Plates47:28 - Fly Fishing50:48 - MCCSIn Episode 079 of the Okay! Podcast, the crew dives into the government shutdown's impact on Marines, Bitcoin blasting past $120K, and the controversial potluck dish — quiche. From hilarious rants about staff meetings to a wild moose encounter while fly fishing in Utah, this episode delivers a mix of military life, lifting talk, and college football picks.

Join us for a  conversation with author Chas Henry, retired Marine Corps captain and award-winning journalist, as he shares the harrowing story behind Fuji Fire: Sifting Ashes of a Forgotten U.S. Marine Corps Tragedy. On October 19, 1979, a super typhoon struck Camp Fuji, a remote Marine Corps training site on the slopes of Mount Fuji in Japan. Floodwaters from the storm breached a fuel storage area, triggering a gasoline spill that engulfed the camp's Quonset huts—some of which were heated by open-flame kerosene burners. The resulting inferno killed 13 Marines and injured 73 others, most of them grievously burned. It remains the deadliest peacetime accident in Marine Corps history. Our program will feature not only Chas Henry but also two Marines who survived the fire: Mike Cummings, who suffered second- and third-degree burns over 75% of his body. He was medevacked to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and endured years of grueling treatment and surgeries. David Luttenberger, who escaped the burning hut but visited friends in the burn ward soon after the tragedy. What he witnessed there left a mark deeper than the fire itself. This long-overlooked episode is one of the Corps' most searing stories of sacrifice, resilience, and institutional failure. With deep archival research and firsthand accounts, Fuji Fire uncovers how this “freak accident” happened—and why it was almost forgotten. #FujiFire #MarineCorps #VeteransStories #MilitaryHistory #CampFuji #BurnSurvivor #TyphoonTip #USMC #VBC #ChasHenry #VeteransBreakfastClub #ForgottenHistory We're grateful to UPMC for Life  for sponsoring this event!

Send us a textPeaches is back in the Ones Ready Team Room with another no-BS drop that'll make the Pentagon sweat. From the government shutdown that's starving paychecks to the beefy boys rolling off bread trucks in Chicago, this episode rips through every headline the brass wishes you'd ignore. Peaches calls out the “financially illiterate” lifestyle of troops living beyond their means, laughs at the Army Corps' endless postponements, and lights up DoD's hilariously outdated cybersecurity systems. Then it's on to the Marines flexing “maritime domain awareness” for an attaboy, the Air Force's missileer cancer scare, and the Space Force trying to sound cool with “hypersonic challenges.” Oh—and the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (yes, really) returns from busting drug runners like it's the sequel to Narcos. Top it off with Peaches' unfiltered rant on false IG complaints, whistleblowers, and accountability. The episode ends with updates on the sold-out Nashville Operator Training Summit and a sneak peek at the next Vegas OTS—because rest is for civilians.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Hydration, Hoist, and Old Man Midnight Sips 02:30 – The Shutdown Circus: Paychecks, WIC, and Why You're Broke 04:50 – Fat Troops and Bread Trucks in Chicago 07:15 – Cybersecurity Theater: Outdated Systems and Cheesy Training 09:25 – Marines Celebrate “Maritime Domain Awareness” (Whatever That Means) 11:50 – Missileers, Cancer, and the HunterSeven Lifeline 13:10 – Tac-P Documentary: Filthy Legends, Must-Watch History 14:15 – Inspector General Reform: Bye-Bye Anonymous Whiners 17:00 – Presidential Directives, Bureaucratic Chaos, and Infrastructure BS 18:50 – Nashville OTS Recap + Sneak Peek: Vegas Summit Locked In

Rogers for America with Lt. Steve Rogers – During the Democratic leadership, the size of the Navy was reduced to just over 200 ships prior to Trump's election. Efforts are now being made to restore and strengthen the Navy, alongside rebuilding the Army, the Marines, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard. Europe, the EU, and NATO are worried about whether the United States will support them if Russia attacks a...

Raffaele Ruggiero grew up in the Bronx with an upbringing that shaped his discipline and drive. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he found his passion for motorcycles and the brotherhood that came with it. That passion eventually led him to becoming the President of a Least of Saints Motorcycle Club chapter. In this episode, Raffaele shares his journey from military service to the motorcycle world — the discipline, the loyalty, the challenges, and what it really takes to lead. #MotorcycleClub #USMarine #BronxStories #BikerLife #OutlawCulture #VeteranStories #Brotherhood #truecrimepodcasts Thank you to BLUECHEW & PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: Visit https://bluechew.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout to get your first month of BlueChew & pay five bucks for shipping. Prizepicks: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Connect with Raffaele Ruggiero: https://www.instagram.com/raffaelearuggiero?igsh=MXJlZGdpc3V2b2F1 Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 – From the Bronx Streets to Brotherhood 10:30 – Family, Hard Work & Early Life Lessons 18:40 – Teenage Rebellion & Street Temptations 27:00 – Staying Out of Trouble & Choosing the Right Path 36:15 – Joining the Marines & Learning Real Discipline 46:25 – Life in the Marine Corps: Lessons & Challenges 54:00 – Returning Home to Family & Construction Work 55:50 – The Tragedy That Rekindled His Motorcycle Passion 01:01:30 – Rediscovering Brotherhood Through Motorcycles 01:07:05 – Finding Family in a Motorcycle Club 01:13:00 – Inside Biker Culture: Traditions & Misunderstandings 01:21:05 – Leadership, Loyalty & Life Inside the Club 01:28:00 – Staying Grounded: Values, Faith & Responsibility 01:33:00 – Lessons from Club Life & Finding Christianity 01:39:00 – Second Chances & Advice for Returning Citizens 01:48:00 – Helping Others & Building a Better Society Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leadership Under FireWhen I sat down with Lance Olmsted, I expected a story about discipline and precision.What I didn't expect was how deeply human it would be.Lance served as a U.S. Marine. He learned to lead in the most uncertain environments imaginable — where hesitation could cost lives and empathy wasn't optional.That's right...empathy. And you'll never forget why when you hear his story.Those lessons stayed with him and became a positive guiding force.Today, as President of Copperleaf, an IFS company, he's guiding global teams and helping industries use AI to make smarter, faster decisions.Before that, he helped drive a $1 billion unicorn exit by applying the same mindset that got his Marines home safe:✅ Focus on the mission, not the noise.✅ Act fast and adapt faster.✅ Build trust before you need it.✅ Lead with empathy, even under fire.His story is proof that military leadership still works — not because it's rigid, but because it's built on resilience, clarity, and purpose.Which part of this perspective resonates most with you?-----Follow Lance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-olmsted-98708568/-----Connect with the Host, #1 bestselling author Ben FanningSpeaking and Training inquiresSubscribe to my Youtube channelLinkedInInstagramTwitter

Welcome to Day 2709 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2709 – A Clean Life - Strong Warnings About the World 1 John 2_12-17 Putnam Church Message – 08/31/2025 Sermon Series: 1, 2, & 3 John “A Clean Life – Strong Warnings About the World.”   Last week, we explored 1 John 2:1-11 as we learned the seven rules on how to live a ‘Clean Life' with “Wise Words from a Family Meeting.” This week, we continue through the letter of 1 John, and we will cover 1 John 2:12-17 as we explore how to live a ‘Clean Life' with “Strong Warnings About the World.” Let's read 1 John 2:12-17 from the NIV, which is found on page 1900 of your Pew Bibles.  12 12 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. On Not Loving the World 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Opening Prayer When danger draws near, a warning is in order. And the greater the danger, the more vital the warning. Let me share a story from a long-time pastor and President of Dallas Theological Seminary, Chuck Swindoll. I will share it in the first person as he did. /When I think of warnings, my mind goes back over sixty years to when I found myself standing on the deck of a massive troopship, seeing the city of Yokohama, Japan, in the distance, just across the Tokyo Bay. Our ship was slowly snaking its way through the bay because there were still some naval mines lurking beneath those waters—leftovers from World War II. As the pilot was guiding us carefully, a full colonel called some thirty-five hundred Marines to an assembly. He called us together to give us a warning. Great danger drew near. Not the physical danger of the naval mines. Those could be easily navigated. He had other dangers in mind … dangers lurking not in Tokyo Bay but in the streets of Yokohama, where thousands of pent-up Marines were about to be unleashed. “All of you, listen up,” he said. “For many of you, you will be the foreigner for the first time in your lives. You're going to be walking in an area you've never walked before. You'll be among people who speak a language you've never spoken before. You'll be...

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Miles Heizer who you know and love from 13 Reasons Why, Parenthood, Love Simon and so much more. Now he is starring in the upcoming Netflix series Boots, dropping October 9th! Miles plays Cameron Cope, a bullied, gay high school student who joins the Marines with his best friend in hopes of finding some direction in life. The problem is he joined the Marines in the 90s when it was illegal to be gay in the military. The series is based off a powerful true story and explores friendship, resilience, and finding your place in the world. Today, Miles opens up about why this series is so important to him, why playing this role was a cathartic and healing experience, the scariest thing about stepping into this role, the reality show he watched to unwind from long days on set, the shift he has seen working in Hollywood as an openly gay artist, the wink he got from the universe when auditioning for Boots, the moment he got emotional during filming, why he’s already hoping for a Season 2, the supernatural twist he would want to see happen, dreams of being an opening kill in a horror movie, something he has never said before, and so much more. Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review for this episode if you enjoyed this conversation!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to overcome childhood adversity, thrive in the Marines, and then build a career in real estate that creates opportunities for generations?In this episode of The Profitable Cleaner, Michael Gabriel shares his powerful story — from foster care and adoption, to serving as a Marine, to becoming a real estate professional with a mission bigger than himself.Michael opens up about the challenges that shaped him, the lessons from military discipline, and how faith and family guide his approach to business. He also shares how real estate can be more than transactions — it can be a vehicle for purpose, legacy, and generational wealth.

What does leadership look like at the highest levels of service?  SUMMARY In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black '85 discusses his journey from cadet to commanding the White House Communications Agency. He reflects on what it means to be a calm, steady presence in high-pressure environments — and how small daily practices can shape a lifetime of leadership. The full episode is now available.   SHARE THIS PODCAST FACEBOOK  |  LINKEDIN   MICHAEL'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS Develop a personal leadership philosophy that guides your actions (like Michael's 5F's: Family, Fitness, Flying, Fairness, and Fun). Always be aware that people are watching you and learning from your example, even when you don't realize it. Nurture relationships continuously - they are critical for long-term success and mentorship. Practice empathy and compassion, especially during difficult moments like delivering challenging news Maintain a holistic approach to fitness - physical, mental, and spiritual well-being are interconnected. Take pride in leaving organizations better than you found them and focus on developing future leaders. Be fair and be perceived as fair - understanding different perspectives is crucial to effective leadership. Incorporate fun and balance into your professional life to maintain team morale and personal resilience. Stay connected to your roots and be willing to mentor the next generation, sharing your experiences and lessons learned. Continuously practice self-reflection and ensure you're living up to your core values and leadership principles.   CHAPTERS Chapter 1 - 0:00:00 - 0:08:55: Family and Military Roots   Michael Black shares his background as a military brat and the educational legacy of his family. Chapter 2 - 0:08:55 - 0:12:10: Delivering a Difficult Notification A profound leadership moment where Black sensitively delivers news of a combat-related death to a staff sergeant's family. Chapter 3 - 0:12:10 - 0:18:40: The 5F Leadership Philosophy Introduction Col. Black explains the origin and core components of his leadership framework: Family, Fitness, Flying, Fairness, and Fun. Chapter 4 - 0:18:40 - 0:25:59: Detailed Exploration of 5F Philosophy   In-depth breakdown of each leadership principle, including personal anecdotes and practical applications. Chapter 5 - 0:25:59 - 0:32:21: Family Legacy and Academy Experience   Discussion of his son's Air Force Academy journey and the importance of nurturing relationships across generations. Chapter 6 - 0:32:21 - 0:38:36: Mentorship and Relationship Building Michael shares his approach to mentoring cadets and the significance of maintaining long-term professional connections. Chapter 7 - 0:38:36 - 0:40:13: Leadership in Civilian and Nonprofit Sectors Reflection on applying military leadership principles in private and nonprofit environments. Chapter 8 - 0:40:13 - 0:41:28: Personal Reflection and Leadership Advice  Final thoughts on leadership, self-improvement, and the importance of continuous personal development.   ABOUT COL. BLACK BIO Michael “Mike” B. Black, vice president for Defense, joined the nonprofit Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International in July 2022. He is a senior cyber/information technology leader with more than four decades of experience in cyber operations, communications, project/program management, leadership disciplines and organizational development. As AFCEA's vice president for Defense, Col. Black builds strong professional relationships with government, industry and academia partners to position AFCEA International as a leader in the cyber, defense, security, intelligence and related information technology disciplines. Col. Black leads defense operations in support of planning and executing global, large-scale, technically focused, trade shows/conferences supporting Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Operations, Cyber and Homeland Security.  Col. Black is focused on providing opportunities for engagement between and among government, industry and academia. Prior to joining AFCEA International, Col. Black served as chief operating officer at Concise Network Solutions for four years, directly supporting the CEO in developing, executing and managing CNS's master business plan. Prior to joining CNS, he served as the COO and chief corporate development officer at JMA Solutions for two and a half years, working in concert with senior executives to lead operations and the planning and execution of strategies. Prior to joining JMA Solutions, he served as the COO at Premier Management Corporation for four years, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations, all business units and the company's profit and loss. Prior to joining the private sector, Col. Black spent 26 years in the U.S. Air Force holding various communications and leadership positions at many levels. He culminated his distinguished military career as a colonel, commander, White House Communications Agency, leading a 1,200-person team of selectively manned military, then-Department of Defense civilian and contract personnel to provide “no fail” telecommunications services for the president, vice president, named successors, first lady, senior White House staff, National Security staff, U.S. Secret Service and the White House Military Office. Col. Black holds a Bachelor of Science in basic science from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate. He holds a Master of Science in national resource strategy, with an information operations concentration, from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces; a Master's Degree in military arts and science from the Army Command & General Staff College; and a Master of Arts Degree in management from Webster University. He is a published author, including writing several leadership articles for The New Face of Leadership Magazine as well the thesis Coalition Command, Control, Communication, and Intelligence Systems Interoperability: A Necessity or Wishful Thinking? BIO EXCERPTED FROM AFCEA.ORG   CONNECT WITH MICHAEL IG: @chequethemike FB: @michael black LinkedIn: Michael Black   CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Send your feedback or nominate a guest: socialmedia@usafa.org Ted Robertson | Producer:  Ted.Robertson@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 ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS   TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black '85 | Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, where transformative journeys of Air Force Academy graduates come to life. There are moments in a leader's life that leave a permanent mark. For my guest today, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black, USAFA Class of '85, one such moment came when he was actually sent to deliver news of a combat-related death. It was the first time he'd ever been tasked with that duty, and knew he only had one chance to get it right. As he sat with the widow, Michael found the strength to guide the family through their grief. That part of Michael's story speaks to the depth of his empathy and the calm steadiness that defines him as a leader. We'll explore much more of Michael's journey, from leading the White House Communications team to mentoring cadets at the Academy to daily practices that ground him and the framework that guides him today, what he calls the five Fs of leadership: family, fitness, flying, fairness and fun a guide not only for his life, but for the leaders he inspires. Michael, welcome to Long Blue Leadership. Michael Black Naviere, thank you for having me, and thank you for that very kind introduction. I'm so happy to be here, and I'm just thankful for what you guys do, the AOG and putting this together and telling stories. I think this is amazing. So thank you for the opportunity. Naviere Walkewicz Well, we're grateful you're here. You got your silver on. You got your ‘85 Best Alive, you know, I mean, I'm just blown away here. The class crest… Michael Black Yeah, got it all, you know, the crest and the two squadrons that I was in. I'm just excited, back here for our 40th reunion. Yeah. So that's amazing. So fellowship and fun with your classmates, and just seeing the mountains, you know. Getting off the plane and looking west and seeing the mountains and seeing God's creation is just amazing. And then, of course, the Academy in the background, you know, pretty excited. Naviere Walkewicz Wonderful, wonderful. Well, we're going to jump right in. And actually, the topic is a bit sensitive, but I think it's really important, because we know that when we all raise our right hand, some are prepared and they give all. But not everyone has to actually give the news to the family when their loved one is lost, so maybe you can share what that was like. Michael Black Thank you for allowing me to talk about that. You hit the nail on the head when you said you only have one chance to get it right when you're talking to the family. And so I had a young staff sergeant that was deployed down range at the Horn of Africa, and he happened to be a radio operator in a helicopter supporting the Marines. And there was a mid-air collision that happened while he was deployed, and he was one of the people that perished. So the first notification that I had to make was duty status: whereabouts unknown — to say that to the family. And of course, you can think about the range of emotions that are associated with that. They don't know. We don't know.   Naviere Walkewicz There's still hope. There's not hope.   Michael Black So that was the first day. So going over there with my first sergeant, a medical team, chaplain, you know, that kind of thing, to support us and the family.   Naviere Walkewicz And what rank were you at that time?   Michael Black So I was a lieutenant colonel. So I was a squadron commander of the 1st Comm Squadron at Langley Air Force Base. And I like to say, you don't get to practice that. You have one time to get it right. At least back then, there was not a lot of training to do that. It doesn't happen that often, and so having to make that notification was a tough thing. It was one of the hardest things, if not the hardest thing, I had to do in the service. Two young boys. He had two sons, and at the time, his spouse was military as well, so I go over there to do that the first day. You can imagine, you know, knocking on the door, right, and I'm in uniform, and just the emotions that they can be going through. So we're sitting on the couch in their house, two young boys. I believe their ages were 3 and 5 at the time, they were very young. And I explained to Michelle what we knew. And again, it's scripted. I can't say more or less than that, because 1) don't know, right? And 2), you just don't want to speculate on anything. And then we're waiting to find out his status. So then I have to go back the next day to make that notification, and you're representing the chief of staff of the United States Air Force, and that's kind of something that's scripted for you. “I'm here on the behalf of the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, and I regret to inform you of the untimely death of your spouse.” The part that was even more heartening for me was after I told her, and with the boys sitting, I believe, on either side of me, she said, “And now Col. Black is going to tell you what happened to your dad.” That was a tough thing to do. And I would say it was the hardest thing that I had to do in the Air Force, in my career, and reflect on “you have one chance to get that right.” I believe we got it right, me and my team, but that was tough. Naviere Walkewicz Wow. Have you kept in touch with the family? Michael Black Yes, I keep in touch with Michelle, just from — just a personal because I'm very personal, outgoing, as you know. And so I've kept in touch with Michelle and the boys. But we're forever bonded by that, and I think that's important to stay in touch. And that's kind of one of my things I think we'll get into a little bit later in the conversation, but that's what I do. Naviere Walkewicz Well, it touches, certainly into, I think, that the family aspect of the five Fs, and because it seems like you even take in them as your family. And I'm curious about your family, because when you're going through that, I mean, you have at least a son — you have son, right?   Michael Black Yes, and two daughters.   Naviere Walkewicz Two daughters. So were you thinking about — did you put on your dad hat in that moment?   Michael Black I certainly did put on my dad hat and, and I think that helped in things. And I think all of the training that I got along the way about dealing with tough situations, and being a leader, it helped. But I took it upon myself after that to talk to other commanders. And in fact, my wing commander at the time, Burt Field, Gen. field was a '79 grad, and we talked, and that also brought him and I closer, because he also asked me to brief the other squadron commanders on that process and how I handled that. And I know when — to this day, Gen. Field and I are still very connected, and he's pretty engaged right now with the Air Force Association's birthday and all that. But a great mentor of mine who also helped in dealing with that. But he was extremely supportive and, and I think that had a factor in just how he evaluated me, right, how I handled that situation?   Naviere Walkewicz Well, it sounds like you certainly picked up some of those traits of taking care of your people recognizing empathy within processes and sharing it. I'm curious, were you always like this, or did you see some of this emulated from your family? Michael Black No, it's a great question. I am a military brat. My dad was in the Army. My dad went to Tuskegee — it was called Tuskegee Institute at that time. My mom went to Alabama A&M, so two schools in Alabama. They're from a very small towns in Alabama. My dad's from Beatrice, Alabama — which is less than 200 people today — and my mom is from Vredenburgh, Alabama. It's about 15 miles away, and it's even smaller than Beatrice. But they went to the same elementary school and high school, so high school sweethearts, and then they went off to college. And then dad got a direct commission in the Army, the Signal Corps. Well, he started out Medical Service Corps, but getting back to your question, so yes, family with that, and even take a step further back to my grandparents, on both sides of the family, but particularly with my paternal grandparents, they went out and visited the Tuskegee Institute at that time, and they saw the statue of Lifting the Veil of Ignorance there, and they decided at that point that they wanted their kids to go to that school. And so there's seven kids within my dad's family, and six of them went to Tuskegee. Naviere Walkewicz   Wow. So I want to fast forward a little bit, and you can certainly share whether it was during the Academy or after graduation, but you have kind of had this great foundation from your family. Let's talk a little bit about the Academy or after-Academy experience, where you had seen additional time where you had grown as a leader. Was there a particular experience that can come to mind, where another shaping of this leadership journey that you've been on? Michael Black Yeah, I think there's multiple throughout my career. I mean, I went to the Army Command and General Staff College for my intermediate professional military education. And there's a story there too. My dad was in the Army, and so I wanted to experience some of the things that my dad did, even though I was Air Force. And so one of my mentors, now-retired Lt. Gen. Harry Raduege, was instrumental in me getting selected for Army Command and General Staff College. And so I went there, and I think that was a big portion of my shaping, although had mentors and folks and coaches in my life leading up to that were, you know, helped shape me, but going to that school… And what I noticed when I got there that the Army was very serious about leadership and leadership philosophy, so much so that we took a class on that where we had to develop a leadership philosophy. And so in taking that class, before the Christmas break, I found out that I was going to be a squadron commander. So I was a major, and I was going to be a squadron commander. And so in that leadership course, I said, “Well, I'm going to go be a squadron commander. I'm going to the fifth combat con group in Georgia. Let me make this philosophy that I'm doing in class be my philosophy, so that when I get there…” And that was really the first time that I thought very serious about, “OK, what is my leadership philosophy?” And I had been a flight commander before, and had people under my tutelage, if you will. But being a squadron commander, you know, being on G series orders. And you know, we know how the military takes the importance of being a commander. And so having that so I did decide to develop my philosophy during that time. And you mentioned the five Fs earlier. And so that was — that became the opportunity to develop that. So family, that's what it was. That's when I developed that — in that course. So family, fitness, flying, fairness and fun — the five Fs. I worked on that when I got there. And so then when I got to take command, I had prepared all of that stuff in this academic environment, and I used it to a T and I briefed the squadron after I took command. I think this is my command philosophy, the five Fs. I subsequently had the opportunity to command two more times after that, another squadron, and then at the White House Communications Agency, which is now wing command equivalent. So had the opportunity to tweak and refine, but the foundation was still the five Fs. And so in doing that, and I can go into a little detail. So you know, family is your immediate family, your your blood family, and that that kind of thing. But family also encompasses your unit, your extended family, you know, and part of that. And so I always tell people you know, your family, you don't want to be the only one at your retirement ceremony because you neglected your family. And I've done many retirement ceremonies. In fact, I've done 25-plus since I retired. Well, that shows you really made no so family is, is important, take care of your family. And I, you know, one of the things I said about that to the folks was if you in your unit, if folks are getting assigned unit, permanent changes, station, PCS to your unit, and they haven't found the place to live in the due time and whatever the house hunting days are, I always gave my folks the option of give them some more time to find a place. They may be looking for schools, I mean looking for a place that just fits the environment that they need. And let's give them that time now, because they're not going to be effective in the organization if they're worried about where they have to live, where their kids are going to go to school and that kind of thing. So take care of all of that, and then get them to work, and they'll be that much more effective because they won't have to worry about where they're living, where the kids are going to school. So take care of your family fitness. You understand physical fitness and what you do and all of that, and I admire all of your accomplishments in that. And so physical fitness in the military kind of goes without saying. You have to maintain certain standards and do that, and do a PT and take a test and that kind of thing. But fitness is more than just physical fitness. It's spiritual and mental fitness. Now I would never be one to tell somebody this is how you need to nurture your spiritual and mental fitness. I think that's personal. But if your spiritual mental fitness is not being nourished, you're not going to be doing yourself any good, your team any good. And honestly, you would be able to tell if an individual is struggling with their spiritual or mental fitness, particularly as a leader and just kind of looking and observing characteristics and the behavior of folks. So I basically told my team, I want you to do whatever it takes to nurture your spiritual and mental fitness, whatever you need to do — if it's meditating, if it's praying, if it's walking, whatever is personal to you, but make sure that it's nurtured. But I also told my folks that if you think my spiritual fitness and mental fitness is out of balance, I want you to tell me, because I might have blinders on. I could be focused on things, just like they could be focused on things, and I would tell them. And I think folks really appreciated the candor and the openness of the leader, the commander, you know, saying that, yes, I want you to tell me if you think my spiritual mental fitness is, you know, is out of balance.   Naviere Walkewicz Did you ever have anyone tell you that?   Michael Black I did. I had strong relationships with my first sergeant, or my command sergeant major, the senior enlisted adviser. So we were, you know, we're hand-in-hand and all the places I was at. And so, yes, I've had them. I've had my wife tell me that. So I think that's important. I just — like I said, you can easily have blinders on and maybe just not see that or have blind spots. And speaking of that, I've written a leadership article on blind spots. I've kind of studied that and understand that. Flying — at the time the primary mission of the Air Force was flying. And so I'd always say, “What is your role in supporting the primary mission, or what is our role in supporting the primary mission of the Air Force?” So make sure you understand that. As a communicator, how do you contribute to the primary mission, or as a logistician, or as information management? But understand what your role is in the primary mission of the Air Force. Fairness, as a leader — it is so important for the leader to be fair, right? It can affect good order and discipline if you're not fair, but equally important is to be perceived as being fair. So I could think I'm being fair, I could think that I'm being fair, but if the perception of the unit, the team, is that I'm not being fair, that's just as detrimental to the mission as actually not being fair. And so I think perceptions are important, and you need to understand that. You need to be aware of the perceptions; you need to be ready to receive the information and the feedback from your team on that. And so I stress the importance of also the perception people have different management. I could be looking at something over there, and I say, “OK, yeah, sky is blue over there,” but somebody's looking at it from a different you know, they may see a touch of some clouds in there, and so they see some light in there, and from their vantage point. And it's just like that in life: Respect everybody's vantage point in things. And so that was the fairness aspect. Then finally, fun. I'm a person that likes to have fun.   Naviere Walkewicz You are?!   Michael Black Yes, I am. I'm a person that loves to have fun. And so for me, I grew up playing sports. And so I played sports throughout my Air Force career. So that was kind of one of the things I did for fun, intramurals.   Naviere Walkewicz What was your favorite sport?   Michael Black My favorite sport was baseball growing up. I mean, I dreamed about trying to play in the Major Leagues and that kind of stuff. And I played on a lot of baseball teams growing up, and then when I got into the service, played softball, and I played competitive softball. Back in the day, they have base softball teams, and so you would, you know, try out for the team, and I would try out, and I played on base team at probably at least four or five bases that I was at. So I was, these are my own words: I was good. So I played and was very competitive in intramurals. That's another way to bring your team together — camaraderie. They see the boss out there playing. And I always would tell folks that on the squadron team: They're not playing me because I'm the commander. They're playing me because I'm good. I can contribute to the wins in a game. But so it's very competitive. I wasn't a win at all costs, but it wasn't fun to lose. So being competitive and fun. So that's one of the things I did for fun. I also follow professional sports. San Antonio Spurs is my basketball team; Washington Commanders, my football team. So I would go to those events, those games, those contests and stuff like that. Music, concerts, still do that kind of stuff with my kids and my family incorporate fun into — so it's not all work and no play. I think you do yourself justice by, winding down relaxing a little bit and having fun and that kind of thing. And so I encourage my team to do that. Wasn't gonna tell people what they needed to do for fun. I think that's personal, but having fun is important and it helps strike that balance. So that's really the five Fs. And I carried that, as I said, every time I command, every time I've, you know, unit that I've been associated with, particularly after the 2000 graduation from Army Command and Staff College. And I still carry that five Fs today And incidentally, I think the if you bump into somebody who was in one of my units, they're going to remember the five Fs, or some portion of it. In fact, I have a couple mentees that commanded after me, and they adopted the five Fs as their command philosophy. And that's kind of something that's very satisfying as a leader to have somebody adopt your leadership style. They think that it was good for them while they were in the unit. And it's very flattering to see that afterwards. I mean, so much so that I've had people that were in my unit, and then they got assigned to one of my mentee's unit, and they would call me up and they'd say, “Hey, Col. Black, you know, Col. Packler says his command philosophy is the five Fs.” Yeah, I said Marc was in my unit at Langley, and he probably felt that. But that's, that's a true story. Naviere Walkewicz That's a legacy, right there; that's wonderful. Well, speaking of legacy, you have a son that's also a graduate. So talk about that. I mean, you were expected to go to college. It wasn't an if, it was where? How about your children? Was that kind of the expectation? Michael Black So my wife is a college graduate. She's a nurse as well. And so we preached education throughout. And just as an aside, shout out to my wife, who just completed her Ph.D.   Naviere Walkewicz Wow, congratulations!   Michael Black Yes. Wilda Black, last week, in doing that. And so between my family, my immediate family — so my wife, and my two daughters and my son, there are 15 degrees between us.   Naviere Walkewicz And you?   Michael Black And me. So five us, there are 15 degrees. My wife has two master's, a bachelor's and now a Ph.D. My oldest daughter has a bachelor's and two master's. My son has a bachelor's and a master's. My younger daughter has a bachelor's and a master's, and I have a bachelor's and three master's degrees. So I think that adds up to 15.   Naviere Walkewicz I lost count. Social sciences major here.   Michael Black So yes, education. And so my son — he really liked quality things, likes quality things growing up. And so he was looking at schools and researching and looking at the Ivy League, some of the Ivy League schools, and some other schools that, you know, had strong reputations. I purposely did not push the Air Force Academy to him because I didn't want him to go for the wrong reasons. I didn't want him to go because I went there and that kind of thing. But late in the game, you know, in his summer, going into his senior year of high school, he came to me and said, “Hey…” and I'm paraphrasing a little bit, “Dad, you know, your alma mater is pretty good, you know, pretty, you know, pretty has a strong reputation.” And I said, “Yeah, you know, you know, strong academic curriculum and everything else there.” So that summer he said, “Well, I'm thinking I might want to go there.” And I'm thinking to myself, “That's a little bit late in the game, like the summer going into senior year.”   Naviere Walkewicz Did you recruit your mom again?   Michael Black Mom got involved. And then I think you know Carolyn Benyshek. So Carolyn was the director of admissions. I reached out to her and just said, “Hey, I got my son that's interested.” They were actually coming to Baltimore, I believe, for a…   Naviere Walkewicz The Falcon Experience. Right.   Michael Black And so we went to see her, and I'll just kind of say the rest is history. Through her help and guidance, through my son's qualifications — he was able to get in. He went to the Prep School, which is great, and I just want to give a shout out to the Prep School for that. I did not attend the Prep School, but I saw the value of my son going to the Prep School and then coming to the Academy. So I just to this day, thankful for our Prep School and how they prepare folks.   Naviere Walkewicz We feel similarly about that.   Michael Black So, yeah. So he went. And so, of course, a proud dad, right? Your son following in your footsteps, and that kind of thing. So Clinton, Clinton Black is in the Space Force now, and he's assigned to Vandenberg. But my son, he was a soccer player growing up, played a lot of competitive soccer, came here and decided that he wanted to do Wings of Blue, and so he was on Wings of Blue parachute team. And the neat thing about that is that the jump wings that my son wears are the jump wings that my dad earned at Airborne School in 1964, '65 — sometime in the early ‘60s. And so my dad was still living at the time and so he was able to come out here and pin the wings on Clinton. So it skipped a generation because I didn't jump or anything. But my son jumped, and he has mid-500 number of jumps that he's had. And so my dad was able to see him jump, and that was even though Airborne is a teeny bit different than free fall, but still, you know, parachuting, and all of that. So getting to see Clinton excel and do that and see him jump into the stadium, and that kind of thing. He jumped with some of the former Navy SEALs in the X Games, you know, in the mountains. So that was just a proud parent moment. Naviere Walkewicz Wow. That is very exciting. And so, through all of these experiences that you had, I keep wanting to go back to the five Fs .yYu had mentioned earlier that you did some refinement to it. So where you are now, how are you using them? How have they been refined? I mean, flying. What is that? Michael Black So, I asked people to take a little bit of a leap in that, understand where it came from, in my 5s but that aspect refers to the mission, right? And so the Air Force mission has evolved to include space and that kind of thing. But even on the private side, the civilian side, I still use the five F's. And so the flying aspect just refers to the mission, or whatever the mission of your organization is. And so there was some refinement as we brought in space into our mission, but it really reflected on the mission. And so I had different AFSCs that worked for me in in the different units that I was at, and also different services. And so understanding the service aspect of things also was something that I had to take into consideration as far as keeping and refining that, at the White House Communications Agency, about 1,200 military — more Army than Air Force, more Air Force than Navy, more Navy than Marine Corps, and more Marine Corps than Coast Guard. And so being an Air Force commander of a joint unit that had more Army folks in it, you have to understand that lingo, and be able to speak cool and that kind of thing. Dad loved that. And so going to the Army Command General Staff College, and, getting some of that philosophy and understanding that. And then I went to what's now called the Eisenhower School, now ICAF, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, which is another joint school. And so being around that helped me in those aspects. But really applying that throughout and after I retired, I did 10 years in the private sector with a couple of different small businesses that were government contracted focused, providing professional services, but still, as the chief operating officer of each one of those, it's a pretty high leadership position within the company and so I talked about the five Fs in some terms that my team could understand that, and so still apply that. And then now, with three years working for the nonprofit, the AFCEA organization, where we bring government, industry and academia together to do IT, cyber kind of things, machine learning, artificial intelligence — I still have that philosophy to buy that and what I do, I think it's something that's applicable across the board, not just military. At least I've made it applicable. Naviere Walkewicz I was just gonna ask that, because talk about the private sector and — some of our listeners, they take off the uniform, but they still have that foundation of the military, but they're working with people who maybe don't have that foundation of the military. So how did you translate that in a way that they could feel that same foundation, even though they hadn't gone through a military family or through the Air Force Academy? Michael Black Yeah, no, that's a great question, Naviere. And I think, as a leader, you have to be aware of that. You have to be aware of your team and their background and their experiences. You also you have to speak their lingo, right? I mean, I can't talk just Air Force or military lingo. We talk a lot in acronyms. Naviere Walkewicz Like AFCEA. And I'm sure many know it but would you mind spelling it out? Michael Black Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association. And even though we have that we are more than the armed forces now, so we really are known by just AFCEA, even though that's what that acronym stands for. So I mean, I work with Homeland Security, VA and that kind of thing. But to your point, getting folks to understand where I'm coming from, and I need to understand where they're coming from, you have to take the time, put in the work to do that, so that you can communicate with your folks, and so that they understand where you're coming from, and also, so that they feel valued, right? That you understand where they're coming from. And I think all of that is important. And I tried to make sure that I did that, and I had coaches, mentors and sponsors along the way. So I learned when some of my mentors transition from the military time, and so when they went to go work in the private sector, I still lean on them. “OK, how did you make this transition? And what is it about? And what are the similarities and what are the differences? What do I need to consider in doing that?” And I'm thankful, and that goes back to one key point that I want to make about relationships and nurturing that relationship. I mentioned Gen. Field, worked for him in the early 2000s. But here we are, 2025, and he's in my contacts, he will take my call, he will respond to a text, and vice versa. You know, building that relationship. And so he's with a nonprofit now, and so I still stay in touch with him. The director of the White House Military Office was a Navy admiral that I worked for when I was at the White House. He is now the president and CEO of the United States Naval Institute — Adm. Spicer. You know, 20-something, 15 years ago, worked for him and now we're working together on a big conference. But those relationships are important in nurturing those relationships. And I learned about nurturing from my family. You know, my grandparents, who did that. My grandfather was a farmer. He had to nurture his crops for them to produce. So the same thing, analogy applies in relationships; you have to nurture that relationship. And you know, it circled all the way back to, you know, our 40-year reunion now, and my classmates that are here and nurturing those relationships with those classmates over the years is important to me. I'm the connector within my class, or the nucleus. I mean, those are two nicknames that my classmates have given me: the Col. Connector and Nucleus, and I embrace those. Naviere Walkewicz Yes, that's wonderful. I know that you also mentor cadets. And I think my question for you, from the aspect of some of our listeners, is, did you seek out the cadets? Did they seek you out? How does that mentorship relationship start? Because you talked about how, like, for example, Gen. Field, you had that relationship years ago. That's kind of carried through. But how do you know when that mentorship is beginning? Michael Black I think both of those aspects, as you mentioned. Do they seek that? There are cadets that seek that based upon just what they've experienced and what they've learned. And then some of the cadets know people that I know, and so they've been referred to me, and all that. Some were — like their parents, I worked with their parents. I mean, particularly in the Class of 2023 there are three young ladies that I mentored in the Class of 2023 one whose father worked with me on the White House Communications Agency, one whose mother babysat my kids OK. And then one who's ROTC instructor in junior in high school was my first sergeant. So in those three instances, I was connected to those folks through relationship with either their parents or somebody that worked for me and that that kind of thing. And that was a neat thing to, you know, to be here. I did the march back with those young ladies, and then I connected those three young ladies who did not know each other at the march back, when we got back on the Terrazzo, I found all three of them and explained my relationship with each of them. And they were able to be connected throughout and two of them I actually commissioned, So that was really, really nice. And so, you know, seeking mentorship is, well, mentorship has just been important to me. I benefited from mentorship, and I want to return that favor. I am the chairman of the Air Force Cadet Officer Mentor Association, AFCOMA, whose foundation is mentorship, fellowship and scholarship, and so I'm passionate about mentorship and doing that. I've seen the benefits of it. People did it for me, and I think you can shorten the learning curve. I think you can just help folks along the way. So I'm very passionate about that. Naviere Walkewicz Well, this has been amazing. I think there's two questions I have left for you. The first one being — and I think we've learned a lot about this along the way — but if you were to summarize, what is something you are doing every day to be better as a leader? Michael Black I think every day I take a deep look inside myself, and am I living and breathing my core values? And what am I doing to help the next generation? You know, trying to put that on my schedule, on my radar, that's important to me. And whether I'm at work with AFCEA, whether I'm out here at my 40th reunion, whether I'm on vacation, I always take the time to mentor folks and pass on that. I think that's something that's passionate for me. You mentioned, when we talked about the retirement ceremonies. I mean, I've done 20-plus since I retired. In fact, I have one in November, but it will be my 27th retirement ceremony since I retired. And those things are important to me. And so I reflect, I try to keep my fitness — my physical, spiritual and mental fitness, in balance every day so that I can be effective and operate at a peak performance at the drop of the hat. You know, being ready. And so that's important to me. So there's some self-analysis, and I do live and breathe the five F's. I think that's important. And I think I've proven to myself that that is something that is relatable, not only to my time in the military, but my time in the private sector, and now my time in a nonprofit. And I just continue to do that so self-reflection and really practicing particularly the fitness aspect of the five Fs. Naviere Walkewicz Wow, that's outstanding. And then you probably share this with your mentees. But what is something that you would help our aspiring leaders — those who are already in leadership roles in any facet of it — but what is something that they can do today so that they will be more effective as a leader? Michael Black So I think being aware that people are watching you and your actions. Even when you think that somebody is not watching, they are watching. And so they are trying to learn what to do next, and to be aware of that. And so I think, again, that goes with what you asked me first: What do I do every day. But also being aware of that, so that you can be that example to folks. And then take the time, have some pride in leaving the organization better than it was when you got there. I mean, it's a cliche, but I think I take a lot of pride in that. And then, when the team does good, everybody does good, so you shouldn't necessarily be out there for any kind of glory. That's going to come. But do it for the right reasons. And provide… give the people the tools, the resources and the environment to be successful. And in… I just take satisfaction when I see one of my mentees get squadron command, go do something like the current commander of the White House Communications Agency, Col. Kevin Childs. He was a captain and a major in the organization when I was there. Nothing makes me happier than to see my mentees excel. And then, in this particular instance, he's holding a job that I had, and we still talk. I mean, he had me come out there to speak to the unit about a month ago. And those things give me a lot of pride and satisfaction and confirmation that I am doing the right thing. And so I'm excited about that. Naviere Walkewicz Well, I can say, from the time that I met you a few years ago, you are living what your five Fs. I see it every time you help champion others. Every time I'm around you I'm  energized. So this has been a true joy. Has there been anything that I haven't asked you that you would like to share with our listeners? Michael Black Well, I do want to say personally, thank you to you for all that you do and what the association is doing here. This Long Blue conversation, Long Blue Line — I think this is important to share. There's a Class of 1970 that's in the hotel with us, and I don't know, really, any of those folks, but when I see them walking around with their red hat on — that was their color — and I think about, “OK, 15 years before me.” And so I'm 62. These guys are, if I did the public math, right, 77, 78, maybe even older, depending upon what they did, and still out there doing things, and some of them here with their spouses and that kind of thing. I was just talking to one of the classmates this morning, I said, “You know, I wonder if we're going to be like this when our 55th reunion is,” and they were walking around, and most were in good health and able to do things. So that gives a lot of pride. But, what you're doing, what the rest of the folks here are doing, I think this is amazing. I love the new building, the studio that we're in. This is my first time in the new building, so I'm thankful for this opportunity, and just excited about what you guys do. Naviere Walkewicz Well, thank you so much for that. It's been an absolute pleasure having you on Long Blue Leadership. Michael Black Well, I appreciate it. It's been an honor, and I'm glad you guys timed this for my '85 Best Alive reunion and in the new studio. Naviere Walkewicz Yes, wonderful. Well, as we bring today's conversation to a close, Michael left a reminder for us that stands to me. As a leader, you're always on, you're always being watched. You know your steady presence and deep empathy were forged in life's hardest moments, from guiding a young family through unimaginable loss to breaking the barriers at the highest levels of service to mentoring cadets who will carry forward the legacy of leadership. And then there's that framework he lived by, the five Fs of leadership. It is practical as it is powerful, family, fitness, flying mission, fairness and fun, each one a reminder that leadership is about balance grounding and the courage to keep perspective no matter the challenge. His story reminds us that true leaders create more leaders, and when we anchor ourselves in purpose, faith and these five Fs, we leave behind a legacy that lasts. Thank you for listening to Long Blue Leadership. I'm Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz. Until next time. KEYWORDS Michael Black, Air Force leadership, 5F leadership philosophy, military mentorship, leadership development, combat communication, White House Communications, Space Force, veteran leadership, empathetic leadership, military career progression, leadership principles, professional growth, organizational effectiveness, cadet mentoring, military communication strategy, leadership resilience, Air Force Academy graduate, leadership philosophy, team building, professional relationships.       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation    

Shipwreck in the Barren Falklands Guest: Eric Jay Dolin The Nanina crew was sealing in the inhospitable Falkland Islands, characterized by constant 18 mph winds, cold temperatures, and no trees, only tall tussock grass. The sealing industry targeted valuable fur seals, rougher hair seals, and massive elephant seals whose blubber yielded high-quality illuminant oil. While the Americans were operating, the British ship Isabella, sailing from the Australian penal colony to London, wrecked on Eagle Island. The Isabella carried 54 people, including armed Marines, former convicts, and prostitutes. Captain George Higton was blamed for the crash due to his ineptitude and heavy drinking. Although the survivors made it ashore, they felt stranded and many broke into the salvaged alcohol.

This episode begins with the thunder of Easter Sunday, 1945, when Marines and soldiers of the U.S. Tenth Army hit the beaches of Okinawa. After weeks of naval bombardment, they expected hell on the sand. Instead, they found silence. The Japanese had pulled back, choosing to fight from caves and ridges deep inland. That calm didn't last. Within days, night counterattacks and ambushes tested the Marines' resolve. The 6th Division clawed through the Motobu Peninsula's jagged hills while the 1st secured the plains below. Offshore, the fleet endured waves of kamikaze strikes, and the battleship Yamato made its final, suicidal run. By late April, northern Okinawa was in American hands. The Marines had earned their victory ridge by ridge, cave by cave. But as they looked south toward Shuri's fortified lines, they knew this was only the beginning. The battle for Okinawa, the last and bloodiest campaign of the Pacific, was still waiting. ************* Visit HistoryoftheMarineCorps.com to subscribe to our newsletter, explore episode notes and images, and see our references. Follow us on social media for updates and bonus content: Facebook and Twitter (@marinehistory) and Instagram (@historyofthemarines). Visit AudibleTrial.com/marinehistory for a free audiobook and a 30-day trial.

Send us a textWhat if the title you're most proud of is the very thing holding you back from who you're meant to become? That's the heart of this powerful conversation with Marine infantry officer turned pastor and Mighty Oaks Foundation CEO, Jeremy Stalnecker. From leading Marines in the 2003 push to Baghdad with 1/5 to leading a church in Oceanside, Jeremy opens up about anger, dislocation, and a misplaced identity that nearly cost him his marriage and his calling—until trusted mentors stepped in with hard truth and hope.We unpack what it means to be a leader instead of just doing leadership, and how faith reframed Jeremy's view of the Marine Corps as a noble chapter—not a permanent identity. If you've ever felt stuck between who you were and who you're becoming, this episode offers clarity, courage, and perspective. The uniform comes off, but the mission continues.Connect with Jeremy Stallnecker

In this episode of The MisFitNation, host Rich LaMonica welcomes Rich Brown, a Combat-Service-Disabled U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, executive protection specialist, and co-founder of Honor Bound FIT.

In Episode 216 of the Transition Drill Podcast, from the Navajo Nation to the Marine Corps, the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, Marcus Chischilly's story is one of service, sacrifice, and spiritual strength. Marcus shares how his upbringing on Navajo land shaped his discipline, how the values of family and culture led him to join the Marines, and how one split-second in Kajaki, Afghanistan, changed his life forever.He takes us through his journey of recovery after losing both legs and severely injuring his arm, and how he rebuilt his identity through resilience, family, and cultural healing. Marcus reveals what it takes to find purpose again after trauma, and how he continues to lead and mentor other veterans today.This conversation honors the warrior spirit that never fades. It is a powerful look at service beyond the uniform, and the unbreakable will to live with purpose, balance, and pride.The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life.Follow the show and share it with another veteran or first responder who would enjoy this.CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#aboutQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:paul@transitiondrillpodcast.comSPONSORS:GRND CollectiveGet 15% off your purchaseLink: https://thegrndcollective.com/Promo Code: TRANSITION15Total Force Plus ConferenceLink: https://totalforceplus.orgPendleton Surf ClubLink: https://pendletonsurfclub.com

A ridgeline in Okinawa turns into a “Christmas tree” of chem lights. A young Navy corpsman—adopted by Marines, hardened by the desert, and allergic to excuses—learns how fast jokes turn off when core temperatures spike and a friend's life hangs on a bag of ice and an IV drip. From Third LAR in 29 Palms to the first firefight of the Iraq invasion in an LAV, he paints the chaos with unflinching detail: a gunny with a cigar and a 240, green streaks of artillery across the sky, and a bullet that somehow slipped skin while punching through a flak and blouse. The losses that hurt most weren't always in combat; sometimes they were self-inflicted or silent, and those are the ones that linger.Then the story veers into Kabul, where contractor life felt like a satire—training in a ghost-town range, piss-test acrobatics, Gurkhas who needed nine people to open a gate, dysentery from bad chow, and MRAP joyrides to flea markets. Out of the absurd came “Aegis Underground,” a meme insurgency that roasted incompetent leadership and accidentally built camaraderie. When a beltway boss tried to bark orders, the phone clicked and a new chapter began: college, guiding on the coast, a nonprofit that used trips as a pretext for the real medicine—men talking without posturing.What follows is the blueprint he wishes more vets heard sooner. Identity doesn't end with a DD‑214. Purpose can be rebuilt in small, disciplined moves: fasting, breath work, running, labs, and a circle of friends who answer late-night calls. He's honest about the grind of entrepreneurship and the fear that comes with walking from guaranteed pay. He's also proof that you can trade adrenaline for ownership. His newest leap is Dillo, a high-output, wireless, Bluetooth‑dimmable adventure light built for nights on rafts, golf carts, and UTVs—a simple idea executed well by someone who learned to trust his hands and his gut.If you want war stories with humor, contractor chaos with receipts, and a clear-eyed map from service to a self-directed life, this one hits. Tap play, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and leave a review so more people find the show.To check out Doc's crazy adventures, follow his journey at @Ilive2fish on InstagramSend us a textSupport the showFollow Wild Chaos on Social Media: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wild-chaos-podcast/id1732761860Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KFGZ6uABb1sQlfkE2TIoc?si=8ff748aa4fc64331 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildchaospodcastBam's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bambam0069Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wildchaospodTikTok: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wildchaosshowMeta (Facebook): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/TheWildChaosPodcast

Welcome back to another After Dark episode here on the Iron Sights Podcast. Tonight, I'm hanging out with Erik Grohmann, a former U.S. Marine infantryman who found his passion for fitness and nutrition while serving and then went on to earn a master's in nutrition and dietetics. These days Erik is the nutrition coach over at Modern Athlete Strength Systems, where he works with law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, military members—and really anyone who wants to perform at a higher level.We get into the fundamentals of human performance: the common nutrition mistakes people keep making, what actually works versus the trendy quick fixes, and the practical steps you can take to start seeing results right now. Eric also talks about how his Marine Corps background shaped his no-nonsense approach and why he launched Grunt Grubb to help clients cut through the noise. If you're tired of diet confusion and ready for straight talk that actually delivers, you'll want to stick around for this one.Timestamps:00:00 Intro05:59 Marines to Nutrition11:25 Dietetics Career15:14 Launching Modern Athlete19:15 Coaching Hurdles36:28 Common Issues51:38 Fitness Goals53:48 Calories & Macros56:42 Fiber & Micros58:43 Long-Term Habits01:04:41 Carbs & Performance01:25:32 Field Tips01:38:23 Meal Planning01:43:00 Personalized Coaching02:03:45 Modern Athlete ServicesRed Dot Fitness Training Programs:rdfprograms.comOnline Membership (Full Access To All Programs & Virtual Coaching):https://www.reddotfitness.net/online-membershipVirtual Coaching:https://www.reddotfitness.net/virtual-coachingSelf-Guided Programs:https://www.reddotfitness.net/Self-Guided-Programs1Connect With Us:Website - https://ironsightspodcast.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ironsightspodcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/

>Join Jocko Underground< Retired Marine Major Scott Huesing, author of Echo in Ramadi, to walk through the brutal realities of combat in Iraq's deadliest city, the cost of leadership, and the transition back home. Scott shares the powerful story of his Marines, the memorials for the fallen, his personal battles after service, and how writing became a new mission to honor and preserve these stories. From Gold Star families to fellow veterans finding their voice, this is a conversation about sacrifice, resilience, and keeping the legacy alive.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/jocko-podcast/exclusive-content

Send us a textThe Ones Ready crew dives headfirst into the chaos of a government shutdown. Peaches breaks down why jets are still flying even though half the civilians got furloughed, why dropping bombs is suddenly off-limits, and how “minimal manning” really means “maximum chaos.” From Air Force talent marketplace changes to the Space Force scrambling for capability gaps, Marines swapping out recruiting commanders, the Coast Guard dropping multi-tons of blow in Florida, and the Secretary of Defense tightening the screws on military culture—this daily drop pulls no punches. Oh, and POTUS showed up at Quantico to preach discipline like your dad after catching you with a bad haircut. Buckle up, it's another day in the Ops Brief circus.⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Crawl, walk, run (and never quit) 01:30 – Tasty Gains sponsorship and free creatine plug 02:00 – Nashville Operator Training Summit sign-ups 02:30 – The shutdown is real: what it means for civilians and ops 04:00 – Why jets fly but bombs don't during a shutdown 06:00 – Risk, airspace, and restricted training at Nellis 07:00 – Army base guidance under shutdown rules 07:45 – Navy and Marine Corps updates (recruiting command shift) 08:30 – Air Force pushes DSD roles into Talent Marketplace 10:15 – Space Force news: closing warfighter gaps & honoring leaders 11:30 – Coast Guard seizes multi-ton narcotics in South Florida 12:30 – SECDEF reforms: oversight, culture, and IG complaints 14:30 – POTUS frames shutdown, warns workforce cuts, pushes discipline 15:00 – Wrap-up: The meme pages never shut down

Anthony Lopez grew up in the South Bronx, where street life was everywhere. His mom pushed him to join the U.S. Marines to escape the cycle — and he went on to serve in Iraq. But one mistake changed everything. After being caught with a gun off base, Anthony was discharged from the military and sent straight to Rikers Island, eventually serving time in New York State Prison. #USMarine #MarineToPrison #PrisonStory #VeteranLife #PrisonInterview #TrueCrimePodcast #PrisonDocumentary #lockedinpodcast Thank you to PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! Connect with Anthony Lopez: https://www.instagram.com/ceotoneofficial?igsh=N2ltcm81dm9xbXdh Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Presented by Tyson 2.0 & Wooooo Energy: https://tyson20.com/ https://woooooenergy.com/ Use code LOCKEDIN for 20% OFF Wooooo Energy Buy Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop Timestamps: 00:00 From U.S. Marine to Prison Inmate: Anthony Lopez's Story 01:10 Growing Up in the Bronx & Early Influences 03:31 Family, Values & Street Temptations 05:16 Teenage Years: Hustle, Risk & Survival 06:56 Choosing the Military to Escape the Streets 10:00 Boot Camp, Infantry Training & Discipline 13:44 Deploying to Iraq: First Impressions & Fear 17:19 Combat, Trauma & Losing Friends Overseas 22:31 Life in Iraq: Mental Toll & Survival Mode 25:53 Coming Home: PTSD & Struggling to Adjust 29:13 Trouble in NYC: Stop-and-Frisk & Arrest 34:32 Military Discharge & Facing Criminal Charges 41:46 Court Battles, Sentencing & Feeling Betrayed 47:13 Rikers Island: Inside One of America's Toughest Jails 50:51 Prison Life: Survival, Violence & Finding Purpose 56:01 Upstate Prison: Fishkill & Building a New Mindset 01:01:49 Becoming a Mentor: Teaching & Rehabilitation Work 01:07:09 Release & Reconnecting with Family 01:13:32 Adjusting to Life After Prison 01:20:47 Lessons Learned & Advice for Young Men 01:27:03 Breaking the Cycle: Creating a Better Future 01:34:08 Final Reflections & Words of Hope Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How republicans became so pro life? How many crayons did Jesse eat in the Marines and how did they get that reputation? How was there so much close combat in WW2? The fear of being stabbed. Follow The Jesse Kelly Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJesseKellyShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.