Podcasts about United States Air Force

Charlie Garcia is the Managing Partner at R360, a global invite-only community for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. R360 is dedicated to helping members and their families flourish across six capital dimensions: financial, intellectual, social, human, emotional, and spiritual. Charlie is a decorated United States Air Force veteran and has advised six US presidential administrations. He also founded Sterling Financial Investment Group, one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US, and has served on several corporate and governmental boards. In this episode… For many high achievers, building wealth and success doesn't always translate to fulfillment or impact. Entrepreneurs often face burnout, decision fatigue, or isolation, especially after a major liquidity event or business exit. Without the right community or purpose, even the most successful individuals can feel directionless or disconnected from their true potential. Charlie Garcia, a former Air Force captain turned financial entrepreneur, offers a compelling framework to shift this narrative. Drawing from his journey through military service, founding Sterling Financial, and advising six US Presidents, Charlie emphasizes aligning personal values with purpose. Through his leadership at R360, he encourages ultra-wealthy individuals to focus not just on financial growth but on flourishing across six dimensions of capital — financial, intellectual, social, human, emotional, and spiritual. He also shares how peer-based accountability, strategic mentorship, and lifelong learning communities like YPO and Vistage helped him evolve as a leader. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Charlie Garcia, Managing Partner at R360, about building purpose-driven wealth and community. Charlie shares insights into scaling Sterling Financial, lessons from the White House Fellowship, and how values-based leadership shaped the creation of R360. The conversation highlights the significance of aligning one's life purpose with personal and professional goals and the value of authentic leadership.

Scott "Kidd" Poteet is a retired United States Air Force lieutenant colonel and a commercial astronaut. He was the pilot for the Polaris Dawn mission in September 2024, a privately funded human spaceflight operated by SpaceX. Having previously served 18 years in the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, Scott transitioned to the USAF Thunderbirds as a pilot in Position 4, racking up over 3,200 total flight hours in various aircraft like the F-16 and Alpha Jet, with over 400 combat hours logged. In 2022, Scott was selected as the pilot for SpaceX's Polaris Dawn mission, which launched in September 2024. During the nearly five-day mission, the crew achieved the highest Earth orbit flown by humans since the Apollo program, conducted the first commercial spacewalk, and tested Starlink laser-based communications in space. His journey from a decorated Air Force pilot to a commercial astronaut highlights his dedication to service, teamwork, and pushing the boundaries of aerospace exploration. Subscribe to the Mike Drop Patreon Page to see Ad-Free Episodes Early + Bonus Content at https://www.patreon.com/mikedrop ---------- Support Scott Poteet - Support Scott in Helping to Raise Funds for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend - https://www.facebook.com/donate/1087127142569274/ Website - https://www.kiddpoteet.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kidd-poteet-5a548610a/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/f16kidd Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kiddpoteet/?hl=en ---------- Sponsors: C. Crane When the internet goes dark, radio still works! Order Your C. Crane CC Radio 3 today when you call C. Crane's U.S. based Customer Service at 800-522-8863 or visit https://ccrane.com/drop and use code DROP at checkout for 10% off orders over $75! ---------- Truewerk Check out the full lineup and get 15% off your first order at https://truewerk.com/mikedrop. That's 15% off at https://truewerk.com/mikedrop! ---------- BUBS Naturals The BUBS namesake derives from Glen ‘BUB' Doherty, who was heroically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. In addition to remembering Glen for the patriot he is, the BUBS ethos centers around the passionate and adventure seeking life that Glen lived. BUBS Naturals products are rooted in sustainably sourced ingredients and controlled consistency to provide our customers with the highest quality Collagen Protein & MCT Oil Powder that help you feel amazing and live a fuller life. Our mission is simple. FEEL GREAT. DO GOOD. 10% always goes back to charity, helping military men and women transition back into civilian life. Go to https://www.bubsnaturals.com/mike and use code MIKE for 20% off your order. ---------- TEAM DOG FOOD, TREATS & SUPPLEMENTS Be Your Dog's Hero: Veteran-owned by a former Navy SEAL and Special Operations K9 Trainer, Team Dog provides a complete diet of science-backed premium dog food, treats, and supplements to optimize your dog's health, forged from rigorous standards and real-world expertise. https://www.teamdog.shop TEAM DOG ONLINE TRAINING Mike Ritland – a former Navy SEAL & Special Operations K9 trainer – shares his simple and effective dog training program to build trust and control with your dog. Based on Mike's bestselling book “Team Dog, Train the Navy SEAL Way”, join tens of thousands of families that successfully trained their way to a better dog. https://www.teamdog.pet SHOP ALL THE MIKE RITLAND BRANDS Get all your Mike Ritland branded gear - Mike Drop | Trikos | Team Dog https://shop.mikeritland.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martin discusses the history and his involvement in the United States Air Force in celebration of Armed Forces Day on the WRAM Morning Show.

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~Our guest today is Terry Lovelace, and he has one of the most interesting and also disturbing abduction accounts I have heard. It all began on a camping trip in 1977, Terry was a 22-year-old Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. Terry and his friend Toby went on a two-night camping trip to an Arkansas State Park known as Devil's Den, they had planned the trip as a wilderness adventure, but instead of a wilderness adventure, they experienced an encounter with something unimaginable.Links to Terry Lovelace Website & Bookwww.terrylovelace.comIncident At Devil's Den: a true story by Terry Lovelacehttps://www.amazon.com/Incident-Devils-story-Terry-Lovelace/dp/0692072012More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-30-31-terry-lovelace-incident-at-devils-den/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~This is the concluding part of Terry's witness account.Our guest today is Terry Lovelace, and he has one of the most interesting and also disturbing abduction accounts I have heard. It all began on a camping trip in 1977, Terry was a 22-year-old Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. Terry and his friend Toby went on a two-night camping trip to an Arkansas State Park known as Devil's Den, they had planned the trip as a wilderness adventure, but instead of a wilderness adventure, they experienced an encounter with something unimaginable.Links to Terry Lovelace website & Bookwww.terrylovelace.comIncident At Devil's Den: a true story by Terry Lovelacehttps://www.amazon.com/Incident-Devils-story-Terry-Lovelace/dp/0692072012More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-30-31-terry-lovelace-incident-at-devils-den/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~Our guest today is Terry Lovelace, and he has one of the most interesting and also disturbing abduction accounts I have heard. It all began on a camping trip in 1977, Terry was a 22-year-old Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. Terry and his friend Toby went on a two-night camping trip to an Arkansas State Park known as Devil's Den, they had planned the trip as a wilderness adventure, but instead of a wilderness adventure, they experienced an encounter with something unimaginable.Links to Terry Lovelace Website & Bookwww.terrylovelace.comIncident At Devil's Den: a true story by Terry Lovelacehttps://www.amazon.com/Incident-Devils-story-Terry-Lovelace/dp/0692072012More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-30-31-terry-lovelace-incident-at-devils-den/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

Throwbacks are where I re-release old episodes from the archives. So don't worry if you have heard it already, as 'New episodes' will continue to come out on Sundays. To get some of the old episodes heard.~~~This is the concluding part of Terry's witness account.Our guest today is Terry Lovelace, and he has one of the most interesting and also disturbing abduction accounts I have heard. It all began on a camping trip in 1977, Terry was a 22-year-old Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force. Terry and his friend Toby went on a two-night camping trip to an Arkansas State Park known as Devil's Den, they had planned the trip as a wilderness adventure, but instead of a wilderness adventure, they experienced an encounter with something unimaginable.Links to Terry Lovelace website & Bookwww.terrylovelace.comIncident At Devil's Den: a true story by Terry Lovelacehttps://www.amazon.com/Incident-Devils-story-Terry-Lovelace/dp/0692072012More information on this episode on the podcast website:https://ufochroniclespodcast.com/ep-30-31-terry-lovelace-incident-at-devils-den/Want to share your encounter on the show?Email: UFOChronicles@gmail.comOr Fill out Guest Form:https://forms.gle/uGQ8PTVRkcjy4nxS7Podcast Merchandise:https://www.teepublic.com/user/ufo-chronicles-podcastHelp Support UFO CHRONICLES by becoming a Patron:https://patreon.com/UFOChroniclespodcastX: https://twitter.com/UFOchronpodcastThank you for listening!Like share and subscribe it really helps me when people share the show on social media, it means we can reach more people and more witnesses and without your amazing support, it wouldn't be possible.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ufo-chronicles-podcast--3395068/support.

Want to let us know if you agree or have a "hot take" about our show or a burning Star Wars topic, hit the Holonet and send us a text!In episode 195 of The Force Geeks: A Star Wars Podcast, Nate, Jake, and Chris dive into a spoiler-filled breakdown of Episodes 4 through 6 of Andor Season 2. Cassian infiltrates Ghorman under the alias “Varian Skye,” playing the long game while the Empire manipulates the narrative with a propaganda machine led by Director Krennic. Meanwhile, Mon Mothma walks a dangerous political tightrope, and Saw Gerrera's tragic origin story adds emotional weight to his radicalism.The Geeks also unpacks the brutal, emotionally charged moment when Bix takes justice into her own hands, the devastating loss of a key rebel, and the tense power dynamics brewing between Dedra, Syril, and the always-imperious Eedy.These episodes dig deep into the cost of rebellion — physically, psychologically, and morally — and we're here to break it all down.***The views expressed in this show are those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.***

The Light Gate Welcomes GUESTS: researchers Michael Schratt & James C. Goodall Date: April 28, 2025 Time: 5-7 pm pacific / 8-10 pm eastern Episode 195 Discussion: UFOs, Black Projects, Reverse-Engineering, Current Events in Ufology Tonight, “The Light Gate,” welcomes back two guests: Michael Schratt & James Goodall for Part Two of a unique roundtable discussion about secret advanced aircraft and UFOs. Michael Schratt is private pilot, military aerospace historian, longtime UFO researcher, lecturer, draftsman, an expert on classified ‘black projects,” UFO crash/retrievals, the government UFO coverup and more. He is the author of “DARK FILES: A Pictorial History of Lost, Forgotten and Obscure UFO Encounters.” He is a frequent guest on radio shows and podcasts. He has appeared on Coast to Coast and many other major podcasts, and regularly speaks at UFO conferences including, Contact in the Desert. His book, DARK FILES, presents 61 fully illustrated UFO encounters from around the world. These cases were obtained from real world "boots on the ground" research by gaining access to university archives, multiple UFO research centers, and private collections. All cases presented contain references so that the reader can verify them on their own. Every effort was taken to portray these cases accurately from eyewitness accounts and reports, thereby preserving an important part of our global history. This publication contains never before seen illustrations which make these historically significant UFO cases "come alive.” James C. Goodall is a published author with 27 books in print. He is a former Docent at Kitt Peak National Observatory, former Associate Curator at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, former Restoration Manager on the MoFs deHavilland Comet Mk 4C at The Museum of Flight, and a former Master sergeant at United States Air Force. He studied Business marketing at University of Minnesota. He is a recognized authority both on low-observable aircraft, such as the F-117, B-2A, the Lockheed ‘twins' (F-22 and F-35) and the Lockheed Skunk Works family of Blackbirds, and the US Navy's fleet of modern-day fast attack and ballistic missile submarines. He has been photographing and writing about ‘spooky' military aircraft, naval ships and submarines for the past 35 years, and his last book, 75 years of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, was published by Osprey in 2021. LINKS FOR MICHAEL SCHRATT: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1627000252 projectblueroom.com/michael-schratt bit.ly/SchrattDarkFiles twitter.com/SchrattOfficial https://www.youtube.com/@michaelschrattofficial LINKS FOR JAMES C. GOODALL: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/author/james-c-goodall/ https://www.facebook.com/jim.goodall.71

On this episode of 1050 Bascom, we were excited to talk with Lieutenant Colonel Scott Gross, Commander of the Air Force ROTC at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lt. Col. Gross brings nearly two decades of distinguished service in the United States Air Force, with experience spanning leadership, intelligence, foreign area expertise, and program management. His career has taken him across the world as he did strategic and operational planning in Jordan for Special Operations and Intel operations in Iraq. He also led program management work in Boston and Ohio. As the leader of the Air Force ROTC here at UW-Madison, Lt. Col. Gross plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of military and civic leaders. In this interview, we talked with him about his experiences in the Air Force, the lessons he's learned about leadership and service, and why he believes it's essential for students, regardless of their career aspirations, to think about ways they can contribute to public service.

On this special report, brought to you by AMAC, economist Steve Moore shares insights on the current volatility of the stock market, the potential impact of tax reforms, and the ongoing negotiations with major global economies, particularly China. With a focus on fair trade practices, Steve emphasizes the importance of domestic production and the role of consumer choices in shaping the future of American trade. Bobby Charles, a former Assistant Secretary of State and Republican candidate for governor of Maine, talks the current state of trade and its implications for America. Bobby discusses the historical context of free trade, the challenges faced by American workers, and the need for a recalibration of trade policies to protect U.S. interests. Finally, Colonel Rob Maness, a United States Air Force veteran delves into significant national security issues, including the military's enhanced control over the southern border, the ongoing efforts to combat drug cartels, and the recent successes against terrorist threats. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Want to let us know if you agree or have a "hot take" about our show or a burning Star Wars topic, hit the Holonet and send us a text!In episode 194 of The Force Geeks: A Star Wars Podcast, Nate, Jake, and Chris dive deep into the explosive three-episode premiere of Andor Season 2 in a spoiler-filled recap and review. From Cassian's botched TIE Fighter heist to the harrowing assault attempt on Bix and the gut-wrenching loss of Brasso, the Geeks break down every gritty and emotional beat that's pushing Star Wars storytelling into bold, mature territory. They also explore Mon Mothma's spiral, Luthen's ruthless decisions, and the Empire's tightening grip on Ghorman.Plus, the guys break down the official reveal of Star Wars: Starfighter — a new film led by Ryan Gosling and helmed by Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy. New character details, a more contained tone, and some surprising casting rejections raise fascinating questions about the future of the franchise on the big screen.And finally, Ahsoka Season 2 is loading up the roster with returning legends! From Thrawn and Ezra to the return of Anakin and Admiral Ackbar, the Geeks talk through all 13 characters confirmed for Season 2, including what they are most excited for in the new season.***Please note that there is some light swearing, but no F-bombs. There is also discussion of adult themed topics.******The views expressed in this show are those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.***

Send us a textWhat you eat is such a big part of Ayurveda because it is literally what makes up your body.  But there is so much more to the food we eat than how it affects us physically.  In this episode of the Nourished Nervous System, I am joined by Veronica Wolf Casey, a board-certified Ayurvedic medical practitioner, Ayurvedic chef, and Ayurvedic yoga therapist. Veronica shares her unique journey from the United States Air Force to embracing Ayurveda. The conversation delves into the deep connections between food, self-love, and Ayurveda, offering insights into how seasonal eating and mindful food choices can foster better mental and physical health. Listeners will gain practical tips for eating in alignment with the seasons and transforming their relationship with food. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and listening to one's body, and concludes with actionable steps for achieving balance and nourishment.In this episode:Veronica's Journey to AyurvedaThe Importance of Food and AyurvedaCravings and BalanceSeasonal Eating and Cooking TipsEmotional Connections to FoodSeated in the Self: The Definition of HealthSelf-Love and AcceptanceUseful vs. Unuseful: A New PerspectiveCompassion and the Journey to Self-DiscoveryJoyful Eating and Self-CareConnect with Veronica:WebsiteInstagramFacebookSign up to get weekly recipes and biweekly podcast episodes HEREMy resources:Weekend Nervous System Reset Deep Rest MeditationNourished For Resilience Workbook Book a free Exploratory CallFind me at www.nourishednervoussystem.comand @nourishednervoussytem on Instagram

Jake Broe is a United States Air Force veteran who served for six years as a Nuclear and Missile Operations Officer. But you may know him better as one of the most prominent voices on YouTube throughout the war, someone with absolute moral clarity about who the victim of the war is – spoilers, it's Ukraine – and who brings direct military experience to his detailed analysis of the unfolding conflict. Do please subscribe to his channel for videos updates on the war in Ukraine as well as conversations with engaging speakers, expert guests, and other YouTubers.----------LINKS:  @JakeBroe  https://www.youtube.com/@JakeBroe https://twitter.com/RealJakeBroehttps://www.instagram.com/jakebroe/https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jakebroehttps://www.patreon.com/join/jakebroe----------CHAPTERS:00:00:00 Xxx ----------Easter Pysanky: Silicon Curtain - https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/easter-pysanky-silicon-curtainCar for Ukraine has joined forces with a group of influencers, creators, and news observers during this special Easter season. In peaceful times, we might gift a basket of pysanky (hand-painted eggs), but now, we aim to deliver a basket of trucks to our warriors.This time, our main focus is on the Seraphims of the 104th Brigade and Chimera of HUR (Main Directorate of Intelligence), highly effective units that: - disrupt enemy logistics - detect and strike command centers - carry out precision operations against high-value enemy targetshttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/easter-pysanky-silicon-curtain----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur first live events this year in Lviv and Kyiv were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. We may add more venues to the program, depending on the success of the fundraising campaign. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.org----------PLATFORMS:Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurtainSiliconInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/siliconcurtain/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6NO7y93zG11JMtqmLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finkjonathan/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------

Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque is the fifth largest base in the United States Air Force, and one of the 'crown jewels' of national security. This week, two guests from KAFB join Chris and Gabby to explain some of the critical missions happening on base, the economic impact the 52,000-acre base has in New Mexico, and the upcoming chance the public will have to get up close and personal to the aircraft. Kirtland AFB will host its first air show in six years in May. What should people expect to see? And what makes Albuquerque such a unique training environment for pilots?  We appreciate our listeners. Send your feedback or story ideas to hosts chris.mckee@krqe.com or gabrielle.burkhart@krqe.com. We're also on X (Twitter), Facebook, & Instagram at @ChrisMcKeeTV and @gburkNM. For more on this episode and all of our prior episodes, visit our podcast website: KRQE.com/podcasts. Also, check out the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel. Our show also airs on television! Tune into Fox New Mexico on Wednesdays at 10:35 p.m. MST. 

We've joined The 700 Club! Who'd have thought when we started in 2011 that we'd be in this dystopian nightmare 14 years later?! For this momentous occasion we take a virtual tour of icon Sally Jesse Raphael's $6.5 million dollar mansion that's up for sale, and get surprised with well wishes from our friends and past guests! Bryan shares how the United States Air Force is defying the Trump Administration's ban on the use of pronouns in federal communications and how Norway is granting asylum to trans Americans. Erin warns us of the impending passage of the SAVE Act which will have long-lasting effects on the ability to vote in this country and will hurt married women and trans people the most. For this week's bonus Dateline Recap visit www.patreon.com/attitudesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Personal challenges have not dimmed the force that is Sam Gilman.A former Air Force Academy distance star, Sam came into the New Year with a blast, securing bronze at the USA Indoor Track & Field Championships in February with a time of 7:38.64 in the 3,000m.Sam followed that up with a 7:34.69 on March 2 at Boston University, a new PR for the distance. Sam has additional PRs of 13:15.58 in the 5k, 3:35.40 in the 1500m, 3:52.81 in the mile, and 1:52.50 in the 800m. Sam's impressive start to the New Year earned him a spot on Team USA for the USATF Indoor Championships in China; he clocked a 7:47.19, and was 0.1 seconds shy of a podium finish, claiming fourth in the 3,000m. Sam was a two-time All-American at Air Force; he finished 5th in the 2022 NCAA outdoor 5K championship and 6th in the 2021 NCAA XC Championship. He graduated in 2023, and is currently heading out to Utah to train with Grant Fisher and his well-respected coach, Mike Scannell. Sam went to Hilton Head High School in South Carolina, where he accounted for two state titles in the 1600m, and one in the 800m and 3200m. He also set a South Carolina state record in the mile with a time of 4:06.50. In today's conversation, Sam walks me through his time as a professional runner, his performance at World Indoors, getting accepted into WCAP, lessons from training with Grant Fisher, his ambitions for the future, and so much more.Tap into the Sam Gilman Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT'S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

This rerun episode from our Greatest Hits series is all about the exciting field of longevity and biohacking. These areas are often beyond the scope of standard modern medicine for the general population but hold immense potential for those who can access them.Dr. Jeffrey Galvin from the Vitality Medical Wellness Institute joined us to share some health information you've probably never heard of before. With board certifications in Emergency Medicine and Obesity Medicine, and experience as a former Emergency Physician in the United States Air Force, Dr. Galvin founded his institute out of a desire to move beyond symptom management and address the root causes of illness, focusing on proactive prevention.He unveils the innovative work being done at the Vitality Wellness Institute and shares practical lifestyle adjustments that can significantly impact your longevity. He astutely points out that while conventional medicine aims to bring you to the average, true health optimization involves pushing beyond that.Don't miss this rerun episode to get a sneak peek into the fascinating world of longevity and how you can take proactive steps toward a healthier future!Key TakeawaysIntro (00:00)Meet Dr. Jeffrey Galvin (02:46)The dirty little secret in modern medicine (06:37)How simple lifestyle changes make all the difference (16:45)The markers of metabolic syndrome (29:02)Tools at our disposal to help with metabolic syndrome (35:45)The 5 pillars of health (39:55)The difference between normal and optimal hormone levels (41:43)Testosterone effects on both men and women (49:55)Rapamycin for longevity enhancement (1:00:51)The burgeoning world of longevity health and biohacking (1:09:07)Additional Resources- Dr. Galvin's email: drgalvin@vitalitymwi.com-  Vitality Medical Wellness Institute: https://www.vitalitymwi.com/-  A Longevity Masterclass: Emerging Science & Timeless Wisdom of Healthy Aging | Rich Roll Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxEnH00YcGY—- Register for the OrthoPreneurs Summit 2025: http://opsummit2025.com/- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs

In this episode of NucleCast, host Adam Lowther and guest Rebecca Grant discuss the advancements in stealth technology, focusing on the B-21 Raider and the implications of Chinese military developments. They explore the dynamics of air power between the US and China, the importance of pilot proficiency, and the future of sixth-generation aircraft. The conversation emphasizes the need for the US to maintain its technological edge and adapt to evolving military challenges.Dr. Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC specializing in defense and aerospace research and national security consulting. She is the Vice President for Lexington Institute and has over 20 years of experience working with the United States Air Force, United States Navy, and top aerospace clients. In addition, Dr. Grant has often appeared on television as an expert on national security for Fox News, Fox Business, CNN, and MSNBC and as a series regular on The Smithsonian's Air Warriors. Dr. Grant also writes on China, Russia and other technology and national security topics for Fox News Opinion. Her military books include 75 Great Airmen (with Lt. Gen. Chris Miller), The B-2 Goes to War, and Battle-Tested: Aircraft Carriers in Afghanistan and Iraq.Dr. Grant graduated from Wellesley College and earned a PhD in International Relations from the London School of Economics, University of LondonChapters00:00 Introduction to Stealth and Current Developments02:36 The B-21 Raider: A New Era in Stealth Technology14:10 Chinese Stealth Aircraft: The J-36 and J-5020:15 US vs. China: Air Power Dynamics23:56 The Future of Stealth and Technological Advancements27:21 Wishes for the Future of US Air PowerSocials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org

A view of leadership and character development through the eyes and actions of a world-class athlete. SUMMARY For NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion and newly commissioned 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson '24, what happens on the mat informs how he manages conflict, planning, strategy and tactics, and most importantly, his development as a leader.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN  |  FACEBOOK   WYATT'S TAKEAWAYS  - Wyatt's journey exemplifies leadership and perseverance.  - The Air Force Academy provided a strong foundation for Wyatt.  - Pivotal moments can change the trajectory of one's life.  - Tattoos can tell a personal story and hold deep meaning.  - Winning the NCAA title was a culmination of hard work and strategy.   - Mindset and planning are crucial in wrestling and leadership.  - Family support plays a significant role in personal success.  - Mastering the basics is essential for excellence in any field.  - Call signs reflect identity and values in the military.  - God's plan often unfolds in unexpected ways.  Adversity can lead to personal growth and resilience.  - Mental strength is crucial in competitive sports.  - Reaching out for help is essential for overcoming challenges.  - Building a strong foundation in skills is vital for success.  - Wrestling teaches valuable life lessons about failure and perseverance.  - Enjoying the journey is as important as achieving goals.  - Hard work is the only path to success; there are no shortcuts.  - Self-motivation is key to personal and professional growth.  - Doing little things right builds good habits and character.  - Faith and gratitude play a significant role in success.   CHAPTERS 00:00:  Introduction to Leadership and Perseverance 02:07:  The Journey to the Air Force Academy 05:56:  Defining Moments and Personal Growth 09:57:  Tattoos and Their Significance 14:03:  The NCAA Championship Experience 18:03:  Mindset and Training in Wrestling 22:05:  Call Signs and Identity 26:00:  Family Background and Support 27:06:  Overcoming Adversity in Wrestling 30:40:  The Mental Game of Wrestling 35:15:  Building a Strong Foundation 38:01:  Lessons from Wrestling and Military 40:34:  Training for the 2028 Olympics 42:08:  Finding Joy in the Journey 44:42:  Navigating Sponsorships and NIL 47:03:  The Importance of Doing Little Things Right 50:48:  Self-Motivation and Purpose 54:02:  Closing Thoughts and Gratitude     ABOUT WYATT HENDRICKSON BIO 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson '24 is a wrestler known for his remarkable collegiate career and service in the United States Air Force. He gained national attention in 2025 by winning the NCAA heavyweight championship, defeating Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in a dramatic upset. Early Life and High School Career Hendrickson comes from Newton, Kansas, and is the son of Todd and Lynnette Hendrickson. At Newton High School, he was a standout wrestler, becoming a two-time Kansas state champion and a three-time finalist. He earned All-American honors in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and folkstyle wrestling, and won national titles at the NHSCA Senior Nationals and FloNationals.  Collegiate Wrestling Career Air Force Academy Initially hesitant about a military path, Wyatt was persuaded by his father to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. There, he became one of the most dominant heavyweight wrestlers in NCAA history. He was a five-time NCAA qualifier, two-time Big 12 champion, and two-time NCAA All-American, finishing third nationally in both 2023 and 2024. He led the nation in pins for three consecutive seasons and was twice named the NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler. He concluded his Air Force career with a 103–11 record, becoming the program's all-time leader in pins.​ Oklahoma State University Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyatt had an extra year of eligibility. As a member of the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program, he was allowed to delay active-duty service to pursue Olympic training. This enabled him to transfer to Oklahoma State University for the 2024–25 season. Fulfilling a childhood dream, he joined the Cowboys and went undefeated (27–0), culminating in his victory over Gable Steveson in the NCAA finals. Personal Life and Military Service Wyatt holds the rank of second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and is pursuing an MBA at Oklahoma State University. His unique journey from a small-town Kansas wrestler to NCAA champion and military officer exemplifies dedication and perseverance.​ MORE ON WYATT HERE:   CONNECT WITH WYATT INSTAGRAM  |  LINKEDIN     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS:  Guest, 2nd. Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson '24  |  Host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99             KEYWORDS Leadership, perseverance, Air Force Academy, wrestling, NCAA champion, personal growth, mindset, tattoos, family support, call signs, wrestling, adversity, mental strength, Olympic training, leadership, self-improvement, Air Force Academy, sponsorships, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), personal growth   GALLERY       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation    

If you want your company to be successful you need to deliver value to your customers or you do'n't have a business. Using open source software is appealing, since the source code is available online free of charge. However, as much as it is available to you it is also available to others. So, what's your differentiator? What's your business value?In this episode of the My Open Source Experience podcast Austen Bryan, Ildiko and Phil dig into the challenges of incorporating open source into business, with intention. Austen has a software engineering degree along with an MBA, which has been giving him a very comprehensive insight and knowledge about the software ecosystem. Before moving to Defense Unicorns, he worked for the United States Air Force with a focus on acquisitions, and gained deep insight into how government agencies operate, including the supply chain for software and other resources. Austen learned about open source while he was working for the government, and now he's with a company that based its entire business on open source. So, why and how do they do it?Learn more about:- Defense Unicorns, and how they leverage and embrace open source- How to find business value around open source software- Benefits that don't come in the form of money and income- How to decide whether or not you should open source any of your projects Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of the Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast sponsored by Bearing Advisors, Jim Hunt interviews NLC President Steve Patterson.   ·       A candid conversation about the 2025 goals for Steve and NLC. ·       And, much more   7 Steps to an Amazing City:   Attitude Motivation Attention to Detail Zing Inclusiveness Neighborhood Empowerment Green Awareness   Thanks for listening and look forward to having you join us for the next episode.   Links Mentions During Show: www.NLC.org www.civisocial.com ·       www.AmazingCities.org ·       www.AmazingCities.org/podcast to be a guest on the podcast   About Steve Patterson, President of NLC:     Steve Patterson serves as the President of the National League of Cities and is the Mayor of Athens, OH. Mayor Patterson has lived in Athens since 1998, working as an Associate Professor of Health Psychology at Ohio University until March 2016. He served in the United States Air Force and the Air National Guard for over 20 years in both the Enlisted (9 years) and Commissioned (14 years) ranks and retired as a Major with the District of Columbia Air National Guard 113th Fighter Wing.   In addition to his role at NLC, Mayor Patterson serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Municipal League, the International Town-Gown Association (Immediate Past President), the Athens County Economic Development Council, the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, the Athens County Foundation, the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC), and the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (Chair). He also serves as President of the Mayors Partnership for Progress and is involved in the Ohio Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, Athens County Transportation Improvement District, the Athens County Regional Planning Commission, the Athens City Planning Commission (Chair) and the Ohio Mayors Alliance.  Prior to becoming mayor, Mayor Patterson served as an at-large councilmember for the City of Athens for two terms. During his tenure on the City Council, he served as the Chair of the City and Safety Service Committee, Vice Chair of Finance and Personnel Committee, Chair of the Athens Commission on Disabilities, Council Representative for the Arts, Parks, and Recreation Advisory Board, Co-Chair Armory Ad-hoc Committee, and as a member of the Athens Farmer's Market Long Range Planning Leadership Group.   Mayor Patterson and his wife Dr. Connie Patterson are the proud parents of beautiful twin daughters, Adelia and Alana.  About Your Host, Jim Hunt: Welcome to the “Building Amazing Cities and Towns Podcast” … The podcast for Mayors, Council Members, Managers, Staff and anyone who is interested in building an Amazing City.   Your host is Jim Hunt, the author of “Bottom Line Green, How American Cities are Saving the Planet and Money Too” and his latest book, “The Amazing City - 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City”   Jim is also the former President of the National League of Cities, 27 year Mayor, Council Member and 2006 Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County Magazine.   Today, Jim speaks to 1000's of local government officials each year in the US and abroad.   Jim also consults with businesses that are bringing technology and innovation to local government.   Amazing City Resources:   Buy Jim's Popular Books: ·       The Entrepreneurial City: Building Smarter Governments through Entrepreneurial Thinking:   https://www.amazingcities.org/copy-of-the-amazing-city   ·       The Amazing City: 7 Steps to Creating an Amazing City:   https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/the-amazing-city-7-steps-to-creating-an-amazing-city   ·       Bottom Line Green: How America's Cities and Saving the Planet (And Money Too)  https://www.amazingcities.org/product-page/bottom-line-green-how-america-s-cities-are-saving-the-planet-and-money-too   FREE White Paper: ·       “10 Steps to Revitalize Your Downtown”  www.AmazingCities.org/10-Steps   Hire Jim to Speak at Your Next Event: ·       Tell us about your event and see if dates are available at www.AmazingCities.org/Speaking   Hire Jim to Consult with Your City or Town: ·       Discover more details at https://www.amazingcities.org/consulting   Discuss Your Business Opportunity/Product to Help Amazing Cities: ·       Complete the form at https://www.amazingcities.org/business-development   A Special Thanks to Bearing Advisors for the support of this podcast:  www.BearingAdvisors.Net

Want to let us know if you agree or have a "hot take" about our show or a burning Star Wars topic, hit the Holonet and send us a text!In episode 193 of The Force Geeks: A Star Wars Podcast, Nate, Jake, and Chris dive into what fans can expect from the second and final season of Andor. With an official release window and new details about the series' structure and tone, the Geeks explore how the story will connect to Rogue One and what major character arcs may come to a close.Plus, Lucasfilm just announced Tales of the Underworld, the next animated anthology series launching on May the 4th, and this one shifts the spotlight to the galaxy's seedier side. The Geeks break down what we know so far, including which two major characters will headline the series.The Geeks also preview Star Wars Celebration Japan, highlighting the big anniversary panels and speculating about possible surprise announcements. And finally, they discuss the latest update from the writer of Shawn Levy's film about the progress of this upcoming Star Wars film that has Ryan Gosling attached, as well as a rumored addition the Geeks discuss.***The views expressed in this show are those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.***

Send us a textChad Burpee is a proud father, brother, and a son. Though he grew up in Maine, life's journey eventually led him to Texas. With a deep sense of duty and service, he dedicated 20 years of his life to law enforcement, serving in Lancaster County, Nebraska, and later in Dallas, Texas. Before that, he honorably served his country as a United States Air Force veteran from 1995 to 1999 with the 314th Security Forces Squadron. His service took him on two tours in the Middle East, and he had the distinct privilege of working with the Presidential Detail for President William Clinton and Air Force One.  On July 7, 2016, Chad's life was forever changed. That night, in the heart of Dallas, he found himself in the midst of one of the deadliest attacks on law enforcement in U.S. history—the Dallas 5 ambush. As chaos unfolded, 11 officers were shot, and tragically, 5 of his brothers in blue lost their lives. The weight of that night and the years of service before it left lasting scars, both seen and unseen.  Now medically retired, Chad has turned his pain into purpose. He openly shares his journey of battling anxiety, depression, and PTSD, hoping to be a light for others who are struggling. Through his words and experiences, he reminds others that even in the darkest moments, there is hope, there is healing, and there is peace to be found again.LinksIG - https://www.instagram.com/chad_b514/ FB - https://www.facebook.com/chadt.o.burpeeFind The Suffering PodcastThe Suffering Podcast InstagramKevin Donaldson InstagramTom Flynn InstagramApple PodcastSpotifyYouTubeThe Suffering Podcast FamilySherri AllsupKetaReviveToyota of HackensackSupport the showThe Suffering Podcast Instagram Kevin Donaldson Instagram TikTok YouTube

On this special edition of the podcast, host Joe Muhlberger is featured as a guest on Wreaths Across America's internet radio morning show hosted by Mike Hale. The two veterans spent almost an hour talking about Joe's vast military career in the United States Air Force and what prompted him to assume the reigns of Veterans Corner Radio after the passing of the late Bill Hodges.Our library of shows can be found at www.veteranscornerradio.comJoin us on Facebook at the page Veterans Corner RadioYou can contact our host Joe Muhlberger at joseph.muhlberger@gmail.com

Send us a textEpisode 129- Host, Troy Saunders, sits down and chats with one of the up and coming stars on the Indie Soul scene, J- DariusJ- Darius was born overseas while his father was serving in the United States Air Force; but raised in San Antonio Texas. J was surrounded by gospel music as a child and only a few secular artist were played in his household. He always had a love for music. Surprisingly he didn't come from a musical family; even though he loved to sing in his church choir. He explains to Troy that his father could "hold a note"; but it was only he and his sister that could sing and she didn't start until college. So they never sung together while growing up; but she does sing backgrounds for him, now.While in college, Jay began to expand his musical knowledge. Listening to and absorbing all the secular music he didn't hear while growing up. Would you believe that he didn't major in music while in college. Find out what his major was and how he relates to it now.During the pandemic, J- Darius entered the indie soul scene with his soulful first offering "Let Go". This started his recognition as a indie soul newcomer with a distinctive voice. Since then he has released 3 more full albums and 2 EPs. Each with their own distinctive sound, but full of ear catching tunes. Troy states that he can hear J-Darius' progress with each release. Troy admits not hearing of J-Darius until his release "No Time Wasted". This album made Troy an instant fan. Troy tells J that he had his song "Contagious" on constant rotation. Some of the other songs played during this episode were "Forever", "Moon and Back", "Love of My Life- Remix", "LA Sunset", "Sunset Blvd" , "Tonight", "Fell In Love", My Heart" and "Unbelievable". J- Darius explains his process in writing his songs and what to expect on his next album.J- Darius also loves musical theater. Find out what shows he has performed in, what are his next performances and what is on his buckets list. Through out the conversation there were plenty of laughs and warm an honest  discussions on music, life and future endeavors.Listen to this wonderful conversation now; to hear what's behind one of indie soul's most dynamic new artists.Listen and subscribe to the BAAS Entertainment Podcast on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Podchaser, Pocket Casts and TuneIn. “Hey, Alexa. Play the BAAS Entertainment Podcast.”

On today's show, Pat and the boys preview the Sweet 16 games tonight, chat about MLB Opening Day, and discuss all the biggest news stories happening around the NFL as Russell Wilson had his introductory press conference as a New York Giant. Joining the show to make his college commitment is top 10 basketball recruit in the 2025 class, Koa Peat. Next, long time college basketball coach, 2x ACC coach of the Year, and ESPN College Basketball analyst, Seth Greenberg joins the show to chat about tonight's Sweet 16 games, which teams he thinks are playing with the most momentum right now, how difficult some of these coaches jobs are with the transfer portal being open while they're trying to prepare for a tournament game, and some of his best plays for the night. Later, NCAA Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, 3x All-American, and current second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, Wyatt Hendrickson joins the show to chat about his experience winning the National Championship over Gable Steveson, his military commitments, what he's going to do now, and his mindset going into that final match with Steveson. Later, ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan joins the show to chat about about MLB Opening Day, why everyone hates the Dodgers right now, the issues with the Pittsburgh Pirates, his thoughts on the Yankees this year, and why the American League is a toss up this year. Make sure to subscribe to youtube.com/thepatmcafeeshow or watch on ESPN (12-2 EDT), ESPN's Youtube (12-3 EDT), or ESPN+. We appreciate the hell out of all of you. We're off the next two days for the NCAA Tournament. Enjoy all the games, we'll see you Monday. Cheers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kijuan Amey served in the United States Air Force until he sustained major polytraumatic injuries in a motorcycle accident. Now, he motivates others through his recovery journey and says that even though he lost his sight, he never lost his vision. Hello everyone, and welcome to episode 177 of the Resilient Journey podcast, presented by Anesis Consulting Group! Prepare to be inspired and get ready to share this episode with your network. This week, we introduce you to Kijuan Amey, the head of Amey Motivation. After a tragic accident in 2017, Kijuan found his true calling: serving others. Now a motivational speaker, mentor, and resilience coach, Kijuan joins Mark to discuss his accident, his recovery, his spiritual journey, and the profound response he received when he questioned God. Kijuan wants you to know that there IS life at the end of whatever tunnel you're going through. And to cap it all off, stay to the end to hear what Kijuan chose as his walk-up song.   Be sure to follow The Resilient Journey!  We sure do appreciate it! Want to learn more about Mark? Click here or on LinkedIn or Twitter. Special thanks to Bensound for the music.

Gary Miller is the host of the "Hope In Him Today" and "Outside The Lane" podcasts. Before joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as an independent fundamental Baptist pastor. He spent 11 years in the United States Air Force, dividing his time between critical care medicine and professional development training as a master military training instructor. He holds a B.S. from Wayland Baptist University and studied theology at Liberty Theological Seminary. Currently, he works as a director of marketing for a Salt Lake City-based insurance firm and serves as a stake high councilor in the Katy Texas Stake. He and his wife, Crystal, live in Katy, Texas, with their four children. You'll likely find him at a NASCAR race somewhere when he's not doing these things. Links From Baptist Preacher to Latter-day Saint | An Interview with Gary Miller Hope in Him Today podcast Outside the Lane podcast Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights This conversation delves into Gary's journey of faith, focusing on the challenges and triumphs he has experienced as he navigates the cultural differences between his previous faith and his new one. Gary shares insights into the complexities of conversion, emphasizing that it is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires time and reflection. Throughout the episode, Gary discusses the significance of the temple in his faith journey, highlighting how his understanding evolved from initial confusion to a deeper appreciation for its role in connecting him to Jesus Christ. He stresses the importance of personal connections and clear messaging when discussing the temple, advocating for a focus on the principles of Jesus rather than the mystique often surrounding the temple experience. Gary also addresses the challenges of being perceived as a newcomer in the faith, noting the need for patience and understanding as individuals navigate their spiritual journeys at their own pace. 02:08 - Gary's Journey from Baptist Minister to Latter-day Saint 03:01 - Conversation Dynamics Between Friends 04:11 - Life Updates from Gary Miller 05:44 - The Complexity of Conversion Stories 06:34 - Cultural vs. Theological Conversion 09:14 - The Ongoing Nature of Conversion 10:27 - The Binary Nature of Faith Commitment 12:14 - The Importance of Personal Reflection in Faith 13:18 - Navigating the Journey of Faith 15:23 - The Cage Stage of New Believers 18:12 - The Need for Quiet Reflection 19:08 - Balancing Old and New Faith Communities 21:00 - Building a Foundation in Faith 22:33 - The Role of the Temple in Conversion 25:49 - Personal Connections and Understanding the Temple 29:06 - The Temple as a Place of Worship 30:40 - Messaging the Importance of the Temple 32:07 - The Need for Authentic and Simple Messaging 34:01 - Engaging with Old Friends about the Temple 36:29 - The Gravity of Worship in the Temple 37:34 - Current Calling and Church Involvement 38:32 - Gary's Podcasting Journey 41:08 - Balancing Scripture The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler,

I'm excited to welcome Ryan Guina on the podcast today. He is the founder of the Military Wallet, one of the longest running and most respected personal finance websites focused on the military audience. Ryan served over six years in the United States Air Force as an aircraft mechanic, then joined the Air National Guard in 2014 after an 8.5-year break in service which we talk about integrating the challenges of that with his entrepreneurial journey. In our wide-ranging discussion Ryan shares his personal journey of sharing his discoveries on a blog during the early days of this content creation, the community he learned from along the way, and how it evolved from an initial side hustle into a full-time career. I especially appreciated his advice around looking for ways to help others careers selflessly and in so doing build a community of people who are within a few levels of where you are at.  Ryan has years of experience with SEO or search engine optimization which we also talk about including helpful resources and how to capture an audience to nurture over time. We also discuss the challenges more recently from the rise of AI and its impact on web traffic.  If you are interested in content creation, building an audience online, or exploring alternative career paths related to personal finance you can find lots of nuggets in this episode. Here's my interview with Ryan!   https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanguina/ https://themilitarywallet.com/ https://www.semrush.com/ https://moz.com/ https://ahrefs.com/   

Sysdig's 2025 Cloud-Native and Security Usage Report is hot off the presses, and Corey has questions. On this episode, he's joined by Crystal Morin, a Cybersecurity Strategist at Sysdig, to break down the trends of the past year. They discuss Sysdig's approach to detecting and responding to security and the success the company has seen with the rollout of Sysdig Sage (an AI product that Corey thinks is actually useful). They also chat about what's driving a spike in machine identities, practical hygiene in cloud environments, and the crucial importance of automated responses to maintain robust security in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.Show Highlights(0:00) Intro(0:39) Sysdig sponsor read(2:22) Explaining Sysdig's 5/5/5 Benchmark(4:06) What does Sysdig's work entail?(10:03) Cloud security trends that have changed over the last year(14:30) Sysdig sponsor read(15:16) How Sysdig is using AI in its security products(19:09) How many users are adopting AI tools like Sysdig Sage(25:51) The reality behind the recent spike of machine identities in security(29:24) Handling the scaling of machine identities(35:37) Where you can find Sysdig's 2025 Cloud-Native and Security Usage ReportAbout Crystal MorinCrystal Morin is a Cybersecurity Strategist with more than 10 years of experience in threat analysis and research. Crystal started her career as both a Cryptologic Language Analyst and Intelligence Analyst in the United States Air Force and as a contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton, where she helped develop and evolve their cyber threat intelligence community and threat-hunting capabilities. In 2022, Crystal joined Sysdig as a Threat Research Engineer on the Sysdig Threat Research Team, where she worked to discover and analyze cyber threat actors taking advantage of the cloud. Today, Crystal bridges the gap between business and security through cloud-focused content for leaders and practitioners alike. Crystal's thought leadership has been foundational for pieces such as the “2024 Cloud-Native Security and Usage Report” and “Cloud vs. On-Premises: Unraveling the Mystery of the Dwell Time Disparity,” among others.LinksSysdig's 2025 Cloud-Native and Security Usage Report: https://sysdig.com/2025-cloud-native-security-and-usage-report/Sysdig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sysdig/Crystal's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-morin/SponsorSysdig: https://sysdig.com/

In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Christian Evans shares his journey from a jovial cadet to a dedicated leader focused on uplifting others. SUMMARY Christian reflects on transformative experiences during his time at the Air Force Academy, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of community engagement. Christian discusses navigating career transitions, the power of giving back, and the significance of leading with love. He emphasizes resilience, personal growth, and the need to engage the next generation of leaders.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK   TAKEAWAYS Christian emphasizes the importance of humor in leadership. Transformative experiences can lead to personal growth and leadership development. Mentorship plays a crucial role in guiding younger generations. Navigating career transitions requires building a supportive network. Giving back to the community enhances personal fulfillment. Engaging the next generation is vital for sustaining leadership values. Resilience is key to overcoming failures and learning from them. Leading with love fosters a supportive environment. Personal growth is a continuous journey influenced by experiences. Finding avenues to contribute to the community is essential for leadership.   EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00  Introduction to Leadership Journeys 02:56  Transformative Experiences in Cadet Life 06:10  The Impact of Mentorship and Community 08:52  Navigating Career Transitions 11:49  The Power of Giving Back 14:50  Engaging the Next Generation 17:55  Lessons in Resilience and Growth 21:00  Leading with Love 23:55  Reflections on Personal Growth 26:59  Conclusion and Future Aspirations   ABOUT CHRISTIAN EVANS BIO Christian Evans is a Business Development Executive at Olsson where he leads sales and growth efforts in Texas and Colorado. Christian previously worked as Managing Partner of Greenwood Capital lower middle market PE firm, Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley, Capital Markets Sales Manager at Highland Capital Management. Prior to joining Highland, he worked as an associate on the Banking, Investing, and Lending team at Goldman Sachs. Christian started his professional career in the United States Air Force as a space operations officer at Cape Cod AFS, MA and an acquisitions program manager at the Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles AFB, CA. Christian is an active leader in the Dallas community sitting on the Visiting Nurses Association of Texas Board of Directors on the finance and development committees and on the Friends Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy on the Development committee. Christian is an active member of the Urban Land Institute and The Real Estate Council. Christian is a 2008 Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy where he majored in Management. As a Cadet, he competed on the Fighting Falcon football team, served as President of the Tuskegee Airmen Club, and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Incorporated. He completed his MBA at the SMU Cox School of Business in 2017. Christian is married to Dr. Candace Evans and they enjoy their time with their son, Cash. - Copy courtesy of the U.S. Air Force Academy Association of Graduates    CONNECT WITH CHRISTIAN LINKEDIN  |  ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES       ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS       FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest:    CHRISTIAN EVANS '08  |  Host:  Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz  00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. For Christian Evans, USAFA Class of 2008, the journey was arduous, and even now, though he's dedicated himself to a life of lifting others up, he still thinks of himself as a work in progress, becoming the model for grace, giving back and leadership that he is today. Christian, thanks for being here today.   Christian Evans  00:28 Thank you so much for having me. Truly honored and flattered to be here.   Naviere Walkewicz  00:34 What were you like growing up? — I guess maybe is the first question.   Christian Evans  00:38 I've always been a jovial person. I've always had a sense of humor, and I've always kind of been a strategic thinker, if that makes sense. So, while I was somewhat the life of the party to a certain extent, or someone on the team that would galvanize the teammates, it was mostly through humor or engaging outside of anything serious, because everything's so serious, right?   Naviere Walkewicz Right.   Christian Evans  So, growing up and even at the Academy, I always kind of used humor as a way to put myself out there, so to speak, right? To kind of get people's moods to calm down. Yeah, I just always was more focused on what I was doing, and never focused on “I should be leading in this space,” outside of just knowing if you do well in school, get good grades… All right, that's leadership by doing. “I'm in NHS, I'm in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I'm doing all these service things. And even though I'm not the president or vice president, I'm still active, serving a greater purpose.” So, yeah, growing up, I was a good kid, liked to have fun, maybe a little crass at times.   Naviere Walkewicz  02:05 Your sophomore year, you know, your three-degree, you kind of had this decision point. What was it that helped you make that decision? Was there an incident? Was there a moment? Was it just a path you were on?   Christian Evans  02:20 There was definitely an incident. At the end of our sophomore year, we did not have the season that we wanted as a football team, so the night of the game, after the game, I was still underaged, and I drank alcohol and the Academy found out about it. And so, I had to go through that rehabilitation process, which wasn't fun. I think it was six months where you're restricted to the base. At that point, that's when I said, “OK, this isn't a civilian school. You've kind of got to button it up here if you want to stay and actually get something out of it.” So that next year, I made a point during summer school, and even that summer as a cadre for basic, to just really apply myself and try to see, “All right, if I actually apply myself and lead and maybe not make everything a joke, will you see real outcomes?” And I think that's where my first experience of really being able to affect younger cadets and/or younger grads and their experience with the Academy. Because as a basic cadet cadre, I really went out of my way to try to look out for our basics in a way that typically doesn't happen during basic training. And it is what it is, right? Basic training is not summer camp, so it's got to be tough, it's got to be hard. But I definitely — and I think if you ask my basics — I definitely went into the situation with the idea of making it hard, but fair, but also making it enjoyable and something that's worth remembering. And so experiencing that as a cadet and really seeing, “OK, yeah, you're pretty good at this thing, you can motivate people, and you can make them feel good about themselves, and you could help them when they need it, and not make it hard for them to get where they need to go, kind of thing, and really enable them.” That was a great experience for me, and kind of carried into the next year. I got on group staff; I learned that the more that you lean in, there are actual outcomes that come out of it, and you're able to have a positive impact on other people, which, to me, gives me — that's where I get energy, and I feel good about myself. Outside of how I feel about myself is how I can help other people to accomplish whatever it is they kind of want to do.   Naviere Walkewicz  05:04 Wow, it sounds like you took an incident that happened to you all the way back in basic and you found a way to turn it around, to make sure that another basic didn't have to go through what you did. And you probably didn't even realize it at the time when you're going through that self-discovery as a leader and applying yourself, but can you think of a story of where that came into play? Like when you were a cadre for a basic, was there ever a time where you were able to make a difference for a basic that you weren't able to have made for you?   Christian Evans  05:34 Absolutely. One of the things I did — and this is an easy one — was when there was someone that needed meal replacements for whatever reason, or was still hungry at the end of the day, I would help get food and sustenance to them, whether they played sports or not. Obviously doing it for the football guys so that they could maintain weight for when the season starts. But when other non-football people mentioned that they were still hungry, the food was making them upset, things like that. Yeah, I would get them what they needed, right? And I think for that, they felt like somebody cared. I will say, as a cadre, I think the best thing I could have done was just make it a memorable experience through the experiences, right? Like I said, I'm into humor. I like to have fun, and to me, basic training as a cadre was like being a stand-up comedian with the built-in audience, you know? So, I would do bits with the kids, not kids, but they were kids. I would do bits, you know? I would have fun, but within that, it would always be kind of a bigger picture.   Naviere Walkewicz  06:49 Well, I think that's fantastic sharing a bit of your personality, and I think that's also part of leadership, because when we think about what how people lead, it's usually from what they learn from others. So, being able to see that you can be human, and you can use humor, and you can still affect a mission, and especially — maybe people bring in their best self, because they didn't feel that they had to be so fearful, right? I don't know, maybe you touched them in that way.   Christian Evans  07:17 I hope so. Because there was still a lot of fear, I imagine, left in the basic squadron.   Naviere Walkewicz  07:24 Yes. Well, it led me to something you we talked about because you said you had indifference even your senior years. But there was a theme through that as well. You talked about being able to help others, so maybe talk through what you've learned about yourself as a leader in this space of helping others. Has there been a moment in your career now, whether through in the military, or when you transitioned out, where you saw that coming into play more?   Christian Evans  07:49 It's something that I feel is evergreen, for me, is I'm always kind of thinking about, “How can I have an impact on the community around me?” Most recently, since transitioning from active duty into the private sector, I learned a lot. I didn't know much about the industry I was going into that being finance, I was blessed with an opportunity to do an internship with Goldman Sachs during my transition period, while I was still active duty. This was before they had the program they have now, the skill bridge program. I went into a very complex situation with very little information, and going through that process, I was able to reach out to a lot of people to help fill the gap. No. 1, most of the people that I found myself talking to and that had built networks within Goldman and other financial institutions were Navy and overwhelmingly Army grads. So, at that point, and I like that it says Long Blue Leadership, because the Long Blue Line is what we were all sold on coming here, whether you played sports or not, Just about anybody you asked that have made the transition from active duty into a new industry or career that requires a little bit of advocacy and understanding, and people doing some recruiting and all those things — how much it means to have somebody that you could call and learn things that you just don't know. My transition, learning the industry, learning the different steps that you need to take to get to different parts of the industry — I started just documenting resources, built out my network so the people that had helped me and kind of poured into me and mentored me, tried to stay in touch. That is something that I'm pretty good at, is just meeting people and turning a casual introduction into some type of meaningful relationship. And so, when I got a few years in and did my MBA, and kind of went through my process, I put together a one-pager, two-pager, and shared it with the number of younger grads at the time that I kind of adopted as mentees. They were just young grads, or young cadets, in some cases, that had an ambition and that wanted to do something that they didn't really know much about. Being able to give them that information to fill the void earlier in the process — maybe they've got a few years left in the Air Force. OK, they could start preparing themselves through certain things, getting involved in certain organizations. I thought if I could get this information to them earlier, well they could start preparing more for making that transition. And so, after doing that, and over the years, they made it their own thing, and now they have matriculated to some of the top business schools, law schools in America. And so, for me, that showed me the power of “when you learn, teach; when you get, give,” right? I heard that quote a number of years ago. That kind of was something that, after doing that and seeing the outcome, and especially now when I look back, that started maybe, let's say, eight years ago. Well now guys are starting their own funds, and they're working at multiple investment banks and consulting companies, and to me, that was more rewarding than even the accomplishments I had made in my transition. So, I feel very blessed to have been able to do that. But, you know, I definitely, over the time, have made it a mission of mine to ensure that I'm pulling the younger grads in the direction that they want to go, and doing it a little bit earlier in the cycle so that they could get better prepared.   Naviere Walkewicz  12:25 This is really fascinating. What makes you care in this way?   Christian Evans  12:29 At my first base was my first real interaction with the AOG and actual alumni. I got to meet real grads. One in particular was a gentleman, Al Fullerton. I think he was a 1963 grad, and he was medically discharged before he was able to serve. However, he was a grad, and he stayed connected to the organization. And my buddy, Evan Dadoski, who — he would get us to those AOG meetings, and when I and when I had those experiences and when I had the experience with Al, and he would give his time to me, Evan, Brian Campbell, Adam Hood, like go have lunch with us. Got to meet with Flash Wiley while I was up there, you know, Nate Dial went and got his master's while he was up there. And we would go have coffee and get to talk to him and interact with him. And I said, “Man, there is some richness to this,” but those were just really individual connection points. It wasn't like a critical mass, but it did pique my interest in saying, “Oh, there is a richness in a younger grad getting to know a more seasoned grad, or the intergenerational interactions that a lot of times we don't get for whatever reason.”   Naviere Walkewicz  13:57 So, you started seeing and feeling the effects of the Long Blue Line?   Christian Evans  14:01 Yeah, absolutely. It was really just the thought of trying to maximize the talent that God gave me, and in doing that, you can't be indifferent and be a great leader. You can't be indifferent and be the best that you can be.   Naviere Walkewicz  14:19 Certainly, doesn't hurt to be kind of engaging with the vision for where our association's going and to your point, what does your impact look like within there?   Christian Evans  Sure.   Naviere Walkewicz  So, what has that look like, and how has that shaped you as a leader? Do you feel like those are one in the same, like you bring your leadership to it in the way that you are, or has it changed you this kind of service as a leader?   Christian Evans  14:43 Yeah, if anything, I learned that if you do have a passion for how things should be, if you lean in, you galvanize the troops, so to speak, and/or try to find leadership opportunities within the multiple organizations that interact and do things for a cadet. And for grads, find those because it's been very beneficial to me as I have come onto the board and seeing, OK, something like the next generation.   Naviere Walkewicz  15:12 So, can you talk a little bit more about this Next Gen group?   Christian Evans  15:16 Yeah, absolutely. There are certain periods as graduates, where we have big decisions to make, and as an association, the more that we're engaged and helping you to solve for those decision problems, so to speak, the more you'll feel the value was served to you to engage. So, that kind of spurred a conversation with Nate Dial. And, you know, we always kind of have strategy sessions here and there about all kinds of stuff. But in this situation, it was, “Hey, how can we kind of solve for this young alumni or emerging leader alumni engagement?” Because the numbers speak for themselves — it's extremely low. If all grads are engaging at 10%, if you graduated after '95 it's less than 10%. So, Next Gen kind of was born out of that. And so, we started thinking about, “We've still got a lot of people engaged from our previous classes.” And so, I thought if we created some type of working group to start thinking about what can we do to provide this value proposition to that demographic of graduates that are historically disengaged? And engagement is not money, right? It's just showing up to alumni events or coming back to the Academy at any point or whatever, going to a game when the Academy is playing close to you, things of that nature. So that's where we got to the Next Gen. group.   Naviere Walkewicz  16:54 I mean, I think a theme that's been woven through this with you has been, in your journey as a leader, really leaning in. You know, it seems like when you've had these moments of decisions, of applying yourself, you have these continuous wins that seem to have continued to fuel that desire to make further impact and others. Would you say that's accurate?   Christian Evans  17:20 Absolutely. You know, wins have a way of building on themselves, and losses due too. So, incremental big win, small wins — I'm just trying to win. So yeah, to me… and even in the face of a loss, you're still winning, because it's an opportunity to learn, right? I'm sure it's a common theme, but it's true. We all have experienced failure. Nobody wants to talk about it, but everybody experiences it some way. How do you deal with that failure? We talk about resiliency at the Academy, you know? We talk about integrity a lot. We talk about service, we talk about excellence, but we don't talk about failure necessarily, because we're Academy grads. We don't fail, right? We don't fail. But it's true: Even in failure, you're it's an opportunity to win, and the more wins you kind of put together. They cascade, and they grow into great things. And that's kind of where I see, at least my growth and development has been through just a cascading of small, big, intermediate and honestly, putting myself out, taking myself out of my comfort zone, see where the chips fall.   Naviere Walkewicz  18:44 Well, we'd like to hear what your leadership lessons and takeaways are, because there have been really a lot of moments in here that I think everyone has been able to kind of see themselves in, right? You've had moments where you've had to kind of pick yourself up, even when you weren't sure what that looked like, and you did. What, what might you leave with our folks?   Christian Evans  19:04 You know, we go through a lot of leadership training, so it's like a leadership podcast to teach me what I've been training for, for it feels like our whole adult life could seem redundant sometimes. So, I'm not going to give anybody a nugget that they might not have heard before, but something that I've tried to do that maybe, when I think about leadership, has helped me to approach it in a different way, is to always think about leading with love to a certain extent. I don't mean that to be mushy, I mean that to be sincere. Always go into a situation thinking about the person you're dealing with, as opposed to yourself. Little things like I said, we've got a lot of technical and structured education about what leadership is, but how do you actually execute and effectively live it? So for me, it's a very selfless kind of approach. But I always say, “Lead with love,” and that's what I'll continue to do, right? But I don't have any groundbreaking nuggets. I don't think about leadership all the time. It's just in me, right? I think it's in all — most — of us, they made sure of that. But sincerely, leading with love, because there are other obvious nuances and principles to leadership, but to me, that's the one that gets lost the most in translation, sometimes.   Naviere Walkewicz  20:40 Can you share a moment when you led with love and it was maybe a moment where you wouldn't have expected that's the way that you could actually solve something?   Christian Evans  20:53 I wouldn't say I have a specific instance. It's just who I am. So, I don't really have an instance. I think every time that I get the opportunity to be in a leadership situation that's at work, in my day job, that leadership looks a little different than leadership in an AOG board capacity, or leadership in other board service that I do around the town of Dallas, or really leadership within your own peer groups, right? It's just a part of who I am. So I don't necessarily have a specific situation. It's just most of the situations where I found myself having an opportunity to actively lead other people, I try to make sure that I'm implementing that, and I think most people that have gotten to work with me would attest to it.   Naviere Walkewicz  21:57 Well, I can validate that certainly. Just in our interactions together, I think I've seen you lead with love, and it's because you put the human aspect in. How can I help you? — is really how it translates across, and I think that's very powerful. It's maybe not something that people think about, but it's probably highly effective. But even more so, it's incredibly, probably fulfilling.   Christian Evans  22:19 Yeah, I would say one thing I learned is, I don't need much help. I'm gonna go figure it out. But there's a lot of people that don't have that same personality type, and so I think that's important when they don't, is that you can be somewhat of a force multiplier for them, using Air Force speak.   Naviere Walkewicz  22:39 I think it's wonderful what you're leading and you're passionate about, and it, again, dovetails from, I think, all of your experiences, of always wanting to make something better than what you had had to go through or experienced in life.   Christian Evans  22:50 You had told me to repeat this, but I had said if you would have asked just about anybody that knew me as a cadet and young officer, if Chris Evans — because I didn't become Christian until I came as a civilian, and everybody's Chris — but yeah, Chris Evans is on the AOG board. They'd say, “No way, no way.” So, I think the Academy, we've all had our experience with maybe getting broken down, whether it's basic training, whether it's your first year, academics. I would say, it started for me during basic training. Growing up and coming into the Academy, I thought of myself as a pretty good kid. You know, I focused on school first, athletics second, and I had a lot of success in those two spaces. I was blessed to be recruited to the Academy to play football. However, I did have a little intellectual curiosity about what the place was all about. Coming on my recruiting visit, seeing the training going on, it definitely piqued my interest. But when I got here and went through the Prep School first, I actually somewhat enjoyed that experience. Basic training at the prep school was hard, but it definitely tests your mettle. And after maybe that first few weeks and thinking that I might quit, having a few conversations with people back home, definitely made the decision that I came here for a reason I was going to see it through. That was challenging next year, during basic training, matriculating into our first — or four-degree year, and I had a very catastrophic event happened with my family where my grandfather was tragically murdered by my uncle — I mean, to be transparent. When we were preparing for this, you mentioned, “Oh, you've gone through some traumas,” and I never really thought about it as a trauma, but it definitely was one. And I would say, through the healing process, I connected with a very great chaplain we had here who took a lot of time to help me heal. However, he could only do so much because I had a lot of work to do for myself. I was blessed to be able to travel and play as a freshman and so in that, between going through what I went through in basic training and then the culture of the football team of somewhat really focusing inward, it definitely helped to lead to a general indifference about maximizing my time at the Academy and focusing on things that may not have been as value add to the bigger picture of being here, if that makes sense. So, from a leadership perspective, in my sophomore year, I had to make a serious decision, like, “If I'm going to stay here, well, what am I here for? Am I going to maximize my time, or am I going to keep goofing off and trying to live like I'm at a civilian school kind of thing?” And so, I did make a conscious effort then to kind of lock in, but still, a young athlete that had a lot of distractions around them, there was still a lot of room to grow. And as I went through my cadet time, I would say, definitely found the beginning of my pride in this institution. Nothing like graduating and have the president call your name, right? That was probably one of the cooler experiences. I would say that was the genesis of my indifference towards the bigger picture of what the Academy represents. But in that, I did come to a few moments where I realized that “Hey, you're really wasting your time here if you're going to continue behaving and really thinking about the Academy from a selfish lens.” That just goes to show it's OK to grow up. The Terrazzo-gap doesn't still have to exist. We could all kind of give back to our organization in ways that we're comfortable with, but you just got to find the avenues to do it.   Naviere Walkewicz  27:27 Well, when I think of the Next Gen community, what excites me is I think about the two cadets that I have at the Academy, and it's the Next Gen community that's going to be their mentors when they graduate. So, when you think about that, it really puts it in perspective.   Christian Evans  27:41 They'll also be their commanders too.   Naviere Walkewicz  27:43 That's right. Well, Christian, it's been a pleasure having you on Long Blue Leadership. Thank you so much for being here today.   Christian Evans  27:49 Thank you again for having me and thank you to the whole team that makes this podcast happen. I know there's a lot of work that goes into it. Thank you for having me.   Naviere Walkewicz  28:01 Thank you for joining us for this edition of Long Blue Leadership. The podcast drops every two weeks on Tuesdays and is available on all your favorite podcast apps. Send your comments and guest ideas to us at social media@usafa.org, and listen to past episodes@longblueleadership.org   KEYWORDS Leadership, mentorship, personal growth, Air Force Academy, community impact, resilience, humor in leadership, self-discovery, transition to civilian life, alumni engagement.       The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation    

Episode Highlight: On this episode of the "Embracing Only" podcast, we are featuring one of the most impactful moments from episode 52, with guest Kim "KC" Campbell. Do you find yourself scared to make a mistake and wallowing in them when you do? We're exploring the value of failing forward and learning from your mistakes.Kim is a retired Colonel who served in the United States Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. Kim has led hundreds of Airmen both at home and abroad in deployed locations and enabled them to succeed in their missions. She takes this experience and inspires so many more in corporate spaces. Kim is also a keynote speaker and best-selling author.This episode is just a short snippet that highlights the best and most powerful learning moment from a past episode. You can listen to the full episode (filled with more wisdom) here: Episode 52: From the Cockpit to the Boardroom- Leadership Lessons from a Combat Veteran.Key Discussion Points:00:58 Making Mistakes as an “Only”: As the only woman in the room, you may feel that any mistakes you make are ruining the chances of the women who come after you. This is not true.02:50 Embracing the Mindset of Failing Forward: Wallowing in your mistakes is not a healthy or effective way to improve your performance.03:54 The Value of Talking About Your Mistakes: Normalise your mistakes and see them as learning experiences instead of failures. It's about failing forward.06:18 Letting Go of Your Mistakes: Holding on to your mistakes can cloud your judgment and make you prone to more mistakes.07:58 Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety: To create a culture where people feel comfortable talking about their mistakes at work, you first need to create a culture of psychological safety.In Summary: Kim "KC" Campbell urges us to learn from our mistakes rather than wallow in them. She encourages us to talk about our mistakes and let them go so they don't cloud our judgements. She challenges leaders to acknowledge their mistakes.Resources from this episode:Follow Kim on LinkedIn or visit her website. Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot's Lessons on Leading with Courage by Kim CampbellIf you happen to be a woman of color and you are looking for a community of like minded women, join Olivia here: https://www.mysistersshoulders.com/ Connect with your hosts:Follow Archita on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Olivia on Linkedin or check out her website.Follow Embracing Only on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook, or check out the website._________Produced by Ideablossoms

On Today's Episode – Mark and Matt dive into the day's topics including how Gavin Newsome paid for his own statue in City Hall among other things.We hop right over to returning guest Retired Colonel Rob Maness (Bio Below). We continue the chat about how the Left is trying to normalize EVERYTHING, and use our tax dollars to do it. Tune in for all the fun@robmaness - X@colrobmanesshttps://www.robmaness.com/Retired Colonel Rob Maness has a lifelong record of dedicated service to the nation. As a 17-year-old high school senior, he decided to enlist in the United States Air Force and serve in uniform as the country faced multiple crises around the world.Having worked his way up from the enlisted ranks to full colonel, he retired from active duty in 2011, ending his military service of more than 32 years. Following military retirement Rob returned to Louisiana to work as an executive in a Fortune 500 energy corporation. He is currently founder and the owner of Iron Liberty Group and resides in Gulfport, Mississippi.Rob has proven his competence at the local, state, and federal levels of government with his demonstrated leadership and effectiveness as a steward of our citizen's tax dollars. He has broad experience working at the Louisiana State Legislature, in the national budget process, national emergency response decision-making, law enforcement, successful community relations with governments at all levels, and working directly with citizens to meet today's challenges. He has provided direct, executive oversight to local schools in coordination with elected school boards, working to make them secure and more effective to meet the needs of America's military children. His leadership and combat experiences give him a unique perspective when considering how national action impacts our American families.During his military service, Colonel Maness led numerous combat operations, including as a bomber squadron commander in Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Colonel Maness served as an enlisted bomb disposal technician in three assignments countering terrorism before being commissioned and selected for flight training. As a Joint Chiefs of Staff operations officer he was on duty in the National Military Command Center located within the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attack. In the ensuing months, he directly assisted the United States national security team with creating, synchronizing, and executing the campaign plan for the global war on terrorism. Colonel Maness authored the first theater nuclear war plan and designed decision-making tools for the Presidential nuclear decision handbook strengthening U.S. extended strategic deterrence policy in European and Pacific regions. Colonel Maness served as the Vice Commander of America's largest Airborne Intelligence Wing conducting strategic and battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations against America's enemies. He went on to command Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM, the sixth largest U.S. Air Force Base encompassing 53,000 acres and 22,000 employees, housing our nation's most critical assets.After running for the U.S. Senate on this America First Platform, Rob founded GatorPAC and its Veterans Leadership Fund, a Federal political action committee. The PAC educates grass roots political activists on the most effective ways to influence their elected officials, get a candidate elected, or to fight for a cause. It advocates for policies that protect your liberty, fight for limited government, and ensure prosperity. He has also served as a board member at Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc., a veteran's advocacy group fighting for veteran toxic exposure benefits, committed to preventing veteran suicides, and ensuring military families have equal access to benefits. He has served as a non-voting board member of the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Hispano Chamber of Commerce in his role as Commander of Kirtland AFB. As president of his local chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, he led a team that created an annual scholarship fund for graduating high school students. Rob is a Life Member of the NRA, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and the Military Officers Association of America.He is also a member of the Louisiana Military Order of Foreign Wars and the Society of the Sons of the Revolution. Active in the community, Rob served as an elected member of the Republican Party Executive Committee representing St. Tammany Parish Council District 1 for two terms and served on the board of the only Republican Men's Club in Louisiana. He Currently serves on the Harrison County and Gulfport Mississippi GOP Executive committees.Rob graduated Cum Laude at the University of Tampa and holds master's degrees from Harvard University's Kennedy School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the US College of Naval Warfare.His military awards and combat decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and Air Medal.Rob is married to the former Candy Smith. They have five children, including three sons serving in the military (one former US Navy, one former US Army guardsman, one active US Air Force), and five grandchildren. They are members of the Baptist Church.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Today's Episode – Mark and Matt dive into the day's topics including how Gavin Newsome paid for his own statue in City Hall among other things. We hop right over to returning guest Retired Colonel Rob Maness (Bio Below).  We continue the chat about how the Left is trying to normalize EVERYTHING, and use our tax dollars to do it.  Tune in for all the fun @robmaness - X @colrobmaness https://www.robmaness.com/   Retired Colonel Rob Maness has a lifelong record of dedicated service to the nation. As a 17-year-old high school senior, he decided to enlist in the United States Air Force and serve in uniform as the country faced multiple crises around the world. Having worked his way up from the enlisted ranks to full colonel, he retired from active duty in 2011, ending his military service of more than 32 years. Following military retirement Rob returned to Louisiana to work as an executive in a Fortune 500 energy corporation. He is currently founder and the owner of Iron Liberty Group and resides in Gulfport, Mississippi. Rob has proven his competence at the local, state, and federal levels of government with his demonstrated leadership and effectiveness as a steward of our citizen's tax dollars. He has broad experience working at the Louisiana State Legislature, in the national budget process, national emergency response decision-making, law enforcement, successful community relations with governments at all levels, and working directly with citizens to meet today's challenges. He has provided direct, executive oversight to local schools in coordination with elected school boards, working to make them secure and more effective to meet the needs of America's military children. His leadership and combat experiences give him a unique perspective when considering how national action impacts our American families. During his military service, Colonel Maness led numerous combat operations, including as a bomber squadron commander in Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Colonel Maness served as an enlisted bomb disposal technician in three assignments countering terrorism before being commissioned and selected for flight training. As a Joint Chiefs of Staff operations officer he was on duty in the National Military Command Center located within the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attack. In the ensuing months, he directly assisted the United States national security team with creating, synchronizing, and executing the campaign plan for the global war on terrorism. Colonel Maness authored the first theater nuclear war plan and designed decision-making tools for the Presidential nuclear decision handbook strengthening U.S. extended strategic deterrence policy in European and Pacific regions. Colonel Maness served as the Vice Commander of America's largest Airborne Intelligence Wing conducting strategic and battlefield intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations against America's enemies. He went on to command Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM, the sixth largest U.S. Air Force Base encompassing 53,000 acres and 22,000 employees, housing our nation's most critical assets. After running for the U.S. Senate on this America First Platform, Rob founded GatorPAC and its Veterans Leadership Fund, a Federal political action committee. The PAC educates grass roots political activists on the most effective ways to influence their elected officials, get a candidate elected, or to fight for a cause. It advocates for policies that protect your liberty, fight for limited government, and ensure prosperity. He has also served as a board member at Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc., a veteran's advocacy group fighting for veteran toxic exposure benefits, committed to preventing veteran suicides, and ensuring military families have...

Come listen to a WUU service! Approaching the end of one's life presents challenges for both those with deeply held faith beliefs and those who do not hold such beliefs. We all desire death with dignity, but just what does that mean? As a volunteer and advocate for the organization Compassion and Choice, Dan knows what he wants that to mean for everyone in their own way. “In the end it is not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.” - - Abraham Lincoln Dr. Daniel L. Cohen, MD (prefers “Dan”), is a member of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, Virginia and also a volunteer advocate with Compassion and Choice, an organization committed to advancing the principle of “medical assistance in dying” as a benevolent and empathic option for individuals who are living in the terminal phase of terminal illnesses and who wish to receive this care. Dan is a pediatrician, hematologist/oncologist and medical executive who also served for nearly 30 years in the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense where he was the Chief Medical Officer and Executive Medical Director for the Military's TRICARE health plan providing care for over 9,000,000 service members, family members, retirees and spouses; soup to nuts! When Dan hosts services he likes to use illustrative stories that portray his personal witness to cultivate the themes and messages he wishes to convey and that align with Unitarian Universalist principles. Dr. Daniel Cohen & Suzanne Cleary Cohen, Guest Worship Leaders Susan Marcinkus, Worship Associate Mike Walker, Introduction of Today's Topic & Guests Heidi Souza, Piano WUU Choir, directed by Chris Mooney, Music Director Liz Wiley, Worship Chair The YouTube version is here Thank you for listening. For more information about the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, or to join us on Sunday mornings, visit www.wuu.org. Permission to reprint, podcast, and/or stream the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-735438. All rights reserved.

Kyle and Mark sit down with, Chris Didier, who served in the United States Air Force as a jet fighter pilot. Chris has several distinguished deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Chris shares the tragic story of his son, Zach, who lost his life, after purchasing a fake pill poisoned with fentanyl. =================================Subscribe to Shots Fired Podcast Here:➡️ YouTube: @shotsfiredpodcast50 ==============Ways to reach the Shots Fired Podcast Team:==============

Want to let us know if you agree or have a "hot take" about our show or a burning Star Wars topic, hit the Holonet and send us a text!In episode 192 of The Force Geeks: A Star Wars Podcast, Nate, Jake, and Chris break down the biggest developments in the Star Wars universe. They dive into the latest rumors surrounding Kathleen Kennedy's potential exit from Lucasfilm and what it could mean for the franchise moving forward. Plus, the Geeks analyze Kennedy's exclusive interview with Deadline, where she provided updates on all the upcoming Star Wars films, including Rey's New Jedi Order, The Mandalorian & Grogu movie, James Mangold's Dawn of the Jedi, and Dave Filoni's crossover film.The team also takes a deep dive into Andor Season 2, breaking down the brand-new trailer and Disney+ special look. They explore the Ghorman Massacre's impact on Mon Mothma and the Rebellion, Saw Gerrera's extremist tactics, and how Cassian Andor's story is shaping up in the second season. Plus, they discuss the darker, grittier tone of Andor and whether it works better than traditional Star Wars storytelling.Join the Geeks as they dissect all these major Star Wars updates and speculate on what's next for the galaxy far, far away!***The views expressed in this show are those of the hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.***

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, John Cappello emphasized the importance of collaboration and sharing experiences in the Western United States to combat disinformation and influence social dynamics. He suggested several research areas, including the use of disinformation in the Western Balkans, the impact of disinformation on trust in institutions, and effective strategies for countering disinformation. John also encouraged interested students or researchers to reach out to him for potential collaboration. He recommended the book "Parting the Curtain" by Walter Hickson for a better understanding of the challenges faced in the region. Recording Date: 11 Feb 2025 Research Question: John Cappello suggests an interested student or researcher examine the disinformation tactics actors use within the Balkan region and which strategies have been successful to counter these efforts. Resources: Balkan Security Network Halyard Mission Foundation Parting the Curtain: Propaganda, Culture, and the Cold War, 1945-1961 by Walter L. Hixson Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History by Robert D. Kaplan Tim Judah Noel Malcolm Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: John Cappello, a 25-year veteran of the United States Air Force, is a founding partner and Chief Operations Officer of the Balkan Security Network (BSN). Specializing in defense and security issues, with a focus on hybrid warfare and information operations in the Western Balkans, his experience includes serving as Defense Attaché in Belgrade, Serbia, and U.S. Air Force Attaché in Tel Aviv, Israel. The Balkan Security Network specializes in defense and security information projects and disinformation analysis in the Western Balkans, providing fact-based news and analysis on these issues. BSN's content is published across the region. John is also the president of the Halyard Mission Foundation. Founded in 2015 the goal of the Foundation is to educate, commemorate, and increase awareness of the Halyard Mission, the rescue of over 500 US airmen during WWII, and the role the Serbs played in the success of the mission. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Black and Brilliant Local Author As the sixteen-year-old President of the Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP, he was one of the leaders of the 1960 sit-in demonstrations that culminated in the infamous and violent Ax Handle Saturday. Hurst's first book, the award-winning It Was Never About a Hot Dog and a Coke®!, tells that story. Hurst's fourth book, Black and Brilliant (written for 12-18 year-olds), dives deeper into bigotry, segregation and racism he experienced as a pre-teen and a teenager in Jacksonville. The book also reflects on the legacy of Black America and the many influences on his life that made him proud of his Blackness and piqued his interest in Black History. About our Guest Speakers Rodney Lawrence Hurst Sr., is a civil rights activist, a Black historian, a veteran of the United States Air Force and the award-winning author of four books. Hurst is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, and a 1960 high school graduate of segregated Northwestern Junior-Senior High School in Jacksonville. He was the sixteen-year-old President of the Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP and was one of the leaders of the 1960 sit-in demonstrations. Rodney has won countless awards for his books and his civil rights work. In addition to his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, Hurst served two four-year terms on the Jacksonville City Council. He is responsible for numerous "firsts" in the Jacksonville Community. Some being Hurst was one of the thirteen original national recipients of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Television Fellowships and he co-hosted a television talk show as the first Black person in Jacksonville on PBS Channel WJCT. Read more on his website. Interviewer TiLena Robinson worked as a middle and high school social studies teacher with Duval County Public Schools for nine years. In her current role as grant specialist she focuses on improving school climate by supporting schools with the implementation of programs that focus on reducing bullying incidents in schools and help students build healthy relationships. She is a member of DCPS's African American History Task Force and works to bring equity, inclusion, and diversity to education. She believes that “You can't teach world history without talking about Africa and how African peoples have impacted society; And you can't teach U.S. history without talking about how African Americans have contributed to the history of the United States.” Featured Book: Black and Brilliant Rodney believes, "Black and Brilliant young people need to know their Black and Brilliant history and the Black and Brilliant stalwarts who engineered that history. It is never too early, nor are you too young, to understand the plight of those who look like you and what they achieved from the founding days of this country." This book, he says, "Is more than a historical account, it is a call to action..." He hopes that young people "learn from the courage and resilience of those who fought for civil rights, gaining a deeper appreciation for the remaining challenges."  Hurst's leadership as a teenager during the Civil Rights Movement is also the subject of a chapter in the Scholastic book, Ten True Tales: Young Civil Rights Heroes, written for Third Graders to Seventh Graders and ages 8 to 12. Check out all of Rodney's work from the Library! https://jaxpl.na4.iiivega.com/search?query=Rodney%20Hurst&searchType=agent&pageSize=10  Rodney Recommends The JaxNext100 award-winning mini documentary, "Unless We Tell: Ax Handle Saturday" features Hurst describing the Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP 1960 sit-ins and Ax Handle Saturday. The title was inspired by Hurst's second book, Unless We Tell It... It Never Gets Told! The film took First Place at the Jacksonville LOL (Loving Our Locals) Film Festival in 2022. It was a collaboration between Hurst, his grandson-in-law, Kyle Dorrell, and his granddaughter Marquiette (Mark-Kita) D. Dorrell and their company, Weighted Sailor. Note: The 2028 documentary "Ax Handle Saturday: 50 Years Later" is also based on his book. --- Never miss an event! Sign up for email newsletters at https://bit.ly/JaxLibraryUpdates  Jacksonville Public LibraryWebsite: https://jaxpubliclibrary.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaxlibrary Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaxLibrary/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaxlibrary/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jaxpubliclibraryfl Contact Us: jplpromotions@coj.net 

This week we discuss the return of Warrant Officers to the United States Air Force and Minnesota National Guard, additionally we check in with the Claims Division of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and get an update from the MN Patriot Guard. Guests include: Maj. Joe Girtz – 210th Engineering Installation Squadron CW5 Erik […] The post Return of Warrant Officers and MDVA Claims appeared first on Minnesota Military Radio.

A touring singer, custom songwriter & music arranger who performs as the high tenor for the R&B/Soul/Pop A Cappella group Ball in the House which as been featured on America's Got Talent and in Cool Whip Commercials. In high school Wallace participated in All-State choirs, Solo and Ensemble competitions, and even had the opportunity to share his talents overseas in Europe. He pursued a degree in music at Florida State University where he was introduced to contemporary A Cappella music. He joined Reverb, a start-up, all-male a cappella group. Later he joined the United States Air Force, an experience that instilled in him the values of leadership, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence. As he transitioned from military life, he found a home in West Palm Beach, Florida, with his beloved wife, Angie. He continued to share his vocal talents with the community, through serving as a cantor for local churches and serenading patrons in restaurants and nightclubs as a crooner. It was during that period that he stumbled upon Ball in the House. Nearly 9 years later, through singing with Ball in the House he has found a way to showcases his talents that allows him to connect with a diverse and appreciative audience. He feels honored to be part of such a storied group where his passion for music can shine.

Dr. Heather Wilson, a 1982 Air Force Academy graduate, formerly the 24th Secretary of the Air Force, and first USAFA graduate to hold the position, discusses her unexpected journey to the role, emphasizing the importance of integrity, service, and leadership. ----more---- SUMMARY Dr. Wilson shares her unexpected journey into leadership, the importance of integrity, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures. She reflects on her family legacy, the influence of mentors, and how her military background shaped her leadership style. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the value of collecting tools for leadership and adapting to different environments while maintaining core values. In this conversation, she discusses the importance of finding purpose in one's mission and the value of relationships, particularly family support. She reflects on her journey as a woman in leadership, the significance of legacy in public service, and her unexpected path to serving in Congress. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the lessons learned in collaboration and the importance of humor in leadership, ultimately encouraging future leaders to uphold high standards and not to shame their families.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK   TAKEAWAYS Dr. Wilson's journey to becoming Secretary of the Air Force was unexpected and transformative. Leadership often requires owning failures and focusing on solutions. Integrity is foundational to effective leadership and builds trust. Adapting leadership styles to different cultures is essential for success. Mentorship and influences from family play a significant role in shaping leaders. Collecting tools and knowledge is crucial for effective leadership. Quality management principles can be applied to various fields, including education and social services. Leadership is not linear; it involves navigating different paths and chapters. Building strong teams and hiring the right people is vital for organizational success. Direct communication and honesty are key components of effective leadership. Doing things that matter with people you like is essential. The most important decision in life can be personal, like choosing a partner. Family support enriches life and provides joy. Women in leadership often face unique challenges but can pave the way for others. Legacy is about making lasting changes in systems and strategies. Unexpected opportunities can lead to significant career changes. Collaboration and giving credit to others is key in leadership roles. Humor can help create a relaxed atmosphere in serious environments. Education is crucial for transforming lives and communities. Leadership is not always a straight path; adaptability is important.   EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00  Introduction to Long Blue Leadership 01:25  Unexpected Call to Leadership 03:16  Lessons from Leadership Challenges 08:28  The Importance of Integrity 10:07  Adapting Leadership Styles 12:23  Influences and Mentorship 15:25  Family Legacy and Influence 17:41  Learning from Team Members 21:29  Applying Quality Management Principles 24:07  Navigating Non-Linear Leadership Paths 24:20  Finding Purpose in Mission and Relationships 28:06  The Importance of Family Support 30:08  Navigating Leadership as a Woman 34:30  Legacy and Impact in Public Service 36:29  Unexpected Paths: Serving in Congress 41:03  Lessons in Collaboration and Leadership   ABOUT DR. WILSON - IMAGES AND BIO COURTESY OF UTEP BIO Dr. Heather Wilson became the 11th President of The University of Texas at El Paso in 2019 after serving as Secretary of the United States Air Force. She is the former president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and she represented New Mexico in the United States Congress for 10 years.  Active in community and national affairs, she is a member of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation, and serves as a board member of the Texas Space Commission. She was the inaugural Chair of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, and is a member of the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Dr. Wilson is the granddaughter of immigrants and was the first person in her family to go to college. She graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in the third class to admit women and earned her master's and doctoral degrees from Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar. UTEP is located on the U.S.-Mexico border – in the fifth largest manufacturing region in North America – and serves over 24,000 students with 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs in nine colleges and schools. In the top 5% of public universities in the United States for research and designated a community-engaged university by the Carnegie Foundation, UTEP is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. It is the fourth largest research university in Texas and serves a student body that is 84% Hispanic. President Wilson is an instrument rated private pilot. She and her husband, Jay Hone, have two adult children and two granddaughters. Dr. Heather Wilson served as the 24th Secretary of the Air Force and was responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training and equipping and providing for the welfare of 660,000 Active-Duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces their families. She provided oversight of the Air Force's annual budget of more than $132 billion and directs strategy and policy development, risk management, weapons acquisition, technology investments and human resource management across a global enterprise. Dr. Wilson has more than 35 years of professional experience in a range of leadership and management roles in the military, higher education, government and private industry. Before assuming her current position, Dr. Wilson was president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, an engineering and science research university. From 1998 to 2009, Dr. Wilson was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Before being elected to Congress, Dr. Wilson was a cabinet secretary in New Mexico's state government responsible for foster care, adoption, juvenile delinquency, children's mental health and early childhood education. From 1989 to 1991 Wilson served on the National Security Council staff as director for defense policy and arms control for President George H.W. Bush during the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact. From 1991 to1995 and again from 2009 to 2013 Wilson was in the private sector. In 1991, she founded Keystone International, Inc., a company that did business development and program planning work for defense and scientific industry. She served as a senior advisor to several national laboratories on matters related to nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, arms control verification, intelligence and the defense industrial base. Wilson also served on the boards of two publicly traded corporations as well as numerous advisory and non-profit boards.   CONNECT WITH DR. WILSON LINKEDIN  |  UTEP     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Guest:  Dr. Heather Wilson '82  |  Hosts:  Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz '99   Naviere Walkewicz  00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkowicz, Class of '99. Our story is about a leader who reached heights fellow Air Force Academy graduates had not reached before her, and this was at a time when opportunities to do so were still new. My guest is Dr. Heather Wilson, Class of '82. As you heard, she served as the 24th secretary of the Air Force, but there is a unique distinction attached to that. Dr Wilson, welcome to Long Blue Leadership; we have much to discuss. Let's start with you becoming the secretary of the Air Force, our 24th.   Dr. Heather Wilson  00:37 Yeah, that wasn't part of my life's plan. Secretary Designate Mattis did call me. I was in South Dakota as the president of the South Dakota School of Mines and my cell phone rang and he said, “This is Jim Mattis, and I want to talk to you about becoming secretary of the Air Force.” And honest to goodness, my initial answer was, “Sir, you do know that being a college president is like the best job in America, right?” And he said, “Yeah, I know. I just came from Stanford.” And I said, “I didn't apply for any job. I mean, I like it out... I'm a gal of the West. I like the mountains. I like hiking and biking and fly fishing.” And he said, “Yeah, I know. I grew up on the Columbia River in Washington.” And I thought, “This isn't working,” but we talked several more times, and it was pretty clear that I was being called to serve in a way that I didn't anticipate, but that was what I was supposed to do.   Naviere Walkewicz  01:35 What a transformative moment in your life, I'm sure.   Dr. Heather Wilson  01:38 Well, it was. Again, my entire life, I think, is a diversion from its planned course. But I turned out — I didn't anticipate that, and it meant — my husband doesn't really much like big East Coast cities that rain a lot and have a lot of traffic, and so from a family point of view, it wasn't what we personally wanted to do, but you're called to serve. And we've been called to serve in different ways in our lives and sometimes, even if it feels inconvenient, you're still called to serve. It turned out to be wonderful and I really enjoyed the experience, both of working with Sec. Mattis, but also getting back to spending time with airmen. And so it turned out to be wonderful, but it wasn't what I expected.   Naviere Walkewicz  02:25 Well, you said it, ma'am. As we know, service and leadership aren't linear, and so we're really excited to dive into some of those experiences today. Maybe share, as secretary of the Air Force, some of those moments in leadership that stuck with you. Let's just kind of start there.   Dr. Heather Wilson  02:42 Certainly. There were good days and not so good days. I think one of the things that I really benefited from was that I had a partner in the chief of staff, Dave Goldfein, who was absolutely fantastic. And we've remained very close friends. We started at the Academy the same day and he would joke and tell people that we didn't graduate on the same day because he went stop-out for a year. But we didn't know each other well as cadets, but we were formed by some of the same experiences and I think that helped tremendously. I didn't really understand that in our system of government, the civilian secretary has almost all the authority, but the chief of staff has almost all of the influence. And if you can figure out how to work together, you can get a heck of a lot done. And Dave and I both had that same approach, and it turned out to be a great partnership.   Naviere Walkewicz  03:42 That's pretty incredible. In fact, the time of your service in that role, I was actually working under your umbrella at U.S. STRATCOM. I was at Strategic Command there as a government civilian and as a reservist. And so, I can certainly speak to, I think, some of the amazing things that you did. Can you share a little — you talked about some ups and downs. What was maybe one of the failures as secretary of the Air Force that you learned from that helped you throughout your life?   Dr. Heather Wilson  04:11 Well, I know the day. I think it was Nov. 5, 2017, and it was a Sunday, late morning or early afternoon, and my phone rang. I was upstairs in the study in my row house in Virginia and it was the inspector general, Gen. Syed. And that morning, a young man had walked into a church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, and opened fire and killed a lot of people, and it turned out he had been an airman, and the general said, “You know, we're not sure yet, but he may have been convicted of a crime that would have required us to tell the FBI and the national criminal records check system that he had committed a crime that would not allow him to purchase a weapon, but we may have failed to notify.” We didn't know, we wouldn't know that afternoon but I talked to the chief and we all got together on Monday morning at 9 a.m. and Gen. Syed confirmed that he was an airman, he had been convicted of a domestic violence-related crime, and we had not properly notified the FBI, and as a result, he had been able to buy a weapon. Um, that was not a good day. And we talked about what we should do next, and our general counsel wasn't there — he was traveling that morning, but a more junior lawyer was there, who suggested kind of — and, you know, other people said, well — it actually got worse because there was an IG investigation, an internal audit from several years before, that showed that all of the services were not properly reporting to the national criminal records system. So we hadn't fixed the problem. We knew; we had been informed there was a problem and hadn't fixed it. And some people said, “Well, you weren't here at the time.” That doesn't matter. You wear the uniform, or you wear the cloak of office, and you have to take responsibility for the institution. And of course, the lawyers would say, “Well, you know, maybe you want to fuzz this and not take — you know, there's investigation going on,” or something. But we knew enough of the facts that morning, Monday morning, and Dave Goldfein and I decided to own it, to own the failure and focus on fixing the problem. And we did. And in the short term that was very uncomfortable. We sat in front of the Pentagon press corps and took their questions, and we went to Capitol Hill and informed the members of Congress on what had been done and not been done and why. But in the long term, by owning failure, we were able to focus on fixing the problem rather than just trying to manage responsibility and accountability, and it turned out to be a much better approach. So, sometimes the most important lesson is to own failure.   Naviere Walkewicz 07:09 I'm so glad you shared that, ma'am, because I think some people have a fear of failure, but there are many times when failure is inevitable, and to your point, owning it is the right approach. Something you said when you're sharing that, it made me think about us as cadets and our core values: integrity first. And that really resonated with how your approach was. Would you say that was born for you at the Academy and kind of through your career that's where it stayed, or has that always been part of your fabric?   Dr. Heather Wilson  07:36 I think the Academy was absolutely formative in that way, in the Honor Code. And, you know, integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do, now replaces what was there when I was a cadet, over the archway there. But I think that's woven into the fabric for airmen, and it's part of our culture, and it drives you. And I think — you know now we look at, how do we evaluate officers? It's the same way I now evaluate leaders — any leaders that work with me — and it's the way I evaluate myself: accomplish the mission, lead people, manage resources and make your unit better, all on a foundation of values. But it's that last part of it: all on a foundation of values. If you don't have that, the rest of it almost doesn't matter. You can try to make your unit better, but if you're lying about it, nobody's going to trust you. If you're leading people and managing resources, but you don't have integrity, it doesn't matter. So, integrity first, and that commitment to trying to be honest and direct with people builds those relationships of trust, which lasts for decades throughout a career.   Naviere Walkewicz  08:53 Absolutely. And the key word, I think, that foundation you talked about — how has that foundation served you in leadership as you've explored other areas outside of the military, amazing roles leading UTEP, also at the South Dakota School of Mines, in higher education? I'm sure that there's a translation of what that looks like. Can you share maybe an example of how that came into play?   Dr. Heather Wilson  09:15 Sure, it happens all the time. I think in any leadership position, whether you're in corporate life, in community life and a nonprofit, or in higher education, leading with a foundation of values, being honest, complying with the law, following the rules or changing the rules. It doesn't mean — that's one of the things that I think is probably important for leaders. You get to a point as a leader where your job is not just to follow the rules, but to look at the systems and identify the rules that need to be changed, but to be direct and honest about that too. Where it's not “Well, I think this rule doesn't make any sense, so I'm going to skirt it,” or “I'm not going to tell people that I've complied with something and I haven't.” In fact, you know that happened to me this morning. I got a disclosure that I was supposed to sign for a report that was published yesterday to the director of National Intelligence on a committee that I serve on, and they sent this kind of notification on what you can talk about publicly, and all of those things, and I hadn't given up my right to speak publicly about unclassified matters, and I responded, “I understand what you've said. I want to let you know that this is how I interpret this, and this is the way I'm going to act.” I was very direct about it. “I didn't give up my First Amendment rights as a citizen because I worked on your task force.” So, very direct. And I think that directness is something that — not all cultures are that way, including higher education culture. I have to be a little bit careful about that sometimes — the airman's tendency to have a frank debrief isn't always the way other cultures and work cultures are. They're just not always like that, so, I have to be a little bit careful sometimes that I don't crush people's will to live or something.   Naviere Walkewicz  11:13 I was actually thinking about that as you were speaking how, if you have the foundation, especially from the military, we kind of understand that directive approach and certainly those core values that we know of. And I'm curious, how do you adapt as a leader to those who maybe don't have that foundation? How do you bring them up to speed and kind of help them establish that?   Dr. Heather Wilson  11:32 Well, it's a two-way street. It means that I have to understand the culture that I'm in and the way in which I talk with senior faculty may be slightly different than the way I might talk to somebody who just got off a flight line and was too low and slow on final or something, you know? But at the same time with both a sense of humor and a little bit of grace… It was really funny when I was at South Dakota Mines, my provost was a long-time academic. And of course, I had served in Congress for 10 years as well. And he once said something to me that just made me crack up. He said, “You know, you are the least political president I've ever worked with. And the funny thing is, you're the only one that was really a politician.” And he said, “You remind me more of a military officer.” And I thought, “Yeah, that's probably true.” But I was fairly direct as a member of Congress as well. And so, I've just found that that works better for me in life, I guess.   Naviere Walkewicz  12:37 You were sharing how, you know, I think it was the provost that said that you really didn't remind him as someone that was very political, even though you're the only politician he's known. And so what was your time like serving in Congress? I mean, that's 10 years you did, I think, correct?   Dr. Heather Wilson  12:52 I did. And again, I didn't expect to serve in Congress. My predecessor became very seriously ill shortly before the filing deadline for the election that happened in 1998, and my phone rang. It was a Thursday night. This happens to me. I don't know why, but it was a Thursday night, and my phone rang. I was working in Santa Fe, cabinet secretary for Child Welfare, and it was Sen. Pete Domenici, the senior senator for the state of New Mexico. And he said, “You don't know anything about this, but I'm coming to New Mexico this weekend, and I want to talk to you about running for Congress.” Well, that's a quiz; that's not a question. Because a quiz has a right answer, which is, “Sir, I'd be happy to talk to you about whatever you want to talk about.” He's a United States senator. So, we talked about all kinds of things, and he called me from the airport when he was heading back to Washington that Sunday night, and he said, “Look, if you will run, I will help you.” And I decided to run. It was eight days before the filing deadline. I talked to my predecessor — he was fighting skin cancer — and said, “Look, why don't you just focus on fighting cancer? Two years from now, if you want to run again, you can have this seat back. I'll try to do my best for the next two years.” And then 30 days later, he died. I mean, you're not supposed to die of skin cancer. And so, I ended up serving for 10 years in the Congress in a very difficult swing district that I probably shouldn't have won in the first place. But I enjoyed the service part of it. I enjoyed the policy work part of it — intellectually challenging. Some of the partisan silliness I didn't like very much. And then when I left the Congress, ran on successfully for the Senate and became a university president. One of the great things — I tell people now that I was released from Congress early for good behavior. But it was nice to be in a town where people were waving at me with all five fingers. I mean, it was wonderful. So, I enjoyed the service, and I enjoyed a lot helping people — doing casework and things. But it was also a little bit less of a partisan time where you could try to listen and learn and serve well and try to serve your constituents without just being under attack mercilessly and in social media, or something. It was maybe perhaps a different age.   Naviere Walkewicz  15:25 Well, I chuckled when you said waving with all five fingers. That got a good one out of me. I thought about when you're in that, because that wasn't something you were looking to do, and this seems to be a bit of a theme in your leadership trajectory as well. You've kind of been tapped on the shoulder, and you know, for the ones that you didn't apply for or run for, plan for, have been such transformative positions in your life.   Dr. Heather Wilson  15:50 Yeah, and I think maybe that happens to people more than we might acknowledge, because when we're planning our lives, we think we know what's going to happen, but in reality, we adapt to situations that develop and opportunities open that you didn't know were there or someone asked you to take on a special project and that leads you in a direction that you didn't anticipate. So while mine seem particularly unusual in these very different chapters of my life, I don't think it's all that unusual. We just look forward and project in straight lines, and when we look backward, we tell a story in a narrative and it's not always a straight line. But I've been blessed to be asked to do some things. And perhaps in our relationship, my husband and I, he doesn't like change. I love it, and so in our relationship, he's kind of the keel and I'm kind of the sail, and together, we go places.   Naviere Walkewicz  16:56 That's awesome. And I think that particular time and journey in your career serving in Congress was probably one that you established new tools in your leadership toolbox. Were there any that particularly stood out — moments, either when you were having to, you know, forge new policy or achieve things that you hadn't prior? Because Congress is a kind of different machine.   Dr. Heather Wilson  17:21 Yeah, it's a very big committee, and it's not executive leadership. And so I'm probably more predisposed to executive leadership than just being on committees. It takes a very long time to get anything done in Congress, and our government is intentionally designed that way to protect us from tyranny. So you have to take that philosophical approach to it, even if you're frustrated day to day. I did learn how to get things done by giving other people credit. And there were several times — the changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is probably one example — where I had sponsored legislation in the House. It had taken quite a bit of time — changing Congress. There were continued problems, and I went to others and tried to put them in positions of leadership and support them. And ultimately, it was a Senate bill that passed, but which had been shaped in the background by multiple people, including me, and I was OK with that. And the same thing happened on pieces of legislation about public lands in New Mexico. I remember I came out in favor of doing something in northern New Mexico with respect to some public lands, and I got out ahead of Pete Domenici and he was not happy about that. He was very clear about not being happy about getting a little bit ahead of him on it. But in the end, the piece of legislation there that was signed, and another one on Zia Pueblo were Senate bills. They weren't House bills. But I had moved things forward on the House side, and it didn't matter to me that that it said “S” rather than “H” in front of the name of the bill. So as long as you don't really care about who gets the credit, you can get a lot done in the Congress.   Naviere Walkewicz  19:11 That is a powerful lesson. And somewhere in the back of my mind, I think there's a Contrails quote, and I can't remember all of it, but I remember the end of it is, “…if you don't care who gets the credit.”   Dr. Heather Wilson  19:11 Yeah, that was probably one of the short ones. Schofield's quote was — we all did pushups for those.   Naviere Walkewicz  19:30 Yes, I had a starting moment. I was about to get down…   Dr. Heather Wilson  19:35 … and start to sweat…   Naviere Walkewicz  19:37 … and take my punishment. That was wonderful, ma'am. I'm glad we actually went back and did that journey.   Dr. Heather Wilson  19:42 When I think about my service in the Congress, where I made the most difference, it was in committee work, and particularly on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where I served for a significant amount of time, including post-9/11. And I think that work, because the Intelligence Committee, most of it is in private, it's dealing with really hard, really important issues, and you don't bring your staff there. You have to do the work. And I think probably that's where I did some of my most important work as a member of Congress, was in Intelligence.   Naviere Walkewicz  20:18 Thank you for sharing that. Who are some other influencers, some key influencers in your life, that have maybe walked alongside you or helped you in these different roles that you've carried in your amazing career.   Dr. Heather Wilson  20:31 Oh, they're different people at different times, but certainly as a young person, my grandfather was very important to me. My grandfather had been one of the first flyers in the RAF in World War I, and then came to America in 1922 and flew in the Second World War for what became the Civil Air Patrol. So he did sub search off the Atlantic coast, and varied parts, around to bases, in New England. So, he was important to me as a child. My dad died when I was young. My dad also had been enlisted in the Air Force. He was a crew chief and also a pilot, commercial pilot, after he got out of the service. So I grew up around airplanes and my grandfather was very important to me, and there were other people along the way. When I was a cadet, there was a group commander, Lieutenant Colonel — it's funny, you still remember… anyone who remembers my middle initial, I know it's like, “Oh, this may not be good,” but Robert L. Rame, Lt. Col. Robert L. Rame was the 4th Group commander and my first Air Officer Commanding. General — sorry, Maj. William S. Reeder. He was an Army officer and had been a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Really, I was terrified of disappointing him. It's funny, I just got a Christmas card from him. Life's long, right?   Naviere Walkewicz  21:53 Wow. What connections. I'd like to kind of go back a little bit to your grandfather. You said he was really important to you in your life. Can you share maybe some of the ways he influenced you? Obviously, you're third-generation aviator in your family. Is that how you knew you're going to go into service?   Dr. Heather Wilson  22:08 Well, the Academy wasn't an option until I was a junior in high school, and so I knew I was going to college, but I didn't really think about where. And then they opened the Air Force Academy to women when I was a junior in high school. So, my grandfather had two sons, and he had five grandsons, and me. But he was pretty — I would say — the way he might say it is he was pretty sweet on me; he and I were very close. We used to play chess after school when I was in high school, and I remember once we just finished playing chess, and I was a senior in high school — so, my grandfather was an aviator; he was also a mechanic. He could use any tool, I mean, he was just amazing with his hands. And I had learned a new tool in school, and I took out a piece of graph paper and I drew a drew a curve, and I said, “Grandpa, do you think you could find the area under this curve?” And he said, “Well, I'd probably count up the squares and estimate from there on the graph paper.” And I then I showed him something new and it was called calculus, and it was the first time in my life that I realized I had a tool that my grandfather didn't have. He had a high school education and had gone into the RAF during the First World War, and he was a great mechanic and a really good man, but I realized that there were opportunities for me that maybe my grandfather never had.   Naviere Walkewicz  23:56 I actually got chill bumps when you shared that. Pretty powerful. Thank you so much. Can you talk about, throughout your career — you said if people remember your middle initial, and I'm sure that many on the military side would, because you're amazing… Have you learned from anyone maybe that is not a mentor of you, but someone that has kind of come under your wing? Can you share some leadership lessons that you've learned from those serving alongside and under you?   Dr. Heather Wilson  24:24 Oh my gosh, I learn stuff every day from the people whom I'm privileged to work with. And one of the things that I learned over time was, and as you get more senior, the most important thing you do as a senior leader is hire good people who know things that you don't know, because it's not possible to know everything you need to know to lead a large organization. So, you have to organize yourself well and then get great people and let them do their job. So, I learn things every day. I was interviewing somebody yesterday that we're trying to attract to come to the university who is on the communication side of things — marketing and communication and branding. And you know that creative, visual side of my brain, if you did a brain scan, it would be like a dark hole. That's not a strength of mine. And so those kinds of things are — you have to realize what your strengths are, and then to fill in the team and put together a team, which together can accomplish the mission.   Naviere Walkewicz  25:34 I'd say your grandfather is still kind of, you know, influencing that. It's almost like you're filling your toolbox with all those areas.   Dr. Heather Wilson  25:43 That's funny you use that word. I've told this story before, but my father was both a pilot and a mechanic, and he built an experimental aircraft in our house, and we lived on this, kind of the last house that they would plow to on the end of the road in the winter, right? So, in a very small town, and at that time, there were still traveling salesmen, and the Snap-on tools guy would come probably every six weeks or so, and he had this, like red truck with an accordion thing on the back that looked just like the toolbox in the corner of the garage, right? And we knew that when the Snap-on tools guy came, do not go out. I mean, it was like Christmas for my dad. Do not interfere when the Snap-on tools guy is there. And so he'd go out and lean against the truck, and we could see him laughing and stuff. And eventually my dad would reach in his pocket and pull out his billfold and give the guy a bill, and he'd go back, and he'd lift up the back of the accordion thing and reach in there and give my dad a tool. And my dad would — then the truck would back out, and go on to his next stop. But my dad would take that tool and we'd scramble into the garage to see what he got and stuff. And my dad would usually put that tool in the box in the corner and then go back to what he was doing that day, working on his car or whatever he was doing. And it occurred to me that my dad didn't need that tool that day, but he collected tools, and someday he'd need that tool. And I think great leaders collect tools even when they don't need them today, because they're going to be times when you bring everybody to — you know, there's that great scene in Apollo 13, but it happens around the staff and Cabinet table, and it'll happen in your planning room as a pilot where you've got a new problem, and everybody brings in their tools and says, “OK, how can we make a carbon monoxide filter, or carbon dioxide filter, out of what we've got here on the table?” So, collect tools. And I think that's one of the things I learned from my dad.     Naviere Walkewicz  28:00 Oh, that is an amazing story. Can you share maybe a tool that you've had in your toolbox, that you learned way back when, maybe at the Academy, or as a young girl, that you've recently pulled out and used?   Dr. Heather Wilson 28:12 Well, one of them — I'm not so sure it's recent, but when I was a small business owner, there was a group in New Mexico called Quality New Mexico, and they taught small business owners the Baldrige Principles for quality management. And then I ended up being the Cabinet secretary for child welfare in New Mexico. So, I took over a foster care system, which was under a federal consent decree for not getting kids forever homes and an overly crowded juvenile justice system. I mean, every intractable social problem was — I realized after a while why I became Cabinet secretary for child welfare, because nobody else wanted that job. I mean it was a really difficult job, but I had these tools on quality management. I thought, “I think we can apply these same principles to improving foster care, to improving the juvenile justice system.” And so we did, and there's some things I was proud of there, but one of my last acts as Cabinet secretary before I ended up leaving and running for Congress was to sign the end of the federal consent decree that had been in place for 18 years that said that the state was not getting foster kids forever homes. We changed the system, but we did it using those quality management principles, which I had learned as a small business owner almost as a lark. So, there's one example. But, you know, we just went through a global pandemic. It was very much a pickup game. Nobody had ever been through that. So, we all got together and figured out how we could use the tools we had, including the research capability on my campus to be able to sequence DNA so that we could do testing on campus and get the results, ultimately, within six hours and then feed that back so we could detect disease before someone was symptomatic, so you could suppress disease on campus for those who had to be on campus. There's some things you can't do remotely. And so, we had our own testing system on campus, which was remarkable. Well, why'd we have that? Because we had some tools in the box.   Naviere Walkewicz  30:37 Well, you've used those tools amazingly as you've navigated your career. How would you say that — because yours is… we talked about not being linear. It's kind of been multiple paths and…   Dr. Heather Wilson 30:50 Different chapters.   Naviere Walkewicz 30:51 Yes, I love that. Different chapters. How would you say that you've navigated leadership through that? And has there been a thread that's been common through all those different chapters that you've…   Dr. Heather Wilson  31:04 Yeah, we talked a little about integrity, and that certainly is there. But I when, when people say things like, you know, “Why are you at UTEP?” Or, “Why did you shift to higher ed?” Or, “Why did…” The mission matters so developing people matters. Defending the country matters. So, a mission that matters with people I like. And I realized that when you get down to it, you should do things that matter with people you like and if that's your filter, as long as you can put food on the table, there's a lot of different things you can do, but it should be something that matters with people you like. Otherwise, that time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. can seem forever unless you're doing something you like.   Naviere Walkewicz  31:49 That is a powerful thread. Mission matters with people you like. How has your family supported you through this?   Dr. Heather Wilson  31:56 I live a blessed life. I tell this to students, and probably, as a younger woman, I wouldn't have said these things because I was so focused on being taken seriously, I suppose. But, I lightened up after time and realized, OK, I'm probably too serious. But the most important decision I've made in my life is not to go to the Academy or to run for Congress or to become a college president — none of those things are the most important decision I've made in my life. The most important decision I made in my life was to marry the guy I married. I married a guy who's actually retired Air Force now, but he was a lawyer. Despite that, he's a nice guy and sometimes, I think, particularly for women, there's always that fear that you're going to sit down when you're in a getting into a serious relationship, and it's going to be one of those conversations that says, “OK, we're thinking about making this permanent. Who's going to give up her career?” And it's not really a conversation, or at least maybe it wasn't in my era, but Jay never had that conversation with me. It was always we could do more together than either of us could do alone, and he has been so supportive of me. And, yeah, vice versa. But I had to go back east for something last week, and I knew that even in this big reception that I was in with all these people, that he wasn't going to be there, and if he was, he'd still be the most interesting guy in the room. So, I married well, and my family always — we're a very close family. And I think while my obligations to my family didn't end at the front porch, my family gave richness and dimension to my life that I never really anticipated as a young woman, and it's given me joy. Success seemed possible to achieve; joy always seemed like a gift from God, and I have had joy because of my family.   Naviere Walkewicz  34:18 Thank you for sharing that. You talk about when you're hiring, you choose people that kind of fill gaps, but it sounds like, also on your personal team, you want to make sure that you're choosing it, you know...   Dr. Heather Wilson  34:30 Yeah, you're going to be roommates for a long time. That matters. And there's the things that you just kind of have to get over. You know, I'm not going to clean around his sink, and he's not going to be bothered about the fact that my closet's color coordinated. I mean, we just live with that, right?   Naviere Walkewicz  34:49 I appreciate that about you so much. You talked a minute ago about some things you learned about yourself as a leader. You know, “Not take myself too seriously.” Can you share a little bit more about that journey on your own, like that personal leadership journey that you've made?   Dr. Heather Wilson  35:07 Yeah, and I think it's easier as you go on. And honestly, very early on, I was very often the only woman in the room, and so I wanted to be taken seriously. I was also very often the youngest person in the room. And so those two things made me want to be taken seriously. As I went on and got more responsibility, I realized that the truth is I am a very serious and successful woman. My husband would say that I was raised in the home for the humor impaired, and that I've been in therapy with him for over 30 years. So, I gradually learned to see the humor in life. I still am not one that stands up and tells jokes or something, but I see the humor in life and I don't take myself too seriously. The person that I watched who used self-deprecating humor better than any leader I've ever seen was actually Dave Goldfein. Everyone knew when he walked into a room, or if he stood up on a stage at a town hall meeting with a bunch of airmen or something — everybody knew that they were gonna laugh. At some point in that meeting we're gonna laugh, and not at someone else's expense, but at his. And it made people relax around him. He was very, very good at it. But I also knew that his self-deprecating humor was really a cover for exceptional competence, and I never underestimated that, but it made people relax and brought a little bit of joy to whatever intractable problem we were looking at.   Naviere Walkewicz  36:51 Well, you shared about sometimes when you're coming up through your leadership, you were often the only woman in the room and sometimes the youngest in the room. What would you like to share on your thoughts of what has that impact been, and what do you see as your legacy?   Dr. Heather Wilson  37:07 Well, there were some times, particularly early on, when women flying or women in positions of command was new, where you just had to do the job and realize that you were probably changing attitudes as you went and that it would be easier for those who came after you, and that's OK. I don't see that as much anymore. Although, when I was elected to Congress, I think probably 10% to 15% of the House was women. Now it's more than that, and once it gets to be more than 30% in any room, it doesn't sound — it's almost like you walk into a restaurant where it's all guys or all women, and you notice the difference in the room, the tones of the voices and things. Once you get to about a third, it feels like it's comfortable, but early on, I always was very conscious of it and conscious of the obligation to do well, because I was being judged not only for myself, but for an entire group of people. And so, I was sensitive to that, and wanted to make sure that I didn't, like — “Don't shame the family,” right? So make sure that you keep the doors open. As far as legacy is concerned, and I think back in my time as Air Force secretary, I would say there's two things that I hope linger, and they have so far. One is a change to the promotion system to make sure that we have the right kind of talent to choose from at all levels in the organization, and so that, I think, has continued to persist. And the other one that will be changed over time and has to be changed over time, had to do with the science and technology strategy of the Air Force and the need to stay ahead of adversaries. I think this is a completely separate conversation, but I actually think that that we are at greater risk of scientific and technical surprise today than at any time since the end of the Second World War. And if you go back and read books about engineers of victory, or there's a whole lot of books about how science and technology was brought to bear in prevailing in the Second World War. I think we're at risk now in a way that we've kind of become complacent about. So, science and technology strategy is something that I hope is a legacy.   Naviere Walkewicz  39:36 That's amazing, ma'am. And I think not only for our military, but you're able to influence that in the spaces that you are now.   Dr. Heather Wilson  39:43 Yeah, engaging the next generation, which is a heck of a lot of fun. You know, the University of Texas at El Paso is a wonderful institution — 25,000 students, half of them are the first in their families to go to college. About 70% or so come from families making less than about $45,000 a year. So, this is a university that transforms lives, and it's a university that — of my 25,000 students, over 5,000 are studying engineering. Another couple thousand are studying science, College of Nursing, College of Education. This has a tremendous impact on the region and on the lives of those who choose to educate themselves. And so it's a wonderful mission to be part of, and I think it's important for the nation. I think regions of the world who choose to educate their people in the 21st century will thrive, and those that don't are going to be left behind, and that's why I do what I do.   Naviere Walkewicz  40:44 Well, it clearly aligns with your foundation and your mission, ma'am, and I think that's outstanding. We're going to ask for Dr. Wilson's final thoughts next, but before we do, I'd like to take a moment and thank you for listening to Long Blue Leadership. The podcast publishes Tuesdays in both video and audio and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms. Be sure to watch, listen and subscribe to all episodes of Long Blue Leadership at longblueleadership.org. So, Dr. Wilson, I would love to take a moment to gather some of your final thoughts, what you'd like to share today.   Dr. Heather Wilson  41:21 Well, assuming that most of the folks who listen to this are either cadets or young officers or grads, I leave them with one thought, and that is, don't shame the family. Don't shame the family. People will look up to you because you are an Air Force Academy graduate, or you are an Air Force cadet. The standard is higher, so live up to the standard.   Naviere Walkewicz  41:50 Ma'am, we started with you being direct. You ended direct. I think that is amazing. Thank you very much. Thanks for being on Long Blue Leadership.   Dr. Heather Wilson  41:58 My pleasure.     KEYWORDS leadership, Air Force Academy, integrity, mentorship, quality management, Dr. Heather Wilson, military service, personal growth, career journey, unexpected opportunities, leadership, integrity, family support, women in leadership, public service, legacy, mission-driven, personal growth, collaboration, Congress     The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation    

In today's episode of Supply Chain Now, host Scott Luton shares his thoughts on leadership, empathy, and life experiences in a podcast recorded in Las Vegas before the Manifest 2025 conference. He emphasizes the importance of empathetic leadership, recounts a memorable trip to Dallas with his son, and reflects on his personal journey, including a challenging high school experience and his time in the United States Air Force. Scott also pays tribute to his late friend Greg Chapman, who pursued his passion for music while bravely battling cancer. Join us for this episode, as Scott encourages listeners to chase their dreams and live life to the fullest, highlighting the fleeting nature of time and the importance of gratitude and resilience.Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Truckin' On with Ward Richmond: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/truckin-on-w-ward-richmond/id1663540456Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.comWatch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-nowSubscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/joinWork with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- The Rise of the Decision Makers: https://bit.ly/42z5GYUWEBINAR- AI Insights for Smarter Shipping Strategies: https://bit.ly/40wwSWDWEBINAR- Embracing Agility for better TMS ROI: https://bit.ly/40CrwIaThis episode is hosted by Scott Luton and produced by Amanda Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/lessons-leadership-life-legacy-1390

In this episode of The Real ResQ Podcast, host Jason Quinn interviews Jeff “Spanky” Peterson, a pilot with the United States Air Force.Spanky was one of the pilots who played a critical role in the daring rescue of Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell after Operation Red Wings took a devastating turn. This rescue was immortalized in Luttrell's book “Lone Survivor,” and brought to the big screen in the film of the same name.We dive into the details of the rescue mission to save Luttrell, the challenges faced during the operation, and the emotional toll it took on the crew. Spanky recounts the events leading up to the mission, the search for survivors, and the eventual rescue, providing a gripping insight into military operations and the bravery of those involved. After hearing this incredible story, Spanky reflects on his extensive experience in helicopter rescue operations, discussing advancements in equipment, other various rescue missions, and the challenges faced during these operations. He reflects on specific incidents, including rescuing stranded hikers, responding to firefighters struck by lightning, and more. Enjoy!This episode is powered by Vertical HeliCASTS.Thank you for sponsoring this episode of The Real ResQ: Axnes, Ready Swimmer and The Real ResQ Store.Follow The Real ResQ on Facebook and Instagram and listen on Vertical HeliCASTS. Plus, get your podcast gear at therealresqstore.com.

  Darren Shearer discusses how to live a Christ-centered work life in secular settings. He explores the influence each employee has on organizational culture and emphasizes the importance of making disciples through one's professional conduct. Shearer introduces concepts from his book 'The Christ Centered Company', highlighting the significance of embedding Christ's mission in everyday work activities. Practical tips include treating every interaction as if Jesus is the recipient, maintaining a habit of recognizing spiritual accountability at work, and ensuring trust and emotional and spiritual care for team members. The episode concludes with advice on practicing mindfulness and resting, all while striving for excellence in one's professional life.   Timestamps 00:19 Living a Christ-Centered Work Life 02:05 Mission and Identity in the Workplace 04:54 Practical Habits for a Christ-Centered Work Life 13:48 Trust and Delegation in Leadership 20:21 Balancing Rest and High Performance 25:09 Providing Emotional and Spiritual Care 28:55 Speed Round: Key Takeaways   About Darren Darren Shearer is the founder and director of the Theology of Business Institute, which helps marketplace Christians explore and apply God's will for business. He has authored three books for marketplace Christians and is the founder and CEO of High Bridge Books & Media, which helps fellow Christ-centered authors and organizations craft, publish, and market messages and stories that glorify God in all spheres of culture. Its imprint, High Bridge Books, has published 190+ books since 2013. A former Captain in the United States Air Force, Darren earned the United States Air Force Commendation Medal for his meritorious service in Kuwait during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a M.A. in Practical Theology, an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Management, and a B.A. in English. Darren and his wife, Marie, reside in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina (Waynesville, NC) with their three young boys.    Connect with Darren Take the Theology of Business Institute Assessments:  https://www.theologyofbusiness.com/assessments/ Darren's books are available at: https://www.theologyofbusiness.com/shop/ High Bridge Books: www.HighBridgeBooks.com Theology of Business: www.TheologyofBusiness.com    _________________________________________________________________ Connect with Me Connect with me on LinkedIn:

Michelle Curran, call sign “MACE,” is a combat veteran and trailblazing former F-16 fighter pilot with 13 years of service in the United States Air Force. As the lead solo pilot for the elite Air Force Thunderbirds from 2019 to 2021, she was the second woman ever to hold this position, inspiring millions with her aerial performances. With 1,500 flight hours, including 163 combat hours in Afghanistan, Michelle's career epitomizes grit, determination, and teamwork.Now the founder of Upside Down Dreams, Michelle shares her action-packed stories and hard-won lessons to help audiences conquer self-doubt, reframe challenges, and achieve their dreams. Featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show and CBS Evening News, she continues to inspire as a speaker, mentor, and advocate."SHOW SUMMARYIn this episode of the Selling from the Heart podcast, hosts Larry Levine and Darrell Amy are joined by Michelle Curran, former F-16 fighter pilot and lead solo pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. Michelle, known for her call sign 'MACE,' shares her journey, the importance of authenticity in sales, and how to leverage fear as a superpower. The episode highlights Michele's upcoming book, 'The Flipside.' Michelle discusses the significance of focus, trust, and accountability both in the cockpit and in the sales profession. Listeners also get a heartwarming story of Michelle surprising a young admirer on the Kelly Clarkson Show. This episode is filled with actionable insights for sales professionals and leaders looking to build genuine relationships and trust in their careers.KEY TAKEAWAYSCreating Value in Sales: Effective selling is about genuinely helping and providing value to the customer, not just pitching a product.Importance of Empathy: Empathy is crucial in sales. Understand and align with your customers' needs and perspectives.Active Listening: Great sales meetings involve active listening, where the salesperson speaks less and listens more to understand the customer's challenges.Follow-Up Strategy: Following up with potential clients needs to include adding value in each touch point, rather than just checking in for updates.Becoming an Expert: Knowing your industry, company, and client's business thoroughly can significantly enhance sales effectiveness.Financial Understanding: Understanding your clients' financials and how business decisions impact their P&L and balance sheets is essential for meaningful conversations.Effective Sales Meeting: Break sales meetings into diagnosis and prescription phases – first understand the problem, then present your solution tailored to that problem.Consistency in Outreach: It takes multiple touchpoints to engage a prospect; persistence coupled with value-driven outreach is key.QUOTES“People are pretty quick to pick up on when there's a disconnect there.”“When you focus on how you can deliver the most value to the person you're speaking to, it reduces that anxiety so much.”“There's an opportunity to get judged there. There's an opportunity to fail in front of everyone.”“Consistent accountability eventually just becomes the norm and it gets less scary to people.”“Getting into task-focused mode and having a clear mission helps mitigate fear and distraction.”Learn more about Michelle Curran: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran/Learn more about Darrell and Larry: Darrell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrellamy/Larry's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrylevine1992/Website: https://www.sellingfromtheheart.net/ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:Explore the secrets of heart-centered leadership and thriving workplace cultures with Culture from the Heart Podcast—nominate a visionary CEO at www.culturefromtheheart.com!Order Larry Levine's book, Selling in a Post-Trust World! Get it on Barnes & Noble and access exclusive content!SUBSCRIBE to our YOUTUBE CHANNEL!Stay updated with the latest episodes and leadership tips: Selling from the Heart YouTubeGet Your Daily Dose of Inspiration:Click Here for Your Daily Dose

Send us a textDonte McGaughy is a seasoned entrepreneur, former government employee, and a United States Air Force service-disabled veteran. As the Founder and CEO of Selenius Holdings, an Atlanta-based freight forwarding and truck hauling company, Donte is dedicated to driving growth through strategic acquisitions. His vision is to establish the largest minority-certified logistics firm in the United States.With a proven track record, Donte co-founded and served as the President of TDC Premier Trucking, where he played a pivotal role in building a robust infrastructure, managing 50 staff members, and expanding the fleet of box trucks to 35 for the Amazon box truck program. Under his leadership, the company expanded its 18-wheeler fleet to 27 trucks, operating nationwide and servicing major accounts such as Amazon, UPS, and Family Dollar.

November 19, 2006. Littleton, Colorado. First Lieutenant Nonnie Dotson, a 33-year old nurse with the United States Air Force, has travelled from San Antonio, Texas to Colorado with her infant daughter and is saying with her brother, Tony Dotson. Nonnie leaves Tony's residence in order to presumably travel to a nearby shopping center, but she never returns. Even though police track Nonnie's cell phone signal and her scent to a nearby field, no trace of her can be found. Investigators explore a number of different angles, including the possibility that Nonnie was harmed by a stalker, the estranged father of her child, and even her own brother, but she remains a missing person. On this week's episode of “The Trail Went Cold”, we explore a baffling unsolved disappearance in which the victim seemingly vanished into thin air. Additional Reading: https://charleyproject.org/case/nonnie-ann-dotson https://www.crimelibrary.org/criminal_mind/forensics/nonnie_dotson/1_index.html https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/ng/date/2011-03-23/segment/01 https://www.denverpost.com/2006/12/06/ex-beau-of-missing-nurse-quizzed/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/case-of-missing-air-force-nurse-grows-cold/ https://www.denverpost.com/2007/11/27/missing-moms-trail-goes-cold/ https://www.9news.com/article/news/crime/something-happened-to-her-family-wants-answers-10-years-after-single-moms-disappearance/73-437111811 https://kdvr.com/news/colorado-cold-cases/cold-case-have-you-seen-this-woman-missing-since-2006/ https://www.denverpost.com/2014/01/17/man-gets-96-to-life-in-break-in-sexual-assault/ https://www.westword.com/news/rapist-tony-dotson-guilty-in-murder-for-hire-bid-against-victimand-sister-is-still-missing-6283026 “The Trail Went Cold” will be appearing at the AdvocacyCon, taking place at the Indianapolis Marriott East in Indianapolis on March 28-30, 2025. To get a 10 % discount on tickets, please use our specialized promo code, “TRAIL10”, by visiting https://www.advocacycon.com/. “The Trail Went Cold” is going to be appearing on podcast row at Crimecon UK” in London on June 7-8, 2024. To get a 10 % discount on tickets, please use our specialized promo code, “TRAIL10”, by visiting Crimecon.co.uk. “The Trail Went Cold” is on Patreon. Visit www.patreon.com/thetrailwentcold to become a patron and gain access to our exclusive bonus content. The Trail Went Cold is produced and edited by Magill Foote. All music is composed by Vince Nitro.

At one point, veteran Josh Seefried was living three lives: one as an openly gay man at home, another as a closeted member of the United States Air Force, and a third as Don't Ask Don't Tell repeal advocate JD Smith. After a long and tumultuous career, in which he helped repeal DADT, got blackmailed, sexually assaulted, and faced trial himself three times, Seefried is ready to fight again, this time for military justice reform. Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more by supporting Labyrinths on patreon. https://www.patreon.com/knoxrobinson https://www.amandaknox.com Bluesky: @amandaknox.com | @wisecracker.bsky.social IG: @amamaknox | @emceecarbon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices