THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST
Leadership stories told by the leaders who live them.
Episodes
A simple but powerful leadership lesson: show up — whether in loss, transition or everyday life. SUMMARY Jessica Whitney ’10 reminds us that we often know what to do — the difference is actually doing it. Small acts of showing up can mean everything.
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JESSICA'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP LESSONS
Here are 10 leadership lessons from this conversation:
1. Align your life with your values, not your...
In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Joel “Thor” Neeb ’99 explains this simple framework. “Yes” builds experience. “No” protects focus and time.
SUMMARY In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Joel Neeb ’99 explains this simple framework. Yes builds experience. No protects focus and time. Leadership is knowing when to shift.
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JOEL'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS
1. Time is your most f...
From combat missions in the F-22 Raptor to more than five months aboard the International Space Station, Lt. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers ’11 has seen it all.
SUMMARY
In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Col. Ayers reflects on mentorship, teamwork and building the next generation of warriors and astronauts.
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TOP 10 TAKEAWAYS
1. Leadership is fluid: sometimes you lead, sometimes you f...
What does courage look like under fire? In captivity? In command? In service?
This edition of Long Blue Leadership was recorded on location at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 33rd National Character and Leadership Symposium. We've explored these questions with our guests and captured the conversations for you.
Ted Robertson, Multimedia and Podcast Specialist for the Air Force Academy Association and Foundation, hosts this special epi...
In our Season 4 retrospective, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 and Wyatt Hornsby, the Association & Foundation’s senior vice president of marketing and communications, revisit the clips that stuck with them.
- “Mind. Body. Spirit.” - “What can I do for others?” - “Be humble. Be credible. Be approachable.”
These aren’t just soundbites. They’re leadership gold.
This episode will remind you why these conversations matte...
Purpose, trust and laughter matter.
SUMMARY
Dr. Heather Wilson ’82, former secretary of the U.S. Air Force, and Gen. Dave Goldfein ’83, former chief of staff of the Air Force, highlight the human side of leadership — honoring family, listening actively and using humility and humor to build strong teams. Their book, Get Back Up: Lessons in Servant Leadership, challenges leaders to serve first and lead with character.
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Leadership demands grit, clarity and conviction. SUMMARY On Long Blue Leadership, Congressman August Pfluger ’00 reflects on these qualities through his experiences at the U.S. Air Force Academy, in the cockpit and as part of the U.S. House of Representatives. His story challenges every leader to ask where courage is calling them to go next.
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CONGRESSMAN PFLUGER'S TOP 10 LEADERSHIP T...
When Rebecca Gray ’94 arrived at her first duty station, she thought she was ready to lead — until a senior master sergeant told her to get a coffee cup and led her away from the safety of her desk. “You’ve got to know who people are, so that you know how to relate to them,” he told her. That simple moment became the foundation of her entire leadership journey.
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REBECCA'S TOP 5 LEADERS...
From aircraft maintenance officer to professional fitness champion to executive coach, Tanji Johnson Bridgeman ’97 has exhibited leadership on many stages.
SUMMARY
In the premiere episode of Focus on Leadership, she joins host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 to share how resilience, self-care and feedback transform challenges into growth — and why caring for yourself is key to leading with presence and impact.
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The path to progressing as a leader isn’t always linear.
SUMMARY
Col. (Ret.) Mike Ott shows how a childhood dream can evolve into a lifetime of impact—from commanding in uniform to leading innovation in healthcare and national defense. Hear more on Long Blue Leadership. Listen now!
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MIKE'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS
- A leader worth his or her salt should be comfortable n...
From the Pentagon on 9/11 to keeping service members safe through timely innovation, Dave Harden ‘95 embodies what it means to run toward the fire. SUMMARY
In this episode of Long Blue Leadership with host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99, hear how adversity, gratitude and courage forged a leader others would follow anywhere. From his harrowing experience during the 9/11 attacks to overcoming childhood adversity and pioneer...
What does leadership look like at the highest levels of service?
SUMMARY
In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Col. (Ret.) Michael Black ’85 discusses his journey from cadet to commanding the White House Communications Agency. He reflects on what it means to be a calm, steady presence in high-pressure environments — and how small daily practices can shape a lifetime of leadership. The full episode is now available.
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As a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet, now-Capt. Garrett “Kap” Kauppila ’19 experienced a life-changing moment involving his older brother. SUMMARY
That trial taught him success doesn’t involve rank — it’s about being present, showing gratitude and supporting others. Hear his powerful story on Long Blue Leadership. Listen today and be a better leader tomorrow!
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"KAP'S" LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS
...People matter more than position, and leadership starts with taking care of others. Doing that right means a million acts.
SUMMARY
Those are lessons Lt. Col. Steven “Meathead” Mount ’08 shares with listeners in the Season 4 premier of Long Blue Leadership. For Col. Mount, becoming a pilot was a major milestone, but becoming a husband and father had the biggest impact. Don’t wait, listen today and become a better leader tomorrow.
...
In this special presentation, Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind ’91, USAFA’s 22nd superintendent, shares an inside look into cadet development and answers graduate questions. Hosted by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99, this episode dives into the Academy’s mission and how it is preparing our nation’s future warfighters.
FULL TRANSCRIPT
SPEAKERS
Guest: Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind ’91 | Host: Lt. Col. (Ret.)Navire Walkewicz ’99
N...
Lt. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers ’11 joins us from orbit! SUMMARY
From cadet to astronaut, she shares how the U.S. Air Force Academy prepared her for life aboard the International Space Station, the lessons space learned in the space program about leadership and how viewing Earth from 250 miles up re-shapes one's call to serve.
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COL. AYERS' TOP 10 LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS
- Seeing Earth fro...
Season 3 of the Long Blue Leadership podcast is a wrap! From established national leaders to rising stars, this season features inspiring stories from U.S. Air Force Academy graduates. SUMMARY This season's guests included Dr. Heather Wilson ’82, former Secretary of the Air Force; Dr. John Torres ’82, NBC News Senior Medical Correspondent; Maj. Gen. Thomas Sherman ’95, Vice Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and 2nd L...
What does it take to lead at every level and shape the leaders of tomorrow?
SUMMARY
Long Blue Line podcast host, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 sat with Maj. Gen. Thomas P. Sherman ’95, the U.S. Air Force Academy’s vice superintendent, for a deep dive into leadership, humanity and building a world-class service academy. This episode is packed with wisdom for aspiring, emerging, and seasoned leaders alike.
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In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Dr. John Torres shares his inspiring journey from being the first in his family to attend college to becoming NBC's senior medical correspondent.
SUMMARY
Dr. Torres discusses the challenges he faced at the Air Force Academy, the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership skills, and the influence of his family values. He reflects on his unconventional experiences, including survival trainin...
In this edition of Long Blue Leadership, we’re exploring the evolution and elevation of leadership with a leader who knows what it means to build champions in every sense of the word. SUMMARY Jemal Singleton ’99 is a mentor, a motivator and has mastered the grind. From the military to NFL locker rooms, he has forged a path rooted in service, strength and success. Learn more about masterful game planning and get ready to be inspir...
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