Inspirational

Space Shuttle Commander Eileen Collins has spent more than 872 hours in space and logged 6,751 hours in the cockpits of 30 different types of aircraft.  In 1995 she became the first woman to pilot a space shuttle and then in 1999, the first woman to command a space shuttle mission.  Eileen joins us as part of our educational partnership with the Distinguished Flying Cross Society. Eileen’s father used to take the family to the airport to watch airplanes take [...]

Nate Boyer is the embodiment of the idea that anything can be achieved with the proper dedication and focused effort. After high school, Nate decided to give a Hollywood a try but he didn’t feel like he really belonged.  When he read about the tragedies associated with the civil war in Sudan, he offered to volunteer. However, without a special skill set, none of the organizations working with refugees wanted him. So Nate bought a ticket anyway and faked his [...]

Six words sum up Col. Scott Mills’ philosophy on how he wants all his airmen to be treated and how they should prepare accomplish their mission. Many of these concepts are adaptable to civilian teams as well. He organizes these six words into two categories of three; Respected, Protected, Connected & Fight, Fit, Family. Scott expands upon the meanings of each of those words for our listeners. Scott is always asking his airmen “Are you ready?” The correct answer should [...]

Whistleblower Paula Pedene thought she had found her dream job. But her commitment to honesty and integrity led to a nightmare – one that should infuriate every one of us. Her story is chronicled in the book “A Sacred Duty; How a Whistleblower Took on the VA and Won.” Paula enlisted in 1978 and became a Navy journalist.  She re-enlisted for the Gulf War but a hereditary eye disease eventually ended her military career. In 1994 she was appointed the [...]

"Walking In Mud: A Navy SEAL's 10 Rules for Surviving the New Normal" was inspired by Steve Giblin’s observations of what is happening with his fellow citizens during the pandemic. Steve served 28 years as a Navy SEAL and another nine as a civilian contractor. Much of his career was spent with the Tier One Navy Special Warfare Development Group.  While cleaning out his new office, he came across a single page typewritten document titled “The Ten Essential Qualities of [...]

The sacrifice and gratitude experienced by those who serve is the topic of our conversation with Lt. Col. Charles Faint, Assistant Professor and Deputy Director of the Modern War Institute at West Point. Faint has published several insightful articles in the Havok Journal. The theme of today’s conversation was inspired by a self-obituary written by West Point graduate John Alexander Hottell III when he was 26 years old. Capt. Hottell would lose his life in Vietnam at the age of [...]

September 11 survivors Matt Rosenberg and James Gagliano share their thoughts 20 years after the attacks.  Matt was an Army Medic at the Pentagon and Jimmy was an FBI agent in lower Manhattan. Matt was assigned the position of Mass Casualty NCO at the Pentagon about two weeks before September 11. His primary duty was as a medic in the minor surgery clinic and emergency response teams. Because the plane that hit the Pentagon impacted a section recently been renovated [...]

Mount Elbert is the second highest peak in the contiguous United States, rising to 14,440 feet above sea level. On September 15, Shannon vonDriska will be part of a Challenge America team of four severely injured Veterans climbing the mountain. Their mission is to inspire Veterans and others struggling to overcome their physical and psychological scars. Shannon had hoped to become an Army medic. However, on a nighttime march she fell and immediately knew something serious was wrong. She continued [...]

Independence Day should hold a special place in the hearts of all U.S. citizens. This special show features four guests sharing their perspective on freedom and liberty. British born actor Matthew Marsden met a young Army Ranger at Fort Benning while filming the movie Blackhawk Down. The experience changed his life.  He shares how the US mindset is different even from our closest “cousins” in England. “There’s nowhere else to go Ben. America is the last place, the last bastion [...]