Admiral Pat Walsh, the only person to serve as both a Blue Angel and a four-star admiral, joins the show to share wisdom forged in the skies, at sea, and through global crises. From commanding the Pacific Fleet during the 2011 Japan earthquake and Fukushima disaster to leading major educational reform today, Pat’s story is one of humility, service, and mission-driven leadership. Whether flying fighter jets or reshaping underserved communities, his approach blends servant leadership with deep cultural insight and a relentless pursuit of growth.
In This Episode
[00:00] Intro to Admiral Walsh & his Navy legacy
[01:30] Most satisfying assignment: Commanding an F-18 squadron
[05:00] The power of the all-volunteer force & White House Fellowship
[07:00] Aviation, Top Gun, and the Blue Angels
[12:00] Life in Bahrain & insights on majority/minority dynamics
[16:00] Lessons in leadership from the Blue Angels: Critique & team trust
[20:00] Midway & the importance of honest reflection in national defense
[24:00] Operation Tomodachi: Responding to Japan’s 3/11 disaster
[31:00] Real-time crisis communication and social media’s unexpected role
[34:00] Impact of the mission on U.S.-Japan relations
[36:00] The rules-based world order & its modern challenges
[39:00] Strategic threats: Strait of Hormuz, South China Sea, and Taiwan
[45:00] Cyber warfare and U.S. vulnerability
[52:00] Christo Rey: Building generational change through education
[59:00] From Pleasant Grove to College Degrees: Changing a community
[1:03:00] The Guantanamo report: Moral courage in service
[1:10:00] Final thoughts on service, sacrifice, and transformational leadership
Guest Resources
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Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co.
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