The path to progressing as a leader isn’t always linear. 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.

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.

What does leadership look like at the highest levels of service mean? 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.

As a U.S. Air Force Academy cadet, now-Capt. Garrett “Kap” Kauppila ’19 experienced a life-changing moment involving his older brother. That trial taught him success doesn’t involve rank — it’s about being present, showing gratitude and supporting others.

People matter more than position, and leadership starts with taking care of others. 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.

In this special edition of Air Force Gradcast, 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.

Lt. Col. Nichole “Vapor” Ayers ’11 joins us from orbit! 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.

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 Lt.  Wyatt Hendrickson ’24, NCAA wrestling champion.

What does it take to lead at every level and shape the leaders of tomorrow? 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.

Dr. John Torres shared his journey from a strict military upbringing to becoming a leader and emergency physician. He recounted his transformative experience at the Air Force Academy, where survival training solidified his commitment to staying. Dr. Torres highlighted the influence of mentors and his transition to medicine inspired by a high school biology teacher and a fellow pilot. He discussed his role as an NBC correspondent, crediting his public speaking skills to his time as a falconer at the academy. Dr. Torres also mentioned his work with NATO Special Forces medics and his family’s deep roots in New Mexico.

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. Jemal Singleton ‘99 is a mentor, a motivator, and has gained a mastery of the grind. From the military to the boardroom, the locker room, and NFL victories, he has forged a path rooted in service, strength, and success. Get ready to be inspired. This conversation is about leadership game-planning with a masterful maker of leaders.

From A-10 combat missions to three Super Bowl championships, Chad Hennings has led in the air, on the field, and now—through character-based leadership. In the latest episode of Long Blue Leadership, Chad shares pivotal lessons from two leadership crucibles: flying in combat and transitioning from military life to the NFL. We also talk about his work today helping others lead with moral courage, through business, mentorship, and his Forces of Character podcast.

From tactical ISR operations and frontline leadership to launching a defense tech company, Emma Przybyslawski ’10 exemplifies adaptability and grit. In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Emma shares insights her journey through combat, business startup challenges, and delivers timeless leadership lessons like listening actively, staying flexible, and keeping your sense of humor.

2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24, a world-class athlete, is in a league of his own. But his leadership and character development insights apply universally. In this edition of Long Blue Leadership, the NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion talks with host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 about his journey, about lessons learned along the way, and about what some say is the greatest upset in collegiate wrestling’s history.

Jake DeRuyter, a 2015 Air Force Academy graduate, shares a compelling leadership journey marked by unexpected challenges and resilient adaptation. Initially aspiring to be a pilot, Jake faced a critical moment when back surgery disqualified him from his dream career, forcing him to quickly choose a new Air Force Specialty Code within just one hour. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm and strategic, ultimately transitioning to intelligence and then to an ROTC instructor role. His leadership philosophy emerged from these experiences: staying flexible, maintaining a strong network, and focusing on developing others rather than just personal advancement.

Christian Evans ’08 reflects on transformative experiences during his time at the Air Force Academy, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of community engagement. He 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.

In this special episode of Long Blue Leadership, we set up our podcast studio at the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Polaris Hall during the 32nd National Character and Leadership Symposium, where Bryan Grossman, the Association and Foundation’s senior director of strategic communications and managing editor of Checkpoints, spoke with this year’s Sullenberger Award for Courage recipients.

In this special episode of Long Blue Leadership, we set up our podcast studio at this year’s National Character and Leadership Symposium. There we spoke with several organizers and presenters, exploring this year’s Warfighters to Win theme and how the warrior ethos shapes a cadet’s journey to becoming a leader of character.

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.

In this episode of Long Blue Leadership, Co-Hosts Naviere Walkewicz and Wyatt Hornsby reflect on the leadership lessons shared by accomplished graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy over the first two seasons.