THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST

Apr 15 2025 30 ep. 48 mins 6
THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST artwork

Stories of leadership told by the leaders of character who lived them. This is how the Air Force Academy experience shaped their past, present and future. Presented by the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation.

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2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson ’24 - Leadership on and Off the Mat

Apr 15 2025 52 mins  
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

Jake DeRuyter ’15 - A Leader's Ups and Downs

Apr 01 2025 38 mins  
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 remai

Christian Evans ’08 - A Leader's Exceptional Spirit

Mar 18 2025 28 mins  
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.

NCLS Special Coverage - Sullenberger Award for Courage

Mar 13 2025 42 mins  
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 recip

NCLS 2025 - Warfighters to Win Special Coverage

Mar 04 2025 47 mins  
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 ’82 - Integrity, Service and Excellence for Leaders

Feb 18 2025 41 mins  
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.

UNSCRIPTED LIVES: A Long Blue Leadership Retrospective

Jan 07 2025 41 mins  
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.

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79 - 5 Values for Leaders

Dec 10 2024 45 mins  
In Episode 10 of Long Blue Leadership, Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79, now president and CEO of the Air & Space Forces Association, discusses his leadership philosophy, and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, effective communication, family, and the five core values by which he lives. Listen now!

Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 - How Leader's Defy Life's Gravity

Nov 26 2024 40 mins  
Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96 shares insights on resilience, leadership, and how she continues to serve her country, even after her military career.

C1C Andrew Cormier - Service Before Self, Lessons in Leadership

Nov 12 2024 66 mins  
In this episode of the Long Blue Leadership Podcast, Cadet First Class Andrew Cormier ’25 opens up about his inspiring journey from growing up in Massachusetts to becoming a squadron commander at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He reflects on the early influences that shaped his values, the value of community service and service before self, sharing the leadership lessons he’s lear