THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST

By: U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation
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  • Summary

  • Leadership stories told by the leaders who live them.
    © 2025-2026 | U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation | All Rights Reserved
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Personal Development Personal Success
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Episodes
  • Dr. Heather Wilson ’82 - Integrity, Service and Excellence for Leaders

    Dr. Heather Wilson ’82 - Integrity, Service and Excellence for Leaders
    Feb 18 2025
    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. ----more---- SUMMARY Dr. Wilson shares her unexpected journey into leadership, the importance of integrity, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures. She reflects on her family legacy, the influence of mentors, and how her military background shaped her leadership style. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the value of collecting tools for leadership and adapting to different environments while maintaining core values. In this conversation, she discusses the importance of finding purpose in one's mission and the value of relationships, particularly family support. She reflects on her journey as a woman in leadership, the significance of legacy in public service, and her unexpected path to serving in Congress. Dr. Wilson emphasizes the lessons learned in collaboration and the importance of humor in leadership, ultimately encouraging future leaders to uphold high standards and not to shame their families. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK TAKEAWAYS Dr. Wilson's journey to becoming Secretary of the Air Force was unexpected and transformative.Leadership often requires owning failures and focusing on solutions.Integrity is foundational to effective leadership and builds trust.Adapting leadership styles to different cultures is essential for success.Mentorship and influences from family play a significant role in shaping leaders.Collecting tools and knowledge is crucial for effective leadership.Quality management principles can be applied to various fields, including education and social services.Leadership is not linear; it involves navigating different paths and chapters.Building strong teams and hiring the right people is vital for organizational success.Direct communication and honesty are key components of effective leadership. Doing things that matter with people you like is essential.The most important decision in life can be personal, like choosing a partner.Family support enriches life and provides joy.Women in leadership often face unique challenges but can pave the way for others.Legacy is about making lasting changes in systems and strategies.Unexpected opportunities can lead to significant career changes.Collaboration and giving credit to others is key in leadership roles.Humor can help create a relaxed atmosphere in serious environments.Education is crucial for transforming lives and communities.Leadership is not always a straight path; adaptability is important. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Long Blue Leadership 01:25 Unexpected Call to Leadership 03:16 Lessons from Leadership Challenges 08:28 The Importance of Integrity 10:07 Adapting Leadership Styles 12:23 Influences and Mentorship 15:25 Family Legacy and Influence 17:41 Learning from Team Members 21:29 Applying Quality Management Principles 24:07 Navigating Non-Linear Leadership Paths 24:20 Finding Purpose in Mission and Relationships 28:06 The Importance of Family Support 30:08 Navigating Leadership as a Woman 34:30 Legacy and Impact in Public Service 36:29 Unexpected Paths: Serving in Congress 41:03 Lessons in Collaboration and Leadership ABOUT DR. WILSON - IMAGES AND BIO COURTESY OF UTEP BIO Dr. Heather Wilson became the 11th President of The University of Texas at El Paso in 2019 after serving as Secretary of the United States Air Force. She is the former president of the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and she represented New Mexico in the United States Congress for 10 years. Active in community and national affairs, she is a member of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation, and serves as a board member of the Texas Space Commission. She was the inaugural Chair of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities, and is a member of the board of directors of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Dr. Wilson is the granddaughter of immigrants and was the first person in her family to go to college. She graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in the third class to admit women and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar. UTEP is located on the U.S.-Mexico border – in the fifth largest manufacturing region in North America – and serves over 24,000 students with 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in nine colleges and schools. In the top 5% of public universities in the United States for research and designated a community-engaged university by the Carnegie Foundation, UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. It is the fourth largest research university in Texas and serves a student body that is 84% Hispanic. President Wilson is an instrument rated private pilot. She and her ...
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    42 mins
  • UNSCRIPTED LIVES: A Long Blue Leadership Retrospective

    UNSCRIPTED LIVES: A Long Blue Leadership Retrospective
    Jan 7 2025
    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. SUMMARY The hosts highlight key moments and insights from various guests, emphasizing the importance of personal connections, resilience, and the role of mentorship in leadership. They discuss the unique experiences of leaders like Coach Troy Calhoun, Brigadier General Gavin P. Marks, Nicole Malachowski, Madison Marsh, Lieutenant General BJ Schwedo, and Carl Falk, showcasing how their journeys can inspire others in their leadership paths. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK TAKEAWAYS - Leadership is deeply personal and requires understanding your people. - The importance of resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. - Mentorship plays a crucial role in developing future leaders. - Building relationships is essential in leadership roles. - Knowing your craft enhances credibility and effectiveness as a leader. - Leadership is about doing good and positively impacting others' lives. - Embracing vulnerability can lead to personal and professional growth. - It's important to risk failure in pursuit of big dreams. - Support from family and mentors can shape one's career trajectory. - Leaders should encourage others to pursue their passions and dreams. CHAPTERS 00:00 Celebrating Leadership Lessons from the Air Force Academy 02:11 Highlighting Coach Troy Calhoun's Leadership Philosophy 08:09 Insights from Brigadier General Gavin P. Marks 12:59 Nicole Malachowski: Overcoming Setbacks and Embracing Dreams 19:09 Madison Marsh: A Journey of Resilience and Purpose 23:27 Lessons from Lieutenant General BJ Schwedo on Future Conflict 28:23 Karl Falk: The Importance of Support and Grit in Leadership ABOUT THE HOSTS BIOS LT. COL. (RET.) NAVIERE WALKEWICZ ’99 Senior Vice President, Engagement With over two decades in leadership roles, my current focus at the Association of Graduates - U.S. Air Force Academy is fostering a robust network of 50,000+ alumni. This commitment involves igniting a culture of engagement and inclusivity, underpinned by a strong foundation in support of our Air Force Academy. - BIO COPY CREDIT: LINKEDIN.COM MR. WYATT HORNSBY Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications | Executive Editor & Writer Wyatt Hornsby is passionate about developing marketing and communications talent and cohesive, high-performance teams. He is senior vice president of marketing and communications at the Air Force Academy Foundation and the Association of Graduates. He leads the work of the foundation and alumni association marketing and communications division, while also coordinating with various Air Force Academy offices, including Public Affairs and Strategic Communications. - BIO COPY CREDIT: LINKEDIN.COM ALL PAST LBL EPISODES | ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS CONNECT WITH THE LONG BLUE LEADERSHIP PODCAST NETWORK TEAM Send your feedback or nominate a guest at: socialmedia@usafa.org TED ROBERTSON: Ted.Robertson@USAFA.org Multimedia and Podcast Specialist | LBL Podcast Network Producer and Editor RYAN HALL: Ryan.Hall@USAFA.org Assistant Director of Multimedia Production | LBL Podcast Network Director BRYAN GROSSMAN: Bryan.Grossman@USAFA.org Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Publications | LBL Podcast Network Copy Editor WYATT HORNSBY: Wyatt.Hornsby@USAFA.org Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications | Executive Editor & Writer | LBL Podcast Network Executive Producer FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS Co-Hosts: Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99 | Mr. Wyatt Hornsby Guests: Coach Troy Calhoun ’89; Brig. Gen. Gavin P. Marks ’96; Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski ’96; 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh ’23; Gen. BJ Schwedo ’87; Mr. Karl Falk ’98, Mr. Ted Robertson Naviere Walkewicz 00:20 Welcome to our Long Blue Leadership retrospective. We're celebrating our first two seasons and the countless leadership lessons shared by some of the most accomplished United States Air Force Academy graduates. Wyatt Hornsby 00:31 Naviere, seasons 1 and 2 have showcased amazing leadership stories and takeaways. From the very start, Long Blue Leadership has given listeners an inside look at real experiences, insights and advice from seasoned leaders, as well as those just beginning their leadership journeys. These deep dives have explored how leaders not only face challenges head-on but also find ways to inspire and empower those around them. Naviere Walkewicz 00:58 Yes, what really sets this podcast apart is the mix of our guests’ perspectives on leadership. These discussions have touched on teamwork, perseverance, humility, excellence and service before self. Wyatt Hornsby 01:12 In this edition of Long Blue Leadership, we're sharing a few of our favorite moments. ...
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    42 mins
  • Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79 - 5 Values for Leaders

    Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79 - 5 Values for Leaders
    Dec 10 2024
    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! SUMMARY Burt Field, a retired Lieutenant General and CEO of the Air and Space Forces Association, discussed his career and leadership philosophy. He highlighted his upbringing as an Air Force brat, his academic journey at the Air Force Academy, and his early leadership roles. Field emphasized the importance of continuous learning, effective communication, and avoiding being an "asshole" in leadership. He shared impactful experiences, such as leading during the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, and the significance of family support. Field also discussed the Air and Space Forces Association's efforts in advocacy, education, and family resilience, stressing the need for strong national security and defense. LEADERSHIP BITES Values-Driven Leadership: Burt shared his 5 core leadership values - integrity, fortitude, excellence, teamwork, and service. Defining your values and using them to guide your decisions and actions is crucial.Continuous Learning: Burt emphasized that as a leader, you can never stop learning, whether it's about your organization, industry, or even topics outside your expertise. Staying curious and open to growth is key.Empowering Others: Burt stressed that a leader's job is to empower and inspire their team, not try to do everything themselves. Recognizing and rewarding excellence in others is vital.Effective Communication: Burt noted that leaders can never communicate too much or well enough. Repeatedly delivering clear, consistent messages is essential for alignment and buy-in.Humility and Inclusivity: True leadership requires humility, giving credit to others, and making the organization successful. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK TAKEAWAYS Never stop learning. As a leader, you must continuously learn and expand your knowledge, even in areas outside your expertise.Define your leadership philosophy and values. Burt shared his 5 core values of integrity, fortitude, excellence, teamwork, and service. Having a clear set of guiding principles is crucial.Recognize and reward excellence. Identify and empower those who have put in the hard work to become experts in their fields. This builds a strong, capable team.Communicate effectively, repeatedly. Effective communication is critical, but leaders often underestimate how many times a message needs to be delivered clearly.Burt emphasized the importance of being inclusive, giving credit, and making the organization successful rather than yourself. Avoid toxic, self-serving leadership. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to General Burt Field 01:52 Growing Up as an Air Force Brat 05:40 Choosing the Air Force Academy 10:26 Life as a Cadet at the Academy 19:09 Leadership Development During Cadet Years 23:15 The Integration of Women at the Academy 24:12 Influential Leaders in General Field's Career 28:28 Learning from Subordinates 34:15 Career Path and Leadership Philosophy 37:54 A Chance Encounter: Love and Military Life 41:13 Building Resilient Families in the Military 42:12 The Journey to Leadership: From Air Force to AFA 45:57 Empowering the Next Generation: Education and STEM 49:46 Leadership Lessons: Insights from Experience 5 FRANK KEYS TO LEADERSHIP SUCCESS "You can never stop learning. You have to learn. And whether it's leadership or anything else, you have to always learn.""Everything comes from your values. When I make leadership decisions, or when I look at how we're going to move forward, or what, how we're going to accomplish the mission, it should reflect those values in my decisions, how I act, how I from the biggest thing of creating a here's the strategy, or in objectives on on what we're going to accomplish, to the smallest things, like how I conduct a meeting.""If you want to be a really good leader, you need to be really good at something. So you got to put in the work when you're young to be really good and understand how hard it is to be really good at something.""You cannot communicate enough, and you cannot communicate well enough. So I use this example all the time. I come up with a message. I craft it, I think about it, I write it down, I practice it, and then I deliver it, and it's awesome. I was perfect. I nobody could have misunderstood me when I'm done with that, and I really think that I have hit the mark with maybe 20% I probably got to say that again, that way or differently, about another 10 or 15 times when I can barely stand to hear myself talk anymore, and I'm still not going to get everybody.""I'm going to give the credit and I'm going to take the blame. That's how you become a good leader." - Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Burt Field ’79, October 2024 ABOUT GEN. FIELD BIO Lt. Gen. ...
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    45 mins

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