The Polaris Hall Podcast

Join us as we chat with the current Commandant of Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy, Brig Gen Gavin Marks, as he talks about his career, ethical challenges, and why honesty is always the best policy.

Col Beth Makros shares about the challenges and rewards of her career and how she has grown as a leader.

Welcome to our final National Character and Leadership Symposium episode of the Polaris Hall Podcast with Dr. Kjell Lindgren, a NASA astronaut who defied all odds. In this interview with astronaut, Dr. Kjell Lindgren, we hear the story of how he lost his place in the Air Force and found his place in space.

Welcome to another special episode of the Polaris Hall Podcast where we attended the National Character and Leadership Symposium and interviewed some of our favorite speakers. In this interview with Chief Master Sgt. (Ret.) Todd Simmons, we learn some very valuable lessons about the sometimes blurry lines between service and self.

Welcome to a special episode of the Polaris Hall Podcast where we attended the National Character and Leadership Symposium and interviewed some of our favorite speakers. Today, we talk with five-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer, Missy Franklin-Johnson, and how giving one thing up can be incredibly painful but lead to extraordinary new opportunities!

Welcome back to another episode of the Polaris Hall Podcast! Today we have our very own Chief Devall, known and loved by all cadets. He is currently serving as the Senior Enlisted Leader to the Commandant but has also been a firefighter, AMT, worked in comms, and so much more. Join us as we discuss camaraderie, growing through failure, and the San Antonio Spurs!

Welcome back to the Polaris Hall Podcast! We hope you enjoyed your holidays and stayed warm. Today we are joined by Col Joyce Storm, who is the current Inspector General for USAFA. Join us as we discuss the devastation of losing a pilot slot, the ins and outs of command, and tough ethical dilemmas. Stay tuned!

Welcome back to the Polaris Hall Podcast! Today we are joined by Col John Blocher, who shares stories and lessons learned from his unconventional Air Force career from being an A-10 pilot to entering the world of JTACs. Tune in to hear us chat through Col Blocher's life of "high highs and low lows," the attributes of a great leader, challenges of deployments, learning from failure, and the importance of caring for your people.

Welcome back to a very special episode of the Polaris Hall Podcast. Today we get 46 minutes of stories from our favorite USAFA Superintendent, Lieutenant General Richard Clark. Join us as we discuss the mighty B-1 bomber, the birth of the Leader of Character Framework, and more!

Welcome back to the Polaris Hall Podcast! Today we have Professor Chad Austin who is a Colonel in the US Air Force Reserves and has been a JAG in both the Air Force and Navy. He is a current professor in the Department of Law. Join us as we discuss leadership and character through negotiations, moral dilemmas, and learning through failure. Stay tuned!

Welcome back to the Polaris Hall Podcast as we dive into another episode! Today we have one of our very own: the director of the CCLD, Col Kurt Wendt. Col Wendt is a career intelligence officer who spent much of his career overseas, including serving as Director of Intelligence for USAFE. Join us as we discuss the importance of working hard and how it all boils down to caring for your people. Stay tuned!

Welcome back to the show! Join us as we welcome Col Matt Husemann, C-5 pilot and current Vice Superintendent of the United States Air Force Academy. Col Husemann discusses how the Honor Code forms the foundation of a community of trust, the importance of admitting mistakes, and how he dealt with getting airsick. Stay tuned!

Welcome back to the Polaris Hall Podcast after a summer hiatus! Today we have Major Ralph Ojeda, C-17 pilot and Chief of Cadet Development at the United States Air Force Academy CCLD. Tune in as we discuss what it means to be a servant leader, the importance of actively seeking out feedback, and accidentally landing on the wrong runway overseas. We even get a little anecdote about how many times Maj Ojeda had to propose to his wife to get her to say yes (spoiler alert, it was more than one). Stay tuned!

Welcome back to our final episode of our special NCLS 2023 series on the Polaris Hall Podcast. Today we have Major Johanna Hipp, an Army Intelligence and Info Ops Officer, on the show. Join us as we discuss what it was like to be a Female Engagement Team Lead in Afghanistan with essentially no formal training and how to look for opportunities to help the people around you. Stay tuned!

Welcome back to the Polaris Hall Podcast as we continue on our NCLS 2023 journey! Today we have Lt Jason Redman, a former Navy SEAL, on the show. Lt Redman shares the trials and tribulations of being a young officer, the importance of persevering through failure, and how he maintained a positive attitude even while suffering life-changing injuries. Stay tuned!

Join us as we welcome Dion Leonard to the show for a special NCLS episode! Dion Leonard is an ultra-marathoner who adopted and befriended a stray dog while running an extreme race in the Gobi Desert. Today we discuss the importance of having a "why," doing what makes you happy, and how some things are more important than winning. Enjoy the show!

Join us as we welcome Col Raja Chari to the show for the first episode of our special series for the 2023 National Character and Leadership Symposium. Col Chari flew F-15 Strike Eagles, commanded the 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB, orbited Earth on the ISS for 177 days with the SpaceX Crew-3 Mission, and is selected for the Artemis mission. Today we discuss the realities of being an astronaut, learning how to see the big picture, and which space vegetables are the worst. Stay tuned!

Join us as we welcome Dr. Richard Bereit to the show! Today we discuss Dr. Bereit's time as a Maintenance Officer and beyond. Additionally, we explore the challenges inherent in maintenance and the lessons they can teach us about honor, integrity, and leadership. How do you change the culture of a unit? Why are the standards not always upheld? Listen to today's episode to learn about all this and more.

Join us as we welcome Lieutenant Colonel Bret J. Cove to the show! Col. Cove is a HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot currently serving as the Air University - USAFA Liaison Officer. Today we discuss the mission of casualty evacuation, knowing your limits, and the importance of your team in a high-stress environment. 

Join us as we welcome Lt. Col. Kevin Treat to the show! Today we discuss Col Treat's time as an ICBM Missileer, Analyst, and Chief of the Future Force Design Analysis Branch. Additionally, we consider the ethical implications of dealing with the Air Force's numbers. How can you be sure that your suggestion is coming from the right place? How sure should you be? All this and more in today's episode- stay tuned!

Join us as we welcome Major Michael Capomaggi the the show! Major Cap is our resident Army AOC at the Academy for CS-11, a West Point grad, and a Green Beret. Today we discuss some of the major differences in how expectations should be managed with different teams, the difference in perspectives between cadets at the different academies, helping our team and their families after a loss, and so much more. Beat Army (and stay tuned)!

Join us as we welcome General retired Greg Martin to the show! Gen Martin flew in Operation Linebacker II, was the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, Commander of USAF Europe, and so much more. Today we discuss leadership philosophies, losing top-secret documents, and humble leadership. Stay Tuned!

Join us as we welcome Colonel Kris Bauman to the show! Col Bauman has served at the White House on the National Security Council as the Senior Director for Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Egyptian Affairs, flown both the C-27 and C-5, served as the Strategic Advisor to the Iraq Ministry of Defense, and so much more. Today we discuss the balance of maintaining professional relationships and sticking to your values. Stay Tuned!

Join us as we welcome Major Christy Kinsey to the Show! Major Kinsey is a 2009 USAFA grad, HC-130J rescue squadron pilot, current AOC for CS-13, and (last but not least) the first female Air Force leg amputee to return to flight. What can't she do? Today we discuss some times of challenge and the importance of mental fortitude, as well as how the indomitable human spirit can conquer difficulties seemingly impossible. Stay tuned!

Welcome to the start of a new season of the PHPC and join us as we welcome Col (ret) Thomas D. Torkelson, the current Deputy Director of The Academy’s Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD). Col (ret) Torkelson is a 92' graduate of USAFA and speaks about how his development over his career has shaped the way that he views developing leaders of character in the Air Force today. 

Join us as we talk to Lt Col Alexander about his time as a CV-22 pilot and political science instructor here at USAFA. We discuss how war is truly grey, how the culture of individual units to even entire services influence what is seen as "right", and the uneasy territory where decisions made are not between a right or wrong, but a medley of both that proves to be a challenge to even the best leaders- stay tuned!

Join us as we talk to TSgt Wells Vargo about his time as a C17 crew chief and maintainer. We talk about the importance of trust in your crew, how training  serves as the foundation for trust on a team, and some awesome stories that speak to the amazing capabilities of the C17- stay tuned! 

 Join us as we welcome CMSgt (s) Chris Ricks, one of 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. CMSgt (s) Ricks is currently the Pacific Air Forces/A4 Security Forces superintendent and has some solid leadership advice throughout our podcast, from what to ask your mentor to his tips for leading airmen successfully.

 Join us as we speak with Dr. Ben Carson, world renowned neurosurgeon, former HUD Secretary and 2016 presidential candidate. We talk about integrity in the medical field, in personal life, and holding others accountable. Dr. Carson has an incredible story and experiences, listen to him today on the Polaris Hall Podcast!

Join us as we welcome Loretta Claiborne to the Show! Loretta is a Special Olympian with six gold medals in multiple events, including 13k running, bowling and figure skating. Today we discuss times of challenge to her integrity, as well as activism and inclusion for those with learning disabilities. 

 

 Join us as we talk to Miguel Lugo and Timothy Patterson from Homeboy Industries, a gang rehabilitation program in Los Angeles. We discuss some truly amazing stories, including the comebacks both Miguel and Timothy experienced in their pasts with gang violence and prison. More information on Homeboy Industries can be found here: https://homeboyindustries.org/ 

Join us as we talk to Special Agent Hines, an OSI agent with some absolutely crazy stories. We discuss the importance of integrity in OSI, as well as polygraphs, moral relativism, and unlikely hiding places for RPGs. 

 Join us as we talk to Lt Gen (ret) Chris Miller about his time in the B1 and B2, serving as the 509th Bomb Wing wing commander and beyond. We talk about humble leadership, the importance of understanding failure, and some really fun stories- stay tuned!

Brig Gen John Olson is the Mobilization Assistant to the Chief of Space Operations, forming Space Policy for the United States. Join us as we discuss his time at NASA, his expertise in Space Policy, and general life advice on this episode of the Polaris Hall Podcast!

Join us as we talk toleration, teamwork, and aligning your values with Maj Ron Oswalt, RPA pilot and CS-10's AOC

Join us as we sit down with Dr. Mark Jensen, a philosophy professor at the United States Air Force Academy. We talk about internalizing the Honor Code, what honor means, and how we as a community exemplify the Code.

Join us as we discuss peer leadership, the importance of the Honor Code, and your Wing Commander's opinions and goals for the Cadet Wing

 Join us as we talk to the Commandant of Cadets at Your United States Air Force Academy. F22 Pilot and 1995 Grad, Brig Gen Moga discusses trust, near-peers, and morale with the podcast. 

Join us as we talk to retired General Steven Lorenz, President of the Falcon Foundation, over life lessons, career advice, and the importance of integrity at all levels. 

Today Dr. Monte Anderson shares with us his experiences in the U2, AC130 and C208. We explore his time as a cadet, teacher, pilot and squadron commander throughout his career. Life is different as 70,000'!

Join us today as we talk to Maj Lance "Loose" Cannon, a B52 and MQ9 pilot. We discuss a range of topics revolving around the RPA community, drone strikes, and integrity in tough situations

Today we discuss culture, comebacks and corrections with your United States Air Force Academy First Sergeant, SMSgt Tim Fuller.

Today we sit down with Maj Brian "Scope" Guyette, a B1 pilot and 2017 Jabara Award recipient. Join us today as we talk about his experiences over Afghanistan, the Honor Code, and how to admit your mistakes. Tune in to hear more!

Join us with retired Air Force Colonel Scott "Soup" Campbell as he discusses what it means to be a leader of character as well as ethical dilemmas he has faced as a combat-tested fighter pilot. You won't want to miss this episode!

Air Force Major General Michele Edmondson, the Commandant of Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy, talks about her career in training and building/ repairing trust in an organization. From the Vandenberg Cheating Scandal to Air Force BMT, you won't want to miss this episode with Maj Gen Edmondson!

Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joel Brown sits down with us and discuses the morality and ethics behind cheating. From Frank Lloyd Wright to Aristotle, we discuss it all - you won’t want to miss this episode!

Join us for our conversation with Mr. Terry Tucker as we discuss motivation and character in an extraordinary life.

Join us as we sit down with Colonel Otis Jones and talk about character and integrity within a team.

Join us as Colonel Wickert discusses how someone who feels the pressure to compromise their integrity in order to succeed is really disadvantaging themself.