Episodes

Send a text Denny Giamazzo graduated from UMASS, Dartmouth with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government and served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard for seven years. He is also the founder and co-host of the Be The Standard podcast. By sharing his story, his mission is to enable others to set aside their self-imposed limitations to become a person they admire through the implementation of four key principles: Setting StandardsCreating Unbreakable HabitsExecutionAcc...

Send a text Welcome to a landmark episode of Passing The Torch, where everything you thought you knew gets turned upside down! For our 101st episode, Jason David takes control, playfully hijacking hosting duties from the original creator, —Martin Foster—and dives deep into the story behind the podcast and the man himself. In this fun, insightful, and often hilarious long-form conversation, you’ll hear the PERSONAL side of Martin Foster as he shares the DNA of his family, reflects on his milit...

Send a text Welcome to a truly special 100th episode of Passing the Torch! Hosts Martin Foster and his wife Lora sit down for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, resilience, character development—and what it means to navigate life's biggest transitions together. After 23 years of military service and countless moves, Martin Foster is stepping into retirement, and together, he and Lora reflect on the journey: the challenges of starting over in new communities, the lessons learned ...

Send a text Bill Blankschaen is a Multiple NYT/USA Today bestselling author & founder and Chief Story Architect of StoryBuilders, a creative team of story-tellers who share his passion for helping people live a story worth telling and serving them with excellence in genuine, high-trust relationships. In his new book, Your Story Advantage, with a foreword Lewis Howes from he shows a proven path to build instant credibility that positions you as the go-to expert in your field, he’s wo...

Send a text In this conversation, Joseph Rutakangwa shares his journey from wealth to extreme poverty and back, emphasizing the importance of self-identity, fulfillment, and practical actions to regain control over one's life. He discusses his books, 'Never Stay Broke' and 'Negative to Zero', and how they reflect his experiences and insights on personal development. Rutakangwa encourages listeners to create their own vision and identity, and to accept their true desires in order t...

Send a text Welcome back to "Passing The Torch," where we dive deep into the stories behind remarkable leaders, their journeys, and the lessons they have to share. In this episode, host Martin Foster sits down with Scott Stalker—a man whose military career defies conventional expectations. Despite finishing last in his intelligence school training, Scott went on to spend 31 years in the United States Marine Corps, becoming the first and only Marine to serve as the command senior enliste...

Send a text Ryan, a Massachusetts native and oldest of seven, found escape in sports and filmmaking. He earned a basketball scholarship to Fitchburg State University, studying Broadcast Journalism and Theater. Shortly after joining the U.S. Army in 2001, 9/11 changed the world—and his path. Serving eight years with two deployments, Ryan credits the military for shaping his leadership and creative drive. Post-service, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue directing, creating content fo...

Send a text Callsign: Strike. Calling: Transformation. Angelina “Strike” Stephens has spent her life beyond the comfort zone on flightlines, in boardrooms, and in life’s most demanding moments. Forged in high-stakes leadership and proven in the moments that test character and conviction, she brings courage, candor, and clarity to every stage. With more than two decades of global military leadership, she has led organizations of thousands, advised senior executives, and delivered outcomes in e...

Send a text Scott MacGregor is the Publisher & Editor-In-Chief, Outlier Magazine, Founder, The Outlier Project, Founder & CEO, SomethingNew LLC, 4x Author of the “Standing O!” Series and Record 8x Winner of the American Business Award for Innovation. - Quick Episode Summary: In this episode, Scott MacGregor shares his journey as an entrepreneur and the founder of the Outlier Project, a community dedicated to making a positive impact. He discusses the importance of recognizing opportun...

Send a text Kim “KC” Campbell is a retired Colonel who served in the Air Force for over 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close air support mission. As a senior military leader, Kim h...

Send a text Ed Latimore is a best-selling author, former professional heavyweight boxer, and competitive chess player. His writing focuses on self-improvement and a practical approach to stoic philosophy. - Quick Episode Summary: Ed Latimore discusses resilience, self-improvement, boxing, and overcoming adversity. - Key takeaways include: Resilience is built by confronting hardship, not avoiding it. Ed’s perspective that “we don’t grow despite the storms, we grow because of the storms” hits h...

Send a text Curtez Riggs is a retired Military Veteran who spent twenty-one years within the ranks of the US Army. A native of Flint, Michigan, he is a serial entrepreneur, community builder, and advocate for the military community. Today, he uses entrepreneurship as a tool to create economic opportunities for marginalized communities and underrepresented voices. - Quick Episode Summary: Curtez Riggs on building community, military transition, and authentic connections. - Here are 3 key...

Send a text Meet Michelle "Mace" Curran, former Air Force Thunderbird pilot, keynote speaker, and author. The conversation kicks off with Michelle sharing her excitement about the upcoming release of her first nonfiction book, The Flip Side: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower. She explains how the book, infused with lessons and stories from her 13 years flying fighter jets, aims to help readers transform fear into a tool for growth and resilience. - ...

Send a text Todd Simmons is the Founder and Chief Vision Officer of Courageous Leadership Alliance. As a seasoned educator, executive coach, organizational culture influencer, international keynote speaker and business leader, Todd strives to build a coalition of change agents sharing a common aim for building a society of courageous leaders. Todd has worked with global institutions and businesses such as NASA, U.S Air Force, U.S Space Force, Professional Golf Association (PGA), A...

Send a text In this conversation, Dr. Keith "KC" Castille and Martin Foster explore profound themes of life, loss, and leadership. They reflect on personal experiences that shape their perspectives, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, the impact of mentorship, and the evolving landscape of workforce development. The discussion highlights the significance of embracing life after loss, celebrating achievements, and the role of AI in education. Ultimately, they underscore the nece...

Send a text Mary Polanco shares insights on leadership, wellness, and purposeful living. === Time Codes: 00:00 Mary Polanco: Veteran & Mentor 03:43 Second Chance: Career Shift to Optometry 08:23 Neglecting Self for Others' Validation 12:22 Promote Fitness for Workplace Success 13:31 Grassroots Change Movement 19:07 "Follow Your Inner Voice" 20:04 "Peaked in High School" Connect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartin More Amazing Stories: Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing Yo...

Send a text The episode touches on the lack of personal finance education in schools, with Erik advocating for more practical courses to set young adults up for success. He also describes his approach to budgeting as a way to reduce mental stress and free up brain space for more important life decisions. Overall, this episode is packed with practical finance advice, life lessons from the military, and personal anecdotes on happiness, resilience, and purpose. It’s a great listen for anyone loo...

Send a text In this impactful episode of Passing The Torch, host Martin Foster sits down with Michelle Lang, founder of Operation Honor Rural Salute (OHRS), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting rural and small-town veterans and their families. Michelle shares her personal journey, including her husband’s challenging transition out of the military and the difficulties they faced finding support in rural Pennsylvania. This experience, combined with helping their Vietnam veteran neigh...

Send a text In this episode of “Passing The Torch,” host Martin Foster sits down with Blake Stilwell—an accomplished writer, editor, and combat photographer who was recently named editor in chief at We Are the Mighty. The conversation dives deep into Blake’s unconventional and winding journey through multiple careers, his time in the military, and how he nearly “accidentally” became a full-time writer. Key Themes: The unpredictable path of career evolution after military serviceThe powe...

Send a text In this heartfelt and insightful episode of "Passing The Torch," host Martin Foster sits down with Josh White, host of the Herofront podcast, core member of Team Departing Sin, and a recent military retiree. The conversation takes listeners through Josh's transition from military life to civilian life, the emotional rollercoaster tied to retirement, and the search for purpose beyond the uniform. === Time Codes: 00:00 "Genuine Encounter Resonates Deeply" 03:49 Smooth Retireme...

Send a text Meet Cody Keenan—best known as President Barack Obama’s longtime speechwriter and author of the bestseller "Grace." The conversation covers Cody’s career journey, from his early days working for Senator Ted Kennedy, to his rise as White House Chief Speechwriter, and beyond. Martin opens with humor and heartfelt admiration for Cody’s work, setting a warm, conversational tone. Additionally, the episode touches on the creative process behind presidential speechwriting: the inte...

Send a text Shaun Murphy, known as Mr. Motivation, shares his journey of resilience, fatherhood, and the fusion of music and motivational speaking. He emphasizes the importance of living in the moment, embracing failure, and surrounding oneself with a supportive community. Through personal anecdotes and insights from his book 'Unbreakable Valor', Shaun inspires listeners to pursue their passions and overcome challenges with hope and determination. --- Takeaways Success is not just about...

Send a text Passing The Torch – "Kurt Warner" Podcast Summary In this inspiring episode of Passing The Torch, host Martin Foster sits down with NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner to explore the remarkable journey that took him from stocking grocery store shelves to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. The conversation dives deep into Warner’s philosophies on resilience, preparation, and personal growth, highlighting how adversity—rather than being an obstacle—actually ...

Send a text Tripp Bodenheimer is the host of The Shadows Podcast. An enlightening show that uncovers stories of triumph, showcasing inspiring tales of resilience, courage, and hope. Through powerful narratives, it illuminates the indomitable human spirit. Delving into mental, social, physical, and emotional strength, the podcast offers a beacon of light, fostering a deep appreciation for the strength that lies within us all. Notes: 00:00 Intro 07:37 Deployment Challenges and Separation ...