Passing The Torch with Martin Foster
Self-Improvement
About
Passing The Torch is a TORCH LEAP® podcast featuring long-form conversations with leaders, veterans, entrepreneurs, and culture-shapers focused on growth, identity, and transition. --- Welcome to Passing The Torch, a personal development podcast that’s about the journey, not just the destination. This show is a conversation with people who inspire me — thought leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, authors, and others who are constantly evolving and learning about themselves. I’m not pretending to have it all figured out, and that’s what makes this podcast different. As I navigate my own personal growth and discover new tools, insights, and stories that are helping me, I’m bringing you along for the ride. I believe that when it comes to self-improvement, we don’t always need to hear from someone who has already "arrived" at their ideal self. Instead, we can find power in connecting with people who are in the trenches alongside us, figuring things out as t
Episodes
- Ep. 131: Kate McKinnon - Redefining Company Culture, Conversations on HR, Sports, and Empathy
Send us Fan Mail Kate McKinnon is the former Head of Human Resources at Playfly Sports, a leading sports media and marketing company. There, she led the People function through a fast-paced, high-growth phase - helping the company earn rec…
- Ep. 130: 25 Lessons after 130 episodes of Passing The Torch Podcast
Send us Fan Mail Lessons learned after over eight plus years of podcasting. Support the show Connect with Passing The Torch : Facebook and IG: @torchmartin More Amazing Stories: Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You I…
- Ep. 129: Andy Riise - What It Really Takes to Win in Life and Leadership
Send us Fan Mail Andy Riise (Reece) is an Army Veteran, West Point graduate, and former Army football fullback with 20+ years leading Soldiers in combat, earning two Bronze Stars. A pioneer in military mental fitness, he helped launch resi…
- You Don’t Need More Discipline, You Need Better Connection - George Hayworth - Ep. 128
Send us Fan Mail George Hayworth is the Founder of Elite Sentinel Coaching where he “forges leaders and builds legacies”. He also leverages his expertise in leadership through over a decade of military experience, corporate experience and…
- Ep. 127: Scott Huesing - Building Transferable Legacy
Send us Fan Mail Scott Huesing is a retired Marine Infantry Major, combat leader, and bestselling author of Echo in Ramadi. A seasoned speaker and media contributor, he shares hard-earned insights on leadership, human connection, and overc…
- BONUS Throwback Episode - CMSAF #18 Kaleth Wright, Retired, USAF, from April 2018
Send us Fan Mail ****DISCLAIMER**** The views and comments made by host and guest do not represent the views nor are they in association with the United States military.**** Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force-Attitude Reflects Leadersh…
- Ep. 126: Month of the Military Child (My daughter is the special guest)
Send us Fan Mail April is the Month of the Military Child. According to Defense.gov, Military families move every two to three years on average, and military children change schools an average of six to nine times from the start of kinderg…
- BONUS Throwback Episode - Dr. Benjamin Hardy from April 2018
Send us Fan Mail Benjamin Hardy is Medium.com’s number one writer, a PhD candidate at Clemson University and the author of Willpower Doesn’t Work: Discover the Hidden Keys to Success . In his book, Benjamin addresses the concept willpower…
- Ep. 125: From Service to Civic Engagement - Jason Galui on Leadership and Overcoming Fictional Fear
Send us Fan Mail Jason J. Galui is the former Director for Veterans and Military Families at the George W. Bush Institute and the Director, Center for Civic Participation, Endicott College. Throughout a unique military career, Galui led so…
- BONUS Throwback Episode - General John P. Jumper, Retired, USAF, from January 2018
Send us Fan Mail ****DISCLAIMER**** The views and comments made by host and guest do not represent the views nor are they in association with the United States military. **** NOTE: This episode was recorded on another podcast by same host.…
- Ep. 124: Super Frenchie Matthias Giraud on Mastering Fear, Extreme Skiing & Life Lessons
Send us Fan Mail Matthias Giraud is a Professional Skier and Base Jumper, 2 X World Record Holder, and the man known as Super Frenchie. - Quick Episode Summary: Matthias Giraud discusses fear, passion, and mastering extreme mountain sports…
- BONUS Throwback Episode - Heath Trepanier Interview from January 2019
Send us Fan Mail Heath Trepanier- Resilience is making mistakes and coming back from them In January of 2017, US Air Force Technical Sergeant Heath Trepanier (“Trep”) was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when a cantaloupe-sized tumor was foun…
- Ep. 123: Becoming the Lighthouse: Mary Howe on Service, Legacy, and Choosing Your Own Path
Send us Fan Mail Mary Howe is a writer, nurse, and military veteran whose work explores identity, transition, faith, and personal growth. Drawing from a multigenerational military family legacy, she reflects on purpose, resilience, and the…
- Ep. 122: Nick Lavery - The Quiet Skill That Makes Great Leaders Dangerous
Send us Fan Mail Nick Lavery is a Special Forces Warrant Officer who returned to combat after losing his leg in a 2013 insider attack in Afghanistan. Refusing medical retirement, he became the first amputee in military history to complete…
- Ep. 121: Charlynda Scales - Resilience, Rock Bottom, and Rising
Send us Fan Mail While serving on active duty, Charlynda Scales inherited her grandfather’s (a Korean and Vietnam War Veteran) 1956 barbecue sauce recipe. She realized it;s true power wasn’t the ingredients, but the legacy behind it. Drive…
- Ep. 120: Kellen Mond - From NFL QB to Artist and Photographer
Send us Fan Mail Passing The Torch is a leadership podcast from TORCH LEAP® featuring long-form conversations on leadership, identity, transition, resilience, and culture. - Kellen Mond shares his journey from surviving the chaotic world o…
- Ep. 119: Timothy Klund (aka TK) From Air Force to Celebrity Softball - Lessons on Leadership, Loyalty, and Living Life Fully
Send us Fan Mail Passing The Torch is a leadership podcast from TORCH LEAP® featuring long-form conversations on leadership, identity, transition, resilience, and culture. - Timothy Klund, aka TK , shares his journey from being an Air Forc…
- Ep. 118: Better Has No Finish Line - Joe Bogdan on Growth and Meaning
Send us Fan Mail Joe Bogdan is a remarkable teacher, mentor, and Air Force leader turned business innovator. We talked about resilience, finding purpose after military service, and the real, sometimes messy journey of leadership. Joe share…
- Ep. 117: From Cuba to CIA - Ric Prado on Service, Sacrifice, and Black Ops
Send us Fan Mail On this edition of Passing the Torch, Martin Foster welcomes legendary CIA operations officer and bestselling author Ric Prado to the show. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes in clandestine opera…
- Ep. 116: From Small Beginnings to Big Impact - Ken Coleman’s Insights on Purpose and Transformation
Send us Fan Mail Ken Coleman elaborates on the role of podcasts in shaping culture and providing on-demand content that influences listeners. He highlights the importance of clarity in building confidence and courage, sharing his personal…
- Ep. 115: Ray Cash Care - Why Vulnerability Is a Leadership Weapon
Send us Fan Mail True strength isn’t pretending you have it all together. Ray “Cash” Care explains why vulnerability builds trust, strengthens teams, and creates leaders people actually want to follow. - Quick Episode Summary: Ray Cash Car…
- Ep. 114: Edgar Jones on Transformation, Forgiveness, Growth, Life Lessons, and Football Stories
Send us Fan Mail Meet Edgar Jones. He is a seven-year NFL Veteran, Professional Speaker, John Maxwell Certified Coach, and Author. Edgar helps high performers apply championship-level strategies to lead more effectively without burning out…
- Ep. 113: Austen Alexander - Engineering Confidence After the Uniform Comes Off
Send us Fan Mail Meet Austen Alexander , a Navy veteran turned entrepreneur and fitness influencer. In this episode, we discuss Austen's unique approach to fitness, his journey to YouTube success, and the importance of gratitude and self-b…
- Ep. 112: Reinventing Yourself - Jessica Meuse Talks Military Service, Ambitions, and Staying True
Send us Fan Mail In a world where change is the only constant, Jessica Meuse's journey from a civilian to an officer in the Coast Guard serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of resilience and authenticity. In a recent podcast episod…
- Ep. 111: From the CIA to Storytelling - Tessa Robinson on Leadership, Resilience, and Service
Send us Fan Mail Tessa Robinson is seasoned communicator and storyteller with a rich background in public service and the military community joins Martin Foster on Passing The Torch. They discuss the importance of storytelling, the challen…
- Ep. 110: Katherine Torres-Pummill - Authentic Voices in Military Media and Approach to Storytelling
Send us Fan Mail Martin Foster hosts a candid conversation with Katherine Torres-Pummill, the dynamic General Manager of Recurrent’s Military Vertical. Katherine shares her journey from growing up in New York City as a first-generation Ame…
- Ep. 109: Empowerment Through Kindness with Vanity Cross-Williams
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Passing the Torch, Martin Foster interviews Vanity Cross-Williams, an active duty military member and development advisor for the United States Air Force. They discuss themes of kindness, leadership, per…
- Ep. 108: Yoga, Leadership, and Life’s Unexpected Turns with Veteran and Advocate Jennifer Ballou
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Passing the Torch, host Martin Foster engages with Jennifer Ballou, an accomplished leader and yoga therapist, discussing her journey through life coaching, the importance of resilience, and her work wit…
- Ep. 107: Maurice P. Kerry on Invisible Impact, Fatherhood, Marines, Life, Survival, and Purpose
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Passing the Torch, host Martin Foster engages in a heartfelt conversation with Maurice P. Kerry, a Marine Veteran and actor. They discuss Maurice's journey from military service to overcoming homelessnes…
- Ep. 106: Robert Hamilton Owens - Built, Not Given: The Never-Quit Mindset of a 72-Year-Old Ironman
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Martin Foster interviews Robert Hamilton Owens, a multifaceted individual known for his resilience and mental toughness. They discuss the importance of confidence, the impact of others on self-perception,…
- Ep. 105: Vincent Mattox on Military Life, Influential Friendships, and the Power of Discipline
Send us Fan Mail Quick Episode Summary: Vincent Mattox shares leadership, gratitude, friendship, and military journey insights. - SEO Description: Passing The Torch podcast: Vincent Mattox shares inspiring lessons on leadership, growth, an…
- Ep. 104: Toni Lavery - Resilience, Service, and New Beginnings
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Passing the Torch, host Martin Foster speaks with Toni Lavery, a veteran of the United States Army, about her transition to civilian life, the challenges she faced, and the importance of resilience and s…
- Ep. 103: How Asking Why Builds Stronger Teams: Matt Lucio
Send us Fan Mail Quick Episode Summary: Matt Lucio shares Air Force leadership lessons, motivation, and authenticity. - SEO Description: Air Force Noncommissioned officer (NCO) Matt Lucio shares leadership lessons, motivation, and career i…
- Ep. 102: Denny Giamazzo - Wired for Action
Send us Fan Mail 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 T…
- Ep. 101: Behind The Mic, Networking, Growth, and Embracing Authenticity - Martin Foster and Jason David
Send us Fan Mail 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 crea…
- Ep. 100: Modeling the Rise, Not the Result: Growth and Community in Military Family Life with Lora Foster
Send us Fan Mail 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 l…
- #99 - Storytelling for Impact with Bill Blankschaen
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- #98 - Joseph Rutakangwa- Never Stay Broke: Practical Steps to Financial Freedom
Send us Fan Mail 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 disc…
- #97 - Scott Stalker - Left of Leadership
Send us Fan Mail 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 ma…
- #96 - Resilience, Risk, and Making Movies: How Ryan Curtis Is Changing the Veteran Narrative
Send us Fan Mail 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 th…
- #95 - Angelina 'Strike' Stephens - Leading beyond comfort zones, purpose, and post-military transformation
Send us Fan Mail 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 p…
- Ep.94: Why Networking Is Broken (And What To Do Instead) - Scott MacGregor
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- #93 - Kim "KC" Campbell - Fighter Pilot's Courage, Lessons, and Growth Stories
Send us Fan Mail 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 pro…
- #92 - Ed Latimore - Tactical Habits of Pro Boxer and Best Selling Author
Send us Fan Mail 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 L…
- #91 - Curtez Riggs - Connecting Communities, Military Influence in Action, and Veteran Impact
Send us Fan Mail 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. T…
- #90 - Michelle 'MACE' Curran - How to Turn Fear into Fuel
Send us Fan Mail 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 Fli…
- #89 - Todd Simmons - Courageous Leadership & Authentic Living
Send us Fan Mail 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 st…
- #88 - Dr. Keith Castille - Veteran Leadership & Vulnerability
Send us Fan Mail 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 vulne…
- BONUS - Mary Polanco Interview from February 2023
Send us Fan Mail 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…
- #87 - Building Financial Resilience for Veterans - Erik Baskin
Send us Fan Mail 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 m…