Episodes

#104 - Toni Lavery - Resilience, Service, and New Beginnings
Nov. 26, 2025

#104 - Toni Lavery - Resilience, Service, and New Beginnings

Send us a text 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 support networks. Toni shares her journey of self-discovery, he…
#103 - How Asking Why Builds Stronger Teams: Matt Lucio
Nov. 20, 2025

#103 - How Asking Why Builds Stronger Teams: Matt Lucio

Send us a text 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 insights with host Martin Foster on Passing The Torch. Inspirin…
#102 - Denny Giamazzo - Wired for Action
Nov. 18, 2025

#102 - Denny Giamazzo - Wired for Action

Send us 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 e…
#101 - Behind The Mic, Networking, Growth, and Embracing Authenticity - Martin Foster and Jason David
Nov. 13, 2025

#101 - Behind The Mic, Networking, Growth, and Embracing Authenticity - Martin Foster and Jason David

Send us 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 p…
#100 - Modeling the Rise, Not the Result: Growth and Community in Military Family Life with Lora Foster
Nov. 6, 2025

#100 - Modeling the Rise, Not the Result: Growth and Community in Military Family Life with Lora Foster

Send us 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…
#99 - Storytelling for Impact with Bill Blankschaen
Oct. 30, 2025

#99 - Storytelling for Impact with Bill Blankschaen

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 hi…
#98 - Joseph Rutakangwa- Never Stay Broke: Practical Steps to Financial Freedom
Oct. 23, 2025

#98 - Joseph Rutakangwa- Never Stay Broke: Practical Steps to Financial Freedom

Send us 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', an…
#97 - Scott Stalker - Left of Leadership
Oct. 16, 2025

#97 - Scott Stalker - Left of Leadership

Send us 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. Despi…
#96 - Resilience, Risk, and Making Movies: How Ryan Curtis Is Changing the Veteran Narrative
Oct. 9, 2025

#96 - Resilience, Risk, and Making Movies: How Ryan Curtis Is Changing the Veteran Narrative

Send us 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. Serv…
#95 - Angelina 'Strike' Stephens - Leading beyond comfort zones, purpose, and post-military transformation
Oct. 2, 2025

#95 - Angelina 'Strike' Stephens - Leading beyond comfort zones, purpose, and post-military transformation

Send us 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 bri…
#94 - Scott MacGregor - Everyday is a Special Occasion
Sept. 17, 2025

#94 - Scott MacGregor - Everyday is a Special Occasion

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 MacGre…
#93 - Kim "KC" Campbell - Fighter Pilot's Courage, Lessons, and Growth Stories
Sept. 10, 2025

#93 - Kim "KC" Campbell - Fighter Pilot's Courage, Lessons, and Growth Stories

Send us 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 …
#92 - Ed Latimore - Tactical Habits of Pro Boxer and Best Selling Author
Sept. 4, 2025

#92 - Ed Latimore - Tactical Habits of Pro Boxer and Best Selling Author

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 advers…
#91 - Curtez Riggs - Connecting Communities, Military Influence in Action, and Veteran Impact
Sept. 1, 2025

#91 - Curtez Riggs - Connecting Communities, Military Influence in Action, and Veteran Impact

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…
#90 - Michelle 'MACE' Curran - How to Turn Fear into Fuel
Aug. 28, 2025

#90 - Michelle 'MACE' Curran - How to Turn Fear into Fuel

Send us 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…
#89 - Todd Simmons - Courageous Leadership & Authentic Living
Aug. 21, 2025

#89 - Todd Simmons - Courageous Leadership & Authentic Living

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…
#88 - Dr. Keith Castille - Veteran Leadership & Vulnerability
Aug. 14, 2025

#88 - Dr. Keith Castille - Veteran Leadership & Vulnerability

Send us 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…
BONUS - Mary Polanco Interview from February 2023
Aug. 7, 2025

BONUS - Mary Polanco Interview from February 2023

Send us 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 Grassroo…
#87 - Building Financial Resilience for Veterans - Erik Baskin
July 31, 2025

#87 - Building Financial Resilience for Veterans - Erik Baskin

Send us 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 d…
#86 - Connecting Rural Veterans to Resources and Support - Michelle Lang
July 14, 2025

#86 - Connecting Rural Veterans to Resources and Support - Michelle Lang

Send us 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 h…
#85 - Blake Stilwell - Humor and Humanity
July 14, 2025

#85 - Blake Stilwell - Humor and Humanity

Send us 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 th…
#84 - Josh White - From Service to Self-Discovery
July 10, 2025

#84 - Josh White - From Service to Self-Discovery

Send us 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 lif…
#83 - Cody Keenan - Wonderful Struggle
July 3, 2025

#83 - Cody Keenan - Wonderful Struggle

Send us 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 op…
#82 - Shaun Murphy - Music as a Medium for Motivation
June 26, 2025

#82 - Shaun Murphy - Music as a Medium for Motivation

Send us 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 anecd…