The Trident Room Podcast

Join us as TRP host Cmdr. Alanna Youngblood sits down with Dr. Martin Mandelberg to discuss his experience working with Dr. Richard Hamming as his one, and only, PhD student. Dr. Mandelberg recounts all his trials, tribulations, and challenges in working with a personality such as Dr. Hamming as well as the special, cherished connection he shared with his mentor. He states that it was this “chosen family” bond that drove him to undertake his current, massive project involving coordination with the Hamming family estate to preserve all manner of documentation from Dr. Hamming, both in an accessible online archive and in his new book, Richard Wesley Hamming.

In part two of this episode, TRP host Cmdr. Alanna Youngblood continues her discussion with Dr. Martin Mandelberg on working with legendary mathematician Dr. Richard Hamming as his PhD student. Dr. Mandelberg recounts all his trials, tribulations, and challenges in working with a personality such as Dr. Hamming, and the special, cherished connection he shared with his mentor. -----------

In part one of this episode, TRP host Cmdr. Alanna Youngblood sits down with Dr. Martin Mandelberg to discuss his experiences working with Dr. Richard Hamming as the iconic mathematician’s one, and only, PhD student. Dr. Mandelberg recounts all his trials, tribulations, and challenges in working with a personality such as Dr. Hamming, and the special, cherished connection he shared with his mentor.

The Trident Room Podcast’s TRP Unfiltered series delivers authentic, unedited conversations by a round table of TRP hosts, students and guests on a submitted question … In this episode, the TRP team welcomes two new NPS students to the table for a discussion on career paths to NPS, what lies ahead, and much more.

In part two of this episode, TRP hosts Colleen Wilmington and Anthony Castillo continue their discussion on leadership, undersea warfare, and nuclear deterrence with NPS Hall of Fame alumnus retired U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil Haney. Insightful and plainly spoken, Haney’s advice, empowered by 50+ years of distinguished public service, can be assimilated across the full spectrum of leadership.

Lt. Cmdr. Colleen Wilmington and Lt. Anthony Castillo met with retired Adm. Cecil Haney to discuss his outlook on leadership, submarine warfare, and nuclear deterrence in a changing world during his visit to NPS in March 2025 for the Winter Commencement. Spanning over 50 years of governmental service in the military and private sectors, Admiral Haney maintained a strict adherence to core values and dedication to people. Insightful and plainly spoken, Admiral Haney’s advice can be assimilated across the full spectrum of both today’s and tomorrow’s leaders, military and civilian alike.

In the latest episode of the Trident Room Podcast’s Unfiltered series, show hosts and guests Elaura and Anthony sit around a table in the Trident Room Rose Garden to discuss this week's topic. The views expressed during the Trident Room Podcast are those of the hosts, and do not represent official policy of the Naval Postgraduate School, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Department of Defense.

In this episode, Senior Producer Alanna Youngblood picks the brain of NPS’ Director of International Graduate Programs Mr. Danial Pick. In this interview they both explore topics and concepts ranging from Language, Culture, and Diplomacy to Special Operations and Counterterrorism Insights to Personnel and Career reflections. Strap in for quite the adventure!

The Trident Room Podcast’s TRP Unfiltered series delivers authentic, unedited conversations by a round table of TRP hosts, students and guests on a submitted question … In this episode, the team is challenged to share a guilty pleasure, such as the artists on their favorite playlists that they’d rather not admit to!

In part one of this two-part episode, the Trident Room Podcast sits down with NPS Director of International Graduate Programs retired Army Col. Danial “Dino” Pick for a conversation on his career in special operations and foreign affairs, critical lessons from history that cannot be forgotten, and the invaluable role of allies and partners in U.S. national security.

The Trident Room Podcast’s new series, TRP Unfiltered, delivers authentic, unedited conversations by a round table of TRP hosts, students and guests on a submitted question … In this episode, team members get nostalgic, sharing stories of unique foods from their pasts that inspire memories and connect families.

In the latest episode of the Academic Arsenal series, host Lt. Cmdr. Colleen Wilmington talks with two NPS students graduating through the Bowman Scholarship program for high-performing U.S. Naval Academy graduates pursuing assignments in the nuclear Navy.

Trident Room Podcast Hosts Elaura and Alanna sit around a table in the Trident Room Rose Garden to discuss this week’s topic, personal perspectives on the value of engaging through Social Media. The views expressed during the Trident Room Podcast are those of the hosts, and do not represent official policy of the Naval Postgraduate School, the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Department of Defense.

In part two of this two-part episode, Trident Room Podcast hosts Alanna Youngblood and Colleen Wilmington sit down with NPS Dean of Students and SEAL Community Bullfrog U.S. Navy Capt. Eric J. Skalski for a conversation on leading NPS’ unique student body, his advice and insights to current and prospective students, and the value of NPS’ industry partners for students. Today’s podcast may sound familiar to our regular listeners as it will echo themes from METOC Me-talks. We’re bringing DOS onto the podcast today to get to know the leader behind the billet, discuss his role at NPS, and given time constraints, his vision for NPS students.

Trident Room Podcast Hosts Anthony, Elaura, Josh, and Alanna sit around a table in the Trident Room Rose Garden to discuss this week’s topic: “What is something you hope people remember you for, and what's one thing you hope they forget?"

In part one of this two-part episode, the Trident Room Podcast hosts Alanna Youngblood and Colleen Wilmington sit down with NPS Dean of Students Capt. Eric J. Skalski for a conversation on lessons learned over four decades of service, the importance of educating warfighters, and the challenges and opportunities in serving NPS’ diverse, international student community. Today’s podcast may sound familiar to our regular listeners as it will echo themes from METOC Me-talks. We’re bringing DOS onto the podcast today to get to know the leader behind the billet, discuss his role at NPS, and given time constraints, his vision for NPS students.

Trident Podcast Host Anthony Castillo, Elaura Hastings, Colleen Wilmington, and Alanna Youngblood sit around a table in the Trident Room Rose Garden to discuss this week’s topic: “What is there to do here in Monterey?”

Naval Postgraduate School Trident Room Podcast host U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Colleen Wilmington interviews two graduating students, U.S. Navy Ensign Grace Casey and Ensign Dutton Rogers, attending NPS through the Shoemaker Scholar program, and pursuing a thesis through the NPS Undersea Warfare program. This episode was recorded on January 28, 2025. The Shoemaker Scholarship program provides an opportunity for Student Naval Aviators awaiting flight school to get their graduate degree at NPS directly following their undergraduate program. Shoemaker Scholars are provided with an opportunity to sharpen their mind before heading out to the Fleet, taking their new-found expertise to their next command and reducing the need for an operational gap. Recently, the Shoemaker Scholar program expanded significantly, from 10 to 50 quotas, with applicants not constricted to the U.S. Naval Academy.

The Trident Room Podcast (TRP) team is launching an all-new series delivering authentic conversation on current, topical issues. Each episode of TRP Unfiltered features a round table of podcast hosts, NPS students and their guests tackling a random question submitted by TRP listeners … Just the kind of stout conversation you’d expect from the Trident Room Podcast. Up first, what is the best (and worst) leadership advice you have ever received? ----------------- The Trident Room Podcast is brought to you by the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni Association and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. www.npsfoundation.org. For comments, suggestions, and critiques, please email us at TridentRoomPodcastHost@nps.edu, and find us online at https://www.nps.edu/tridentroompodcast. Thank you! Tags: NPS, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, U.S., United States, Coast Guard, DOD, Military Education, Podcast, Military Podcast, The Trident Room, The Trident Room Podcast The views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals and do not reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Navy, or the Naval Postgraduate School.

Trident Room Podcast lead host U.S. Navy Cmdr. Alanna Youngblood interviews Cmdr. Matthew Morris and Lt. Cortni Thrasher about their unique experiences while working to complete their theses. Cmdr. Morris first discusses how he, along with his thesis partners, designed experimentation to test previous theories of how to transmit the most important information to units in a denied environment. Lt. Thrasher then speaks about her thesis, which is in direct coordination with U.S. Pacific Fleet objectives and a topic from the Nimitz Research Group, studying how the incorporation of amphibious aircraft can benefit military operations in the Pacific. Cmdr. Matthew Morris graduated from Dickinson College in 2008 with a BA in German and commissioned through OCS as a SWO in 2009, transferring to Information Professional in 2014. He earned an MS in Network Operations at NPS and is an IW WTI in Command and Control/Cyber Operations. His tours include COMM-O onboard USS LASSEN, OPS and NAV for PCC Hotel, ISO and Staff NAV for COMDESRON 9, Flag COMM-O for CSG-9. He is currently serving as the CSO onboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON. Lt. Cortni Thrasher is an Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer in the U.S. Navy. She was previously enlisted as an aviation electronics technician after graduation in 2012 with a BS. She worked on Prowlers and Growlers with a deployment on USS STENNIS before transitioning to the AMDO community in 2019 and commissioning through OCS. She then served as a part of VFA 94 in Lamoore, CA as their maintenance material control officer. While there she deployed on the USS NIMITZ for a COVID deployment in 2020 and is now a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School.