Passing The Torch with Martin Foster

<p>Welcome to Passing The Torch, a personal development podcast that’s about the journey, not just the destination.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 they go. Passing The Torch is an opportunity for both of us to learn, grow, and share in real-time.<br /><br />Every episode, I sit down with individuals from all walks of life — from CEOs and best-selling authors to Special Forces Operators, friends, and elite athletes — and we dive deep into the lessons they’ve learned, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and the wisdom they’ve gained. Along the way, I’ll be sharing my own experiences and insights from my personal development journey.<br /><br />Whether you’re someone who’s looking for guidance or simply enjoy hearing raw, honest stories of transformation, Passing The Torch offers something for everyone. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about sharing what we’ve learned and helping each other move forward.<br /><br />Join me on this adventure. Let's pass the torch together.</p>

#108 - Yoga, Leadership, and Life’s Unexpected Turns with Veteran and Advocate Jennifer Ballou

Send us a text 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 with the Global War on Terrorism Memorial. They explore themes of personal growth, the significance of storytelling through memorials, and the impact of kindness and support in one's life. Jennifer shares insights from her experiences, emphasizing the nee...

12-18
47:22

#107 - Maurice P. Kerry on Invisible Impact, Fatherhood, Marines, Life, Survival, and Purpose

Send us a text 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 homelessness, the challenges of being a single father, and the importance of vulnerability and resilience. Maurice shares insights from his life experiences, including his time in Iraq, the impact of his upbringing, and the lessons he imparts to his children....

12-11
52:05

#106 - Robert Hamilton Owens - Built, Not Given: The Never-Quit Mindset of a 72-Year-Old Ironman

Send us a text 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, and the significance of mindset in overcoming adversity. Robert shares personal stories of his journey, including his experiences in the military, coaching, and the lessons learned from life's hardships. The conversation emphasizes the value of ...

12-09
55:48

#105 - Vincent Mattox on Military Life, Influential Friendships, and the Power of Discipline

Send us a text 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, and his military journey. Real stories, motivation, and wisdom. - 🌟 Torch Takeaways: Roots & Family: Hear how Vincent Mattox’s upbringing—two supportive parents, both educators and athletes—influenced his drive. His mom is a history-maker in NCAA men’s baske...

12-04
37:38

#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, health challenges, and her commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations. The conversation delves into the significance of empathy in communication, the impact of personal experience...

11-26
01:08:46

#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. Inspiring stories await! 🌟 Torch Takeaways: The Power of People: It’s not just about the places you go—it’s about the amazing friends and mentors you find along the way. He credits the support of his superv...

11-20
25:20

#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 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 HabitsExecution...

11-18
39:27

#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 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 mi...

11-13
01:01:13

#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 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 learn...

11-06
40:52

#99 - Storytelling for Impact with Bill Blankschaen

Send us 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...

10-30
44:05

#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', 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 orde...

10-23
40:47

#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. 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 enli...

10-16
01:38:47

#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. 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...

10-09
56:04

#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 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 i...

10-02
45:24

#94 - Scott MacGregor - Everyday is a Special Occasion

Send us 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 oppor...

09-17
42:55

#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 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, Ki...

09-10
43:59

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

Send us 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” hit...

09-04
58:15

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

Send us 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 ...

09-01
57:23

#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 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....

08-28
52:08

#89 - Todd Simmons - Courageous Leadership & Authentic Living

Send us 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)...

08-21
01:12:49

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