Ballast Book Launch

Take a listen as Chad Jensen, former California police officer, discusses his new book, Badge Under Fire, with Ballast Books president Andy Symonds. Get your copy here ! When Officer Jensen was falsely accused of excessive force during a lawful arrest, he trusted the justice system would protect him—until he became the target of what he alleges was a fraudulent FBI investigation and prosecution. W...

Check out this episode as Zoë Gregory, author and former Playboy Bunny, talks her book, From Britain to Bunny, with Ballast Books president Andy Symonds. Get your copy here ! What does it take to get from the tough streets of London to the glitz and glamour of the Playboy Mansion? Author Zoë Gregory takes readers on a journey through the rave scene of her rebellious youth to the stark reality of y...

Check out Mark Hertling's discussion of his book, If I Don't Return, with Andy Symonds, president of Ballast Books.                                                When Mark Hertling was deployed to Iraq in 1990, he didn’t know if he’d ever return home. He started keeping a journal that could be passed down to his sons, writing about everything from the reality of combat during Operation Desert Sto...

Kodey Bogart is back with the fourth book in the Helo Girls series, The Agricultural Pilot, which follows an aerial team on their mission to help a farmer spray crops with pesticides. Check out her discussion with Andy Symonds, president of Blue Balloon Books, as they talk all things STEAM and aviation. Kodey Bogart is a former United States Army warrant officer and aviator who flew the Blackhawk...

In Darryl’s Christmas in Hollis, Christmas gets a magical mix-up, Run-DMC–style! Take a listen as DMC—rapper, producer, and now author—gives an inside scoop to his new project. As Christmas approaches, Darryl is exploding with holiday anticipation! But first, he needs a new pair of glasses. A trip to the eye doctor opens his eyes to the many ways people celebrate the holidays. When he tries on the...

Barry Morgenstein takes center stage in this discussion of his book Rock & Soul with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds. From the smoky corners of L’Amour to the thunderous roar of Giants Stadium, Barry poured his blood, sweat, and soul into capturing the faces that defined 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s music culture—including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Steven Tyler, and legends like Chuck Berry—...

Andrea Mercier speaks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about her children’s book. Andrea’s journey took an unexpected turn when she became an autism mom to her beautiful son, Gabriel. His extraordinary spirit spurred Andrea to pen Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Andrea aims to bridge the gap between neurotypical and uniquely-abled children to foster understand...

Chris Frueh, PhD, speaks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about his book Operator Syndrome, which outlines his decades of experience treating veterans and studying the impact that years of war have on them and their loved ones. Dr. Frueh guides readers through the harrowing terrain of operator syndrome. He provides a roadmap to understand its multifaceted origins and complex effects on every bi...

Jan Davis, author of Air Born: Two Generations in Flight and its sequel Air Born: Artistic Musings of a WWII Pilot and POW, tells her and her father's stories in this compelling episode of Ballast Book Launch with Andy Symonds. Two aviators making history. Two Americans serving their country. One incredible story spanning fifty years and two generations. Learn where it all started: https://ballast...

Do you want better clinical outcomes, fewer errors, increased productivity, and highly reliable patient care? High Reliability Healthcare offers some actionable tips from the safest and most reliable industry ever: the nuclear navy. For over seventy-five years, the nuclear navy has operated highly enriched nuclear reactors with sailors in their twenties at the helm and has never experienced an acc...

Author of the smash-hit seller Grit to Glory Darrell Utt sits down with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds to discuss his background as a Green Beret in Baghdad, his new foray into publishing, and his essential "Grit Code": the eight principles he says can help anyone overcome their toughest challenges. His story stands as a powerful testament that no matter where you come from, bold action and relent...

Rodney Magallan speaks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about his book Tip of the Spear, which paints a vivid and meaningful analogy using this deadly weapon. According to Rodney, the tip of the spear comprises the elite members of a group. It’s the SEALs; the company executives; the star athletes, famous artists, and other industry leaders. Only a select few make it to the tip of the spear, bu...

Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman talks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about the history of presidential healthcare, his insights from serving "5 and a half" presidents, and his observations on the cognitive abilities of current and former presidential candidates. Dr. Kuhlman's book, Transforming Presidential Healthcare, draws from his rich experiences tending to the medical needs of Presidents Clinton, Bu...

Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds talks with Mark Hebner, founder and CEO of Index Fund Advisors Inc., about the 10th edition of Mark's book "Index Funds: The 12-Step Recovery Program for Active Investors." The two business leaders discuss Mark's philosophy on investing, the challenges of writing and publishing a book, and common mistakes many investors and financial advisors make.

Daniel Gade talks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about why large NY houses were reluctant to publish his book, the challenges of trying to change Veterans Affairs policy, and what it's like to have more Purple Hearts than legs. Daniels' book, Wounding Warriors: How Bad Policy Is Making Veterans Sicker and Poorer, highlights issues within the VA and why their policies are hurting our nation’s...