Journeys Through Leadership

Send a text Chief Richardson recounts the guests he had during season 2. Season 3 coming soon!

Send a text In the final episode of season 2, Chief Richardson travels to the 106th Rescue Wing to interview PJ Samuel Roda. The two talk about his journey to becoming a PJ and how surrounding yourself with motivated, high achieving people can help you live up to what they believe you can be. The two also discuss the importance of prioritizing family and Roda shares his thoughts that there are alw...

Send a text Senior Amn Karlie Foster, a member of the Civil Support Team based at the 109th, joins Chief Richardson to talk about being the top graduate from basic training, how crucial it is to set goals an advice she gives to other Airmen looking to succeed (hint- it includes setting goals and finding mentors!)

Send a text Chief welcomes MSgt "Oz" to the podcast from the 107th Attack Wing, Niagara, New York.  They discuss the value of experience and friendship and how the Guard becomes family over time, the challenge of taking care of your people by asking for help and opinions and being open to them. Why it is important to adapt, adjust and find the good in things even when they don't alw...

Send a text Failure is not failing. This is what Tony German wants others to understand.   Chief welcomes his first retiree to the podcast, former Adjutant General for New York State, Major General (Ret.) Tony German. German gives his background, including his failures that led him to the where he is today. Chief and the retired general also discuss the difference between hearing and listening, me...

Send a text Chief Richardson welcomes SSgt Jessica Cruz, N.Y.  ANG  Airman of the Year for 2022 and Air Transportation Specialist at the 109th Airlift Wing. The pair discuss how to thrive when you have a big personality and the importance that your reputation can have.  She also talks about why she never gives up- even when she knows she might fail. 

Send a text In this episode, Chief Richardson travels to the 174th Attack Wing Syracuse, New York to talk with SMSgt Christine Wiesen, the Host Aviation Resource Manager for the unit.  The pair discuss football (Wiesen used to play woman's tackle football!) what is a Chiweenie!?  How Wiesen came to be in the Air Guard after serving on Active Duty, some book recommendations, what enlisted troo...

Send a text Chief travels to the 106th Rescue Wing in Long Island to interview TSgt Jacquelyn Fisher, a Communications Specialist who works full-time on State Active Duty. The pair discuss future plans, rumor control, the importance of family support and resources when serving as a single parent, learning to say "yes" and move beyond your comfort zone and bucket list items!

Send a text Chief travels to the 107th Attack Wing, Niagara, New York to interview A1C Harry Hartman.  Hartman is currently a Security Forces Airman who just returned from a deployment in Africa.  He has been selected to be a RPA pilot. The two discuss why first impressions matter and how  followership and having a character is fundamental to success.

Send a text In this episode, Command Chief Denny Richardson has  Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead and ANG Command Chief Maurice Williams as guests. This episode  focuses more on what is expected of senior leaders (empathy, communication, lead by example not exception) and how to define your own career path (educate yourself, utilize your development and be involved in where your career takes...

Send a text The tables have turned!  Get to know the man behind the mic. Chief Richardson welcomes back some previous guests to ask him questions. Learn more about Chief's history, leadership style, and thoughts on what the Air Force could do better. He also talks about who the biggest influence in his life has been, work life balance and his influence and ideas for developing Airmen througho...

Send a text Chief travels to the Eastern Air Defense Sector, Rome N.Y., to interview SrA Hannah Streeter.  SrA Streeter recently left active duty to join the Air National Guard as a supply custodian in the Logistics Squadron.  The two discuss the challenges that logistics faces these days, what histopathology is (yes that's a real word) and how she was able to learn the career field through h...

Send a text Safety. Strength. Readiness. These are the core elements that Brig. Gen. Denise Donnell will focus on as the next commander of the New York Air National Guard. Chief sits down with Brig. Gen. Donnell as she prepares to take command of the NYANG.  They discuss  persevering  through the challenging times,  being accountable and embracing the leadership journey. Also discussed is why we s...

Send a text Chief reflects on the past 12 episodes from season 1,  thanking his guests and recapping some of the more memorable parts of their interviews. 

Send a text Season 2 of Journey's Through Leadership will drop on March 4th!

Send a text Major General Timothy LaBarge, the commander of the NY Air National Guard and the assistant adjutant general, reflects on his career of nearly 39 years as he prepares to retire. Chief and Maj. Gen. LaBarge  talk about lessons learned, culture shock, loneliness and how important it is to just keep moving forward through the uncomfortable times and keep the end-state in mind. LaBarge&apo...

Send a text Capt. Steve Palladino from the 105th Airlift Wing, Newburgh N.Y.  Talks with Chief about his civilian career, charitable work, military life and how important it is to really know the people you lead.  Pushing through hardship and not giving up, recognizing and caring for the ones you work with and how confrontation is not a bad thing are just a few things discussed. 

Send a text TSgt Jamie Spaulding joins Chief to talk about the public affairs career field and the deployment he just returned from. Also- why  leaders should get out of an Airman's way and how creativity is important in any career field. 

Send a text Chief is on the road to the 107th Attack Wing at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.   MSgt Tony Re is a Remote Piloted Aircraft sensor operator for the MQ-9.  He recaps his career progression from starting as a crew chief on KC-135 aircraft to his position today and outlines the goals he had to set along the way.  They discuss camaraderie in a unit, the feeling of family, and how it ke...

Send a text SrA Caleb Lapinel Joins Chief Richardson to recount his time as the first U.S. Air Force Airman to attend the Brazil Jungle Warfare Course.   SrA Lapinel shares some of his experiences and how important not only physical and metal strength are, but how important emotional intelligence is in high stress situations.  Also, his thoughts on snakes vs Chief's and his thoughts on why be...

Send a text Remembering Sep.11th and honoring the Airmen that worked at the Eastern Air Defense Sector on that day.  Chief sits down with TSgt Timothy Deckard, a member of the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) in Rome, New York.  They discuss the mission of EADS and the role the unit had on September 11, 2001. They also discuss the power that junior enlisted members have to make change in an organ...

Send a text Find your strength, attitude is everything, lead by example. Senior Airman Karley Youngs, honor guard coordinator and security forces Airman from the 174th Attack Wing talks with Chief Richardson about having people doubt you and moving forward from it instead of being brought down by it.   She also stresses the importance of smiling and having a good attitude, the only thing that can...

Send a text Dream big and go after what you want, be curious and learn as much as you can and always be prepared for any opportunity that may present itself. MSgt Jason Williams, 1st Sgt. at the 106th Rescue Wing, Long Island, New York, tackles some big topics with Chief Richardson to include doing the jobs you may not think you want, finding balance, being intentional and developing the person be...

Send a text Educate. Empower. Execute. Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead talked with Chief Richardson about creating a generation of leaders who aren't afraid to take risks and how current leaders must empower people by making them a part of decisions now.  He also discusses his definition of leadership, how learning comes from experiences and utilizing what you learn from those experien...

Send a text Know your why Stay true to yourself Get comfortable being uncomfortable SMSgt Renae Turner, Wing First Sergeant at the 105th Airlift Wing, joins Chief Richardson to discuss the importance of networking, staying motivated, being a female in a male dominated career field, and how the Air Force needs the fresh perspectives and ideas of the younger generation.  Also, the age old question-...