Airman Pulse

A weekly podcast featuring analysis of issues critical to Airmen with experts currently serving in and retired from the U.S. Air Force.

Flyovers and First Pitches: Where Military Meets Sports 07/28/2025

Flyovers and First Pitches: Where Military Meets Sports Leader of the national sports outreach program for the Air Force, Katie Spencer, joins the podcast to talk with John about the convergence of two of America's loves: the military and professional sports. John and Katie cover it all — flyovers at the Super Bowl, first pitches at MLB games, and more. Image: /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693150

Air Force Officer to Venture Capital 06/30/2025

Air Force Officer to Venture Capital This week John Barrett is joined by David Rothzeid, a principal at Shield Capital and a major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve in the acquisition community. They discuss his journey from life as an active duty Air Force officer to his transition to a leading venture capital firm. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693155

Unconventional Career Paths, Part 1 06/04/2025

Unconventional Career Paths, Part 1 On this episode of Airman Pulse, John Barrett is joined by Tyrell Mayfield to discuss his unconventional career path as an enlisted non-commissioned officer in the Army National Guard, to serving as an Air Force security forces officer, and later a foreign area officer. His thirty-two years of service are a testament to the unconventional paths military careers can take and still flourish. Image: Staff Sgt. Travis Edwards via /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693160

Life as a “Shirt” 05/05/2025

Life as a “Shirt” This week, host John Barrett sits down with three first sergeants, or "shirts," the senior enlisted advisors to the operational commanders in the Air Force. They discuss the rigorous process of becoming first sergeants and their lived experiences in the role. Image: /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693165

Pioneering Fighter Pilots 04/21/2025

Pioneering Fighter Pilots Jen Cannon is joined by Lt. Col. (ret.) Sharon “Betty” Preszler, who was handpicked to be the first woman to fly the F-16, to talk about her experience as a pioneer in the Air Force. They discuss Preszler's storied Air Force and civilian pilot career, her thoughts on the importance of critical thinking for airmen, and the story of her ejection from an F-16. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693170

Building Up the Warrant Officer Corps 04/07/2025

Building Up the Warrant Officer Corps On this episode of Airman Pulse, John Barrett sits down with Erik Reichenbach and Nate Roesler to discuss the reintroduction of warrant officers to the U.S. Air Force. They discuss how warrant officers fit into the Air Force today, the activation of the Warrant Officer Training School, and ongoing improvements, among other topics. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693175

Living Through Iran’s Attack on Israel 03/24/2025

Living Through Iran’s Attack on Israel Jen Cannon is joined by F15-E Strike Eagle pilot Lt. Col. Curtis “Voodoo” Culver to chat about his experiences in modern combat. On April 13, 2024, Iran launched more than 300 missiles and one-way attack drones at Israel. Voodoo and his squadron intercepted and shot down more than 80 one-way attack drones that night, earning Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, and Distinguished Flying Crosses. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693180

Savings Lives as an Air Force Physician 03/10/2025

Savings Lives as an Air Force Physician On this episode of Airman Pulse, Col. Michael Policastro joins Jen to talk about the role he played in caring for the health and wellbeing of airmen. He is an emergency medicine and medical toxicology physician. He was also a member of a specialized Air Force medical unit called the critical care air transport team for 10 years and now commands a reserve medical squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, including those critical care air transport teams he served on. Before serving in the Air Force, Michael was an emergency physician in many hospitals while teaching others how to do the same. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693185

Saving Lives as a Pararescueman 02/24/2025

Saving Lives as a Pararescueman Jen Cannon sits down with Chief Master Sergeant (ret.) Anthony Negron to talk about his 26 years of experience as a pararescueman, rescuing and treating injured personnel from hostile or remote operating environments and teaching others to do the same. They also discuss his work with the , which promotes lifelong support for these elite operators. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693190

Navigating Congress as a Legislative Liaison 02/10/2025

Navigating Congress as a Legislative Liaison Jen Cannon sat down with Senior Master Sgt. Samantha Payne to talk about her role as a legislative defense fellow for Congress and how she navigates the hectic world of Capitol Hill to best advocate for the members of the armed services. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693195

Taking Control of Burnout 01/27/2025

Taking Control of Burnout On this episode of Airman Pulse, John Barrett sits down with Lt. Col. Kera "Puff" Rolsen and Col. Angelina "Strike" Stephens to discuss the real and present danger of burnout in the Air Force. The group exchanges personal stories about mental health, lessons learned, and a call for a "culture change" in the force. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693200

Changing Policies and Removing Barriers 01/13/2025

Changing Policies and Removing Barriers On this episode of Airman Pulse, Jennifer Cannon sits down with Lt. Col. (ret.) Jessica Ruttenber to discuss her experience breaking barriers in the Air Force. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693205

From Green to Gold – How to Jump from the Enlisted Corps to Being an Air Force Officer 01/07/2025

From Green to Gold – How to Jump from the Enlisted Corps to Being an Air Force Officer On this episode of Airman Pulse, Jennifer Cannon spoke with 2nd Lt. Alexis Kula about her recent commission as a public affairs officer and the role of continuing education and personal growth in her Air Force career thus far. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693210

Moving from Active Duty to Startup 12/17/2024

Moving from Active Duty to Startup Fredrick “Striker” Haley and Steve Yanko join Airman Pulse host John Barrett to talk about the transition from active duty to the startup world. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693220

What’s New in Personnel Management? 12/10/2024

What’s New in Personnel Management? On this episode of Airman Pulse, Jennifer Cannon sits down with Maj. Gen. Jefferson O’Donnell, the Air Force Personnel Center Commander, to discuss how AFPC is working to take care of airmen from entry onto active duty through their time in service. He discusses the new warrant officer corps and how AFPC is helping airmen get ready for deployments and potential conflict. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693225

Airpower in Film 12/03/2024

Airpower in Film This episode with Dr. John Terino from the Air Command & Staff College highlights the intersection between airpower and film. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693230

Leading with Heart 11/26/2024

Leading with Heart Lt. Col. (Ret.) Cathyrine Armandie discusses how her Air Force experiences at home and abroad have shaped her views on leadership and how trust, accountability, and empowerment equal loyalty within a unit. If you invest in people, they will bring their whole selves to the mission. She also shares about how she served as a political-military strategist in the United Kingdom and the importance of showing respect and deference to the smallest details. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693235

Last Plane Out of Kabul 11/19/2024

Last Plane Out of Kabul On this first episode of Airman Pulse, John Barrett spoke with Col. Alex Pelbath, the pilot of the last aircraft out of Kabul, Afghanistan on August 30, 2021. Tune in to hear some of the heartwarming and heart-wrenching stories from that day. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693240

Introducing Airman Pulse 11/12/2024

Introducing Airman Pulse The first episode of Airman Pulse, our members-only podcast by and for members of the United States Air Force, launches on November 19. It is the fourth of our service-focused podcast lineup to launch. /episode/index/show/27ada1c9-6796-464f-9056-61e4e7608ed2/id/37693245

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