American Valor Podcast

Mitch Harris, the second Naval Academy graduate to play Major League Baseball, speaks about his adjustment to life at the Naval Academy, maintaining his baseball skills while serving five years in the United States Navy, including three deployments before playing Major League Baseball for the Saint Louis Cardinals in 2015. Listeners will be inspired and entertained in learning Mitch’s life story and thoughts, including commitment to self, work ethic, attention to detail, striving towards one’s goals, pitchers hitting and playing against the best players in the world. To learn more about Mitch Harris in the future, a book and movie on Mitch’s inspirational journey are being developed.

Host and Editor: Tyler Buchholz
Host: Nathaniel Cameron
Host: Colin Kirk

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation website: http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

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On the American Valor Podcast, the 70th Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John H. Dalton, reflects on his life: attending the United States Naval Academy, serving as an Officer in the Navy, working in private business and in government service. Mr. Dalton speaks about the challenging times he has faced in life as well as the positive attitude and support allowing him to persevere and grow. Mr. Dalton, embodying the Navy's values of honor, courage and commitment, speaks about the significance of service and the importance of character in leadership. Mr. Dalton provides listeners with three simple constants to provide guidance and assurance throughout life: faith...family...and friends.

Host: Tyler Buchholz
Host: Nathaniel Cameron
Host: Colin Kirk
Editor: Jack Metcalfe

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation website: http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

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Mr. Johnny Bench speaks about his upbringing in Oklahoma, which was the inspiration for his values of hard work that he learned from his parents, as his father served in the Army during World War II. Mr. Bench and the team spoke about the fulfillment of his lifelong dream of becoming a Major League Baseball catcher at the age of 19 and eventually winning two World Series with the Big Red Machine.

Mr Bench served six years in the Army Reserves while playing professional baseball and was named the 2018 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award recipient from the Hall of Fame. Mr Bench supports Hope for the Warriors, a national non-profit organization aiding combat wounded service members, their families and families of those killed in action.

Johnny speaks about his travels around the world with Bob Hope, playing for Cincinnati Reds and Hall of Fame manager Mr. Sparky Anderson, traits of a leader, his definition of valor, personal vowels for success and catching every ball thrown one's way, in baseball and in life. On the American Valor Podcast, Johnny Bench provides an inspiring, individual-specific framework for students, business leaders and parents to follow.

Host and Editor: Tyler Buchholz
Host: Nathaniel Cameron

Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation website: http://www.actofvaloraward.org/
Johnny Bench website: https://johnnybench.com

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In our eighth episode, Nathaniel Cameron and Colin Kirk talk to United States Naval Academy Head Baseball Coach Paul Kostacopoulos. The team discusses Coach Kostacopoulous' start in baseball and his journey to become the youngest Division I baseball head coach, leading him to become the second most winningest coach in Naval Academy baseball history. Coach Kostacopoulos discusses his respect for the Midshipmen who balance duty to country, stringent academics and Division I athletics. Coach Kostacopoulos discusses what is required of the United States Naval Academy baseball player as well as his coaching philosophy and definitions of leadership and valor.

Edited by Jack Metcalfe.

For more information, please visit http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

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In our seventh installment, the podcast team of Nathaniel Cameron, Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk speak with retired eleven year Major League Baseball pitcher Mr. Brad Ziegler. The group discusses Mr. Ziegler's upbringing around baseball and his resilience that led him to the major leagues. After being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, Mr. Ziegler pitched for the Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins. Mr. Ziegler was the Major League Baseball recipient of the 2016 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award for his consistent support of community, specifically veterans through his foundation Pastime for Patriots. Brad Ziegler reflects on his career on the American Valor Podcast.

Edited by Tyler Buchholz.

For more information, please visit http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

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In our sixth episode, the podcast team of Nathaniel Cameron, Tyler Buchholz and Colin Kirk speak to the Cleveland Indians' Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Mr. Bob DiBiasio. Mr. DiBiasio serves on the Act of Valor Foundation Board of Directors. Mr. DiBiasio is the host of the popular “Indians Alumni Round-table Show” on SportsTime Ohio, as well as “Tribe Tales," a where-are-they-now segment that airs pre-game every Sunday on the Indians Radio Network. Bob shares stories from his 30-plus year career in Major League Baseball, his personal friendship with Bob Feller and lifelong commitment to community.

Edited by Jack Metcalfe.

For more information, please visit http://www.actofvaloraward.org/

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Nathaniel Cameron and Tyler Buchholz speak with the greatest catcher to ever live, class of 1989 National Baseball Hall of Fame member Johnny Bench. Previewing the Hall of Fame weekend festivities and the Foundation's role in the Act of Valor Patriot Program, Mr. Bench speaks about the Hall of Fame induction weekend in Cooperstown, New York and his longstanding relationship with Jerry Coleman Award recipient Johnathan Rose and Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation President Peter Fertig. Peter and John, along with Command Sergeant Major and Education Chair Steve Curtis, spoke at Doubleday Field on Saturday, July 20th, 2019. Please listen to the full episode with 2018 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award recipient in episode number nine released 2nd September 2019.

Edited by Tyler Buchholz.

For additional information on the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation: actofvaloraward.org 

Learn more about Mr. Bench at his website: https://johnnybench.com/

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In our fifth episode, the podcast team of Nathaniel Cameron, Tyler Buchholz, and Colin Kirk speak with Lou Bernardi, the Chairman of the Baseball Committee for the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation. Discussing his life passion and career, Lou talks about his baseball origins at the college and professional level as well as what the sport means to him. The team discusses the privilege of being a coach, Lou's definition of valor, and the strides he is making within the baseball community and beyond.

Edited by Jack Metcalfe.

For more information on the Act of Valor Foundation, please visit http://www.actofvaloraward.org 

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In our fourth installment, Nathaniel Cameron and Tyler Buchholz speak with Retired Lieutenant General George Flynn of the United States Marine Corps. Lieutenant General Flynn serves as a member of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation's Board of Directors. The group discusses Lieutenant General Flynn's background, his concept of leadership, and his experience at the United States Naval Academy and career of service in the Marine Corps.

Edited by Tyler Buchholz.

For more information about the Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation, please visit http://www.actofvaloraward.org.

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In our third episode, the podcast team of Nathaniel Cameron, Tyler Buchholz, and Colin Kirk sit down with Gunnery Sergeant Jonathan S Rose of the United States Marine Corps. Due to his exemplary service, character, and dedication in his personal life, as well as his ongoing military career, Jonathan was named the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation Jerry Coleman Award recipient in 2018. The group discusses Jonathan's background, connection with the Act of Valor Foundation, time as a Congressional Fellow and his 17 years of service in the United States Marine Corps.

Edited by Jack Metcalfe.

http://www.actofvaloraward.org 

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