Heroes' Path Podcast

Day 3 in the Ardennes.

Today is December 16th. On this exact date 81 years ago, December 16, 1944, the Battle of the Bulge began.

For this episode, I stopped in La Gleize, outside the December 44 Museum, to stand beside Tiger II “213”. Up close, it is not an abstract chapter heading. It is scale, weight, and consequence made visible. A reminder that battles are fought not only with firepower, but with winter roads, fuel, time, stretching the limits of human endurance.

You can watch the video on my YouTube Channel. Then, if you have ever tried to understand what December 1944 demanded of the people here, let this be your starting point.

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On February 8, 1944, the B-17 Susan Ruth was shot out of the sky over Nazi-occupied Belgium. What followed was a story of courage, survival, and resistance against all odds.

In this episode of the Heroes' Path Podcast, host COL Tom Rendall (USA, Ret.) speaks with Steve Snyder—author, son of pilot Howard Snyder, and historian of the 306th Bomb Group—about what it was like to fly bombing missions over Europe during WWII, what happened the day the Susan Ruth was lost, and the incredible bravery of the Belgian people who risked their lives to save downed American airmen.

We talk about the dangers of daylight bombing raids, the complexity of evasion networks, and the emotional toll of war on both airmen and civilians. We also explore the critical importance of preserving personal histories so future generations never forget the price of freedom.

Much more than a story of survival, this story is a tribute to character, courage, and the quiet heroism of ordinary people who chose to do the right thing in history’s darkest hour.

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There’s no better—or more urgent—time to listen to the voices of our veterans.

This week, Heroes’ Path hosted filmmaker and historian Zach Dunn, founder of Global Veteran Stories, who has traveled across 14 countries—and is currently in Calgary interviewing WWII veterans—to record their memories before they’re lost to time.

In this powerful conversation, we discussed why these stories matter now more than ever, and how today’s events echo the lessons of the past.

Follow Heroes’ Path for upcoming webinars, podcasts, and the launch of our new website dedicated to leadership, education, and remembrance.

 Join us on Facebook and LinkedIn to stay connected.  Many more webinars and podcasts to come!

#HeroesPath #StoriesOfService #Veterans #WWII #Leadership #History #Education #GlobalVeteranStories

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What can today’s generation learn from those who’ve led in the crucible of war?

In this powerful episode of the Heroes’ Path Podcast, Colonel (Ret.) John Fenzel sits down with Georges Strachan-Heyes, a retired British Army officer and Director of Operations for the UK and NATO at Onebrief. With over two decades of combat experience across Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Estonia—and as a trusted battlefield guide for Normandy, Bastogne, and Market Garden—Georges shares raw insight into what leadership really means under pressure.

They explore:

• The turning points of Georges’ military career—and the hardest lessons learned
• Why battlefield tours still matter, and what history teaches us about ourselves
• How today’s leaders can navigate uncertainty using timeless principles
• Advice for younger generations seeking clarity, service, and purpose

Whether you're in uniform, a student of history, or simply seeking clarity in chaotic times—this episode challenges, inspires, and provokes deeper reflection on what it truly means to lead.

🕒 30 minutes

 📍 Guest location: Scotland (Pardon the audio interference...we tried to repair it as best we could! :-)

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In this episode of the Heroes’ Path Podcast, host John Fenzel sits down with history teacher and storyteller Alex Rowe—the son of Colonel James “Nick” Rowe, legendary Green Beret, Vietnam POW, and architect of the U.S. military’s SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) program, and Susan Whitford Rowe, a devoted lifelong educator.

Alex shares how his parents’ extraordinary lives shaped his own path, from his father’s harrowing five years as a prisoner of war and daring escape from execution, to his mother’s deep belief in the power of teaching and storytelling. Through vivid family stories, Alex reveals how their resilience, faith, and love of learning continue to guide him in the classroom, where he inspires students to see themselves in history—not just as observers, but as its makers.

The conversation explores the enduring lessons of character, grit, and hope passed down through generations, the importance of experiential learning, and how history can anchor and empower the next generation as America approaches its 250th anniversary.

Listen to hear how one teacher is carrying forward a legacy of service, courage, and curiosity—helping young people discover their own place in the story of our nation.

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In this episode of the Heroes’ Path Podcast, host John Fenzel speaks with Chloe Gavin Beatty, daughter of legendary World War II commander Lieutenant General James M. Gavin.Lieutenant General James Gavin is one of the best-known military leaders during WWII. Often referred to as “Jumpin’ Jim,” he began the war as the commander of the 505th Parachute Combat Team 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. His unit spearheaded the American assault on Sicily in July 1943.  On D-Day, Gavin served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division.  By the Fall of 1944, Gavin advanced to command the Division and by the end of the year commanded U.S. forces in Berlin. Throughout this time, he kept a wartime diary.

In this episode, Chloe reflects on what it was like growing up in the shadow of one of the most daring and visionary leaders of the 82nd Airborne Division—and how her father’s values shaped her own life. Together, they explore the private side of a public figure, the importance of preserving family stories, and what leadership really means across generations.

It’s an intimate, wide-ranging conversation about legacy, character, and the quiet ways our parents continue to shape us long after they’re gone.

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🎙️ New Episode: Heroes’ Path Podcast
Guest: Jeff Steinberg | "A Republic, If You Can Keep It"

What does it mean to lead in a republic that demands both vigilance and virtue?

In this episode, I sit down with Jeff Steinberg to explore the enduring lessons of our nation’s founding. With clarity and conviction, Jeff takes us back to Philadelphia in 1787, where the Constitutional Convention tested the ideals of self-government under immense pressure.

This conversation is a call to remember that our freedoms are not guaranteed—they are sustained by the character of our citizens.

🎧 For the Video, Listen here: https://youtu.be/88cb3W0zonA

#Leadership #CivicEducation #JeffSteinberg #HeroesPathPodcast #AmericanHistory #ConstitutionalConvention #Republic #Citizenship #PublicService #HigherEducation #JeffSteinberg #leadership #Leading #LeadershipDevelopent #USHISTORY 

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Resilience Under Fire: What the Greatest Generation Knew – Heroes’ Path Webinar
with Dr. Mitch Yockelson & Dr. Ron Clark | July 29, 2025

What can we learn from the resilience and leadership of the Greatest Generation—and how do those lessons apply to our lives today? In this special inaugural Heroes’ Path webinar, historian Dr. Mitch Yockelson and national security leader Dr. Ron Clark join host John Fenzel for a compelling discussion on trust, character, and overcoming adversity.

Topics include:

The partnership between Eisenhower and Churchill, and how their trust and decision-making shaped history

Lessons from WWII combat veterans about resilience, teamwork, and coping with stress

How ordinary people can build habits of resilience in daily life

The importance of preserving family and community stories for future generations

Personal reflections, audience Q&A, and practical takeaways for leaders, educators, and families

If you’re interested in character-driven leadership, historical wisdom, and practical steps to navigate challenge, this conversation is for you.

About Heroes’ Path:
Heroes’ Path is a new nonprofit dedicated to building leaders of character, grounded in history and service. To learn more, visit www.heroespathfoundation.org.

Stay tuned for future webinars and resources—subscribe and join the Heroes’ Path community.

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Why I Keep Bees.

I was thirteen when I opened my first hive. Two colonies, edge of the yard, just past the cornfield. Back then, bees didn’t need much. Shelter. Space. A little respect.

I thought I was learning how to keep bees. Turns out, I was learning how to show up, pay attention, and keep going—even when things fall apart.

We lost all our hives last year. Mites. Pesticides. A hard winter. This year, we start over. Again. Because that’s what beekeepers do.

This short film is about bees—but really, it’s about building something that matters. It’s the first in our Heroes’ Path vlog series.

If you’ve ever tried to keep something alive—anything—you’ll get it.

https://youtu.be/wwpD4i6s_4Q

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20 minutes

Combat-wounded in Vietnam at 19, Jan Scruggs returned home carrying shrapnel and the invisible weight of PTSD. One night in a theater watching The Deer Hunter sparked his audacious idea: build a memorial that could heal a divided nation. In this fast-moving conversation Jan walks us through the firefight that nearly killed him, the $2,800 gamble that launched the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the design battles with critics, and the decades of stress that eventually landed him in a coma. He closes with a clear hope—that every visitor to the Wall will grasp the real cost of war and leave determined to serve others.

Listen to learn:

• How a 19-year-old draftee became the driving force behind America’s most visited war memorial
• The inside story of choosing Maya Lin’s minimalist design and weathering the backlash
• Leadership lessons from fundraising, politics, and persistence under pressure
• Why remembrance remains a powerful antidote to division

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