"Spirit of Gratitude" Podcast hosted by YoggNation

What does it take to lead a team flying 18 inches apart at 700 mph — and still stay grounded?

“Boss” Gil Rud — former Flight Leader of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels — joins Spirit of Gratitude to share his incredible journey from a one-room schoolhouse in North Dakota to piloting the lead jet in one of the most elite aerobatic teams in the world.
In this gripping conversation, Gil opens up about growing up with humble beginnings, overcoming bullying, and the mental fortitude it took to fly inches apart from his team at speeds that leave no room for error. He shares how compartmentalization, focus, and teamwork became essential not just in the skies, but in life.

Now paying it forward through the Blue Angels Foundation, Gil helps wounded veterans rediscover their purpose — continuing a lifelong mission of service. You’ll also hear about his cameo in the 2024 Blue Angels documentary on Amazon Prime, offering a rare glimpse behind the visor of a true American icon.

✅ You'll learn:

• What it takes mentally and emotionally to lead the Blue Angels
• How to compartmentalize and focus under extreme pressure
• Why adversity in youth shaped Gil's leadership style
• The power of gratitude and giving back to wounded veterans
• Behind-the-scenes insights from the Blue Angels documentary

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Mastery starts with mindset, not just skill.
• True leadership is forged through humility and resilience.
• Service to others keeps your spirit grounded — even at 15,000 feet.

🎧 Tap play to soar through this unforgettable story of discipline, legacy, and heart.

What if getting lost was the only way to truly find yourself?

Luke Russert — acclaimed journalist and New York Times bestselling author of Look for Me There — joins Spirit of Gratitude for a deeply reflective conversation on self-awareness, grief, and the spiritual clarity that can only come from stepping into the unknown.

After leaving a high-profile career at NBC News, Luke embarked on a three-year global journey that transformed his understanding of identity, gratitude, and purpose. Through raw stories of navigating loss and embracing the unfamiliar, he reveals how travel, faith, and cultural immersion led him to reconnect with his spirit — and his late father, legendary news anchor Tim Russert.

This episode is a roadmap for anyone wrestling with change, grief, or the quiet voice nudging them to slow down and listen.

✅ You'll learn:

• How grief can serve as a compass for transformation
• Why stepping away from routine helps reveal your inner truth
• The role of faith and spirituality in personal healing
• What global cultures can teach us about gratitude
• How Luke’s journey reshaped his relationship with self and legacy

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Stillness creates space for spiritual growth.
• Letting go is often the first step to rediscovery.
• Gratitude transcends language — it's a universal human connector.

🎧 Tap play to rediscover your path — and hear how getting lost may be the beginning of everything.

Can resilience, faith, and the love of food transform a life — and a community?

Chef Ron Young — aka @azdopechef — joins Spirit of Gratitude to serve up a powerful story of overcoming bullying, navigating a learning disability, and turning passion into purpose. Raised in California by a military father and a nurturing mother, Ron found strength in athletics, faith, and his grandmother’s daily advice: read the Bible. Today, he's a culinary entrepreneur building more than meals — he's building movement through his brand Food Vision.

In this uplifting conversation, Chef Ron shares how self-awareness, mentorship, and self-help practices shaped his journey — and how food became the ultimate bridge for connection. From high-energy events to soulful family dinners, his mission is simple but profound: make people feel seen, fed, and inspired. This episode is a celebration of grit, gratitude, and the magic that happens when we bring people together — one plate at a time.

✅ You'll learn:

• How faith, sports, and mentorship shaped Chef Ron’s resilience
• The role of self-awareness in overcoming bullying and learning challenges
• Why creating inclusive, joyful spaces is core to Food Vision
• How food became a source of healing, leadership, and impact
• Why community and connection are at the heart of true success
  
  

✨ Key Takeaways:

• Gratitude is found in service — and in every shared meal.
• Adversity is fuel for your inner spirit when guided by purpose.
• Food has the power to feed both the body and the soul.
  
  
  

🎧 Tap play for an inspiring story of faith, flavor, and turning every challenge into a recipe for greatness.