Join us as CDR Alanna Youngblood concludes her two-part conversation with retired Commander Bobby Jones, exploring leadership beyond the uniform, the challenges facing the next generation, and the enduring lessons of service. Drawing on a career that spanned global military operations, peacekeeping missions, command at sea, and strategic leadership, CDR Bobby Jones (Ret) reflects on how those experiences continue to shape his mission long after retirement.

In this episode, CDR Jones discusses why his years in uniform ultimately strengthened his faith in America and why the Navy remains one of the country's most powerful examples of unity across backgrounds and perspectives. He shares his thoughts on information warfare, modern media, and the growing challenges of navigating truth in an era shaped by social media, artificial intelligence, and political polarization.

The conversation then turns to CDR Jones’ newest mission: establishing a school dedicated to developing young men through character, accountability, resilience, and service. He explains the societal trends that inspired the project, the importance of mentorship during adolescence, and what modern culture often misunderstands masculinity, leadership, and strength.

Finally, CDR Jones offers a candid reflection on military retirement, the struggle of rediscovering identity after decades of service, and the lessons he hopes future generations will carry forward. Through stories of leadership, sacrifice, education, and personal growth, he shares a powerful message about purpose, citizenship, and the responsibility to invest in those who come next.

Trident Room Podcast host Cmdr. Alanna Youngblood interviews one of her mentors, retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Bobby Jones, discussing the unexpected yet invaluable lessons in life, leadership, and service that emerged throughout his distinguished naval career. From U.S. Naval Academy class 'anchor’ to commanding forces around the world, Jones reflects on the experiences that shaped his career and character.

In Part II of this two-part episode of the Trident Room podcast, host LT Tony Castillo continues his conversation with Rear Admiral Mattis. Building on themes from Part I, the discussion explores literature, leadership, cognitive bias, artificial intelligence, and technological transformation across history. Rear Admiral Mattis reflects on the influence of mentors and literature, shares lessons from authors like Malcolm Gladwell, and discusses how expertise, intuition, and disciplined thinking shape leadership and decision-making. The conversation concludes with a broader examination of artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and parallels between today’s digital transformation and historical technological revolutions such as the Renaissance.

The Trident Room Podcast’s TRP Unfiltered series delivers authentic, unedited

conversations by a round table of TRP hosts, students and guests on a submitted topic …

In this episode, the TRP team discusses the unexpected leadership challenges that come

with a promotion and the associated increase in responsibilities.------ In the latest episode of the Trident Room Podcast’s Unfiltered series, show hosts Elaura and Alanna sit around a table in the Trident Room Rose Garden to discuss this week's topic. The views expressed during the Trident Room Podcast are those of the hosts, and do not represent official policy of the Naval Postgraduate School, the U.S. Navy or the U.S.

Department of Defense.

In Part 1 of this two-part episode of the Trident Room Podcast, TRP host Lt. Anthony

Castillo interviews Rear Adm. Michael S. Mattis. The conversation explores Rear Admiral

Mattis's diverse background, from his upbringing in Fullerton, California, to his expansive

naval career and his educational experiences at the U.S. Naval Academy and Oxford

University. The discussion delves deep into his passion for literature, highlighting how his

time at Oxford cultivated a love for Shakespeare, medieval drama, and multisensory

learning.

The Trident Room Podcast’s TRP Unfiltered series delivers authentic, unedited

conversations by a round table of TRP hosts, students and guests on a submitted topic …

In this episode, the TRP team discusses their experiences at NPS, and how some

longstanding naval traditions while underway have changed over the years.

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In the latest episode of the Trident Room Podcast’s Unfiltered series, show hosts Elaura

and Anthony and their guests sit around a table in the Trident Room Rose Garden to

discuss this week's topic.

The views expressed during the Trident Room Podcast are those of the hosts, and do not

represent official policy of the Naval Postgraduate School, the U.S. Navy or the U.S.

Department of Defense.

The Trident Room Podcast sits down with NPS STEM Director Dr. Jennifer Carson for a conversation on her journey from astrophysics research to science outreach, the challenges and rewards of making complex ideas accessible to the public, and the role of STEM in inspiring the next generation. She also shares what’s ahead for this year’s Discovery Day and how the event connects Naval Postgraduate School research with the wider community.

The Trident Room Podcast sits down with NPS STEM Director Dr. Jennifer Carson for a

conversation on her journey from astrophysics research to science outreach, the

challenges and rewards of making complex ideas accessible to the public, and the role of

STEM in inspiring the next generation. She also shares what’s ahead for this year’s

Discovery Day and how the event connects Naval Postgraduate School research with the

wider community.

Join us as TRP host Cmdr. Alanna Youngblood sits down with Dr. Martin Mandelberg to

discuss his experience working with Dr. Richard Hamming as his one, and only, PhD

student. Dr. Mandelberg recounts all his trials, tribulations, and challenges in working with

a personality such as Dr. Hamming as well as the special, cherished connection he shared

with his mentor. He states that it was this “chosen family” bond that drove him to

undertake his current, massive project involving coordination with the Hamming family

estate to preserve all manner of documentation from Dr. Hamming, both in an accessible

online archive and in his new book, Richard Wesley Hamming.

In part two of this episode, TRP host Cmdr. Alanna Youngblood continues her discussion with Dr. Martin Mandelberg on working with legendary mathematician Dr. Richard Hamming as his PhD student. Dr. Mandelberg recounts all his trials, tribulations, and challenges in working with a personality such as Dr. Hamming, and the special, cherished connection he shared with his mentor.

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