Ballast Book Launch

Lieutenant General (Retired) Mark Hertling Talks If I Don’t Return—Part Battlefield Memoir, Part Father's Journal

Check out Mark Hertling's discussion of his book, If I Don't Return, with Andy Symonds, president of Ballast Books.                                               
When Mark Hertling was deployed to Iraq in 1990, he didn’t know if he’d ever return home. He started keeping a journal that could be passed down to his sons, writing about everything from the reality of combat during Operation Desert Storm and lessons on duty and humanity to stories of brotherhood and memories of his family. Now, decades later, he has returned to those journal entries and added detailed reflections to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with the world.
Part battlefield memoir, part father’s journal, part meditation on the challenges of leadership, If I Don’t Return is the story of a soldier who faced death, returned home, and continued to live a life of service. 
Lieutenant General (Retired) Mark Hertling served thirty-eight years in the US Army, as a major in a cavalry squadron during Desert Storm; as an assistant division commander in the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad; and later as the commander of the 1st Armored Division in Northern Iraq. From 2014 to 2024, Mark appeared as a military and national security analyst for CNN/CNN International. Today, he is a freelance analyst and writes on national security and leadership issues for a variety of media outlets.
Get your copy of If I Don't Return here!

Kodey Bogart Discusses Newest Installment in Helo Girls Series

Kodey Bogart is back with the fourth book in the Helo Girls series, The Agricultural Pilot, which follows an aerial team on their mission to help a farmer spray crops with pesticides. Check out her discussion with Andy Symonds, president of Blue Balloon Books, as they talk all things STEAM and aviation.
Kodey Bogart is a former United States Army warrant officer and aviator who flew the Blackhawk during medical evacuation missions. She is a decorated combat veteran who has received two Air Medals and a Sikorsky Rescue Award. Kodey has extensive experience across aviation operations, including aviation safety, flight training, maintenance test flights, helicopter air ambulance, and aviation law enforcement. 

Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC Talks New Holiday Children’s Book Celebrating Generosity

In Darryl’s Christmas in Hollis, Christmas gets a magical mix-up, Run-DMC–style! Take a listen as DMC—rapper, producer, and now author—gives an inside scoop to his new project.
As Christmas approaches, Darryl is exploding with holiday anticipation! But first, he needs a new pair of glasses. A trip to the eye doctor opens his eyes to the many ways people celebrate the holidays. When he tries on their new cultural frames, he sees everything from colorful Hanukkah dreidels to the beautiful Diwali lights. Darryl learns that holiday joy comes in all shapes and sizes. With his new perspective on holiday cheer and tradition, Darryl is encouraged to make a selfless decision. He uses his allowance to gift the bike he’s had his eye on to a homeless boy. He realizes that the true spirit of Christmas isn't about getting but about giving. 
Get a copy of Darryl’s Christmas in Hollis here!

Barry Morgenstein Takes Center Stage to Discuss His New Book Rock & Soul with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds

Barry Morgenstein takes center stage in this discussion of his book Rock & Soul with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds.
From the smoky corners of L’Amour to the thunderous roar of Giants Stadium, Barry poured his blood, sweat, and soul into capturing the faces that defined 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s music culture—including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Steven Tyler, and legends like Chuck Berry—in moments both fabled and intimate. Rock & Soul: Portraits by Barry Morgenstein is a visceral, visual collection of some of the best work throughout Barry’s career. This isn’t just a coffee table book—it’s a backstage pass, a time machine, and lightning strikes on paper. Each image tells an unfiltered story, immortalized by someone who didn’t just shoot the scene—he lived it.

Andrea Mercier Talks Debut Children’s Book About Bridging the Gap Between Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Children

Andrea Mercier speaks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about her children’s book. Andrea’s journey took an unexpected turn when she became an autism mom to her beautiful son, Gabriel. His extraordinary spirit spurred Andrea to pen Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend. Through her heartfelt storytelling, Andrea aims to bridge the gap between neurotypical and uniquely-abled children to foster understanding and acceptance.
In Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend, Oliver meets Gabriel, a boy with autism. Together, they discover the magic of friendship and embark on adventures full of fun, love, and kindness. This book is a touching reminder that our differences are what make us extraordinary and that true friendship knows no bounds.  
Learn more about the book here: https://blueballoonbooks.com/bookstore/olivers-extraordinary-friend/
 

Clinical Psychologist Chris Frueh, PhD, Talks Operator Syndrome and His Work with Special Forces Veterans

Chris Frueh, PhD, speaks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about his book Operator Syndrome, which outlines his decades of experience treating veterans and studying the impact that years of war have on them and their loved ones.
Dr. Frueh guides readers through the harrowing terrain of operator syndrome. He provides a roadmap to understand its multifaceted origins and complex effects on every biological system in the body—as well as the social systems of family, work, and the indifferent society these warriors return to. Frueh shines a bright and empathic light on the silent struggles of a community with a “never quit” mindset. Most importantly, he provides real solutions, lifestyle adaptations, and step-by-step treatment strategies that have worked for hundreds of operators, saving lives and giving hope to families.
Learn more about the book here: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/operator-syndrome

NASA Astronaut Talks WWII Pilot Father and Their Careers in Flight

Jan Davis, author of Air Born: Two Generations in Flight and its sequel Air Born: Artistic Musings of a WWII Pilot and POW, tells her and her father's stories in this compelling episode of Ballast Book Launch with Andy Symonds.
Two aviators making history. Two Americans serving their country. One incredible story spanning fifty years and two generations. Learn where it all started: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/air-born/
Ben Smotherman’s experiences and artistic renderings are masterfully captured in Jan Davis’s Air Born: Artistic Musings of a WWII Pilot and POW. Purchase here: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/air-born-artistic/ 

High Reliability Healthcare Co-Authors Discuss Improved Patient Care & Lessons from the Nuclear Navy

Do you want better clinical outcomes, fewer errors, increased productivity, and highly reliable patient care? High Reliability Healthcare offers some actionable tips from the safest and most reliable industry ever: the nuclear navy. For over seventy-five years, the nuclear navy has operated highly enriched nuclear reactors with sailors in their twenties at the helm and has never experienced an accident. As Forbes reported, “The [US] Nuclear Navy has the best safety record of any industry.”
Get the book by Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman and Dr. Robert Roncska: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/high-reliability-healthcare/

Darrell Utt's Story of Grit: Rising to Become a Green Beret, and How You Can Use the Same Principles

Author of the smash-hit seller Grit to Glory Darrell Utt sits down with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds to discuss his background as a Green Beret in Baghdad, his new foray into publishing, and his essential "Grit Code": the eight principles he says can help anyone overcome their toughest challenges.
His story stands as a powerful testament that no matter where you come from, bold action and relentless pursuit of your goals can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Learn more about Grit to Glory at: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/grit-to-glory/ 

Former Navy SEAL and CIA Operative Rodney Magallan's Tips for Reaching Your Fullest Potential

Rodney Magallan speaks with Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds about his book Tip of the Spear, which paints a vivid and meaningful analogy using this deadly weapon. According to Rodney, the tip of the spear comprises the elite members of a group. It’s the SEALs; the company executives; the star athletes, famous artists, and other industry leaders.
Only a select few make it to the tip of the spear, but as described in this memoir slash leadership guide, anyone is capable of becoming the best of the best. It all comes down to hard work, sacrifice, and choice—making the decision to work your way to the tip and then stay there.
Learn more about the book here: https://ballastbooks.com/purchase/tip-of-the-spear/