Operation Tidal Wave was one of the riskiest missions for B-24 Bombers during the Second World War.  The first-ever zero-altitude air raid, its objective was to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania that were estimated to provide 60% of Axis crude oil needs. 

In any single war story, there are thousands of stories inside the big story and on this EXTENDED PODCAST CUT of The Life Changing Weekend, we’re joined by author Jan Cress Dondi whose new book, THE NAVIGATOR’S LETTER, tells the true, inside story of this mission and its cost.  The book also follows the intertwined stories of her father and uncle, both B-24 Navigators who were captured as POW’s during Tidal Wave raids on Ploesti. 

Operation Tidal Wave was one of the riskiest missions for B-24 Bombers during the Second World War.&nbsp; The first-ever zero-altitude air raid, its objective was to destroy the oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania that were estimated to provide 60% of Axis crude oil needs.&nbsp;
In any single war story, there are thousands of stories inside the big story and on this EXTENDED PODCAST CUT of The Life Changing Weekend, we&rsquo;re joined by author Jan Cress Dondi whose new book, THE NAVIGATOR&rsquo;S LETTER, tells the true, inside story of this mission and its cost.&nbsp; The book also follows the intertwined stories of her father and uncle, both B-24 Navigators who were captured as POW&rsquo;s during Tidal Wave raids on Ploesti.&nbsp;

Life Changing Weekend

Life Changing Weekend 03-22-26 The Navigator's Letter - EXTENDED PODCAST CUT

Routine childhood vaccination helps build protection as families navigate daycare, school and other group settings where infectious disease can spread. Childhood vaccines help reduce the risk of severe health effects, while also helping to protect siblings, other family members, and friends. To talk with us about the importance of keeping up with the vaccine schedule, we’re joined today by Dr. David Hill, pediatrician from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Next, Measles cases are increasing in several states, including Northern Virginia, raising new concerns as the U.S. works to maintain its measles eradication status. To discuss this, we’re joined by Candace DeMatteis, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID).

Routine childhood vaccination helps build protection as families navigate daycare, school and other group settings where infectious disease can spread. Childhood vaccines help reduce the risk of severe health effects, while also helping to protect siblings, other family members, and friends. To talk with us about the importance of keeping up with the vaccine schedule, we&rsquo;re joined today by Dr. David Hill, pediatrician from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Next, Measles cases are increasing in several states, including Northern Virginia, raising new concerns as the U.S. works to maintain its measles eradication status. To discuss this, we&rsquo;re joined by Candace DeMatteis, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy for The Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease (PFID).

Life Changing Weekend 03-15-26 Childhood Vaccination

Small businesses have a unique opportunity in 2026 to transform how they compete for top talent. It comes at a critical time in the hiring market. To discuss the latest research on small business attitudes' towards hiring in 2026, how they are using AI to level up, and how AI hiring tools can help small businesses find the right talent to grow their business, we’re joined on this episode by Andrew Chimka, Senior Director of Product Management at LinkedIn.

Next, New AARP research finds that nearly one-quarter (24%) of workers aged 50 and older are concerned about losing their job within the next year, and more than two-thirds (67%) of older workers believe it would be difficult to find a new job right now.  With AI increasingly becoming part of the workplace, including the job search and hiring process, more older workers are recognizing the need to embrace this technology and use it to their advantage.  To talk with us about this we’re also joined by Carly Roszkowski, Vice President of Financial Resilience Programming at AARP.

Small businesses have a unique opportunity in 2026 to transform how they compete for top talent. It comes at a critical time in the hiring market. To discuss the latest research on small business attitudes' towards hiring in 2026, how they are using AI to level up, and how AI hiring tools can help small businesses find the right talent to grow their business, we&rsquo;re joined on this episode by Andrew Chimka, Senior Director of Product Management at LinkedIn.
Next, New AARP research finds that nearly one-quarter (24%) of workers aged 50 and older are concerned about losing their job within the next year, and more than two-thirds (67%) of older workers believe it would be difficult to find a new job right now.&nbsp; With AI increasingly becoming part of the workplace, including the job search and hiring process, more older workers are recognizing the need to embrace this technology and use it to their advantage.&nbsp; To talk with us about this we&rsquo;re also joined by Carly Roszkowski, Vice President of Financial Resilience Programming at AARP.

Life Changing Weekend 03-08-26 AI in Small Biz and Unretirement

THE FAITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER is an early education center for children aged 3-6 years old located in Beltsville, Maryland and has been operating in and a part of the Beltsville community for over 30 years!  WAVA is proud to partner with FAITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER in our Half-Price Tuition program for the upcoming school year.  To talk about the center and its programs, we’re joined by director Millis Gregory and a graduate of the CENTER, Manny Gregory, Millis’ nephew!

Next, Americans have significantly reduced their reading over the past decade, with studies showing a decline in reading for pleasure and fewer books read on average—resulting in the loss of billions of pages read.  To better understand why, ThriftBooks commissioned two surveys to examine American reading habits. To discuss the findings, we’re joined today by Barbara Hagen, Vice President of Marketing, ThriftBooks.  

 

THE FAITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER is an early education center for children aged 3-6 years old located in Beltsville, Maryland and has been operating in and a part of the Beltsville community for over 30 years!&nbsp; WAVA is proud to partner with FAITH EARLY LEARNING CENTER in our Half-Price Tuition program for the upcoming school year.&nbsp; To talk about the center and its programs, we&rsquo;re joined by director Millis Gregory and a graduate of the CENTER, Manny Gregory, Millis&rsquo; nephew!
Next, Americans have significantly reduced their reading over the past decade, with studies showing a decline in reading for pleasure and fewer books read on average&mdash;resulting in the loss of billions of pages read.&nbsp; To better understand why, ThriftBooks commissioned two surveys to examine American reading habits. To discuss the findings, we&rsquo;re joined today by Barbara Hagen, Vice President of Marketing, ThriftBooks.&nbsp;&nbsp;
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Life Changing Weekend 03-22-26 The Navigator's Letter - EXTENDED PODCAST CUT

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