Join Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds as he interviews Former Special Operations Forces, CEOs, entrepreneurs, big thinkers, and industry-leading experts who have teamed with Ballast Books to publish their stories.

Ballast Book Launch
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Podcast Overview
Join Ballast Books CEO Andy Symonds as he interviews Former Special Operations Forces, CEOs, entrepreneurs, big thinkers, and industry-leading experts who have teamed with Ballast Books to publish their stories.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
8/19/2022
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Recent Episodes

June 11, 2026
Former California Police Officer Chats New Book, Badge Under Fire
Take a listen as Chad Jensen, former California police officer, discusses his new book, Badge Under Fire, with Ballast Books president Andy Symonds. Get your copy here! When Officer Jensen was falsely accused of excessive force during a lawful arrest, he trusted the justice system would protect him—until he became the target of what he alleges was a fraudulent FBI investigation and prosecution. With the support of his friends and family, Chad fought to uncover the truth, resolving to never give up the job he’d dreamt of as a little boy. Chad Jensen proudly served the citizens of the City of Pomona, California, as a police officer for twenty-four years. As a corporal in 2015, Chad was involved in a low-level use of force arrest that was within policy and the law. In 2017, the FBI began a witch-hunt investigation that resulted in a fraudulent grand jury indictment.

April 13, 2026
Zoë Gregory Chats Book From Britain to Bunny, Detailing Her Life as a Former Playboy Bunny
Check out this episode as Zoë Gregory, author and former Playboy Bunny, talks her book, From Britain to Bunny, with Ballast Books president Andy Symonds. Get your copy here! What does it take to get from the tough streets of London to the glitz and glamour of the Playboy Mansion? Author Zoë Gregory takes readers on a journey through the rave scene of her rebellious youth to the stark reality of young motherhood and the economic pressures that drove her to reimagine her future. Join her through her life’s greatest turning points, including, of course, her relationship with the iconic Hugh Hefner. Zoë Gregory started her career in modeling at age seven, appearing in TV commercials and print media. Zoë later became a personal Playboy Bunny to Hugh Hefner, which offered her a unique glimpse into the Playboy Mansion. With her passion for storytelling, she evolved into a talented writer and author.

March 6, 2026
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!
15 total episodes available
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- What is Ballast Book Launch?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates bi-weekly.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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