From Military Leadership to Local Impact | Ep. 1 | Nick Sawka

In the first episode of Origin to Impact, host Brad Kelly sits down with Nick Sawka—retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief, educator, father, and school board member—to unpack the experiences that shaped his leadership and drive to serve. Nick reflects on his 20-year military career, lessons in mentorship and discipline, and the challenges of transitioning to civilian life before finding purpose in education and local government. The conversation explores his journey through a tough school board race, community engagement, parental rights, school safety, facilities planning, and the realities of public service. Honest, thoughtful, and occasionally humorous, this episode sets the foundation for a podcast focused on leadership, service, and making a real impact at the local level. To learn more about Nick please visit https://nicksawka.com 📍 Recorded in the Pacific Northwest 🎙 Hosted by Brad Kelly 🔔 Like, Subscribe & Share to help spread stories that inspire impact. 🎥 Shot exclusively on Fujifilm cameras in Classic Chrome. “Your life matters. Make an impact today — no matter how small.” ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer 00:14 - Welcome 00:36 - Meet Nick Saka: School Board Member & Former Coast Guard 00:58 - 20 Years in the US Coast Guard 03:15 - Leadership Lessons: When to Use the Hammer vs. the Glove 04:53 - Joining the Military Means Instant Mentorship 07:02 - Favorite Duty Stations & Patrolling the Great Lakes 08:47 - Life After the Coast Guard: Finding Purpose 12:05 - COVID & the Questions That Led to Running for School Board 13:42 - Being an Involved Parent & the World's Most Okayest Dad 14:01 - Running in 2023 & Losing 15:38 - Rebuilding: Analyzing the Loss Like a Failed Exam 18:26 - Politics Is a Contact Sport 19:55 - Running Again & Knocking on 1,800 Doors 20:07 - Finding Common Ground With the Opposition 21:36 - Running Against an Incumbent 22:52 - Using Video & Social Media to Reach Parents 24:45 - Why Parents Should Run for School Board 26:11 - Goals on the Board: Communication & Community Engagement 27:52 - Strengthening the Cell Phone Policy 28:44 - Safety & Security: A Two-Year Plan 29:55 - Schools as Soft Targets: Taking Down Gun-Free Zone Signs 33:24 - New School Architecture & Emergency Protocols 35:10 - The Case for a New High School Building 38:08 - Why the Current High School Is Hard to Defend 40:47 - Portables: A Band-Aid, Not a Solution 42:46 - State Funding & Why Portables Don't Qualify 45:34 - Biological Males in Girls Sports & Title IX 47:05 - A Practical Policy Fix for Transgender Athletes 50:29 - Closing Thoughts & Where to Follow Nick