30 Sep 2026 10:00
Ep 442 Young Washington: Failure, Grit and the American Dream
What can George Washington’s early setbacks teach us about grit, ambition, and purpose?
In this shorter episode of the Strong by Design Podcast, Mike Westerdal and Stephen Ohocinski share their reactions to the film Young Washington. They discuss the young leader’s repeated failures, his refusal to give up, and the role faith may have played in shaping his path. Along the way, they offer candid thoughts on the movie’s storytelling and battle scenes, and consider how perseverance can turn disappointment into growth.
It’s a lively conversation about history, faith, and the determination to keep going when the road ahead is anything but clear.
Time Stamps00:00 – How divine protection shaped young Washington00:50 – Welcome to the Strong by Design podcast!01:15 – Join hosts Mike Westerdal and Stephen Ohocinski for today’s special episode01:50 – Meet the story behind 'Young Washington'02:48 – What historical films can teach us05:18 – Why independent films tell different stories07:48 – How failure shapes ambition10:55 – The making of a young leader14:43 – Why resilience changes everything20:36 – What failure can teach us23:41 – How warfare changed early America27:18 – Can art be separated from the artist?28:08 – Share, rate & review the Strong by Design podcast!
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