Veteran Led

Join us on this episode of Veteran Led as we sit down with Ryan Hendrickson, a former Green Beret and author of Tip of the Spear. After surviving a near-fatal IED explosion in Afghanistan, Ryan returned to combat after 27 surgeries and earned the Silver Star. After retiring from military service, Ryan embarked on a new mission: clearing landmines in war-torn areas like Ukraine. Hear his inspiring journey from soldier to humanitarian, and learn how his organization, Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal, is making a difference. Don't miss this episode about resilience, leadership, and the drive to protect innocent lives. Learn more about Tip of the Spear Landmine Removal and how you can support their efforts: landmineremoval.org

In this episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with General David Petraeus, one of America's most renowned military leaders and strategic thinkers. General Petraeus shares invaluable insights on leadership, education, and the importance and impact of hiring our Veterans.​General Petraeus, who served as commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq, CENTCOM commander, commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan, and director of the CIA, discusses the importance of fostering a culture of learning in leadership, strategies for building high-performing teams, his approach to identifying and recruiting top talent, and the significance of supporting veterans and ensuring they receive earned benefits. Currently a partner and chairman of KKR Global Institute, a senior fellow and lecturer at Yale, General Petraeus brings a wealth of experience from both military and civilian sectors.​

In this episode of Veteran Led, we welcome Lieutenant General (Ret.) James Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Discover how a Marine infantry officer transitioned from senior military leader to leading one of America's most beloved community action programs.​​Lt. Gen. Laster discusses his transition from military service to nonprofit leadership, detailing how Toys for Tots expanded beyond Marine Reserve units to include civilian volunteers. He shares insights on the foundation's efforts to provide year-round support through innovative literacy initiatives and foster care programs. Laster emphasizes the critical importance of community involvement and explores various ways individuals can support Toys for Tots, demonstrating how the organization continues to adapt and grow to meet the needs of children across the nation.​​Support the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation by visiting toysfortots.org to volunteer, donate, or learn more about their impactful programs.​

In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with Donald Dunn, Army combat Veteran and author of 'Echoes Of War.' Donald shares his incredible journey from serving in the Special Forces to battling PTSD and finding healing through podcasting and creative expression.​​Discover how Donald transitioned from military service to civilian life, founding Heroes Voice Media Foundation to empower Veterans through media. Learn about his journey launching multiple Veteran-focused radio stations and podcast streams, and how he used writing and podcasting as tools for personal healing and community building.​​Donald offers invaluable insights on the unique challenges Veterans face in the 'politically correct' civilian world and the importance of Veteran-specific media categories. He shares how creative outlets can aid in managing PTSD and anger issues and explores the power of Veteran communities in the podcasting world.​​Whether you're a Veteran seeking inspiration, a podcaster looking to make an impact, or simply interested in stories of resilience and transformation, this episode offers profound lessons and moving stories.​​For all the resources Donald mentioned in the show follow this link.​​Click here for Donald’s book Echoes Of War.​

From documenting combat zones to navigating the Hollywood jungle, Mark Harper's journey is a testament to Veteran resilience and leadership. In this episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with Mark, a former Air Force Combat Camera operator who transitioned into a successful career in the entertainment industry.​Mark shares his incredible journey from serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom to working at Paramount Pictures, where he developed digital marketing campaigns for blockbusters like Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Star Trek. He then co-founded We Are The Mighty, the first-ever digital storytelling platform for and by the military community.​Discover how Mark's military experience shaped his approach to digital marketing, content creation, and leadership in Hollywood. Learn about the launch of We Are The Mighty and how it filled a gap in military-focused media. Mark also discusses his role in developing the Military Influencer Conference, the first mass-scale conference focusing on military transition, career placement, and resources.​Currently leading the Military and Defense Audience Group at Recurrent Ventures, Mark oversees six major digital brands including Task & Purpose. He offers valuable insights on career transitions and the skills Veterans bring to the business world.​Whether you're a Veteran looking to break into entertainment, an entrepreneur seeking inspiration, or interested in military-focused media, this episode offers invaluable insights and inspiring stories.​Learn more about We Are The Mighty and Task & Purpose at Recurrent Military.​Connect with Mark on LinkedIn.

Turning conflict and chaos into opportunities for growth and prosperity is no easy feat. Joining us in this episode is former Army Ranger, co-founder, and CEO of Combat Flip-Flops, Matthew “Griff” Griffin. Discover how Griff's experiences in conflict zones shaped a business model that promotes peace through trade, bringing prosperity to areas of conflict. From a boot factory in Kabul to overcoming challenges with a guerrilla flip flop factory in his garage, Griff's story is one of resilience and innovation. ​​This episode is packed with insights on leadership, perseverance, and the transformative power of honesty in business. Griff also shares his experiences creating award winning documentaries and the impact of educating families affected by conflict zones. ​​Check out Combat Flip-Flops on X - TikTok - Instagram - YouTube - Facebook. Or visit them online at combatflipflops.com.​​Connect with Griff on LinkedIn. ​

What does it take to create a truly “Made in America” brand? In this episode, we sit down with Dean Wegner, the founder and CEO of Authentically American, an American-made apparel brand. In a world where outsourcing and cheap labor are prevalent, Dean explains the challenges and rewards of building a sole American supply chain that supports our economy and creates jobs. With his strong leadership skills and military background, Dean has not only built a successful business but also a community-driven brand. ​​As a Veteran entrepreneur, Dean emphasizes the importance of having a niche and focusing on customer experience in building a successful brand. He also highlights the camaraderie and collaboration among Veteran entrepreneurs and the impact of supporting each other's businesses.Check out Authentically American on X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Visit them online at authenticallyamerican.us and connect with Dean on LinkedIn.

Joining us is Eric Isham, Army Veteran turned fintech trailblazer, who shares powerful leadership lessons forged in the military and honed in the boardroom. From his days as a combat medic to becoming the CEO of OMNICOMMANDER, Eric reveals how military discipline transforms into business acumen.  Through candid reflection, Eric discusses the challenges of transitioning from soldier to entrepreneur and the unexpected ways his Army experience prepared him for the cutthroat world of startups. He offers invaluable insights on scaling a business, the importance of hiring Veterans, and how to apply military strategies to overcome corporate obstacles.  With a unique perspective shaped by his journey from the Army to credit unions, Eric illuminates the often-overlooked strengths Veterans bring to the business world. He also shares practical advice on maintaining work-life balance and fostering innovation in high-pressure environments.  This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone seeking to harness the power of military leadership in their professional life. Prepare to be inspired and equipped with battle-tested strategies for success!  Connect with Eric on LinkedIn and explore OMNICOMMANDER at omnicommander.com. Discover how Eric's company is revolutionizing digital services for credit unions while championing Veteran employment.

Joining us is SSG Shilo Harris, who reveals the raw and inspiring story of navigating life after combat. From earning his spurs in the Cavalry to surviving a coma and facing the challenges of leadership, Shilo opens up about the realities of returning home from war to heal. Through personal reflection, he discusses the impact of PTSD on Veterans and their families and emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness. ​​With insights from his own experience growing up with a Vietnam Veteran father, Shilo sheds light on the unique struggles faced by Veterans. He also shares valuable tips on self-care and balancing personal life while serving in the military.​​Connect with Shilo on Facebook - Instagram - YouTube - LinkedIn and check out his website shiloharris.com along with the nonprofits he supports: Helping a Hero and X-22 Adventures.​​Follow this link to get a copy of Shilo’s book Steel Will.

Danny Maher, founder of Irreverent Warriors, VET Tv, and author of “Embarrassing Confessions of a Marine Lieutenant: Operation Branding Iron 2.1A,” joins us in this episode to discuss his journey and the importance of connecting with and supporting fellow veterans. He shares how he started the Silkies Hike events to prevent veteran suicide and create a sense of camaraderie among veterans. Emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and healthy culture within the veteran community, Danny shares the raw truth of what some of our combat veterans experience. ​​Danny also talks about his creation of VET Tv, a network that provides humor and relatable content for combat veterans. Danny addresses the criticism of his work and defends the importance of understanding the psyche of combat veterans. He also provides a sneak peek into his next book titled, "The Psyche of Some American Veterans," which explores warrior identity, warrior ego, and how military experiences can impact mental health and relationships.​​Check out Irreverent Warriors and see how you can get involved in the fight against veteran suicide. ​​If you’re into dark, authentic, non-pc humor made by veterans for veterans then follow this link to VET Tv.​​Click this link for Danny's book, Embarrassing Confessions of a Marine Lieutenant: Operation Branding Iron 2.1A

How did an active duty soldier become the Ultimate Fighter? Joining us is Colton Smith, the United States Army’s first and only UFC fighter. Colton shares his remarkable journey of serving in the military, earning accolades such as Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, CIB, EIB, Airborne, and Air Assault badges, while pursuing his UFC career. Smith reveals how the Army allowed him to stay on active duty while training and competing in The Ultimate Fighter television show and talks about the challenges he faced while juggling both professions and the support he received from his superiors. ​​But it's not just about Colton's impressive achievements, he also emphasizes the importance of combatives training in the military, highlighting how it prepares soldiers for hand-to-hand combat situations and builds physical, mental, and emotional strength. Colton also stresses the role of leadership to create camaraderie and respect among soldiers. As someone who leads by example, he believes that leaders should be willing to engage in combat training and combatives alongside their troops. ​​Colton's achievements include: ​UFC Ultimate Fighter Winner (Season 16) ​4x UFC Veteran ​2024 IBJJF Pans Championship Silver Medalist (M2 Black Belt) ​National Wrestling Hall of Fame “Outstanding American” Inductee ​Arnold Schwarzenegger “Out of the Ring” Award Winner ​Brazilian JiuJitsu Black Belt (Second Degree)​Combatives Black Belt​Current Head Coach of numerous State, National and International Wrestling, JiuJitsu & MMA Champions Medalists. ​CoFounder/ Owner of Enlisted Nine Fight Company ​Learn more about Colton and Nine Line Apparel by following this link. ​​Check out Colton on Instagram - Facebook. ​​Enlisted 9 Fight Company can be found in Virginia - Maryland. ​​

In this insightful episode of the Veteran Led podcast, Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, former Under Secretary for Benefits of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, shares his transformational leadership journey at the Veterans Benefits Administration. As a former Airborne Finance Officer turned business leader, Lawrence brought a fresh perspective to overhaul VA bureaucracy and pursue excellence in serving Veterans.  Tune in as Dr. Lawrence provides an inside look at implementing major initiatives like the Appeals Modernization Act, reducing the claims backlog, and achieving the VBA's best year ever in 2020 despite the pandemic. This episode is packed with valuable advice as Dr. Lawrences discusses his three tenets of communication, financial stewardship, and honoring Veterans' service through improved client experience to reform the Veterans Benefits Administration. To connect with Dr. Paul Lawrence, visit his LinkedIn page or check out his website by clicking the links. To get your copy of Dr. Lawrence's books, click on the links below:Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You DeserveTransforming Service to Veterans: How I Pursued Performance Excellence at the Veterans Benefits Administration in the U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsTo hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcastsFollow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled

As Veterans, we all have the capability of leading with a purpose. However, there are additional coaching tools that will navigate you through life's challenges. Joining us in this episode is Jamie Peer, a retired Lieutenant Colonel turned life mastery coach. Jamie expertly applies her military HR experiences to civilian life coaching, highlighting the critical nature of structure, support, and accountability.  Discover how military values seamlessly transition into effective coaching strategies for setting goals, managing work-life balance, and overcoming limiting beliefs. Throughout this episode, there are actionable insights on effective leadership, prioritizing relationships, and maintaining mental health, including an in-depth discussion on moral injury; what it means and the effect it can have. Don't miss this discussion on how military discipline can elevate your personal and professional growth.  Transform your life and business with Jamie. To learn more, visit https://www.jamiepeer.com/ or email her directly at jamie@jamiepeer.com.To hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcastsFollow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled

Where is your greatest opportunity? Many veterans venture into the private sector and find that there are bigger opportunities in the entrepreneurial world. In this episode, we welcome Navy veteran Todd Connor, founder of Bunker Labs and Veterans for All Voters. Todd is a prominent voice in veteran entrepreneurship and in this episode, he shares how military skills power successful civilian ventures and talks about the important social impact work he is doing at The Rustandy Center.​​Transitioning from the military to the civilian world doesn’t need to be hard, but sometimes we need support. Check out how Todd and his team can help you at Bunker Labs.​​America needs our veteran leadership to step up. Check out Veteran for All Voters to learn more.

Discover the power of leadership skills and Veteran 2.0 concepts in this episode with Freddie Kim, a U.S. Army Veteran, Airborne Ranger, and Special Forces Commander who is now the CEO of a successful military Veteran recruiting company, MilSpec Talent. Hear about Freddie's combat experience, ownership mindset, and team success strategies, like supporting frontline managers and strategic decision-making. Freddie shares insights on transitioning from the military to entrepreneurship, the significance of an ownership mindset, and the concept of Veteran 2.0 in the corporate world. Connect with Freddie on - LinkedIn. Build your A-Team with MilSpec by clicking this link.To hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcastsFollow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled

Tony Goins, a former Marine Sergeant, corporate executive, entrepreneur, and public servant, shares his journey from being a security guard at American Express to becoming a successful leader in the corporate world. He emphasizes the importance of opportunities, preparation, and leading by example. Tony also discusses the significance of relationships, both in business and personal life, and the impact of having a supportive partner. Tony's commitment to giving back is evident through his mentorship and the creation of Capital Cigar Lounge, a space for young professionals to share their experiences.Check out Tony’s cigar lounge at capitalcigar.com.To hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcastsFollow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled

France Hoang’s journey to entrepreneurial success is one of true grit. Prior to his current role as Co-Founder and CEO of boodleAI, a tech company that built the collaborative GenAI platform BoodleBox, France went from army officer to White House Counsel then back to the army as the XO of a U.S. Army Special Forces Company in Afghanistan. A Vietnam War refugee himself, Hoang passionately worked to evacuate our Afghan Allies after the US ended its military and diplomatic presence in Afghanistan and continues to serve his country and lead his team with relentless drive, purpose, and motivation​​Check out France’s innovative GenAI platform at boodlebox.ai or connect with him on LinkedIn.To hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcastsFollow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled

Andrew Arbogast, a combat veteran Apache pilot turned CEO of Arbo’s Cheese Dip, reflects on his entrepreneurial journey in this episode of Veteran Led. Listen in as Andrew openly shares the challenges he faces, such as the fear of failure and the pressure of being the sole employee of his company, and how he overcomes these obstacles by recognizing the importance of resilience, learning from failure, and surrounding himself with a supportive network. Andrew emphasizes the importance of seeking help and support from other veteran entrepreneurs and the value of feedback in this candid episode. ​​To learn more about Andrew and his business, visit www.arbosdip.com or check out his social:Andrew Arbogast LinkedInArbo’s Cheese Dip LinkedInAndrew Arbogast FacebookArbo’s Cheese Dip FacebookArbo’s Cheese Dip InstagramArbo’s Cheese Dip X (Twitter)To hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcastsFollow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled​

The resilience and strategic mindset honed on the battlefield can be your secret weapon in the business world. Scott Neil, retired Master Sergeant Army Green Beret turned entrepreneur, applies the lessons of leadership, discipline, and tactical patience learned during his time in service and shares his story on this episode of Veteran Led.​​Scott illustrates how focusing on culture, talent, and attention to detail can pave the path to success. The importance of having agile teams, strategic patience, and the invaluable trait of learning from every situation; whether it's a win or a learning moment is crucial to the success of any business. ​​The potential is within every veteran to transform and lead in the business arena and Scott exemplifies that with his bourbon brand, Horse Soldier Bourbon. This episode is a testament to how the principles of military resilience can achieve your business success.​​Check out Horse Soldier Bourbon by following this linkTo hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcastsFollow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled

In this episode of Veteran Led, Col. (Retired) and CEO of Spahr Solutions Group Irene Vaishvila Glaeser shares her journey from the military to leading an IT services company providing communication solutions for Federal and DoD agencies. Having started her career during the Cold War era, Irene brings a unique blend of humor, authenticity, and earnest advocacy for veterans navigating their transition to civilian life.​​Emphasizing the importance of leveraging the leadership skills learned during military service; Irene passionately advocates for veterans to enter the government contracting space. She highlights the many resources and programs available to support any veteran seeking to become an entrepreneur.​​From being a pioneering female paratrooper to navigating leadership roles while balancing family life, Irene has had a diverse range of challenges that few military service members have faced, but an equally shared resilience to overcome them. This episode is not only a compelling story of personal achievement but also a guide for veterans striving for success beyond the military.​Follow this link to learn more about Spahr Solution Group.​​Connect with Irene of LinkedIn.​​To order Irene’s book Choose Your Battles: One Woman's Inspiring Journey Through The Ranks. To hear how other veterans are putting their military leadership lessons to work, subscribe to our YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@PTSDLawyers/podcasts Follow us on social media:https://facebook.com/veteranledhttps://twitter.com/veteranledhttps://Instagram.com/veteranled