The FourBlock Podcast

*Please note - trigger warning: sensitive topics are discussed during this episode, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), addiction, survivor guilt, and suicide. "I'm not the only person suffering from this. There are many, many people – veterans and non-veterans – who are suffering from this who need to know it's a real thing and that there is hope to get past it." This week, hosts Mik...

This week, host Mike Abrams welcomes U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, national intelligence professional and FourBlock Career Readiness Instructor Ellis Craig, who shares how he overcame some of the challenges and uncertainty he faced during his military transition and in his civilian career, how he made his way into the professional intelligence community, and how he worked his way up to his dream care...

This week, host Mike Abrams welcomes private sector IT leader and FourBlock Career Readiness Instructor Bernard Beaullieu to the podcast. In this episode, Bernard shares his expertise about the staffing and recruiting industry, discusses the different approach his company takes when it comes to IT recruitment, and shares invaluable insights from his extensive work and volunteer experience with tra...

This week, we welcome U.S. Army Veteran, inspirational speaker, and FourBlock Career Readiness Instructor Jeffrey (Jeff) Lodick to share insights from his life, service, and military transition; discuss the impact sports had on his life and the parallels between sports and military service; and talk about what inspired him to start his own purpose-driven business to pay it forward and help other v...

"One of the best things that any of us can do in this world is to support others and help them get to where you are, or at least help them be able to shape a vision for themselves, so they can get themselves to where they want to be. " This week, we welcome Louis Desforges, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and human resources executive. In this episode, Louis shares insights and lessons learned from his...

Earlier this month, FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams joined Orion Talent on their podcast, From the Battlefield to the Boardroom , a series dedicated to supporting military job seekers throughout their transition process by providing valuable insight and guidance from other veterans and business leaders. This week, we're sharing that conversation here on The FourBlock Podcast . Tune in as Mike discus...

This week, we welcome United States Air Force veteran, Construction Manager at SpaceX, and FourBlock Career Readiness Instructor Kyle Dedmon to the podcast. In this episode, Kyle discusses what he learned from his own military transition and civilian career, sharing expert insights and advice along the way. He explains why he recommends that his FourBlock students think of the military as a corpor...

"There's nobody who doesn't want to live a life of significance." This week, we complete our look back at the top five most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast with the #1 most-downloaded episode, "How to Live a Life of Significance" with retired General and the 31st Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General Charles C. Krulak. In this episode, General Krulak discusses his own...

This week, we continue our look back at the top five most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast with the #2 most-downloaded episode, "A First-Generation American's Obligation and Privilege to Serve," with Citigroup Managing Director and retired Army Colonel John Tien. In this episode, John discusses his incredible service, the impact of his time in the Army on his family, and the similariti...

This week, we continue our look back at the top five most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast with the #3 most-downloaded episode, "How to Seize Opportunity in Your Career and Market Yourself as a Veteran" with former Army Pilot, Global Account Manager at LinkedIn, and FourBlock Board Member Darren Sumter. In this interview, Darren describes his experiences growing up, serving in the Army...

"Are you done serving or are you ready to assume the mantle of citizen?" This week, we continue our look back at the top five most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast with the #4 most-downloaded episode, "Check Your Privilege: Military-to-Civilian Career Transition Research Findings." In this episode, former U.S Army officer and author Jason Dempsey, PhD, discusses his own transition, exp...

For the next five weeks, we're looking back at the top five most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. This week, we're sharing the #5 most-downloaded episode to date, The Most Powerful Moves You Can Make in Your Career Search with guest Rick Miners, an entrepreneur, writer, coach, and expert on transition and retirement life planning. Rick was t...

This week, FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams discusses pietas – defined as duty, loyalty, and devotion – and explores how veterans embody the virtues of pietas and citizenship through military service. He argues that when veterans return home, they can continue to embody the virtue of pietas through small acts of citizenship and service and encourages all to try to find some small but meaningful ways...

This week, FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams shares a quick story and exercise inspired by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and stoic philosopher, and encourages us all to take a moment this Thanksgiving to reflect on the people who have developed and shaped us and formed the foundation of who we are today. ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and...

"Culture is not what you say it is. It's how you act, live, and work every single day." This week, FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams explores a common question that we get from listeners: how can you accurately assess a company's culture and decide whether you would be a good fit? Acknowledging that the actual culture of a company may be different from what their external branding says it is, Mike sha...

"Everyone you meet right now is battling with some internal struggle with a stressor that is completely unfamiliar." This week we welcome Jaz Azari, who joins FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams to discuss cultural stress in the COVID-19 world. Passionate about preserving mental health and wellbeing, particularly within the military community, Jaz has written about and presented on the topic of "cultura...

"At the end of the day, we are making decisions about people – their livelihoods, their careers, their futures – and I think that that is an honor and needs to be treated as such." An evangelist for change, Julie Teahan creates environments where people and organizations thrive, where "families" are formed to deliver transformative and sustainable results. This week, Julie joins FourBlock Founder...

Sean Kelley is a passionate and inspirational leader, startup advisor, and board member who uses an inclusive mindset and direct approach to effect global change. This week, Sean joins hosts Lindsey Pollak and Mike Abrams to reflect on leadership and culture in corporate America and what it means to be a people-first, systemic builder of culture. Sean discusses what he learned about leadership fro...

"If you can get better at knowing people, understanding people, taking care of people, you'll be a better salesperson." This week, we welcome Jason Smith, former U.S. Air Force Captain, sales expert, keynote speaker, business coach, trainer, and military veteran community leader. Jason joins FourBlock founder Mike Abrams to discuss his own transition struggles, address the negative stereotypes ass...

This week, U.S. Army veteran and original FourBlock alumnus Andy Roberts reflects on his recent experience in the healthcare industry transitioning from his role in human resources, mergers and acquisitions to working on the ground and rapidly standing up testing sites in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Andy joins FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams to discuss his role in the healthcare space,...

This week, Colonel Bill Murray joins FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams to take a deep dive into the real estate industry, sharing expert insights and actionable advice for any prospective homeowners, investors, or real estate professionals. Bill spent 28 years in the Marine Corps as a CH-53 heavy lift helicopter pilot, holding nearly every command within the wing and culminating as the commanding offi...

During targeted operations overseas, there were veterans who didn't hesitate at the thought of charging into a building and rooting out a terrorist. Back here at home, some of these same vets are fearful of walking into a room and starting a simple conversation with someone that they don't know. The difference between charging into a building in Iraq and walking into a room full of people back her...

"A lot of my resilience comes from others – it doesn't come from within." Gunnery Sgt. Ralph DeQuebec enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002 at 19 years old. During his third combat deployment in Afghanistan in 2012, he was critically injured from a blast of an improvised explosive device, losing both of his legs above the knee. He received a Purple Heart for his actions in combat. During his four y...

Before veterans deploy overseas or go on a mission, they study and try to understand everything possible about the enemy, culture, weather, terrain and local population. However, when faced with a new mission of starting a civilian career, some veterans don't always take the time to really understand the corporate landscape or the company to which they are applying. This week, founder Mike Abrams...

As a veteran, when you go into a job interview and you are being asked questions by someone who has never served in the military, it's your responsibility to make the interviewer feel comfortable asking you questions about your overseas experiences. This week, FourBlock founder Mike Abrams explains how to effectively describe what you did in the military on your terms and to open the conversation...