From Battle to Business

In this episode, Michael Hopf takes you from the sands of the Gulf War to the trenches of apocalyptic fiction, revealing how a Marine infantryman turned bodyguard, diver, and father found his true battlefield in storytelling. What starts as a conversation about deployments, ship life, and old-school Naval traditions quickly evolves into something deeper: generational cycles, cultural fractures, th...

From Saving Dogs to Saving Heroes — The Mission Behind K9 Heroes 4 Heroes When I first spoke with Joe Gionti, I felt his passion immediately. He’s not a veteran — but he’s one of the most patriotic people I’ve ever met. Joe founded K9 Heroes 4 Heroes , a nonprofit that pairs rescue dogs with veterans and first responders battling PTSD, anxiety, and depression. His story is proof that you don’t nee...

When the uniform comes off, the real battle begins. In this episode of From Battle to Business , John Krotec shares how trauma, transition, and truth shaped his mission-driven life beyond the military. From soldier to entrepreneur, John peels back the layers on emotional suppression, failed business attempts, and the cost of avoiding personal healing. But this isn’t just about struggle—it’s a stor...

Episode Show Notes In this no-fluff episode of From Battle to Business , Dean sits down with active duty submariner William Spears for a raw, often hilarious, and powerfully reflective conversation about identity, transition, and the myths veterans (and leaders) tell themselves. From poking fun at Nickelback to unpacking the “permission trap” many veterans fall into post-service, William brings cl...

If you’ve ever wondered how military discipline translates into entrepreneurial grit—or how to serve a niche market with precision—this episode is your playbook. In today’s episode of From Battle to Business , Katherine Lynch walks us through her inspiring path from Harvard squash athlete to Navy officer, to corporate executive, and finally to founder of Vamos Racquets —a padel, pickleball, and we...

If you feel like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this episode is for you. Dean Van Dyke walks through why operational clarity is the foundation that unlocks true entrepreneurial freedom. Forget the fluff — this is a straight-shooting look at the operational chaos killing small businesses and what to do about it. With stories from the field and decades of experience le...

Amanda Zeine, DO, FAAP, is no stranger to service, sacrifice, or starting over. After 15 years as a pediatrician and flight surgeon in the U.S. Army—and a traumatic brain injury that changed everything—Amanda’s mission took a creative turn. Now retired and thriving in a new chapter, she’s using storytelling to support the most overlooked heroes: military children. In this heartfelt and humorous ep...

How do you capture the heart of a family legacy before it’s too late? In this powerful episode, Dean Van Dyke sits down with filmmaker, radio host, and Broadway writer Chance McClain—founder of Heritage Films. What started as a favor to a friend became a calling: to preserve the rich, untold stories of everyday heroes before time silences them. From documenting his stepfather’s battle with pancrea...

From 7,000+ hours in the cockpit to launching a mission-driven luxury brand, Jared Lilje isn’t just redefining fashion—he’s redefining impact. In this episode, we uncover how the former U.S. Air Force Special Ops pilot turned firsthand exposure to human trafficking into a bold business move. Now the founder of J.Christoph, Jared fuses handcrafted American-made handbags with a cause—directly fundin...

In this powerful episode of From Battle to Business , Dean Van Dyke sits down with Chris Duprey—former infantry officer, sales strategist, and communication expert—to unpack what it truly takes to lead high-performing teams through better conversations. Chris shares the four pillars of Breakthrough Conversations , the traps leaders fall into with communication, and how AI is reshaping the future o...

In this episode of From Battle to Business , retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Reichert shares his powerful transformation from military leadership to servant leadership guided by faith. With over two decades in the Army and four combat deployments, Ryan opens up about facing addiction, discovering purpose through pain, and answering God’s call to serve others. Now a business owner, motiva...

How do you lead when everything around you is uncertain? In this episode, I sit down with Schuyler Williamson, a West Point grad, Bronze Star recipient, real estate mogul, and author of The Steady Leader . From combat deployments to building million-dollar real estate portfolios, Schuyler brings battle-tested leadership principles that cut through the noise and get results. He breaks down his fram...

What happens when life blindsides you, and the roadmap disappears? For Marla Ballard, that moment became a catalyst—not a collapse. She joined host Dean Van Dyke to unpack the raw truth about navigating trauma, building business through service, and rising stronger after life-altering events. From the frontlines of caregiving to boardroom leadership, Marla’s story is a masterclass in grit, gratitu...

From the Barracks to the Brand: How Marine Corps Tactics Drive Marketing Wins What happens when you blend battlefield leadership with branding? You get Jim Fuhs—President of Fuhsion Marketing and former Marine Corps Officer—breaking down how mission-driven strategies can transform small business marketing. In this episode of From Battle to Business , we unpack how military discipline and framework...

In this episode of From Battle to Business, Dean Van Dyke welcomes Dr. John Hillen—former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, decorated CEO, award-winning professor, and author of What Happens Now? Reinvent Yourself as a Leader Before Your Business Outruns You. Together, they dive into the crucial mindset shifts military leaders must make to thrive in business, the dangers of becoming a “one-trick...

In this episode of From Battle to Business , Dean Van Dyke sits down with Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur Kris Forrest of C&D Tools. Discover how a missing cocktail shaker sparked a movement in American manufacturing. From the sands of Iraq to steel workshops in the U.S., Kris and co-founder Rebecca Beardsley are proving that heirloom quality isn’t dead—it’s just getting started. Learn h...

🎙️ Lead Clearly, Execute Boldly: The Commander’s Intent Framework for Business Growth In this power-packed episode of From Battle to Business, host Dean Van Dyke unpacks a battlefield-born leadership tool that’s revolutionizing the way small businesses operate: Commander’s Intent. If you’re constantly firefighting, stuck micromanaging, or feel like your team just doesn’t “get it,” this episode is...

🎙️ From Battle to Business – Featuring Michael Albaum In this value-packed episode of From Battle to Business , I sit down with Michael Albaum, host of The Remote Real Estate Investor podcast and full-time real estate investor and coach with Roofstock. Michael unpacks his journey from an unfulfilling engineering career into the freedom and flexibility of real estate investing. From the trials of c...

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of From Battle to Business, I talk with Douglas Katz—a veteran, entrepreneur, and creator of the NULU Knife—about how personal frustration and deep empathy led him to redesign a tool we all take for granted: the kitchen knife. Doug shares how his own challenges with traditional knives after a service-related injury revealed a massive gap in the kitchenware...

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of duty and dream, wondering what’s next after the uniform comes off? In this episode of From Battle to Business , we dive deep with Ben Vernon , former U.S. Air Force canine handler turned elite dog trainer and founder of Vernon Dog Training . From protecting presidents to teaching pups, Ben’s story is all about taking the leap , trusting your instincts, and...

Welcome to another powerful episode of From Battle to Business ! In this episode, host Dean Van Dyke sits down with the incredible Isabelle Fortin , a leader with deep military roots turned corporate trailblazer. Isabelle’s journey started in the Royal Canadian Air Force , where she honed her leadership and communication skills. Transitioning into the corporate world, she quickly realized somethin...

Unlocking the Power of Rest and Connection with Tim Thomas Welcome to  From Battle to Business , where we uncover the transformative journeys of veterans stepping into entrepreneurship and leadership. In this episode, host Dean Van Dyke sits down with Tim Thomas, a visionary in veteran recovery and mental wellness. Tim’s expertise spans over a decade, making groundbreaking contributions to ne...

In this episode of From Battle to Business , host Dean Van Dyke sits down with Jaime Chambron , an accomplished entrepreneur, career coach, and advocate for women in technology. With a track record of starting three companies, leading in over ten organizations, and co-founding the Alliance of Technology and Women , Jaime has mastered the art of navigating career transitions, managing mergers, and...

From Battle to Business: Honoring Heroes with Doyle Glass What does it take to preserve the legacy of American heroes? In this compelling episode of From Battle to Business , host Dean Van Dyke sits down with bestselling author and historian Doyle Glass. Doyle has made it his life’s mission to tell the untold stories of America’s bravest, ensuring that their legacy lives on. Through his book Swift...

In this episode of From Battle to Business , host Dean Van Dyke sits down with Ian Chamandy , an expert in helping businesses and individuals define their unique purpose in just seven words or less . Ian has worked with over 400 organizations , guiding them through his proprietary Blueprint Process to create consistent, remarkable brands that operate with clarity and intention. But Ian doesn’t sto...