MILMO Show

Saving money is something most people want to do or are already doing, but where that money sits often gets overlooked. A lot of service members and spouses are doing the right thing by spending less than they make and saving money, but your savings might not be working to its fullest potential for you. And that can slow your progress, even when you're trying hard. In this episode, I'm talking abo...

The start of a new year brings a lot of pressure. Pressure to fix everything, do more, be better, and somehow come up with a brand-new version of yourself at the stroke of midnight. And for many military families and others who feel financially or personally behind, that pressure can feel overwhelming instead of motivating. In this episode, I want to share a more straightforward approach to goals,...

As we close out the year and look ahead to what's possible, this felt like the right moment to revisit a meaningful conversation on the show. Building wealth in the military isn't about quick wins. It's about clarity, confidence, and playing the long game, even when life gets unpredictable. Here is the encore airing of Building Wealth for Military Families with Jerry Quinn, one of my top episodes...

Most of us spend years chasing success without ever stopping to ask what "living well" really means. We talk about building wealth or hitting financial milestones, but often overlook the two resources that matter most: our time and our health. In this episode, Navy pilot Zach Rodriguez shares about how a near-fatal helicopter mishap pushed him to rethink everything from what success looks like to...

For many veterans, the hardest part of leaving the military isn't the transition, it's figuring out what to do with the physical and mental wear-and-tear of service. Too many walk away without documenting injuries, without understanding the claims process, or believing they don't "deserve" benefits because someone else had it worse. But overlooking a VA disability claim can affect your health, you...

The financial risks facing service members today look nothing like they did 10 or 15 years ago. There used to be real barriers. A literal base gate stood between you and companies that didn't have your best interests at heart. Commanders could keep bad actors out. The Department of War could set policies and say "nope, not on installations." But that world is gone. Today, the enemy isn't standing...

Most people think about taxes one stressful season at a time, but that mindset can cost you opportunities. Especially if you're in the military, planning for early retirement, or navigating years when your income swings up and down. When you don't understand how the rules work across your whole financial life, it's easy to miss out on the strategies designed to help you keep more of what you earn....

Too many service members begin their careers already on their heels, navigating debt and financial confusion. And for many, lack of early financial readiness awareness doesn't just stress their wallets, it limits their options. In this episode, retired Army Colonel Michael Tremblay shares what he witnessed across the full spectrum of service, from onboarding new recruits to transitioning soldiers...

The holidays can be a special time full of connection with coworkers, friends, and family, but they can also be a season when money feels out of control. Between travel, gifts, parties, food, and "just one more present" moments, it's easy for two months of spending to undo months of progress. For many military families, the pressure hits even harder with long travel distances, family expectations,...

Veterans are built different. We've learned to push when others quit, to focus on the big picture instead of getting caught up in small stuff, and to adapt when things change. We've mastered discipline, resilience, and teamwork —the same qualities that drive financial success.  In this episode, I'm breaking down why veterans have what it takes to rule the world—financially speaking. Because when y...

In this episode, we revisit the timeless lessons from The Millionaire Next Door, how ordinary habits create extraordinary wealth, and explore the difference between managing money day to day and truly planning for the long term. Kirk also shares practical guidance on paying off debt, saving for the future, and building flexibility into your financial life, especially for military families facing u...

Right now, there's a lot of anxiety, confusion, and information floating around. The U.S. government has been shut down since October 1st, and we're now in the last week of the month. It's one of the longest shutdowns in modern U.S. history. If you've been feeling uneasy or just plain tired of the uncertainty, you're not alone. It's totally normal to feel that way. But there's also good news and t...

Life is so precious, and I'm squeezing my family a lot tighter this week. Last week, I lost my grandmother. I'm recording this on the morning of her funeral, as I get ready to celebrate her life and say goodbye. I feel incredibly blessed that she lived to be over 98 years old and that I was able to spend so much time with her. And even more thankful that I was able to sit down and record this conv...

We're diving into investing with Cale Smith, founder and CEO of Bastion Fiduciary, a veteran-led fee-only RIA, and portfolio manager for the Bastion Energy Fund, an actively managed ETF. As a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Cale brings a unique perspective shaped by both military service and decades in finance. In this episode, he explains what a portfolio manager really does, the differ...

Do you know what it takes to lead when the uniform comes off? My guest is Mark Tilsher, a 21-year veteran of the Air Force who has dedicated his career to developing resilient leaders across military, corporate, and community settings.  In this episode, Mark shares how veterans can adapt their leadership to the civilian workplace, avoid common pitfalls, and use their skills to thrive in their care...

Have you ever stood in line for something free and realized it actually wasn't worth it? That moment sparked today's guest, Army veteran and financial planner Rob Moore, to develop a simple but actionable framework he calls flipping the value. Rob is the founder of Everman Prosperity, where he helps military families and those in transition make confident financial decisions. ​ In our chat, we dis...

This episode is for every military spouse and veteran who's ever wondered how to earn income on your own terms around military life. My guest, Melissa Broughton, is the creator of The 1-Hour Bookkeeper and founder of Busy Bee Advisors. She's on a mission to help military spouses launch bookkeeping businesses that fit their lives —flexible hours, work from anywhere, and with the potential for a six...

Welcome to this special episode of the MILMO Show! Today's my birthday, and I'm celebrating by doing something I love—talking business, family, and protecting what you've worked hard to build. And I get to do it with my cousin, Mark Flanigan. Mark is an intellectual property lawyer with experience spanning startups to Fortune 500 companies. His work has spanned patents for medical devices, tradema...

Budgeting is one of those words that makes a lot of people squirm but it doesn't have to. In this episode, I sit down with Zach Whelchel, founder of My Budget Coach, to talk about the method that gave him (and so many others) true financial clarity, which is zero-based budgeting. Zach breaks down what it is, why it works for both steady and variable incomes, and how couples can actually turn it in...

We're diving into the world of geofencing with Navy veteran and entrepreneur Chris Seminatore. Chris is the founder of Get Geofencing, a company that helps businesses, from car dealerships to government contractors, use location data to put their ads in front of the right people.  He shares how geofencing works, what it costs, and why it's a tool that even small businesses and military spouses can...

There's something that's quietly stealing joy from the military community and millions of Americans every single day. It's something that has completely warped our understanding of what financial success looks like. In this episode, I'm breaking down how social media is impacting people's financial lives and sharing why getting back to basics isn't just smart, it's essential for our mental health...

Starting a business is hard enough, but starting one with a mission bigger than turning a profit can feel like navigating a battlefield. The obstacles are real, like cash flow challenges or forces beyond your control, but so are the rewards when your work changes lives. In this episode, we're talking about what it takes to build a business that stands for something. Matt "Griff" Griffin, West Poin...

When your military career ends, the mission doesn't, but figuring out what's next, or what truly lights you up, can be one of the hardest transitions. It's not just about finding a new job. It's about rediscovering what matters most and learning how to fund the life you want, not the one you think you're supposed to have. In this episode, Omen Quelvog and I discuss values-first financial planning....

Too many people wait until they're just a few years from retirement to start asking the big questions, like Can I afford to stop working? And what if my spouse isn't retiring yet? The truth is, preparing for retirement isn't just about portfolios and percentages. It's about aligning your finances with your life. In this episode, Jeff Panik shares the common mistakes people make before retirement a...

Losing a spouse changes everything, emotionally, mentally, and financially. But while grief is often discussed, the money struggles that come with it are rarely part of the conversation, or just grief in general. From paperwork and decisions to pressure and overwhelm, surviving spouses are often expected to figure it all out. In this episode, Certified Financial Planner and Air Force veteran, Dani...