The Leadership Void Podcast

In this 232nd Coast Guard Birthday episode, we speak with Jason Vanderhaden (13th MCPOCG) about his background and journey from Tallahassee to becoming the MCPOCG. He shares the pivotal leadership moments he had learned the most from as a Coast Guardsman. Jason also details who was instrumental and impacted him while serving in the Coast Guard and his thoughts about the future of the Coast Guard....

In this podcast episode, we speak with Katherine "Kat" Ramirez (Founder & Creative CEO, adBidtise) about her time in the Air Force, her journey in marketing, and how she got into entrepreneurship. She tells us how the pandemic period affected her business and how she overcame it. She also speaks about the things she does to stay sharp as a leader. Kat gives us some of her tactics and strategie...

In this podcast episode, we speak to Frank Sturek (President, SkyePoint Decisions, Inc.) about his service in the Army and what led him to the Information Technology sector. He shares his journey as an Army infantry officer and Ranger and his transition into the civilian arena with SkyePoint Decisions. Frank describes his company and what they are working on both now and in the future. He speaks a...

In this podcast episode, we speak to Ken Lester (Candidate for Seminole County Court Judge) about his journey from being a Navy Sailor to becoming a lawyer and judge. He shares with us his experience as a Sailor and his return to Central Florida to become a lawyer. He also shares how he progressed and was selected as a judge and why his love and passion for law are keeping him fueled for the next...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Arlene Allen (2020-2021 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse Of The Year) about being a military spouse, being an entrepreneur, and being the 2020-2021 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse Of The Year. She gives us a bit of her background and how she is a first-generation American in her Costa Rican family. She tells us how she has been a military spouse...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Lance Price (Director of Operations, For The Love Of a Veteran) about his time in the Navy, PTSD, and his service in a Non-Profit. Lance shares his journey in the Navy and his experience with leaders. He also speaks about his battle with PTS and some of the medical treatments to aid the overcoming process. Lance explains how this non-profit has overcome the p...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Dr. Russ Barnes (CEO, Systro Solutions) about his time in the Air Force, leadership, and entrepreneurship. He shares with us his journey as an Air Force Officer and the lessons from his rise to Colonel. He also speaks about the difference between leading followers and leading leaders and how getting those two mixed up can cost you a great team member. He spea...

In this special Army birthday podcast episode, we speak with Robert Gully (Director, Business Development at Blue Cord Design & Construction) about his service in the Army and his experiences as a leader. He shares his time in special forces and a very touching pivotal point in his life as a leader. Robert discusses those that were instrumental and impacted his career and his thoughts on the f...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Jennifer Vollbrecht (President, J Vollbrecht Consulting) about her time in service with the Marine Corps and how she transitioned into entrepreneurship. She shares her background, her work in the civilian sector, and how she got inspired to start her own consulting company. She also shares her strategies for keeping herself sharp as a leader and facing times...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Jason and Carolina Conner (Carolina Conner Construction) about Jason's service in the Army and Carolina's service as a military spouse. They explain how they went from the armed forces community to the local community through their construction company and real estate firm. They share their journey as entrepreneurs and how the last two years have been for the...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Dr. Coralis Solomon (Founder, Self Compassion Life)  from Orlando Florida. She shares her journey in the mental health industry and her work in academia. She speaks about her practice and the people she serves to include the military and first responder community. Coralis tells us about her thought on self-compassion and giving yourself grace and also sh...

In this podcast episode, we speak with, Ashleah Bechtel (President, The Bechtel Group and Associates) about her journey from being an Army Officer to an entrepreneur in the health & wellness industry. Ashleah shares her passion for getting people on a good journey in their health & wellness. She also discusses her vision for where she sees this industry going. Ashleah also gives new leader...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Dr. Carlos Garcia (Owner, Tampa Counseling and Wellness) about his time in the Marine Corps and how he got into his role as a Psychologist. He shares his journey as a first responder and how he found his passion in counseling and wellness. He also gives us some advice for new leaders, how to face times of challenge and change, and what we can do to create a m...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Jen Amos (Director of Community Relations, US VetWealth) about the Spouse Benefit Plan. Jen shares her story as a Gold Star Family member and her experience as a Navy Child. She tells us about how she navigated the pandemic lockdown and how it affected US VetWealth. She also gives us some tips and strategies she uses to face challenges and times of change and...

In this podcast episode, We speak to Paul A. Sohl (CEO, Florida High Tech Corridor Council) about his time in the US Navy, his background in the technology sector, and his role in the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. He shares his rise to two-star Admiral and lessons he learned along the way. He gives us his recipe for developing as a leader and some tips for emerging leaders. Paul takes us thr...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Oakland McCulloch (Author of Your Leadership Legacy) about his service in the Army, his speaking, and his book. He shares his background and his service time experience. He also discusses the golden nuggets from his years growing up in leadership and gives some tips for new leaders. Oak details his way of dealing with challenges and change and ways you can su...

In this podcast episode, we speak to Eldonna Lewis Fernandez (Founder & President, Dynamic Vision International Inc.) about her time in the Air Force, being an entrepreneur, and leadership. She shares her Air Force journey and how the contracting career led to her writing a book and starting her own business. We discuss how her company established a footprint in Kenya and how she has helped ma...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Olivia Nunn (Olivia Nunn Communications LLC.) about her service in the Army, her journey as a beauty queen, and leadership advice. She discusses her trials growing up as an officer in the Army within a Male dominant field. She shares her personal battle with suicide and how she overcame it. Olivia tells us about her journey in the world of beauty pageants and...

In this podcast episode, we speak to Emily Emmons (Founder and Executive Director at Ho'ōla Farms) about her role as a Military Spouse and caregiver, as well as her role in the local Hawaii agriculture community. Emily tells us how they provide natural agriculture educational training and hands-on experiences for military veterans and first responders, their families and caregivers, and the commun...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Zachary Green (Founder, LumAware Safety) about his time in the Marine Corps, Fire Fighting, and his entrepreneurial journey. He shares how he knew he wanted to be a Marine and how that molded his childhood. He discusses how he started LumAware from an idea and built it into the successful company it is today. He also shares how realized he needed to get out o...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Dr. Theresa Roman (CEO/Director of Balanced Wellness, LLC.). She shares with us her background and how she got started on her journey to becoming a Clinical Psychologist. She speaks about her life as a military spouse and the difficulties in career and educational goals while supporting a service member. Theresa gives us her advice for self-development, how t...

In this podcast episode, we speak to Erica Beal (CEO of AVIVV) about being a military spouse, an entrepreneur, and running a company. Erica tells us about the special dynamics of running a business while supporting a service member. She also gives us the background and history of AVIVV. We discuss what special things she does to keep her leadership skills current and how she strategizes around cha...

In this special podcast episode, we celebrate our 100th episode, speaking to Mayor Jerry Demings (Orange County, Florida) about his 40 plus years of public service as a Law Enforcement Officer and now Mayor. We go over the happenings and future of Orange County, leadership advice, ways to face challenges, and how to deal with times of change.   For more information about Orange County, go to...

In this podcast episode, we speak with Jen Griswold (CEO, Mission Entrepreneur) about her journey as an Air Force Officer, Military Spouse, and Entrepreneur. She shares with us her knowledge of taking a company from start-up to acquisition. She also gives us her tips for young leaders, and how to face change and challenges in your life. She is on a mission to help all Military Spouses get into bus...

In this podcast episode, we speak to Gunny Wolf (Creator and Founder, SemperToons) about how he started drawing in high school, his evolution as a Marine, and how he combined them both to create morale for all. He explains his mission with the "Mail Call" version of SemperToons, where through donations, all families can send a Toon postcard to their boot camp recruit. He shares the future of Sempe...