The Tactical Leader

Guest: Kelly Bonn — Navy veteran, retained executive recruiter, executive coach Location: The Centre Club, Tampa Episode in a sentence From small boats in the Med to C-suite searches in boardrooms, Kelly unpacks modern hiring, executive presence, and why your LinkedIn should teach—not trumpet. What we cover Kelly’s Navy path (Italy, small boats unit, coxswain/engineer) and the through-line to recr...

Host: Zack Knight Guest: Gary King — Navy veteran, speaker/author, creator of the St. Pete HAPPINESS signs, subject of The Happiness Experiment film Episode vibe A candid, hopeful conversation about trauma, perspective, and building everyday interrupts that keep people here. Practical tools. No fluff. Timestamps 00:00 – 06:00 Cold open + Centre Club welcome, Monday-night football slander, Marine b...

Host: Zack Knight Guest: Lindsey Streeter, Military Affairs Executive, Bank of America; retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major; Owner, Savannah Hurricanes; Founder, Streeter Esports & Entertainment Recorded at: The Buckhead Club, Atlanta Episode Summary Lindsey Streeter unpacks the difference between veteran-friendly and veteran-ready, shares the “divine timing” behind his transition to Bank...

In this special ATLVets Speaker Series episode, retired Ranger Battalion NCO and Special Forces officer Chris Brewer shares his remarkable journey from the reactivation of the 1st Ranger Battalion in 1974 to a career in Special Forces, global security contracting, and authorship. Chris reflects on: Crossing the Line: Why he made the controversial move from the NCO corps to becoming an officer, and...

In this episode of the ATLVets Speaker Series, we sit down with Zack Miller , CEO of Patriot Growth Capital (PGC) , to explore the intersection of veteran empowerment, private equity, and long-term legacy. Zack shares his journey from the advertising and startup world to launching a private equity firm dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through entrepreneurship by acquisition . To...

Emilee Tucker: Beyond the Corporate Grind Emilee Tucker is more than her corporate credentials—she’s an advocate for authentic leadership who transitioned from an 18-year corporate career to become an executive coach. Driven by her curiosity and commitment to continuous improvement, Emilee pursued a master's in Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership, combining formal education with practical...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the ATLVets Tampa Speaker Series, host Zack Knight sits down with Kristen Rheinlander, Director of Partnerships at The Headstrong Project. Broadcasting from the Centre Club in Tampa, this live session captures a candid and compelling discussion around trauma-focused mental health care for veterans, the stigmas that prevent service members from seekin...

In the latest episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast , host Zack Knight sits down with Marine veteran, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur T. Shane Johnson to discuss his extraordinary journey from military service to business success. T. Shane's story is one of resilience, survival, and a relentless commitment to helping others, particularly in the veteran community. From surviving an MS-13 ga...

Episode Description: In this special episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, recorded live at the ATLVets Tampa Speaker Series, host Zack Knight sits down with retired Command Sergeant Major Andy Wilson—former Delta Force operator and the powerhouse founder of Quiet Professionals. Andy shares his incredible journey from dropping out of high school in Maine, to climbing the ranks of the most elite...

Episode Overview In this episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast , Zack Knight sits down with Tommy Richardson , a Marine veteran and Navy SEAL , to dive into his incredible 26-year military career, his transition to civilian life, and how he’s now helping veterans find purpose and leadership beyond the uniform. From his journey through Marine Corps infantry to the elite Navy SEAL teams , to launch...

In this episode of The Tactical Leader podcast, host Zack Knight sits down with retired Green Beret, entrepreneur, and author Scott Mann for an impactful conversation about leadership, the challenges veterans face in transitioning to civilian life, and the transformative power of storytelling. Key Topics Covered: Scott’s Early Life and Military Aspirations: Scott talks about meeting a Green Beret...

Episode Recap: ATL Vets Atlanta Speaker Series Featuring Heather McCarty Key Points Heather McCarty , guest speaker from St. Louis, Missouri, is a veteran ally with a decade of experience in the veterans' space. McCarty previously worked at The Mission Continues, where she developed and oversaw programs, and taught at a military school in St. Louis. Her connection to the military comes from family...

Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast , host Zack Knight sits down with retired Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann, a former Green Beret turned entrepreneur, storyteller, and author of Nobody’s Coming to Save You . Scott shares his journey from a bullied small-town kid to a decorated Special Forces officer and, ultimately, a successful civilian leader. Together, Zack...

Key Discussion Points: Self-Marketing and Storytelling: Why it Matters: Self-marketing is crucial for career advancement and entrepreneurship, but many veterans struggle with it due to a focus on teamwork and humility during their service. Overcoming the Challenges: Public speaking and self-promotion can be learned and improved with practice. The Power of Storytelling: Effectively communicating yo...

In this episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast , host Zack Knight sits down with Garret Biss, a retired Marine Corps pilot, addiction recovery coach, and motivational speaker. Together, they delve into the challenges veterans face when transitioning from military to civilian life and the strategies to find joy, purpose, and fulfillment beyond the uniform. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Garret’s...

Guest: Tessa Arnold, Co-founder of Snapback Energy Episode Summary: In this episode of *The Tactical Leader Podcast*, host Zack Knight dives into an inspiring conversation with Tessa Arnold, the co-founder of Snapback Energy. Tessa shares the journey of creating Snapback Energy as a lasting legacy with her late husband, Army combat veteran Michael Arnold, and how they designed their company to pro...

In a compelling episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, host Zack Knight sits down with Jeff Barnes, CEO of Angel Investors Network, to delve into the intricacies of leadership, entrepreneurship, and the ever-challenging world of raising capital. Both military veterans, Zack and Jeff weave personal stories of resilience and lessons learned through hardship into the broader themes of navigating lif...

On the latest episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL, best-selling author, and host of the Danger Close podcast, shared his incredible journey from military service to becoming a top-tier author in the world of thrillers. Carr’s reflections highlight the value of building upon a foundation established by previous generations of authors while adapting to today’s constan...

In a recent episode of the Tactical Leader Podcast, Zack Knight had an engaging conversation with Jodi Burns, discussing the impact local organizations and veterans’ families have in creating strong communities. One of the key points was how smaller, less known initiatives can drive powerful change, even if their contributions are often underappreciated. This episode highlighted the importance of...

What services does the U.S. government outsource, and how can your business - veteran-owned or not - capitalize on these often-overlooked opportunities? In this conversation, your host Zack Knight, invites William Brown, a former JAG officer turned business attorney, to share the often-overlooked world of government contracting. From heart-wrenching stories of international cooperation to practica...

How can military veterans successfully transition their leadership skills and experiences into thriving corporate careers? In this speaker series conversation, host Zack Knight talks with Gabe Soltero, a former Navy pilot turned program manager for military hiring at Home Depot. Gabe shares his journey from a 25-year military career to the corporate world, offering valuable insights on the challen...

How can a national organization like Tunnel to Towers effectively collaborate with local communities to combat veteran homelessness and provide sustainable support? Zack Knight sits down with Lynda Cox, the VP for Development and Government Affairs at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, they discuss the organization's mission to eradicate veteran homelessness and provide comprehensive support through...

How can faith and resilience help transform personal tragedies into opportunities for growth and service to others? In this Tactical Friday, host Zack Knight welcomes back Lindsey Graham, known as the Patriot Barbie, to discuss overcoming adversity and finding purpose through faith. Lindsey shares her journey of resilience, detailing how she navigated through dark times and rediscovered her identi...

What does it take to stand firm in your convictions when facing overwhelming opposition and personal loss? In episode 449, host Zack Knight sits down with Lindsey Graham, known as the Patriot Barbie, to discuss her remarkable journey from a successful salon owner to a prominent conservative voice. Lindsey shares her experience of defying COVID-19 lockdowns, facing intense backlash, and ultimately...

How can incorporating voluntary adversity into your life help you build resilience and overcome challenges when real adversity strikes? In this Tactical Friday, we continue sharing tactics with Kristofor Healy for self-mastery and leadership. Kristofor shares his insights on the importance of embracing adversity, maintaining consistency, and viewing life's challenges as opportunities for growth. H...