The Veterans Growing America Podcast

In this powerful episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Jacobo “Jacob” Laya Jr. , Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Jac and Mac Photography LLC . Jacob shares his inspiring journey from 20 years of service in the U.S. Navy to building a family-centered photography business rooted in storytelling, legacy, and purpose....

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Hector and Gia Paz , the owners of Gia’s Bakery . Hector is a U.S. Army veteran (30+ years of service, retired Colonel) , and Gia is a military spouse originally from Honduras with a deep entrepreneurial drive and a gift for baking that turned into a fast-growing business. They share a real...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Alfranda “Al” Durr , Army veteran, former lieutenant colonel, and CEO of ALD & Associates . Al shares his remarkable 28-year military journey, his transition into entrepreneurship, and how he now helps organizations strengthen talent, teams, and leadership. Al talks about serving in...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Army veteran and financial educator Avis Savage , Founder & CEO of ASIC Strategies for Life . Avis shares her path from serving eight years on active duty to building a mission around helping individuals understand money, eliminate confusion, and prepare for retirement with clarity. She...

In this episode, Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur Joel Griffin, Founder & CEO of the Riphean Group . Joel takes us through his journey from joining the Marines straight out of high school (including serving with the Silent Drill Platoon at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.) to intelligence work in Quantico, to becoming a government contrac...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Caleb Green. Caleb shares a powerful, wide-ranging story: 30 years of active-duty service, 14 years as a Signal Soldier, and then a rare pivot into elite ceremonial performance with the United States Army Band (Pershing’s Own), where his voice carried him fr...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Jonathan Thompson , a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the founder of Alpha Six Battalion . Jonathan shares his journey from serving overseas to navigating life after the military—and why so many veterans struggle not because of a lack of effort, but because they lose the...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Alex K. Sebby, a Marine Corps veteran (1999–2003) and the founder of Words of Veterans—an online platform helping veterans preserve their military story in a tangible, family-ready legacy format. Alex shares a rare side of service you don’t hear often: his MOS as a combat illustrator, his po...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Evie Waite , Air Force veteran, law enforcement professional, and founder of ELW Initiative (Empower. Love. Win.) . Evie shares her raw journey from military service and civilian law enforcement into entrepreneurship — revealing how stress, mindset, and lived expe...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns welcome TK Pryor , U.S. Army Veteran and Founder of Master Wealth Builders LLC . TK brings over two decades of IT and military communications experience to his mission of teaching financial literacy to working families, veterans, and entrepreneurs.  From honor guard drills to annuities and asset prot...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns welcome Ted Adair , U.S. Army Veteran and Founder of The Oath and Oak , a purpose-driven organization helping veterans transition through community, storytelling, and upskilling for the AI economy. Ted shares how four generations of military service shaped his values, how networking changed his post-...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , co-hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Kenya Langford , a trailblazing Army veteran and the Founder & CEO of GeaVance Energi Solutions . From growing up in a small South Carolina town to becoming a petroleum supply specialist in the U.S. Army—and now leading innovative energy solutions globally—Kenya shares her incr...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with John Y. Ford , a U.S. Army veteran and seasoned logistics, security, and real estate professional with over 30 years of global experience. From coordinating military operations across four continents to becoming a trusted Keller Williams real estate agent , John shares his powerful jour...

In this powerful episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Kimberly Pollard , retired Chief Master Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force , and founder of Healthy Clarity by Kimberly Jarena . Kim shares her inspiring journey from military brat to senior leader in the Air Force, and how a deeply personal family challenge led her to the world...

In this inspiring episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , we sit down with Kimberly Vega , founder of Zenith Soul — a brand where energy, music, and mindful fashion meet purpose . A proud U.S. Army Veteran , Kimberly shares her powerful journey from military service to soulful entrepreneurship. What began as a love for music and high-vibrational energy evolved into Zenith Soul , a consci...

Veterans Growing America Podcast ft. Tanisha Nicholson (QTEE Crochet) In this heartwarming and inspiring episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Tanisha Nicholson , a retired U.S. Air Force veteran , artisan, and the creative force behind QTEE Crochet . Tanisha shares her journey from 22 years of military service to building a soul...

In this deeply moving episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach RL Simmons sits down with Dr. Ariel Jordan — Army veteran, trauma-informed therapist, author, and founder of Mindset Quality — to discuss post-traumatic growth, racial healing, and redefining resilience for veterans, leaders, and first responders. After serving in the U.S. Army as a culinary specialist, Dr. Jordan experie...

In this inspiring episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Jones sit down with Lily and Patricia, twin sisters and co-founders of Likha Kawayan — a unique family-owned brand crafting handmade bamboo bags sourced directly from the Philippines. Raised in the military spouse lifestyle and rooted in resilience, Lily and Patricia share how they’ve navigated over 15...

In this powerful episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with U.S. Army Veteran, CEO, speaker, mental health advocate, and branding expert Olivia Nunn — the dynamic founder of Olivia Nunn Communications. Olivia shares her raw and inspiring journey from Army officer to accidental entrepreneur, revealing how her military service, unexpecte...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast , hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns welcome Jasmine Rush , Navy Veteran, photographer, storyteller, and founder of Speaking From the Lens, LLC . Jasmine takes us through her incredible journey—from firefighting on the flight deck of the USS Iwo Jima to capturing powerful narratives through her lens. With authenticity, humor, and fait...

In this powerful episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, hosts Coach R.L. Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Monteiz "Dash" Dash, an Army veteran and franchise owner of Seniors Helping Seniors Manassas. Dash shares his transition story from active-duty military service to becoming a compassionate entrepreneur serving the elderly community with purpose and pride. 💼 Dash ope...

In this episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Eric McConaty, U.S. Army Veteran and CEO of Tactical Growth Strategies Coaching. Eric dives into his powerful journey from military service to becoming a successful business coach and author of Business Boot Camp. Eric breaks down how his military background shaped his grit, leadership style,...

In this inspiring episode of the Veterans Growing America Podcast, hosts Coach RL Simmons and Donnell Johns sit down with Stephanie Brown, the visionary Founder and CEO of The Rosie Network — a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping military spouses and veterans launch and grow successful businesses. Stephanie shares her powerful motivation for creating The Rosie Network and the real challeng...

🎙️ In a special and deeply personal episode of the Veteran’s Growing America Podcast , co-host Coach R.L. Simmons steps into the guest seat to share his own remarkable journey. A man of many hats — active duty military leader, author, podcast host, father of 8, husband, homeschool parent, Certified Financial Planner (CFP) student, and seasoned financial & business consultant — Coach RL brings...

🎙️ In this heartfelt and powerful episode of the Veteran’s Growing America Podcast , hosts Donnell Johns and R.L. Simmons sit down with Ken Moorman , U.S. Army Veteran, author, speaker, and the visionary founder of Jirani Coffeehouse — the first business to give Veterans Growing America space to vend and thrive. ☕ Known for building more than just a coffee shop, Ken created Jirani Coffeehouse in...