Vector Accelerator

Episode Overview In this episode, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara explore a powerful question for veterans in transition: Who are the people who shaped you during your military career? The conversation begins with Joe reflecting on a recent Azimuth Chat with hundreds of transitioning veterans, many of whom are feeling the pull between their military responsibilities, family expectations, and uncertain...

Episode Overview In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, Scott Schimmel and Joe unpack one of the biggest traps veterans face during transition: assuming the next step has to be the most obvious one. For Joe, the “linear path” after the Navy would have meant using his clearance, following the technical track, and likely ending up in a three-letter agency. It would have been a good life—...

Episode Overview In this episode, Scott Schimmel sits down with Chris Spencer, a former Oracle leader who spent more than 30 years with the company after serving in the Army, to talk about transition, identity, purpose, and the power of finding work that aligns with who you are. Chris shares his path from enlisted Army mechanic to Silicon Valley temp employee to long-term corporate leader supporti...

Episode Show Notes Military Spouses Transition, Too: A Conversation with Lacey Craig Episode Summary In this Military Spouse Appreciation Day episode, Scott Schimmel sits down with Lacey Craig , Senior Program Manager of Military & Partnership Recruiting at T-Mobile, to talk about a part of transition that often gets overlooked: the military spouse experience. Lacey brings a rare and personal...

Episode Overview In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, Scott and Joe unpack a powerful realization from their recent Azimuth Chats— most people don’t see themselves as clearly as they think they do . After hosting live sessions with 500+ veterans, they witnessed firsthand how transformative it can be when others reflect back what they see in you. What started as a simple storytelling...

Episode Overview Transitioning out of the military isn’t just a career change—it’s a complete identity shift. In this episode, Joe and Scott unpack a powerful insight from a recent session with over 500 transitioning service members: why so many veterans feel like they’re back in high school again. That uncertainty, pressure to choose the “right” path, and fear of getting it wrong—it’s more common...

Episode Overview In this conversation, Joe and Scott unpack the complicated role comparison plays in the veteran transition journey. They explore the difference between healthy comparison that inspires growth and unhealthy comparison that fuels insecurity, ego, and poor decision-making. Through stories about mentors, role models, identity, and personal pressure, they show how veterans can stop mea...

Episode Summary What actually sucks about veteran transition? In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast , Scott and Joe dig into an honest conversation about feedback from veterans navigating the transition from military to civilian life. After hosting an Azimuth Chat with a veteran who discovered Vector through a Marine Corps transition program, the conversation sparked deeper reflection...

Episode Overview Fear is a normal part of transition — but if it goes unnamed, it will quietly shape your decisions. In this episode, Scott and Joe unpack the hidden role fear plays in military transition. From financial pressure and loss of identity to fear of isolation and irrelevance, they explore how fear can distort perception and push veterans toward short-term, survival-based decisions. Joe...

🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode, hosts Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara sit down with Van Lai-DuMone , a team and leadership development expert who uses LEGO Serious Play and creative problem-solving tools to guide transitioning veterans. Van shares her personal story—from being a Vietnamese refugee to creating transformative learning experiences—and explains how creativity can unlock new mindsets,...

Episode Title: “The Hero’s Journey After Service: Reframing Transition for Veterans” 📘 Overview: In this powerful episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast , host Scott Schimmel sits down with Rob Sarver , a former Navy SEAL, and Alex Gendzier , an attorney and father of a Naval officer, to unpack the ancient-yet-relevant concept of The Hero’s Journey —and how it directly applies to veterans navi...

Episode Description: In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast , host Scott Schimmel sits down with Joe Lara to talk about a challenge nearly every veteran faces during transition— feeling stuck . Whether it’s the job search dragging on, a lack of responses from potential employers, or just the emotional weight of uncertainty, this conversation gets real about what it’s like to hit a wall—...

🔍 Episode Overview In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, host Scott Schimmel sits down with returning guest Joe Lara for a meaningful conversation about the role of self-reflection during life transitions. Joe shares the powerful idea that your past should be a teacher, not your identity—a concept that resonates deeply for veterans and anyone navigating change. Together, Scott and Jo...

Episode Summary: In this thoughtful conversation, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of military transition— discernment . Instead of rushing into a job, city, or lifestyle just because it’s what you “should” do, this episode encourages veterans to pause, reflect, and choose well. Drawing from their personal journeys and years of coaching experien...

Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara dive into the evolving nature of work philosophy, emphasizing the importance of personal reflection and the influence of one's surroundings on their perspective about work. They highlight that our views on work are not static but can change based on experiences and choices. Takeaways It feels better to give it my all. Reflection i...

Summary In this conversation, Joe Lara reflects on his life journey from being an 18-year-old seeking change to becoming a 51-year-old who has undergone significant transformation. The discussion explores themes of self-discovery, the impact of military service, and the lessons learned over decades of personal growth. Takeaways 18-year-old Joe wanted to escape his upbringing. The military provided...

Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara explore the complexities of measuring impact in veteran transition programs. They discuss the importance of defining success beyond just job placement, emphasizing the need for veterans to find purpose and meaning in their careers. The dialogue highlights the challenges of quantifying intangible outcomes such as confidence and satisfaction,...

Summary In this conversation, Joe Lara and Scott Schimmel explore the complexities of commitment, the impact of college choices, and the influence of mimetic theory on personal and career decisions. They discuss the importance of relationships in navigating transitions, the role of literature in personal growth, and the necessity of filtering advice to find one's own path. The dialogue emphasizes...

Summary This conversation explores the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian jobs, the evolving nature of work in the age of AI, and the importance of heart and wisdom in leadership. It delves into the significance of community and belonging, the impact of artistry in a tech-driven world, and the journey of self-discovery for veterans. The discussion emphasizes the need for authe...

Summary In this conversation, Joe Black shares his journey from military service to civilian life, highlighting his experiences with the Honor Foundation and his current role at Amazon. He discusses the importance of community, mentorship, and leadership, drawing parallels between military and corporate cultures. Joe emphasizes the value of hiring veterans and the unique skills they bring to the w...

Why Veteran Service Organizations Should Partner with Vector Accelerator If you lead a Veteran Service Organization (VSO), you already know the traditional transition process often misses the mark—rushing veterans into resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and job interviews before they’ve had a chance to reflect on who they are and what they want next. That’s where Vector Accelerator comes in. Vector is a...

Summary In this conversation, Joe Lara and Scott Schimmel discuss the recent cohort of veterans participating in the Vector Accelerator program. They explore the significance of storytelling in career transitions, the challenges veterans face in engaging with the material, and the importance of mental readiness. The discussion highlights the need for vulnerability and community support during the...

Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Ken Davenport explore the themes of stoicism, transition, and the search for meaning in work, particularly for veterans. They discuss the importance of embracing discomfort, the value of personal growth, and the need for veterans to find their unique paths in civilian life. Ken shares insights from his book on stoicism and how its principles can gui...

Summary In this episode of the Vector Accelerator podcast, Scott Schimmel interviews Marcus Haney, the founder of AllegiantVets, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans transition successfully into civilian life. Marcus shares his personal journey from military service to founding AllegiantVets, highlighting the importance of community and belonging for veterans. The conversation de...

Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Beau Higgins discuss the challenges and opportunities in veteran transition from military to civilian life. Beau shares his personal journey from serving in the Marine Corps to building veteran hiring programs at Amazon, emphasizing the importance of networking, self-advocacy, and utilizing available resources. They explore the significance of givin...