Veteran Business Community Podcast

New Pod Drop S03E37 | Zian Meredith and Chris Phillis - MarchOut. Plenty of support getting you into the military - but what happens when you get out?? Why we need MarchOut to bridge the gap between two worlds Chris and Zian have each transitioned from military service in different ways, but they share a common mission today: ensuring veterans don't have to navigate life after Defence alone. Throu...

New Pod Drop! S03E36 | Karl Schwantes - Serial entrepreneur - artilleryman - master of customer experience. Listen to Karl's journey from Xennox Diamonds to Reputable to The Curated Circle.  Karl Schwantes has built a career around understanding what customers really value and helping businesses stand out in increasingly competitive markets. A former artilleryman, Karl transitioned from military s...

Fresh Drop! S03E35 | Michelle Creevey - Purpose Procurement. Tendering and RFQ's - it's always a big effort - so get the basics right to empower your success. Michelle Creevey is the Founder and CEO of Purpose Procurement and a procurement leader with nearly two decades of experience across defence, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and technology. In this episode, Michelle shares practical...

New Pod Drop!  S03E34 | James Moody - Shire Pool Care. The power of businesses that actually 'do things' - don't underestimate how successful practical businesses can be. James Moody served in the Australian Army from 2010 to 2024, spending time with 6RAR, the School of Infantry, and 2RAR (Amphibious), where he was promoted to Sergeant in 2020. Following operational service in Afghanistan and depl...

S03E33 | VetCon26 - Veteran Business Conference and Awards Night - Why you need to be there Rebecca Plant is a Performance and Accountability Partner, co-author of the international bestselling book Lead-the-Ship, founder of The Business League, and the MC for VetCon26. In this episode, Rebecca joins Pete to unpack everything attendees can expect from VetCon26 and why the event has quickly become...

Fresh Drop! S03E32 | Dr Alexis Badger - With Me With You - life as an Army Doctor and why veteran medicine is so important now more than ever Dr Alexis Badger is a Specialist General Practitioner and former Australian Army Medical Officer with more than 12 years of experience supporting serving members and veterans across both Defence and civilian healthcare settings. In this episode, Alexis share...

Latest episode out! S03E31 | Glenn Keys - Aspen Medical - Arte et Marte! From test pilot on rotary wing and F18, through to starting the global leader in deployable health care - Aspen Medical. An amazing Australian #stillserving through his business, leadership and Project Independence. From flying rotary wing aircraft and F18s in the Australian Defence Force to founding one of the world’s leadin...

New Episode Drop! Phil Dembon - British Navy veteran now passionate North Queenslander. From Manchester to Mareeba and the Cairns VBC regional chapter starting up From the Royal Navy to regional North Queensland, Phil Dembon’s journey spans countries, careers, and a lifelong return to service through community. Born in England, Phil joined the Royal Navy in 1972 and served until 1985. After reloca...

Latest episode out! S03E29 | Andrew Macdonald - From Army Officer to building global brands. Scaling Ringers Western, expanding into the US, and what it really takes to grow What does it actually take to turn an idea into a globally recognised brand? In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Macdonald — entrepreneur, operator, and former Army Officer — whose career spans military leadership and hig...

Latest episode out! S03E28 | Shane Mitchell - Cold Bore Precision. From 30 + years in the Army to shooting ferals (animals) and blasting on mine sites. A life full of adventure and passion for country.  Joining the Army at just 17, Shane went on to serve 27 years full-time across a range of units including 176 Air Dispatch Squadron, 3 RAR, Norforce, and SASR. His career saw deployments to East Tim...

Latest episode out! Back to the track - ANZAC Day 27 - Brigade Hill on Kokoda Track with Trojans Trek. Dan Vincent and Tim Keeffe explain how it all works This one is something special. In the lead up to ANZAC Day 2027, we’re heading back to one of the most significant places in our military history — Brigade Hill on the Kokoda Track — with the team from Trojans Trek. In this episode, Daniel Vince...

Fresh Drop! S03E26 | John McIlrath - an amazing inspiring story from a remarkably average Aussie bloke. Joining the Army young, to dying 5 times, to building a thriving Safety Business. Arte et Marte In this episode, we sit down with John McIlrath , a former soldier turned Chartered OHS Professional and business owner, whose story is anything but ordinary. From joining the Army at a young age to f...

New VBC Podcast Episode! S03E25 | Jesse Edwards - Northy gym - The power of authenticity and community. What is HYROX and why you should join Pete on the HYROX journey. In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Edwards , former Australian Defence Force member (13 years full-time, 5 years reserves) and now owner of Northy Gym in North Nowra . Jesse shares his journey from military service into civili...

New Episode Alert! S03E24 | Damien Thomlinson - Part 2 - Life after the military. The power of turning up (and becoming an author, multisport athlete, reality TV star, Hollywood actor - is there anything this lad can't do??) In Part 2, we continue the conversation with Damien Thomlinson as he shares what came next after life-changing injuries in Afghanistan—and how he rebuilt his life with purpose...

Fresh Drop! S03E23 | Damien Thomlinson - Part 1. From coastie life, to joining up, to 'that' day in Afghanistan In Part 1, we sit down with Damien Thomlinson , former 2nd Commando Regiment soldier , to explore the early chapters of his journey—from his upbringing and decision to join the Australian Defence Force, through to earning his place in one of the military’s most elite units. Damien shares...

New Episode Drop! S03E22 | Victor Kortlang – Veteran Capital: Wealth Creation and Protection, Do You Have the Right Experts in Your Corner? In this episode, we sit down with Victor Kortlang , founder of Veteran Capital , a boutique financial advisory firm dedicated to helping veterans and their families build, protect, and take control of their financial future . A former Maritime Warfare Officer...

Fresh Drop! S03E21 | David Hammon – Scenic World, BridgeClimb and Sydney Zoo: Creating a Family Legacy in Business On this episode, we speak with David Hammon , Group CEO and Director of Hammons Holdings , the parent company behind some of Australia’s most iconic tourism experiences, including Scenic World and BridgeClimb Sydney . David brings a rare blend of family legacy, strategic leadership, a...

New Episode Alert! S03E20 | James Giess – Your Import Partner: Is Importing Right for You and How to Do It with Confidence On this episode, we talk with James Giess , a former Australian Army officer turned startup leader. James’ career spans operational, command, and staff roles—including deployments on Operation SLIPPER and Operation PALADIN —where he commanded the 3rd Field Supply Company . His...

Fresh Drop! S03E19 | Part 2 - leading Australian Aviation Corps first combat air assault in Afghanistan and why he started Cor Infinitus - building monuments to recognise those who served the country and have taken their own lives. In this second part of our conversation with Kevin Humphreys DSC , we dive deeper into his extraordinary journey as a helicopter pilot and Army officer , leading the Au...

New Episode Drop! S03E18 | Kevin Humphreys DSC - Part 1  - the quest to fly and developing the Chinook as a combat ready weapon in Afghanistan. In this episode of the Veteran Business Community Podcast, we talk with Kevin Humphreys DSC , ex-Army officer, helicopter pilot, and mental health ambassador. Kevin’s career spans over 20 years of service, including operational deployments to East Timor, I...

New pod is out! S03E17 | Don Shields - Surprising truths about business insurance. The things you need to now but probably never thought of.  In this episode of the Veteran Business Community Podcast, we sit down with Don Shields , Army veteran, former Major, and founder of Geelong Insurance Brokers . Don shares his extraordinary journey from enlisting in the Australian Army in 1982, rising throug...

Our latest episode is out! Tony Simmonds is a former Australian Army Sapper Officer who served for more than 22 years before transitioning into the world of project management, risk management, and education. With over four decades of experience across defence, government, and international consulting, Tony has worked in complex environments around the world including the Middle East, Europe, and...

Fresh Drop! S03E15 | VBC Advisory - The launch is here. VBC takes community support to the next level with our business coaching and advisory service. Listen to the chat with Ed Plant and Pete Liston In this episode, Peter Liston sits down with business coach and Army veteran Ed Plant to introduce VBC Advisory — a new initiative designed to help veteran business owners grow stronger, more sustaina...

Fresh Drop! S03E14 | From Denmark to the Marine Corps to Principal of Merg Architect Agency: A Global Journey  Christian Thuesen’s journey spans continents, careers, and industries. From growing up in Europe and the U.S., to serving as a U.S. Marine Corps engineer, Christian pivoted into architecture in Germany and Australia, leading major infrastructure projects like Sydney Light Rail and Sydney...

S03E13 | Nick Swifte from Swifty Media - Does your business have a place advertising in mass media? How the digital revolution is creating more access for businesses advertising in media Nick Swifte is an advertising, marketing and media professional with more than 25 years’ experience, including senior leadership roles overseeing State and Federal Government behaviour change campaigns. From negot...