Veteran Led

Military leadership does not disappear after service, but it does require translation. In this episode, John S. Berry sits down with Christopher McKinney, an Army Veteran, founder of OpSynergy, and program manager at Stratevia , to discuss how Veterans can successfully bridge the gap between military experience and civilian careers. Chris shares how earning professional certifications, particularl...

Transitioning from military service to a civilian career is not about losing capability. It is about learning how to translate it. In this episode, John S. Berry sits down with Josh Atkinson, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer of PM ProLearn, to explore how Veterans can build professional credibility while still in uniform. Josh explains why the challenge Veterans face is not a capability gap, but...

What does leadership look like after military service, and how do Veterans continue serving at the national level? In this episode, John S. Berry sits down with Don Bacon , a retired Air Force Brigadier General and U.S. Representative, to discuss leadership, accountability, and public service after the uniform comes off. Congressman Bacon shares how military values shape his approach to decision-m...

What does it mean to serve after the uniform comes off, and how do Veterans build purpose, identity, and leadership in civilian life? In this episode, John S. Berry sits down with Blake Stilwell, Editor-in-Chief of We Are the Mighty , to talk about storytelling, media, and the responsibility of representing the Veteran community with accuracy and respect. Blake shares his journey from military ser...

Project management is one of the most in-demand career fields in the world — and Veterans are uniquely prepared to succeed in it. In this episode of Veteran Led , John S. Berry sits down with Matt Quick , Head of Military Affairs at the Project Management Institute (PMI), to break down why project management is a natural transition for Veterans and how certifications like the PMP can open doors ac...

Zack Knight has spent his entire adult life serving — first as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer, then as a police officer, bodyguard, entrepreneur, and community leader. Today, he leads organizations dedicated to Veteran transition, storytelling, and personal development, including ATL Vets , Be a Tactical Leader , and Knightly Productions . In this Veteran Led conversation, Zack shares how discipline...

Chris Carlson has built a rare career spanning acting, law, public speaking, and Veteran entrepreneurship — and at the center of all of it is one skill: storytelling . A lawyer, public speaker, and actor with more than 40 film credits, Chris now serves as a program coordinator for Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families (IVMF) , where he helps Veteran busines...

Chris Gonzalez never planned on becoming the president of a fast-growing consulting firm — but authenticity, discipline, and a relentless focus on impact took him there. A U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and President & Co-Founder of A-G Associates, Chris helps federal agencies and community organizations solve complex challenges through strategy, data analytics, and stakeholder engagement. In this...

Alexa Bigwarfe turned personal tragedy and military discipline into a mission to help others share their stories. An Air Force Veteran, author of more than 15 books, and founder of Write | Publish | Sell , Alexa helps Veterans, entrepreneurs, and women find healing and impact through writing. In this episode, she joins John S. Berry to discuss why storytelling matters, how writing can be a tool fo...

What does it mean to lead with both drive and compassion? John S. Berry sits down with Cal Riley — U.S. Army Veteran, EOS Implementer, entrepreneur, and author of Entrepreneurial Compassion — to explore how empathy and accountability transform business culture. Cal shares lessons from combat and entrepreneurship, explaining why pairing vision with compassion builds stronger, more connected teams....

Malaysia Harrell has lived both sides of healing — as a mental health provider and as a Veteran who nearly lost everything. A U.S. Air Force and U.S. Public Health Service Veteran, Malaysia shares her journey from near-death experience to rediscovering purpose through Mind-Body Medicine, entrepreneurship, and faith. She opens up about medical adversity, invisible disabilities, and the importance o...

What separates good leaders from great ones? Recorded live at the Military Influencer Conference in Atlanta,  John S. Berry talks with Tim Huff , President & CEO of Turknett Leadership Group , about how humility, character, and integrity define true leadership. Drawing from his experience as a U.S. Army officer and his career guiding executives, Tim shares what it means to lead with purpose—on...

Laughter can unite a community. Recorded live at the Military Influencer Conference in Atlanta, John S. Berry sits down with Zach Bell , creator of Veteran With a Sign , and Austin von Letkemann , founder of Mandatory FunDay . Both have used humor, storytelling, and authenticity to connect with millions and spark honest conversations about military life, leadership, and mental health. In this epis...

What does it mean to build influence through service?  In this episode, John S. Berry talks with Curtez Riggs , Founder of the Military Influencer Conference — recorded live at MIC — about what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and service.  Curtez shares how his journey from the U.S. Army to entrepreneurship taught him that real influence is measured by the people you lift up. Through...

What happens when military families share their stories—and what risks come with speaking out? In this episode of Veteran Led , John S. Berry talks with Jennifer Barnhill , journalist, researcher, and the 2025 Armed Forces Insurance Navy Spouse of the Year . Barnhill has spent her career uncovering how military spouses and children experience service, and how safe storytelling can bridge the gap b...

What happens when your purpose doesn’t fit inside the uniform? In this episode of Veteran Led , host John S. Berry sits down with MSgt Josh White, USAF (Ret.) —founder of Hero Front and now a leading voice for Recurrent Military and the Military Influencer Conference . Josh shares his journey from military funeral honors and podcasting in uniform, to battling identity loss after retirement—and how...

What if the trust, growth, and future of your team depended on addressing the one issue you’re most afraid to talk about? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry, U.S. Army Veteran and CEO of Berry Law, reveals why leaders must face tough conversations head-on. Drawing lessons from military command structures and his own experience leading teams in business, John explains how silence erodes...

What does it mean to lead with honor after 30 years in the Marine Corps? In this episode of Veteran Led, guest host Trevor Nealy interviews MGySgt Martin Duarte, USMC (Ret.), about the timeless leadership principles he carried from the Corps into civilian life. Now serving as Outreach Coordinator at Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS.org) , Duarte shares candid lessons on discipline, integrity,...

What if your paycheck—and job security—depended only on the value you deliver? In this episode of Veteran Led , John S. Berry reveals why traditional job security is a myth—and how Veterans are uniquely built for success in a performance-based world. From military expectations to the business world, John shares lessons learned during the 2008 recession, the rise of AI job disruption, and the trans...

When was the last time someone you trusted let you down? Every leader faces betrayal—by a colleague, partner, or even a friend. The test isn't what happens. It's how you respond. In this episode of Veteran Led , John S. Berry shares how he handled leadership betrayal in both military and business settings. Drawing from stories in combat and the courtroom, John explores what to do after trust is br...

Can Army supply chains really prepare you to fight cyber threats? In this episode of Veteran Led, CPT Edward Tuorinsky, U.S. Army (Ret.) , shares how military problem-solving shaped his journey from leading troops to leading one of the most trusted cybersecurity and compliance firms in the Defense Industrial Base. Ed explains how the Army taught him to lead through uncertainty, improvise under pre...

What would you pay to protect your focus, your family, and your mission? In this episode of Veteran Led , host John S. Berry tells the true story of a Marine Veteran who wrote a $97,000 check—not to keep fighting a legal battle, but to take control of his peace and focus. It’s a leadership lesson on knowing when to press forward and when to let go. John breaks down how leaders can recognize when a...

Ethical leadership isn’t about saying the right things—it’s about setting the standard and living by it. In this episode of Veteran Led , host John S. Berry explains the difference between values, morals, and ethics—and why leaders must define them clearly for their teams. Drawing from military experience and legal ethics, Berry outlines a tactical approach to building trust, accountability, and a...

CAPT Mark Fava, USN (Ret.)—Navy Veteran, aviation attorney, and senior Boeing executive—joins Veteran Led to discuss how military precision fuels legal and corporate leadership. From serving as aide to a Navy admiral to managing legal fallout during 9/11 at Delta Air Lines, Fava shares real-world leadership lessons rooted in military discipline. Now a Vice President at Boeing, he explains how Vete...

What does it take to grow a small, underfunded nonprofit into a $4 million-per-year force for veteran support? In this episode of Veteran Led , John S. Berry sits down with Kate McCauley , CEO of Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS), to explore how operational clarity, disciplined leadership, and heartfelt dedication can scale a mission—without losing the soul behind it. Based in Omaha, Nebraska...