Veteran Led

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Kelo Makelele, an Army Veteran and Direct of Operations at RedTrace Technologies since 2018. Kelo Makelele successfully transitioned from IT and Cyber Operations in the Army to a cyber security career in the private sector. We delve into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern businesses and how it’s shaping the fu...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Steve Russell, the Army battalion commander who led Task Force 1-22 Infantry in the historic capture of Saddam Hussein. Russell shares the details of tracking Saddam through his network of trusted families and the ultimate successful raid in December 2003.​ ​ Beyond his military service, Russell discusses his continued dedication to publ...

In Episode 104 of Veteran Led , John S. Berry hosts Lieutenant Colonel Retired Oakland McCulloch, renowned leadership expert and author of Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be .​ ​ Oak dives deep into the timeless principles of leadership, sharing how trust, service, and adaptability can elevate teams and organizations. From lessons learned in the military to adapting t...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John Berry sits down with JT Taylor, CEO of the USMC Scout Sniper Association, to explore the vital work of building support networks for veterans and their families.​ ​ JT shares his journey from Marine Scout Sniper to veteran advocate, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of leading a nonprofit dedicated to empowering veterans. Learn how the USMC Scout Sniper...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John Berry challenges leaders to ask the tough question: “Is this the best you can do?” He dives into the mindset of continuous improvement, explaining why “your best” today should only be a steppingstone to what you can achieve tomorrow.​ John shares personal stories, including lessons from hiring coaches, building high-performing teams, and developing new skills—e...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John Berry shares practical advice for leading your team during the holiday season. From bonuses and holiday parties to showing genuine appreciation, John explains how great leadership sets the stage for success in the new year.​ ​ The best holiday leadership isn’t about extravagant gifts or mandatory fun—it’s about understanding your team, showing genuine appreciat...

In this milestone 100th episode of Veteran Led, John Berry tackles a leadership lesson: the difference between familiarization and true training. He shares a personal failure in replacing hands-on training with videos and web-based content, leading to increased mistakes within his team. John breaks down the four essential steps of effective training: familiarization, practical application, mastery...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John Berry sits down with Reggie Ordonez, Marine Corps Veteran and founder of Forward Brands, to discuss the power of clarity in branding and leadership. Reggie shares his philosophy on why "clarity sells," how simplicity can drive success, and the importance of truly understanding your audience.​ ​ Drawing from his experiences as a Marine and a branding expert, Reg...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John Berry shares insights about organizational evolution and the courage to break working systems to build better ones. Drawing from his experience, John explains why leaders must view organizational growth as chapters, each building upon the last.​ He reveals how his company intentionally dismantled their administrative structure to become more agile and lethal, e...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry reveals how he applies military command structure to scale his eight-figure law firm. Learn how diverse practice areas enhance firm capabilities and why treating lawyers like 'tactical athletes' drives constant improvement.

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry reflects on his journey as a podcast host, sharing lessons learned from early failures, memorable guests, and the challenges of staying authentic. ​ ​ His conversation with Donny O'Malley taught him the power of authenticity, while General Petraeus demonstrated how single leadership lessons can expand into deeper insights. Berry admits his initial assu...

In this special episode, the tables are turned as John Berry, your regular host and veteran leadership authority, takes the guest seat to discuss his new book, Veteran Led.  ​ ​ But this isn't just any book launch – it's a return to the very roots of our podcast, setting us on a year-long mission to explore and share military leadership lessons and Veteran success stories. John reveals the inspira...

In this episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with John Stevens Berry, Sr. to discuss his book, "Those Gallant Men on Trial in Vietnam." As a former Captain and defense attorney, Berry shares gripping insights into one of the most controversial cases of the Vietnam War. He recounts his experience defending Fifth Special Forces officers and Green Berets charged with murder and conspiracy, revealing t...

In this episode of Veteran Led, we talk with Dr. Andy Moye, a Veteran who has transitioned from military intelligence to pioneering AI applications in healthcare. Andy shares his journey of working alongside world-renowned doctors and his current mission to leverage AI in improving patient outcomes. He discusses the challenges and opportunities in applying artificial intelligence to complex medica...

In this episode of Veteran Led, Dr. Jude Black, a distinguished military spouse and mental health professional, shares invaluable insights on identifying and coping with toxic leadership. Drawing from her 33 years of experience as a military spouse and her expertise as the founder of three mental health organizations, Dr. Jude discusses the hallmarks of toxic leaders and offers strategies for main...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John Berry shares his thoughts on results-driven leadership. John illustrates how effective leaders make impactful decisions to drive organizational growth. He emphasizes the importance of weighing expert opinions and maintaining momentum to achieve success. Learn why "when in charge, take charge" is more than just a military maxim—it's a blueprint for effective lea...

In this episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with two influential Veterans making a significant impact in the Omaha community. Randy Norwood, a 24-year Air Force Veteran and current Associate VP of Military Affairs at the Omaha Chamber, shares valuable insights on leadership, team dynamics, and translating military skills to civilian careers.​ Larry Quilliam, a Vietnam Veteran and former commander...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry shares insights on distinguishing between 'servant' and 'serpent' vendors in business. John discusses how to identify vendors who genuinely contribute to your company's growth versus those who may hinder progress.​ ​ Learn about the characteristics of servant vendors who go above and beyond, and the red flags to watch for with serpent vendors. He also...

In this episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with Army combat Veteran and real estate entrepreneur Brad Flanagan. Together, we dive into leadership strategies, team empowerment, and the importance of vulnerability in driving business success. From lessons in the military to thriving in the civilian real estate world, Brad shares insights on fostering collaboration, encouraging team ownership, and h...

Are you a leader wanting to improve your decision-making and project management skills? Look no further! Joining us in this episode is Air Force veteran and CEO, Kandis Porter. As the co-author of Good Decisions Equal Success, Kandis dives deep into the critical aspects of decision-making, project management, and hiring consultants. She shares valuable insights on defining roles, streamlining the...

Veterans are no strangers to overcoming challenges and adapting to new environments. But what about navigating the complex world of government contracting? In this episode, Chris Lefebvre shares his experience and insights on how he leveraged his military leadership skills to excel in this field.​ ​ From understanding the intricate processes of government contracts, to building strong relationship...

Join us on this episode of Veteran Led as we sit down with Ryan Hendrickson, a former Green Beret and author of Tip of the Spear. After surviving a near-fatal IED explosion in Afghanistan, Ryan returned to combat after 27 surgeries and earned the Silver Star. After retiring from military service, Ryan embarked on a new mission: clearing landmines in war-torn areas like Ukraine. Hear his inspiring...

In this episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with General David Petraeus, one of America's most renowned military leaders and strategic thinkers. General Petraeus shares invaluable insights on leadership, education, and the importance and impact of hiring our Veterans.​ General Petraeus, who served as commander of Multinational Forces in Iraq, CENTCOM commander, commander of coalition forces in Afg...

In this episode of Veteran Led, we welcome Lieutenant General (Ret.) James Laster, CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Discover how a Marine infantry officer transitioned from senior military leader to leading one of America's most beloved community action programs.​ ​ Lt. Gen. Laster discusses his transition from military service to nonprofit leadership, detailing how Toys for Tots expand...

In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with Donald Dunn, Army combat Veteran and author of 'Echoes Of War.' Donald shares his incredible journey from serving in the Special Forces to battling PTSD and finding healing through podcasting and creative expression.​ ​ Discover how Donald transitioned from military service to civilian life, founding Heroes Voice Media Foundation to empower...