Veteran Led

From documenting combat zones to navigating the Hollywood jungle, Mark Harper's journey is a testament to Veteran resilience and leadership. In this episode of Veteran Led, we sit down with Mark, a former Air Force Combat Camera operator who transitioned into a successful career in the entertainment industry.​ Mark shares his incredible journey from serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation...

Turning conflict and chaos into opportunities for growth and prosperity is no easy feat. Joining us in this episode is former Army Ranger, co-founder, and CEO of Combat Flip-Flops, Matthew “Griff” Griffin. Discover how Griff's experiences in conflict zones shaped a business model that promotes peace through trade, bringing prosperity to areas of conflict. From a boot factory in Kabul to overcoming...

What does it take to create a truly “Made in America” brand? In this episode, we sit down with Dean Wegner, the founder and CEO of Authentically American, an American-made apparel brand. In a world where outsourcing and cheap labor are prevalent, Dean explains the challenges and rewards of building a sole American supply chain that supports our economy and creates jobs. With his strong leadership...

Joining us is Eric Isham, Army Veteran turned fintech trailblazer, who shares powerful leadership lessons forged in the military and honed in the boardroom. From his days as a combat medic to becoming the CEO of OMNICOMMANDER, Eric reveals how military discipline transforms into business acumen.   Through candid reflection, Eric discusses the challenges of transitioning from soldier to entrepreneu...

Joining us is SSG Shilo Harris, who reveals the raw and inspiring story of navigating life after combat. From earning his spurs in the Cavalry to surviving a coma and facing the challenges of leadership, Shilo opens up about the realities of returning home from war to heal. Through personal reflection, he discusses the impact of PTSD on Veterans and their families and emphasizes the importance of...

Danny Maher, founder of Irreverent Warriors, VET Tv, and author of “Embarrassing Confessions of a Marine Lieutenant: Operation Branding Iron 2.1A,” joins us in this episode to discuss his journey and the importance of connecting with and supporting fellow veterans. He shares how he started the Silkies Hike events to prevent veteran suicide and create a sense of camaraderie among veterans. Emphasiz...

How did an active duty soldier become the Ultimate Fighter? Joining us is Colton Smith, the United States Army’s first and only UFC fighter. Colton shares his remarkable journey of serving in the military, earning accolades such as Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, CIB, EIB, Airborne, and Air Assault badges, while pursuing his UFC career. Smith reveals how the Army allowed him to stay on active duty while t...

In this insightful episode of the Veteran Led podcast, Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, former Under Secretary for Benefits of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, shares his transformational leadership journey at the Veterans Benefits Administration. As a former Airborne Finance Officer turned business leader, Lawrence brought a fresh perspective to overhaul VA bureaucracy and pursue excellence in servi...

As Veterans, we all have the capability of leading with a purpose. However, there are additional coaching tools that will navigate you through life's challenges. Joining us in this episode is Jamie Peer, a retired Lieutenant Colonel turned life mastery coach. Jamie expertly applies her military HR experiences to civilian life coaching, highlighting the critical nature of structure, support, and ac...

Where is your greatest opportunity? Many veterans venture into the private sector and find that there are bigger opportunities in the entrepreneurial world. In this episode, we welcome Navy veteran Todd Connor, founder of Bunker Labs and Veterans for All Voters. Todd is a prominent voice in veteran entrepreneurship and in this episode, he shares how military skills power successful civilian ventur...

Discover the power of leadership skills and Veteran 2.0 concepts in this episode with Freddie Kim, a U.S. Army Veteran, Airborne Ranger, and Special Forces Commander who is now the CEO of a successful military Veteran recruiting company, MilSpec Talent. Hear about Freddie's combat experience, ownership mindset, and team success strategies, like supporting frontline managers and strategic decision-...

Tony Goins, a former Marine Sergeant, corporate executive, entrepreneur, and public servant, shares his journey from being a security guard at American Express to becoming a successful leader in the corporate world. He emphasizes the importance of opportunities, preparation, and leading by example. Tony also discusses the significance of relationships, both in business and personal life, and the i...

France Hoang’s journey to entrepreneurial success is one of true grit. Prior to his current role as Co-Founder and CEO of boodleAI, a tech company that built the collaborative GenAI platform BoodleBox, France went from army officer to White House Counsel then back to the army as the XO of a U.S. Army Special Forces Company in Afghanistan. A Vietnam War refugee himself, Hoang passionately worked to...

Andrew Arbogast, a combat veteran Apache pilot turned CEO of Arbo’s Cheese Dip, reflects on his entrepreneurial journey in this episode of Veteran Led. Listen in as Andrew openly shares the challenges he faces, such as the fear of failure and the pressure of being the sole employee of his company, and how he overcomes these obstacles by recognizing the importance of resilience, learning from failu...

The resilience and strategic mindset honed on the battlefield can be your secret weapon in the business world. Scott Neil, retired Master Sergeant Army Green Beret turned entrepreneur, applies the lessons of leadership, discipline, and tactical patience learned during his time in service and shares his story on this episode of Veteran Led.​ ​ Scott illustrates how focusing on culture, talent, and...

In this episode of Veteran Led, Col. (Retired) and CEO of Spahr Solutions Group Irene Vaishvila Glaeser shares her journey from the military to leading an IT services company providing communication solutions for Federal and DoD agencies. Having started her career during the Cold War era, Irene brings a unique blend of humor, authenticity, and earnest advocacy for veterans navigating their transit...

In this episode, John is joined by Army Command Sergeant Major (Retired) John Wayne Troxell, former third Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (SEAC) and author of "Surrender or Die." From his initiation as a dedicated enlisted soldier to attaining one of the highest ranks in the DoD, Troxell shares his 38-year commitment to serving soldiers at all levels. ​ Don’t m...

In this episode Veteran Led, joining John in the studio is Jason Steiner, a Marine Corps Veteran turned innovative community organizer and founder of HeroStock. HeroStock brings together Veteran performers and nonprofits, creating a space where stories of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience are shared and celebrated. Hear firsthand accounts of the impact this event has on fellow Veterans who found...

Thom Shea, retired Navy SEAL and author of "Unbreakable: A Navy SEAL's Way of Life" and "Three Simple Things," joins John on this episode of the Veteran Led podcast. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the essence of resilience, partnership, and growth. Through personal anecdotes and valuable insights, they highlight the importance of equal and supportive relationships, particularly in t...

Join us for an insightful episode of Veteran Led, as John sits down with Army veteran and media master, Mike’l Severe. From his successful career in journalism to his impactful work with the Jet Award Foundation, Mike’l shares valuable insights on how leaders can improve their media skills. Tune in as we discuss stories of resilience, skill adaptation, and community support. Don't miss out on this...

Joining John on this episode of the Veteran Led Podcast is Victoria Collier, an Air Force carpenter who went on to build her own law firm and consulting business. Driven by her passion for seniors and helping people have a better quality of life during their later years, Victoria's keen ability to plan for the future and anticipate potential obstacles and opportunities allowed her to build success...

In this episode of Veteran Led, John talks with former Marine infantry officer turned thriving civilian logistician, Rudy Cazares. Rudy shares how staying connected to his fellow Marines opened doors on his journey to building multi-million dollar businesses, stressing the value of the strong military bonds and core values that equip Veterans to thrive in the private sector. Listen in as John and...

In this episode of Veteran Led, former Navy corpsman Ed Parcaut shares how he became a successful entrepreneur in the mortgage lending industry and stresses that Veterans are uniquely suited for building and running organizations due to their resilience, commitment to high standards, and leadership abilities. Ed gives insight on what Veterans should consider in real estate transactions, such as ho...

In this episode of the Veteran Led Podcast, John Berry is joined in the studio with David Stott, a former Marine and police officer turned entrepreneur in the home inspection industry. David discusses the challenges of transitioning that many veterans face and the importance of preparedness and resilience when entering the civilian business world. David highlights the soft skills he learned in the...

In this episode of Veteran Led , host John Berry welcomes Chris Pomerleau to discuss his journey from  ROTC law student to successful real estate investment entrepreneur. Chris shares invaluable insights on strategic debt usage, planning for the future, and how to build wealth with your VA Loan. Listen in as John and Chris compare notes on building the right team, scaling your business for long-te...