Voices of Veterans

Ep. 89 Jason Kelley - General Manager - Global Strategic Partners Feb 22, 2022

“There is strength in community.” - Jason Kelley Army Ranger Veteran and IBM’s General Manager of Global Strategic Partners, Jason Kelley, joined Next Gen Warrior for an in-depth conversation on military life & post-transition growth. Born into a military family, Jason earned his commission at West Point, serving in the Army Rangers for more than a decade before transitioning to the private sector. Jason discussed the importance of team building in business, his current work at IBM, and the idea of the “New Collar” worker.

Ep. 88 Rick & Laura Narpaul - Founder/Owners Mach1 Services, Air Force Veteran Jan 18, 2022

Rick Narpaul, Air Force Veteran, and Laura Narpaul joined Next Gen Warrior to discuss how their business Mach1 Services got started. Rick Narpaul served in the Air Force Security Forces and then served as a law enforcement officer, but his passion for entrepreneurship never went away. He moved to San Antonio and met his now-wife Laura, who has extensive experience in marketing and advertising. Together they dreamt up the idea of Mach1 Services, put their ideas on paper, and built the company from scratch. They provided some great insight on what they look for when hiring, why structure/discipline is key to building a business and chasing your dreams.

EP 87: Major General (ret.) David Glaser - Army Veteran - Chief Strategy Officer Jan 03, 2022

After 36 years of military service in the United States Army, Major General (Ret.) David Glaser is now the Chief Strategy Officer at Sam Houston State. David discusses the opportunities the Army opened up for him, critical lessons in team building and leadership from Iraq, and the impact technology is having on students as they enter a rapidly changing workforce.

EP 86: John Register – Army Veteran – Paralympian Nov 22, 2021

John Register is an Army Veteran, Paralympic Silver Medalist, public speaker, and author. He joined Next Gen Warrior and shared with us how Desert Storm impacted his perspective on life, how he overcame the limits he placed on himself after having his leg amputated, and how to set attainable goals to strive for long-term success.

EP 85: Scott Alpaugh – Army Veteran – Author Oct 26, 2021

Check out our interview with United States Army Veteran Scotty Alpaugh. He works in the finance industry and recently became a published author. Scotty discussed how being injured in Iraq, battling cancer (twice), and enduring COVID impacted how he views life. A lighthearted, optimistic, and in-the-moment perspective is his prescription for an over-stimulated life. You’ll love his story of enduring life’s hurdles with patience, grace, and a little humor.

EP 84: Antoinette Balta, ESQ – Veterans Legal Institute Oct 18, 2021

Antoinette Balta identified a problem while providing social services for Veterans who had fallen through the cracks, and she started building a legal group to serve them. As the co-founder and Executive Director of Veterans Legal Institute, Antoinette has provided pro-bono services for Veterans in need. She joined Next Gen Warrior to discuss building a non-profit, enduring rejection, how she stays sharp on a daily basis and offers words of wisdom to Veterans interested in pursuing a legal career.

We discussed taking care of yourself before taking care of others, and how her faith and fitness played a critical role in maintaining mental health during difficult moments.

EP 83: Hernán Luis y Prado– CEO Workshops for Warriors – Navy Veteran Oct 05, 2021

Motivated by the loss of his friends in the service and wanting to provide meaningful employment for those he served with, Hernán Luis y Prado founded @workshopsforwarriors in his garage in 2008. Workshops for Warriors has a campus in San Diego that began as a 400 sq ft space. They train Veterans and active-duty personnel in high-skilled manufacturing trades and then place them in well-paying jobs in machining, 3D printing, and more. Hernán discussed the incredible need for skilled labor, how Veterans can fill that void, and what he does to stay sharp as CEO.

EP 82: Jenn Hassin – Air Force Veteran – Artist Sep 21, 2021

A new episode of Next Gen Warrior is live! We joined Artist and Air Force Veteran Jenn Hassin in her Buda studio, just south of Austin. She walked us through her journey from pursuing a dental career, to discovering her passion for art. We discussed her latest piece that will be featured in Dallas, her famous Google Doodle on Veterans Day in 2020, and her piece on display in the Pentagon. Jenn uses art as a way to help other Veterans process their traumatic experiences.

Author’s Corner: James Payton – Army Veteran – Writer Sep 15, 2021

US Army Veteran and G.I. Jobs Magazine writer James Payton joined Next Gen Warrior to discuss his article “Multiple Paths to Success: College Isn’t for Everyone.” We discussed how education can be pursued through multiple avenues, whether that is going to college or getting a professional certification. Be sure to read the article from the August edition of G.I. Jobs Magazine.

EP 81: Babs Chase - VP of Military and Veterans Programs at The Manufacturing Institute Aug 30, 2021

Next Gen warrior was joined by Babs Chase, Vice President of Military and Veterans Programs at The Manufacturing Institute. We discussed how the manufacturing industry is a perfect fit for Veterans and how it has an incredible need for Veterans to fill open positions. The Manufacturing Institute’s “Heroes MAKE America” program can help train and place Veterans in those well-paying jobs.

She also looked back on her career moves, from finance to public policy, to the Department of Defense, and how each different role contributed to her success.

Author’s Corner: James Payton – Army Veteran – Writer Aug 25, 2021

Army Veteran and G.I. Jobs contributing writer James Payton joined Next Gen Warrior to discuss his article “(Reverse) Engineer Your Career”. We discuss back planning your military transition and career growth after service. Be sure to read the article from the May edition of G.I. Jobs Magazine and stay tuned for future conversations with James!

EP 80: Jon Allman – Air Force Veteran – CEO & President of Endeavors Aug 16, 2021

Next Gen Warrior hit the road for our 80th episode! In a conversation with Jon Allman, Retired Air Force Veteran & CEO and President of @Endeavors, we discussed their new Veteran’s wellness facility, and the services Endeavors provides for Veterans and their families. He has a passion for a holistic approach of serving the mental and physical health needs of the military and Veterans Community.

Jon also shared his experience flying a medevac after the tragic bombing of the USS Cole. Check out the episode to hear his advice on leadership and serving the Veteran community.

EP 79: Tim Stroud - Army Veteran - Director of Community Relations at ABGi USA Aug 02, 2021

Tim Stroud joined the Army at 27, and after leaving the service he poured himself into the Veterans Rotary, Toastmasters, and the Chamber of Commerce in Houston. He points out the importance of relationship building and credits his relationship with mentor Paul J Meyer for setting him up for success. Hear how the death of his Father and Mother affected him and how the Army set him up for a lifetime of service to his community.

EP 78: Dr. Trill Paullin, Ph.D. - Army Reservist - Owner Free to Feed Jul 12, 2021

Founder of Free to Feed and Army Reservist Dr. Trill Paullin joined Next Gen Warrior. She is using her molecular biology expertise to solve a problem that deeply impacted her children, severe infant food sensitivities.

After both of her infant daughters had severe allergic reactions to breast milk, Dr. Paullin was determined to figure out why this was a problem and why a solution didn’t exist. Thus, Free to Feed was born. She now stands ready to help mothers and families as she grows her business. Dr. Paullin discusses her approach, her love of being in the lab, and how her work at Free to Feed balances with her military service.

EP 77: Mark Ledlow – Marine Corps Veteran, Fearless Mindset podcast, Ledlow Security Group Jun 29, 2021

Mark Ledlow is a man of many titles, Marine Corps Veteran, host of Fearless Mindset podcast, and owner of Ledlow Security Group. He joined Next Gen Warrior to discuss business, podcasting, and Veteran life. A remarkable trait that stood out was Mark’s ability to pivot, reinvent himself, network, and grow. We learned about his time in the Marine Corps, his mindset and heard about life in the executive security industry.

EP 76: Chris Cassidy – US Navy SEAL - NASA Astronaut Jun 22, 2021

You won’t want to miss this new episode of Next Gen Warrior. Chris Cassidy is the embodiment of elite. He is a recently retired US Navy SEAL and NASA Astronaut. He’s served in combat in Afghanistan and as Commander of the International Space Station. We compare and contrast his military training and astronaut training, discussed what he missed most about earth while in space, how he prepared for short notice spacewalks, and his advice for the Veteran community. This episode reflects true leadership and expertise gained from a life of service!

Ep 75: Mea Williams – Grace After Fire Jun 12, 2021

A special edition Next Gen Warrior is live. Today is Women Veterans Day and Mea Williams has a message for female Veterans: “You are not alone”. Mea spent 6.5 years in the U.S. Navy and she is the President and CEO of Grace After Fire. Grace After Fire is a non-profit that empowers women Veterans and connect them to the resources they need to transition back into civilian life. They provide comradery, financial aid, and mental/physical health support for women Veterans through support groups and an annual retreat. Check out how Grace After Fire taught Mea to be a leader, and why even when she was afraid, she took risks to grow professionally after leaving the military to continue to serve and lead in her community.

EP 74: Mia Garcia, Earl Lundy, and Nichole Moffett – Texas Veterans Network Jun 10, 2021

In episode 74 of the #NextGenWarrior show, we hear from Mia Garcia, Earl Lundy, and Nichole Moffett about Combined Arms and the state of Texas partnership, the Texas Veterans Network (TVN). TVN is a collaborative of Veteran-serving community-based organizations and government agencies that serve Active Duty, Reservists, National Guard, all Veterans, and their family members. Texans should be proud of this great organization that has connected Veterans to support systems across the state. Mia, Earl, and Nichole highlight the programs, resources, and success stories of the Texas Veterans Network (TVN).

EP 73: David Fivecoat - Fivecoat Consulting Group - Retired Army Colonel May 24, 2021

David Fivecoat, (Ret.) Army Colonel, executive leadership coach through the Fivecoat Consulting Group, and self-published author of the up and coming book Grow Your Grit joined NGW for an in depth conversation. We dove into topics like the importance of learning how to be a follower, how to approach mid-career military transition for officers, and the importance of taking risk-taking in your civilian career.

EP 72: James Lambert - Peer Service Coordinator at Samaritan Center Apr 28, 2021

Army Veteran James Lambert is a testament to tribulation and triumph of military transition. After leaving the service he fought addiction, experienced homelessness, and searched for his purpose. After meeting a fellow Soldier he served with, James recommitted himself to getting back into the workforce, earned a degree from Texas State, and now works as a Peer Service Coordinator at the Samaritan Center. James is the embodiment of continued leadership and service even in the face of challenges experienced after taking off the uniform. His story is eye-opening, moving, and uplifting.

EP 71: Retired Major General Clayton Hutmacher - President & CEO of Special Operations Warrior Foundation Apr 19, 2021

Major General (Ret) Clayton Hutmacher started his military career as a 17 year old Private in the United States Marine Corps and retired as Director of Operations at U.S. Special Operations Command. He now runs Special Operations Warrior Foundation as President/CEO. SOWF provides educational benefits and community support for children whose parents were killed while serving in the Special Forces, as well as children of Medal of Honor recipients. Hear his inspiring story and learn more about how you can support the SOWF mission.

EP 70: Brian Arrington - Founder of Vets 2 Industry Apr 12, 2021

Brian Arrington committed 20 years of his life to the Air Force, but one of his biggest challenges was leaving the service. As the Founder and CEO of Vets 2 Industry Brian has built a free repository of every Veteran Service Organization, as well as mentorship and career development opportunities for Vets. Hear how his own transition from service prompted him to found V2I, how he landed his first job out of the military, and his advice for transitioning service members.

EP 69: Mike Nemeth - Founder of Emblem Athletic Apr 05, 2021

Mike Nemeth served as a U.S. Army Officer after West Point, and founded a multi-million dollar brand. Mike discusses his struggle after the military, building a company, and turning his lessons learned into advice for transitioning service members.

EP 68: Retired Vice Admiral Raquel Bono Mar 29, 2021

Retired Vice Admiral Raquel Bono spent her life in service to the Navy and medicine. After retiring from her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Defense Health Agency, months later she was responding to the unfolding COVID-19 crisis in the State of Washington. She joined Next Gen Warrior to talk about her lifetime of service, her passion for medicine, and what she misses most about life in the Navy.

EP 67: Patrick George-Beachwood Ventures Mar 23, 2021

Patrick George, U.S. Marine Corps Officer and Managing Partner of Beachwood Ventures is an entrepreneur at heart. He shares the story of his personal and professional growth, while emphasizing the importance of pairing the Veteran network with building your technical skill set. We also discussed developing a business, his military service, and the future of energy in Texas.

EP 66: Jake Wood-CEO & Co-Founder of Team Rubicon Mar 15, 2021

From the rubble of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Jake Wood and his Marine Corps battle buddies founded Team Rubicon, an international disaster response organization aimed at putting Veterans on the front line of natural disaster recovery. He joined Next Gen Warrior to reflect on this time playing football at Wisconsin, The Veterans Coalition for Vaccination, and his incredible memoire Once A Warrior.

EP 65: General John M. Murray-Commanding General of Army Futures Command Mar 09, 2021

General John M. Murray, the Commanding General of Army Futures Command joins Next Gen Warrior to discuss the evolution of warfare, how junior members of the Armed Forces can prepare for the future of battle, and what made Austin the ideal home for Army Futures Command Headquarters.

EP 64: Samantha Snabes-Co-Founder and CEO of re:3D Mar 02, 2021

From her pursuit of becoming an Astronaut to her role as Co-Founder/CEO of re:3D, Samantha Snabes covers a ton of ground on this week's pod! re:3D is on the cutting edge of industrial printing, using trash as printing material, and providing economic independence to impoverished communities. Check out her insights on entrepreneurship and story of personal and professional growth.

EP 63: Brett Godfrey-Author Feb 08, 2021

Brett Godfrey, author, lawyer, and Air National Guard pilot joins Next Gen Warrior to shine a light on the many paths his life has taken. As a child, Brett’s love for movies and books played a pivotal role in inspiring his writing of suspense thriller “Black Sunrise”. We also talk about joining the Air National Guard, the ups and downs of writing, and his time in the courtroom.

EP 62: Doug Pfeffer - The Mission Continues Feb 01, 2021

Fueled by a lifetime of service, 24 year Army Veteran and Executive Director of The Mission Continues Doug Pfeffer has lead and developed teams in the non-profit sector. He joined Next Gen Warrior to discuss redirecting the organization's focus to confront COVID-19, providing for food insecure families, and making TMC a place where Veterans can continue serving their community with their battle buddies.

EP 61: Danny Campbell-City Council Member Jan 25, 2021

U.S. Army Veteran and Mont Belvieu City Council member Danny Campbell takes us on a journey in this episode of Next Gen Warrior. From the importance of using his military education benefits, to returning from deployment to see his first son born, to running a CrossFit gym, and serving on the City Council, Danny Campbell emphasizes taking care of your mind, your body, your family, and your community.

EP 60: Jesse Iwuji - NASCAR Driver Jan 11, 2021

Jesse Iwuji, NASCAR Driver and Navy Special Warfare Officer joins Next Gen Warrior to talk about his favorite cars, how he prepares for a race, and his time as a free safety for the Naval Academy. Jesse’s incredible journey from 7 years of active duty service to a full time race car driver is one you can’t miss.

EP 59: Jennifer Marshall-Actress Jan 04, 2021

Jennifer Marshall, Navy Veteran and host of the CW’s Mysteries Decoded joins Next Gen Warrior to discuss the lessons auditioning can provide Veterans interviewing for jobs, how acting provided therapy, and her passion for advocating for Veterans in the entertainment industry.

EP 58: Shenna Lawless-Frisco VFW Commander Dec 29, 2020

Frisco VFW Commander and Army Veteran Shenna Lawless joined NGW to discuss the importance of the Veteran community, building a family friendly VFW, and the trial and error process of matching your skills with opportunity after the military. The Frisco VFW is nominated for non-profit of the year in Frisco, and Shenna and her team have set a tremendous example of hard work and dedication to their community.

EP 57: Mary Ann Hotaling - Ms. Veteran America 2020 Dec 21, 2020

Ms. Veteran America and Army Veteran Mary Ann Hotaling joins Next Gen Warrior to discuss how she found a love of teaching while deployed, her passion for serving the community after the military, and the work Final Salute is doing to end women Veteran homelessness.

EP 56: Ruben Ayala-Triple Nikel Dec 14, 2020

Army Special Forces Veteran Triple Nikel CEO/Founder Ruben Ayala, joins Next Gen Warrior to discuss his passion for providing a voice for Veterans of all backgrounds, redefining himself after service, and building a brand amidst a pandemic.

Christopher Mendez-Commonwealth Asset Management LP Dec 01, 2020

Marine Corps Veteran Christopher Mendez describes his non-traditional path to the Marine Corps, becoming a lawyer, and General Counsel/CCO. He dives into his story from his formative years as a child to the routine that keeps him sharp on a daily basis, and the 10 year journey to becoming an overnight success.

EP 54: Ryan "Birdman" Parrott-Sons of the Flag Nov 23, 2020

A conversation about patriotism, service, and leadership after the military with Ryan “Birdman” Parrott, NAVY SEAL Veteran, and founder/president of Sons of the Flag. Realizing the tremendous need for burn patients Ryan Parrott founded a 501C3 to take care of the medical and physical needs of first responders and Veterans.

EP 53: Jared Lyon-Student Veterans of America Nov 16, 2020

In this episode, we're joined by Jared Lyon, the CEO of Student Veterans of America. We discuss the needs of student Veterans, the critical transition to civilian life on campus, transferable military skills to civilian careers, and his passion for advocating for Veterans.

EP 52: Hiring Our Heroes - Sgt. Dakota Meyer Nov 09, 2020

In the concluding episode of our three part series with Hiring Our Heroes, Medal of Honor Recipient, Hiring Our Heroes ambassador, and United States Marine Corps Veteran, Sgt. Dakota Meyer joins #NextGenWarrior for a far ranging conversation. Dakota recalls the day he was awarded the Medal of Honor at the White House, tells us about training as a first responder, running two businesses, and the joys of fatherhood.

EP 51: Hiring Our Heroes-Meredith Lozar and Tara Dixon Nov 02, 2020

In part two of a three part series with Hiring Our Heroes, Tara Dixon, CEO of EvalGroup and Meredith Lozar, HOH Military Spouse Program Director, are military spouses with first hand experience of the challenges and excitement of military life. They join Next Gen Warrior to discuss Hiring Our Heroes' program to assist Military Spouse businesses, the importance of military spouse employment, and best practices for moving duty stations. Check out their incredible story and hear their advice.

EP 50: Hiring Our Heroes-Eric Putt and Gus Blumenfeld Oct 26, 2020

Our 50th episode is now live! In the first episode of our three-part series with Hiring Our Heroes, we sat down with U.S. Army Veterans Eric Putt and Gus Blumenfeld who participated in the Corporate Fellowship Program. They provide insight on corporate life, advice for preparing for the next chapter, and building a career outside the military.

EP 49: Wes Gray-CEO of Alpha Architect Oct 19, 2020

Marine Corps Veteran, former Drexel Professor, and CEO, Wes Gray joins NGW to discuss taking a sabbatical from pursuing his PhD to serve in the Marine Corps, and how a cold call from a billionaire altered his career and set his trajectory to becoming CEO of Alpha Architect. Wes provides insight on the importance of time management and how taking care of mind and body are essential for success after service.

EP 48: Mark Harper-We Are The Mighty Sep 28, 2020

Mark Harper is President of We Are The Mighty, and an Air Force Veteran. Mark shares his story of embarking on a career in show business, the lessons he learned interviewing for jobs in Hollywood, and building We Are The Mighty to entertain the Military & Veterans community around the world.

EP 47: Dan Bozung-Author Sep 21, 2020

Naval aviator, and author of “This Civilian Sh*t is Hard” joins Next Gen Warrior and provides some hilarious anecdotes of corporate life, discusses the writing process, and finding his footing after Harvard Business School.

EP 46: Jennifer Pilcher-Patriot Boot Camp Sep 14, 2020

Jennifer Pilcher is the CEO of Patriot Boot Camp, entrepreneur, and a military spouse. She joins #NextGenWarrior from Annapolis, MD where we discuss her family's 24 years of military service, employment challenges facing military spouses, the tremendous growth of entrepreneurship among mil spouses, and the strength of the military/veteran entrepreneurship community.

EP 45: Chris Hale-Neptune Companies Sep 08, 2020

Chris Hale, CEO of Neptune Companies is a Navy Veteran, Veteran advocate, and enterprueneur. He joined #NextGenWarrior from the HQ of Viqtory, Inc and GI Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA to discuss leadership, his passion for building businesses, and how Veterans can position themselves for success after service.

EP 44: Grant Bennett-PeopleFund Aug 31, 2020

Director of Veterans Development at People Fund, Grant Bennett talks about the importance of supporting small businesses, creating innovation in your industry, and how an internship turned into a career.

EP 43: Sam Corum Aug 24, 2020

An extensive conversation with Sam Corum, a photojournalist whose work is featured globally in the New York Times, Getty Images, and the European Press Agency. He tells Next Gen Warrior the key to finding himself in the midst of historic moments over his career was pursuing opportunity, constantly working on his craft, and mastering the business side of photography. Sam’s love of photography was nurtured in high school and has taken him to the front lines in the Marine Corps and historical events across the nation.

EP 42: Karl Snyder-VETS Indexes Aug 17, 2020

Managing Director/Chief Market Strategist of VETS Indexes and Marine Corps Veterans Karl Snyder discusses learning to read businesses with his dad and a Wall Street Journal, establishing himself after the service, and analyzing Fortune 500 companies based on hiring practices for Veterans. Karl discusses his work with VETS Indexes to build an index of publicly traded companies that reflected best practices of Veteran hiring and retention.

EP 41: Anthony Gantt-At Ease Rentals Aug 10, 2020

Anthony Gantt is a USMC Officer and the CEO and Founder of At Ease Rental Corporation. Anthony’s business provides home rental services to federal employees and military personnel moving due to permanent change of station (PCS). Check out his inspiring story and advice for starting your own business!

EP 40: Kevin Zimmerman-Help for Heroes Aug 03, 2020

Kevin Zimmerman is a George W. Bush Institute Scholar, Army Veteran, and National Director of Outreach at Springstone, Inc.’s Hope for Heroes program. Kevin shares a heartfelt conversation on battling the scars of war, chemical dependency, and finding the courage to seek treatment. His experience overcoming mental health adversity provides insight and encouragement to those facing similar trails in our community.

EP 39: Shaun Miller-Aspire Allergy Jul 27, 2020

This week's episode featuring Shaun Miller, the Chief Business Officer of Aspire Allergy is now live! Shaun, a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, discusses his career path after the Marine Corps, why it's important to run to a job, not from one, and the best hiring and career development practices for Veterans.

EP 38: Tammy Barlette-Athena's Voice Jul 20, 2020

Retired Air Force Pilot and Athena's Voice Co-Founder Tammy Barlette shares her passion for social courage, along with advice for fellow Veterans. #NextGenWarrior

EP 37: Joseph Cabrera-Kasasa Jul 13, 2020

Kasasa Executive Vice President and Army Veteran Joseph Cabrera joins Next Gen Warrior to discuss building strong values within the business, and encourages the Warrior class to continue leading in their communities after their military service is completed.

EP 36: Andrew Bachelder-Team 43 Member and 2 Time Warrior Open Champion Jul 06, 2020

Andrew Bachelder, USMC SSgt. (Ret.) talks about surviving a mid air helicopter collision and crash in Afghanistan that resulted in depression and a suicide attempt. While recovering Andrew rediscovered his love of golf, a game that would save his life and lead him to winning the Bush Institute Warrior Open 2 times. His story of tragedy, perseverance, triumph and is one you can’t miss.

EP 35: Mayor Larry Wallace, PHD-City of Manor Jun 29, 2020

U.S. Army Veteran and Mayor of Manor Larry Wallace Jr, PHD on how preparing for meetings over coffee with his father bridged his military career to his professional life, and how he approaches leadership as the Mayor of Manor, a growing and diverse town in Central Texas.

EP 34: Chief Joel Baker-Austin Fire Department Jun 22, 2020

Marine Corps and Navy Reserve Veteran Joel Baker, the Chief of the Austin Fire Department reflects on a lifetime of leadership and service. He describes how frustration in school propelled him into the military, and what inspired him to return to the classroom.

EP 33: Matt Paul-Austin Travis County EMS Jun 15, 2020

Austin Travis County EMS Captain Matt Paul provides first hand accounts of leadership on the front lines, crisis management and his approach to staying mentally fit while serving in demanding roles.

EP 32: Ryan Wheat-Union Leather Jun 08, 2020

Union Leather Lead Stichman and Marine Corps Veteran Ryan Wheat shares his love for leather work, how practice built his confidence, and encourages Veterans to search for their passions after service.

EP 31: Amy Bernard-George W. Bush Institute Jun 01, 2020

The Military Service Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute provides leadership development and transition assistance to Veterans. MSI’s Senior Program Manager Maj. Amy Bernard, USMC (Ret) sits down to discuss MSI’s programs and provides guidance to service members leaving the military amid uncertain employment opportunities.

EP 30: Justin Findley-FESCO, Ltd. May 25, 2020

U.S. Navy Veteran Justin Findley reflects on his family's legacy of military service, and the values that built and keep his family run business FESCO, Ltd, thriving in the often volatile energy industry.

EP 29: Dan Hamilton-Next Gen Warrior Host May 19, 2020

He's interviewed dozens of inspiring Veterans, but now it's time to hear his story. Dan Hamilton is a Marine Corps Veteran and the host of #NextGenWarrior. We flipped the script and brought back Make a Vet Sweat's Justin Bohannon to find out about Dan's experience in the military and how he found his purpose after service.

EP 28: Kristof Lewis-Podcast Host May 04, 2020

Navy Special Warfare Veteran Kristof Lewis explains what success after service has meant for him and how podcasting has improved the communication skills he uses daily in his career.

EP 27: Judson Kauffman-Terradepth Apr 27, 2020

Terradepth President and CoFounder Jud Kauffman discusses the importance of mapping the ocean, managing a startup company through a pandemic, and advice for Veterans after leaving the service.

EP 26: Steph Drake-Veterans in the Oil & Gas Industry Apr 20, 2020

NextOp Executive Director Steph Drake discusses the impact of oil and gas prices and how NextOp supports Vets in the energy industry.

EP 25: Naviere Walkewicz-Ms. Veteran America 2019 Apr 13, 2020

Ms. Veteran America 2019 Naviere Walkewicz encourages female leaders, shares what she learned in the finance industry, and her passion for group fitness.

EP 24: Ryan Weaver-Country Music Artist Apr 06, 2020

Country rocker, Black Hawk aviator Veteran, and two time Gold Star family member Ryan Weaver discusses overcoming loss, his passion for music, and playing arena tours.

EP 23: Austin Talley-OSD Mar 30, 2020

A wide ranging conversation with Veteran advocate and OSD Board Member Austin Talley on his life of service and the importance of job and home satisfaction.

EP 22: Eric Eversole-Hiring Our Heroes Mar 24, 2020

Eric Eversole, Hiring Our Heroes President on preparing for transition while still in service and the major improvements that have been instituted to ensure military-civilian transition success. #NextGenWarrior

EP 21: Brent Looby-Desert Door Distillery Mar 16, 2020

The sole Sotol distillery in America, Desert Door Distillery was founded and run by three Veterans in Texas. Hear the remarkable story of how an idea launched at the McCombs Business school became a reality.

EP 20: Joe Hogge-12 Fox Beer Mar 09, 2020

From drinking beer with an Army buddy in Germany, to running wedding venues after service, U.S. Army Veteran Joe Hogge shares his unconventional path to founding and operating 12 Fox Beer Co in Dripping Springs.

EP 19: Steph Drake-Next Op Veterans Mar 02, 2020

In episode 19, Executive Director of Next Op Vets and Marine Corps reservist Steph Drake explains the process for training and hiring Veterans while still in the service, and how a partnership with Walking With the Wounded and the Houston Texans is working to hire Veterans in the energy sector. #NextGenWarrior

EP 18: Mike McKim-Cuvee Coffee Feb 24, 2020

Cuvee Coffee founder and Navy Veteran Mike McKim shares how a ski trip led to discovering a love for coffee and how persistence helped him endure in the face of adversity.

EP 17: George P. Bush-Texas Veterans Land Board Feb 17, 2020

As Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office and Chairman of the Veterans Land Board for the past 6 years, George P Bush shares his approach to maintaining mental fitness, his passion for service, and insights on leadership.

EP 16: Justin Bohannon-Make A Vet Sweat Feb 11, 2020

From the football fields of Washington State to the battlegrounds of Baghdad, Justin “Bo Flex” Bohannon returned state-side with a mission: stem Veteran suicides through group fitness. Bohanan reminds us all of the importance of living in a community and how critical exercise is to maintaining peak mental health.

EP 15: Cassaundra Melgar Melgar-C'deBaca Feb 03, 2020

In episode 15 of the #NextGenWarrior show, we hear from Cassaundra Melgar-C'DeBaca about her journey to her dream job, her advice for Veterans transitioning into civilian life, and her work with EF Legion promoting Veteran career development.

EP 14: John Boerstler Jan 27, 2020

John Boerstler, Marine Corps Veteran and CEO of Combined Arms reveals how a Congressional job on Capitol Hill transformed his career path and built his passion for connecting Veterans to services. Combined Arms provides a critical link between the Veteran and the community of personal and professional resources that ease the burden of transition to civilian life.

EP 13: Craig Cummings Jan 22, 2020

Craig Cummings is the Co-founder and General Partner at Moonshots Capital and was recognized in 2015 as HillVets 100 most influential Veterans.

After 17 years of service in the Army and on the cusp of retirement Craig left the Army to start a business that almost failed.

Hear his story of determination and why placing his reputation on the line inspired his success.

EP 12: Anthony DeToto Jan 13, 2020

Founder of 1836 Veterans, Anthony DeToto inspires change and leads in his community by connecting the investor community to Veteran run businesses in Houston.

EP 11: Jacob Schick Dec 16, 2019

CEO of 22 Kill, Jacob Schick is helping lead the way in Veteran suicide prevention. In this episode, we sat down with him to hear more about his story, what inspired him to take action, and the work his organization is doing to change Veterans lives across the country. This is a difficult subject, but it’s an important one. Give it a listen here or on your favorite podcasting platform. #NextGenWarrior

EP 10: Anthony Cucolo Dec 09, 2019

In a wide-ranging can’t miss conversation Retired US Army Major General Anthony Cucolo shares his insight on how leaders can build effective teams and tells us the most important lesson he learned in war. Anthony Cucolo currently serves on the Texas 2036 Board as Co-Chair for National Security Innovation Council.

EP 9: Glenn Banton Nov 25, 2019

In a conversation with OSD CEO & Executive Director Glenn Banton discusses maintaining work/life balance, the state of Veterans in Texas, and the importance of Vets staying engaged in their community.

EP 8: Naji Kelley Nov 18, 2019

In episode 8 of the #NextGenWarrior show, CEO of BLNDED Media, Naji Kelley sits down with our host Dan Hamilton to discuss how the leadership skills he gained in the military helped prepare him for a successful career in business.

EP 7: Darden Smith Nov 04, 2019

In episode 7 of the #NextGenWarrior show, our host Dan sits down with Darden Smith, the creative genius behind Songwriting With Soldiers, an organization focused on helping Veterans tell their stories through songwriting.

EP 6: Eric Burleson Oct 21, 2019

US Army Veteran Eric Burleson discusses writing his book Separating From Service and explains how Veterans can use these lessons to continuing serving and leading in their community.

EP 5: Zach Walker Oct 07, 2019

As Texas Lead for the Defense Innovation Unit, a Department of Defense organization, Zach Walker is deploying over $400 million to solve national security challenges across five focus areas: Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Human Systems, Cyber, and Commercial Space. He sits down with host Dan Hamilton to impart the lessons he has learned from over 15 years of intelligence, cybersecurity, and cyberwarfare experience as a military reservist (Texas Army National Guard and Air Force), Federal civilian, and government contractor. He has served in the National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Air Force, and Army, where he earned a Bronze Star for wartime service.

EP 4: Eric Brown Sep 23, 2019

Eric Brown, Deputy Director of Texas State Veterans Cemeteries, provides his personal insight and professional guidance for Veterans to apply when leaving the service.

EP 3: Ian Folau Sep 09, 2019

Ian Folau, Managing Director of LMI Ventures, sits down to explore his journey from the mountains of Afghanistan to South by Southwest.

For information about Voices of Veterans Next Gen Warrior go to www.voicesofveterans.org. For information about the Texas Veterans Land Board go to www.vlb.texas.gov.

EP 2: Molly Mae Potter Aug 26, 2019

Molly Mae Potter, Director of Engineering Operations at DELL, discusses how Veterans can succeed in the workplace.

For information about Voices of Veterans Next Gen Warrior go to www.voicesofveterans.org. For information about the Texas Veterans Land Board go to www.vlb.texas.gov.

EP 1: Jeremiah Gunderson-University of Texas at Austin Aug 14, 2019

Jeremiah Gunderson, Director of Student Veterans Services at the University of Texas Austin, discusses how Veterans can succeed on college campuses & being awarded Student Veterans of America Chapter Adviser of the Year. For information about Voices of Veterans Next Gen Warrior go to www.voicesofveterans.org. For information about the Texas Veterans Land Board go to www.vlb.texas.gov.

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