Veteran Ventures Podcast

Brent M. joined the United States Marine Corps thinking he’d do Intel. He ended up becoming one of the first cyber Marines - before the job title even existed. From there, he carved a path few could’ve predicted: ?? Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at 22 ?? Nordstrom, Microsoft, Charles Schwab, Amazon ?? Now Managing Director at Akamai Technologies This episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast is packed with insights for anyone transitioning out of the military - especially those looking to enter cybersecurity, tech, or the startup world. Topics we cover: 1?? Breaking in without a clearance 2?? Moving fast without losing your footing 3?? The real difference between corporate leadership and military rank 4?? Why ramen, surfing, and hacking with friends still fuel Brent’s success Brent’s story is a masterclass in adaptability, curiosity, and intentional growth. This one’s a must-listen. Full episode link in the comments ??

?????????????? ???? ?? ????????. ?????????????????? ????????????????????. ???????????????? ????????????????????. Sam Westfall’s transition from the US Army wasn’t easy. But everything changed when he found unexpected therapy in archery. That spark led to: ?? Archery N Motion – creating innovative moving targets. ?? Valor Archery Challenge – connecting veterans and communities through the calming power of archery. In the latest Veteran Ventures Podcast, Sam shares his journey of resilience, entrepreneurship, and giving back. We cover: ?? The role of archery in overcoming trauma. ?? How Sam turned a passion into a business. ?? The power of community and connection for veterans. ?? Practical advice for veterans stepping into entrepreneurship. Sam’s story is a powerful reminder that even after life's hardest hits, it's possible to find a new mission and purpose. Full episode in the comments ?? Shoutout to the organizations that supported Sam's journey: Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF Warrior Rising DAV Patriot Boot Camp Second Service Foundation THE ROSIE NETWORK Boots to Business Revenue Readiness John (Jack) Williams

What does freedom mean to you? For Special Forces veteran Quinn McArthur, true freedom isn’t just financial - it’s about time, control, and purpose. When he transitioned out of the US Army, Quinn knew one thing: he didn’t want a career that kept him away from his family. Instead of chasing titles or climbing the corporate ladder, he found a path in real estate - eventually carving out a niche in land-backed mortgage investing. In this episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast, we cover: ?? Transitioning with Purpose – Why Quinn left the military to prioritize family and time freedom. ?? Avoiding Common Pitfalls – How to filter career advice from those who have never transitioned. ?? Finding the Right Path – The power of identifying what you don’t want to do. ?? Real Estate & Land Investing – How Quinn built a business funding land-backed mortgages. ?? The Importance of a Strong Network – Why cold calls, persistence, and relationship-building matter. ?? Taking the Leap into Entrepreneurship – When to go all-in and how to reduce risk. Takeaways for Veterans: ? Start early: Set up informational interviews before you transition. ? Define your ideal life and eliminate paths that don’t align. ? Don’t be afraid to pivot - your first job post-military doesn’t have to be forever. ? Build relationships and provide value first - opportunities will follow. ? Passive income isn’t a myth, it’s a strategic choice. Today, Quinn runs Legacy Land Fund, helping other veterans and investors build financial freedom through passive income strategies. "The military trains you to plan for a mission, why not apply that same mindset to designing your life?" Link to the episode in the comments ?? John (Jack) Williams United States Military Academy at West Point

Want to buy a business? Navigate the military transition smarter? Leverage your veteran network? Mark Delaney has done all three. After serving as an infantry and civil affairs officer, Mark left the US Army just before COVID, not knowing what was next. He then: ? Got into University of Virginia Darden School of Business ? Started the Veteran Semi-Professional Podcast (230+ episodes!) ? Bought a SaaS company ? Launched multiple online businesses In our latest Veteran Ventures Podcast episode, Mark shares: 1?? Why most veterans don’t think big enough after transition 2?? How taking time off before jumping into a career actually helps 3?? The power of leveraging the veteran network (and how to do it right) 4?? Why buying a small business might be your best bet post-military Mark proves that your transition is just the beginning - your biggest wins can come after service. Full episode in the comments ?? Transition organizations Mark mentions: Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF (Bunker Labs), VETtoCEO, Warrior Rising, Shift Group, PreVeteran John (Jack) Williams

?? ???????? ?????? ??????????: ?????? ?? ?????????? ?????????? ???????????? ?????????? ?? ???????? ???????????????? ???????????? ?? When Andrew Kratz left the United States Marine Corps, he didn’t have a perfectly laid-out plan. Instead, he followed his gut, leaned on his training, and took one bold step at a time. ?? Real estate? Tried it. ?? Teaching at his alma mater? Did that too. ?? Security detail for the Crown Prince of Morocco? Wild, but true. It wasn’t until he took a leap into entrepreneurship that everything changed. With no formal business background, Andrew co-founded Triangle Rock Club, a climbing gym that started small and has now grown to six locations across two states, with 400+ employees. ???????? ?????? ???????????????? (???? ????????????) ?????????? ???????? ?????? ??????????????? 1?? You don’t need a perfect plan to be successful - you need tenacity, discipline, and the ability to suffer through the grind. 2?? Surround yourself with the right people. A strong team will take you further than you can go alone. 3?? “Luck” isn’t random - it’s about putting yourself in enough situations where opportunity can find you. Andrew’s story is an incredible example of betting on yourself, embracing uncertainty, and building something meaningful from the ground up. Our full conversation with Andrew from the most recent episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast is in the comments below ?? John (Jack) Williams

How does a US Army Green Beret go from the military to the National Football League (NFL), filmmaking, and launching a meat company? Nate Boyer has never taken the traditional path - because he doesn’t believe in limits. ?? Served as a Green Beret with multiple deployments ?? Made an NFL roster without playing football before college ?? Co-founded Merging Vets and Players (MVP) to support veterans and athletes ?? Directed a feature film, bringing real-life stories to the screen ?? Launched 8Primal, a Texas-based farm-to-table meat company In our latest Veteran Ventures Podcast, Nate shares: 1?? The mindset shift that helped him tackle impossible goals 2?? Why fear and imposter syndrome are signs you're on the right track 3?? How he’s building businesses with impact 4?? The lessons he’s learned from D-Day veterans while filming a WWII documentary Nate’s story is proof that you don’t need permission to chase big goals - you just have to start. Full episode in the comments ?? John (Jack) Williams

How does a US Army infantry officer with a sociology degree break into investment banking at J.P. Morgan...then pivot to AI-driven golf tech? Josh Kohn's career path is anything but traditional: ? Commissioned as an Infantry Officer from Davidson College ? Jumped into investment banking without an MBA or finance background ? Became a startup founder, leveraging computer vision & AI to revolutionize putting (Meridian Performance Systems Inc.) In our latest Veteran Ventures Podcast episode, Josh shares: 1?? How he turned "impossible" career moves into reality 2?? Why networking (and saying yes to meetings) changed his life 3?? The unexpected way golf and AI collided to spark his latest venture 4?? The biggest mistake veterans make when transitioning Josh proves that "experience" isn't always what gets you in the door. It’s about persistence, adaptability, and taking the right risks. Full episode in the comments ?? John (Jack) Williams

Last week, 51 Vets CEO Lindsey Schiro had the opportunity to be on the Veteran Ventures Podcast with Griffin Brand and John (Jack) Williams. Speaking about how important it is to find your tribe after transition, and how 51 Vets offers a sense of purpose and community post military career. Give it a listen below! Thank you for having us! Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dMkyjSxF

After her husband was injured while deployed in Afghanistan, Lindsey Schiro immediately pivoted her entire career to become a leader in the nonprofit world. Witnessing the lack of support for wounded veterans and their families, she made it her mission to do something about it. We sat down with Lindsey on the most recent episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast to hear her story and discuss her current role as CEO of 51 Vets, an organization dedicated to helping elite military veterans land high-level careers in finance, banking, and business. Key Insights from This Conversation: ? The Transition Gap: Many veterans lack real-world guidance when leaving the military. ? Network Your Way to Success: The right connections can open doors that job applications won’t. ? Be Specific About Your Goals: The clearer you are, the easier it is to get the right help. ? Your Community is Everything: Finding your tribe post-service can be the key to a successful transition. ? Mental Health Matters: The shift from high-intensity military life to a 9-to-5 can be tough and prioritizing mental well-being is crucial. Full episode linked in the comments ?? John (Jack) Williams The COMMIT Foundation Shields & Stripes US Army

Transitioning out of the military is often one of the most challenging journeys a veteran can face. For many, it’s not just about landing a high-paying job or securing a prestigious title—it’s about rediscovering purpose and finding a new tribe. In the latest episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Robert Kirila, a retired US Army Special Forces Colonel who’s walked this path. ???? ??????????????????: ?? Titles and money don’t guarantee happiness. Rob learned this the hard way when his first post-military job didn’t align with his values. ?? Define your “ideal life.” Rob keeps a written vision of his ideal life on his door—guiding every decision he makes. ?? Find your tribe. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is essential for building a fulfilling post-military life. Today, Rob is running a successful private equity firm (Black Powder Search & Black Powder Holdings), placing veterans in leadership roles, and helping others transition into meaningful careers. His insights are game-changing for anyone navigating life after service. ?????? ????????????: ?? “No one will hand you a plan. You have to build it yourself—and bet on YOU.” ??"Give 51%. Never take more than 49%." Links to the episode in the comments ?? SOTF - Special Operators Transition Foundation John (Jack) Williams