Veteran Ventures
Episodes
10 Key Lessons for Veterans Building Their Next Chapter: Season 1 Finale | Ep 54
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our Season 1 finale, we wrap up with practical advice for veterans navigating the transition and reflect on the biggest lessons shared by our incre...
The Best Resource for Veterans Interested in Buying a Business - Patrick Flood | Ep 53
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Patrick Flood — former Green Beret with 26 years of service, Duke MBA, and founder of Owners i...
How to Lead Without Losing Your Faith, Family, or Integrity - LTG (R) Michael Ferriter | Ep 52
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with LTG (Ret) Michael Ferriter — a career Army leader whose service spanned 35 years, from mechani...
How to Maximize the GI Bill and Leverage AI to Optimize Your Fitness - Adam Whisler | Ep 51
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we talk with Adam Whisler — a former Infantry Officer in the 10th Mountain Division, Tactical Strength & Co...
From Israeli Special Forces to Construction Tech Founder and Podcast Host - Adam Stark | Ep 50
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Adam Stark — former Israeli Defense Forces Airborne Special Forces operator, real estate tech ...
2 Former SEALs Bringing Healing Through Horses - Mike Hall & Rich Garner | Ep 49
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Mike Hall and Rich Garner — former Navy SEALs and the co-founders of Hold the Reins, a nonprof...
How to Break the Paradigm and Write a Unique Story After the Military - Jay Miseli | Ep 48
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Jay Miseli — a former Army Armor Officer turned executive and entrepreneur.Jay shares his jour...
What it Actually Means to Build a "Network": From FAO to Aerospace BD - Louis Netherland | Ep 47
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Louis Netherland — a former Army Cavalry Officer, Foreign Area Officer, and current Business D...
How to Prototype Your Life and Find a Great Career in the Defense Industry - Patrick Malcor | Ep 46
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After leaving the Army as an Armor officer in the early 2000s, Patrick Malcor didn’t follow a traditional path. Instead, he jumped into the deep end...
How to Leverage the VA Home Loan to Create Generational Wealth - Chris Cano | Ep 45
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Chris Cano – Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and Partner at REV Mortgage.Chris spent 10 years in t...
Real Estate Career After the Army and Police Force: A Story of Reinvention - Liz Johnson | Ep 44
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Liz Johnson, a former Army Signal Corps soldier and police officer who transitioned into a succe...
First Amputee to Return to Combat in the Same Theater Since the Civil War - David Rozelle | Ep 43
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Colonel (Ret.) David Rozelle, a combat-wounded Army officer who didn’t just recover - he came ...
Special Ops to Startup Founder: The GRND Story - Harrison Lewis | Ep 42
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Harrison Lewis, a former Army Special Operations soldier turned physical therapist and entrepren...
Building Businesses While Still Wearing the Uniform - Johnny Demaddalena | Ep 41
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Johnny DeMaddalena straddles two worlds: service in the Army Reserves and scaling startups in the civilian sector. In this episode, we unpack his uniq...
Rejecting the Status Quo and Living as a Digital Nomad After Service - Alex Lisot | Ep 40
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Lisot is a former Air Force F-15 pilot, digital nomad, real estate investor, and founder of Master of the Military, a veteran-focused platform he...
Small Minds Talk About People, Great Minds Talk About Ideas - Dan Sepulveda | Ep 39
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we talk with Dan Sepulveda — a Navy corpsman who served alongside the Marine Corps in Afghanistan before transi...
How to Network Your Way to Purpose: Declining Goldman for Startups - Brendan Aronson | Ep 38
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brendan Aronson is a Naval Academy grad, former Marine infantry officer, Wharton MBA, and founder of The Military Veteran (TMV). He turned down offers...
Tanks, Surfboards, and Defense Tech: Finding Agency After the Army - Julian Larimer | Ep 37
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is Julian Larimer, a former Army Armor Officer whose journey spans from Company Command in Hawaii to building a thriving career in d...
From the Navy to NASCAR: Chasing a Dream Everyone Said Was Impossible - Jesse Iwuji | Ep 36
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse Iwuji is a Naval Academy graduate, former Surface Warfare Officer, and current professional NASCAR driver and entrepreneur. But his path was any...
From Artillery Officer to PE Operator: Scaling Businesses and Leading Teams - Ben Balsley | Ep 35
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ben Balsley has spent the last decade as a private equity-backed operator - leading teams, scaling companies, and executing buy-and-build strategies a...
How to Overcome Anxiety, Find Your Voice, and Build a Brand from Scratch - Paul Weber | Ep 34
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After five years as an Infantry Officer in the Army, Paul Weber knew he wanted to help athletes optimize their performance. But getting there wasn’t...
From JAG to Congress: Winning Habits, Warrior Mindsets, & Empowering Vets - Patrick J. Murphy | Ep 33
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Patrick J. Murphy - a third-generation veteran, former Army JAG officer, and the 32nd Under Secr...
Cybersecurity, Careers, and Cuisine: Lessons from a Marine Turned Tech Exec - Brent Maynard | Ep 32
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a conversation where we explore what happens when a cyber-curious Marine steps into the world of NCIS, then climbs through the ranks of the te...
Archery as Therapy: Finding Purpose and Healing After Service - Sam Westfall | Ep 31
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Sam Westfall. After a devastating accident in the Army left him medica...
Land, Legacy, and Life Design: Creating Financial Freedom After Service - Quinn McArthur | Ep 30
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for an insightful conversation with Quinn McArthur, a former Special Forces officer who transitioned from military service into real estate in...
The Transition Playbook: Business School, Startups & Finding Success – Mark Delaney | Ep 29
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Mark Delaney, a veteran who has spent the last five years helping service members transition int...
Burn the Ships: How a Force Recon Marine Built a Rock Climbing Empire - Andrew Kratz | Ep 28
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Andrew Kratz, a former Force Recon Marine turned successful entrepreneur. After leaving the mili...
The Blueprint for Reinventing Yourself: From SF to NFL to Filmmaker and Founder - Nate Boyer | Ep 27
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the only thing holding you back is the voice inside your head? In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Nate Boyer, a man who has...
From Infantry to Investment Banking to Golf Tech Startup - Josh Kohn | Ep 26
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Josh Kohn, whose eclectic career path has taken him from infantry officer to investment banker a...
The Exclusive Network Helping Veterans Land Coveted Finance Jobs - Lindsey Schiro | Ep 25
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Lindsey Schiro, CEO of 51 Vets, an organization dedicated to supporting elite military veterans ...
How to Avoid Chasing Titles and Money After Service - Rob Kirila | Ep 24
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for one of our most insightful episodes yet with Rob Kirila, a retired Special Forces Colonel turned private equity leader. Key Highlights: ...
Life in the CIA, Influencing Policy, & Humanitarian Missions - Michael "Mick" Mulroy | Ep 23
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Michael "Mick" Mulroy, a former Marine, CIA officer, and humanitarian leader, to explore his incredible jo...
2 Rangers Tackling MBAs, Startups, and Fortune 100 Careers - Hunter Mancini & Andy Fleischer | Ep 22
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features a deep dive into the transition from military service to the business world with Hunter Mancini and Andy Fleischer. Hunter and ...
SPECIAL EPISODE: Highlights from Our First 20 Conversations - Griffin and Jack | Ep 21
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special 21st episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast, hosts Griffin and Jack celebrate a significant milestone—joining the top 1% of podcast...
Mastering Your Post-Military Path: Lessons from a Navy Vet and Tech CEO - Kris Sandor | Ep 20
30 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast, we sit down with Kris Sandor, a Naval Academy graduate and veteran turned tech entrepreneur. Kris’s...
From the Navy to a Startup in Construction Tech - Lee Mills | Ep 19
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Lee Mills, the founder of Pixly.ai, a cutting-edge SaaS platform for the construction industry....
From Ranger Regiment to Shark Tank: On a Mission to Revolutionize Substance Use Care - Andrew Steen | Ep 18
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Andrew Steen, a former Army Ranger from the 75th Ranger Regiment turned entrepreneur. Andrew rec...
Enlisted Marine to Entrepreneur: Why You Should Bet on Veteran Founders - Mike Sherbakov | Ep 17
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we sit down with Mike Sherbakov, a former enlisted Marine turned successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Mike shares his jour...
Helping Solve the Mental Health Crisis Through AI and Gaming - Josh Otero | Ep 16
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Unfortunately, mental health is one of the largest issues facing the US military. The problem is, many service members avoid seeking help out of fear ...
Army Enlisted to Stanford Degree and Startup Founder - Holden Lindblom | Ep 15
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Holden Lindblom enlisted in the Army as a fire supporter and served for four years (both in Italy with the 173rd and with the 101st) before deciding t...
An Epic Reunion! A Skillbridge Success Story and Smooth Army Retirement - Max Pumfrey | Ep 14
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's not often that a CO, XO, and 1SG get together to publicly reflect on their service together in the Army. This episode is an epic reunion and pack...
From Combat Missions in Iraq to Starting a Billion Dollar Company - Blake Hall | Ep 13
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Blake Hall is the founder and CEO of ID.me, the digital identity platform revolutionizing the way identity is verified and shared online. But before a...
Company Commander to Finance Professional: How a CSP Might Inform What NOT to do - Rob Fee | Ep 12
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After commissioning out of West Point and serving as an Armor Company Commander in the Army, Rob Fee transitioned out to become a financial advisor. B...
Leaving the Military After 17 Years & Starting a Real Estate Media Company - Mark Peer | Ep 11
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Peer did something many would say is crazy: he left active duty in the Coast Guard after 17 years of service. Having started a real estate media ...
Starting a mortgage brokerage and building playbooks - Jordan Komm | Ep 10
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After serving as the captain of the skydiving team and commissioning out of West Point, Jordan Komm spent time in the 4th Infantry Division in Colorad...
From the Army to winning The Apprentice and entrepreneurship - Kelly Perdew | Ep 9
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After serving in the Army as a Military Intelligence officer, Kelly Perdew went on to win season 2 of The Apprentice, invest in some of the world's mo...
Veterans are made for this industry - Brandon Reece | Ep 8
09 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Brandon Reece is the CEO of Floodlight Consulting Group, specializing in helping water damage restoration companies grow their business and increase t...
Finding Purpose after Service - Eric Upchurch | Ep 7
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Upchurch served in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), deployed to combat five times, and completed a Masters Degree in Aerona...
From Kicked out of the Air Force to $15MM CEO - Nick Smallwood | Ep 6
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From kicked out of the Air Force, to starting a distribution company in Hawaii that now has 150 employees and does $15MM a year in sales. Nick Smallwo...
Building a lifestyle you don't need a vacation from - Maurice Philogene | Ep 5
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Image a lifestyle that you don't need a vacation from. Where you don't chase other people's definition of success, but you define your own...
Best Real Estate Investments while in the Military - David Pere | Ep 4
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The wild story from broke, enlisted Marine, to millionaire in just 5 years through real estate investing. David Pere is the founder of the "From ...
Meeting the Host - Jack Williams | Ep 3
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet the Host, Jack Williams. After commissioning from West Point, Jack served in the Army for 12 years. He spent time at Fort Riley, in the 173rd in ...
Meeting the Host - Griffin Brand | Ep 2
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Meet the Host, Griffin Brand. After commissioning through ROTC, Griffin served in the Army for over 8 years. He spent time in Germany with the 173rd, ...
Introduction | Ep 1
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Jack and Griffin discuss why they started the podcast. Too often as members of the military, we are surrounded by those who chose to ...