Welcome back to The MilVet Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Rich Comitz, a dedicated veteran and Chief Operating Officer at American Corporate Partners (ACP), to discuss his remarkable journey from military service to academia and finally to his current role helping veterans transition into civilian careers. Rich takes us through his time…

In this episode of The MilVet Podcast, Joseph Cabrera from Mainshares joins hosts Brendan Aaronson and Beau Higgins to discuss search funds and small business acquisitions. Cabrera, a former Army officer and special ops veteran, shares his transition from military service to entrepreneurship, including a near-miss with Goldman Sachs. He discusses t…

Welcome back to The MilVet Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Halterman previously of The Honor Foundation to discuss the incredible work they’re doing to support veterans, particularly those in the special operations community, as they transition to civilian life. Michael takes us through his own journey, from being one of the first…

In this episode of The Military Veteran Podcast, we chat with Julie Cane, a former Navy pilot who made a successful transition from the military to the civilian workforce. From flying helicopters for Navy SEALs to leading a company focused on investing in democracy, Julie shares her fascinating journey and the lessons learned along the way. In this…

In this episode of the MilVet Podcast, host Brendan Aaronson and co-host Beau Higgins sit down with retired three-star General Robert Ruark, a Marine Corps legend whose 36 years of service have left an indelible mark on both the military and nonprofit sectors. General Ruark, now the president and CEO of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, shares …

Today we’re joined by Roxanne Bras Petraeus, co-founder and CEO of Ethena, an innovative compliance training platform redefining how businesses approach ethics and culture. Roxanne shares her journey from serving as an Army Engineer and Rhodes Scholar to launching Ethena, a Series B company that's raised $50 million in venture capital. We dive into…

For our 100th episode, we’re honored to host Chris Cassidy, former Navy SEAL, NASA astronaut, and current President and CEO of the National Medal of Honor Museum. Chris shares his incredible journey from a small town in Maine to becoming one of only 500 humans to have traveled to space. In this episode, Chris reflects on his time as a SEAL during p…

Grant Demaree is the co-founder and CEO of OneBrief, a company revolutionizing mission planning for the Department of Defense. With deployments across major military operations and $53 million in funding, OneBrief is setting the standard for streamlined collaboration and faster decision-making in defense. Grant shares insights into the challenges o…

Welcome to The MilVet Podcast! In this episode, we’re joined by Tyler Sweatt, CEO of Second Front Systems and partner at the Silicon Valley Defense Group. With a dynamic background that includes military service, sales leadership, and now leading a cutting-edge public benefit corporation, Tyler shares insights on navigating the complexities of defe…

This week, we’re thrilled to feature Mike Frank, Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. Navy. Mike’s journey is one of dynamic leadership, transitioning from the Marine Corps to consulting roles and now tackling innovation challenges in federal service. Mike shares his insights on the unique opportunities and challenges of working in public se…

Welcome to The MilVet Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Frank Baumann and Boe Nankivel, operating partners at Cold Bore Capital, a veteran-founded private equity firm focused on the lower middle market. Frank and Boe share their journeys from military service—including Boe’s time as a Navy SEAL and Frank’s experience in Navy intelligence—t…

Today, we’re joined by Rob Henderson, author of Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class. From a childhood in foster care to serving in the U.S. Air Force and earning degrees from Yale and Cambridge, Rob’s journey is a testament to resilience, mentorship, and the transformative power of military service. In this episode, Rob shar…

In this MilVet podcast episode, guest Dave Won explores how childhood experiences shape financial behaviors and stress. He addresses the societal taboo around discussing money, unique challenges for veterans, and the importance of self-advocacy in negotiations. Dave shares insights on emotional drivers of financial decisions, practical budgeting ti…

Welcome to the Military Veteran Podcast! In today's episode, we’re excited to host Steve Gilman, the co-founder and CEO of OneRange, alongside Carina Cho and Lenore Karafa. Steve has an incredible, multifaceted background, —from being a Major League Baseball athlete to an Intelligence Officer and now a successful entrepreneur. We dive into his jour…

In this TheMilVet Podcast episode, Lenore Karafa, Senior Client Partner at TMV, shares her inspiring journey from military service to a successful career in finance and consulting. Lenore discusses her early life, military experiences, and the challenges of transitioning to the corporate world. She highlights the impact of mentorship, strategic dec…

Join us on this episode of the MilVet Podcast as host Brendan Aronson sits down with Carl Sciacchitano, a graphic novelist and the son of a Vietnam veteran. Carl opens up about his recently published graphic novel, which delves into his father's experiences in Vietnam and the lasting impact of war on their relationship. Throughout the conversation,…

In this TheMilVet podcast episode, COO and recruiting expert Jim Lose breaks down the journey from military to civilian careers. Jim shares insights on handling identity shifts, navigating the job market, and acing interviews. With straightforward advice on self-promotion, confidence, and company research, he offers veterans a clear path to success…

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, Jim O'Farrell, president and CEO of Advanced Management Strategies Group (AMSG), shares his journey from Navy sailor to the Naval Academy to building a successful government contracting firm. He discusses the value of sales experience, learning from failure, and fostering a strong corporate culture. Jim highlig…

Nick Thompson, acclaimed journalist, runner, and CEO of The Atlantic shares his views on the media coverage of veterans, the military, and politics in the current age. He provides his insights on the changing landscape of global politics and technology’s impact on the world. In this episode, we explore Nick’s thoughts on how AI will change the medi…

Tyler Johnson and Carlos Romero discuss the upcoming eMERGE Americas event in Miami, a major platform for technology, entrepreneurship, and veteran programs. You’ll hear tips on how to get the most out of attending, from networking to the power of in-person connections. From highlighting the benefits of in-person conferences to exploring networking…

Holden Lindblom, an Army Veteran and co-founder of VetraFi, shares his unique path from military life into the world of entrepreneurship. He highlights the positives and negatives of creating a start-up company and how he’s leveraging his experiences to build VetraFi, a modern banking platform designed specifically for service members and veterans.…

Jim Delaney, a former Naval Officer and founder of Traction AI, shares his career journey and insights on sales, branding, and post military life. Jim emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit and exploring different paths. He highlighties how crucial sales are to driving business success and the importance of branding. Jim also stresses t…

In this episode, JC Glick, CEO of The COMMIT Foundation and retired Army Ranger, shares his thoughts on the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. Drawing from his own experiences, he discusses the struggle for purpose and identity and the importance of designing a fulfilling life. JC explains how COMMIT empowers veterans and…

On today’s podcast, we talk with Mike Maples Jr. and Peter Ziebelman, Venture Capitalists, Mentors, Leaders, and Instructors of ourselves and most recently, the co-authors of “Pattern Breakers” We explore intriguing analogies and parallels between the military mindset and startup building. Mike and Peter share valuable insights for founders and mil…

Welcome to today’s episode featuring retired 4-star Special Operations Commander Richard Clarke. With decades of military experience, General Clarke has developed a leadership style that values ideas from all levels and emphasizes leading authentically. In his transition to the boardroom, he now helps venture capital firms tackle complex challenges…

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Bowman, United States Military Academy West Point Graduate, U.S. Army Special Forces Officer, the innovative CEO & Co-Founder of Autobiographer. We explore Matt’s unique journey from the military to entrepreneurship and delve into how his company, Autobiographer, is transforming the way people capture and prese…

In this episode, we sit down with Nate Kouhana , the CEO of Anthem Snacks, A Green Beret, and a decorated Veteran with two bronze star medals and a Purple Heart. Nate's journey from the battlefield to the boardroom is inspiring. Anthem snacks is a company redefining the snack industry with a mission-driven approach. Nate shares his inspiring journe…

Richard Haass is the author of “The Bill of Obligations : The Ten Habits of Good Citizens”, a New York Times best-selling book highlighting how we must re-envision citizenship if American democracy is to survive. Richard is an American Diplomat and an expert on international relations. Richard served as the President of the Council on Foreign Relat…

Don Faul is the CEO of CrossFit, a Stanford Graduate School of Business alumnus, and a Marine Corps Veteran. His service included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of Force Reconnaissance. Don’s career trajectory showcases the impact of his military background and business education; from his roles as Platoon Commander to his work within …

Sebastian Mallaby is the author of “The Power Law”, a best-selling book about the history of venture capital. Sebastian is the Paul Volcker Senior Fellow in International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations. Sebastian shares his story on how his education at The University of Oxford shaped his writing. He also shares his expertise on Vent…

Taylor Lorenz, author of “Extremely Online” and renowned technology and internet culture journalist shares her expertise and firsthand experiences from being blocked by one of the most powerful and well-known billionaires, to the dynamics of digital culture, and the importance of building a strong personal brand. You will not want to miss this deep…

Jim Schwab, Founding Partner & Managing Director of CrimStone Partners, discusses his time as an Officer in the US Navy and his career adventures that followed. From consulting for BCG, to deciding he wanted to have his own company and become CEO, his time at the Department of State, then back to entrepreneurship. Jim's career spans many decades an…

Justin Nassiri is the CEO and Founder of Executive Presence, offering a fully managed LinkedIn Presence for CEOs and executive Leaders. Justin discusses his time and transition from the military, his podcast "Beyond the Uniform", bootstrapping, the difficulty of startups, and how important it is for transitioning veterans to build their skills and …

Sunny Vanderbeck is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Satori Capital, a multi-strategy investment firm founded on the principles of conscious capitalism. By providing real-world insights from its experienced team and long-term funding with no fixed time constraints, Satori is a true partner for its portfolio companies as it challenges them to …

Brendan Aronson, CEO and Co-Founder of The Military Veteran, transitioned out of the Navy six years ago. On this episode of the podcast, Brendan talks about lessons learned from startups, interview tips, and MBA application timelines. We are sharing an exclusive discount code to the Career Conference in Austin for our podcast listeners. Use code TM…

Brendan Aronson, CEO and Co-Founder of The Military Veteran, transitioned out of the Navy six years ago. On this episode of the podcast, Brendan reflects and shares some of his key takeaways from his transition. We are sharing an exclusive discount code to the Career Conference in Austin for our podcast listeners. Use code TMVPOD50 for 50% off your…

Larsen Jensen is the founder of Harpoon Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm with deep commitment to supporting the next generation of groundbreaking technology. Prior to becoming a Venture Capitalist, Larsen served as a Navy SEAL for six years and was an Olympic medalist for swimming in 2004 and 2008. Larsen and Brendan discuss: His path …

Randy Hetrick is the creator of the Suspension Trainer and is the founder of TRX, one of the world’s leading fitness training brands. Over more than three decades, Randy built a record of unique accomplishments including: collegiate athlete; 14-year Navy SEAL Officer; bootstrap entrepreneur; inventor with more than 30 patents; and growth company CE…

*This episode is a recording of our Fireside Chat with Tom Davin and Blake Hall at The MilVet Startups Conference (MVS 24) in San Francisco. To experience conversations like this firsthand, you can register for our events at www.themilvet.org/events Tom Davin has over 30 years of executive leadership experience as a board member of mission-focused …

Sally Lee is a transitioning Army Officer and a Skillbridge intern for TMV. On this episode of the podcast, Sally joins Brendan in a Q&A session about the upcoming career conference in Austin, TX to include: The Intent of the Career Conference The Differences Between the Events hosted by TMV The Importance of Networking with Fellow Transitioning Ve…

Kathy Borkoski is a military veteran and serves a Product Manager at CrossFit. At CrossFit, Kathy focuses on member generation, conversion and retention to increase gym profitability. Prior to CrossFit, Kathy served in the Navy specializing in Explosive Ordnance Disposal. After leaving the Military, Kathy served in numerous project, program, and pr…

Olaseni Bello is a military veteran and serves an Associate General Counsel for product at Intuit. Olaseni partners closely with product, engineering, business development, marketing, operations, and compliance managers on matters ranging from generative AI product features to data privacy to regulatory and cross-border issues. Prior to Intuit, Ola…

Chris Homewood is a military veteran and serves as the Chief Operations Officer and of Valley Services Electronics, a leading contract manufacturing company using cutting-edge PCBA solutions and top-quality systems to serve a wide range of technology companies, worldwide. Prior to becoming a COO of VSE, Chris served in the Marine Corps as an Artill…

Joshua Broder is a military veteran and serves as the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Tilson Infrastructure, a national-leader in utility pole and tower development, and long haul campus fiber for lease-back to telecom carriers and others. Prior to becoming a CEO, Josh served as an Army Signal Corps Officer on missions in Europe, the Middle …

*This episode is a recording of an interview of Brendan on the Mission Oriented Podcast. Brendan talks about the upcoming MilVet Startups Conference and what to expect. To sign up, go to www.milvetstartups.com and use code TMVPodcast30 for 30% off your ticket. Are you interested in a SkillBridge opportunity with The Mil Vet? Reach out to sally@them…

*This episode is a recording of our Vets in Tech Panel at The Military Veteran Career Conference (TMV3) in San Francisco. To experience conversations like this firsthand, you can register for our events at www.themilvet.org/events This panel, moderated by Brendan, consists of Steve Chiou (PM at Box), Kyle Eberly (PM at Google), Mashon Wilson (Strat…

*This episode is a recording of our Fireside Chat with Graham Weaver at The Military Veteran Career Conference (TMV3) in San Francisco. To experience conversations like this firsthand, you can register for our events at www.themilvet.org/events Graham Weaver is the founder and managing partner of Alpine Investors, a people-driven private equity fir…

Dave Gerhardt is the founder and CEO of Exit Five (exitfive.com), a media company focused on helping B2B marketers build successful careers through community and content. Before Exit Five, Dave spent over a decade as a marketer working his way up to Chief Brand Officer at Drift and Chief Marketing Officer at Privy. Follow Dave on LinkedIn and subsc…

Gerta Malaj is a negotiation expert with a professional career that spans big tech (LinkedIn, IBM) to global biotech (Sanofi), startups (3x founder & advisor), and venture capital. Gerta is an angel investor and an LP of a VC Fund. She is also a veteran spouse and holds a Master's in Engineering from MIT. Gerta has free negotiation downloads on her…

Paul Lawrence is an Army veteran and former Under Secretary of Veteran Benefits at the VA. Paul's professional career spans multiple levels of leadership at consulting firms, but since 2021 he has focused on being a veteran advocate and author. Paul is active on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), where he shares valuable resources and spotlights ve…