Veteran Led

“I started living for what I can do—not what I can’t do.” — Richard KaufmanIn this powerful episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry welcomes Richard Kaufman—Army Veteran, best-selling author, and host of the Vertical Momentum Resiliency podcast—known nationwide as The Comeback Coach. From addiction and homelessness to blindness and recovery, Richard’s incredible journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.Discover how Richard:Survived trauma, addiction, and vision lossGot back into the military after a bad conduct dischargeLaunched a top-ranked podcast with 3M+ downloadsBuilt a brand empowering Veterans, entrepreneurs, and comeback storiesLives life fully—working 6 months a year and inspiring others daily🎧 Listen to learn:5 steps to podcast success from The Podcasting BlueprintLife lessons from A Hero’s Journey: From Darkness to LightWhy every setback can become your setup for a comeback#VeteranLed #RichardKaufman #ComebackCoach #VeteranPodcast #VeteranLeadership #AddictionRecovery #BlindVeteran #Resilience #MilitaryLeadership #PodcastSuccess #VerticalMomentum #AHerosJourney

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with actor and producer Matthew Marsden, known for his roles in Black Hawk Down, Rambo, and Transformers. Though not a Veteran himself, Marsden has become a passionate advocate for the military community through his work on and off the screen.Marsden shares how his experience training with Army Rangers for Black Hawk Down fundamentally shaped his respect for service members and inspired a lifelong commitment to telling authentic Veteran stories. He discusses the importance of accuracy in military portrayals, his personal connections with Veterans, and the motivation behind his film I Am That Man—a movie created with direct feedback from Veterans to ensure realism.From taking pride in uniform details to pushing back on Hollywood inaccuracies, Marsden explains why getting it right matters. He also opens up about leadership on set, lessons learned from Michael Caine, and why he believes Veterans make outstanding actors and filmmakers.Whether you're a Veteran, an aspiring actor, or someone who believes in honoring service through story, this episode is packed with insight, authenticity, and appreciation for those who’ve served.

In this episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry sits down with Army officer and viral military influencer Austin von Letkemann, better known as Mandatory Fun Day. With a decade as an enlisted soldier before commissioning, Austin delivers raw, hilarious, and brutally honest insights about military life — from barracks blunders to leadership that forgets birthdays but remembers formation at 0500.Austin shares how humor isn’t just a coping tool — it’s a leadership strategy. He’s built a massive online following by “going after bullies,” calling out dysfunction, and giving voice to the frustrations of everyday troops. But behind the satire is purpose: mental health advocacy, pushing policy change, and honoring the service member’s time and dignity.Together, John and Austin explore the thin line between critique and insubordination, the impact of social media from within the ranks, and what it means to serve authentically in a hyper-regulated world.Whether you’re a salty E-7, a brand-new butter bar, or a civilian trying to understand military culture — this episode will hit home, make you laugh, and maybe make you think twice before scheduling that zero-dark-thirty division run.

Air Force veteran Marlie Andersch, CEO of rockITdata, shares her raw journey from launching a tech startup before COVID to scaling in GovCon and AI. She dives into lessons on leadership, layoffs, hiring mistakes (including an AI bot!), and the real cost of loyalty. If you're building, leading, or navigating the veteran-to-entrepreneur path, this is 35 minutes of insight you can't afford to miss.

Think leaders always eat last? Never take flak? Always confident? Think again. In this raw and real episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry debunks 3 of the biggest leadership myths holding teams back. If you're serious about leading well—especially under pressure—this is the one you can’t miss.

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry explores the critical role of external partners—your attachments and detachments—in achieving organizational success. Drawing parallels to military operations, John discusses how to identify aligned vendors, assess contracts, manage expectations, and avoid costly mistakes. With firsthand stories of collaboration, failure, and redemption, this episode offers practical frameworks for choosing consultants and vendors who elevate your mission rather than hinder it. Whether you're scaling a business or hiring your first vendor, these lessons will help you lead with clarity and accountability.

In this episode of Veteran Led, host John Berry sits down with Bronze Star recipient and Gulf War Veteran Steven Kuhn—author of Unleash Your Humble Alpha and co-founder of Novascale Partners. Steven shares how military principles like urgency, adaptability, and unwavering purpose fueled his rise from a post-service identity crisis to leading billion-dollar international deals. You’ll hear lessons from the battlefield to the boardroom, the story behind the “humble alpha” mindset, and how Veterans can tap into their authentic identity to lead with confidence, clarity, and conviction. Whether you're transitioning out of the military, leading a business, or finding your purpose, this episode delivers hard-won insights from a life of bold pivots, deep failures, and relentless forward motion.

Hooked from the first pill, headed for Leavenworth. In this gripping episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with David Mike—former soldier, convicted drug dealer, and now author of Dishonor. From a broken leg at Airborne School to the darkness of addiction and the light of redemption, this is a raw, emotional journey of failure, faith, and finding purpose after disgrace. You won't believe where his story ends—or begins again.

Step inside the battlefield of leadership failures with Veteran Led. In this episode, Veterans pull no punches as they expose the worst leadership they've ever witnessed — no names needed, just hard truths. From selfish credit-grabbers and insecure tyrants to mission-driven disasters that cost lives, our guests share jaw-dropping, raw stories that every leader (and aspiring leader) needs to hear.You'll learn what not to do when trust, respect, and lives are on the line. These are the critical leadership lessons earned the hard way — with scars, sweat, and sometimes heartbreaking loss.Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a Veteran, or someone climbing the leadership ranks, these real-world examples will shake you, sharpen you, and challenge you to lead better.When leaders fail, entire missions — and people — suffer. Listen, learn, and never make these mistakes yourself.Bad leadership destroys.Real leadership protects.Veteran Led shows you the difference.

You can’t change the people around you—but you can change who you’re around. John Berry breaks down elite leadership and building A-player teams.

When life blows up—literally—you either sink or rise stronger. In this episode of Veteran Led, soldier in the special operations community, turned powerhouse CEO, Channing Walker, shares how he went from IED survivor to scaling multimillion-dollar ventures. Dive into Channing’s no-fluff lessons on building unstoppable teams, winning federal contracts against billion-dollar competitors, and why real leaders never "burn the ships"—they build the plan, the team, and the future. It's a raw, unfiltered masterclass in resilience, leadership, and turning battlefield grit into boardroom victories. If you’ve ever doubted your next move or felt the weight of leadership, this is your blueprint for triumph. Listen and fuel your fight.

Numbers track our progress, but they don’t tell our story. In this episode, John S. Berry breaks down why true leadership isn’t found in statistics, but in the moments we rise after failure. Learn how veterans are conditioned to win through relentless preparation, resilience, and character under pressure. Subscribe and discover how to turn your toughest challenges into defining victories—both in business and in life.

In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, host John Berry sits down with trailblazer Lieutenant General Jody Daniels, Ret., the first woman to command the U.S. Army Reserve. With over 41 years of military service and a successful civilian career at Lockheed Martin, Dr. Daniels shares raw insights on what it takes to lead nearly 200,000 service members, challenge outdated systems, and reshape military culture.From battling meaningless metrics to advocating for tough, realistic training done safely, General Daniels walks us through her evolution as a leader—and why embracing transparency, empowering junior leaders, and pushing for policy change matter more than ever. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and bridging the gap between military and civilian success.If you're a veteran, leader, or changemaker, this episode will challenge your thinking—and leave you inspired to lead with purpose.

What happens when a Marine officer, Silicon Valley engineer, and fintech disruptor builds a better way for law firms to get paid? On this episode of Veteran Led, host John Berry sits down with Emery Wager, co-founder & CEO of Confido Legal. From combat tours in Afghanistan to streamlining cash flow for thousands of law firms, Emery shares why financial clarity is the lifeblood of legal success—and how great leadership starts with ownership. Tune in for real talk on accountability, client experience, and the business side of law that too many attorneys ignore.

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Travis Mack, Chairman and CEO of Saalex Corporation, as he shares valuable lessons on scaling businesses. A decorated Navy Veteran turned successful entrepreneur; Travis breaks down the crucial decisions leaders face when growing their organizations.​​Key Takeaways:​• How to identify when to develop internal talent vs. hiring externally ​• The evolution of company culture through different growth stages ​• Why structure and oversight increase with organizational growth ​• The importance of tactical empathy in leadership ​• Creating equity opportunities to attract and retain top talent​​Explore Resources from this episode:​https://saalex.com/​https://www.greenwoodselfstoragefunds.com/​https://www.themackfoundation.com/​https://valeonetworks.com/ ​

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Dave Bray, former Navy Corpsman and Marine Corps Veteran turned rock star, as he shares his remarkable journey from serving with the Marines to becoming a prominent voice in patriotic rock music. Dave discusses how his military service shaped his music career and his ongoing mission to honor Veterans and first responders through powerful performances.​​Featured Quote:​ "You still swore an oath. You still owe that oath to the people of America, and you need to continue some service. Don't just go disappearing into the ether. Find something that you love, share it with the world, and continue your service to your country."​​Explore Resources from this episode:​https://www.davebrayusa.com

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Yolanda Clarke, a former Army Intelligence Officer who has successfully transitioned into the role of CEO at Powder River Industries. Named after her Wyoming roots, Yolanda shares how authenticity and transparency shaped her company's identity while navigating the challenges of building a business during frequent PCS moves as a military spouse. Her unique perspective on leadership, shaped by her military experience, offers invaluable insights on pushing high performers beyond their comfort zones and maintaining high standards in the civilian business world.​​Through compelling stories and reflection, Yolanda opens up about the hard lessons learned in business development, including a pivotal moment involving a $600 million proposal that taught her the importance of clear communication and proper business protocols. She discusses the delicate balance of being a "good guy" in business while protecting your interests, and shares powerful insights about leadership accountability, team building, and the transition from military intelligence to corporate success.​​Key Topics Covered:​• The story behind naming Powder River Industries and the importance of authenticity in business ​• Navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship while managing military family life ​• Critical lessons learned from a $600 million proposal development experience ​• Building high-performance teams and pushing beyond comfort zones ​• The importance of clear expectations and accountability in leadership ​• Transitioning military leadership skills to the business world ​• Overcoming challenges as a woman in male-dominated industries​​Explore Resources from this episode:​Powder River Industries | United States

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Barb Carson, Managing Director of Programs and Services at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, Air Force Veteran Barb Carson shares invaluable insights on leadership, transition, and Veteran support. As a leader at IVMF (Institute for Veterans and Military Families), Barb discusses how military experience shapes civilian success.​​Key Takeaways:​Translating military skills to civilian careers​The importance of building strong support networks​Leadership principles that transcend sectors​How IVMF supports veteran entrepreneurship​Explore Resources from this episode:​D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Ray  Toenniessen, Deputy Executive Director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and​ Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. Through IVMF's innovative programs, including Onward to Opportunity and their entrepreneurship initiatives, the institute serves over 20,000 service members, Veterans, and military families annually.​​Ray offers insights into authentic leadership development, drawing from both his military experience and civilian career. The conversation delves deep into what makes an effective leader, emphasizing the importance of being present and avoiding ego-driven decision-making. Ray's perspective on translating military leadership skills to civilian success provides valuable lessons for Veterans in transition and established leaders alike.​​What you'll learn in this episode:​Learn how IVMF serves 20,000 veterans annually.​Understand how corporate partnerships fuel Veteran support.​Gain insights on translating military leadership to civilian success.Explore Resources from this episode:​D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Terry Hill, the Co-Head of Emerging Middle Market and Co-Head of Veteran Initiatives for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. Hill – a U.S. Army Veteran and a West Point graduate – helps lead the firm’s efforts to support veteran and military spouse founders and business leaders. Hill plays an active role in CEOcircle, a program for veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs led by D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) and sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. ​​Berry and Hill delve into the crucial role veteran and military-community business owners play in the economy, leadership lessons from the military to run effective teams, JPMorganChase’s broader work supporting veterans and the military community and more. ​​What You’ll Learn:​How Veterans can break into the finance industry and thrive​Why leadership isn’t about rank—and how to create impactful teams at any level​The inside story of CEOCircle: a game-changer for Veteran entrepreneurs​JPMorganChase’s commitment to hiring, training, and supporting 18,000+ Veterans​Practical advice for Veterans transitioning into business and beyond​Whether you’re a Veteran looking to scale your business, navigate a career change, or simply gain insight into leadership that drives results, this episode delivers actionable takeaways you won’t want to miss.​​Explore Resources from the Episode:​JPMorganChase Veterans Programs​CEOCircle Program at Syracuse University’s IVMF