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 incredible guests.

In this episode, we cover:

- 10 key lessons from Season 1:

1. Defining your own version of success

2. Starting with what you don't want

3. If you chase money, it runs4. Experimenting and iterating to find the right fit for YOU

5. Networking with curiosity and adding value first

6. Selling yourself

7. If you're feeling imposter syndrome, lean in

8. You're not committing to a contract

9. Leveraging veteran resources

10. Transition is a lifelong process

- 4 things to do immediately after leaving the service: SkillBridge, using your VA home loan (especially for multi-units), taking the VA claims process seriously, and maximizing education benefits (GI Bill, VR&E, veteran scholarships).

- The three biggest “losses” veterans face post-transition: purpose, tribe, and security.

We close Season 1 the same way we started — making the military transition easier, one conversation at a time.

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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 in Honor, a company dedicated to helping veterans buy and sell businesses.

Patrick’s journey is anything but typical. He’s been injured in Afghanistan, bitten by a cobra, worked in finance, distanced himself from the veteran community, and then found renewed purpose in guiding service members toward entrepreneurship.

We talk about:

- Why buying a business can be a better path than starting one from scratch

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with LTG (Ret) Michael Ferriter — a career Army leader whose service spanned 35 years, from mechanized infantry platoon leader to commanding the U.S. Army’s Advising and Training Mission in Iraq.

Michael’s journey is filled with lessons in integrity, resilience, and leadership — from being the only Captain to graduate in his Ranger School class, to pioneering Army combatives and becoming the only father-son duo to ever command the same Ranger Regiment Company.

We talk about:

- Why your faith, family, friends, and integrity should remain intact at all costs

- “Hands-on inspired leadership” and his command philosophy: Do your best, do what’s right, improve daily, build teams, show you care, and never quit

- How to recognize when someone’s asking you to compromise your values — and what to do about it

- Building and maintaining teams in uniform and beyond

- His work with the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, The Ferriter Group, and veteran mental health initiatives

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with LTG Ferriter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelferriter/

The Ferriter Group: https://www.theferritergroup.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like LTG Ferriter’s.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we talk with Adam Whisler — a former Infantry Officer in the 10th Mountain Division, Tactical Strength & Conditioning Specialist for the U.S. Space Force, and 2023 Tillman Scholar.

Adam shares his unique journey from combat arms to academic research, and how he’s using AI to revolutionize physical training in the military. More importantly, he breaks down how he and his wife both funded several advanced degrees using nothing but the GI Bill and smart scholarship strategies.

We discuss:

• How to fully leverage GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, and outside scholarships

• Lessons from applying (and reapplying) for the Tillman Scholarship

This episode could literally be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars if you’re a service member or veteran planning for school.

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Adam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-whisler-2021/

• GI Bill Comparison Tool for finding out if the University accepts GI bill: https://www.va.gov/education/gi-bill-comparison-tool/
• Yellow Ribbon Tool to see if the University offers Yellow Ribbon Coverage, how much, and for how many students: https://www.va.gov/education/yellow-ribbon-participating-schools/

• Pat Tillman Foundation: https://pattillmanfoundation.org/
• Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) information: https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Adam’s.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Adam Stark — former Israeli Defense Forces Airborne Special Forces operator, real estate tech founder, and host of the Veterans Who Build podcast.

Adam shares his remarkable journey from a military upbringing shaped by his family’s immigrant resilience, to launching a construction management software company, Jet.Build, and building a platform that spotlights veteran entrepreneurs in the tech and real estate space.

We dive into:

• What Adam learned from his parents—who fled Morocco and Hungary—and how it shaped his entrepreneurial mindset

• His transition from the IDF to the U.S. startup world

• Building Jet.Build and scaling in the proptech space

• How podcasting can deepen relationships, increase opportunity flow, and shape community

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 nonprofit dedicated to equine-assisted wellness and coaching for SEALs, SWCC, and EOD personnel.

We explore how horses became an unexpected — but deeply powerful — path to healing, transition, and continued service.

We discuss:

• Why Mike and Rich started Hold the Reins and who it’s for

• How high performers benefit from slowing down and reconnecting with nature

• The similarities between surfing and riding — and why horses can unlock healing

• Navigating the post-military identity shift

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Jay Miseli — a former Army Armor Officer turned executive and entrepreneur.

Jay shares his journey of post-military reinvention: from starting with a traditional transition playbook to realizing he had fallen into the trap of not breaking the paradigm. His reflections are brutally honest, deeply relatable, and incredibly helpful for any veteran navigating uncertainty after service.

We cover:

- Why doing “everything right” doesn’t guarantee fulfillment

- The power (and danger) of identity anchors from the military

- Misapplied purpose: how to recognize it and recalibrate

- Advice on navigating missteps, emotional burnout, and leadership friction

- Lessons from building Red Thread X, a company transforming the conference experience in tech and defense

Jay’s story is a reminder that transition isn’t a single event - it’s an ongoing journey that requires curiosity, courage, and the willingness to reinvent yourself.

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Jay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymiseli/

Red Thread X: https://www.theredthreadx.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Jay’s.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Louis Netherland — a former Army Cavalry Officer, Foreign Area Officer, and current Business Development leader at Collins Aerospace.

Louis offers a thoughtful and realistic look at the veteran transition process. After a decorated military career, Louis found himself navigating multiple career pivots — from consulting to business development, both in the U.S. and internationally.

We talk about:

- How to “stay in touch just enough” to be top of mind for your next opportunity

- The power of connections that are three or four degrees of separation away

- Leaning into the network established while in the military, even if it's intimidating or initially unclear that network even exists

- Leveraging the soft skills and valuable experience gained from service

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Louis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-netherland-922795a6/

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Louis'.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

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—taking on opportunities in Iraq and the defense contracting world before eventually becoming CEO of a family office-backed defense company in Europe.

Today, Patrick is the founder and CEO of Ajax Defense, a precision manufacturing firm that supplies mission-critical parts to companies like Raytheon. He’s also a veteran advocate, entrepreneur, and investor with a deep passion for helping service members avoid the “transition trap”—falling into misaligned careers after military life.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Patrick shares hard-earned insights on:

• What veterans get wrong about their first job after the military

• The value of asking good questions and having 50+ career conversations

• The pros and cons of working at big companies vs. scrappy startups

• Building companies with purpose and reinvesting in veteran talent

• Lessons from early mistakes and the power of reinvention after setbacks

• • Why your values—not your resume—should shape your transition

  -------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Patrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmalcor/

  https://ajax-defense.com/

  -------------------------------------------------------------

  Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

  Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

  -------------------------------------------------------------

  If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Patrick's.

  And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

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 the Navy on fast attack submarines. He started originating loans while still on active duty and went on to buy 7 houses in Hawaii, proving that building wealth doesn’t have to wait until after the military.

Now based in San Antonio, Chris leads the REV Mortgage team and helps veterans across the country understand and leverage their VA loan benefits to build generational wealth.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Chris started his career buying a small townhouse with a VA loan and leveraged that into his current portfolio

• Why every veteran should understand their VA loan

• What to do when your transition plans take an unexpected turn

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-cano-18251842/

https://www.gorevmortgage.com/

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Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Chris'.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

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 successful real estate career.

Liz opens up about the identity loss that often follows transition, what it’s like to step into commission-only work, and the mindset shifts that helped her persevere.

Her story is a real look at what it takes to rebuild after military service, and why betting on yourself is always worth it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- The emotional and financial challenges of post-military life

- How Liz navigated fear and self-doubt as a first-time entrepreneur

- The role of discipline, consistency, and coaching in career growth

- Why veterans are well-equipped for high-stakes, people-focused work

- Practical tips for transitioning service members exploring real estate

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Liz: https://www.lizkeepsitreal.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-keeps-it-real-estate/-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Liz's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

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 back stronger than ever. After losing his right leg from the knee down in Iraq, Dave became the first amputee since the Civil War to return to combat in the same theater.

His story isn’t just one of physical recovery - it’s about identity, leadership, family, and purpose.

Now working in veteran advocacy for the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs, Dave reflects on what real service means, how to find mission after the military, and why veterans are unique positioned to do great things after their time in service ends.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why Dave chose to return to combat after his injury and what it taught him

• The moment he realized recovery was a leadership opportunity

• Insights on resilience, reinvention, and the veteran identity

• What amputees and elite athletes have in common

• Thoughts on building meaningful relationships and a fulfilling second career

• • Why “winning” post-military life isn’t about titles - it’s about alignment and impact

  
  

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  Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-rozelle-8814892/

  Back In Action book: https://amzn.to/4jEQRZH

  SC Department of Veterans Affairs: https://scdva.sc.gov/

  American Corporate Partners: https://www.acp-usa.org/

  -------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

  Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

  -------------------------------------------------------------

  If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Dave's.

  And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Harrison Lewis, a former Army Special Operations soldier turned physical therapist and entrepreneur.

Harrison served in the 10th Mountain Division, 75th Ranger Regiment, and 160th SOAR before transitioning into civilian life and launching GRND, a fitness and wellness brand focused on performance, resilience, and mental clarity.

But his path wasn’t straightforward.

From running production operations overseas to bootstrapping a $70k product launch while finishing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, Harrison’s story is packed with grit, clarity, and conviction.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Harrison’s time in Special Operations shaped his approach to leadership and discipline

• Why he believes wellness starts with identity, consistency, and challenge

• The lessons learned launching a brand while managing school, service, and startup chaos

• Why living by a personal code (“25 Commandments”) keeps him grounded

Johnny DeMaddalena straddles two worlds: service in the Army Reserves and scaling startups in the civilian sector. In this episode, we unpack his unique journey - from starting a dog treat company in high school to launching a web platform for small businesses.

Johnny shares lessons from trial-and-error ventures, his approach to time-boxing new ideas, and how being a reservist has shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.

We cover:

• What it’s like to “transition” every month as a reservist

• Why Guard/Reserve can be a powerful option after active duty

• His time with privacy-focused voice tech, real estate ops, and Bitcoin hedge fund modeling

• Launching Wirechunk to simplify web presence for small businesses

• How programmatic SEO can drive local service success

• Johnny’s framework for choosing what venture to pursue next

• How the Army taught him to operate on short timelines and why that’s a superpower

• His open offer: weekly office hours to help fellow veterans build and brainstorm

Takeaway Quote:
“If you’re getting out of the military and you’ve got 15 ideas - ask around. Someone’s already been there and can help you take the next step.”

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Connect with Johnny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-demaddalena/

Wirechunk:  https://wirechunk.com/
Calendly Vet Office Hours:  https://calendly.com/johnny-wirechunk/veteran-office-hours

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Johnny's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

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 helping service members maximize their benefits and build lives they actually want.

In this episode, Alex shares his journey from flying fighter jets to backpacking across the globe, launching e-commerce businesses, investing in real estate, and designing a life centered on freedom, family, and purpose. Now based between London, Mexico City, and Dubai with his growing family, Alex is helping fellow veterans take control of their lives and leverage the benefits they’ve earned.

We cover:

• Using the VA loan to house hack small multiunit properties

• How Alex built a 25-person e-commerce business while traveling

• The story behind Master of the Military and tremendous value of the community

• The 4-part framework for evaluating new chapters: Credential, Knowledge, Network, and Experience

• His next chapter: MBA at London Business School

• Practical advice for setting financial guardrails and rejecting the traditional career path

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Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-lisot/

Master the Military: https://www.skool.com/masterthemilitary/about?ref=02d37bf47cb343c99c434c798f5d684e

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Alex's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we talk with Dan Sepulveda — a Navy corpsman who served alongside the Marine Corps in Afghanistan before transitioning into a thriving career in real estate in Hawaii.

After saving six figures while on active duty, Dan purchased his first condo and never looked back. His focus on competency, discipline, and daily improvement helped him grow from a new agent to the principal broker of a firm with over 200 agents. But his success wasn’t just financial — Dan shares the turning point that changed his mindset, the influence of stoicism, and why curating your environment and thoughts is essential after the military.

We cover:

• How Dan went from enlisted sailor to real estate leader in Hawaii

• The power of saving, financial literacy, and taking calculated risks

• Why mindset and personal development matter more than ever post-service

• How to rebuild your tribe after the military

Brendan Aronson is a Naval Academy grad, former Marine infantry officer, Wharton MBA, and founder of The Military Veteran (TMV). He turned down offers from Google, Goldman Sachs, and other top companies to launch ventures supporting the veteran community.

In this episode, we cover:

• The biggest lessons from hosting over 100 episodes of the MilVet Podcast.

• Why "distribution is the first problem every founder must solve."

• How volunteering at a nonprofit led to co-founding a national career platform for veterans.

• The most undervalued skill in transition: authentic networking.

• What Brendan is building now — a fund of funds investing in defense tech and veteran-led businesses.

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 defense technology.

Julian shares how he:

• Made the difficult decision to leave the Army after eight years, despite a promising path ahead.

• Used unstructured time — surfing, reflecting, and coaching — to redefine his identity and career goals.

• Pivoted from aiming for the surf industry to finding a deep sense of purpose in defense tech through his work at Anduril Industries.

• Navigated the emotional challenges of transition, including identity shifts, moving locations, and managing expectations around success.

• Stays grounded today through his work, family, and maintaining "unstructured play" as a cornerstone of fulfillment.

Whether you're considering your own transition or simply want a reminder that it's okay — and even essential — to slow down and think differently about success, Julian’s story offers valuable insights.

Key Themes:

• The importance of agency after the military "conveyor belt" ends.

• How the loss of structure can become an opportunity for growth.

• Why identity shifts are necessary, not scary.

• The power of surrounding yourself with mission-driven people.

Jesse Iwuji is a Naval Academy graduate, former Surface Warfare Officer, and current professional NASCAR driver and entrepreneur. But his path was anything but conventional.

In this episode, Jesse shares how he went from a late start in football to playing Division I at the Naval Academy, then made the improbable leap from active duty to professional racing - without a racing background, connections, or money. What made it all possible? Vision, grit, and an unshakable mindset.

We cover:

• Jesse’s journey from the Navy to NASCAR

• How he taught himself racing while still serving

• The mindset of becoming the person your goals require

• Translating military experience into civilian impact

• Starting businesses to fund your dreams

• Partnering with his childhood idol, Emmitt Smith

• Advice for veterans transitioning to a new mission

Whether your dream is racing or something entirely different, Jesse’s story is a blueprint for chasing bold goals with relentless belief and effort.

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Follow Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseiwuji/

https://www.instagram.com/jesse_iwuji/

https://www.jesseiwuji.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Jesse's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

Ben Balsley has spent the last decade as a private equity-backed operator - leading teams, scaling companies, and executing buy-and-build strategies across multiple industries. But before his success in the business world, Ben started his professional career as a Field Artillery officer in the Army.

After earning his MBA from UNC, Ben held leadership roles in logistics, telecom, mortgage services, and tech before becoming CEO of HighGround Restoration Group - a fast-growing PE-backed platform that acquires and builds restoration businesses nationwide.

In this episode, we cover:

- Transitioning from the military while stationed overseas

- Why Ben pursued an MBA and who else should consider it

- The value of adaptability and learning across industries

- What it really means to be a "PE operator"

- How HighGround is building a veteran-friendly workforce

- What to look for in great hires and how veterans can stand out

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, private equity, or simply building a meaningful post-military career, Ben’s story is packed with practical wisdom and insight.

-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-balsley-02b5b6/

HighGround Restoration Group: www.highgroundnow.com

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Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

-------------------------------------------------------------

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Ben's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.