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Bootleg Barbecue And Big-Heart Mentorship
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A lot of people say they want to support veterans. Jon King is building systems that actually do it, one mentor match and one shared meal at a time. John spent over 20 years in the Air Force and Army, flew medevac missions, and lived the kind of pressure most of us can’t fully picture. After leaving the service and navigating disability, career shifts, and a major layoff, he put his energy into work that feels real, local, and human.
We talk about Bootleg Barbecue and why feeding people is more than a side hustle. John explains how a room full of disagreement can go quiet over good food, and how that one shared “yes” becomes a bridge to everything else. From there, we dig into Veteran Reach Back Group and the Eagle Rising Foundation, including a mentorship model that removes cost barriers for mentors and mentees, and a smart way to partner with small businesses so the program can sustain itself.
Jon also lays out a bigger vision: mentorship at every level, entrepreneurial support for transitioning service members, and even VR-based skill transfer that lets experienced vets coach the next generation from anywhere. If you care about veteran transition, mentorship, PTSD recovery paths, community events, and veteran entrepreneurship, this conversation delivers practical ideas and a lot of hope. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re going to use.
This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com
You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world.
“Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com”
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By Mike
5
1313 ratings
Send us Fan Mail
A lot of people say they want to support veterans. Jon King is building systems that actually do it, one mentor match and one shared meal at a time. John spent over 20 years in the Air Force and Army, flew medevac missions, and lived the kind of pressure most of us can’t fully picture. After leaving the service and navigating disability, career shifts, and a major layoff, he put his energy into work that feels real, local, and human.
We talk about Bootleg Barbecue and why feeding people is more than a side hustle. John explains how a room full of disagreement can go quiet over good food, and how that one shared “yes” becomes a bridge to everything else. From there, we dig into Veteran Reach Back Group and the Eagle Rising Foundation, including a mentorship model that removes cost barriers for mentors and mentees, and a smart way to partner with small businesses so the program can sustain itself.
Jon also lays out a bigger vision: mentorship at every level, entrepreneurial support for transitioning service members, and even VR-based skill transfer that lets experienced vets coach the next generation from anywhere. If you care about veteran transition, mentorship, PTSD recovery paths, community events, and veteran entrepreneurship, this conversation delivers practical ideas and a lot of hope. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you’re going to use.
This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you’re just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com
You can support the show in a few different ways—by grabbing something from our merch store, picking up a copy of my book, or joining us on Buy Me a Coffee. Every bit of support helps keep the podcast going and also helps us give back to nonprofits doing good in the world.
“Intro music: ‘Human First’ by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com”
Support the show