Mike Dell went from serving in the Air Force to building one of the most respected names in podcasting and he's got 20+ years of hard-won insight to prove it.

In this Creator Conversations session with guest host, Lechon Kirb, Mike shares how veterans can use podcasting to tell their stories, own their intellectual property, and build lasting networks that go far beyond a social media algorithm.

As a driving force behind Blubrry, Mike breaks down how the platform supports veteran creators and independent networks, what it really takes to get your technical setup right, and why video podcasting is the next frontier you can't afford to ignore.

📌 CONNECT WITH Mike Dell:

Mike's Website: https: https://mikedell.com/

Blubrry Website: https://blubrry.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgdell/

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

🪖 Military Creator Con brings together veteran storytellers, creators, and entrepreneurs to share, connect, and grow. Subscribe for more Creator Conversations.

"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable."

Most marketers play it safe. Cliff Quicksell has built a career doing the opposite and after decades in the industry, he's convinced that the willingness to fail, experiment, and get genuinely uncomfortable is the only thing that keeps you relevant.

Military Creator Con, Cofounder, James Van Prooyen sits with Cliff to break down how creativity and innovation actually work in marketing, why so many businesses stagnate by sticking to what's already working, and how embracing failure completely changed his approach to leadership and life.

If you've been playing it safe, this episode is your wake-up call.

📌 CONNECT WITH CLIFF QUICKSELL:

Website: https://www.quicksellspeaks.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffquicksell1/

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

Isolation is one of the most dangerous things an entrepreneur can face, and for veterans making the leap into business, it can be the thing that quietly kills momentum before it ever builds. D. Scott has spent years studying what actually holds communities together, how storytelling creates trust at scale, and where AI fits into the future of authentic human connection.

In this conversation with Military CreatorCon co-founder Marah Lago, he breaks it all down with the kind of practical, no-fluff insight that only comes from someone who has lived it.

📌 CONNECT WITH D. SCOTT SMITH:

Website: https://www.dscottsmith.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCEW7fRgqZ8yWVJAP6xSYImQ

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dscottsmith/

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

"Technology should serve human connection, not replace it."

One of the hardest parts of leaving military service isn't the career transition, it's losing the relationships. The tight-knit bonds built over years of service tend to fade fast once you're back in civilian life, and most veterans never find a real solution for it. Junhao Chen and Erik Gonzalez did something about it. Their company Tenur is a voice relationship operating system that uses AI to help people maintain authentic, meaningful connections, not just collect contacts.

We also get into their entrepreneurial journey, the concept of category design and why creating something genuinely new is harder, and more rewarding, than competing in an existing space, and where relationship tech is headed next including wearables and seamless interfaces that make staying connected feel completely natural.

📌 CONNECT WITH JUNHAO CHEN & ERIC RODRIGUEZ:

Website: https://www.tenur.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tenurai/

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

Thomas Long is a 100% permanent & total disabled veteran, 3-time suicide survivor, and CEO of Apex Business Alliance, and his story will stop you in your tracks. In this conversation, Thomas opens up about losing 150+ pounds without surgery, escaping a dark chapter of alcoholism and near-death, and how faith, family, and community pulled him back from the edge.

Guest host, Travis Partington of Oscar Mike Radio breaks down with Thomas on why traditional networking is broken and how Apex is building something better: real relationships, built with honor, integrity, and service.

Thanks to this episode’s host, Travis Partington at @oscarmikeradioonmission-al6081

Website: https://oscarmikeradio.com/

Thomas and Travis will be at Military Creator Con 2026 | April 16–18 | Arlington, TX

🎖️ 🔗 Learn more about Apex: apexba.world

📧 Email Thomas: [email protected]

📞 Call/Text: 215-520-8826

🏆 National Social Media Awards (June 7, Hollywood): recognizing 75 veterans this year

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

Mr. Whiskey went from operating nuclear systems in the Navy to building one of the most community-driven voices in the veteran creator space and his reason for making that leap will resonate with anyone who's ever felt the pull to do something more.

CoFounder, Military Creator Con, James Van Prooyen chats with Mr. Whiskey to open up about why podcasting became his vehicle for healing and connection, how the creator community mirrors the tight-knit bonds of military service, and why choosing collaboration over competition is the real growth strategy nobody talks about enough.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations at the intersection of military service, creativity, and community.

📌 CONNECT WITH MR WHISKEY:

Website: https://www.coupleonukes.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCgbjft4XUbsokd08xQPrSow

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mr-whiskey-921b70299/

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

Jaime Jay went from jumping out of planes with the 82nd Airborne to building a business that's completely rewriting how entrepreneurs think about delegation and it all connects back to his military roots.

CoFounder, Military Creator Con, Marah Lago chats with Jaime to break down his concept of "delegation intelligence" - a smarter, leadership-driven approach to virtual assistance that has slashed industry turnover from 38% to just 8.7%.

If you've ever struggled to hand off tasks and actually trust the process, this episode will change how you think about building a team.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly content on the creator economy, veteran entrepreneurship, and building a life you actually want.

📌 CONNECT WITH DONNIE BOIVIN:

Website: https://successchampionnetworking.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC7dWCHPdMBE4iomwQkn4W9g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnieboivin/

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

What does it take to go from military service to building a successful business empire?

Donnie Boivin breaks it all down - the failures, the breakthroughs, and the exact strategies that changed everything. In this episode, special host, Lechon Kirb sits with Donnie to explore his proven 30-30-30 methodology for networking, thought leadership, and outreach, plus why sharing your business failures might be the most powerful thing you can do for your brand and your community. 💡

If you're ready to stop playing small and start building something real, hit subscribe and join our community of veterans, military spouses, and creators doing the work.

🔔 Subscribe for weekly content on the creator economy, veteran entrepreneurship, and building a life you actually want.

📌 CONNECT WITH DONNIE BOIVIN: Website: https://successchampionnetworking.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC7dWCHPdMBE4iomwQkn4W9g LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnieboivin/

📌 JOIN and CONNECT WITH US:

Website: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

📌 LEARN MORE ABOUT LECHON KIRB: Lechon Kirb: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lechonkirb/

Market Theory: https://markettheory.framer.website/

"My nerdy side loves data and AI."

Discover how one veteran, Will Curtis, Owner of Crossed Sabers Commercial Real Estate turned military skills into commercial real estate success and how he’s using AI and data to help creators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs thrive. What happens when veterans apply strategy, data, and AI to entrepreneurship?

In this Military Creator Con Conversation, we dive into real estate, marketing, and business growth with a scientific edge. From leveraging psychographics and demographics to using AI for smarter decisions, this episode shows how veterans can turn analytical thinking into actionable strategies for success.

💡 Learn more about Will Curtis: https://www.willspeaksforfood.com/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WillCurtis-CCIM

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcurtisccim/

Support and join our event Military Creator Con: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

🎥 Don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from military creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs shaping the creator economy.

What happens when an Apache helicopter pilot trades the cockpit for entrepreneurship?

In this conversation, Army veteran Andrew Arbogast shares the wild journey behind turning his father’s cheese dip recipe into a fast-growing retail brand. From launching in 100 stores to over 2,000, nearly losing everything, and rebuilding after massive setbacks, Andrew opens up about risk, failure, faith, and starting again.

This episode is part of the Military Creator Con Conversations series, where veterans share the real stories behind creativity, entrepreneurship, and building something meaningful after service. Sometimes the best comeback starts with failure.

Support and join our event Military Creator Con: https://www.militarycreatorcon.com/

Thank you to Guest Host: Marah Lago, Founder, Military Creator Con

Learn more about our Veteran, Andrew Arbogast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arbosdip

Arbo's Cheese Dip: https://www.arboscheesedip.com/