MILMO Show

Life is so precious, and I'm squeezing my family a lot tighter this week. Last week, I lost my grandmother. I'm recording this on the morning of her funeral, as I get ready to celebrate her life and say goodbye.

I feel incredibly blessed that she lived to be over 98 years old and that I was able to spend so much time with her. And even more thankful that I was able to sit down and record this conversation with my Grandmother. Having her voice, her stories, and her laughter captured in this episode is something I'll cherish.

When I meet listeners in person, this episode is something people frequently mention. It's a special episode for me, and I wanted to share it again, both for those who've never heard it and for those who loved it the first time.

Here's the encore airing of My Grandma's Story, originally released on March 22, 2021.

We're diving into investing with Cale Smith, founder and CEO of Bastion Fiduciary, a veteran-led fee-only RIA, and portfolio manager for the Bastion Energy Fund, an actively managed ETF. As a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Cale brings a unique perspective shaped by both military service and decades in finance.

In this episode, he explains what a portfolio manager really does, the differences between ETFs, mutual funds, and index funds, and why most investors are better off keeping things simple. We also talk about leadership in investing, the biggest mistakes military families make with money, and why having a framework is essential for long-term success in the market.

Show notes can be found here: https://milmo.co/podcast/investing-with-discipline-for-military-families

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Do you know what it takes to lead when the uniform comes off? My guest is Mark Tilsher, a 21-year veteran of the Air Force who has dedicated his career to developing resilient leaders across military, corporate, and community settings.

In this episode, Mark shares how veterans can adapt their leadership to the civilian workplace, avoid common pitfalls, and use their skills to thrive in their careers. We also discuss his personal financial journey from $97,000 in debt to debt-free and the lessons he learned along the way about risk, resilience, and family. https://milmo.co/podcast/building-high-performing-teams

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Have you ever stood in line for something free and realized it actually wasn't worth it? That moment sparked today's guest, Army veteran and financial planner Rob Moore, to develop a simple but actionable framework he calls flipping the value. Rob is the founder of Everman Prosperity, where he helps military families and those in transition make confident financial decisions. ​ In our chat, we discuss how flipping the value works in everyday life, from outsourcing chores to buying cars to choosing experiences over stuff, and why this perspective can help you avoid guilt, cut down on regret, and actually enjoy your decisions. We also dig into financial planning challenges unique to the military community, like the TSP, liquid savings, and preparing for retirement with confidence. Don't miss the end, we wrap things up with some fun trivia in honor of Rob's career as an Army percussionist. https://milmo.co/podcast/flipping-value

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This episode is for every military spouse and veteran who's ever wondered how to earn income on your own terms around military life. My guest, Melissa Broughton, is the creator of The 1-Hour Bookkeeper and founder of Busy Bee Advisors. She's on a mission to help military spouses launch bookkeeping businesses that fit their lives —flexible hours, work from anywhere, and with the potential for a six-figure income.

Melissa shares her personal story of walking away from corporate burnout, why bookkeeping is a hidden gem of a business, and how anyone, even with zero experience, can learn the skills in just weeks. We'll talk about freedom, flexibility, and building a business that works around your life, not the other way around. https://milmo.co/podcast/side-hustle-bookkeeping

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Welcome to this special episode of the MILMO Show! Today's my birthday, and I'm celebrating by doing something I love—talking business, family, and protecting what you've worked hard to build. And I get to do it with my cousin, Mark Flanigan.

Mark is an intellectual property lawyer with experience spanning startups to Fortune 500 companies. His work has spanned patents for medical devices, trademarks for global brands, and volunteer advocacy on behalf of veterans. He's also an Army brat who now calls Switzerland home.

In this episode, we dig into the world of trademarks—what they are, why military service members, veterans, and spouses should care, and how to avoid costly mistakes when naming or branding your business. Plus, we swap a few family stories, because it's my birthday, and you know I'm going to have some fun.

So if you've ever wondered whether your business name is truly protected, or what you can and can't use when it comes to military terms and logos, you're in for both practical wisdom and a good laugh in this episode.

https://milmo.co/podcast/trademarks-for-small-business

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Budgeting is one of those words that makes a lot of people squirm but it doesn't have to. In this episode, I sit down with Zach Whelchel, founder of My Budget Coach, to talk about the method that gave him (and so many others) true financial clarity, which is zero-based budgeting. Zach breaks down what it is, why it works for both steady and variable incomes, and how couples can actually turn it into a shared vision instead of a source of stress. https://milmo.co/podcast/zero-based-budgets

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We're diving into the world of geofencing with Navy veteran and entrepreneur Chris Seminatore. Chris is the founder of Get Geofencing, a company that helps businesses, from car dealerships to government contractors, use location data to put their ads in front of the right people.

He shares how geofencing works, what it costs, and why it's a tool that even small businesses and military spouses can use to grow their brand. We also talk about his own transition from military intelligence to marketing, how discipline helped him face imposter syndrome, and the lessons he's learned from building multiple startups.

https://milmo.co/podcast/geofencing

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There's something that's quietly stealing joy from the military community and millions of Americans every single day. It's something that has completely warped our understanding of what financial success looks like.

In this episode, I'm breaking down how social media is impacting people's financial lives and sharing why getting back to basics isn't just smart, it's essential for our mental health and financial well-being.

https://milmo.co/podcast/true-financial-success

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Starting a business is hard enough, but starting one with a mission bigger than turning a profit can feel like navigating a battlefield. The obstacles are real, like cash flow challenges or forces beyond your control, but so are the rewards when your work changes lives.

In this episode, we're talking about what it takes to build a business that stands for something. Matt "Griff" Griffin, West Point graduate, Army Ranger, and co-founder of Combat Flip Flops, shares how he transformed lessons from special operations into a global brand manufacturing products in conflict and post-conflict zones. You'll hear the hard truths about bootstrapping, the difference between nonprofit and for-profit mission-driven models, and why "fail cheap, learn fast" might be your best strategy for impact. https://milmo.co/podcast/mission-driven-business

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