MILMO Show

Many people say they want to start a business, build wealth, or make an impact, but the truth is, they often stop short when things get tough. Whether it's fear, self-doubt, or a lack of direction, those roadblocks can keep people stuck.

In this episode, T. Shane Johnson shares how he pushed past rock bottom and used his military experience, mental toughness, and belief in sales to build a life on his own terms. You'll learn how he bounced back from homelessness, what it really takes to succeed in business, and why believing in yourself is the foundation of any good business.

T.Shane is a veteran, and with his daughter, they're building America's first indoor hydroponic coffee farm. With a patent-pending system and nationwide retail traction, they're on a mission to grow sustainable, U.S.-made coffee—year-round, farm-to-cup, and family-owned. https://milmo.co/podcast/sales-and-self-belief-make-or-break-your-business

Today is Memorial Day, a day of honor, reflection, and gratitude. Our community knows better than anyone that it's not just a long weekend or the unofficial start of summer. It's a time to remember the brave men and women who took an oath and gave everything in service to our country. Their sacrifice is the reason we have the freedom to chase our goals and live with purpose.

In honor of those who took bold, selfless action for us, I wanted to release this episode. It's a reminder that the best way to honor their legacy is not just with words, but with our actions. We have the privilege to build, grow, and live freely. Let's not waste it.

In this episode, I'm putting a spotlight on the gap between your intention and your action. If you've been all talk and little follow-through, this is your kick in the pants to step it up. https://milmo.co/podcast/is-what-you-say-and-do-in-alignment

Woodworking can be a deeply fulfilling hobby, a practical skill, or even a powerful form of therapy but turning it into a business? That's a whole different challenge. Many aspiring makers struggle to bridge the gap between creativity and profitability, especially when faced with the realities of tools, pricing, and risk.

In this episode, Stoane Loudenslager shares how to turn woodworking into a profitable venture from pricing and risk to finding your niche and building a business that lasts. Whether you're just getting started or ready to take your skills to the next level, Stoane shares practical ways to make money from woodworking, even when you PCS.

Stoane has been around construction all of his life. He has over 20 years of experience as a professional woodworker, mostly in multimillion-dollar shops. After taking those lessons from large shops to a couple of small shops where he was employed, they saw success. He then started his own successful company using the same ideas. Now he's sharing them in his book, online course and consulting. https://milmo.co/podcast/make-money-woodworking

Life insurance might be uncomfortable to talk about, but avoiding the conversation could leave your loved ones without support when they need it most. Whether you're on active duty or transitioning to civilian life, it's essential to understand the protections you have and the ones you don't.

In this episode, Heather Walrath covers everything from traumatic injury benefits and accelerated death payouts to how to avoid losing life insurance coverage after separation or retirement. You'll learn what makes SGLI and FSGLI unique, when and how to update your beneficiaries, and why planning ahead is one of the most powerful things you can do for your family.

Heather is an accredited financial educator who has enjoyed working with military members and families for the last 14 years while empowering them with financial education. She is a 2009 FINRA Military Spouse Fellow and holds a BA in economics from the University of Georgia and a paralegal certificate from the Denver Paralegal Institute. She is also an accredited Veterans' Service representative. Heather has worked as a Personal Financial Counselor (PFC) with all branches of the military, including the Guard and Reserve components, as part of both the non-profit education sector and the Department of Defense PFC network.

Her passion is providing members with correct, unbiased information about the DoD Survivor Benefit Program and other survivor entitlement programs.

https://milmo.co/podcast/what-you-might-be-missing-with-sgli-and-fsgli

Health Savings Accounts, better known as HSAs, can be a powerful tool for saving money and reducing your taxes, but they're often misunderstood, especially in the military community, where eligibility can get tricky. If you've ever been confused about how HSAs work, who qualifies, or how they compare to Flex Spending Accounts and TRICARE, you're not alone.

In this episode, military spouse and financial expert, Desiree Kaul, breaks everything down. You'll learn what makes HSAs unique, how they can fit into your savings plan, and what military families should know when transitioning out of service or choosing civilian health plans.

Desiree is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC®), Military Qualified Financial Planner (MQFP®), and an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®).

She has experience in financial counseling, planning, and education, including previous work as a Personal Financial Counselor, educating service members on various financial topics. In 2024, Desiree launched her own virtual practice, Kaul Financial Solutions, offering tax preparation, tax planning, and hourly financial advice. In addition, she assisted in the launch of a new mentorship program with The American College of Financial Services to help military, veterans and spouses successfully transition to a career in financial services.

https://milmo.co/podcast/what-military-families-should-know-about-hsas

Saving for education can feel overwhelming, especially when you're juggling military life, moves, and everything in between. Whether it's understanding your military benefits, choosing the right savings plan, or figuring out how to afford college for multiple kids at once, it can get complicated quickly.

In this episode, Joe Brown shares strategies to help you plan for education expenses while making the most of your military benefits. We talk about how to use the GI Bill smartly, what to know about Chapter 35, and why scholarships and merit money should be a big part of your family's game plan. Plus, Joe breaks down 529 plans, education savings accounts, and tips for blending everything together without the stress.

Joe is a CFP® Professional, an MQFP®, and a visiting professor of personal finance at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, where his work is supported by the USAA Educational Foundation. He's the founder and lead planner at Always Ready Financial Planning.

https://milmo.co/podcast/smarter-college-and-life-planning-for-military-families

Taxes can feel like a mystery, and for many, they're scary. Add in a military transition, accidental landlord, or a side hustle, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But understanding your taxes and planning ahead can make a huge difference, not just in your wallet, but in your peace of mind.

In this episode, Forrest Baumhover shares his journey from Navy to financial planner to online educator, and how he's helping people confidently tackle their taxes. We dive into the most common tax mistakes, why planning matters year-round, and what service members should know about building their next chapter after military life.

Forrest is a retired naval officer, Certified Financial Planner, and tax professional. He helps people navigate taxes and Social Security through his website and YouTube channel, both titled Teach Me! Personal Finance.

https://milmo.co/podcast/people-get-wrong-about-taxes

When it comes to investing, everyone wants to know the secret—how do you make fast money in the stock market? It's a question that is as old as the market. The answer isn't as simple or as quick as most people would like it to be.

In this episode, I'm talking about what it really takes to be a stock trader, how that's different from just wanting a hot tip, and why your financial plan should be tailored to you, not the latest headline. https://milmo.co/podcast/stock-tips-and-trading

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We are all juggling two financial forces. The first is living our life today, and the second is securing our future. The hard part is finding balance. You can't take money with you to the grave, but you also must have a surplus ready for when you need it most. If we put too much focus on one, the other falls apart. That's where Yin and Yang can benefit our financial lives.

In this episode, I'm going over how to use the concept of Yin and Yang to find balance and harmony with money.

https://milmo.co/podcast/financial-yin-and-yang

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Debt can feel like an overwhelming burden that creates growing anxiety for not only yourself but also your family. When you're in the thick of debt, it can be hard to know how to get started and the best path forward.

In this episode, I'm going over strategies to help you get control of your debt with action and help you on the path to financial success.

https://milmo.co/podcast/breaking-free-from-debt

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