MILMO Show

We talk a lot about the struggles of transitioning out of the military – losing that sense of purpose, the steady paycheck, and the tribe you trust. But what we don't highlight enough is the flip side: how that transition can be a launchpad to an incredible career or business and a life you design.

In this episode, I'm sitting down with Brendan Aronson, a Marine turned entrepreneur who's all about creating pathways for veterans into leadership roles. From his time in investment banking to building a company that connects vets with high-growth careers, he's got a front-row seat to what works and what doesn't after you hang up the uniform.

We're covering:

• Top challenges for transitioning service members
• Why venture capital isn't always the answer for startups
• Networking tips to kickstart your civilian career
• Balancing the veteran community with the wider world

Brendan is a former Marine Infantry Officer. He's a U.S. Naval Academy Graduate and a Wharton MBA Alumnus. He is a serial entrepreneur and built TheMilVet, which is the Nation's premier executive search firm focused on landing veterans jobs in high-growth companies. He's a co-founder and Managing Partner of The Valhalla Group, which invests in U.S. National Security.

https://milmo.co/podcast/navigating-into-civilian-life

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Starting and running a business solo is difficult even for the most knowledgeable and disciplined. It's hard to find the time of day and mental fortitude to be a jack of all trades. Hiring help can seem scary when you aren't sure if you'll make enough to pay them.

In this episode, I'm sharing how I've been testing and using freelancer marketplaces to hire experts to help me get tasks and projects done in my business on a budget. https://milmo.co/podcast/hiring-freelancers-for-your-business

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We often hear about how debt or the lack of a financial cushion can trap us in a cycle of stress, forcing tough decisions that might dig us deeper into trouble. Often, it's not because we want to but because our finances leave us no choice. What we don't talk about enough is the flip side: how being debt-free and having savings can open doors to incredible opportunities in life.

In this special episode, I sit down with Steve Stewart, the talented editor behind this podcast, to dive into his inspiring journey of becoming debt-free and the amazing paths it's allowed him to pursue. From paying off his mortgage to building a thriving career in podcast editing, Steve shares his story and offers insights on how you can do the same.

We also discuss:

• Sustaining a debt-free life
• Opportunities from financial freedom
• The podcast industry's playing field
• Audio vs. video podcasting

My friend, Steve Stewart is the Podcast Editor for some of the biggest indie personal finance podcasts like the Stacking Benjamins Show and Afford Anything. I'm honored that the MILMO Show is included among his amazing list of clients.

He also created the Podcast Editors Club, now with over 9,000 members, and co-founded the Podcast Editor Academy - which helps individuals build their own podcast services business. If you're looking for help with your podcast, Steve is there to support you!

https://milmo.co/podcast/living-debt-free-and-seizing-opportunity

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Food spending is often where budgets go off the rails—eating out adds up fast and can leave you with more waste than you are even aware of. With warmer weather pulling us outdoors and tempting us to splurge, now's the perfect time to revisit a fan-favorite episode. Today's an encore airing of What's Your Trash Worth?

https://milmo.co/podcast/whats-your-trash-worth

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You don't need a big paycheck to build a big bright future. Even if you're starting as an E-1 with little left over after bills, you can set yourself up for financial freedom. It's not about where you start. It's about the consistent steps you take from there.

In this episode, I'm sharing a roadmap to go from E-1 to financial success. I'm talking about avoiding money traps, budgeting like it's your personal mission, and setting the foundation for wealth—all around military life. https://milmo.co/podcast/building-wealth-on-an-E-1-budget

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Many service members, military spouses, and veterans have valuable knowledge, skills, and expertise to share with the world. But turning that expertise into a steady stream of income can feel like an overwhelming challenge. Where do you even start, and how can you create something that generates revenue, makes a meaningful impact or both?

In this episode, Stu McLaren, a membership expert, shares his insights on how to turn your expertise into predictable, recurring revenue through memberships. He shares the basics of memberships, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to find the right audience. My conversation with Stud is packed with actionable advice to help you take the first step toward creating a thriving membership community.

Stu McLaren is a membership expert and co-founder of Membership.io, a leading platform serving thousands of online membership sites. With over 16 years of experience in the subscription industry, Stu coaches and consults best-selling authors, top-rated speakers, experts, hobbyists, and entrepreneurs on turning their expertise into predictable, recurring revenue.

Through his signature program, The Membership Experience™, Stu has helped over 19,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow successful membership sites, while Membership.io powers thousands more.

https://milmo.co/podcast/profitable-memberships

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Leaving the military can mean your entire identity is changing. It can be overwhelming. What is next for you in your career and your mission?

In this episode, Olivia Nunn shares her journey from military service to becoming a leading advocate for mental health and an authority in the branding world. We'll dive into how she navigated the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship, her insights on destigmatizing mental health within the military and veteran communities, and why storytelling is key to building a strong personal or professional brand—even when selling products.

Olivia Nunn, a seasoned veteran with over 20 years of dedicated service in the U.S. Army, leads Olivia Nunn Communications with a commitment to making a difference. With a solid foundation of 13 years of experience in government relations, Olivia specializes in communications, branding, social media strategy, and event planning, bringing her expertise to the forefront to craft compelling narratives and strategies that elevate brands and amplify voices. https://milmo.co/podcast/success-after-military-service

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Building wealth is a financial buzz phrase we hear a lot. We all want a build-up of wealth, but how do we get there, and what does that path look like for service members and their families?

In this episode, Jerry Quinn, shares actionable insights for military families looking to build wealth and achieve financial success, what wealth-building means, and practical strategies for saving, investing, and navigating tight budgets. Jerry is a Colonel in the Army Reserve who has spent more than 30 years working in banking and insurance, specifically on military and veteran financial, housing, and career matters in those industries over the last 15 years.

He is the Chief Operating Officer of the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA). Established in 1879, AAFMAA now has $23 billion of insurance in force. Since 9/11 AAFMAA has provided more than $1 billion to military and veteran families of the fallen. At AAFMAA, Jerry oversees all aspects of AAFMAA Life Operations, including financial education, member benefits, survivor services, and life insurance.

https://milmo.co/podcast/building-wealth-for-military-families

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Getting out of the military can be an exciting and daunting time mixed into one. In addition to starting new careers, potentially moving to a new location, and shifting your identity away from service member, there are VA disability compensation, military retirement pay, and tax planning to conquer.

In this episode, Curt Sheldon a former fighter pilot and highly respected financial expert, dives into the essential financial and tax considerations for service members and veterans navigating VA disability compensation and military retirement. Curt explains the key differences between VA disability compensation and military retirement pay, breaking down how programs like Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) and Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) work together. Plus he sheds light on the little talked about Strickland Decision. https://milmo.co/podcast/va-disability-and-military-retirement

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The unexpected is not limited to financial markets. Life is full of surprises, ranging from mildly annoying mistakes or mishaps to life-altering crises. While we can't predict all of our life's twists and turns, we can be proactive to shield ourselves from major fallout. This protective buffer is better known as a margin of safety. It's a concept often talked about as it relates to investing, but margin of safety can be applied throughout our lives as a cushion to protect our well-being and quality of life.

In this episode, I'm sharing what a margin of safety is, why it's essential, how to create it across different areas, not just investing, and common mistakes to avoid.

https://milmo.co/podcast/protect-your-family-with-a-margin-of-safety

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MILMO.co ItsMILMO on YouTube @itsmilmo on X @itsmilmo Instagram @itsmilmo LinkedIn @itsmilmo Facebook