The FourBlock Podcast

Mike Liguori is an Iraq War veteran, published author, and founder of Live Your Truth Media, a content marketing firm that focuses on powerful storytelling and audience building.

His book, The Sandbox Stories of Human Spirit and War chronicled his two combat tours in Iraq and coming home from the war. His writing and thoughts have been featured in the Huffington Post, Thrive Global, and his personal story has been featured on CBS.com, The Denver Post, Huff Post Live, and other media publications.

His next book, War How I've Missed You, is scheduled to release in 2020.

ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

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This week's guest is Gerry Byrne. Gerry is the vice-chairman of PMC, guiding business initiatives across PMC's entire portfolio of media brands.

Gerry's decades of accomplishments as a media executive, entrepreneur, and community leader are highlighted by his longtime run as the publisher of Variety Magazine, where he dramatically transformed that business into a powerful diversified global media brand. Gerry was also the launch publisher of Crain's New York business, a senior executive at Norman Lear's Act, the creator and chairman of the NBC Quill awards before he led a division of Nielsen that included the Hollywood Reporter, Billboard, and Ad Week.

A graduate of Fordham University, Gerry served as a Marine officer in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V" Distinguishing Device for Valor.

ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

On this Veterans Day episode of the FourBlock Podcast, Mike and Lindsey discuss whether or not veterans should be thanked for their service, how to overcome the awkwardness of networking and the best ways to build relationships with people.

ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

This week we have Darren Sumter. For over 20 years. Darren has worked as a management consultant and a business development strategist specializing in providing companies with business to business software solutions to drive innovation and improve profitability.

Currently, Darren works as a Global Accounts Manager at LinkedIn where he manages responsibilities for several strategic customers in North America across several sectors.

Prior to LinkedIn, Darren was a member of several big data B2B software strategic consulting companies where he held responsibilities for new markets and new customer business development. Prior to his software career, Darren was a strategy consultant in the US and Europe. He attended Harvard business school where he earned an MBA.

Prior to HBS, Darren attended the US Military Academy at West Point where he earned a BS degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering and served in the US Army's aviation branch.

He is a veteran of the first Gulf War where he served in Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Resources:

Get One Year Free LinkedIn Premium for Military Spouses

Get One Year Free LinkedIn Premium for Veterans

ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

This week we have Dr. Amanda Spray. Dr. Spray is the Director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at NYU Langone. She's also the Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Langone Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Spray completed her doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare system on the Manhattan campus.

She founded the training program within NYU Langone Military Family Center, which now trains 12 to 14 doctoral and postdoctoral students annually. Dr. Spray provides supervision and training within the center and the community at large. She provides individual cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy to veterans and family members in the military family center and specializes in health psychology and adult ADHD.

Note: This episode contains in-depth discussions regarding PTSD and we advise listening to this episode at your own risk.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line. This nationwide, toll-free hotline connects veterans and service members in crisis and their loved ones with information and qualified Department of Veterans Affairs responders.

For more information, call 800-273-8255.

ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

This week's guest is Rick Miners. Rick is an entrepreneur, writer, coach, and expert on transition and retirement life planning.

Rick was the co-founder and president of FlexCorp systems, a business process outsourcing company. Shortly after Inc. Magazine named FlexCorp as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, he unexpectedly sold the company and quickly realized he didn't have a plan for what he was going to do next.

Rick co-authored the books, Don't Retire, REWIRE!: 5 Steps to Fulfilling Work That Fuels Your Passion, Suits Your Personality, and Fills Your Pockets and On Target: Enhance Your Life and Ensure Your Success.

Rick has made appearances on The Today Show, CNN, and PBS about the rewiring process and is frequently quoted in the press on the changing face of retirement.

He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and an Army Veteran. He is also a FourBlock Board Member and currently serves as its treasurer.

ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Our guest this week is retired General and the 31st Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, Charles Krulak.

General Krulak started his career commanding a rifle platoon and two rifle companies during the Vietnam War. Throughout his 36 years of service, he held just about every single command and staff position that an infantry officer could hold.

His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor device and two gold stars, and the Purple Heart with Gold Star. General Krulak also rewrote the Marine Corps' basic combat study text, MCDP 1: Warfighting, incorporating his theories on operations in the modern battlefield.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, General Krulak joined MBNA America as the chief administrative officer and went on to serve as the Senior Vice Chairman and CEO of MBNA Europe.

He then went on to be the 13th president of Birmingham Southern College and continues to serve on the board of several companies including as the honorary chairman of FourBlock.

Note: This interview will be available for viewing this coming fall so stay tuned!

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn:linkedin.com/company/fourblock/

Facebook: facebook.com/FourBlock/

Instagram: @fourblock

Twitter: @FourBlock

Julia Taylor Kennedy is the Executive Vice President at the Center for Talent Innovation (@TalentInnovate), driving cutting edge research on the issues impacting today's professional workforce.

She led the sponsor dividend research and coauthored Mission Critical: Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce (Center for Talent Innovation) with FourBlock founder Michael Abrams.

Julia has spoken at the United Nations, the Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Affairs, and many others. She's been featured in the Washington Post, CBS News, Bloomberg Business Week, Forbes, Time and the Harvard Business Review.

ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue.

Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fourblock/

Facebook: facebook.com/FourBlock/

Instagram:@fourblock

Twitter:@FourBlock

In this episode, co-hosts Mike Abrams and Lindsey Pollak discuss the similarities shared between veterans and civilians making significant career changes. ABOUT US

Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace.

General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat.

But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.

FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.

Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, FourBlock founder, director of the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration, and author of two military transition books. He'll be representing the military transition perspective.

Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey will be representing the civilian perspective of this issue. Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/

Over 77% of FourBlock alumni stay at their first jobs over 12 months. Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate

Follow FourBlock on Social Media

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/fourblock/

Facebook: facebook.com/FourBlock/

Instagram: @fourblock

Twitter: @FourBlock