The Next Tour podcast

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia talk with Beau Higgins, a Marine Corps retiree who transitioned to civilian life in August 2014. After serving, he worked at Amazon, leading initiatives focused on military hiring before joining Oplign, a free resource designed to connect veterans and military spouses with job opportunities. In today's competitive job market, many veterans and military spouses face unique challenges when transitioning to civilian employment, and with so many resources available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We explore how Oplign stands out as a powerful tool that connects veterans with job opportunities tailored to their specific skills and experiences.

 Connect with Beau on LinkedIn and check out both Oplign and TheMilVet to learn more about what they are doing in the job search space. You can also check out Andia’s time on Oplign’s podcast called Opcast. Finally, you can check out MOAA’s Job Board, where they leverage the Oplign platform to power your job search opportunities. 

Beau is also active with both the Travis Manion Foundation and Toys for Tots. Please check out those organizations to see all the great things they do.

The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer

The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia talk with Benito “Benny” Barrón, a retired Air Force colonel, who shares his journey from military service to leading defense programs at a contracting firm. He emphasizes that understanding the financial and acquisition processes is crucial for success in this field. But it’s not just about numbers; it’s about passion and culture. Finding a company that aligns with your values is essential, especially when the work gets tough. Benny reminds us that humility is key—be open to learning and asking questions. He also shares that transition from military to civilian life is not easy, but with the right mindset, it can be incredibly rewarding.

Connect with Benny on LinkedIn and check out Digital Force Technologies to learn more about what they are doing in the National Security space.

The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer

The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia talk with Lewis Baker, a former US Army Infantry Officer and current Wealth Planner, to discover essential tips for military members transitioning to civilian life and wealth planning. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and succeed in financial management.

The transition from military service to civilian life can be daunting, especially when it comes to financial planning. Many veterans face challenges in managing their finances, and without the right guidance, they may find themselves making costly mistakes. In this episode, you will learn key strategies to succeed in wealth planning after your military career and how to avoid missteps that could impact your financial future. 

Connect with Lewis on LinkedIn.

Please also check out these resources we mentioned on the show.

• Academy Fund
• Rock Creek Wealth Planners & Advisors
• 10X Vets

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia provide a real check-in on our family’s transition journey. It’s been two and a half years since Ian transitioned to civilian life, and there’s a big realization that rings true—it's a journey, not a destination. We’ve faced changes, challenges, and lots of self-discovery. From career shifts to our daughters finding their paths, every step has taught us resilience. Remember, it’s okay to take your time figuring things out. As we navigate this journey, we remind ourselves: it’s all about embracing the process and staying connected with those who uplift us.The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer:The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia meet with Sydney Matthes, a military spouse and current CEO of Service to School (S2S), a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free college and grad school application counseling to U.S. military Veterans and Service Members. Sydney tells us about the unique aspects of what S2S does for college hopefuls, helping each person work through the unique aspects of the application process, including timing, preparedness, essay writing, and a curated post-educational environment to take the degree into the professional world. If you are thinking about how higher education can help you but need assistance with the application process and beyond, you should check out S2S to see how they can help you land the best possible educational experience possible.

Check out the Service to School (S2S) homepage and get your educational goes in motion. You can also connect with S2S and Sydney on LinkedIn.

The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer

The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia meet with Paul Rodgers, a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, who took his passion for woodworking and turned it into a post-military career. Using his creativity and desire to remain connected with the military and veteran space, Paul formed Barefoot Woodwrks, where he blends his mastery of design with the visions of his clients, creating heirloom quality works of art, all with the military at heart. Check out this episode to hear how Paul was able to turn his hobby into something significantly more and learn some tips on how you can do it, too.

Below are links and resources that we mentioned during the show:

·     Boots to Business entrepreneurial education and training program for service members and military spouses.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn. Also, check out Barefoot Woodwrks if you would like to get your hands on some of Paul’s exceptional work.

The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer

The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia chat with retired Air Force Brig Gen Mike Manion, where we “unpack” how he and his wife, Shannon, were able to go from active duty to living full-time abroad. Listen in as we talk about the year immediately following retirement where they lived as nomads, where Mike and Shannon explored many destinations around the world before settling on their forever home in Italy. We go on to discuss tax implications, the process to land the right visa, and other considerations they had to wade through to make living in a foreign country, while maintaining their US citizenship, a realized dream – not a living nightmare!

Below are links and resources that we mentioned during the show:

 Warrior Expeditions – follow Mike’s journeys on different trails and learn about the foundation that supports warriors during the journey and beyond

Manions on the Move – additional journey journals and updates from the Pacific Crest Trail and more on their Facebook page (Instagram page here)

The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer

The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia meet with Ben and Angela Jacobson, both retired Air Force officers, to chat about their year-long adventure with their RV across America. While on terminal leave, before their official retirement dates, Ben and Angela toured the country where they hit 37 states, stopped at 174 locations, including 30 military bases and about 50 Harvest Hosts locations, and made so many incredible memories along the way. Hear about their epic adventure, their tips for hitting the road, and their favorite stories from the trip.

Below are links and resources that we mentioned during the show:

• Harvest Hosts - Network of locations to park with your RV 
• RVParky - RV Parks and Recreation Directory
• Recreation.govU.S. Military Campgrounds and RV ParksAll Trails - trails and guides for hiking, camping, and running
• Keep Your Daydream - YouTube channel
• ChooseFI - Financial Independence Community
• Afford Anything - podcast
• The Simple Path to Wealth - book (links to Amazon)
• Ben & Angela’s YouTube channel1 Year on the road in a Travel Trailer - Ben & Angela’s trip summary video

The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer

The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurate information, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia give a recap of Season 1, share some of their favorite moments, and highlight some of the many things they learned during the first year ofrecording. They also give a quick highlight of what’s to come in Season 2.

Join Ian and Andia on your transition journey to learn about the multitude of resources available to you and your family.

Connect with Ian and Andia on LinkedIn

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The Next Tour Podcast disclaimer

The views, opinions, and advice expressed by our guests on The Next Tour are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the podcast, Ian, Andia, or any affiliated organizations. While we strive to provide helpful and accurateinformation, this podcast is for informational purposes only. We encourage listeners to consult with professionals or conduct their own research before making any significant decisions related to military transition or post-service life. The content is intended as guidance and personal perspective, not as official advice.

In this episode of The Next Tour, Ian and Andia talk with Grant Vermeer, a US Navy veteran, current military spouse, podcaster, and founder of The Vermeer Group, a concierge service specializing in connecting military and veteran families with tailored real estateprofessionals around the country. We discuss the challenges and opportunities of home buying, particularly around the time a service member transitions out of uniform and highlight some of the major considerations to keep in mind. We also talk a little bit about how military members and military spouses are keenly adept at being in the real estate business, where Grant shares some insights about how to get into the profession.

Below are links and resources that we mentioned during the show or shared by our guest:

The Vermeer Group where you can connect with trusted real estate professionals nationwide.Academy Insider Podcast 

Connect with Grant Vermeer on LinkedIn.