Veteran Led

When life blows up—literally—you either sink or rise stronger. In this episode of Veteran Led, soldier in the special operations community, turned powerhouse CEO, Channing Walker, shares how he went from IED survivor to scaling multimillion-dollar ventures. Dive into Channing’s no-fluff lessons on building unstoppable teams, winning federal contracts against billion-dollar competitors, and why real leaders never "burn the ships"—they build the plan, the team, and the future. It's a raw, unfiltered masterclass in resilience, leadership, and turning battlefield grit into boardroom victories. If you’ve ever doubted your next move or felt the weight of leadership, this is your blueprint for triumph. Listen and fuel your fight.

Numbers track our progress, but they don’t tell our story. In this episode, John S. Berry breaks down why true leadership isn’t found in statistics, but in the moments we rise after failure. Learn how veterans are conditioned to win through relentless preparation, resilience, and character under pressure. Subscribe and discover how to turn your toughest challenges into defining victories—both in business and in life. 

In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, host John Berry sits down with trailblazer Lieutenant General Jody Daniels, Ret., the first woman to command the U.S. Army Reserve. With over 41 years of military service and a successful civilian career at Lockheed Martin, Dr. Daniels shares raw insights on what it takes to lead nearly 200,000 service members, challenge outdated systems, and reshape military culture.

From battling meaningless metrics to advocating for tough, realistic training done safely, General Daniels walks us through her evolution as a leader—and why embracing transparency, empowering junior leaders, and pushing for policy change matter more than ever. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and bridging the gap between military and civilian success.

If you're a veteran, leader, or changemaker, this episode will challenge your thinking—and leave you inspired to lead with purpose.

What happens when a Marine officer, Silicon Valley engineer, and fintech disruptor builds a better way for law firms to get paid? On this episode of Veteran Led, host John Berry sits down with Emery Wager, co-founder & CEO of Confido Legal. From combat tours in Afghanistan to streamlining cash flow for thousands of law firms, Emery shares why financial clarity is the lifeblood of legal success—and how great leadership starts with ownership. Tune in for real talk on accountability, client experience, and the business side of law that too many attorneys ignore.

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Travis Mack, Chairman and CEO of Saalex Corporation, as he shares valuable lessons on scaling businesses. A decorated Navy Veteran turned successful entrepreneur; Travis breaks down the crucial decisions leaders face when growing their organizations.​

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Key Takeaways:​

• How to identify when to develop internal talent vs. hiring externally ​

• The evolution of company culture through different growth stages ​

• Why structure and oversight increase with organizational growth ​

• The importance of tactical empathy in leadership ​

• Creating equity opportunities to attract and retain top talent​

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Explore Resources from this episode:​

https://saalex.com/​

https://www.greenwoodselfstoragefunds.com/​

https://www.themackfoundation.com/​

https://valeonetworks.com/ ​

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Dave Bray, former Navy Corpsman and Marine Corps Veteran turned rock star, as he shares his remarkable journey from serving with the Marines to becoming a prominent voice in patriotic rock music. Dave discusses how his military service shaped his music career and his ongoing mission to honor Veterans and first responders through powerful performances.​

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Featured Quote:​

 "You still swore an oath. You still owe that oath to the people of America, and you need to continue some service. Don't just go disappearing into the ether. Find something that you love, share it with the world, and continue your service to your country."​

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Explore Resources from this episode:​

https://www.davebrayusa.com 

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Yolanda Clarke, a former Army Intelligence Officer who has successfully transitioned into the role of CEO at Powder River Industries. Named after her Wyoming roots, Yolanda shares how authenticity and transparency shaped her company's identity while navigating the challenges of building a business during frequent PCS moves as a military spouse. Her unique perspective on leadership, shaped by her military experience, offers invaluable insights on pushing high performers beyond their comfort zones and maintaining high standards in the civilian business world.​

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Through compelling stories and reflection, Yolanda opens up about the hard lessons learned in business development, including a pivotal moment involving a $600 million proposal that taught her the importance of clear communication and proper business protocols. She discusses the delicate balance of being a "good guy" in business while protecting your interests, and shares powerful insights about leadership accountability, team building, and the transition from military intelligence to corporate success.​

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Key Topics Covered:​

• The story behind naming Powder River Industries and the importance of authenticity in business ​

• Navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship while managing military family life ​

• Critical lessons learned from a $600 million proposal development experience ​

• Building high-performance teams and pushing beyond comfort zones ​

• The importance of clear expectations and accountability in leadership ​

• Transitioning military leadership skills to the business world ​

• Overcoming challenges as a woman in male-dominated industries​

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Explore Resources from this episode:​

• Powder River Industries | United States

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Barb Carson, Managing Director of Programs and Services at the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, Air Force Veteran Barb Carson shares invaluable insights on leadership, transition, and Veteran support. As a leader at IVMF (Institute for Veterans and Military Families), Barb discusses how military experience shapes civilian success.​

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Key Takeaways:​

• Translating military skills to civilian careers​
• The importance of building strong support networks​
• Leadership principles that transcend sectors​
• How IVMF supports veteran entrepreneurship​

Explore Resources from this episode:​

• D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Ray  Toenniessen, Deputy Executive Director of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and​ Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. Through IVMF's innovative programs, including Onward to Opportunity and their entrepreneurship initiatives, the institute serves over 20,000 service members, Veterans, and military families annually.​

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Ray offers insights into authentic leadership development, drawing from both his military experience and civilian career. The conversation delves deep into what makes an effective leader, emphasizing the importance of being present and avoiding ego-driven decision-making. Ray's perspective on translating military leadership skills to civilian success provides valuable lessons for Veterans in transition and established leaders alike.​

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What you'll learn in this episode:​

• Learn how IVMF serves 20,000 veterans annually.​
• Understand how corporate partnerships fuel Veteran support.​
• Gain insights on translating military leadership to civilian success.

Explore Resources from this episode:​

• D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Terry Hill, the Co-Head of Emerging Middle Market and Co-Head of Veteran Initiatives for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. Hill – a U.S. Army Veteran and a West Point graduate – helps lead the firm’s efforts to support veteran and military spouse founders and business leaders. Hill plays an active role in CEOcircle, a program for veteran and military-spouse entrepreneurs led by D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University (IVMF) and sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking. ​

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Berry and Hill delve into the crucial role veteran and military-community business owners play in the economy, leadership lessons from the military to run effective teams, JPMorganChase’s broader work supporting veterans and the military community and more. ​

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What You’ll Learn:​

• How Veterans can break into the finance industry and thrive​
• Why leadership isn’t about rank—and how to create impactful teams at any level​
• The inside story of CEOCircle: a game-changer for Veteran entrepreneurs​
• JPMorganChase’s commitment to hiring, training, and supporting 18,000+ Veterans​
• Practical advice for Veterans transitioning into business and beyond​

Whether you’re a Veteran looking to scale your business, navigate a career change, or simply gain insight into leadership that drives results, this episode delivers actionable takeaways you won’t want to miss.​

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Explore Resources from the Episode:​

• JPMorganChase Veterans Programs​
• CEOCircle Program at Syracuse University’s IVMF