Join us for one of our most insightful episodes yet with Rob Kirila, a retired Special Forces Colonel turned private equity leader.

Key Highlights:

About Rob:
Rob is a retired Special Forces Colonel with a background in leadership and operational strategy. Now, he leads BlackPowder Partners, a private equity firm that acquires and scales small businesses while placing veterans in leadership roles. With a unique perspective shaped by decades of service, Rob's mission is to help transitioning veterans achieve success, both professionally and personally.

Takeaways for Veterans:

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Connect with Rob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-kirila/

BlackPowder Partners: https://www.blackpowderholdings.com/

Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Rob's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode, we sit down with Michael "Mick" Mulroy, a former Marine, CIA officer, and humanitarian leader, to explore his incredible journey from military service to shaping global policy and leading humanitarian missions.

Mick discusses his experiences in the Marines and the CIA, sharing valuable insights on the organization’s role, structure, and opportunities for veterans considering similar paths. He also details his time as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, where he worked on conflict zones and policy decisions that shaped U.S. strategy.

Mick’s current focus is on leading humanitarian operations through his organization, the Lobo Institute, and Fogbow, where he applies military strategies to solve logistical challenges in some of the world’s toughest environments. From mentoring veterans to sharing advice on transitioning into meaningful post-military careers, Mick offers practical guidance and inspiration for those seeking purpose after service.

Key Topics Covered:

- Mick’s military career and transition to the CIA.

- The structure and mission of the CIA’s Special Activity Center.

- Lessons from serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East.

- Insights into policy-making and why veterans are essential in this space.

- Humanitarian missions and how veterans’ skills are uniquely suited to global aid efforts.

- The importance of camaraderie, purpose, and adaptability in post-military life.

- Practical advice for veterans interested in transitioning to roles in policy or humanitarian work.

Quotes:

“Veterans bring unparalleled expeditionary skills to humanitarian missions. No one is better equipped for this work.”

“If you’re interested in policy, don’t wait. Your voice as a veteran is needed to shape decisions that impact future generations.”

“The ability to plan, adapt, and lead—skills ingrained in the military—are invaluable in any post-service career.”

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Connect with Mick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-patrick-mulroy-31198b52/

Fogbow: https://fogbow.com/

Lobo Institute: https://www.loboinstitute.org/

Documentary: https://www.loboinstitute.org/my-star-in-the-sky/

Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help inspire more veterans with stories like Mick's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

This episode features a deep dive into the transition from military service to the business world with Hunter Mancini and Andy Fleischer.

Hunter and Andy served together in the 2nd Ranger Battalion and are now thriving in business school, corporate leadership development programs, and entrepreneurial ventures.

Somehow, these two are managing to do it all, while also balancing families and a *slight* running addiction. These guys offer all kinds of insights for anyone transitioning and searching for a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie after the military.

Connect with Hunter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huntermancini/

Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfleischer1/

Tip the Scales: https://www.tipthescales.co/

Endorphin Running Co: https://endorphinrunningco.com/

Connect with Griffin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/griffinbrand/

Connect with Jack: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiimortgagebroker/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help us inspire more veterans with stories like Hunter's and Andy's.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this special 21st episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast, hosts Griffin and Jack celebrate a significant milestone—joining the top 1% of podcasts by surpassing 20 episodes! Reflecting on their journey, they dive into the key takeaways and recurring themes from their conversations with successful veterans who have transitioned to civilian life.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Highlights:

Get Involved:
Have a suggestion for a guest or feedback on the show? Reach out to Griffin and Jack on social media. This podcast exists to make the military-to-civilian transition easier, one conversation at a time.

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And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of the Veteran Ventures Podcast, we sit down with Kris Sandor, a Naval Academy graduate and veteran turned tech entrepreneur. Kris’s impressive career spans roles as a Naval officer, a policy advisor, a McKinsey consultant, and the CEO of Citi Bike before its acquisition by Lyft. Now, as the CEO of Readyly, an AI platform revolutionizing the way citizens interact with local governments, Kris is on a mission to improve efficiency and access for all.

We cover:

Kris also shares his actionable framework for decision-making, his perspective on leveraging mentors, and his approach to finding meaningful work after service.

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https://www.readyly.com/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help us inspire more veterans with stories like Kris’s.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

Join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Lee Mills, the founder of Pixly.ai, a cutting-edge SaaS platform for the construction industry. From his early days in the Navy to his current role as a tech entrepreneur, Lee shares:

Lee also opens up about personal experiences, like surviving near-death moments that shaped his “no bad days” philosophy, and his unwavering commitment to helping other veterans succeed.

Whether you're a transitioning veteran, an entrepreneur, or someone navigating the construction tech space, this episode is packed with actionable insights and motivation.

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https://www.pixly.ai/

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If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help us inspire more veterans with stories like Lee’s.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode of Veteran Ventures, we sit down with Andrew Steen, a former Army Ranger from the 75th Ranger Regiment turned entrepreneur. Andrew recently won over the Sharks on Shark Tank with his pitch for Laptis, a groundbreaking startup connecting patients with trusted substance use treatment.

Andrew’s story is an inspiring testament to how veterans can leverage their military experience to excel in industries where they may initially lack expertise. From overcoming the challenges of transition to creating Point B where none existed, Andrew shares his journey of grit, resilience, and outside-the-box thinking.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

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https://www.laptis.io/

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Call to Action
If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow veteran or service member navigating their transition. Your review and rating help us inspire more veterans with stories like Andrew’s.

And as always: Go do the thing. Make that decision. Find your next mission.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Sherbakov, a former enlisted Marine turned successful entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Mike shares his journey from humble beginnings as a first-generation immigrant to leading the Veteran Fund, a venture capital firm that invests in veteran-led startups to help propel America's future.

https://greatnessventures.com/mike

Unfortunately, mental health is one of the largest issues facing the US military. The problem is, many service members avoid seeking help out of fear that a diagnosis would jeopardize their career. Not to mention the fact that there often aren’t enough providers to meet the need for counseling across the force. Josh Otero is building a mental health trained AI chat bot to try and fix those problems. Through starting a veterans community around esports and gaming, along with several other endeavors, Josh has dedicated his life to health and wellness, with the goal of helping veterans lead fulfilling, connected lives beyond their service.

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Warrior GMR Foundation: https://warriorgmrfoundation.org/home

Elanah.ai: https://elanah.ai/

Holden Lindblom enlisted in the Army as a fire supporter and served for four years (both in Italy with the 173rd and with the 101st) before deciding to pursue his degree. Through a unique path, he ended up graduating from Stanford and going on to chart his way through the business world, starting several companies. He currently is the founder of Vetrafi, a financial services company dedicated to providing modern banking solutions for service members and their families, and an alternative to some of the major players in the industry.

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Vetrafi: https://www.vetrafi.com/