Veteran On The Move

Host Joe Crane sits down with Army Veteran and business coach Cal Riley to explore a critical component of post-military success: compassion as a leadership system. Cal shares his journey from a high-stakes military career to unexpectedly running a family construction business, highlighting how the discipline of the Army mindset fuels entrepreneurial drive. He reveals the profound, personal tragedy that shifted his entire leadership philosophy, arguing that the relentless "grind mindset" is a path to burnout. Learn why compassion is a reliable, repeatable soft skill for high-performing organizations, the crucial importance of self-compassion, and the process behind writing his book, Entrepreneurial Compassion. This is a powerful conversation on how to lead your business and your team with integrity and heart. Episode Resources: Cal Riley Entrepreneurial Compassion on Amazon    About Our Guest Cal Riley believes that compassion isn't just a warm, fuzzy feeling. A US Army officer, successful entrepreneur,

On this episode of Veteran On the Move, Melissa Broughton, the founder of Busy Bee Advisors, shares her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. Melissa created The 1-Hour Bookkeeper, an online course designed to help veterans, military spouses, and stay-at-home parents launch their own bookkeeping businesses. She discusses her goal to impact 1,000 military families and the process of building a course that has already helped over 3,000 people. Episode Resources: Busy Bee Accounting 1 Hour Bookkeeper   About Our Guest Melissa Broughton is the founder & now Co-Owner of Busy Bee Advisors, a Northern California based Accounting & Tax firm. In 2023 as Melissa's oldest son began the exit process from the Marine Corp she was surprised to learn of the challenges facing both veterans and military spouses in finding stable employment. "The light bulb went on and I knew I needed to do something." Working alongside her son Melissa developed the 1-Hour Bookkeeper, an online course designed to help Veterans

In this episode of Veteran on the Move, we feature Dr. John J. Kaplan, a retired Air Force Officer and the Director of the VA Technology Transfer Program (TTP). Dr. Kaplan shares his journey from a successful military career to his civilian role, discussing his dedication to continued learning and his transition into law. We explore how his desire to give back to veterans led him to the VA. Dr. Kaplan also explains the critical mission of the VA Technology Transfer Program and provides compelling examples of how it brings innovations from the VA to the private sector, benefiting the veteran community and beyond. Episode Resources: VA Technology Transfer Program     About Our Guest Dr. John J. Kaplan serves as the Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Technology Transfer Program (TTP). Dr. Kaplan received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of New Mexico and his J.D. in Intellectual Property from the George Mason University School of Law. Further, Dr. Kaplan received his M

In this episode, host Joe Crane is joined by franchise coach and author Giuseppe Grammatico. Giuseppe shares his personal journey to achieving time freedom through business ownership, which he found by leveraging the proven systems of franchising. He discusses why franchising is not a passive investment, the specific qualities that make veterans successful franchisees, and the importance of finding a business model that truly fits your lifestyle goals. Episode Resources: Giuseppe Grammatico - The Franchise Guide   About Our Guest Giuseppe Grammatico is a franchise veteran, coach, author, speaker & consultant who simplifies the process of franchising and excels at guiding his candidates to the business model that best suits their desired lifestyle. His greatest joy is helping people realize the American dream and sharing the freedom that comes from franchising. About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Whether you’re looking to buy a new or used car or maybe you want to refinance your current car loa

In this episode, host Joe Crane talks with Don Yurick, franchisee and the Northeast Area Representative for Hammer & Nails, a luxury men's grooming salon. Yurick discusses his journey from Silicon Valley to becoming a franchise owner, driven by the desire to be his own boss. He explains what makes Hammer & Nails different from traditional barbershops and highlights the support they offer new franchisees. A key focus of the conversation is why veterans make great business owners, with Yurick pointing to their discipline and leadership skills. He also discusses how the franchise model makes business ownership more accessible for veterans. Episode Resources: Hammer & Nails   About Our Guest Don Yurick is the Northeast Area Representative for Hammer & Nails, a luxury men's grooming salon. His dad was a Drill Sargent in the Army and was stationed in Vietnam. Don is passionate about helping veterans find their way after returning to civilian life and start their next careers. He has recruited two Navy SEALs to H

This episode features Marine Corps veteran Edgar Zavala, who shares his journey from a diesel mechanic to a successful entrepreneur. Zavala discusses the challenges of military transition, the feeling of unfulfillment despite a high-paying job as a wind turbine technician, and his decision to take a risk by going all in on a new business. As a Global Financial Impact business partner, he now helps others achieve financial freedom through education on estate and legacy planning, proving that with an intentional mindset, veterans can build a prosperous future and generational wealth.   About Our Guest From a Brooklyn kid raised by a single mother to a Marine Corps veteran turned multiple six-figure entrepreneur, Edgar Zavala is proof that your past doesn't define your future. On track for seven figures, Edgar helps people escape the 9-to-5 grind, build generational wealth, and take control of their financial destiny! About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Whether you’re looking to buy a new or used c

This episode of Veteran On the Move features Chris Moore, Director of Veteran Services at the New York Film Academy (NYFA) and a retired Command Sergeant Major. Chris shares his personal journey and the challenges veterans face when transitioning to higher education. He explains his role in helping veterans adapt and succeed as students, discussing common struggles and misconceptions, and highlighting how NYFA provides unique support to nearly 3,000 veterans pursuing their passion for film. Tune in to learn more about the critical resources and support systems available to veterans who pursue higher education.   Episode Resources: Veterans & Military Dependent Students - NYFA   About Our Guest Chris Moore, Director of Veteran Services (DVS) at New York Film Academy (NYFA). Alongside his role, Chris is also a Retired Command Sergeant Major and served as a Inter-Agency Coordinator for the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.   About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Whether you’re looking t

This episode, we sit down with U.S. Army veteran and entrepreneur Chas Sampson. He's the founder of Seven Principles, a company that has helped veterans secure over $300 million in VA disability benefits. Chas shares his insights on navigating the VA claim process, including common mistakes veterans make, the four key elements of a successful claim, and the impact of the PACT Act. We also get an exclusive look at his latest project: a new, low cost AI-powered tool-designed to assist veterans with resumes, claims, and benefits navigation. Episode Resources: Seven Principles     About Our Guest Chas Sampson is a U.S. Army veteran, dynamic entrepreneur, and devoted father who has turned service into scalable impact. As the founder and CEO of Seven Principles, Chas has helped thousands of veterans secure over $300 million in VA disability benefits scaling the company from his kitchen table to multimillion-dollar annual revenue. His ventures extend beyond advocacy. Chas is also a licensed real estate investor

Welcome back to the show, Aaron Quinonez, aka Sgt. Q. He's here to share his Marine Corps journey, including his personal struggle with mental health after transitioning to civilian life. Sgt. Q emphasizes why leaders must invest in their teams' mental well-being and the inspiration behind his QActual app. Episode Resources: QMissions QActual     About Our Guest Aaron Sgt Q Quinonez is a decorated Marine veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, and mental health innovator. He’s the creator of the QActual app and founder of QMissions, a nonprofit helping veterans heal through service. Once homeless and struggling with PTSD, he now empowers high-performing teams through resilience, service, and purpose. About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Whether you’re looking to buy a new or used car or maybe you want to refinance your current car loan, Navy Federal Credit Union has great rates on auto loans and discounts for Active Duty servicemembers and Veterans. You can apply via their mobile app or online

Tune in to the 600th installment of Veteran On the Move as Joe Crane sits down with Coast Guard Veteran Donny Hackett. Our guest is the visionary co-creator behind VeriDeal, a groundbreaking platform launching August 18th that promises to transform the world of tech sales. Don't miss this insightful conversation about innovation and entrepreneurship! Episode Resources: VeriDeal.io | sales achievements   About Our Guest Donny and Jason are Veterans who created VeriDeal to change how employees get hired. Donny was enlisted and served 4.5 years in the US Coast Guard. After his service, Donny has been in Sales for the past 10+ years and has noticed a glaring fault with the hiring process. Jason was also enlisted and served 12 years in the US Army. He has worked within DevOps for more than 20+ years with a background of building sensitive and large scale programs and environments. Together, they have built and launching VeriDeal on August 18th to help everyone, especially Veterans, within the corporate world st

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe chats with Marine Veteran Wayne Courreges. Wayne shares his journey from Marine Corps Corporal to successful real estate investor, now managing over $60 million in assets. Discover how Wayne got started in real estate during his service and eventually transitioned to full-time investing. Don't miss his advice on achieving entrepreneurial success and building lasting wealth! Episode Resources: PASSIVE INVESTOR COACHING  CREI Partners   About Our Guest Wayne Courreges is the Founder and Lead Sponsor of CREI Partners, a real estate investment firm with over $60 million in assets under management across Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. He helps busy professionals build generational wealth through passive investments in apartment communities and RV/boat and business storage developments. A former Marine Corps Corporal, Wayne began his real estate journey during his service and went on to spend 16 years with a Fortune 125 commercial real estate firm before transitioning

In this episode of "Veteran On the Move," host Joe Crane speaks with Marchem Pfeiffer, a veteran who enlisted at 17 and served in Air Force finance. Marchem discussed his transition out of the military, driven by a desire an improved for work-life balance. He candidly shared the struggles of transitioning to college life, specifically the loss of the military community. This personal experience propelled him into education coaching, leading him to serve as an Education Service Officer (ESO) for the Ohio National Guard. The discussion highlighted his motivation to become a leadership coach and author. Marchem, who wrote Navigating Leadership: From Toxicity to Triumph, now openly addresses critical veteran issues like PTSD, identity loss, and rebuilding after military service. Episode Resources: Leadership Rewired      About Our Guest Marchem Pfeiffer enlisted at 17 and served as a Senior Airman before transitioning into leadership roles supporting military members as Director of Education Services for th

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe sits down with Christopher Seminatore, a Navy veteran and founder of GetGeofencing.com. Chris shares his compelling transition from military service to a highly successful entrepreneurial career. Tune in as Chris reveals his journey through various jobs to starting and selling his first business, then building GetGeofencing.com into a thriving firm. Discover how he leverages cutting-edge geofencing technology for precise location-based marketing, scaled his business primarily through referrals, and offers key strategies for entrepreneurial success.     About Our Guest Christopher is a Naval Intelligence veteran and the founder of GetGeofencing.com, a cutting-edge digital marketing agency specializing in location-based advertising. With over seven years of experience helping clients dominate their markets, from real estate and restaurants to political campaigns and healthcare, he brings tactical precision, creative strategy, and relentless execution to every campa

This episode of Veteran On The Move features the remarkable journey of Army Veteran Nick Berg, author and entrepreneur. Born in Tehran, Nick's childhood was defined by the Iranian Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War. After escaping a life-threatening situation in Iran, he moved to the U.S. and served 11 years in the Army.  Nick discusses his unique transition from military service to becoming an author. He shares insights into writing his novel, Shadows of Tehran, and the entrepreneurial path of establishing his own publishing company to help others tell their stories. The conversation also touches on current events and Nick offers valuable advice for first-time authors. Episode Resources:  About Nick Berg Shadows of Tehran About Our Guest Nick Berg is an American author whose life is marked by tragedy and resilience. Born in Tehran to an Iranian mother and American father, he experienced Iran's vibrant culture and violent political upheavals. These events deeply influenced his worldview and literary voice.

In this episode of Veteran On The Move, Joe is joined by Air Force retiree Dan Roby. After serving for 27 years, he joined the American Public University System. Dan is now the Vice President of American Military University (AMU) Brand Management and Business Development. Episode Resources:  APUS About Our Guest Dan Roby completed a 27-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring in 2005 as a Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt). Upon retirement, he accepted a position at American Public University System as a member of the Military Outreach Team. Over the past 20 years he has served in numerous leadership positions at the university and is currently serving as the Vice President of AMU Brand Management and Business Development, where he oversees AMU Brand Management, encompassing the B2B, Military/Veteran and International markets.     About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union has made it their mission to help people in the military community. Navy Federal Credit Union

In this episode of Veteran On The Move, Joe is joined by David Lonergan, a Marine Corps veteran and the founder of Triple Threat Transformation. David shares his personal journey from feeling adrift after his service, struggling with mental health, to discovering a path of profound change. He candidly discusses the importance of seeking help and how a return to fundamentals – physical fitness, time outdoors, and family – coupled with finding purpose and fostering self-belief, transformed his life. David now empowers others to reclaim their power through his coaching, emphasizing that accepting help is a strength, not a weakness. Episode Resources:  Triple Threat Transformation David Lonergan   About Our Guest David Lonergan is a Marine Corps veteran, former martial arts instructor, and the founder of Triple Threat Transformation, a coaching brand built around movement, mindset, and manifestation. After overcoming personal struggles with health and mental resilience, David transformed his life by returning

On this episode of Veteran On the Move, Marine Corps Veteran Dave Burlin shares his journey from infantry to a leader in the veteran entrepreneurial community. Dave discusses how his soft skills learned in the military proved invaluable in scaling a wedding entertainment business and his lessons learned from the experience. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and passion in entrepreneurship. Listeners will learn about his work building vital ecosystems that connect veterans and entrepreneurs nationwide through initiatives like Freedom Week, the Veteran Entrepreneur Library Project, and VET Talks. Tune in to see how Dave's dedication to lifelong learning fuels his impact on the veteran business landscape. Episode Resources:  Dave Burlin - Global Entrepreneurship Network | LinkedIn Freedom Week 2025: It’s Not a Movement — It’s a Responsibility VetsinTech   About Our Guest Dave Burlin is a Marine Corps Veteran and founder of Freedom Week, the Veteran Entrepreneur Library Project, and VET Tal

On this episode of Veteran On the Move, Joe Crane talks with Gregg Zoroya, a former USA Today journalist who chronicled the impact of combat on military families. Gregg shares insights from embedding with Marines in Somalia and how his experiences in the field has led to his upcoming book, Unremitting: The Marine “Bastard” Battalion and the Savage Battle that Marked the True Start of America’s War in Iraq. This upcoming book reveals the untold stories of the Battle of Ramadi from the Iraq War. Gregg also offers practical advice on the entire book-writing process, from interviews to publishing and promotion. Tune in for a powerful discussion on military history and authorship. Episode Resources:  Gregg Zoroya | Hachette Book Group Unremitting on Amazon   About Our Guest Gregg Zoroya worked as a journalist with USA Today from 1998-2022, moving from human interest features and general assignment reporting to war coverage and finally to a beat assignment specially created for his talents that focused on the i

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, host Joe Crane interviews Frank Manteau, a Marine Corps veteran and co-founder/CEO of MilTreats Inc. Frank shares his challenging transition from the Marine Corps  to entrepreneurship, leading to the creation of Crayons Ready-to-Eat—"the world’s first colorable chocolate crayon." He discusses rebranding to MilTreats and how they infuse military history into their products. Frank also emphasizes the vital role of organizations like Warrior Rising for veteran networking and support. Episode Resources:  MilTreats Warrior Rising   About Our Guest Frank Manteau is a United States Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and mentor dedicated to empowering others through resilience, creativity, and service. As the co-founder and CEO of MilTreats Inc., he brings military history and humor to life with innovative products like Crayons Ready-to-Eat. Drawing from his experience as a single father and business owner, Frank actively supports fellow veterans and entrepreneurs through

In this episode of Veteran On the Move, host Joe Crane welcomes U.S. Air Force veteran Kijuan Amey. Kijuan, who served as a Boom Operator, recounts his time in active duty and the Reserves, as well as the life-altering motorcycle accident that led to his loss of sight. He also discusses his recovery and impactful work with the Air Force Wounded Warrior program. He continues to share his message as an author and motivational speaker. Episode Resources:  Amey Motivational Speaker Kijuan on LinkedIn   About Our Guest Kijuan Amey, founder of Amey Motivation LLC, is a U.S. Air Force veteran from Durham, NC, who served a decade as an In-flight Refueling Specialist. After losing his eyesight in a 2017 motorcycle accident, he transformed adversity into purpose, becoming a motivational speaker, mentor, and ambassador for the Air Force Wounded Warriors program. With over 25 years of drumming experience, a passion for acting, and his book “Don't Focus on Why Me”, Kijuan empowers audiences with his powerful message: