Keith Wilson will provide an overview of the veteran support services offered at the county level, including resources for entrepreneurship, mental health, and community connection.
Hosted at the Geekdom 7th Floor Classroom.
Join Lukas Simianer to learn how VetClaims AI is transforming the way veterans access the benefits they’ve earned. This session will cover how the platform streamlines the claims process while protecting veterans from predatory practices that often take advantage of those who served. Hosted at the Geekdom 7th Floor Classroom.
Learn how to navigate franchise sourcing and selection while tapping into the financial tools and resources that make franchising accessible to veteran entrepreneurs. Featuring expert guidance from Richard Ashe, this session will highlight why franchising remains a proven path to business ownership.
Hosted at the Geekdom 7th Floor Classroom.
Discover how veterans can pursue business ownership through Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) with Patrick Flood. This session with Patrick Flood and the Owners In Honor team will cover financing options, deal flow strategies, and the specialized support available to veteran entrepreneurs exploring this path.
Hosted at the Geekdom 7th Floor Classroom.
Heidi Clemons will help you uncover how your personal money mindset shapes your business decisions. Learn the difference between abundance and scarcity thinking, how subconscious money habits influence financial outcomes, and strategies to align your beliefs with entrepreneurial growth.
Join us at the Geekdom 7th Floor Classroom to shift your perspective and unlock greater success.
Daniela Romero Najera uses the Purpose-to-Impact (p2i™) process to guide veterans in uncovering their unique talents, clarifying personal values, and defining a life-purpose that drives both career and entrepreneurial success.
Hosted at the Geekdom 7th Floor Classroom.
Military Spouse Support
Dr. Mamie Pack will discuss the vital role military spouses play as a support system for active-duty service members, and share resources available to help spouses access the support they need. Hosted at the Geekdom 7th Floor Classroom in San Antonio, Texas.
Welcome to Veteran Social Summit 2024 (VETSOCIAL24)—a high-energy gathering of veterans, military spouses, and proud supporters building what’s next. Across main-stage keynotes and tactical breakouts, you’ll hear battle-tested playbooks on:
Launching & scaling veteran-led businesses
Modern recruiting, career pivots, and leadership
Funding, partnerships, and community growth
Mental fitness, resilience, and purpose after service
Content, storytelling, and brand building
AI tools that actually move the needle
What to expect:
Main-stage talks, rapid spotlights, and candid fireside chats—plus bonus backstage interviews and take-home frameworks you can put to work today.
Who it’s for:
Veterans, military spouses, employers, investors, and community builders ready to connect, learn, and lead.
How to use this feed:
Stream the full sessions and highlights
Share episodes with your squad
Save your favorites for your next playbook review
Subscribe, rate, and pass it on—because #VetsDoThat.
VETSOCIAL25 Main Stage: “Strategic Ascent—Shaping Your Identity” with Nathan Wheeler.
A SOF veteran and founder of Strategic Ascent, Nathan shows veterans and entrepreneurs how to clarify identity, translate service-tested skills to business, and build a financial and leadership framework that scales.
Drawing on 11 years in uniform—including the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 10th Special Forces Group—plus stints training senior leaders for Space Force/USSPACECOM and consulting at Deloitte, Nathan outlines a mission-ready playbook: define the “why,” assess resources, make disciplined decisions, and execute with momentum.
You’ll learn
How identity drives strategy—and revenue
Converting military strengths into market advantages
A simple decision cadence for high-stakes choices
Financial pillars for sustainable growth
Follow the show and share with a teammate who’s building their next chapter. 🎧💥
When you need a light, sometimes you become one. In this VETSOCIAL25 talk, retired Navy Senior Chief Leah Stiles—Founder & CEO of SEA WAVES, the veteran-led nonprofit addressing eating disorders in the military—shares how she turned personal struggle into purpose and built a mission that saves lives. She unpacks what it takes to launch and grow an impact-driven nonprofit: clarifying your “why,” building community without stigma, and translating lived experience into measurable change.
Episode highlights
From pain to purpose: Leah’s journey and why the military community needs this conversation now.
19th News
Building SEA WAVES: mission, advocacy, and the blueprint for sustainable nonprofit leadership.
SEA WAVES
Creating safer spaces: language, partnerships, and practical steps any leader can take today.
SEA WAVES
If this moved you, follow the show and share with someone who needs to hear it. đź’™
What’s your value—and can you prove it? In this VETSOCIAL25 talk, Treazure Owen breaks down how founders stand out in a crowded market by knowing exactly who they are and what they bring to the table. She walks through the anatomy of a winning capability statement—separating Past Relevant Experience from Past Performance—and shows how to operate with a clear “commander’s intent,” inventory your resources, and execute like a mission.
Episode highlights
Define your unique value so your brand isn’t “just another” business.
Build a capability statement with two distinct sections: Past Relevant Experience vs. Past Performance.
Market from identity: you can’t sell what you can’t name.
Apply mission planning to entrepreneurship: intent, resources, and disciplined execution.
Timestamps
06:34 — Capability statement 101: Past Relevant Experience vs. Past Performance
08:54 — “Commander’s intent” and treating growth like an operation
If this episode helps, follow the show and share it with a fellow founder. 🎧💥
#Chicago #VetsDoThat #VETSOCIAL25
In this episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, we bring you Bill Barrington’s powerful talk from the main stage of VETSOCIAL25. Bill shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and the veteran spirit of service that continues well beyond the uniform. His message speaks directly to entrepreneurs, community leaders, and anyone navigating the challenges of building a mission-driven life.
Tune in as Bill draws from his experiences to highlight the importance of purpose, adaptability, and the strength of the veteran community in shaping America’s future.
🎙️ Listen, learn, and be inspired by the voices driving the #Vetrepreneur movement.
#VETSOCIAL25 #VetsDoThat #Vetrepreneurship #Leadership
Noah Currier — Founder of Oscar Mike | VETSOCIAL25 Main Stage
Recorded live on the VETSOCIAL25 Main Stage, Noah Currier shares how a purpose-driven vision became a movement—built around grit, community, and doing good at scale. In this candid talk, Noah breaks down what it really takes to build a mission-first brand, stay resilient when the road gets rough, and turn supporters into teammates who carry the mission forward.
You’ll hear:
How to build a brand that serves before it sells
Practical ways to weave impact into every product, post, and partnership
Lessons on leadership, culture, and hiring within the military-connected community
The mindset shifts that keep founders “on mission” through setbacks
Perfect for founders, veterans, and anyone crafting a business with heart—and teeth.
Subscribe to VETSOCIAL Voices and leave a review to help more listeners discover veteran-led stories that move the needle.
We’re thrilled to welcome Stephanie Brown from The Rosie Network to #VETSOCIAL25! Stephanie has spent years championing military spouse and veteran entrepreneurs—and she’s bringing practical insights you can apply immediately.
What you’ll take away:
• Proven tactics to launch and scale a milspouse/veteran-owned business
• How to get “contract-ready” and build partnerships that open doors
• Brand + visibility playbook to stand out in a noisy market
• Community resources you should be leveraging—today
📅 September 12–13, 2025
🎥 Main Stage streamed by Parade Deck (AppleTV)
đź”— Register for the Replay: event.veteransocialsummit.com
Tag a milspouse or veteran entrepreneur who needs to be in the room with Stephanie. Let’s unite, grow, empower, and elevate this community—together.
🎙️ VETSOCIAL Voices | Episode: Lauren’s Keynote at VETSOCIAL25
On September 12, 2025, VETSOCIAL25 opened with a powerful keynote from Lauren that set the tone for the entire summit. In this special episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, we bring you her full address, captured live from the virtual main stage.
Lauren’s message was more than just words—it was a call to action for veterans, military spouses, and proud patriots to rise together, embrace opportunity, and build a stronger future. She spoke with honesty, conviction, and vision, inspiring the community to unite, grow, and elevate one another.
Whether you were in attendance or tuning in for the first time, this keynote embodies the heart of VETSOCIAL25. It’s a reminder that our shared stories, struggles, and successes are what drive this movement forward.
đź”— Join the conversation, share your story, and be part of the mission at www.veteransocialsummit.com.
#VetsDoThat #MilSpousesDoThat #VETSOCIAL25
Episode Title:
Friendology & the Ranger Creed — Candace “Candyss” Bryant on Building the Ranger Legacy
Episode Description:
Ryan Hunt sits down with Candace “Candyss” Bryant—long-time force in the veteran community, former Best Ranger Competition lead, and founder of the Ranger Legacy Foundation—for a candid, high-energy conversation about grit, purpose, and building a lasting home for the Ranger story. Candace shares how a “happy accident” pulled her into the Ranger world, why the Ranger Creed became her compass, and what she learned stepping away to reset—and then returning with a bigger vision.
They dig into the Foundation’s plan for a world-class community center and home for the Ranger Hall of Fame, the phased fundraising (seed goal surpassed, next $1M to secure land and pre-design on the path to a $20M+ campaign), the Camo Jacket Society, and an active RFP for architecture and site work. Candace lays out a realistic runway (18–24 months of campaign activity; doors opening in roughly 4–5 years) and exactly how Rangers, spouses, and civilian allies can plug in—money, time, or network.
Plus: a preview of her VETSOCIAL25 “Friendology” Part II talk—why deep, intentional relationships are the veteran community’s unfair advantage.
If the Ranger Creed moves you—“shoulders back, chin up”—share this episode and get involved with the Ranger Legacy vision.
🎙️ Live from VetFest Atlanta!
In this episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, host Ryan Hunt sits down with Nathan Wheeler — Army veteran, entrepreneur, and community leader — for an unfiltered conversation about life after service, identity, and the power of financial education.
Nathan shares his powerful journey from 11 years in the Army (including time with the 10th Special Forces Group) to navigating one of the hardest transitions of his life. He opens up about losing his military identity, rebuilding from the ground up, and creating what he calls his “anti-drift formula” — a blueprint for veterans to align their associations, habits, affirmations, and faith with the person they want to become.
Now leading a team of 200+ associates in the financial services industry, Nathan is passionate about empowering veterans with financial literacy, mentorship, and personal development. He also reveals how his work in coaching, speaking, and writing is helping shape a new generation of veteran leaders.
💡 If you’ve ever struggled with transition, purpose, or finding your path after service, this episode will inspire you to lock back in with the veteran community and climb higher.
👉 Register free for VETSOCIAL25 (Sept 12–13, 2025) at www.VeteranSocialSummit.com
#VETSOCIALVoices #VeteranPodcast #VeteranCommunity
Episode description
Marine Corps ANGLICO veteran SGT Q joins VETSOCIAL Voices to share a raw, hopeful arc—from post-deployment spiral and homelessness to building a mission that saves lives. He recounts surviving a home-invasion gunfight, hitting bottom, and a turning point at New Life Church. A midnight grid search to save a fellow vet from an overpass sparked the blueprint for his app, originally called Operation Pop Smoke—a squad-based wellness tool with a daily 4-question check-in and a one-button alert that pings 2–3 trusted contacts when someone needs help.
We also dig into how he turned training into tech and workshops (including work with Cherokee and Choctaw partners), grew his company into the top 2% of U.S. small businesses, and won The Blox twice (Seasons 7 & 9) before returning as a coach and judge. Along the way: why hope is a survival catalyst, how to set up your “squad,” and practical steps leaders can use to protect their people.
In this ~39-minute episode (38:40), we cover:
ANGLICO, call-for-fire, and the “pop smoke” metaphor for asking help
Surviving a home invasion and the mental-health freefall that followed
The rescue that led to designing a daily wellness + alert app (“Operation Pop Smoke”)
Color-coded status, one-tap alerts, and building 2–3 person accountability squads
Translating military training into tech + workshops; work with Cherokee/Choctaw communities
Winning The Blox (S7 & S9), then coaching/judging—and what founders can learn
Building a company into the top 2% of small businesses; recognized as Indiana Veteran of the Year (2025) by Military Friendly
Follow the show and share this with a veteran, milspouse, or ally who needs a simple, actionable way to “pop smoke” and get help fast.
Episode description
Marine Corps ANGLICO veteran SGT Q joins VETSOCIAL Voices to share a raw, hopeful arc—from post-deployment spiral and homelessness to building a mission that saves lives. He recounts surviving a home-invasion gunfight, hitting bottom, and a turning point at New Life Church. A midnight grid search to save a fellow vet from an overpass sparked the blueprint for his app, originally called Operation Pop Smoke—a squad-based wellness tool with a daily 4-question check-in and a one-button alert that pings 2–3 trusted contacts when someone needs help.
We also dig into how he turned training into tech and workshops (including work with Cherokee and Choctaw partners), grew his company into the top 2% of U.S. small businesses, and won The Blox twice (Seasons 7 & 9) before returning as a coach and judge. Along the way: why hope is a survival catalyst, how to set up your “squad,” and practical steps leaders can use to protect their people.
In this ~39-minute episode (38:40), we cover:
ANGLICO, call-for-fire, and the “pop smoke” metaphor for asking help
Surviving a home invasion and the mental-health freefall that followed
The rescue that led to designing a daily wellness + alert app (“Operation Pop Smoke”)
Color-coded status, one-tap alerts, and building 2–3 person accountability squads
Translating military training into tech + workshops; work with Cherokee/Choctaw communities
Winning The Blox (S7 & S9), then coaching/judging—and what founders can learn
Building a company into the top 2% of small businesses; recognized as Indiana Veteran of the Year (2025) by Military Friendly
Follow the show and share this with a veteran, milspouse, or ally who needs a simple, actionable way to “pop smoke” and get help fast.
Episode description
Community builder Candyss Bryant joins VETSOCIAL Voices to unpack “friendology”—her practice of showing up, connecting people, and turning relationships into real outcomes. With 25+ years in the veteran space, Candyss shares how she helped coordinate the Best Ranger Competition, stood up the National Ranger Association, and now leads the Ranger Legacy Foundation (rangerlegacy.org), including the Camo Jacket Society to seed a $1M endowment for preserving Ranger history and supporting the community.
In this ~58-minute episode (58:10), we cover:
What “friendology” looks like in action—and why it isn’t fluffy
Best Ranger, PJ Rodeo, LeapFest, and why competitions knit communities
Starting the National Ranger Association and launching Ranger Legacy Foundation
The Camo Jacket Society: who it’s for and how it fuels the mission
Practical ways to plug in: volunteer, partner, donate, and amplify
Follow the show and share this with a veteran, milspouse, or ally who believes legacy is a team sport.