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  • Susan Aimes

    Susan Aimes
    2026/03/30
    What does it mean to become a Gold Star family? In this episode of The Strategic Veteran, Adam Peters sits down with Susan Aimes, a Gold Star mother whose son gave his life in service to this country. For families of the fallen, the cost of war does not end when the mission ends. It becomes a lifelong journey of grief, remembrance, and honoring the legacy of those who never came home. Susan shares her story of loss, resilience, and the responsibility she feels to keep her son’s memory alive. The conversation explores the strength of Gold Star families and the lasting impact military service has on those who love and support our service members. This episode is about sacrifice, legacy, and the enduring bond between a mother and her child. If you want to understand the true cost of service, this conversation is an important one. CONNECT WITH THE STRATEGIC VETERAN Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd?si=887c164c4a8e4ae2 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thestrategicveteran 00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Susan Aimes 02:10 Her son’s decision to serve 06:30 The pride and fear of military families 12:20 The day everything changed 18:30 Becoming a Gold Star mother 26:40 The lifelong impact of loss 35:10 Honoring the legacy of the fallen 44:00 Supporting Gold Star families 52:10 What civilians should understand about sacrifice 1:00:00 Remembering her son Chapters
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    1 時間 2 分
  • JJ Hardy

    JJ Hardy
    2026/03/23
    What actually makes someone a leader? In this episode of The Strategic Veteran, Adam Peters sits down with Army veteran JJ Hardy to talk about the leadership lessons that only show up when everything is on the line. JJ grew up believing that trusting people was a mistake. Looking out for yourself was the only way to survive. But when he stepped into his first leadership role in the Army, everything changed. Surrounded by a team that depended on him and refused to let him stay on the sidelines, JJ began to learn something most leaders never do. Trust and empathy aren't weakness. They're the things that hold people together in chaos. Today, JJ’s mission is simple. Help people stop hiding behind rank, titles, and authority, and actually learn how to lead. If you've ever struggled with leadership, trust, or finding purpose after service, this conversation will resonate. --- CONNECT WITH THE STRATEGIC VETERAN Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd?si=887c164c4a8e4ae2 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thestrategicveteran --- CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Meet JJ Hardy 02:15 Childhood and learning to trust nobody 06:30 Entering leadership in the Army 10:45 The leadership moment that changed everything 17:40 Why trust and empathy matter in leadership 26:15 The difference between rank and leadership 35:10 Lessons learned from leading soldiers 45:00 Finding purpose after the military 55:30 Helping others become real leaders 1:03:00 Advice for veterans navigating leadership after service
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Anthony Potter

    Anthony Potter
    2026/03/16
    What happens when the Army sends you home before you're ready? In this episode of The Strategic Veteran, Adam Peters sits down with Army veteran Anthony Potter to talk about the reality of being med-boarded out of the military and the identity crisis that can follow. Anthony spent eight years serving as an Army medic. For him, the Army wasn't just a job. It was the structure and brotherhood that helped him rebuild after a difficult childhood. But when burnout, toxic leadership, and medical issues forced him out early, everything changed. In this conversation, Anthony shares the reality many veterans face after leaving the military. Rejection in the civilian world, loss of identity, and the quiet struggle that happens when the uniform comes off. He also talks about how he found a new mission by building community for veterans and speaking openly about the things many people are afraid to say. If you've ever struggled with purpose, identity, or transition after the military, this episode will resonate. Subscribe for more real conversations about life after service. --- CONNECT WITH THE STRATEGIC VETERAN Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd?si=887c164c4a8e4ae2 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thestrategicveteran --- CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Meet Anthony Potter 02:30 Growing up and finding the Army 06:10 Life as an Army medic 10:20 Burnout and toxic leadership in the military 17:45 Being medically boarded out of the Army 24:30 Losing identity after leaving the military 31:40 Civilian job rejection and transition struggles 40:15 The emotional weight of leaving the brotherhood 49:20 Rebuilding purpose after service 57:30 Building community for veterans 1:05:10 Advice for veterans going through transition
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    1 時間
  • Athena Ives

    Athena Ives
    2026/03/09
    Athena Ives' journey is one of incredible resilience, transformation, and a fierce dedication to making a difference. From a childhood in a cult to serving as a Marine Corps lioness in Iraq, she has navigated immense challenges, including homelessness and the profound impact of combat. Now a respected peace and security advisor with a PhD in forensic psychology, Athena shares her story of overcoming adversity, breaking barriers, and advocating for a more compassionate approach to global security. This episode offers a raw and honest look at the realities of military service, the lingering effects of trauma, and the power of finding one's purpose even in the darkest of times.
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    1 時間 3 分
  • William Holsten

    William Holsten
    2026/03/04
    In this empowering conversation on The Strategic Veteran, host Adam Peters welcomes William Holston, a leading expert in Business Mistake Prevention. William draws upon his extensive background in innovation for a corporate giant and his personal journey building a family business to offer crucial guidance on avoiding preventable entrepreneurial failures. This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone navigating the complexities of starting or scaling a business, especially veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Introduction and the feeling of business setbacks. 00:03:36 The path to entrepreneurship for veterans. 00:06:23 William's first major business blunder and the lessons learned. 00:13:33 Decision discipline vs. general discipline for entrepreneurs. 00:20:31 The top 8 preventable business mistakes. 00:36:49 Leveraging AI tools (like ChatGPT & Perplexity) for business research. 00:41:07 Insights from William's book, "Oh, The Mistakes I've Made." 00:44:36 The importance of courage, curiosity, and asking for help. Learn how to: Identify and sidestep the "no one needs this" syndrome. Challenge assumptions and avoid "death by assumption." Understand the "Vanishing Wallet Trap" and cash flow management. Master the art of "flying without a map" by creating a business plan. Develop your own "blunder tendencies" to prevent future mistakes. William Holston's practical advice, combined with his engaging stories, will equip you to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape with greater confidence. #BusinessStrategy #EntrepreneurMindset #VeteranSuccess #StartupTips #BusinessGrowth #RiskManagement #AIinBusiness #WilliamHolston #TheStrategicVeteran
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    47 分
  • Peter Pollock

    Peter Pollock
    2026/02/23
    In this episode, Peter Pollock, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, shares what really happens after a senior officer retires and the structure disappears. After 24 years of service, command roles, deployments, and Pentagon work, Peter expected the transition to be manageable. It wasn’t. We talk about identity loss at the officer level, leadership myths in corporate America, why rank means nothing on the outside, and how veterans collide with mediocrity after service. This is a blunt conversation about leadership, failure, and starting over when the playbook you lived by no longer applies. Subscribe for real transition stories without bullshit: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Growing up and choosing the Air Force • Being denied flight school and adapting early • Command, deployments, and Pentagon work • Retiring after 24 years and losing structure • Why corporate leadership frustrates veterans • Leadership vs title when failure actually matters • Rebuilding purpose without rank or uniform GUEST BIO Peter Pollock is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, leadership coach, and founder of Gladius Consulting. After 24 years of service, Peter now works with leaders and organizations to build decision-making, accountability, and real leadership grounded in responsibility, not position. LINKS • Gladius Consulting: https://gladiusconsultingtx.com • Email Peter: peter@gladiusconsultingtx.com • The Strategic Veteran Podcast: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436
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    1 時間 8 分
  • Joshua Palassis

    Joshua Palassis
    2026/02/23
    In this episode, Joshua Palassis shares what it feels like when your entire plan collapses overnight. After failing aircrew selection, Joshua lost his military path, his income, and his independence and was forced to move back home and repay the Army. No backup plan. No safety net. Just failure staring him in the face. Instead of staying stuck, Joshua rebuilt from the ground up. Through self-education, entrepreneurship, relationship-building, and brutal self-honesty, he carved a new path in branding, marketing, and connection-driven business. This conversation breaks down the reality of transition, investing in yourself, finding mentors, and why people—not job titles—are the real leverage point after the military. Subscribe for real transition stories that don’t sugarcoat the process: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Growing up in Hamilton, Ontario • Joining the Canadian military and commissioning as an infantry officer • The reality of officer life and broken expectations • Failing aircrew selection and losing a career path • Paying back the military and moving home • Investing $5,000 into self-education • Learning marketing, ClickFunnels, and online business • The power of mentorship and relationships • Becoming a connector instead of chasing titles GUEST BIO Joshua Palassis is a Canadian Army veteran, entrepreneur, brand strategist, and podcast host of The Connector. After a difficult military transition, Joshua rebuilt his life through self-education, marketing, and relationship-driven business. Today, he helps founders, executives, and creators grow their brands, land stages, and build meaningful opportunities through connection. LINKS • Joshua on Instagram: https://instagram.com/palassis • The Connector Podcast • Brand Alchemy • The Strategic Veteran Podcast: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Rand Timmerman

    Rand Timmerman
    2026/02/09
    In this episode, Rand Timmerman, a Vietnam War Marine, former mustang officer, JAG attorney, and lifelong alcoholic in recovery, shares one of the most honest stories ever told on this show. From rural poverty and combat in Vietnam to decades of buried trauma, night terrors, and alcohol-fueled survival, Rand walks us through what happens when the past finally demands to be faced. At nearly seventy years old, sober and grieving deep loss, Rand made a radical choice. He walked the Appalachian Trail alongside his brother. Twenty-two hundred miles. One step at a time. Not to escape his demons, but to meet them head-on. This conversation is about war, grief, faith, addiction, brotherhood, and the truth that it is never too late to change course. Subscribe for real transition stories that don’t pull punches: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Growing up in rural poverty and enlisting during Vietnam • Infantry combat, helicopters, bayonets, and survivor’s guilt • Alcohol as a lifelong coping mechanism • Becoming a mustang officer and Marine JAG • Night terrors, PTSD, and a psych ward at 65 • Sobriety and faith later in life • Walking the Appalachian Trail at nearly 70 • Why healing is one hard mile at a time GUEST BIO Rand Timmerman is a Vietnam War Marine veteran, former mustang officer, retired attorney, author, and recovery advocate. After decades of buried trauma and alcoholism, Rand found sobriety and healing later in life. He is the author of A Spiritual Passage, documenting his 2,200-mile journey on the Appalachian Trail and the inner work that came with it. LINKS • Rand Timmerman Website: https://randtimmerman.com • Book: A Spiritual Passage (Amazon) • Email Rand: rand.timmerman@gmail.com • The Strategic Veteran Podcast: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436
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    1 時間 1 分