Episodes

  • JJ Hardy

    JJ Hardy
    Mar 23 2026
    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 hr and 1 min
  • Anthony Potter

    Anthony Potter
    Mar 16 2026
    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 hr
  • Athena Ives

    Athena Ives
    Mar 9 2026
    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 hr and 3 mins
  • William Holsten

    William Holsten
    Mar 4 2026
    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 mins
  • Peter Pollock

    Peter Pollock
    Feb 23 2026
    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 hr and 8 mins
  • Joshua Palassis

    Joshua Palassis
    Feb 23 2026
    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 hr and 1 min
  • Rand Timmerman

    Rand Timmerman
    Feb 9 2026
    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 hr and 1 min
  • Kenneth Webb

    Kenneth Webb
    Feb 2 2026
    In this episode, Kenneth Webb shares what happens when a 33-year Army career, a second career at American Airlines, and every familiar identity finally fall away. After retiring as a lieutenant colonel and realizing no one cared who he used to be, Ken walked away from the U.S., moved to Miraflores, Peru, and began rebuilding life on his own terms. We talk about long-term service in the Army Reserves, deployments to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, identity loss after retirement, depression, and the decision to stop chasing titles. Ken opens up about learning Spanish through immersion, pursuing a doctorate later in life, and writing his first crime novel not for status or money, but because he had something he needed to say. This conversation is about reinvention, sovereignty, and choosing a life that actually fits. Subscribe for real transition stories and honest frameworks: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • 33 years in the Army Reserves and multiple combat deployments • The identity crash after retiring twice • Depression after losing rank, structure, and mission • Leaving the U.S. and starting over in Peru • Learning Spanish through immersion, not apps • Why Ken started writing crime fiction • Publishing a first novel without chasing approval • Choosing peace over prestige GUEST BIO Kenneth Webb is a retired Army lieutenant colonel, former military intelligence officer, and author. After decades of service and a second civilian career, Ken relocated to Peru where he focuses on writing, language immersion, and personal reinvention. His debut crime novel, Trapped in Deception, explores identity, manipulation, and starting over later in life. LINKS • Kenneth Webb Website: https://kenwebb69.com • Book: Trapped in Deception (Amazon) • 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 hr and 2 mins