Life After The Military: Steve Sosland
Steve Sosland, Chief People Officer of the University of Texas Tech University System, and former United States Army Airborne Ranger Officer joins the Life After the Military podcast. Steve shares stories and talks about his military and corporate experiences; leadership, coaching, and mentoring; developing and sustaining a high-performing, values-based culture; personal and professional development; and gives a lesson on great whiskies and bourbons.
0:00 – 1:23 Introduction to podcast and Steve Sosland
1:58 – 7:16 Steve describes how his military experience and leaders shaped him
7:17- 11:00 Steve and Lee talk about the importance of strong team bonds
11:01 – 13:15 Steve and Howie talk about their personal mission statements
13:16 – 24:59 Steve talks about his experience at West Point, his early assignments, and his experiences with Brigadier General Herbert Lloyd, a military hero and legend
25:00 – 36:00 Steve describes his transition from the military and experience as a recruiter for military officers, talks about the impact of ego, and describes his work experience at KFC
36:01 – 44:44 Lee, Steve and Howie talk about leadership
44:45 – 47:00 Steve talks about his life’s purpose: developing and sustaining a high performing organization based on a strong set of core values
49:15 – 56:30 Steve defines the difference between mentoring and coaching
56:31 – 1:02:30 Steve talks about his entry into the healthcare field and building a values-based culture
1:07:30 – 1:16:15 Steve talks about being a life-long leader, the importance of self-development, and suggests four books to read
1:20:57 – 1:27:00 Steve shares his top picks for bourbon and whiskey
1:27:40 Lee gives Steve his book title
1:28:30 – 1:33:54 Steve shares his definition of mental fitness and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness
1:35:30 – 1:36:40 Steve thanks all who were in uniform or are currently in uniform
1:36:45 Lee closes the episode
Steve’s Social Media:
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-sosland-58492010/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1039208053
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ssosland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stevesosland/
Life After The Military: Skate for the 22 Foundation
In this episode, we talk with Bobby Colliton and Jonathan Demers who started the Skate for the 22 Foundation. Bobby and Jonathan formed the Skate for the 22 Foundation to reduce the tragically high number of military suicides by providing hockey, learn to skate, and skills development sessions, at no cost to their players with the goal of getting veterans back into a supportive, team environment.
0:00 Lee intros the podcast
0:42 Lee introduces Jonathan Demers and Bobby Colliton from the Skate for the 22 Foundation
3:06 Bobby explains the purpose behind the Skate for the 22 Foundation
8:32 Bobby explains the use of hockey to help Veterans by creating a team environment that they miss after leaving the military
14:42 Bobby shares how he created Skate for the 22
19:19 Bobby and Jonathan talk about how Skate for the 22 is organized and how players may offer services to other players
28:12 Bobby shares how his military experiences prepared him to create the Skate for the 22
33:40 Bobby talks about how others may create a similar foundation that gets others involved
37:43 Jonathan talks about how his military experience helped him with his involvement in Skate for the 22
43:04 Bobby and Jonathan share their transition experiences and describe the huge value that their military leadership training brought them in the corporate world 53:50 Bobby talks about how to integrate veterans into the workforce
58:42 Jonathan talks about their podcast, Behind the Boots
1:03:35 Bobby and Jonathan define mental fitness and what they do to strengthen their mental fitness
1:07:30 Bobby describes how to get involved in Skate for the 22
1:11:32 Howie closes out the episode
Life After The Military: Natalie Oliverio
Natalie Oliverio, CEO of Military Talent Partners, joins the Crossing the Line of Departure: Life After the Military podcast to share how her time in the Navy helped her mature; how she helped veterans as a recruiter, talent manager, and mentor; how she started her own for-profit company which has helped well over 5,000 veterans and their family members in less than 3 years; explains the value of committing to goal-setting; and, shares how she strengthens her own mental fitness.
Military Talent Partners Natalie Oliverio's LinkedIn
Show notes
0:00 Introduction 0:28 Lee introduces Natalie Oliverio 1:30 Natalie explains how her Navy experience molded her 4:46 Natalie talks about her transition from the Navy 10:08 Natalie talks about her post military career, specifically working forNatalie Tennant’s run for West Virginia Secretary of State 11:23 Natalie talks about her other post military job experiences and theimportance of goal setting 16:45 Natalie explains her role as a mentor for Elite Meet 27:53 Natalie describes what her company, Military Talent Partners (MTP),does for veterans 32:24 Natalie tells some stories about veterans she helped at MTP 39:54 Natalie talks about her experiences with transitioning from onecompany to another 46:57 Natalie advises business owners on how and why to recruit militarytalent 50:45 Natalie defines mental fitness and shares what she does to strengthenher own mental fitness
Life After The Military: Becky Margiotta
U.S. Army Veteran Becky Margiotta joined the podcast to share how her time in the military shaped her; the transformational work she did with the 100,000 Homes Campaign; starting her own non-profit, The Billions Institute, to help other non-profits scale to change the world; and, how she strengthens her own mental fitness.
View some of Becky’s Key Note Speeches
0:00 Introduction
0:28 Lee introduces Becky
2:00 Becky describes how her time in the military shaped her
7:21 Becky describes why she left the military and how she executed her transition
16:11 Becky defines transformational leadership and how to do it
21:41 Becky talks about the non-profit workspace and her experience finding homes for 100,000 people in 4 years
25:43 Becky talks about her pursuit of addressing homelessness and using “Housing as Healthcare”
30:14 Becky talks about how she started The Billions Institute and The Social Change Agency
38:17 Becky talks about her experiences with transitioning into organizations after she left the military and provides advice to leaders on how to integrate veterans into their organizations
51:34 Becky defines mental fitness and shares how she personally strengthens her own mental fitness
1:03:48 Lee closes out the podcast
Life After The Military: Rob Blake
Rob Blake, a veteran of the United States Air Force, joins the Crossing the Line of Departure: Life After the Military podcast to share his experiences working in the government contracting world. Rob, co-owner and co-founder of Verium, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, provides excellent insight into navigating the challenges of being successful in this workspace. Rob explains the challenges of the business development and capture management process and shares great stories on how to add value to your company and your government clients.
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Introduction
0:28 Lee introduces Rob Blake
1:22 Rob explains why he left the military
4:30 Rob shares his experiences about being a federal government contractor
8:00 Rob describes the challenges of working in a for-profit, government contracting environment
11:34 Rob talks about the value of networking with others
13:32 Rob gives great advice and insights into starting his own company
21:42 Rob encourages new business owners to consider having a complementary partner
24:45 Rob provides invaluable insights into the business development and capture management processes
31:17 Rob shares additional thoughts on managing the business development process
33:15 Rob tells a great business development story and the importance of bringing value
38:20 Rob provides advice to business leaders on integrating veterans into their organizations
40:15 Rob talks about his personal experiences when integrating into business organizations
42:52 Rob talks about what went right and what went wrong during his transition
48:51 Rob gives his definition of mental fitness and shares what he does to strengthen it
56:11 Lee close the episode
Life After the Military: JB Spisso
JB Spisso, a retired United States Army Sergeant Major and former member of the elite special operations unit, the 75th Ranger Regiment, joins the Crossing the Line of Departure: Life After the Military podcast. JB shares his stories and experiences of transition; how he consults with collegiate and professional sports teams, players, and coaches; and provides executive coaching to senior corporate leaders.
JB is the author of Warrior Leadership: Warrior Leadership: Steps to Success for Leaders on the Ground and owner of JBS Leadership Consultants, LLC
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Introduction
1:50 Mike shares his experiences at the White House Communications Agency when supporting President Obama and his administration
4:30 Mike talks about performing as a Corporate Chief Operating Officer
7:45 Mike talks about his formal education and the 5 F’s: Family, Flying, Fitness, Fairness, and Fun
12:58 Mike talks about how his military experience prepared him for his own transition
15:41 Mike discusses his role as a mentor to other veterans
18:51 Mike shares what went well and what did not go well during his transition
23:00 Mike talks about leading a high performing team in the private sector
28:25 Mike explains what he’d do differently if he were to transition again
32:22 Mike shares the key questions he asked himself to decide on what he wanted to do after the military
36:27 Mike provides advice to corporate leaders on how to integrate veterans onto their teams
44:02 Mike talks about the importance of a clearly defined vision and mission and his personal vision board
51:36 Lee closes out the podcast
Life After The Military: Mike Black
U.S. Air Force Colonel (Retired) Mike Black joins the podcast to share valuable lessons learned during his Air Force career; how he planned and executed his transition; how he applied his lessons learned to perform as a successful small company Chief Operating Officer in the private sector; and, provided great advice to guide veterans as they prepare for their transition.
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Introduction
1:50 Mike shares his experiences at the White House Communications Agency when supporting President Obama and his administration
4:30 Mike talks about performing as a Corporate Chief Operating Officer
7:45 Mike talks about his formal education and the 5 F’s: Family, Flying, Fitness, Fairness, and Fun
12:58 Mike talks about how his military experience prepared him for his own transition
15:41 Mike discusses his role as a mentor to other veterans
18:51 Mike shares what went well and what did not go well during his transition
23:00 Mike talks about leading a high performing team in the private sector
28:25 Mike explains what he’d do differently if he were to transition again
32:22 Mike shares the key questions he asked himself to decide on what he wanted to do after the military
36:27 Mike provides advice to corporate leaders on how to integrate veterans onto their teams
44:02 Mike talks about the importance of a clearly defined vision and mission and his personal vision board
51:36 Lee closes out the podcast
Life After The Military with Howie Cohen
Howie Cohen, the Director of the Pivotal Moments Charlie Mike channel and a veteran of over 27 years of military service, shares how military schools and assignments helped him develop the skills and tools to transition successfully from the military. Howie provides very detailed advice and guidance for men and women in the military to plan, prepare for, and execute a successful transition. Howie also shares what did not go well for him and what he’d do differently if he were to transition now.
Learn more about Howie on our Charlie Mike Page, our About Page, and LinkedIn
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Lee Elias opens the podcast and introduces Howie
2:36 Howie shares valuable lessons learned from his military experience which included Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Ranger School, and assignment to the 3Rd Ranger Battalion.
11:14 Howie shares stories of experiences at the White House Communications Agency – supporting the Bush 43 Administration and meeting Pope John Paul VI.
17:44 Howie describes how he prepared for and executed his transition out of the military.
24:52 Howie talks about what went well, what did not go well, and what he’d do differently during his transition.
31:37 Howie describes how the three companies he worked for helped him integrate into their work environment and culture.
36:35 Howie talks about his step into entrepreneurship and following his passion.
41:02 Howie provides very detailed, specific advice on how to prepare for transition from the military.
56:08 Howie provides advice to organizational leaders on how to help veterans integrate into their organizations.
Life After The Military: Janet Cruz M.D.
Janet Cruz M.D. is Family Medicine Physician, the author of Stay In Medicine and a former U.S. Air Force Officer. In our first episode of Crossing the Line of Departure, she shares her story of joining the military and how it prepared her for civilian life.
Check out Janet's book, Stay In Medicine, here