What does it mean to build influence through service?

In this episode, John S. Berry talks with Curtez Riggs, Founder of the Military Influencer Conference — recorded live at MIC — about what it means to lead with purpose, authenticity, and service.

Curtez shares how his journey from the U.S. Army to entrepreneurship taught him that real influence is measured by the people you lift up. Through his leadership at MIC, and ongoing work with Recurrent Ventures, We Are The Mighty, and Triple Nikel, Curtez continues to empower Veterans, creators, and brands to connect through shared purpose.

Guest Links:
• Military Influencer Conference: https://militaryinfluencer.com
• Recurrent Ventures: https://recurrent.io
• Triple Nikel: https://triplenikel.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtezriggs/

What happens when military families share their stories—and what risks come with speaking out?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry talks with Jennifer Barnhill, journalist, researcher, and the 2025 Armed Forces Insurance Navy Spouse of the Year. Barnhill has spent her career uncovering how military spouses and children experience service, and how safe storytelling can bridge the gap between civilian and military life.

They explore why families often hesitate to share openly, how leaders can protect those voices, and what true people-first leadership looks like when it includes spouses and kids. Barnhill also previews her upcoming book, The Military Stories You’ve Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear, and why it’s time to center military families in the conversation about service and sacrifice.

Guest Links:
• Substack: https://weservetoo.substack.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weservetoo/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morethanadependent/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/More_Than_Mommy

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermbarnhill/

What happens when your purpose doesn’t fit inside the uniform?

In this episode of Veteran Led, host John S. Berry sits down with MSgt Josh White, USAF (Ret.)—founder of Hero Front and now a leading voice for Recurrent Military and the Military Influencer Conference. Josh shares his journey from military funeral honors and podcasting in uniform, to battling identity loss after retirement—and how storytelling helped him reclaim purpose.

They break down the risks of passive suicide, the value of community, and how the Military Influencer Conference helps Veterans build visibility and leadership beyond the uniform. Josh speaks candidly about the emotional toll of transition and the power of vulnerability, mentorship, and mission-focused service.

If you’ve ever struggled to define your purpose after military life, this one’s for you.

Key Topics:

• Starting Hero Front during active duty
• How the Military Influencer Conference builds Veteran community
• Mental health and the danger of passive suicide
• Life after military retirement and finding identity again
• Veteran leadership at Recurrent Military
• Service beyond the uniform through storytelling

🎧 Check out Josh’s work:
Email: HeroFrontPodcast@gmail.com
Website: HeroFrontPodcast.com
All links: linktr.ee/herofront
TikTok: @herofront
Instagram: @herofront
LinkedIn: Josh White
YouTube: HeroFront
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/herofront
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2srGvtAaTORP3IESKD41qI?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linktree&utm_campaign=spotify

What if the trust, growth, and future of your team depended on addressing the one issue you’re most afraid to talk about?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry, U.S. Army Veteran and CEO of Berry Law, reveals why leaders must face tough conversations head-on. Drawing lessons from military command structures and his own experience leading teams in business, John explains how silence erodes trust, slows growth, and pushes good people out the door.

He shares the story of tolerating incompetence at a key leadership level—and the heavy price paid when no one had the courage to speak up. From the battlefield to the boardroom, the message is the same: leaders must shape the narrative or risk losing it.

Key takeaways:

• Why fear keeps leaders from addressing the obvious
• The cost of ignoring incompetence on your team
• Why silence creates more problems than open dialog
• How military leadership balances support and open discussion
• Why shaping the narrative is every leader’s responsibility

What does it mean to lead with honor after 30 years in the Marine Corps?

In this episode of Veteran Led, guest host Trevor Nealy interviews MGySgt Martin Duarte, USMC (Ret.), about the timeless leadership principles he carried from the Corps into civilian life. Now serving as Outreach Coordinator at Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS.org), Duarte shares candid lessons on discipline, integrity, and accountability—plus the life-changing impact of programs like Mobility is Freedom and the Veterans Welding Program.

Together, they explore how Veterans can apply military values to business, community, and family—and why leading with honor never ends when the uniform comes off.

Key takeaways:

• How the Marine Corps instills discipline that lasts a lifetime
• Why integrity is the foundation of leadership on and off duty
• Lessons every business leader can learn from military service
• The role of accountability in building high-performing teams
• How Veterans can lead with honor in civilian life
• The impact of Wounded Warriors Family Support programs

What if your paycheck—and job security—depended only on the value you deliver?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry reveals why traditional job security is a myth—and how Veterans are uniquely built for success in a performance-based world.

From military expectations to the business world, John shares lessons learned during the 2008 recession, the rise of AI job disruption, and the transformation of Berry Law’s own internal model. It’s a call to action for Veterans and leaders to take ownership of their outcomes, raise their standards, and stay valuable in an economy that rewards performance—not promises.

Key takeaways:

• Why “job security” is outdated in today’s economy
• What the military teaches about results-driven performance
• Lessons from contingency-based models in law and business
• How Veterans can thrive in a performance-pay system
• Preparing for the future of work and AI-driven disruption

When was the last time someone you trusted let you down?

Every leader faces betrayal—by a colleague, partner, or even a friend. The test isn't what happens. It's how you respond. In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry shares how he handled leadership betrayal in both military and business settings.

Drawing from stories in combat and the courtroom, John explores what to do after trust is broken—how to lead through loss, protect your mindset, and get your mission back on track.

This episode is for Veterans, entrepreneurs, and anyone who's ever had to lead after being blindsided.

Key takeaways:

• Why betrayal is part of leadership
• When to forgive—and when to walk away
• How to protect your team, mindset, and mission
• Turning pain into purpose without revenge
• Resilience strategies for high-stakes leadership

Can Army supply chains really prepare you to fight cyber threats?

In this episode of Veteran Led, CPT Edward Tuorinsky, U.S. Army (Ret.), shares how military problem-solving shaped his journey from leading troops to leading one of the most trusted cybersecurity and compliance firms in the Defense Industrial Base.

Ed explains how the Army taught him to lead through uncertainty, improvise under pressure, and protect what matters most. He breaks down the state of government contracting, what businesses need to know about cyber defense, and why Veterans have the skills to thrive in GovCon.

You’ll also hear:

• How Army logistics experience led to a career in cybersecurity
• The story of founding DTS and growing it into a leading government contractor
• Key differences between military and civilian leadership
• Mentorship, mission focus, and core values in business
• Why Veterans belong in GovCon and cyber defense

👉 Who should watch/listen: Veterans considering entrepreneurship, business leaders navigating cybersecurity, and anyone curious about how military service translates into business success.

🔗 Learn more about DTS: dothesecurity.com