What happens when a decorated Army lieutenant colonel with 20 years of service faces an unexpected divorce just as she's transitioning to civilian life? For Olivia Nunn, it meant becoming what she calls an "accidental entrepreneur." Despite having what she considered "the master playbook" for military transition from her work with the Army's Soldier for Life program, Nunn found herself at rock bottom, rebuilding her life and career from scratch.

This compelling conversation explores how female veterans can leverage their military experience to build successful businesses, despite facing unique challenges. Nunn, who served 10 years as a chemical officer and another decade in public affairs, shares her raw, honest journey of transformation. She reveals how a simple lunch meeting with a fellow veteran sparked her entrepreneurial journey when he asked, "Where's your LLC?" - reminding her of the valuable skills she possessed but had temporarily forgotten during her personal struggles.

The discussion tackles the primary barriers female veteran entrepreneurs face - particularly access to funding. Despite being the fastest-growing demographic in entrepreneurship across America, women veterans receive the least capital investment. Nunn addresses how women's tendency to seek 100% qualification before applying for opportunities (compared to men's comfort with 60%) creates self-imposed limitations, and how finding the right mentors can make all the difference.

For veterans considering entrepreneurship, this episode offers a treasure trove of free resources - from the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University offering free certification training, to Mill Mentor's online mentorship platform, to organizations like MOAA that serve all veterans regardless of rank. As Nunn powerfully states, "Age, your gender, and where you come from shouldn't stop you. Chase your dreams and don't let fear stop you." Connect with Olivia Nunn on social media to learn more about resources for veteran entrepreneurs.

Hidden in the rolling countryside of Northern Virginia lies a remarkable time capsule preserving one of America's most consequential—yet understudied—chapters of history. The Cold War Museum at Vint Hill stands as a guardian of memories that textbooks have largely forgotten.

Founded by Gary Powers Jr., whose father became an unwitting Cold War icon when his U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960, this museum does far more than commemorate a single incident. It honors the hundreds of thousands of veterans who served during this pivotal 46-year conflict that shaped our modern world—many whose stories remain untold.

What makes the museum's location particularly fascinating is that Vint Hill itself was "Listening Post Number One" during both World War II and the Cold War. With unique topographical features and granite soil composition that naturally amplified radio signals, this former Army base intercepted communications from around the globe, from Japanese taxi dispatchers to Soviet embassy transmissions. Walking through the museum feels like stepping into an intelligence operation frozen in time.

The collection astonishes with its breadth and significance. Where else can you find an authentic Stasi headquarters sign from Berlin, examine pieces of a U-2 spy plane shot down during the Cuban Missile Crisis, or explore Washington DC's Civil Defense Headquarters preserved exactly as it was left—books open, cigarettes still in ashtrays? From the technology that kept America vigilant to the cultural artifacts that defined an era of nuclear anxiety, each item tells a crucial story.

Beyond historical curiosity, the museum offers vital context for understanding today's global conflicts. As Powers explains, current tensions with Russia and China, as well as conflicts in regions like Ukraine, follow patterns established during the Cold War. "It's Cold War 2.0," he notes, emphasizing how China's long-term strategic thinking represents a fundamentally different challenge than the Soviet Union posed.

Visit coldwar.org to plan your trip to this remarkable institution. Open weekends and by appointment for private tours, the museum offers an immersive experience that will transform your understanding of history, which continues to shape our world. Consider supporting their preservation efforts—because when we forget the lessons of the Cold War, we risk repeating its most dangerous chapters.

What happens when the system fails those who've sacrificed everything to protect it? Frank Larkin, former Navy SEAL and CEO of Troops First Foundation, takes us on a heart-wrenching journey through military service, devastating loss, and his mission to transform veteran care.

After serving eight years in the Navy SEALs and decades in law enforcement, Frank watched his son Ryan follow a similar path of service. After 9/11, Ryan became a highly decorated SEAL medic who deployed four times to Iraq and Afghanistan. But something changed. Despite his outward strength, Ryan began struggling with sleep disturbances, anxiety, memory issues, and pain—symptoms attributed solely to PTSD and substance abuse. When he sought help, the system that promised to support him ultimately pushed him out.

The devastating truth emerged only after Ryan's suicide, when brain examination revealed severe microscopic damage uniquely related to blast exposure—damage that went completely undiagnosed despite extensive testing at premier military facilities. This revelation shattered the narrative around Ryan's struggles and exposed a critical gap in how we understand combat-related injuries. Contrary to common belief, research now shows that military personnel in training environments—particularly instructors repeatedly exposed to smaller blasts—may sustain more cumulative brain damage than those experiencing fewer large explosions in combat.

Through Troops First Foundation and the Warrior Call initiative, Frank now fights to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies. Their approach is elegantly simple yet profoundly effective: defeat isolation by encouraging veterans to connect with their "tribe." That single phone call or visit can pull someone back from the edge, reminding them they aren't alone and reconnecting them to community and hope.

Frank's advocacy extends beyond individual connections to systemic change, pushing for improved information sharing between military and VA healthcare systems, increased research funding, and a fundamental shift in how we view these invisible wounds—not as signs of being "broken," but as legitimate combat injuries deserving proper diagnosis and treatment.

Take action today. Visit warriorcall.org to learn how you can help defeat veteran isolation through the simple act of connection. As Frank reminds us, these veterans aren't damaged goods—they're hurt, and they deserve our help to heal.

Frank tells his story in this short video. Share it with a Veteran you know.