Podcast appearances and mentions of Mike Abrams

This is PART ONE of a TWO-PARTER. Listen to The Wrong Cat Died via the links below for the companion episode to this episode. Mike Abrams is the creator and host of the theatre podcast “The Wrong Cat Died'. Originally conceived as a 10-part mini series, he's now over 150 episodes in and going strong. We've decided to have each other on…well…each other's podcasts. It's something neither of us have done, but thought it would be great to share audiences as we know our listeners, if not already listening to the other's podcast, will totally get them and love them. The Wrong Cat Died is an original podcast on the Broadway Podcast Network...where Mike and I met in 2020 during lockdown. The podcast posits that in the musical Cats, Grizabella, the cast chosen to go to the Heaviside Lair , was actually the wrong choice. Only one cat gets chosen. The cat that is deemed most worthy by Old Deuteronomy. Mike's theory is that Griz wasn't the worthiest cat, and 150 episodes and thousand stories told by original cast members from dozens and dozens of productions from around the globe…it's clear that the answer to the question “was Grizablla the correct choice?” is still unclear. The Wrong Cat Died Official Website Broadway Podcast Network Website Listen on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Jeff and Susan get to speak with Mike Abrams, who is the Deputy Standards Editor at The New York Times. A journalist himself, Mike's job is to help make sure all journalism at the Times is held to high standards of Independence, Integrity, Curiosity, Respect, Collaboration, and Excellence. And, in an ever-changing world with over 5,800 journalists around the globe and news coming out around the clock, that job has become increasingly complex. Enjoy the episode! 

This week on The FourBlock Podcast, we welcome USAA's* Military Affairs Relationship Director Charles “Chuck” Bunch, a 20+ year retired U.S. Air Force veteran who works alongside fellow retired officers and senior noncommissioned officers on USAA's Military Affairs team to advocate for those who are currently serving in our military, all those who have honorably served in the past, and their families.  In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Chuck shares personal stories and lessons learned from his military experience, his transition into the private sector and current role with USAA, and the relationships that helped him along the way.  USAA has been a longtime partner of FourBlock's since 2016. Since then, USAA has hosted more than 30 sessions of FourBlock's Veteran Career Readiness Program in support of transitioning service members across the country. In 2022 alone, USAA supported more than 250 veterans across five FourBlock program locations. As the Military Affairs Relationship Director for Veteran Engagement, Chuck leverages his military relationships to provide advocacy for military families and shepherds USAA's VETNet Employee Resource Group (ERG) for the enterprise.   Prior to joining USAA, Chuck served as the Pathfinder Program Site Manager for USO San Antonio. Chuck's leadership resulted in the successful design, development, launch, and execution of the USO Pathfinder transition program.  Upon joining USAA in 2019, Chuck was selected by the San Antonio Business Journal as an honoree of the inaugural Veteran in Business Awards. This award reflected his community leadership and honored San Antonio military veteran business leaders for their impactful contributions in the workplace and their support of fellow veterans.  Through his continued devotion and passionate support for the military community, Chuck was nominated for the 2022 G.I. Jobs Employee Veteran Leadership Awards list. This exclusive list recognized employee veterans that exemplified determination, teamwork, advocacy of military hiring initiatives, devotion to mentorship, and servant leadership in their organizations and respective communities.    Chuck had the privilege of serving 20 years in the USAF. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.  Chuck holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayland Baptist University and a Master's in Business Administration from Webster University. Chuck is married to his lovely wife Kriesti, and they enjoy spending time with their son, Jered and daughter-in-law, Haley.     *USAA is a multi-city sponsor of FourBlock's Veteran Career Readiness Program.      ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.

If you are in the military entering the civilian world or are you a veteran who has transitioned already but still struggling to find your path, this episode is a must-listen.     This week, we welcome author and Founder of Mission Edge Ken Davenport. In conversation with hosts Lindsey Pollak and Mike Abrams, Ken shares how his passion for helping people achieve greatness in their lives led him to starting a social enterprise to help nonprofits and small businesses grow and devoting much of his time to helping military veterans transition to the civilian world.     Most recently the author of "The Stoic Transition: A Guide" to help veterans live their best lives after the military, Ken details how his early life led him to discover the concept of stoicism and how it can help veterans embrace their power to thrive in their next adventures.     Ken Davenport is an entrepreneur and writer based in San Diego, California. Ken's built multiple businesses, lived in Switzerland as a kid, did his graduate work in London, spent a nomadic year in Tokyo, where he learned Japanese (or tried), and now spends much of his free time helping military veterans transition to the civilian world. A former Board member at the Travis Manion Foundation, Ken helped bring FourBlock to San Diego and also teaches Boots to Business at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University.     ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

"I want to give back to the community that gave me so much."     This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we are honored to be joined by Labor and Employment attorney Allison Kruse, a U.S. Air Force veteran and current associate at Stinson LLP, who serves as the chair of the firm's Veterans Employee Resource Group (ERG).     In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Allison shares what first inspired her to attend the Air Force Academy and join the military and details her experience transitioning from the Air Force into law school and then the private sector.    Allison delves into her unique familiarity with Federal Acquisition Regulations and how it benefits and supports her clients at Stinson. She then shares more about her participation with the firm's Veterans ERG, why she is inspired to continue giving back, how Stinson helps support and integrate veterans within the law firm, and her advice for veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce.    As we close out Women's History Month, Allison also shares some of the women veterans and leaders who inspired her in her career and influenced her professional values, as well as words of wisdom for young women starting their journey in the military or transitioning out.     Allison is an associate at Stinson LLP, a law firm with 450 attorneys and 12 offices nationwide. She primarily focuses on employment related matters and navigating various facets of employment relationships. She handles each case with precision and integrity, working diligently to deliver results that take her clients to new heights.    Before attending law school, Allison was a Contracting Officer in the U.S. Air Force. Her prior experience in leadership roles enables her to relate quickly with clients and solve complex issues. Allison has received multiple awards and recognitions for her outstanding service while serving.    ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we welcome U.S. Army Veteran and Senior Program Manager at General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT)* Gregory (Greg) Doubek. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Greg shares why he was called to serve and decided to join the Army, his personal military transition story, and some of the advice he received and lessons learned along the way. Greg also raises an important point for those in transition about taking the uniform all the way off and provides guidance on how veterans can adjust to their changing role in the civilian workforce and add value regardless of the type or level of work. In addition to his role as Senior Program Manager at GDIT, Greg serves as the co-lead for GDIT's Veteran Employee Resource Group (Honor ERG), and he provides details about the company's commitment to supporting transitioning military, veterans, and their families through its military hiring program and Honor ERG. He also shares actionable advice for getting started in the IT and Cyber world, whether you have experience in that field or you're transitioning fields entirely. Greg was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army in 1991. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Art from the University of Vermont, and a Master's of Science in Telecommunications from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Following his 26 years of service as a US Army Signal Officer, Greg joined the General Dynamics Information Technology Team and is currently a Senior Program Manager, managing two Multiple Award Task Order Contracts with a contract ceiling totaling over $25B.  If you are close to your transition from the military, Greg would welcome a connection via LinkedIn to talk about transition and career goals. Connect with Greg on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdoubek/.      *GDIT is a sponsor of FourBlock's Veteran Career Readiness Program.    ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we welcome The Boeing Company's* Shane R. Chapman and Devon Rumsey, who give us an in-depth look at Boeing's commitment to supporting veterans in transition and share actionable advice for veterans and military spouses interested in beginning a new career with the company.  A U.S. Army Veteran with 30 years of service, Shane now leads the Boeing Global Services Military and Veterans Program (BGS MVP), providing guidance and support to veterans and military spouse candidates and referring them to be seen by a hiring manager for interviews. After more than nine years in the U.S. Navy from 2013-2022, Devon currently serves as a Workforce Development Specialist at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, where he works to create pipelines with organizations and military stakeholders to aid transitioning service members and military spouses in finding gainful employment across The Boeing Company. A sponsoring partner of FourBlock since 2018, Boeing has played a significant role in helping FourBlock expand programming in Washington, D.C. and along along the West Coast. The company has also provided support for the Military Spouse Career Readiness Program as well as the Career Readiness Coach program, which connects working professionals with current FourBlock participants to provide them one-to-one guidance and feedback and to ensure that each veteran is on a path to success during their transition. Boeing has hosted multiple class sessions for FourBlock's Veteran Career Readiness Program across the country. Shane R. Chapman is an Army Veteran with 30 years of Service and a master's degree in Organizational Leadership. He has lead organizations from the platoon to brigade levels. Shane has spent several tours of duty in Europe and has more than 8 years of operational and combat deployments. As a notable military assignment, Shane was selected by the Chief of Staff of the Army to create the Soldier for Life Program. In this role, he partnered with government agencies, private companies, and universities to create hundreds of public-private partnerships now known as the Career Skills Programs. Shane started his career with Boeing in 2019. Initially, he served as a strategic advisor on leadership development and training to Boeing Global Services. He now works in Human Resources, focused on sourcing, recruiting, and hiring Veteran talent. Devon spent just over nine years in the Navy from 2013-2022 and a Nuclear Electrician 1st Class on Submarines. He spent four years on the USS Pittsburg in Connecticut where he deployed three times to the European area of command. Devon finished up his service with three years in Navy recruiting in Seattle Washington where he ran three regional offices. He came to Boeing in April of 2022 after separating from the Navy and currently serves as a Workforce Development Specialist whose main role is to create pipelines with organizations and military stakeholders to aid in transitioning service members and military spouses find gainful employment across The Boeing Company.   To learn more about how The Boeing Company supports veterans and their families, visit https://jobs.boeing.com/veterans.  Note: At the bottom of the page, you can find the direct link to the Military and Veterans Program candidate portal where you can receive 1 on 1 support with your Boeing career journey, as well the link to the Boeing SkillBridge portal.   *The Boeing Company is a national sponsor of FourBlock's Veteran Career Readiness Program.   Find Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-chapman-boeing-mvp/  Find Devon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devon-rumsey-0143aa229/  ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

Transitioning service members, do you know how to make the most of your military training once you transition into the civilian workforce?   Corporate leaders, do know how to optimize your veteran employees' potential for success?    That's why author and consultant Captain William Toti, US Navy (Retired) and former CEO of Sparton Corporation, wrote “From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership.”  With more than 26 years of service in the U.S. Navy and more than 40 years of experience in the defense industry, Captain Toti joins FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams on this week's episode of The FourBlock Podcast to share his personal experience, professional expertise, and practical insights to help transitioning service members make the most of their military training and learn what more is needed to rise up the ranks in the C-suite. For employers, he also shares what corporate leaders can do to maximize the potential for their veteran employees' success.  Captain Toti has more than 40 years of experience in defense. In three years as CEO of Sparton, he was able to restructure and double the company's value, taking it through the sale of Sparton by Cerberus Capital Management to Elbit Systems of America. Prior to joining Sparton he spent more than a decade running multi-billion-dollar global defense businesses, for both products and services, including as president of the Integrated Maritime Systems sector at L3, as vice president of the defense segment of HP, HPE, and DXC, as president of Cubic Global Defense, and as vice president of Raytheon's Mission Support Operations. He has served on Boards of Directors of ERAPSCO, JT3, and the Italian defense company Calzoni.  Captain Toti also served for more than 26 years in the U.S. Navy, including tours as commander of Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Command Norfolk, as commodore of Submarine Squadron 3, and as commanding officer of the nuclear fast attack submarine USS Indianapolis (SSN-697). He served for more than nine years in the Pentagon, including tours as special assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations, as Navy representative to the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, and as deputy director of the Navy War Plans Cell, Deep Blue. Mr. Toti is the creator/author of the US Navy's current “Full Spectrum Antisubmarine Warfare” concept of operations.  Captain Toti holds a bachelor's degree in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy, a master's degree in spacecraft systems engineering, the pre-doctoral Electrical Engineer degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and has done executive coursework at the Harvard Business School. He served as a Federal Executive Fellow at the Brookings Institution and as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI Fellow in International Affairs. He has more than 30 published articles and op-ed pieces and was the U.S. Naval Institute Author of the Year in 2001. He was a 2012 member of the White House Roundtable on Military Credentialing in support of an initiative to help transitioning service members receive civilian credentials and licenses.  Captain Toti has worked to support the survivors of the World War II cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) for more than 25 years, was named an honorary survivor and their honorary captain in 2005, and has been featured in several global release documentaries on that storied ship, including “USS Indianapolis: Live from the Deep” (2017, PBS), “USS Indianapolis: Legacy Project” (2016, Tiny Horse Productions), and “USS Indianapolis: the Final Chapter” (2019, PBS).  His narrative titled “Antoinette,” describing his experiences during the September 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon was incorporated into the book Operation Homecoming, published by Random House (2006). He was featured in the 2016 PBS documentary, “9/11: Inside the Pentagon” and the 2020 History Channel documentary “9/11: The Pentagon.”, and the 2021 National Geographic six-part docuseries, “9/11: One Day in America.”  Captain Toti is a seven-time recipient of the Legion of Merit, a recipient of the “Wash 100” list of most influential leaders in the government contractor sector (2016), HP Executive of the Year (2013), the FedScoop 50 Industry Leadership Award (2012), and the Rear Admiral John J. Bergen Industry Award from the Navy League of the United States (2010). He is a lifetime member of the U.S. Naval Institute, the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, the National Eagle Scouts Association, and as an adult leader was awarded the Honor Medal by the Boy Scouts of America (2002).  You can find Captain Toti's book, “From CO to CEO: A Practical Guide for Transitioning from Military to Industry Leadership" at https://a.co/d/5SDmFDE.    ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

U.S. Army Veteran David Touchton served in Operation Enduring Freedom, deploying to the Middle East on September 9, 2001, just two days before the September 11 attack. On the FourBlock Podcast this week, David shares the impact that had on him and his fellow service members, his career path, and his commitment to continuing to pay it forward to fellow veterans today. David spent several years in the Army before receiving an honorable discharge due to an injury and going into the private sector. He held multiple positions of escalating responsibility as a Facility Security Officer before making the leap to launch his own security company. Founded in 2013, FSO Services helps companies ensure the best security posture against today's modern threats. In conversation with host Mike Abrams, David explains how he transitioned into a career in industrial security and how he got the idea to start his company serving clients that work with the Department of Defense. He identifies some of the biggest challenges and threats that clients could face as they safeguard national security information and how FSO Services helps resolve them. To close out the episode, David shares the reasons he feels veterans have an advantage when transitioning into industrial security and what steps they can take to successfully move into the industry.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

In part 1 of our Catstravaganza crossover, we're joined by Cats historian Mike Abrams, host of the Broadway Podcast Network's The Wrong Cat Died. Mike's fascination with the 1980's masterpiece that is Cats is only paralleled by our love for the musical which leads us to play some hilarious games, including recasting the White Lotus residents as different Cats. We also reevaluate our White Lotus predictions…again (as this was recorded before the finale). Link in bio for this puurfect mashup ep! And make sure to listen to part 2 on Mike's the Wrong Cat Died (links below).  https://broadwaypodcastnetwork.com/podcast/the-wrong-cat-died/ https://www.instagram.com/thewrongcatdied/ And special thanks to FNM Fam Chen Drachman for making this match made in (the) Heaviside Layer.  Friday Night Movie has been nominated for two Signal Awards, including for best co-hosts in a category where it's Shai, Lily, and Becky head-to-head with Conan O'Brien! Help support the fam by voting in both of the categories below and sharing: LIMITED SERIES & SPECIALS - BEST CO-HOST TEAM Friday Night Movie - The Infertility Special - VOTE HERE https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2022/limited-series-specials/craft/best-co-host-team OVERALL SHOWS - BEST BUDDY PODCAST Friday Night Movie - VOTE HERE https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2022/shows/general/best-buddy-podcast Sign up for the Friday Night Movie Newsletter for giveaways, curated episode playlists from the hosts and guests (including our mom), and at MOST one email per month (and probably fewer).  Closed captions for this episode are available via the player on the official Friday Night Movie homepage, the Podbean app and website, and YouTube.  The Friday Night Movie Family supports the following organizations: the DC Abortion Fund, HIAS, NAACP Legal Defense Fund | Equal Justice Initiative | Asian American Journalists Association. Subscribe, rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, including iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Play | Podbean | Overcast. Catch up on all the Friday Night Movie SXSW special coverage in this playlist, including featured interviews from SXSW Wonder House hosted by the University of Arizona.  Play along with Friday Night Movie at home! Read the FNM Glossary to learn the about our signature bits (e.g., Buy/Rent/Meh, I Told You Shows, Tradesies, etc). Send us your recommendations and your tradesies! We'll watch them and report back on the show! Email us at info@p4tmedia.com or tweet @FriNightMovie, @pancake4table, @chichiKgomez, and/or  @paperBKprincess.  Follow our creations and zany Instagram stories @frinightmovie, @FNMsisters, and @pancake4table. Follow us on Letterboxd (@pancake4table) where we're rating every movie we've EVER watched.  Subscribe to our quarterly newsletter for exclusive giveaways and news! Theme music by What Does It Eat.  Subscribe and leave a review on IOS or Android at fridaynightmoviepod.com.

How can employers go beyond thanking a veteran for their service? Retired Air Force LtCol Kathy Lowrey Gallowitz has devoted her post-military career to equipping civilans to become Veteran Champions. With hosts Lindsey Pollak and Mike Abrams, Kathy shares personal insights from her upbringing as a Navy ‘brat,' her nearly 30-year career in the Air Force as a Public Affairs Officer and Nurse, and experiences educating and engaging civilians in support of troops and their families in response to 9/11. Noticing how different her experiences and mindset were from most Americans, and observing the pride civilians feel when serve Veterans meaningfully, Kathy discusses why she is compelled to narrow the military civilian divide and equip people who have never served in the military to become Veteran Champions. She shares best practices for employers and actionable advice for individual employees and company recruiters to move from veteran friendly to veteran ready. An award-winning businesswoman, Kathy coaches employers how to improve their bottom line by excelling at hiring and retaining Veteran talent, and as a thought leader pioneer, she equips volunteers to build Military Ministries to cultivate a sense of belonging and promote spiritual resiliency for military-connected people. Master's degrees in Nursing and Political Science frame her practice and perspectives. She is also a John Maxwell trained speaker, trainer, and coach. She is the author of “Beyond ‘Thank You For your Service,' The Veteran Champion Handbook for Civilians.” While not serving in uniform, Gallowitz established and managed Buckeye Sports and Orthopedic Specialists and was the President of the Pickerington Area Chamber of Commerce. She has first-hand experience hiring Veterans. As the owner of Vanguard Veteran, she equips civilians to become Veteran Champions as the “Veteran-hiring Concierge” and “Military Ministry Builder.” Kathy serves on the Veteran-hiring Advisor for the Arizona Society of Human Resource Mangement, member of the Southwest Veteran Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Chair, Arizona Governor's Veterans' Service Advisory Commission. Her husband, Ed is a retired career active-duty soldier with four combat tours. Together they have six sons, one daughter and three grandchildren. Vanguard Veteran Overview: https://vanguardveteran.start.page Complimentary "Veteran-Ready" Employer Assessment: https://vanguardveteran.files.wordpress.com/2022/07/may-2021_-vr-employer-assessment.pdf Vanguard Veteran's Employer Consulting and Training: https://vanguardveteran.com/veteran-champion-consulting-training/ Invite Vanguard Veteran to Speak: https://vanguardveteran.com/invite-me-to-speak/ O*Net Online Mlitary Crosswalk Search: https://www.onetonline.org/crosswalk/MOC/ “Beyond ‘Thank you For Your Service:' the Veteran Champion handbook for civilians:” https://bit.ly/BeyondThankYouForYourService Society of Human Resource Management Veterans free at Work Certificate: https://www.shrm.org/foundation/ourwork/initiatives/engaging-and-integrating-military-veterans/PublishingImages/Pages/Inclusion-Captains-Veterans/Veterans%20at%20Work%20flyer.pdf Women Who Lead: A monthly free virtual Leadership Discussion Forum for women Veterans and non-Veterans that I facilitate to empower women leaders and foster mutual support. We hope you will join us! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/137542143253   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we welcome U.S. Navy Veteran Eric Quinn, the CEO of full-service construction consultancy KMI International. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Eric discusses his time in the Navy, sharing why he joined, how it changed the trajectory of his career, and the leadership skills he gained during his service. He takes us through his transition to the business world, his move to the Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, and how he worked his way to where he is today. Throughout the episode, Eric provides invaluable insights on leadership and building trust, sharing his personal experience from his time in service military and his successful career. To close out the episode, Mike asks Eric what advice he has for transitioning service members as well as any veterans looking to start a career in the AEC space. Eric Quinn leads KMI as the company's CEO. His leadership career began at an early age while he attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served his country as a Lieutenant in the Navy, learning quickly the importance of having the right team in place to accomplish the mission. His focus is on having the best people, processes, and organizational structure in place to deliver the highest quality of services for KMI's clients. Eric will tell you that one of his primary focuses is maximizing the potential in people he leads to ensure KMI is a distinct company with a stellar reputation, thus becoming the most sought-after employer in the industry. Eric held leadership positions in several organizations, including Procter & Gamble, ES3, and President of GBI Tile and Stone, before coming to KMI to serve as the company's COO, later being promoted to CEO. His background in mathematics gives him a strong understanding of figures and analytics, but he also has extensive experience in business development and generating revenue. His proudest accomplishments included turning around a former company in order to save hundreds of jobs, as well as helping facilitate a partnership between his current company, KMI, and the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology at Florida A&M University (FAMU). The partnership includes a student chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), and guest lectures by KMI to mentor the next generation of construction managers and give them the tools they need to succeed. Eric has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we are honored to welcome Vice Admiral Timothy “TJ” White, a 30-plus year national security practitioner, strategist, and cyber operations expert leading joint military formations and combined intelligence community organizations. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Admiral White shares insights from his impressive career in the Navy and what continued to make it fun and challenging for more than three decades; a detailed discussion of cybersecurity in a military context; and his transition to the civilian sector and starting his own business. He closes the episode with invaluable insights about what makes a good leader and motivating advice for fellow service members in transition: “Cultivate your curiosity and be passionate about it.” Admiral White has commanded at all levels within the Navy and Joint Service, most recently as the Commander, United States Fleet Cyber Command / United States TENTH Fleet / United States Navy Space Command and previously as the Commander, United States Cyber National Mission Force / USCYBERCOM. He is a former Director of Intelligence for United States Indo-Pacific Command and has served globally in various combat zones and conflict areas supporting competition dynamics. A former CINCPACFLT Shiphandler-of-the-Year, he misses his days driving a Battleship. He is a 1987 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and holds additional diplomas from the Naval Postgraduate School, Naval War College, National Defense University and myriad professional education institutions. Admiral White's focus of effort remains risk assessment and consequence management with respect to cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, supply chain, technology policy, and trust relationships. OneNetworkConnection, LLC was created to help individuals & organizations understand the value and opportunity found in collective cybersecurity by leveraging technical acumen, expanded operational horizon, and trusted strategic vision to assess and manage current and future risks.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“Just because you're in charge doesn't mean that you have to be always right or have all the answers. It means establishing an environment where you can get to the right answer.” This week on the FourBlock Podcast, it is an immense honor to welcome three-star United States Marine Corps (USMC) Lieutenant General (ret) Lori Reynolds. As the most senior woman in the USMC for nearly a decade – and only the third woman to achieve her rank – she is recognized for her ability to identify and retain diverse, global workforces to deliver innovation and value. In conversation with hosts Lindsey Pollak and Mike Abrams, Lori imparts invaluable insights from her incredible 35-year career with the USMC starting off as a communications officer and going on to command at every level. She shares how she developed her leadership philosophy, how it evolved over time, and some of the common threads that enabled her to be successful throughout her career navigating diverse leadership roles within USMC. She provides her perspective on the information battle that's happening today, what the future holds, and career advice for young professionals just starting out in this information environment. Lori is a three-star United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General (ret) and board member who most recently developed, led, and managed the Corp's $12B global information portfolio spanning intelligence, IT, networking, cyber security, space, and information. She guides complex global organizations to manage large-scale risk and transform operational information into strategic business intelligence assets. Lori served on the USMC Corporate Board with responsibility for strategic oversight of a $50B budget and global strategy, capabilities, and missions. She regularly reported to and was accountable to Congressional committees on risk, cybersecurity, and strategy. In addition, she serves on board transformation, cyber security, risk, and DEI committees. Lori founded LEReynolds Group, a consulting firm, building on her 35-years of success and leadership in the United States Marine Corps.

In an exciting first for the FourBlock Podcast this week, co-hosts Lindsey Pollak and Mike Abrams are joined by two special guests: Natalie Schibell, a FourBlock alumna and 10-year U.S. Navy veteran who now serves as a VP, Research Director at Forrester, and Jessica Marotta, the Talent Acquisition Manager at Forrester who first found Natalie through FourBlock Connect, our online networking and community-building platform available exclusively to FourBlock participants, mentors, and partner companies. In this episode, Natalie and Jessica discuss how they met on the FourBlock Connect platform, the conversations that ensued, and the hiring process at Forrester. Jessica shares what using the platform has helped her learn about recruiting the veteran community, and her philosophy for hiring: “I'm not just finding the best fit for Forrester; I'm finding the best fit for Natalie.” Natalie shares details about her incredible military career, her transition, and the interview process with Forrester, noting that: “I felt like not only was [Jessica] a recruiter, but she was also a friend.” A Talent Acquisition professional dedicated to behavioral based interviewing and equitable sourcing practices, Jessica has more than 20 years of recruiting experience. She started at Capital One and has spent the last 8+ years at Forrester as a Talent Acquisition Manager. At the time of this episode's recording, Natalie was a Senior Analyst for Healthcare Strategy at Forrester. She is now serving as a VP, Research Director for Forrester. She previously served 10 years in the U.S. Navy's Medical Service Corps as a Director of Public Health and as a Director of Operations for Healthcare Talent Acquisition. She is presently serving as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves. Natalie is an alumnus of FourBlock's Spring 2021 Atlanta Veteran Career Readiness Program.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“The most successful people are the ones that are hyper aware of their strengths.” This week we are honored to welcome Christian Gomez, Vice President of Talent Activation Strategy for The Marcus Buckingham Company (TMBC), an ADP Company, where he spearheads TMBC's client partnerships, helping to redefine the engagement and performance space. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Christian shares his deeply personal story of how he overcame a lot of adversity growing up, why he joined the military as the first person in his family to serve in any military capacity, and his fascinating professional journey from his service as a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines Corps to his corporate career today as a thought leader in the human capital management space. Christian and Mike also discuss the results of their StandOut Assessments, a 15-minute assessment powered by ADP that identifies people's top two strengths and delivers personalized coaching. At TMBC, Christian works with innovative people-focused organizations to design strategies that scale the practices of the world's best leaders. His mission is to help talent HR functions design strategies that set up people to succeed at work. Christian began his career in the U.S. military, serving in several capacities as a Sergeant of Marines. He translated his experiences to the civilian world spending 11 years at ADP where he served as a senior global business consultant, advising some of the largest and most respected multinationals and designing their BPO and HRIS strategies. A frequent speaker and thought leader with over 15 years of experience in the human capital management (HCM) space, Christian has particular expertise on the subject of managing cultures across geographies, expanding into emerging markets, and leading across cultures. Christian holds a B.S. in Political Science from Florida International University and an M.S. in Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Born in Queens, NY, he lived and worked abroad for many years before settling down in Florida, where he can sneak in a round of golf year-round.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week we are honored to be joined by Heather Burns, Senior Vice President in Securities Finance at Jefferies, a diversified financial services company engaged in investment banking and capital markets, asset management and direct investing. Throughout this episode, Heather covers a variety of topics, from her personal military experience as a U.S. Army Black Hawk pilot to her transition to the world of corporate finance to her passion for endurance sports as an ultramarathon runner. In conversation with hosts Lindsey and Mike, she shares why she joined the Army, how she decided to go to business school, and what made her choose a career on Wall Street. Heather also discusses her current career at Jefferies and shares why Jefferies is a great place for veterans to work, from their Veterans Affinity Group that provides one-on-one mentorship to their organizational commitment to all employees' physical and mental wellness. She closes out the episode with some invaluable advice for veterans who are just starting their transition out of the military as well as veterans looking to begin a career on Wall Street. Heather has been working on Wall Street for over a decade. Prior to pursuing a civilian career in financial services, Heather served as a UH-60 Black Hawk pilot stationed at Fort Campbell, KY. She received a B.S. from Penn State University and an M.B.A from the University of Notre Dame. Heather is also an ultra-marathoner, triathlete, and mom.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited in part by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. Welcome to my Ted Talk.” Mike Abrams, a fellow Broadway Podcast Network member, never imagined his life would revolve around the musical … CATS! Born and raised in Indianapolis, Mike is an avid sports fan who spends the majority of his free time watching early 2000's sitcoms. In 2016, he moved to New York and made the decision to embrace every unique opportunity that came his way. And this is how he ended up seeing the revival of CATS. He never knew this one decision would completely change his life. After the show, Mike became obsessed with the (lack of?) plot and unique ending featured in CATS. Suddenly, he found himself sharing his theories about the show with anyone who would listen, and hasn't stopped since.  Mike's theories developed into what was, supposed to be, a 10-episode podcast. The Wrong Cat Died is now 80+ episodes and going strong.  Connect with Mike and the podcast on Instagram.  Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance. More about Heather via @vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales EPISODE TAKEAWAYS If you're open to opportunity, you'll find some amazing things just hiding around the corner. When you take on new projects, ask yourself “What do I need to give up to do this?” Be open to connection for the sale of connection. When we meet people from a place of honesty and genuine curiosity/interest we build powerful networks that can lead to truly wonderful things. There's an entire set of Cards Against Humanities cards dedicated to CATS! Just because you've always done things a specific way does not mean you must continue to do them that way. It's ok to change things up! Prioritize rest and things that give you peace. Life is short - enjoy it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, FourBlock alumna and our new West Coast Regional Director Marina Rabinek joins FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams for a personal conversation about her military experience, her transition after 24 years in the U.S. Navy, how she came to start the Military Women's Collective, and her passion for mentoring female veterans and being of service to others. After completing FourBlock's Veteran Career Readiness Program as a participant, Marina came back to serve as a Career Readiness Instructor for the Virtual West cohort of our program before joining the FourBlock team full-time as West Coast Regional Director earlier this year. In this episode, Marina shares insights from her own transition experience along with advice for fellow veterans preparing to transition. Marina is a teal-haired bilingual Super Connector, master networker, and 24-year U.S. Navy veteran. As the Founder of Military Women's Collective, you can find her working with women-focused nonprofits – mentoring veterans and service members transitioning from the military – on LinkedIn and Veterati. When she isn't taking California road trips, playing board games or video games, or hanging out with her husband, daughter, and three cats, you can find her collaborating with local and national nonprofits and advocating for women veterans by empowering them to feel less invisible, giving them a voice and engaging in dialogue about resources.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we're sharing an interview that FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams recorded previously with FourBlock Career Readiness Instructor Jeffrey Lodick for an episode of his podcast, “On the Other Side: Leadership After Transition," a podcast designed to bring leaders from all branches of service that have already made the transition to give some insight to transitioning service members and veterans who have already made the transition who may be struggling or seeking support.  In the interview, Mike sits down with Jeffrey to discuss his transition and how the vision of FourBlock came to reality. A retired Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army, Jeffrey is now a professional speaker who does leadership development with student athletes and continures to serve as an advocate for service members in transition. Jeffrey retired from the United States Army after 20 years. He served as a Squadron Sergeant Major, Operations Sergeant Major, First Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, and Drill Sergeant. He was a Master Rated Jumpmaster, a Pathfinder and a graduate of the Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course. He has continued his service by assisting transitioning veterans as the podcast host of “On the Other Side: Leadership After Transition,” where he seeks advice from transitioned service members as tools for current transitioning service members to use. He is an inspirational speaker, a member of the National Speakers Association and owner of Change Your Forecast, LLC.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

Why do you or did you work beyond the money? Do you have enough money to retire to do what fulfills you? How many of us really know what really fulfills us? This week, motivational speaker, social researcher, and co-author of the nationally acclaimed book, Don't Retire, REWIRE! Third Edition Jeri Sedlar shares her expert insights on retirement life planning and how we figure out what will truly fulfill us after retiring or making a life or career transition. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Jeri discusses her background and career path, detailing how she developed an interest in aging from a young age and how it ultimately helped shape her career. Mike and Jeri also discuss current trends, and Jeri shares invaluable advice throughout for anyone preparing to retire or looking to find their next act. Jeri is a master of retirement life planning and has earned the title of America's “rewiring” expert. She has interviewed hundreds of professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, partners and pre-retirees in all industries about their hopes, dreams and fears about the future. She has discovered both the pleasures and pain and possibilities and pitfalls associated with retirement. Since the introduction of Don't Retire, REWIRE! in 2002, Jeri has been traveling the globe challenging individuals to get out of their own way and break through society's as well as their own individual “silver ceilings” to find the fun and fulfillment they deserve and desire at this life stage. Jeri's career has predominantly been in the personal development and transition arena, fostering change as Editor at Large of WORKING WOMAN and Senior Advisor at The Conference Board on the Mature Workforce. As a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging and a member of the New York State AARP Executive Council she continues to advance the concept of positive aging through engagement. Her rewiring message has resonated across the globe from workshops in Dubai to keynotes in Dallas to interviews with traditional media both on air and online. She writes a blog and as she says…”people are my passion and I want them to get their futures right!”   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we welcome Susan Rietano Davey and Kelley Kelley Biskupiak, co-founders of Prepare 2 Launch U (PLTU), a learning company that provides instruction, inspiration, and community primarily to women and caregivers navigating work-life transitions along the continuum of life. In 2020, FourBlock joined forces with PTLU to create a comprehensive, instructional career transition program for military spouses looking to return to work or pivot into new careers. In this episode, Kelley and Susan are joined by Lisa Stern, Ed.D., FourBlock's Director of Program Impact and Assessment and our podcast co-hosts: Lindsey Pollak, career and workplace expert, New York Times bestselling author, and FourBlock Board member; and Mike Abrams, FourBlock founder and Afghanistan veteran. Over the course of the episode, Susan and Kelley discuss their professional backgrounds and how PTLU started, and the group discusses how the joint FourBlock-PTLU Military Spouse Career Readiness Program came to be, what they have learned together from working with military spouses, what the future of the program holds, and what it means to be ‘ready' to apply to the program. The FourBlock-PTLU Military Spouse Career Readiness Program features live video coaching, flexible online learning modules, and all the instruction, tools, and inspiration a military spouse will need to navigate her or his way to a meaningful career. Military spouses who complete the program also gain access to an expanded community of FourBlock alumni, employers, and instructors for additional networking and mentorship. The program is offered at no cost. As career women and moms, too, PTLU co-founders Kelley and Susan have been helping women navigate work-life transitions for a combined 30 years. Susan and Kelley met while speaking at a women's conference in 2016. At the time, they were both independently consulting with companies and coaching a range of women (from seasoned professionals to young women navigating new motherhood) through life and career transition. Immediately, they felt a connection and knew that they could better help more women if they teamed up. So, the two joined forces first to share clients, then to run workshops, and, ultimately, to create the learning company Prepare to Launch U that provides instruction, inspiration, and community to women navigating work-life transitions along the continuum of life. Their original, signature online career re-entry course boasts students in 26 states and counting. In just a few years, Prepare to Launch U has introduced multiple online and live instructional offerings including a first-of-its-kind online maternity leave planning course, a proprietary family leave planning course on the LinkedIn Learning platform, and widely popular live corporate workshops on Negotiating and Work-Life Synergy, to list just a few. Susan and Kelley regularly collaborate with universities and Fortune 500 companies, and they are sought-after speakers and moderators for conferences across the country.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week we welcome West Point graduate and U.S. Army veteran George Chewning, who served five years as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer including a deployment to Afghanistan. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, George shares details of his time in the Army and his service in Afghanistan; his military transition and what made him realize he needed support with the transition; and his post-military career as a non-technical veteran who transitioned into a civilian career in technology. He shares insights from his transition journey and what he's learned from making multiple transitions throughout his career. George also discusses how he found his way back to a career serving his community and shares his advice for fellow veterans in transition now. After his transition out of the military, George earned his MBA from the George Washington University. He served as a Legislative Director for the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation and then transitioned to a Program Manager role at Facebook before being selected as a Presidential Innovation Fellow at the Department of Veteran Affairs. He just recently began a new role as Deputy Director for the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation. George is an alumnus of FourBlock's Veteran Career Readiness Program and also serves as a volunteer member on our National Leadership Council.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on the FourBlock Podcast, FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams welcomes U.S. Marine Veteran and Regional President at TK Elevator Benjamen (Ben) Herther. A recently retired U.S. Marines Lt. Col. who also served as the Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines for the Marine Forces Reserve before passing the torch to Mike, Ben brings a unique perspective on leadership to his corporate career, where he currently serves as the Regional President for the Midwest Region at TK Elevator. In conversation with Mike, Ben shares why he decided to serve, discusses his time in the Marine Corps, and explores the parallels between leadership in the Marines and the corporate world, sharing his experiences serving as both a Battalion Commander in the Marine Reserves and a leadership role in the corporate world at the same time. Ben also provides some informative background on TK elevator, the company culture, and how the entrepreneurial mindset of the company helps empower its leaders. To close out the episode, Ben shares his advice for both transitioning service members looking as well as those in the corporate world looking to hire veterans.         ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we welcome Acting Director of the Military Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) Mike Miller to take us on a deep dive into the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for transitioning service members. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Mike Miller walks us through the program's history and evolution, sharing how it has progressed, where it stands today, and what the vision is for the future of TAP. Mike serves as the Acting Director of the Military Civilian Transition Office (MCTO). The MCTO designs, supports, oversees, and evaluates the DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP), the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP), and the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program (BYR). MCTO provides streamlined transition and reintegration services to efficiently deliver resources, training, information, and deployment-cycle support to transitioning service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and their families worldwide. Mike has over 38 years of civilian and military leadership experience that includes team building, talent management, leader development, policy development, strategic planning, corporate culture change, diversity and inclusion, organizational management, and resource management. He is a retired U.S. Army Veteran and “Soldier for Life” who served strategic enterprise assignments with United States Forces Korea and Headquarters, Department of the Army; Chief Human Capital Officer assignments at U.S. Army installation, Division, Combined Joint Task Force, and Corps; and operational deployments in Somalia and Afghanistan. ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

On this episode of the FourBlock Podcast, we are honored to be joined by former Under Secretary for Benefits in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Army Veteran Dr. Paul R. Lawrence. In conversation with FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, Lawrence generously shares details of his background and upbringing, his military career and transition, and his post-military career in the private sector before giving us a behind the scenes look at his time as the Under Secretary for Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Lawrence talks about the priorities that he focused on as Under Secretary, including getting veterans the benefits they earned in a manner that honors their service, fiscal stewardship, and collaboration -- working more with veterans' stakeholders like VSOs, nonprofits, and others who wanted to help. A businessman, author, and passionate veteran advocate with 35 years of experience solving management problems in large, complex organizations, Lawrence also shares what he continues to do to advocate for veterans today. As a private sector executive, Lawrence was a consulting Partner at two Big-Four accounting firms and a Vice President in two Fortune 500 companies. He is a government management thought leader, having written several books on the subject. For almost three years, Lawrence served as Under Secretary of Benefits at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, unanimously confirmed by the Senate on April 26, 2018. As Under Secretary, he was in charge of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) leading a team of 25,000 people with an operating budget of $4 billion, administering $120 billion in benefits annually. He implemented proven business practices, streamlined the bureaucracy, and created a public presence rebranding VBA as an organization successfully supporting Veterans. Prior to becoming a political appointee, Lawrence was a Vice President at Kaiser Associates, a Partner at Ernst & Young, a Vice President at Accenture, a Senior Director at the MITRE Corporation, a Vice President with IBM, and a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He has written extensively on management, government, and technology. He is the co-author of Succeeding as a Political Executive: 50 Insights from Experience, What Government Does: How Political Executives Manage, Paths to Making a Difference: Leading in Government and the co-editor of Transforming Organizations and Learning the Ropes: Insights for Political Appointees. He serves on the Board of Directors of Vets2Industry, a non-profit organization helping Veterans pursue a career in the private sector. He is also a Senior Advisor to Search & Acquire, a non-profit focused on helping Veterans become CEOs via Entrepreneurship through Acquisition. He was selected three times by Federal Computer Week as one of the top 100 public service leaders. In 2019 he was recognized as Government Executive of the Year by Service to the Citizen. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Lawrence earned his Master of Arts and Ph.D. in economics from Virginia Tech. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. He is an Army Veteran. He completed his ROTC requirement as an Airborne-qualified Captain. Find Paul Lawrence on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/drpaullawrence/. Lawrence's book, “Transforming Service to Veterans: How I Pursued Performance Excellence at the Veterans Benefits Administration in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Service-Veterans-Performance-Administration/dp/B09DMQZN4N/   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we're honored to share an interview that FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams did with Dr. Mark Goulston for Dr. Goulston's podcast, “My Wakeup Call,” where guests share how their own wake up calls changed their lives and changed how they would go on to spend the rest of their lives. During the conversation, Mike shares his personal experiences growing up, serving in the Marines, having a family of his own, and how the concept of service has been a constant throughout his life. A Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches Member, Dr. Goulston coaches entrepreneurs, CEOS, chairs, managing directors, and other executives to become the best version of themselves. He is also an international keynote speaker helping audiences do the same. Originally a UCLA professor of psychiatry for over 25 years, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer, Dr. Goulston's expertise has been forged and proven in the crucible of real-life, high stakes situations. He is the author or co-author of nine books with his book, “Just Listen,” being translated into twenty-eight languages and becoming the top book on listening in the world. He is the host of the highly rated podcast, “My Wakeup Call” and the co-host of “Out of Our Minds and In Your Space” on Twitter Spaces, which is a mashup for creatives and thinkers.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

Over two years ago in the fall of 2019, we launched the FourBlock Podcast to help bridge the military civilian divide in the workplace through conversations with veterans, thought leaders, and executives. Over 100 episodes and 30,000+ downloads later, we're excited to continue these conversations in the new year with some enhancements. Moving forward, we will be releasing episodes every two weeks. With each full episode, we will be creating additional pieces of content to include videos, articles, lesson plans for our classes, and most importantly, continuing the conversation with our listeners here on LinkedIn. We have some great people and interesting conversations lined up in the new year. Next week, we'll be releasing an episode with Dr. Mark Goulston, author of the book “Just Listen.” Thank you for listening to our podcast. We sincerely appreciate it. We would love to hear your recommendations for topics as well as any guests that you would like us to interview. Please reach out to podcast@fourblock.org. Thank you and have a great 2022!   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“There's nobody who doesn't want to live a life of significance.” This week, we complete our look back at the top ten most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. Topping the countdown as the #1 most-downloaded episode is “How to Live a Life of Significance” with retired General and the 31st Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General Charles C. Krulak. In this episode, General Krulak discusses his own military transition and shares the three things you need to be successful in life and the workplace. General Krulak started his career commanding a rifle platoon and two rifle companies during the Vietnam War. Throughout his 36 years of service, he held just about every single command and staff position that an infantry officer could hold. His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Bronze Star with Valor device and two gold stars, and the Purple Heart with Gold Star. General Krulak also rewrote the Marine Corps' basic combat study text, MCDP 1: Warfighting, incorporating his theories on operations in the modern battlefield. After retiring from the Marine Corps, General Krulak joined MBNA America as the chief administrative officer and went on to serve as the Senior Vice Chairman and CEO of MBNA Europe. He then went on to be the 13th president of Birmingham Southern College and continues to serve on the board of several companies including as the honorary chairman of FourBlock.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we continue our look back at the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast with #2 on the countdown, “How to Seize Opportunity in Your Career and Market Yourself as a Veteran” with former Army Pilot, Global Account Manager at LinkedIn, and FourBlock Board Member Darren Sumter. In this interview, Darren recounts his experiences growing up, serving in the Army, and transitioning into the civilian workforce. Darren also shares his expert recommendations for veterans on how to market yourself and how to seize opportunities in your post-military careers. For over 20 years, Darren has worked as a management consultant and a business development strategist specializing in providing companies with business-to-business software solutions to drive innovation and improve profitability. Currently, Darren works as a Global Account Manager at LinkedIn, where he manages responsibilities for several strategic customers in North America across several sectors. Prior to LinkedIn, Darren was a member of several big data B2B software strategic consulting companies where he held responsibilities for new market and new customer business development. Prior to his software career, Darren was a strategy consultant in the US and Europe. He attended Harvard Business School (HBS), where he earned his MBA. Prior to HBS, Darren attended the US Military Academy at West Point where he earned a B.S. in mechanical and aerospace engineering and served in the U.S. Army's aviation branch. He is a veteran of the first Gulf War where he served in Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Resources: LinkedIn Resources for Military Spouses LinkedIn Resources for Veterans   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.      

This week, we're continuing with our countdown of the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. Number three on the countdown is a conversation with Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and retired Army Colonel John Tien, originally released on January 13, 2020 and recorded when John was serving as a managing director with Citigroup. In this episode, Tien discusses his incredible service, the impact of his time in the Army on his family, and the similarities and differences between leading troops in combat and teammates at Citigroup. If you are a civilian seeking to better understand military service or a veteran trying to learn how to most effectively transition military leadership principles to a corporate environment – this is a must-listen episode! Prior to becoming the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Tien spent ten years serving in senior executive roles in the critical infrastructure financial services sector as a managing director at Citigroup. As a chief operating officer, he provided customer service support to tens of millions of customers to include safeguarding their accounts against fraud, data breaches, and other cyber threats. Tien previously served in the Obama Administration as the National Security Council Senior Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2009-2011, the Bush Administration as the National Security Council Director for Iraq from 2008-2009, and the Clinton Administration as a White House Fellow in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 1998-1999. Tien began his career of public service at the United States Military Academy at West Point where he was the first Asian American to ever serve as the First Captain and Brigade Commander, West Point's top ranked cadet position. For the next 24 years, he served as a U.S. Army combat arms officer, retiring in 2011 at the rank of Colonel. He is a veteran of three combat tours to include serving as the Task Force 2-37 Armor Battalion Commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and his unit were responsible for securing and stabilizing the Iraqi cities of Tal Afar and Ramadi with an emphasis on counterinsurgency operations, community partnership, creating rule of law institutions, and the training of thousands of Iraqi police officers. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Combat Action Badge, and the Valorous Unit Award. Tien holds a Bachelor of Science from West Point and a Master of Arts from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and was also a National Security Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we're continuing with our countdown of the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. Number four on the countdown is a conversation with former U.S Army officer and author Jason Dempsey, PhD, discusses his own transition, explores the meaning of service, and shares insights from his research on the military to civilian career transition. Jason served for over twenty years in the Army as an infantry officer, deploying twice to Afghanistan and once to Iraq. He last served as Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In that capacity he oversaw the Chairman's strategic priority of Keeping Faith with the Military Community and led the development and launch of the Call to Continued Service, an initiative endorsed by all of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which encourages members of the military to continue their public service after they take off the uniform. Jason is the co-founder of MILLIE, a company that seeks to empower the community of veteran and military spouse real estate agents and to help military families through the moving process. He is also a Senior Adviser to the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration and an Adjunct Senior Fellow of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program at the Center for a New American Security. Jason has written extensively on Army efforts toward gender integration, the experiences of Hispanics in the military, and our counterinsurgency efforts in Afghanistan. His book, Our Army: Soldiers, Politics and Civil-Military Relations was published by Princeton University Press and was the first major work to delve into the social and political attitudes of the active-duty military. Jason is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds a PhD in political science from Columbia University.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we're continuing with our countdown of the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. Number five on the countdown is a conversation with entrepreneur, writer, coach, transition and retirement life planning expert, and FourBlock Board Member Rick Miners. Rick was the co-founder and president of FlexCorp systems, a business process outsourcing company. Shortly after Inc. Magazine named FlexCorp as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, he unexpectedly sold the company and quickly realized he didn't have a plan for what he was going to do next. Rick co-authored the books, Don't Retire, REWIRE!: 5 Steps to Fulfilling Work That Fuels Your Passion, Suits Your Personality, and Fills Your Pockets and On Target: Enhance Your Life and Ensure Your Success. Rick has made appearances on The Today Show, CNN, and PBS about the rewiring process and is frequently quoted in the press on the changing face of retirement. He is a graduate of Wake Forest University and an Army Veteran. He is also a FourBlock Board Member and currently serves as its treasurer.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we're continuing with our countdown of the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. Number six on the countdown is a conversation with Wells Fargo managing director Chris Pink, originally released on January 20, 2020. Chris heads Asset-Backed Finance and Securitization within the Corporate and Investment Bank, which encompasses nearly 400 clients and a risk portfolio of approximately $130 billion. Chris also Co-Chairs the Corporate and Investment Bank's Diversity and Inclusion Council. In this episode, Chris discusses his experiences and insights in making successful career transitions, how to navigate corporate culture to advance your career, and effective leadership in today's diverse work environment. Chris invests a considerable amount of time mentoring and supporting veterans in transition and is a staunch believer in the power of people, creating diverse teams, and servant leadership. If you are a veteran interested in getting into financial services, successfully navigating corporate culture, and effectively translating your military leadership experiences to the civilian workforce or if you are someone interested in better understanding the challenges associated with career transitions and development – this episode is for you!   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we're continuing with our countdown of the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. Number seven on the countdown is a conversation with author, keynote speaker, and career search advisor Steve Dalton. What is the first step for a veteran looking to transition out of the military into a civilian career, or for any job seeker? What are the areas where veterans can excel in the career search process? How is hiring going to change in response to the impacts of COVID-19? Steve Dalton joins hosts Lindsey Pollak and Mike Abrams to highlight the importance of professional relationships and referrals, discuss how the hiring landscape may change, and provide prescriptive advice for conducting a successful career search. Steve addresses the areas where veterans excel that can help provide an advantage in the job search process. He also explores the similarities and differences of career searching today versus career searching during the financial crisis in 2008 and explains why he has optimism for job searchers today. Steve is a Program Director and Senior Career Consultant for the full-time MBA Program at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He holds his own MBA from the same institution and a chemical engineering degree from Case Western Reserve University. Prior to entering the career services industry, Steve was an Associate Marketing Manager at General Mills, and a Strategy Consultant at A.T. Kearney (now Kearny). Steve is also the founder and CEO of Contact2Colleague, a corporate training firm specializing in helping organizations teach their personnel to turn strangers into advocates on demand.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, we're continuing with our countdown of the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. Number eight on the countdown is an insightful conversation with Susan Rietano Davey, co-founder and owner of Prepare To Launch U (PLTU), a national learning company that guides women through challenging work-life transitions. The episode was originally released on December 9, 2019. Since recording this episode of the podcast, FourBlock went on to partner with Susan and her PTLU co-founder Kelley Biskupiak on a joint Military Spouse Career Readiness Program, a comprehensive, instructional career transition program for military spouses looking to return to work or pivot into new careers.  Susan began her career on the executive track at the Xerox corporation, where she moved rapidly up the ranks earning top performance honors along the way, recognizing the need for more and better flexible work options after becoming a mother. Susan went on to join Flexible Resources, a regional consulting and staffing firm that championed Flexible Work. Over two decades, she helped establish the company as the industry expert on flexible work policy while coaching countless women to find or create flexible jobs and achieve positive work-life synergy.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.

This week, we're continuing with our countdown of the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. This week, number nine on the countdown is a powerful conversation with Damien Bertolo, originally released on July 6, 2020. After moving out on his own at 15 and dropping out of high school, Damien Bertolo found guidance and support from an unexpected mentor, who motivated him to go back to school. Damien went on to graduate high school, get accepted to college, and ultimately go on to join the Marine Corps, where he served on active duty from 2003-2012. On this week's episode, Damien shares his transition experience and talks about why that lesson of mentorship stuck with him and why he continues to give back to others today. Damien now works as a Manager Management Consultant at Accenture, based in San Francisco, and previously served as the Director of Operations for FourBlock, where he had been involved as a volunteer as early as 2013. Damien served as a Marine in Iraq in 2006 and 2007 and was selected to enter a commissioning program while deployed. After earning his degree at Cal State University San Marcos and a commission as a Marine Officer, Damien served his final two years and ended his active-duty service in 2012. After pursuing a career in real estate in New York City, Damien gained experience in talent acquisition and in program and operations management. While performing his duties at FourBlock, he pursued and completed his MBA at NYU Stern with a focus on corporate strategy, finance, and business analytics. Damien has helped develop and advise business models for veteran recruitment and retention, and currently focuses in change management and business transformation.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

In episode 13, we get high with Mike Abrams, cannabis pioneer and co-owner of The Peaceful Choice Dispensary in Boulder, and discuss how he started in the cannabis industry and got to where he is today. From Florida to Colorado to Puerto Rico, we touch on several cannabis markets across the United States and what makes them unique. We also dive into the plant medicine iboga and how it can help those suffering from addiction. This episode is sponsored by https://wmaps.app.link/mccartergetshigh (Weedmaps ~ download the mobile app here)!

For the remainder of the year through the New Year, we're looking back at the top 10 most-downloaded episodes of the FourBlock Podcast since it first launched in the fall of 2019. In the meantime, we're lining up some great interviews with new guests. Enjoy the top-10 countdown and stick with us for more new and engaging content in 2022! Rounding out the top 10 this week is an incredibly informative interview with Dr. Amanda Spray, originally released on October 28th, 2019, that examines the truths and debunks some common myths about PTSD. Dr. Spray is the Director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at NYU Langone Health and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. She completed her doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the VA New York Harbor Healthcare system on the Manhattan campus. Dr. Spray founded the training program within NYU Langone Military Family Center, which now trains 12 to 14 doctoral and postdoctoral students annually. She provides supervision and training within the center and the community at large. She provides individual cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy to veterans and family members in the military family center and specializes in health psychology and adult ADHD. Note: This episode contains in-depth discussions regarding PTSD. We advise listening to this episode with caution. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the Veterans Crisis Line. This nationwide, toll-free hotline connects veterans and service members in crisis and their loved ones with information and qualified Department of Veterans Affairs responders. For more information, call 800-273-8255.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“If you ask 100 people for feedback on your resume, you're going to get 100 different perspectives.” This week on the FourBlock Podcast, co-host and FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams shares some tips and lessons learned when it comes to resume writing.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on The FourBlock Podcast, we are sharing a conversation that co-host and FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams had recently with Sarah Roberts and Darren Sumter during a session of FourBlock's Fall 2021 West Coast Career Readiness Program. Darren is a Global Account Manager for LinkedIn and a member of FourBlock's Board of Directors. Sarah is LinkedIn's Head of Military and Veteran Programs. Over the course of this discussion, Saran and Darren discuss their transitions from active service, talk about career opportunities at LinkedIn, and share some career transition best practices.     ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on The FourBlock Podcast, we welcome FourBlock Atlanta alumnus turned coach Jose Fernandez, who now serves as the head of Strategic Threat Intelligence at Truist. A strategic threat intelligence and military veteran recognized as an expert practitioner in all aspects of intelligence operations, Jose served in the United States Army and the Georgia National Guard for a total of 32 years before retiring from service in 2018. In this episode, Jose joins co-host and FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams to talk about his time in service, his military-to-civilian transition, and his impressive career in cybersecurity. Jose provides in-depth insights about the cybersecurity industry, illuminates what some of his day-to-day responsibilities include in his role with Truist, and shares what he enjoys most about his current role and his career in cybersecurity. Jose also provides expert insights and advice for service men and women who are looking to begin a career in the growing cybersecurity industry after transitioning out of the military. Jose joined the U.S. Army in 1985 straight out of high school. He enlisted in the Infantry, went to Airborne School, and was then assigned to the 8th Infantry Division in Germany from 1985 to 1987. After his two-year tour, he joined the U.S. Army Central Command as a reservist. He was assigned to 3rd Army Headquarters G-3 as an Operations NCO, deploying to Saudi Arabia in support of Desert Storm / Desert Shield. After returning, Jose completed his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Georgia State University. In 1996, he transitioned to the Army National Guard, where he was commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer. Jose was also a firefighter in the Marietta Fire Department from 1998-2002. In 2002, Jose was brought into the Active Guard Reserve in the Georgia National Guard. His first assignment was the Aide-De-Camp for the Commanding General. In 2005-2006 he deployed to Iraq, where he served with the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade. As a Captain, he was responsible for over 70 tactical human intelligence teams spread out over Iraq, working with multiple units. Jose retired after serving for 32 years. He currently leads strategic threat intelligence for the cyber threat intelligence team at Truist. His team provides strategic level awareness of the cyber threat landscape to make informed strategic decisions to effectively and efficiently run a security function. Jose holds an M.S. in organizational leadership from Argosy University. Jose is an alumnus of FourBlock's Fall 2018 Veteran Career Readiness Program in Atlanta and now mentors other FourBlock veterans as the head Career Skills Coach for the Atlanta cohort.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week, it's an honor to welcome QBE's Chief Risk Officer John Langione to The FourBlock Podcast. In conversation with co-host and FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams, John shares insights from his incredible career, beginning with his work in the public sector at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General's Division of Criminal Justice through his transition to the private sector and the insurance industry, to his role today as the Chief Risk Officer for QBE's North American and Bermuda Operations. In this episode, John and Mike discuss some of the cultural changes that John had to navigate when making the switch from the public to the private sector and some of the similarities between that career transition and the military to civilian transition. They then dive into the insurance business, with John providing perspective on the industry, what people need to do to be successful in it, and some good places to start for veterans looking to break into the insurance industry. John also shares his advice for operating within a larger company and starting something new within it. To close out the episode, Mike asks John to talk about his role as executive sponsor for QBE's Valor Business Resource Group, which supports various veteran-related causes and helps to provide an organized means for employees to participate in a broad array of veteran's related supporting activities and events. John joined QBE in 2010 and was named Chief Risk Officer in 2012. In his role at QBE, John is responsible for overseeing that an effective risk management framework is in place to support all dimensions of QBE's operations including strategic and business planning processes. He is also one of the executive sponsors for QBE's Valor Business Resource Group, whose mission is to foster a respectful and inclusive environment that welcomes QBE's veteran and military-affiliated employees and provide opportunities for their support and networking. Previously, John served as Senior Vice President, Internal Audit. John has nearly 30 years of experience in insurance, finance and risk roles. Prior to joining QBE, John was the Deputy Comptroller, Financial Controls with AIG International and the Senior Vice President, Financial Controls at ACE Insurance. He has served as a partner in Ernst & Young's Advisory Services Group providing risk, controls and internal audit support for various financial services organizations. He also held positions with State Farm Insurance, Prudential Insurance and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, where he led criminal investigations within the organized crime and racketeering bureau as well as the major frauds unit. John received his MBA in Professional Accounting from Rutgers Graduate School of Business.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

This week on The FourBlock Podcast, we welcome Daniel (Dan) Hughes, a U.S. Navy Submarine Force veteran, data analytics entrepreneur, and passionate mentor for transitioning veterans. In this week's episode, Dan joins co-host and FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams for a dynamic discussion about his time in the Navy, his military transition, and his path to entrepreneurship.   Dan and Mike then explore the future of tech, data, and much more, including why “everyone is a data analyst now -- some people just don't realize it yet.”   In conversation with Mike, Dan shares how he went on to start his company Claritee Group, LLC after the Navy and the lessons learned along the way, including the value of mentorship and the importance of leadership and personal development. They discuss his passion for sailing and the camaraderie that comes from it, and conclude with some invaluable advice for veterans in transition who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs.   Dan is a U.S. Navy Submarine veteran who served on two missile submarines from 1986 to 1990. After leaving the Navy, Dan attended Temple University, where he graduated with a BBA in Accounting. Upon graduation, Dan joined Arthur Andersen as a business technology consultant.   In the late 1990s, Dan took the leap to start his own data analytics consulting firm and spent most of his career leading software developers and analysts building complex data analytics software solutions for clients across all major industries. He is a huge advocate of pushing technology innovation through a “keep it simple” and “build it, break it, fix it” design and implementation approach.   Dan has three passions outside of his family: building innovative data analytics software solutions to solve complex problems, mentoring military veterans during their transitions into civilian careers as an employee or entrepreneur starting a business, and using sailing as a personal development platform to promote adventure, camaraderie, adaptive thinking, and emotional well-being.   Dan currently resides in Montgomery County, PA, where he lives with his family.  Email: dan@dataswatteam.com  ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

In 1956, Charlynda Scales' Grandfather, Charlie "Mutt" Ferrell, Jr. created an all-purpose specialty sauce. In 2013, Charlynda learned that she inherited the coveted recipe. He didn't leave her any instructions, but humbled by his trust and belief in her, she used her business background to create Mutt's Sauce, LLC.   A U.S. Air Force veteran and the Founder & CEO of Mutt's Sauce, Charlynda joins co-host Mike Abrams this week on the FourBlock Podcast to share the incredible story of Mutt's Sauce and to discuss her path to entrepreneurship and her passion for paying it forward to other entrepreneurs. Charlynda reflects on how she started the company, talks about some of the challenges she faced, and shares invaluable advice for anyone who wants to become an entrepreneur themselves.   Charlynda is a U.S. Air Force veteran on a mission to bring American families and unlock people's purpose by harnessing her gift of empathy and servant leadership. She started Mutt's Sauce LLC while she was still serving on active duty in the military. Now distributed in four flavors across the United States, Mutt's Sauce recently debuted and sold out on QVC.   Her passion for educating youth and empowering our nation's Girl Scouts resulted in her being awarded with a lifetime membership to Girl Scouts of the USA. She has also partnered with SCORE and Bunker Labs, two organizations that have made invaluable impacts on her success as a veteran entrepreneur. Charlynda and the story of Mutt's Sauce has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, CBS News, NBC Univeral, Black Enterprise Magazine, Military.com, and many others.   In 2016, Charlynda was crowned Second Runner Up of Miss Veteran America. In 2020, Charlynda was humbled to learn her journey with Mutt's Sauce was also featured in FUBU Founder and Shark Tank Investor Damon John's latest best-selling book Powershift.   Charlynda is a Clemson University graduate with a degree in Aerospace Science and Business Management. She also holds an MBA in Military and Strategic Leadership from Trident University International.   We're honored to have Charlynda joining us again on Thursday, October 21 as a special guest at our live M.R.E. (Meals Ready-to-Eat) virtual cook-along! Learn more and register to attend here.     ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

On the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, FourBlock Founder Mike Abrams reflects on the profound impact that day has had on millions of lives around the world, the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost that day, and the families that have had to endure the loss of loved ones. Mike looks back on his time serving in Afghanistan and the 20 years since that day. Let us never forget the ones that we lost on 9/11, the families they left behind, and the people who fought for freedom for 20 years after that day.   ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“If I walk into a brick wall, I just grab another opportunity that gives me more information to get me over or around that wall.” This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we're thrilled to welcome Jerome Amos, a native New Yorker, foodie and chef who learned to cook as a young child. In a lively and inspiring conversation with co-host Mike Abrams, Jerome shares details of his upbringing as the oldest of eight children, the community that influenced him, and what led him to decide to join the military at a young age. He talks about his time in the U.S. Air Force, getting out after more than five years of service, and the challenging transition back home. Jerome then shares his career journey and how he leaps from what people may think are unusual jobs, but are actually all connected - from the job he took after the military to pay the bills to becoming a self-taught photographer to getting into graphic design to his career today as a chef. Jerome discusses his introduction to cooking and how a chance encounter led to a new friendship, a YouTube channel, and a new career in cooking. To close out the episode, Jerome shares his advice for fellow veterans who are making the transition out of military service. Jerome will join us again on Thursday, October 21 to host a live interactive M.R.E. (Meals Ready-to-Eat) virtual cook-along with other special guests! Jerome, who served in the US. Air Force for over five years during the Gulf War, said that the military way is to treat everyone on your team the same as your family. That became the foundation for Brothers From Another Mother cooking or B.F.A.M. Cooking because everyone can be your “fam” especially at the dining table. The B.F.A.M. Cooking videos range from delicious, original recipes that Jerome has created to American cuisine restaurant owners who he wanted to know better. There are also videos about cooking tools that he loves and simple techniques to make things easier in the kitchen. Jerome was recently one of the many chefs from around the globe who competed in an exclusive online competition to be named the world's Favorite Chef, receive $50,000 and a feature in a two-page advertising spread in Bon Appétit announcing the winner. Voted on by the fans, Jerome made it as a semi-finalist, placing 3rd in his group. Learn more about Jerome and B.F.A.M. Cooking at https://bfamcooking.com/.    ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“That adaptability, that flexibility, that go-with-the-flow mentality [that military dependents develop] are such important qualities. That's what people are looking for when they employ you. That's what helps you when you become a leader in an organization. Hold on to those qualities and use them, sell them when you're telling your story and when you're marketing yourself to people. Those qualities hold a lot of weight - especially when you have a powerful story to tell that backs it up.” This week on the FourBlock Podcast, we're joined by FourBlock's very own Audrey Garcia, who is the daughter of an active-duty service member currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Audrey is the first guest we've had on the show to share her experience and discuss what it's like to grow up in an active-duty military family. Audrey joins co-host Mike Abrams to talk about some of the challenges, differences, and great things about growing up in the active-duty community as a military dependent. In this episode, Audrey generously shares her personal experience and illuminates the experience of being a military dependent, the oldest sibling in her family, and the child of an active-duty military member who was often deployed. Audrey moved seven times before the age of 18 and has lived all over the country. During that time, she had to navigate the many challenges associated with being a military dependent, including the mental health impact of uprooting your life, having to start over in new schools with new people, and dealing with the frequent deployment of a parent and the subsequent reintegration process. Mike and Audrey then discuss what overcoming these challenges taught Audrey about herself, how they shaped her into the person she is today, and what opportunities being a military dependent afforded her that she never would have had the chance to experience otherwise. When it comes to what she wants civilians to know about children of active-duty service members, Audrey noted that while their experiences are certainly different, they're still just trying to navigate growing up, just like everyone else: “Children of service members go through things that aren't necessarily the norm, but it doesn't make them any different from civilian children.” Audrey attended Boise State University where she earned a B.A. in Communications. As an avid volunteer, she has worked with mental health and animal welfare nonprofits. She understands first-hand the impact and importance of veteran service organizations for service members and their families. Audrey brings her social media and nonprofit experience to FourBlock as the Social Media and Community Engagement Manager, helping to grow FourBlock's online presence and increase engagement on our social media platforms. ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

“No matter what your job is, no matter which service you're in, there are incredibly valuable leadership, organizational, decision-making and problem-solving skills that every person in the military has, and [translates very well to help the digital transformation underway at Raytheon Missiles and Defense].” This week, we are honored to welcome Wesley (Wes) D. Kremer to the FourBlock Podcast for an insightful and informative conversation on leadership with co-host Mike Abrams. As president of Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a business of Raytheon Technologies, Wes leads 31,000 employees and is responsible for a broad portfolio of air and missile defense systems, precision weapons, radars, command and control systems and advanced defense technologies. In this episode, Wes discusses reflects on his career with Raytheon Missiles and Defense and on his military service, including what prompted him to join the military, why it was his dream to join the U.S. Air Force, and what he did during his 11 years in service. Wes notes how building relationships during his transition helped him secure his first post-military job and shares lessons learned from his time in the military and in his first civilian role before joining Raytheon Missiles and Defense. Wes and Mike talk in-depth about leadership, sharing invaluable insights about what veterans can bring to leadership roles in the civilian workforce, what the hallmark of a true leader is, and how scaling leadership – delegating responsibility versus delegating tasks – makes you a more strategic leader and helps the employees under you grow. An electrical engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran, Wes has decades of executive experience in aerospace and defense. He held multiple leadership positions at Raytheon Company prior to its merger with United Technologies Corporation in 2020, including president of both the Raytheon Missile Systems and the Integrated Defense Systems businesses. In the U.S. Air Force, he served as a weapon systems officer on F-111 and F-15E aircraft and flew more than 90 combat sorties in Iraq and Bosnia. He holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Montana State University and an MBA in engineering technology management from City University of Seattle. ABOUT US Welcome to the FourBlock Podcast, a show that examines veteran career transition and the military-civilian divide in the workplace. General Charles Krulak coined the term "Three Block War" to describe the nature of 21st-century military service defined by peace-keeping, humanitarian aid, and full combat. But what happens next? Veterans are often unprepared to return home and begin new careers. We call this the Fourth Block.  FourBlock is a national non-profit that has supported thousands of transitioning service members across the nation in beginning new and meaningful careers.  Mike Abrams (@fourblock) is an Afghanistan veteran, founder of FourBlock, and author of two military transition books. He represents the military transition perspective. Lindsey Pollak (@lindsaypollak) is a career and workplace expert and New York Times bestselling author of three career advice books. Lindsey represents the civilian perspective of this issue.  Veterans, explore new industries and make the right connections. Find a career that fits your calling. Join us at fourblock.org/ Sponsor our program or host a class to equip more of our veterans at fourblock.org/donate. Follow FourBlock on Social Media  LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast episodes are produced and edited by the Columbia University Center for Veteran Transition and Integration.  

Mike Abrams reflects on the current situation in Afghanistan and reads a letter published on Aug. 18, 2021 from Gen. David Berger and Sgt. Maj. Troy Black to Marines. We know many of our podcast listeners are FourBlock program alumni and people who are very involved in our community and our programming. Just know we are always here for you. You can reach out anytime, and we will make sure you have the support that you need. If you or a family member is in need of additional support, consider the following resources: Veteran Crisis Line: If you are experiencing a crisis or need someone to talk to, call 1-800-273-8255 and then PRESS 1 or visit http://www.veterancrisisline.net/. VA Medical Centers: For emergency mental health care, you can also go directly to your local VA medical center 24/7 regardless of your discharge status or enrollment in other VA health care. You can find your nearest location here: https://www.va.gov/find-locations. Vet Centers: Vet Center counselors and outreach staff, many of whom are veterans themselves, are experienced and prepared to discuss the tragedies of war, loss, grief and transition after trauma. You can find your nearest location here: https://www.va.gov/find-locations (select Vet Centers).