If you’re looking to take the next step toward entrepreneurship but aren’t sure where to start, this episode is for you.
Danielle Smith has a long family history of military service which led her to the National Guard nearly 12 years ago. In this episode she shares how she unexpectedly left a career in film and music production and now enjoys a life she could have only dreamed of as a successful business owner. Additional topics include:
•	Why Danielle joined the National Guard and how it has impacted her journey as an entrepreneur
•	Overcoming fear of failure in order to succeed in business
•	Why Danielle chose franchising and what’s next for her business

Contact Danielle
Email: Torpita1@gmail.com
Instagram: ProducerDanielleSmith

From the Battlefield to the Boardroom

Episode 169 : Faith Over Fear, with Entrepreneur Danielle Smith

Micheal Sittler, Air Force veteran and chair of Enbridge's Veteran Talent Resource Network, shares insights into his military background, career path, and Enbridge's unique culture and commitment to veteran hiring.  

In this podcast, Micheal discusses his military career, transition to civilian employment, and why Enbridge is a great place for Veterans to build a lasting career. Additional topics include:  

Challenges faced when transitioning from the military to civilian life 

Enbridge’s Veteran Talent Resource Network 

Top career advice for transitioning service members  

Enbridge is a diversified energy company that's uniquely positioned to help accelerate the global transition to a cleaner energy future. Their core values- Safety, Integrity, Respect, and Inclusion- serve as their north star. The company recognizes the importance of a secure, reliable, and affordable supply of energy, which it delivers daily through its four core businesses: liquids pipelines, natural gas pipelines, gas utilities and storage, and renewable energy. 

https://www.oriontalent.com/enbridge/

Episode 170 : An Air Force Veteran’s Journey to Success at Enbridge

Transitioning into the civilian workforce can be challenging, which is why a growing number of Veterans are choosing to ditch the 9-5 and create their own path by becoming business owners. 
JDog Brands is the largest Veteran owned franchise system in America, offering franchises exclusively to Veterans and Military family members. JDog’s established reputation, military foundation, proven business model, and low startup costs, make it a great opportunity for Veterans to become their own boss. 
Robby (USMC Veteran) and Kelly Dinero join the podcast to share their journey as business owners with JDog. Topics include: 

Why they decided to franchise with JDog 
The support they’ve received from JDog Corporate 
The perks that come with being a business owner 

Check out Jdogbrands.com to learn more!

Episode 171 : Battle Buddies: Husband and Wife Duo Conquer Business Ownership

Sometimes we think of leadership as having formal authority over others, but in many cases it’s not so clear cut. In the military you’ve gained valuable skills and attributes that make you a great fit for a leadership positions, but sometimes it's hard to know how to apply those skills to a job outside of the military.
Today’s guest, Debbie Collard, knew that struggle well. Debbie joined the Air Force right out of high school and after serving 5 years, she was ready to move on but didn’t have a career path in mind. Immediately after transitioning, Debbie worked four part time jobs to make ends meet, and even considered re-enlisting in the military seeking career stability. Ultimately, Debbie ended up reconnecting with a friend who encouraged her to apply for a role at Boeing, where she went on to have a 30 -year career. During her time at Boeing, Debbie worked her way through the leadership ranks and gained sought-after awards and recognition along the way.
Now, Debbie is the co-founder of Seasons Leadership, a company that provides leadership training and resources to all leaders, regardless of job title. Seasons Leadership offers many valuable resources for leaders, including coaching, consulting, leadership development, podcasts, and more. 
In this episode, Debbie shares her inspiring story that includes: 
•	Her challenging transition out of the military
•	Her rewarding career at Boeing and how it prepared her to start her own business
•	Leadership lessons she has learned throughout her creer

Check out SeasonsLeadership.com and the Seasons Leadership podcast to learn how you can reach new levels of leadership in your own career and life.

Episode 172: Air Force Veteran Excels in Leadership at Boeing and Beyond

If you’ve ever wanted to create a stream of passive income but aren’t sure how to get started, this episode is for you!
Brent Bowers, Army Veteran, joins the podcast to share how he’s built a wholesale land company that had led to financial freedom for his family. Prior to separating from the military, Brent knew he wanted to pursue a career that would allow him to be more present with his wife and kids. With the success of his company, he’s been able to build a business that creates legacy wealth for his family, along with helping many others do the same.
In this episode Brent discusses: 
•	His military background and transition
•	The evolution of The Land Sharks
•	Advice and resources for entrepreneurs
•	The many benefits of investing in land
Thelandsharks.com

Episode 173: Success Leaves Clues: Army Veteran Builds Wholesale Land Company

Are you good with your hands, mechanically inclined, or have a knack for fixing mechanical or electrical items? If so, a career in the constantly growing Aviation Industry might be a good fit for you! Transitioning from the military into a role as an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanic allows you to continue building an exciting career while making an impact on the world around you.  We have recently partnered with US Aviation Academy, an organization that provides world class training for A&P mechanics.  
US Aviation Academy's VA approved A&P Mechanic Program is designed to thoroughly equip all students with a profound knowledge of aircraft and prepare you for a successful career in the aviation industry. During this program, you will train at a live airport, get real-world experience working on jets, and work closely with knowledgeable instructors. 
Steve Kugler, Vice President of Business Development and Director of Admissions at US Aviation Academy, joins the podcast to discuss his passion for the Aviation industry. Additional topics include:
•	A&P Mechanic training program highlights
•	Benefits of the program and certifications earned
•	Why the Aviation Industry is a good fit for veterans

If you’d like to learn more about A&P Mechanic training with US Aviation, visit 
https://www.oriontalent.com/military-job-seekers/usaviationacademy/


Episode 174 -  Jumpstart Your Career with VA Approved A&P Mechanic Training

Orion has partnered with Nevada Gold Mines to provide rewarding careers for veterans and transitioning service members in a global, ever-growing industry.
Nevada Gold Mines is on a mission to be the world's most valued gold mining business by finding, developing, and operating the best assets with the best people. If you’re curious about a career in gold mining or if you’re seeking a company with a collaborative, diverse, and safety-first culture, Nevada Gold Mines might be the place for you!
In this episode, Dylan Walter, an Electrical Supervisor at Nevada Gold Mines, joins the podcast to discuss:

•	His military background and his career progression at NGM
•	What attracted him to NGM
•	What a typical day looks like for his team.
If you’d like to learn more about careers with Nevada Gold Mines, visit us online at https://www.oriontalent.com/nevada-gold-mines/


Episode 175: Marine Corps Veteran Strikes Career Gold

According to the Small Business Administration, nearly a quarter of veterans are interested in starting their own business, and roughly 15% of franchises are owned by veterans. There are many franchises to choose from, and finding a good match takes time and research.   

In this podcast, Matt Murphy, Navy Veteran, CEO, board member and business owner, joins the show to discuss his background and share why veterans are a great fit for business ownership. Additionally, Joe Ross, owner of Ross Franchise Consulting, discusses how his company connects individuals seeking more fulfillment in their professional lives to meaningful franchise ownership opportunities.  

Topics include: 

The benefits of business ownership 

Advantages of working with a franchise consultant to help you find the best fit 

Advice for veterans who want to get started on this journey. 

If you’d like to connect with Joe to learn more about how franchise ownership can help you achieve your goals, visit us online: 

 

Schedule a free consultation: https://calendly.com/joe-ownafranchise/quick-sync?month=2025-05 

Reach out to learn more: https://www.oriontalent.com/rfc/start-your-ownership-journey/#Free-Consultation 

Episode 176: From Service to Success: The Veteran's Guide to Franchise Ownership

Orion has partnered with Mutual of Omaha Mortgage for many years, as part of our mission to provide valuable resources to help service members and veterans succeed.  

The VA Loan is a federal program that has helped millions of veterans achieve the goal of home ownership. While many military families have benefited from using a VA loan, there’s some misinformation and lack of understanding of the full range of benefits that has led to its underutilization.  

Chelsea Vandersnick, VP of Education at Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, joins the podcast to share her deep wealth of knowledge about VA loans. Topics include:  

FAQs about VA Loans, including eligibility and how it can be used 

Common misconceptions about VA loans 

Why it’s important to work with a well-educated lender 

If you’re in the market to purchase or refinance a home, you don’t want to miss this episode! 

 

Visit us online to learn more: www.oriontalent.com/mutualmortgage  

Episode 177 - Serving Those Who Served - Unlocking the Power of Your VA Loan

UPS is moving the world forward while delivering what matters, driven by a team of nearly 500 thousand employees across the world. While we all recognize the company’s logo and the services they provide to customers, you may not know about the variety of career opportunities they offer. With a strong veteran presence in its workforce, UPS gives you access to resources and support needed to create a lasting career filled with personal and professional growth.  

Kaitlyn Bolena and Eric Wesolowski, both members of the UPS team, join the podcast to discuss their backgrounds and career progression with UPS, as well as the military friendly culture and opportunities for veterans and military spouses.  

Click the link in the show notes to learn more and apply for a career with UPS! 

https://www.oriontalent.com/ups/  

Episode 178 - The Road to UPS: Military Roots, Civilian Success

Our most popular podcasts have been about interview preparation, and we’ve done quite a few related to frequently asked interview questions.  We wanted to dedicate a similar show to focus on frequently asked interview questions for technical and engineering roles.

Our guest for this show is Shane Bishop, a Senior Account Executive at Orion. Shane is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is a former Submarine Officer. His impressive military background, as well as his many years of experience with interview preparation, make him an expert on this topic. Shane gives insight on how to answer the following interview questions:
•	Why are you interested in an Engineering role?
•	What Technical / Engineering experience do you have?
•	How did you apply your technical skill set in your last position?
•	What special technical qualifications do you possess?

Episode 21 - Frequently Asked Interview Questions for Engineering Roles

This podcast is an extension of Orion's From the Battlefield to the Boardroom Blog, and is dedicated to supporting military job seekers throughout your transition process by providing valuable insight and guidance from other Veterans and business leaders.
If you have any questions about a specific show or recommendations for future topics, please send us an email at podcast@oriontalent.com.