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Recapping Three Powerful Stories & Matt’s Raw Transition Journey

In this special recap episode, Matt and Julie reflect on the last three impactful interviews with John & Mitchell of High Country Living, Wendy Brinson of The Goddard School in Stafford, and Zac Staples of Fathom5. Each conversation brought powerful insights on building purpose-driven businesses after military life—and we’re bringing the highlights.

They also share behind-the-scenes thoughts on their guest appearance on the Triple Threat Vets podcast, and Matt opens up about his final days in uniform. From shifting priorities to personal transformation, Matt gets candid about what it’s really like to leave the Army after 21 years, tying in his latest blog post, “I’m Not Checked Out—I’m Checked In.”

This episode is raw, real, and a reminder that the transition journey is deeply personal—but you don’t have to go it alone.

#DogTagsToOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneur #MilitaryTransition #PodcastRecap #Leadership #LifeAfterService #TripleThreatVets #ArmyRetirement

Helpful Links to Check Out:

Franchising: vetfran.org, SBA Express Loan for Veterans, SBA Office of Veterans Business Development,

Government / Defense Contracting: Register at Sam.gov, utilize Federal Procurement Data System FPDS.gov for tracking past awards, Use SBA SubNet or Dynamic Small Business Search to find partners. Use tools like GovWin, BidSpeed, or GovTribe to monitor upcoming bids.

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In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, Matt and Julie sit down with Zac Staples, founder and CEO of Fathom5, a company at the cutting edge of cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing for critical infrastructure. Zac shares his journey from a career in the Navy to launching and scaling a tech-driven business, the lessons learned in leadership, and how military skills translate into building high-performance teams in the civilian world.

Tune in as we dive deep into entrepreneurship, innovation, and how Zac’s mission-first mindset continues to make waves far beyond his time in uniform.

Visit his website: https://www.fathom5.com/

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Visit our website: https://www.dogtags-to-ownership.com/

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Instagram/Facebook/Threads: @dogtags_to_ownership

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TikTok: @dogtags_to_ownership

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In this inspiring episode, Matt and Julie sit down with Wendy Brinson, retired Army veteran and powerhouse entrepreneur, who now owns and operates one of the top-performing Goddard Schools in the country, located in Stafford, VA. Wendy shares her incredible journey from military service to building a thriving early childhood education center, the lessons she’s carried over from the Army, and how she’s creating a lasting impact in her community.

Tune in to hear how discipline, leadership, and heart have made Wendy’s Goddard School a national standout—and how you can apply her insights to your own path from dog tags to ownership.

#DogTagsToOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneur #GoddardSchool #Leadership #VeteranSuccess #FromServiceToSuccess

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In this episode, we sit down with John and Michele Swart — a powerhouse duo redefining what life after service looks like. From John’s distinguished career as the NC National Guard’s Command Sergeant Major to the couple’s thriving ventures in real estate, short-term rentals, a tree farm, and their High Country Living YouTube channel — they’ve built a life rooted in purpose, family, and community.

We talk about:

• Transitioning from military leadership to entrepreneurship
• The story behind their real estate business and mountain lifestyle brand
• Lessons from running a tree farm and STR properties
• The importance of staying connected through community service and storytelling

John and Michelle prove that service doesn’t stop at retirement — it simply evolves.

Tune in and get inspired to plant your next roots with intention.

#DogTagsToOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneurs #HighCountryLiving #RealEstateJourney #LifeAfterService #MilitaryTransition #TreeFarmLife #CommunityFirst

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In Episode 14, Matt and Julie sit down to reflect on the powerful insights and inspiring journeys shared in our last three episodes. We revisit key takeaways from Helen Perry of Dust Off Global, Kristen Kavanaugh of the Agency Initiative, and Freddy “Showbiz” McDuffy of K-FY Productions—each a force in their own space, bringing passion, purpose, and drive to their ventures after military service.

But that’s not all—this episode also includes exclusive bonus content with financial advisor Michael Beardi, who delivers practical, must-know tips for service members and veterans looking to launch their own business. From funding strategies to building a strong financial foundation, Michael shares the kind of advice that could make all the difference.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking for inspiration to keep going, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Check out https://www.dogtags-to-ownership.com/ for additional helpful content provided by Michael Beardi.

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In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, Matt and Julie sit down with Freddy "Showbiz" McDuffy, whose story is a testament to reseilience, leadership, and passion. Freddy shares his journey from serving in the Army Entertainment Detachment to achieving his goal of becoming a company First Sergenat. He opens up about his mental health struggles along the way and how he found strenght through his love for entertainment. Now, as the founder of K-FY Productions and set to graduate from the LA Film School in August, Freddy is turning his dreams into reality. Tune in as he discusses his transition, the challenges he's faced, and the exciting path he's forging in the entertainment industry.

#DogTagstoOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneurs # LeadershipJourney #MentalHealthMatters #EntertainmentToEntrepreneurship #ArmyStrong #BeAllYouCanBe

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In Episode 12 of DogTags to Ownership, Matt and Julie sit down with Kristen Kavanaugh, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Marine Corps Officer who served five years before transitioning to the corporate world. Kristen quickly rose through the ranks at Tesla, where she honed her leadership skills and made a lasting impact. Today, she is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and author, helping organizations foster inclusive environments and drive meaninful change.

Tune in to hear Kristen's inspiring story and gain insights on how her military experience paved the way for her success in the corporate work and beyond.

Learn more about Kristen at www.kristenkavanaugh.com

#DogTagstoOwnership #VeteranEntrepreneurs #LeadershipJourney #MilitaryToBusiness #VeteranSuccess #CorporateLeaderhip

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In this episode of DogTags to Ownership, we sit down with Helen Perry, a former Army nurse turned entrepreneur and leader. As the founder of Dust Off Global, Helen has dedicated her post-military career to providing critical healthcare consulting in austere and war-torn environments. But her impact doesn’t stop there. She also served on the board of a nonprofit, leading it from financial distress to stability—all while caring for her disabled husband, who suffers from a severe TBI. Join us as we discuss resilience, leadership, and the power of service-driven entrepreneurship.

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