Guest: Kelly Bonn — Navy veteran, retained executive recruiter, executive coach

Location: The Centre Club, Tampa

Episode in a sentence

From small boats in the Med to C-suite searches in boardrooms, Kelly unpacks modern hiring, executive presence, and why your LinkedIn should teach—not trumpet.

What we cover

Kelly’s Navy path (Italy, small boats unit, coxswain/engineer) and the through-line to recruiting

Retained search vs. contingency—and why “human” beats “process”

Branding that works: educational posts, clear profile, and consistent presence

Posting cadence/windows that reach senior decision makers

Building a talent flywheel with employee advocates (and how to bonus them)

Interviewing that actually reveals judgment and fit (ditch lazy behavioral scripts)

Diversifying revenue streams so a weird year doesn’t sink you

Why the job market feels strange—and the signals it’s warming

Playbook & Tactics

Intro line: “I’m an executive coach and a headhunter. I help companies hire and leaders land.”

Three questions to ask in interviews:

“What would your current manager say about you?”

“What did you like most/least about your last role?”

“What’s the biggest challenge in the first 90 days here?”

LinkedIn content rule: educate > advertise. Case-style posts win.

Best posting windows (for exec audiences): Sun late AM/early PM; Mon late PM; Tue late AM.

Book pick: Captivate — Vanessa Van Edwards.

Offers & Resources

Kelly’s giveaway: Executive Bio + 1 hr coaching (leadership/job search) or hiring-manager interview training.

Services: retained search (Sr. Director → C-suite), executive coaching, resumes/executive bios, LinkedIn optimization.

Keep up with us

Tampa: monthly third-Tuesday meetups at The Centre Club

Clearwater: monthly wellness workouts

Message “TAMPA” to get reminders and invites.

Host: Zack Knight

Guest: Gary King — Navy veteran, speaker/author, creator of the St. Pete HAPPINESS signs, subject of The Happiness Experiment film

Episode vibe

A candid, hopeful conversation about trauma, perspective, and building everyday interrupts that keep people here. Practical tools. No fluff.

Timestamps

00:00 – 06:00 Cold open + Centre Club welcome, Monday-night football slander, Marine banter.

06:00 – 12:40 ATLVets updates: Elite Rewards monthly travel voucher, Clearwater wellness workouts, Atlanta Center of Excellence coming online.

12:41 – 14:10 Gary takes the mic: why this room matters to him.

14:10 – 18:50 Background in fast-forward: Navy, VIP security (incl. Gen. Schwarzkopf), speaking/author work across the globe.

18:50 – 23:40 The weight: 36 traumas, the loss of his son Jason at the Skyway, and the near-death experience that reset his lens.

23:40 – 27:00 Perception vs. perspective: the “circle and the ant.”

27:00 – 33:30 PTSD reframed as post-traumatic trigger disorder; the “hard drive (subconscious) + RAM (conscious)” analogy; the wallet story.

33:30 – 38:30 Autosuggestion 101 and the twine-and-20-knots practice.

38:30 – 44:30 Birth of the HAPPINESS signs (Nov 2019), first takedown, then liftoff; why simple words in public space matter.

44:30 – 48:10 The Happiness Experiment film; the woman who turned around at the sign.

48:10 – 55:30 The Happiness Formula book: F² H² = H (forgiveness of self/others; honesty with self/truth with others; self-worth).

55:30 – 1:01:30 Quick exercise: your Top 5 partner traits, and why “emotionally available” rarely makes the list (but should).

1:01:30 – 1:06:30 Self-acceptance vs. chasing approval; how we’re taught to outsource worth.

1:06:30 – 1:10:55 Q&A: faith, discipline, and why Gary still climbs the ladder.

1:10:55 – end Wrap, selfies with the signs, Gary’s open offer: “If I can help a vet, I’m in.”

Key ideas & takeaways

Triggers work like algorithms. If you can spot the pattern in real time, you can choose a different next move.

Perspective is a practice. Get above the moment; don’t let the moment run you.

Short beats clever. The brain remembers simple, repeated lines—use them on purpose.

Public words change private minds. A six-inch sign can be the inch someone needs.

Notes & care

Gary shares personal methods and beliefs. They’re not medical advice. If you’re struggling, talk to a qualified professional, reach out to a peer, or call/text 988 (in the U.S.) for support.

Host: Zack Knight

Guest: Lindsey Streeter, Military Affairs Executive, Bank of America; retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major; Owner, Savannah Hurricanes; Founder, Streeter Esports & Entertainment

Recorded at: The Buckhead Club, Atlanta

Episode Summary

Lindsey Streeter unpacks the difference between veteran-friendly and veteran-ready, shares the “divine timing” behind his transition to Bank of America, and details practical systems that improve retention, mobility, and belonging for veteran talent. He also talks entrepreneurship—the Savannah Hurricanes, community impact that earned national recognition, and why legacy is the point of the work.

Timestamps

00:00–01:06 – Welcome, road-warrior points for Lindsey & Lena; ATLVets 12-city expansion

01:06–02:01 – ATLVets update: 30,000-sq-ft Roswell Veterans Center of Excellence (co-working, accelerator, human performance)

02:01–05:35 – Who Lindsey is beyond the bio: purpose, the “dash,” widowhood, second chances, community focus

05:35–06:21 – Entrepreneurship thread: Savannah Hurricanes, community programs, national recognition; thoroughbred ownership as legacy

06:21–11:20 – Why the Army, early years, mentors who shaped a 31-year career, sitting the E-9 board and realizing the path fit

11:20–13:11 – Favorite assignment: Savannah (1989), Desert Shield/Storm

13:52–17:26 – Transition fear, the phone call that changed everything, veteran rotational program at Bank of America

18:08–22:18 – Veteran-ready vs. veteran-friendly: right-fit recruiting, five-year lookback, precision nets

22:18–25:07 – Veteran Onboarding Initiative (90-day buddy), ERG scale, safe-space learning

25:07–26:40 – Veteran Development Program: 5-month cohorts, senior-leader exposure, capstone, retention & mobility outcomes

27:25–29:14 – What keeps vets: visible path to progress & purpose; paid service time (TRWB, Team Rubicon)

29:14–30:27 – The big vision: careers for veterans and military spouses; portability matters

31:06–33:48 – Entrepreneurship as purpose; measurable community impact and recognition

33:48–34:47 – Reality check: ~20% of transitioning vets start businesses; the capital/network gap

36:42–38:11 – How BofA helps vet founders: CDFIs, Bunker Labs/IVMF, dedicated small-business bankers

39:11–44:10 – Hiring advice: dedicated veteran recruiters, translate MOS, hire for coachability, avoid credential inflation theater

47:22–49:09 – Becoming veteran-ready without alienating non-vets; why some vets don’t self-ID

48:28–49:09 – Life Event Services: one number when life hits

53:26–55:16 – Financial literacy gaps; Better Money Habits origin story for military families

59:56–1:04:23 – Purpose and the personal mission statement (Covey influence), living consistently across roles

1:05:21–1:10:26 – Why ATLVets exists: solving the “Now what?” after TAP; VetOPS, accelerator, and sustainable impact model

1:10:26–1:11:04 – Wrap, networking, and selfies (season tickets, anyone?)

Key Ideas

Veteran-ready = systems: precision hiring, 90-day buddies, ERG-powered belonging, visible mobility, Guard/Reserve support, Life Event Services.

Purpose retains: service opportunities on company time satisfy the mission drive.

Entrepreneurship needs scaffolding: CDFIs for capital readiness; incubators/accelerators for reps; pitch platforms for proof.

Translate, don’t transpose: MOS ≠ job title; hire for potential and humility.

Financial literacy is aftercare: VA loan realities, tax exemptions, and...

In this special ATLVets Speaker Series episode, retired Ranger Battalion NCO and Special Forces officer Chris Brewer shares his remarkable journey from the reactivation of the 1st Ranger Battalion in 1974 to a career in Special Forces, global security contracting, and authorship.

Chris reflects on:

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• Crossing the Line: Why he made the controversial move from the NCO corps to becoming an officer, and how it opened the path to Special Forces.
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• Lessons from Ranger School: Why the course is less about tactics and more about leadership under extreme stress—and how those lessons translate to civilian life.
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• Transition Struggles: His honest admission of “how not to retire” from the military, including the pitfalls many veterans face.
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• Post-Service Impact: How his expertise shaped counterterrorism strategies, red-team operations, and security across the globe—including assessments eerily prescient before 9/11.
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• Storytelling & Legacy: Why he chose to capture the untold stories of Rangers and Green Berets in his books Old School Ranger and In the Shadows Between Wars.
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Chris also offers powerful insights into leadership, team building, and the importance of cross-cultural communication in both military and civilian contexts.

📚 Books by Chris Brewer:

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• Old School Ranger – A collection of stories and lessons from the reactivation of the 1st Ranger Battalion.
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• In the Shadows Between Wars – Firsthand accounts of Special Forces missions and the realities of unconventional warfare.
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• (Both available on Amazon & Barnes & Noble.)
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🔑 Key Takeaway: Whether on the battlefield or in the boardroom, success comes from listening, understanding what motivates people, and pulling teams together toward a common goal.

👉 Stay Connected:

Join the ATLVets mission to advance the line for veterans by supporting events, sharing these stories, and helping us build the nation’s premier community for veteran leadership and growth.

In this episode of the ATLVets Speaker Series, we sit down with Zack Miller, CEO of Patriot Growth Capital (PGC), to explore the intersection of veteran empowerment, private equity, and long-term legacy.

Zack shares his journey from the advertising and startup world to launching a private equity firm dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through entrepreneurship by acquisition. Together with ATLVets, PGC is reshaping how veterans transition into ownership, leadership, and wealth creation.

This episode dives into:

• The Barriers to Entrepreneurship – Fear, capital, mentorship, and “analysis paralysis” that hold veterans back—and how to overcome them.
• The Dream Work Exercise – Why defining vision, values, and family goals is the starting point for every veteran entrepreneur.
• Veteran Families as Operators – Expanding opportunities for spouses, siblings, and children to step into meaningful roles and ownership.
• Defense Tech Accelerator – The vision for a Veteran Center of Excellence in Atlanta, combining human performance, technology, and dual-use innovation.
• The Bigger Picture – PGC’s commitment to impacting 1 million veteran families over the next decade.

🔑 Key Takeaway: Veterans bring grit, leadership, and integrity to the table. With the right resources and ecosystem, they can move from “employee” to “owner” and create lasting generational impact.

👉 Learn more about Patriot Growth Capital and ATLVets at: [Insert Link]

Emilee Tucker is more than her corporate credentials—she’s an advocate for authentic leadership who transitioned from an 18-year corporate career to become an executive coach. Driven by her curiosity and commitment to continuous improvement, Emilee pursued a master's in Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership, combining formal education with practical certifications like NLP and Reiki. Her journey underscores the value of leaning into life's uncertainties to discover genuine joy and success.

Emilee introduced her unique ROI framework, breaking down how to find meaningful success through three simple yet profound principles:

1. Reward Yourself: Emilee emphasizes celebrating small daily victories, suggesting practical actions like enjoying a quiet cup of coffee or taking a peaceful walk. Rewarding yourself reinforces positive habits, boosting confidence and momentum by rewiring your brain for success.
2. Omit Negativity: Emilee highlighted how negativity consumes valuable energy and time. She shared that humans have approximately 60,000 thoughts per day, many repetitive and subconscious. By consciously reframing negative thoughts and practicing gratitude, individuals can reclaim significant mental and emotional resources, creating space for positivity and productivity.
3. Invite Your Dreams: Perhaps the most poignant segment for veterans, Emilee encouraged attendees to rediscover and articulate their dreams beyond past identities. She underscored the importance of visualization, emotional connection, and the power of clearly defining what they want to achieve, inviting veterans to create new, meaningful goals after their military service.

Follow Emilee:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emileetucker

https://www.instagram.com/iamemileetucker/

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the ATLVets Tampa Speaker Series, host Zack Knight sits down with Kristen Rheinlander, Director of Partnerships at The Headstrong Project. Broadcasting from the Centre Club in Tampa, this live session captures a candid and compelling discussion around trauma-focused mental health care for veterans, the stigmas that prevent service members from seeking treatment, and how organizations like Headstrong are eliminating those barriers.

Kristen shares her journey as an Army brat turned nonprofit leader, her career path from USO and HireMilitary to leading corporate partnerships at Headstrong, and the incredible impact her team is making through trauma-informed therapy.

Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of:

• How Headstrong partners with major organizations like Wounded Warrior Project to deliver over 250,000 clinical sessions since 2012.
• Why military cultural competency is critical in mental health care.
• The importance of confidentiality and patient-directed engagement in building trust.
• A 98% retention rate after the first therapy session—and why that matters.
• How corporate partnerships, funding, and community collaboration are vital to expanding Headstrong's impact nationwide.

Whether you're a veteran, corporate leader, mental health professional, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of our military community, this episode is a must-listen.

Key Topics:

• Mental health stigma in the veteran community
• The problem with PTSD as a limiting diagnosis
• Headstrong's care model: trauma-focused, confidential, stigma-free
• Access to care in under 13 days vs. 30+ days at the VA
• Importance of wraparound services and referrals
• Corporate partnerships with Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and more
• Supporting veterans through transition with peer referrals and community connection

Featured Guest: Kristen Rheinlander, Director of Partnerships, The Headstrong Project

Host: Zack Knight, Founder & CEO of ATLVets

Call to Action: To learn more about Headstrong or connect someone with services, visit theheadstrongproject.org. To get involved with ATLVets, attend future speaker series events, or become a corporate partner, visit atlvets.org.

Special Thanks: To the Centre Club Tampa for hosting and to all the incredible veterans, corporate leaders, and nonprofit partners who joined us for this powerful conversation.

Subscribe and Share: Be sure to follow the ATLVets Podcast for more inspiring conversations from leaders on the front lines of transition, mental health, and community impact.

#ATLVets #HeadstrongProject #VeteranMentalHealth #TampaVeterans #MilitaryCulturalCompetency #MentalHealthAwareness

In the latest episode of The Tactical Leader Podcast, host Zack Knight sits down with Marine veteran, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur T. Shane Johnson to discuss his extraordinary journey from military service to business success. T. Shane's story is one of resilience, survival, and a relentless commitment to helping others, particularly in the veteran community. From surviving an MS-13 gang attack to launching Big Guns Coffee, his path is both inspiring and deeply impactful.

T. Shane shared his motivations for joining the Marine Corps, emphasizing the discipline, determination, and brotherhood that shaped his character. The mindset of a Marine—adapt and overcome—proved invaluable in his transition to entrepreneurship. Zack and T. Shane discussed how veterans possess a unique drive and resilience that make them natural leaders in the business world.

One of the most gripping moments in the episode was T. Shane’s recounting of a brutal attack by MS-13. While riding his motorcycle, he was deliberately hit by a car, leaving him with severe injuries, including broken bones, internal organ damage, and punctured lungs. Despite flatlining multiple times, he fought his way back, determined to use his second chance at life to make a difference.

After recovering, T. Shane faced another challenge—transitioning to civilian life. He initially found success in the mortgage industry, but when the 2008 financial crisis hit, he lost everything and found himself homeless. Rather than giving up, he rebuilt from the ground up, using his story to inspire others through books, public speaking, and initiatives like Hike Across America, where he ran 12,000 miles to raise awareness for homeless veterans and suicide prevention.

T. Shane spoke passionately about the need to rebrand homelessness and help those affected regain their sense of self-worth. He proposed an initiative where homeless individuals could write and publish books, sharing their stories as a way to reclaim their identity and generate income. Zack resonated with this idea, emphasizing how purpose and identity are critical for personal and professional growth.

T. Shane’s journey took another turn when his 10-year-old daughter, Charlie, inspired him to start a business. Together, they launched Big Guns Coffee, a venture that not only supports veterans but also revolutionizes the coffee industry by being the first indoor hydroponic coffee farm in the U.S..

Big Guns Coffee isn’t just a business; it’s a movement—one focused on empowering people through high-quality coffee and a mission-driven brand. T. Shane and Charlie have worked tirelessly to scale their business, and now, they’re preparing for a major national launch.

🚀 May 2025 – Big Guns Coffee will be available in 427 Sprouts Farmers Market stores

🚀 July 2025 – Expanding to 300 Walmart stores in North & South Carolina

This incredible milestone is a testament to hard work, resilience, and family-driven entrepreneurship.

Throughout the episode, T. Shane and Zack emphasized the importance of leadership, storytelling, and service. Whether in the military, in...