Step inside the battlefield of leadership failures with Veteran Led. In this episode, Veterans pull no punches as they expose the worst leadership they've ever witnessed — no names needed, just hard truths.

From selfish credit-grabbers and insecure tyrants to mission-driven disasters that cost lives, our guests share jaw-dropping, raw stories that every leader (and aspiring leader) needs to hear.

You'll learn what not to do when trust, respect, and lives are on the line. These are the critical leadership lessons earned the hard way — with scars, sweat, and sometimes heartbreaking loss.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a Veteran, or someone climbing the leadership ranks, these real-world examples will shake you, sharpen you, and challenge you to lead better.
When leaders fail, entire missions — and people — suffer. Listen, learn, and never make these mistakes yourself.

Bad leadership destroys.
Real leadership protects.
Veteran Led shows you the difference.

You can’t change the people around you—but you can change who you’re around. John Berry breaks down elite leadership and building A-player teams.

When life blows up—literally—you either sink or rise stronger. In this episode of Veteran Led, soldier in the special operations community, turned powerhouse CEO, Channing Walker, shares how he went from IED survivor to scaling multimillion-dollar ventures. Dive into Channing’s no-fluff lessons on building unstoppable teams, winning federal contracts against billion-dollar competitors, and why real leaders never "burn the ships"—they build the plan, the team, and the future. It's a raw, unfiltered masterclass in resilience, leadership, and turning battlefield grit into boardroom victories. If you’ve ever doubted your next move or felt the weight of leadership, this is your blueprint for triumph. Listen and fuel your fight.

Numbers track our progress, but they don’t tell our story. In this episode, John S. Berry breaks down why true leadership isn’t found in statistics, but in the moments we rise after failure. Learn how veterans are conditioned to win through relentless preparation, resilience, and character under pressure. Subscribe and discover how to turn your toughest challenges into defining victories—both in business and in life.

In this powerful episode of Veteran Led, host John Berry sits down with trailblazer Lieutenant General (Ret.) Jody J. Daniels, the first woman to command the U.S. Army Reserve. With over 41 years of military service and a successful civilian career at Lockheed Martin, Dr. Daniels shares raw insights on what it takes to lead nearly 200,000 service members, challenge outdated systems, and reshape military culture.

From battling meaningless metrics to advocating for tough, realistic training done safely, General Daniels walks us through her evolution as a leader—and why embracing transparency, empowering junior leaders, and pushing for policy change matter more than ever. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and bridging the gap between military and civilian success.

If you're a veteran, leader, or changemaker, this episode will challenge your thinking—and leave you inspired to lead with purpose.

What happens when a Marine officer, Silicon Valley engineer, and fintech disruptor builds a better way for law firms to get paid? On this episode of Veteran Led, host John Berry sits down with Emery Wager, co-founder & CEO of Confido Legal. From combat tours in Afghanistan to streamlining cash flow for thousands of law firms, Emery shares why financial clarity is the lifeblood of legal success—and how great leadership starts with ownership. Tune in for real talk on accountability, client experience, and the business side of law that too many attorneys ignore.

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Travis Mack, Chairman and CEO of Saalex Corporation, as he shares valuable lessons on scaling businesses. A decorated Navy Veteran turned successful entrepreneur; Travis breaks down the crucial decisions leaders face when growing their organizations.​

​

Key Takeaways:​

• How to identify when to develop internal talent vs. hiring externally ​

• The evolution of company culture through different growth stages ​

• Why structure and oversight increase with organizational growth ​

• The importance of tactical empathy in leadership ​

• Creating equity opportunities to attract and retain top talent​

​

Explore Resources from this episode:​

https://saalex.com/​

https://www.greenwoodselfstoragefunds.com/​

https://www.themackfoundation.com/​

https://valeonetworks.com/ ​

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Dave Bray, former Navy Corpsman and Marine Corps Veteran turned rock star, as he shares his remarkable journey from serving with the Marines to becoming a prominent voice in patriotic rock music. Dave discusses how his military service shaped his music career and his ongoing mission to honor Veterans and first responders through powerful performances.​

​

Featured Quote:​

"You still swore an oath. You still owe that oath to the people of America, and you need to continue some service. Don't just go disappearing into the ether. Find something that you love, share it with the world, and continue your service to your country."​

​

Explore Resources from this episode:​

https://www.davebrayusa.com