Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara discuss the concept of Vector, a program designed to help individuals, particularly veterans, navigate their career transitions. They emphasize the importance of clear communication, self-discovery, and the traits necessary for success, such as humility, courage, and discipline. The discussion highlights the transformative journey individuals undergo when they engage with the program, ultimately leading to clarity and new opportunities. T...
Mar 07, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode Summary: In this episode of The Vector Accelerator Podcast , host Scott Schimmel continues his conversation with Joel Stern , a corporate recruiter with 25+ years of experience. They dive into why networking is a game-changer for veterans, how to prepare for job interviews, and why following up strategically can make or break your career transition. Joel shares powerful insights on how to approach networking with confidence, prepare for interviews like an athlete, and leverage connection...
Mar 05, 2025•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🎙 Guest: Joel Stern, Corporate Recruiter 🕒 Duration: 26 minutes Episode Summary: In this episode, seasoned recruiter Joel Stern shares key strategies for veterans and job seekers to position themselves effectively in job interviews. He highlights the importance of self-awareness, storytelling, and networking while offering practical insights into how candidates can take an active role in the interview process. Key Takeaways: ✅ Understand Your Value: Know what you bring to the table. Employers ...
Feb 28, 2025•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode Title: The Science of Hope: How Veterans Can Build Resilience and Purpose Guest: Dr. Evie Muilenburg Trevino – Quantitative Psychologist, Hope Researcher, and Founder of HopeWired Host: Scott Schimmel – Co-founder, Vector Accelerator Episode Overview In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast , we dive deep into the science of hope with Dr. Evie Trevino. A leading quantitative psychologist and expert in hope theory, Dr. Trevino unpacks how hope is not just wishful thinking but a m...
Feb 21, 2025•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Episode Summary: In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, host Joe Lara sits down with Bobby Land, a Special Operations veteran and executive leader, to discuss the challenges of military-to-civilian transition. Bobby shares his personal journey from a 30-year career in the Army to finding fulfillment in the private sector. He opens up about the doubts, struggles, and ultimately, the clarity that led him to his current role at Carrington Mortgage Holdings. They dive deep into the impor...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🎙️ Host : Scott Schimmel 🎙️ Guest : George Frausto Episode Overview In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, Scott Schimmel sits down with George Frausto, a Navy veteran with 23 years of service as a corpsman, to talk about the realities of transition, overcoming missteps, and rediscovering purpose after military service. George shares his biggest transition fail—not taking the time for self-reflection and networking early enough—and how that led to lessons that shaped his post-milit...
Feb 13, 2025•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🎙 Hosts: Joe Lara & Michael Halterman 🎙 Guest: Scott Harvey, Navy Veteran & Leadership Consultant Episode Overview: In this insightful fireside chat, Joe Lara and Michael Halterman sit down with Scott Harvey, a Navy veteran who spent 21 years in service before transitioning to the civilian workforce. Scott shares his transition story, the challenges he faced, and the lessons he learned along the way. He dives deep into the struggle of finding purpose and fulfillment beyond just landing...
Feb 06, 2025•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🎙️ Episode Overview: In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara dive deep into the science of mattering—why feeling valued and knowing you add value are fundamental to both personal and professional success. Scott shares his experience working with youth and veterans, exploring how connection, belonging, and mattering shape identity. The discussion also unpacks the mental and emotional challenges of military transition, including self-doubt, identity shifts, ...
Jan 30, 2025•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Description: In this engaging and thought-provoking episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, hosts Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara dive deep into the nuances of identity, self-discovery, and transition. Joe shares the story behind one of his popular LinkedIn posts that highlighted the many facets of his identity, from his time in the military to his work in the business world, his nerdy love for Star Wars, and his role as a dad. They explore why veterans often define themselves solely by their pas...
Jan 23, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast 🎙 Episode Summary: In this fireside chat, we sit down with Sean Nakao, a seasoned Marine Corps leader who shares his raw and inspiring story of transitioning to civilian life. Sean opens up about the highs and lows of his journey, including the sting of job rejection, the lessons he's learned from The Honor Foundation and the Vector Accelerator program, and the importance of self-reflection, networking, and resilience in navigating this major life change. Through humor, vulnerability, and wisdo...
Jan 20, 2025•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this powerful episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, we sit down with Brendan Aronson, co-founder and CEO of The Military Veteran. Brendan shares his incredible journey from serving as an infantry officer in the US Marine Corps to launching a career in investment banking and eventually co-founding a company dedicated to helping veterans thrive after service. Brendan shares about: The "Golden Handcuffs" dilemma and how veterans can avoid getting stuck in unfulfilling careers. The power of ...
Jan 10, 2025•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the season finale of Vector Accelerator's Podcast! Today, your host Halty is excited to introduce our special guest, Scott Schimmel. Scott, a founding member of Vector Accelerator and the co-founder of YouSchool, has dedicated his career to guiding individuals, particularly veterans, through transformative journeys. With his wealth of experience and passion for helping others navigate new chapters in life, Scott is a beacon of inspiration for our audience. Halty initiates the episode ...
Feb 07, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to another enlightening episode of Vector Accelerator's Podcast! Today, your host Halty is thrilled to welcome our special guest, Mercy Ameyaw, Director of Municipal Dealer Sales at Raymond James Financial. Mercy is not only a finance expert but also a fervent advocate for veterans' professional development and community outreach. With a remarkable 17-year military career and leadership roles as Acting First Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant, Mrs. Ameyaw brings a wealth of experience an...
Feb 07, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome back to another episode of Vector Accelerator's Podcast! In this insightful installment, your host Halty is joined by a special guest, Michelle Kole, a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in Psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, NeuroAffective Touch, and Hypnosis. Michelle is also one of our esteemed founding board members at Vector Accelerator. The episode kicks off with Halty introducing Michelle, giving listeners a glimpse into her background and diverse skill set. Michelle warmly gre...
Feb 06, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Vector Accelerator's Podcast, Halty welcomes listeners to an insightful exploration of the military-to-civilian transition. Special guest Bruce Thompson, a Marine Corps Veteran and a dedicated military community advocate and mentor, joins the conversation. Halty initiates a thought-provoking group exercise, prompting reflection on life, family, and career in the context of a 20-year perspective. The conversation transitions to Joe, who delves into various topics with Bruce dur...
Jan 25, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to Vector Accelerator's Podcast, the go-to space for delving into the profound journey of veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. Join your hosts, Michael Halterman (aka "Halty") and Joe Lara, as they explore the challenges, triumphs, and crucial quest for clarity in identity, purpose, and community beyond the uniform. In this episode, host Halty welcomes listeners to another insightful exploration of military-to-civilian transition on the podcast. Joining the conv...
Jan 11, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to Vector Accelerator's Podcast, the go-to space for delving into the profound journey of veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. Join your hosts, Michael Halterman (aka "Halty") and Joe Lara, as they explore the challenges, triumphs, and crucial quest for clarity in identity, purpose, and community beyond the uniform. Special guest Michael Davidson, a former Lt Commander with two decades of experience in the United States Navy, joins the conversation for this epis...
Jan 11, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to Vector Accelerator's Podcast, the go-to space for delving into the profound journey of veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. Join your hosts, Michael Halterman (aka "Halty") and Joe Lara, as they explore the challenges, triumphs, and crucial quest for clarity in identity, purpose, and community beyond the uniform. In this episode, Halty kicks things off with a warm introduction to the podcast, the co-hosts, and its overarching purpose. Joined by co-host Joe La...
Jan 03, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to Vector Accelerator’s Podcast, where we embark on a profound journey with veterans navigating the transition from military service to civilian life. Join your co-hosts, Michael "Halty" Halterman and Joe Lara, as they explore the challenges of identity, purpose, and community beyond the uniform. In this episode, special guest Woody Driggs, EY’s wavespace leader, joins the conversation to shed light on the crucial role of trust in personal and professional development. Halty kicks off th...
Jan 03, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to another insightful episode of Vector Accelerator’s Podcast. Join your co-hosts, Michael Halterman, known as "Halty," and Joe Lara, as they embark on a profound journey with a very special guest, Ken Davenport, Founder and CEO of Mission Edge, author of "The Stoic Transition: A Guide," and a passionate advocate for veterans. In the group introspective exercise, Halty sets the stage by pulling inspiration from Chapter 2 of Vector Accelerator’s Course Workbook. Today's question revolves ...
Jan 02, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to a compelling episode of Vector Accelerator’s Podcast, where we delve into the profound journey of veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. Join your co-hosts, Michael Halterman, affectionately known as "Halty," and Joe Lara, as they engage in an insightful conversation with Matt, a U.S. Navy Officer with 26 years in the Special Operations Community and currently the Chief Executive Officer at The Honor Foundation. In the introspective exercise, Halty, Joe, and Ma...
Dec 31, 2023•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
