What separates leaders who make things happen from those who wait for things to happen?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with SEAC Ramón “CZ” Colón-López, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force Pararescueman, and author of Carnivore Leadership. After 33 years of military service, including Special Operations missions and service as the nation's highest-ranking enlisted leader, CZ shares the leadership philosophy that shaped his career.

CZ explains why effective leadership requires humility, discipline, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to the mission. His Carnivore Leadership philosophy distinguishes between people who take ownership and make things happen and those who wait for someone else to act.

The conversation explores the difference between confidence and ego, developing future military leaders, and why great leaders listen more than they talk. CZ also shares lessons from working alongside senior military commanders, including Admiral William McRaven, and explains why transparency, delegation, and genuine concern for people are essential to building high-performing teams.

For Veterans, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, this episode offers practical lessons on leading with credibility, developing others, and putting mission before ego.

Guest Links:

Ramón “CZ” Colón-López LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramoncolonlopez/

Carnivore Leadership Website:
https://carnivoreleader.com/

Carnivore Leadership Book on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/0i18NskW

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

Can dark humor help Veterans process the experiences they carry home from war?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Thom Tran, Army Veteran, Purple Heart recipient, comedian, actor, writer, and founder of GIs of Comedy, to discuss how laughter can create connection, provide perspective, and help Veterans navigate life after combat.

Thom shares his remarkable journey from growing up as the son of a Vietnam War prisoner of war to enlisting in the Army in 1997. During the invasion of Iraq in 2003, he was shot in the back of the head just days after crossing the border, yet remained deployed for the rest of his tour. After returning home, he built a career in radio broadcasting and stand-up comedy.

The conversation explores military dark humor, leadership, and the difference between being genuinely funny and simply saying something offensive. Thom also shares why making Veterans laugh remains part of his mission, including an unforgettable encounter with a Soldier who laughed for the first time since returning from Afghanistan.

For Thom, comedy is more than entertainment. It is another way to take care of people.

Guest Links:

Thom Tran: https://thomtran.com/

GIs of Comedy: https://gisofcomedy.com/

Joker 6 Media: https://joker6media.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomtran/

Learn more at BerryLaw.com

What if the biggest obstacle keeping Veterans from new opportunities isn't a lack of resources, but not knowing where to find them?

In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry sits down with Maj. Ryan Patrick Hunt, U.S. Army (Ret.), entrepreneur, author, and founder and CEO of Veteran Social, to discuss breaking down barriers and connecting Veterans with the people, programs, and opportunities that can change their lives.

After more than 23 years of Army service, Ryan continued his mission of developing people by building a collaborative network for Veterans, military spouses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Through virtual conferences, networking, and partnerships, Veteran Social helps military-connected individuals discover resources and build meaningful relationships.

Ryan shares why he believes in collaboration over gatekeeping, how mentorship creates lasting impact, and why rebuilding community after military service matters. He also discusses leadership lessons from helping enlisted Soldiers become officers, the importance of communication and organizational values, and his vision for connecting Veterans around the world.

His message is simple: Veterans should not have to find their next opportunity by chance.

Guest Links:

Ryan Patrick Hunt: https://ryanpatrickhunt.com/

Veteran Social: https://www.veteransocial.org/

Learn more at BerryLaw.com