What happens when decades of military leadership come to an end, and a completely different chapter of life begins?

From commanding thousands of soldiers to navigating everyday civilian life, the transition out of military service brings challenges that even the most experienced leaders are not always prepared for.

In this episode Major General (Ret.) Matt Smith, a retired U.S. Army two star general and leader of Emory University's Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program shares his perspective on how warfare has changed, why military leadership must continue to evolve, and what it really takes to adjust to life after service.

Beyond military service, this discussion is about leadership, adaptability, continued growth, and finding meaningful ways to serve in the next chapter of life.

Segment Discussed:

00:00 Welcome to Advancing the Line at the Buckhead Club

02:20 Introduction to ATL Vets and its leadership programs

04:16 Meet Major General (Ret.) Matt Smith

06:13 A lifelong commitment to service

07:31 Why Matt Smith chose the U.S. Army

10:35 Military career, Iraq deployment, and becoming a two star general

12:48 How modern warfare has changed over the decades

13:50 Drone technology and emerging security threats

17:35 Preparing the next generation of military leaders

18:57 The reality of transitioning from military to civilian life

21:08 How trust and relationships differ outside the military

22:03 Life after commanding thousands of soldiers

23:41 Identity, family, and adjusting to a new routine

26:23 Understanding Emory University's Master of Business for Veterans program

29:17 The value of professional networks and business connections

30:05 Learning the language of business after military service

33:36 Connecting military experience with civilian career opportunities

37:11 Real moments of growth and learning among veterans

39:37 The future of Emory's veteran education programs

43:41 Lessons from leadership at the Pentagon

45:54 The reality behind major national decisions

47:10 Final reflections on leadership, service, and responsibility

Leaving the military does not mean leaving behind the leadership, discipline, and experience built through years of service. Those strengths can continue to create opportunities in business, education, and the communities we serve.

If you're a veteran preparing for civilian life, a business leader working with veterans, or someone interested in leadership and personal growth, this conversation offers valuable perspectives worth hearing.

What do you think is the biggest challenge veterans face when transitioning to civilian life? Share your thoughts in the comments.

#AdvancingTheLine #ATLVets #VeteranTransition #MilitaryLeadership #MattSmith #VeteranEducation #LifeAfterMilitary #VeteranSuccess

What happens when years of military leadership and experience meet a completely different world?

At Advancing The Line, Matt shares his journey from military service to his current role at Emory University, where he helps senior military leaders prepare for careers beyond the uniform.

The conversation explores what makes a great leader, why humility matters, and how mentorship can shape someone's future. Matt also discusses the challenges veterans face when entering the civilian workforce, including recognizing their own value and learning how their military experience applies to business.

Beyond career development, this discussion highlights something just as important: the relationships, shared experiences, and sense of purpose that continue long after military service ends.

Segments Discussed:

00:00 Introduction and Matt's Military Background

02:23 Humility and the Qualities of Great Leadership

05:04 Leadership Experiences That Shaped His Career

08:11 Translating Military Skills Into Civilian Careers

10:33 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Veteran

12:37 The Importance of Mentorship and Building Relationships

16:10 Finding Purpose in Helping Others Succeed

17:37 Matt's Journey to Emory University

19:50 How Emory's Business Program Supports Veterans

22:48 Choosing the Right Education and Career Path

26:29 Lessons Learned From Working in Higher Education

30:19 Why Military Experience Matters in Business

31:16 Supporting Veterans Beyond Their Military Careers

33:17 The Lasting Impact of Military Service and Brotherhood

36:25 Building a Legacy Through Education and Community

39:01 The Future of Veteran Business Education

Your skills, leadership, and sense of service can continue to create opportunities for yourself and others.

Watch the full conversation and discover how military experience can become a foundation for continued growth, leadership, and purpose.

Subscribe to Advancing The Line for more conversations about leadership, veteran experiences, career development, and life beyond service.

#AdvancingTheLine #VeteranLeadership #MilitaryTransition #VeteranCareers #LeadershipDevelopment #VeteranCommunity

Your experience shaped you. Your next chapter requires you to understand how to use it.

What happens when the structure, mission, and identity you relied on suddenly change?

In this conversation, we go beyond emotional intelligence and explore emotional dexterity, the ability to better understand your emotions, recognize what drives them, and choose how you respond.

The discussion also goes deeper into one of the biggest challenges veterans can face after leaving the military: figuring out who they are outside the uniform.

The skills are still there. Leadership, problem solving, decision making, discipline, communication, change management, and the ability to operate under pressure do not disappear. The challenge is learning how to recognize those skills, translate them, and apply them to a new mission.

From mindset and emotional control to career transition, AI, leadership, communication, TEDx, and personal growth, this conversation is ultimately about learning how to adapt without losing the strengths that got you here.

Segment Discussed:

00:00 Opening Conversation & Introduction

06:20 Emotional Intelligence vs. Emotional Dexterity

09:36 Changing Habits & Emotional Responses

10:37 Understanding Your Emotional Drivers

13:07 Can You Change How You Respond?

18:46 Military Transition, Identity & Purpose

20:15 Recognizing the Skills You Already Have

30:15 Using AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement

39:34 Marketing Yourself & Telling Your Story

46:07 Why Veterans Have Stories Worth Sharing

47:25 Collaboration & Creating New Opportunities

49:30 Why You Need to Ask and Open Doors

51:50 Learning to Communicate Emotions After Service

52:54 Disconnecting Your Past From Your Present

56:50 Bridging Military and Civilian Communication

57:26 Rebuilding Your Personal Leadership Framework

1:00:33 Three Things to Rebuild Purpose After the Military

1:01:59 Continuous Learning & Self Discovery

1:03:27 Building Structure in Your Next Chapter

1:04:18 Rediscovering Who You Are Beyond the Uniform

Your next chapter does not require you to erase the person you became through service. It requires you to understand what you built,

What happens when the mission changes, but the mindset stays the same?

For Elizabeth Stephens, the lessons that carried her through military aviation also followed her into Microsoft, cybersecurity, AI, entrepreneurship, and her next chapter of public service.

In this conversation from Advancing The Line, Zachary Broughton sits down with Marine veteran Elizabeth Stephens to talk about what military experience can really bring into life after service.

Elizabeth shares her journey from the Naval Academy and Marine Corps aviation to working in cybersecurity and eventually managing major technology operations at Microsoft.

But one idea keeps coming back throughout the conversation: veterans may not need to completely reinvent themselves when they leave the military.

The ability to stay calm in chaos, manage risk, make decisions under pressure, adapt when plans change, and keep the mission moving can carry into business, technology, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Segments Discussed:

03:24 Meet Elizabeth Stephens

13:44 Why She Chose the Marine Corps

15:34 How the Marine Corps Shaped Her Leadership

19:02 Service, Mission, and Taking Care of Your People

21:46 How Modern Warfare Is Changing

22:45 Cybersecurity, Drones, and AI

28:02 Life After the Military

29:16 Finding a New Mission After Service

30:25 Breaking Into Cybersecurity

32:26 The Road to Microsoft

34:39 Learning to Lead in Big Tech

36:55 What Veterans Bring to the Civilian World

37:47 Risk Management and Decision Making

40:23 From Military Aviation to Microsoft

41:39 The Veteran “Translation Gap”

42:25 A Mission in Iraq That Tested Everything

45:17 How Military Decision Making Translates to Corporate Leadership

46:25 Why Veterans Still Need Community

48:35 Finding the Next Mission

49:28 Cybersecurity and the New Front Line

51:40 Why ATL Vets Represents a New Mission

52:26 Elizabeth’s Decision to Enter Public Service

53:24 Entrepreneurship, Cybersecurity, and Global Work

59:48 Closing Conversation and Veteran Community

If you are a veteran building your next chapter, or a leader who wants to better understand what veterans bring to business and technology, watch the full conversation.

Subscribe for more conversations from Advancing The Line and share this episode with someone looking for their next mission.

What happens when the uniform comes off, but the skills, discipline, and drive to serve stay with you?

At Advancing The Line, Elizabeth Stephens shares her journey from the U.S. Marine Corps to corporate leadership, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and international business.

The conversation goes beyond career transition.

Elizabeth talks about what it means to be a woman in the military, stepping into spaces where you may be the first or only one, and learning how to carry military experience into a civilian world that operates very differently.

She also shares how she moved from corporate life into entrepreneurship, why she built DVS Cyber, and how her work expanded into cybersecurity, AI, global supply chains, risk, and projects across Africa.

Segment Discussed:

00:00 Opening and Advancing The Line Introduction

05:06 Meet Elizabeth Stephens and Her Journey

07:51 Women in Service and Women’s History Month

11:26 Being the First and Breaking New Ground

13:06 Reframing Challenges and Operating in Chaos

15:28 Understanding the Female Veteran Transition

18:01 Identity, Confidence and Life After the Uniform

23:08 Entering the Corporate World as a Woman

25:34 The Need for Better Support for Female Veterans

26:34 From Corporate Career to Entrepreneurship

26:50 Why Elizabeth Built DVS Cyber

30:23 Bringing Cybersecurity and Technology to More People

31:40 Expanding Business and Technology Into Africa

33:44 Adapting to Change and Finding New Opportunities

35:06 Global Supply Chains, Mining and Responsible Business

37:04 Government Contracting and Creating Global Impact

38:18 Finding Opportunity in Changing Markets

39:32 Culture, Community and Commerce

40:20 Building Stronger Supply Chains and Managing Risk

41:49 What It Really Means to Invest in Security

43:16 Workforce Development and Community Opportunity

44:02 Showing Up as Yourself Without Trying to Fit the Room

47:23 Collaboration, Community and Closing Remarks

Watch the full conversation with Elizabeth Stephens and hear how her experience moved from military service into technology, entrepreneurship, global business, and continued service to others.

Subscribe for more conversations with veterans, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and people building their next chapter beyond the uniform

What does it take to build a business that is financially prepared for growth, opportunity, and eventually an exit?

At the ATLVets Tampa Speaker Series, Ray Busler and Thomas Lind of CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) joined the conversation to break down the financial decisions business owners often overlook.

From building strong accounting practices and choosing the right business structure to tax planning, QSBS opportunities, advisor alignment, due diligence, and exit preparation, this conversation is packed with practical insights for founders and privately held business owners.

Chapter Segment:

00:00 – Welcome and Thomas Lind’s Veteran Story

02:15 – Meet Ray Busler of CLA

03:44 – Why CLA Focuses on Privately Held Businesses

05:40 – Supporting Business Owners Through Growth

11:07 – What Small Businesses Actually Need From a CPA

16:58 – Accounting Discipline and Planning Ahead

18:25 – Choosing the Right Business Entity

19:12 – Qualified Small Business Stock and Exit Planning

21:03 – S Corporation vs. C Corporation

22:55 – Why Your Professional Advisors Need to Be Aligned

26:04 – Tax Credits and Business Incentives

27:45 – Get Your Advisors in the Same Room

30:16 – What Size Businesses Does CLA Work With?

32:04 – Preparing for the Business Exit

34:45 – Due Diligence and Protecting Business Value

36:40 – Estate and Succession Planning

37:22 – Audience Q&A

39:06 – Why Financial Discipline Matters Long Term

40:39 – Tax Strategy vs. Financing Readiness

42:08 – Understanding What Your Business Is Really Worth

42:40 – Turning Financial Data Into Better Decisions

43:37 – Remote Employees and Multi State Tax Exposure

45:52 – Closing Remarks

The biggest lesson? The decisions you make early can have a major impact on the value you create later.

Watch the full conversation and hear how experienced advisors think about building a stronger financial foundation for your business.

In this episode, ATLVets welcomes Ed You, a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent with more than 20 years of experience in counterterrorism, biodefense, and emerging technologies.

With a background in biochemistry, molecular biology, cancer research, and national security, Ed has advised the FBI, HHS, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the White House, and the U.S. delegation to the Biological Weapons Convention.

Drawing from decades of experience, Ed explains why biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and data are reshaping national security, economic competitiveness, and the future of innovation.

Chapter Segment:

00:00 – Welcome & Speaker Introduction

02:20 – From Biochemist to FBI Special Agent

04:20 – Biological Threats & National Security

09:00 – Operation Warp Speed

10:45 – The Global Biotech Race

12:30 – Modern Biological Threats

15:00 – AI, Data & Biotechnology

18:45 – America's Innovation Challenge

20:15 – The Value of Data

22:30 – China & Strategic Competition

26:30 – The Bioeconomy

29:40 – Opportunities for Entrepreneurs

33:00 – AI Beyond the Hype

37:00 – Audience Q&A

38:25 – Biomanufacturing & Supply Chains

42:15 – Biotechnology & Global Influence

44:30 – Preparing the Next Generation

47:10 – CRISPR & Gene Editing

49:55 – The Future of Biosecurity

51:30 – Closing Remarks

If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone interested in leadership, national security, biotechnology, or emerging technologies.

Have a question or perspective on the future of AI, biotech, or the bioeconomy? Leave it in the comments—we'd love to continue the discussion.

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.