We talk with Army veteran, Infantry Officer and former West Point hockey player Matt Schachman, who works on a unique team of veterans (and partners with Special Operations backgrounds) to lead mid-level businesses to massive growth.

It was a big departure from leading platoons in Iraq and Afghanistan, so we begin with the lessons he learned leading troops in combat. But more than the usual war stories- Schachman reflects on a pivotal moment with an Iraqi police chief, and how he learned a vital lesson in leadership from working with those who hold a drastically different world view.

Schachman shares more about his transition from the military to investment banking and the advice he received about ways to operate “at the tip of spear” in finance.

We also learn how Cold Bore Capital is able to effectively take companies from mid-level revenue to multi million dollar earnings through their expertise in capital investment, business management and mergers-acquisitions.

For any veteran considering scaling their business, or a career in finance, Matt is great resource.

Find out more about Cold Bore Capital here:

https://coldborecapital.com/our-story/

Reach Matt Schachman here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-schachman-55719423/

Check out Connecting Vets for more military news and veteran stories:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Connect with CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For many veterans, mental health challenges can appear after their service.

So imagine if depression, anxiety or even diseases that result in cognitive decline could be detected from just the sound of our voice. And, all of this it could be easily accessed through your phone.

Well, it’s happening- within the new, AI-powered, voice analysis app, Canary Speech.

We talked about it's benefits for veterans with co-founder and acclaimed scientist Henry O’Connell. He described how together with Jeff Adams, a leader in speech and language technology, they combined expertise in neurology and speech technology (Henry at the National Institutes of Health, and Jeff leading Amazon Alexa’s speech AI team) to explore how this type of speech technology could be used in medicine.

We took a deep dive into how Canary Speech works- analyzing the vocal tones far beneath the actual words we speak. And we learned how this app can serve as a useful tool to track our mental health.

We even learned how the classic cartoon, “Winnie the Pooh” helped in the process of creating this innovative app.

For more on the Canary Speech app and to try it yourself, check out:

https://canaryspeech.com/

Contact Canary Speech co-founder Henry O’Connell here:

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

For more veteran stories and military news check out:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the days (and weeks) since Hurricane Helene ravaged western North Carolina, veterans serving with Team Rubicon moved into action.

We spoke with Army paratrooper veteran, Drew Hanna, who described what he witnessed and his team’s mission to restore the Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, a transitional housing facility that assists veterans in need.

Hanna also offered a behind the scenes look at how volunteers live while deployed to disaster areas and he spoke about other relief organizations that help make their work possible.

While the road to recovery may take the entire next year, the veterans with Team Rubicon will not stop until the job is done.

And with "no turning back", Team Rubicon lives up to the famous Roman tale, from which they get their name.

Follow their stories, discover volunteer opportunities and donate to Team Rubicon here:

https://teamrubiconusa.org/

Find more veteran news and updates from Connecting Vets here:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Contact CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow Eye on Veterans on social:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we’re highlighting veteran-led disaster relief groups currently working to help those devastated by two recent hurricanes.

In the hours prior to Hurricane Milton crushing Florida’s Gulf Coast, we spoke with Special Operations veteran and former Intelligence Officer Bryan Stern, Founder of Grey Bull Rescue Foundation.

Over the past 2 weeks, he and his team at Grey Bull have helped rescue disaster victims from Florida to NC.

Beyond the recent hurricanes, he and his military veteran team have conducted dangerous ops to save Americans stuck in war zones like, Lebanon, Haiti and Russia.

We heard vivid details about some of these missions, and how his team is uniquely qualified to execute them in ways the US government is not.

We also hear his eye-opening take on the recent divisive, disaster relief stories, which claim the government is actively disrupting rescue efforts for political gain. (Spoiler alert: He's not a fan of conspiracy theorists or whiners!)

For information and to donate, follow Grey Bull Rescue Foundation on social media and online here:

https://greybullrescue.org/

Find more veteran news and updates from Connecting Vets here:

https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets

Contact CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow Eye on Veterans on social:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re talking with Army veteran, entrepreneur Trace Miller, about his revolutionary fast food franchise "Konala Protein Bowls and Salads". We’ll hear how it combines incredibly healthy food with the traditional drive thru, which is a staple of the American diet … yet slowly poisons us.

Trace’s inspiration for using whole foods as a cure for disease was not born in the gym. Food was an essential part of how he defeated Lennox-Gastaut epilepsy as a child.

His toddler days were filled with seizures, even having to wear a helmet for protection against his bodies violent reaction to a parasite. American doctors offered no hope.

Desperate for a cure, his family traveled outside the US for a rare treatment. However it came with a lifelong commitment to a pure and healthy diet. Trace describes the journey through his teenage years, which eventually led him to operating missile systems in the Army.

Ironically, his time in the Army would inspire him to pursue personal passions like; scuba diving, stock investing and eventually business ownership.

Miller describes how he (and his wife Jammie) initially founded a food truck and bar. But they had even bigger dreams.

So building on their life experiences, they designed an alternative to unhealthy fast food franchises …, and Konala Protein Bowls and Salads was born.

Hear how soon Konala will be coming to a town near you.

Check out the fresh menu and franchise opportunities with Konala Protein Bowls and Salads here:

https://konala.com/

To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retired Lt Colonel Rob Schroder has gone from flying Harrier jets in combat to founding the hi-tech solutions company, SteerBridge. Their work supports everything from projects that modernize VA systems to designing data driven solutions for our nation’s defense and other major clients.

Over the years SteerBridge has relied on exceptional talent, including former Baltimore Raven’s offensive lineman, Jason Thomas, now a Project Manager and leads their Veteran Affairs.

Throughout this interview we discuss; Schroder's experiences flying Harrier jets in combat, how he managed his own transition after military service and how he used his experiences to build a thriving company that has successfully designed solutions to VA problems which directly benefit our veterans.

Baltimore Raven offensive lineman Jason Thomas shows how the veteran transition is quite similar to those of elite NFL players. From head injuries to finding a new purpose, Thomas talks about his experiences both on the and off the field. (Fun Facts too! We hear about legendary Ravens like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, and get a look behind the curtain at life as an NFL player.)

For more information on SteerBridge and veteran career opportunities, check out:

https://www.steerbridge.com/about-us#company-snapshot

Link up with former Baltimore Raven Jason Thomas here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-thomas6565/

Reach CBS Eye on Veterans host Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow on X

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re talking with Marine Corps combat veteran and award winning truck driver, Jesus Davila about National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Sept 15 thru 21st.

During our conversation Jesus shared what the industry is like, stories from the road including delivery of one of the nation’s most important trees, and we hear how the trucking industry is a perfect fit for veterans.

But long before Jesus joined the trucking industry, he was a Marine in Iraq … and he explained how being in a truck was not always the safest place to be.

However, after leaving the military, Jesus decided to get his CDL and follow a family tradition of driving trucks.

Davila shared his experiences; from getting his license to what it's like being behind the wheel on some of the busiest highways in America. He also describes some incredible moments like; delivery the nation's Christmas Tree and meeting President Biden.

He also explains programs from the American Trucking Associations, which offer an affordable pathway to getting a career in this essential industry.

See more about USMC veteran Jesus Davila here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesus-davila-907627239

Find out how to get a great career in trucking through the American Trucking Associations' Workforce Heroes Program:

https://www.trucking.org/workforce-heroes

Contact:

CBS Eye on Veterans Host, Phil Briggs

phil@connectingvets.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether it's about Walz or Vance, Infantry vs. Admin, the current political climate is charged with toxic rhetoric.

Social media has erupted with veterans dismissing the National Guard service of Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Walz, while others are claiming that Republican VP candidate Sen JD Vance was merely a photographer while he served in Iraq.

The effect of this politically inspired mud slinging divides a community who would normally have each other’s back.

So, we turn to Retired US Army Col. Kenneth Allard, a former West Point professor and Dean of the National War College for some perspective.

We begin our conversation with Allard’s memories of his days leading troops in war torn Kosovo.

Allard then dives into some poignant analysis; How The National Guard has been misused since 9/11, How most media critics (of either VP candidate) have never even served in the military, and why veterans slamming each other over combat experience only weakens our nation and demoralizes many who have served.

In this politically neutral conversation, Colonel Allard frequently offers sage advice for all Americans, ... and especially for those who have served.

Check out Retired US Army Colonel Ken Allard's column, and his recent article "The Most Wretched Veepstakes" here:

https://www.mikehuckabee.com/latest-news?id=A67FB09C-773C-4BDF-9A9D-C7C952822C23

Contact:

Phil Briggs, Host, CBS Eye on Veterans

phil@connectingvets.com

Follow:

@philbriggsVet

@connectingvets

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.