VETSOCIAL25 Main Stage: “Strategic Ascent—Shaping Your Identity” with Nathan Wheeler.

A SOF veteran and founder of Strategic Ascent, Nathan shows veterans and entrepreneurs how to clarify identity, translate service-tested skills to business, and build a financial and leadership framework that scales.

Drawing on 11 years in uniform—including the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 10th Special Forces Group—plus stints training senior leaders for Space Force/USSPACECOM and consulting at Deloitte, Nathan outlines a mission-ready playbook: define the “why,” assess resources, make disciplined decisions, and execute with momentum.

You’ll learn

• How identity drives strategy—and revenue

• Converting military strengths into market advantages

• A simple decision cadence for high-stakes choices

• Financial pillars for sustainable growth

  
  

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When you need a light, sometimes you become one. In this VETSOCIAL25 talk, retired Navy Senior Chief Leah Stiles—Founder & CEO of SEA WAVES, the veteran-led nonprofit addressing eating disorders in the military—shares how she turned personal struggle into purpose and built a mission that saves lives. She unpacks what it takes to launch and grow an impact-driven nonprofit: clarifying your “why,” building community without stigma, and translating lived experience into measurable change.

Episode highlights

From pain to purpose: Leah’s journey and why the military community needs this conversation now.

19th News

Building SEA WAVES: mission, advocacy, and the blueprint for sustainable nonprofit leadership.

SEA WAVES

Creating safer spaces: language, partnerships, and practical steps any leader can take today.

SEA WAVES

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What’s your value—and can you prove it? In this VETSOCIAL25 talk, Treazure Owen breaks down how founders stand out in a crowded market by knowing exactly who they are and what they bring to the table. She walks through the anatomy of a winning capability statement—separating Past Relevant Experience from Past Performance—and shows how to operate with a clear “commander’s intent,” inventory your resources, and execute like a mission.

Episode highlights

• Define your unique value so your brand isn’t “just another” business.

• Build a capability statement with two distinct sections: Past Relevant Experience vs. Past Performance.

• Market from identity: you can’t sell what you can’t name.

• Apply mission planning to entrepreneurship: intent, resources, and disciplined execution.

  
  

Timestamps

• 06:34 — Capability statement 101: Past Relevant Experience vs. Past Performance

• 08:54 — “Commander’s intent” and treating growth like an operation

  
  

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#Chicago #VetsDoThat #VETSOCIAL25

In this episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, we bring you Bill Barrington’s powerful talk from the main stage of VETSOCIAL25. Bill shares lessons on leadership, resilience, and the veteran spirit of service that continues well beyond the uniform. His message speaks directly to entrepreneurs, community leaders, and anyone navigating the challenges of building a mission-driven life.

Tune in as Bill draws from his experiences to highlight the importance of purpose, adaptability, and the strength of the veteran community in shaping America’s future.

🎙️ Listen, learn, and be inspired by the voices driving the #Vetrepreneur movement.

#VETSOCIAL25 #VetsDoThat #Vetrepreneurship #Leadership

Noah Currier — Founder of Oscar Mike | VETSOCIAL25 Main Stage

Recorded live on the VETSOCIAL25 Main Stage, Noah Currier shares how a purpose-driven vision became a movement—built around grit, community, and doing good at scale. In this candid talk, Noah breaks down what it really takes to build a mission-first brand, stay resilient when the road gets rough, and turn supporters into teammates who carry the mission forward.

You’ll hear:

• How to build a brand that serves before it sells

• Practical ways to weave impact into every product, post, and partnership

• Lessons on leadership, culture, and hiring within the military-connected community

• The mindset shifts that keep founders “on mission” through setbacks

  
  

Perfect for founders, veterans, and anyone crafting a business with heart—and teeth.

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We’re thrilled to welcome Stephanie Brown from The Rosie Network to #VETSOCIAL25! Stephanie has spent years championing military spouse and veteran entrepreneurs—and she’s bringing practical insights you can apply immediately.

What you’ll take away:
• Proven tactics to launch and scale a milspouse/veteran-owned business
• How to get “contract-ready” and build partnerships that open doors
• Brand + visibility playbook to stand out in a noisy market
• Community resources you should be leveraging—today

📅 September 12–13, 2025
🎥 Main Stage streamed by Parade Deck (AppleTV)
🔗 Register for the Replay: event.veteransocialsummit.com

Tag a milspouse or veteran entrepreneur who needs to be in the room with Stephanie. Let’s unite, grow, empower, and elevate this community—together.

🎙️ VETSOCIAL Voices | Episode: Lauren’s Keynote at VETSOCIAL25

On September 12, 2025, VETSOCIAL25 opened with a powerful keynote from Lauren that set the tone for the entire summit. In this special episode of VETSOCIAL Voices, we bring you her full address, captured live from the virtual main stage.

Lauren’s message was more than just words—it was a call to action for veterans, military spouses, and proud patriots to rise together, embrace opportunity, and build a stronger future. She spoke with honesty, conviction, and vision, inspiring the community to unite, grow, and elevate one another.

Whether you were in attendance or tuning in for the first time, this keynote embodies the heart of VETSOCIAL25. It’s a reminder that our shared stories, struggles, and successes are what drive this movement forward.

🔗 Join the conversation, share your story, and be part of the mission at www.veteransocialsummit.com.

#VetsDoThat #MilSpousesDoThat #VETSOCIAL25

Episode Title:
Friendology & the Ranger Creed — Candace “Candyss” Bryant on Building the Ranger Legacy

Episode Description:
Ryan Hunt sits down with Candace “Candyss” Bryant—long-time force in the veteran community, former Best Ranger Competition lead, and founder of the Ranger Legacy Foundation—for a candid, high-energy conversation about grit, purpose, and building a lasting home for the Ranger story. Candace shares how a “happy accident” pulled her into the Ranger world, why the Ranger Creed became her compass, and what she learned stepping away to reset—and then returning with a bigger vision.

They dig into the Foundation’s plan for a world-class community center and home for the Ranger Hall of Fame, the phased fundraising (seed goal surpassed, next $1M to secure land and pre-design on the path to a $20M+ campaign), the Camo Jacket Society, and an active RFP for architecture and site work. Candace lays out a realistic runway (18–24 months of campaign activity; doors opening in roughly 4–5 years) and exactly how Rangers, spouses, and civilian allies can plug in—money, time, or network.

Plus: a preview of her VETSOCIAL25 “Friendology” Part II talk—why deep, intentional relationships are the veteran community’s unfair advantage.

If the Ranger Creed moves you—“shoulders back, chin up”—share this episode and get involved with the Ranger Legacy vision.