In this episode of the Mission Oriented Podcast, host Bob Louthan sits down with Mike Sherbakov — Marine veteran, venture capitalist, and Managing Partner of The Veteran Fund — to explore how service, gratitude, and purpose can shape the next generation of veteran entrepreneurs.

Born in Russia, Mike immigrated to the United States at the age of five, watching his parents rebuild their lives from the ground up. That journey instilled in him both humility and drive — lessons that would later guide his military service and entrepreneurial career. After 9/11, an 18-year-old Mike felt called to serve, enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps and spending five years on active duty in San Diego.

Following his service, Mike discovered his passion for entrepreneurship — building HMS Fitness, a franchise business inspired by his Marine Corps training, and later founding Karuna Towels, a social venture that merged profit with purpose. His ventures taught him not just how to build companies, but how to build communities.

Now, as Managing Partner of The Veteran Fund, Mike invests in founders who share that same mission-driven mindset. His work through Founder Institute's Veteran Cohort and Bunker Labs helps bridge the gap between veterans and venture capital — empowering leaders who combine discipline, resilience, and innovation.

Throughout the episode, Mike reflects on finding alignment through Ikigai — the Japanese philosophy of purpose — and his daily reminder to "Stop. Breathe. Be grateful." at 11:11.

This conversation is a powerful blend of entrepreneurship, gratitude, and the belief that veterans are uniquely equipped to lead America's next wave of innovation.

🎙️ Listen now to Episode 201 of the Mission Oriented Podcast — available on YouTube and all major streaming platforms.

In this milestone 200th episode of the Mission Oriented Podcast, host Bob Louthan sits down with General Darren McDew, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), to reflect on a lifetime of leadership, service, and perspective shaped by 36 years in uniform.

General McDew's story begins at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where the values of teamwork, integrity, and resilience first took root. From there, his career path took him to the skies as an "accidental pilot" — thanks to an ROTC scholarship that set him on course for an extraordinary journey. Over time, he commanded at every level, culminating in his role as Commander of U.S. Transportation Command, one of the nation's most critical joint commands.

Throughout the conversation, General McDew shares insights that go beyond military service:

• Beware of the Test – why life's toughest challenges aren't written on paper but show up unexpectedly, testing integrity and character.

• Power, Not Politics – how true leadership transcends divisions and focuses on responsibility to those you lead.

• Cyber, Drones, and New Frontiers – why today's threats keep him up at night, and what Americans should understand about vulnerabilities that affect us all.

He also reflects on his personal philosophy, distilled into three words: Beware. Decide. Be. A framework that guided him through decades of command and continues to shape how he mentors the next generation of leaders.

This episode is more than a conversation about military milestones. It's about values, responsibility, and the enduring need for leaders who walk the walk every single day. As General McDew puts it, "Decide the kind of person you're going to be — and be it, not when it's convenient, but every day."

🎙️ Tune in to this landmark episode of the Mission Oriented Podcast to hear General Darren McDew's journey, wisdom, and lessons for both the military community and civilians alike.

In this episode of the Mission Oriented Podcast, host Bob Louthan sits down with Tim Jensen — Marine veteran, Chief Brand Officer at Grunt Style, and President of the Grunt Style Foundation.

Tim shares his remarkable journey from enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1997, serving in Iraq with 2/24 Marines, to helping grow Grunt Style into one of the most recognizable patriotic apparel brands in America. Along the way, he reflects on the culture of military service, the challenges of transition, and how a "t-shirt folding job" turned into a career shaping brand identity and community.

We dive into the origins of Grunt Style, its iconic ethos "This We'll Defend," and how the company exploded from a niche veteran brand into a cultural movement. Tim also opens up about his work with the Grunt Style Foundation, tackling issues like toxic exposure, suicide prevention, food insecurity, and how veterans can reclaim a sense of mission after service.

This conversation is raw, thoughtful, and inspiring — blending stories of Marine Corps grit, entrepreneurship, and a call to never forget the sacrifice of the veteran community.