In this dual-guest episode, we explore the anatomy of entrepreneurship through two lenses—academic expertise and lived experience.

Our first guest, Blake Schwank, embodies the resilience and grit it takes to launch a business during uncertain times. After losing his job in the fallout of the dot-com bubble, Blake leaned on his military background and passion for service to build Colorado Computer Support, a nationally recognized IT firm supporting healthcare and defense sectors. He shares the hardships of transitioning out of uniform, the loneliness of starting a business, and the mindset shifts that make all the difference.

Joining him is Dr. Larry Plummer, Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship at UCCS, whose research and teaching focus on the entrepreneurial mindset, strategy, and the socioeconomic dynamics of business creation. With clarity and precision, Dr. Plummer outlines what entrepreneurship really means—beyond the buzzwords. He helps us reframe it as a discipline, not just a dream, offering insights on risk, motivation, and what separates a great idea from a viable venture.

Together, Blake and Larry bridge theory and practice, showing that entrepreneurship isn’t reserved for the fearless or the lucky—it’s a path shaped by reflection and perseverance. Whether you're a veteran contemplating your next chapter, a young professional toying with a business idea, or simply someone craving autonomy and impact, this episode is your invitation to start building.

You're not alone.

Ray Linbaugh is one of the few survivors of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines of the U.S. Vietnam War. They were called The Walking Dead—not from Hollywood, but from the hardened jungles of Vietnam, where the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines earned one of the highest casualty rates of any unit in U.S. military history. In this powerful episode, we sit down with a veteran of this fabled battalion to explore what it truly means to walk through fire and come out the other side. It’s a conversation about grit, sacrifice, and survival—one that echoes far beyond the battlefield. Through the lens of lived experience, we unpack how these Marines carried the weight of their legacy, how war shaped their minds, and how they continue to serve in silence today. Perspective is earned in the trenches of life—and this story is no exception.

Retired Colonel, Bob McLaughlin is the Executive Director of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, as well as the former Chief of Staff of US forces Afghanistan and Fort Carson Garrison Commander. In this discussion we explore the mindset of the “Soldier for Life” not as a slogan, but as a philosophy. Service doesn’t retire. It transforms. And those who continue to give, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or simply showing up for someone in need, often find that in healing others, they begin to heal themselves. After 28 years in the U.S. Army—serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and across the globe—Bob could have stepped back. Instead, he stepped forward, founding and leading Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, a national model for veteran reintegration and community healing.

Hollywood Film Producer Tyler Kindred leads the Light Shop LA, a production studio that crafts commercials for brands across the globe and music videos for major record labels and stars like Beyonce. Tyler recently released Abbey Gate, a short film born from the harrowing real-life escape of his wife during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Dr. Eric Abbott is an Air Force Veteran and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. He is currently working as a board-certified family medicine physician with Optum Medical. Mental health is a common subject these days, but a less common topic of discussion are the detrimental effects that not taking care of your mental health can have on your overall well-being. We are all busy, we are all stressed out, and things don’t seem to be getting easier. So, let’s learn about how we can lower our stress levels while maintaining our busy schedule and, understand the dangers if we don’t.

Dr. Tom Francis is a seasoned psychologist, educator, and executive coach whose career bridges the academic, corporate, and creative worlds. Holding a Psy.D. in Organizational Leadership and an M.A. in Psychology from the University of the Rockies, he has spent over a decade teaching undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at institutions such as Pikes Peak Community College and CSU-Pueblo. Known for his engaging, inclusive teaching style and consistently high student evaluations, Dr. Francis brings humor, empathy, and intellectual depth to subjects ranging from Abnormal Psychology to Leadership Ethics. Outside the classroom, Dr. Francis is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation and a longtime facilitator for the Center for Creative Leadership, where he has guided hundreds of senior leaders through transformative coaching engagements.

Sam Westfall is an Army Veteran and passionate bow hunter. After being medically retired from the military following a debilitating injury as a tank mechanic, Sam struggled to find his place. It wasn’t until a friend put a bow in his hand for the first time that Sam started to feel the vivaciousness of life again. Sam tells us about one of his bear hunts, as well as why he made the morally driven decision to switch from rifle to bow hunting.

Retired Colonel, Bob McLaughlin is the Executive Director of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, as well as the former Chief of Staff of US forces Afghanistan and Fort Carson Garrison Commander. In this episode, we’re discussing Leadership. Whether you are a parent, member of an organization, or an individual trying to achieve your goals, being an effective leader plays a critical role in the success of each one of these situations.