Your Next Mission®

Military Spouses make massive sacrifices, but how do you build a powerhouse career when you’re constantly relocating? In this episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, SMA Tilley sits down with Nicole Leth—a resilient Military Spouse, public health expert, and current instructor at the U.S. Secret Service Health and Resilience Training Section.Nicole shares her raw, "un-sugarcoated" journey navigating 27 years of military moves, handling the "bumpy" transition to civilian retirement with her Servicemember spouse, and how she went from directing Armed Forces Wellness Centers to training Federal Secret Service agents. If you are a Veteran, Military Spouse, or Servicemember preparing to transition, this episode is packed with essential advice on resilience, marriage communication, and maintaining your health under extreme stress.

In this special Memorial Day episode, on the number #1 video podcast on military transition and leadership, host 12th SMA(R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with fellow Vietnam Veteran Esteban Valenzuela, founder of the Law Offices of Esteban L. Valenzuela & Associates. In this deeply moving conversation, Esteban opens up about the darkness that swallowed him upon returning from war—from carrying weapons on the streets of California and battling severe addiction to a moment where he nearly took his own life. Discover how a brotherhood of Marines, a dedicated VA counselor, and a life-changing return trip to Vietnam hosted saved his life, transforming his perspective on Memorial Day from a dark, isolated nightmare into a beautiful celebration of family, gratitude, and remembrance.

Military retirement sounds like the finish line, but the next battle begins after you take off the uniform. Welcome to Your Next Mission®, the nation's #1 video podcast on military transition and leadership.In this episode, host and the 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with Stacy Holt,  @usaa   Military Affairs Director Spouse Engagement & 30+ year Marine spouse and the 15th MCPON (R) Russell L. Smith to pull back the curtain on the intense, unexpected, and often unsettling challenges of military retirement.From the reality of financial readiness under the Blended Retirement System (BRS) to personal mental health battles post-command, this raw and honest conversation gives Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families the blueprint to survive and conquer their "second act."On the second half of the episode where Master Chief Smith shares a jaw-dropping story about how USAA proactively hunts down active-duty Servicemembers to refund them thousands of dollars using the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) , and Stacy shares a raw, heart-wrenching account of how a single community event literally saved a military spouse's life.If you are Servicemembers, a Veteran, or a Military Spouse navigating life after service, this raw, honest, and vulnerable conversation will give you the blueprint to find your "second act" and remind you that you are never alone.👉 Looking for Your Next Career? Check out our Veteran job board in partnership with RecruitMilitary: https://yournextmission.org👉 Support our Veterans: Donate property or a used vehicle to support our work at the American Freedom Foundation: https://americanfreedomfoundation.org/donate

On this episode of the Your Next Mission® video podcast,SMA Tilley welcomes Jessica Manfre, LCSW — Military Events Manager at Recurrent Military, Director of MilSpouseFest, licensed therapist, author of Never Alone, and proud Coast Guard spouse of 21+ years. Jessica oversees 8+ MilSpouseFest events a year (presented by USAA) on bases across the country and now internationally and works alongside founder Curtez Riggs on the Military Influencer Conference (MIC).  In this episode, Jessica and SMA Tilley dig into:  The biggest challenges facing Military spouses today (community, child care, mental health, employment). Why the Military Spouse is the ultimate force multiplier. How MilSpouseFest brings free, family-friendly programming to bases nationwide. Upcoming 2026 stops: Norfolk Naval Base May 12, Osan AB & Camp Humphreys South Korea Oct 20–21, and Puerto Rico in December. What MIC 2026 in Tampa really is (hint: "influencer" means LEADER, not TikTok dancer). Real talk on PCS, deployment, isolation, and finding your people. This year the MIC 2026, is September 23–26 at the JW Marriott in Tampa, FL, where nearly 4,000 attendees are expected. Whether you're a Servicemember, Veteran, Milspouse, Milpreneur, content creator, or military-connected brand, this is THE event of the year. Eligible to attend MilSpouseFest? Active, Guard, Reserve, AND Veteran Spouses — all welcome, kids included. milspousefest.com | militaryinfluencer.com | yournextmission.org

No Airman Left Behind. Inside the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program, that promise is more than words. It is a mission that never ends. On this episode of the Your Next Mission® video podcast, SMA Tilley goes inside the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2) with MSG (R) Marsha Hoskins of AFW2, Leslie Santiago Rodriguez and CMSgt (R) Jason David of Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Federal Employee Program, and to reveal exactly how this program is changing lives and why no Airman is ever left behind.The Air Force Wounded Warrior Program (AFW2) is the lifeline for wounded, ill, and injured Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. From the moment of injury through every stage of recovery, AFW2 walks alongside warriors with personalized care, advocacy, mentorship, and a community that refuses to let anyone heal alone. And when partners like Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program stand shoulder to shoulder with that mission, the impact multiplies. This is the inside look every Airman, Guardian, caregiver, Veteran, and Military Family needs to hear.CMSgt (R) Jason David shares the warrior's perspective. Marsha Hoskins breaks down how the program actually works and who it serves. Leslie Santiago Rodriguez explains how Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP partners with AFW2 to extend care and resources to those who served. Three voices. One mission. Zero filters. Because heroes don't heal alone, and no Airman is ever left behind.LEARN MORE / GET INVOLVEDAir Force Wounded Warrior Program: https://www.woundedwarrior.af.milBlue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program: https://www.fepblue.orgWhat you will hear in this episodeInside the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program and exactly who qualifies for AFW2 supportHow AFW2 walks with warriors and Families from the moment of injury through every stage of recoveryWhy CMSgt (R) Jason David says the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program saved more than just his careerHow Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program partners with AFW2 to extend care, advocacy, and lifelong resourcesWhat caregivers and Military Families need to know about the support available to them right nowWhy the transition from active duty to civilian life is one of the hardest battles a wounded warrior fightsThe role adaptive sports, mentorship, and community play in the healing process inside AFW2How the partnership between BCBS FEP and the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program is reaching Airmen who did not know help existedWhy corporate America stepping up matters and what real partnership looks like in actionThe honest truth about what wounded warriors and their Families need most and how you can be part of the solutionHow to connect a wounded, ill, or injured Airman or Guardian to AFW2 todayWhy no Airman is ever left behind and what every Veteran should know about asking for helpWhat is the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program?Who qualifies for AFW2 support?How does the Air Force support wounded, ill, and injured Airmen?What does No Airman Left Behind mean in the Air Force?How does Blue Cross Blue Shield partner with the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program?What benefits do wounded warriors get through Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal Employee Program?How does AFW2 help with the transition to civilian life?What support is available for Air Force wounded warrior families?How do I connect a wounded Airman to the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program?What is the role of caregivers in AFW2?How do adaptive sports help wounded warriors heal?What resources are available for Air Force veterans with PTSD or TBI?How does the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program work with the VA?What is the impact of AFW2 on Airmen and Guardians?How can civilians support wounded warrior programs?What does Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP cover for federal employees and veterans?#NoAirmanLeftBehind #AirForceWoundedWarrior #AFW2 #BlueCrossBlueShield #BCBSFEP #FederalEmployeeProgram #WoundedWarrior #YourNextMission #SMATilley