Tango Tango

Building a National Veteran Network with Zack Knight

Purpose can be forged in the most unexpected crucibles. From growing up as a homeschooled "Grady baby" in Atlanta's South Cobb area to serving as an Army infantry officer deployed to Afghanistan with Special Forces, Zack Knight's path took him through the grind of blue-collar work, the discipline of law enforcement, the chaos of combat, and the depths of his own personal rock bottom, before finding healing and a renewed sense of mission. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Army veteran, entrepreneur, author, and ATLVets [https://atlvets.org/] founder Zack Knight [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackaknight/]. Despite sharing a last name, the two are quick to clarify they're not related, though they've become close brothers in the veteran community. Zack reflects on his Atlanta upbringing, his years with the Smyrna Police Department, his decision to join active duty at 28, and his deployment to Afghanistan in 2019 where his unit lost six soldiers. They discuss the physical and mental toll of combat and Zack’s spiral into survivor’s guilt and a near-fatal crisis. From that low point, a friend’s simple challenge sparked a transformational self-discovery. Zack also shares the unconventional healing practices that helped him rebuild, from Emory's outpatient therapy program and daily gratitude rituals to teaching himself piano with a partially numb hand. Today, he channels those hard-won lessons into ATLVets, a nonprofit now operating in 12 states, focused on giving veterans the continuity, community, and "now what" they need to thrive in post-service life. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (02:31) Growing up in Atlanta as a "Grady baby" (04:00) Homeschooling and learning self-reliance (05:45) Almost joining the Air Force at 18 (07:48) Starting a business while on active duty (10:49) Why Zack joined the Army at 28 (11:21) Scoring in the 97th percentile on the ASVAB (13:01) Deploying to Afghanistan in 2019 (14:08) Losing six soldiers in combat (15:46) Physical injuries discovered after service (18:25) Suicide attempt and the darkest chapter (21:59) "You don't even love yourself" (25:30) Survivor's guilt and finding the right therapist (27:36) Learning piano with a partially numb hand (33:20) Founding ATLVets to serve veterans (48:15) Zack's closing advice for veterans Additional Links & Resources: * Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango [https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango] * Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight] * Connect with Zack Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackaknight/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackaknight/] * Learn more about ATLVets: https://atlvets.org/ [https://atlvets.org/] * Get The Legacy of Love: A Journey of Self-Mastery: https://a.co/d/07DVhMFW [https://a.co/d/07DVhMFW] * Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk [https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk] Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com [https://supplychainnow.com/]

Redefining the Veteran Narrative: From Broken to Thriving

The journey to purpose unfolds in unexpected ways. From growing up in small-town New Jersey to serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during Desert Storm, Kevin Schmiegel [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-schmiegel-03523b8/]’s path led him through nonprofit leadership and ultimately to founding ZeroMils [https://www.zeromils.com/], a company committed to helping veterans thrive in civilian life. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, Lloyd Knight speaks with Marine Corps veteran and ZeroMils founder Kevin Schmiegel. He reflects on his upbringing in Toms River, New Jersey, his ROTC scholarship, and his career as an artillery officer in the Marines. After his service, he transitioned into nonprofit work, ultimately founding Zero Mills to support veterans in thriving beyond military service. They discuss Schmiegel’s military service, the hardships he faced, and how his nonprofit experiences led him to create a new model for veteran success. Today, he’s focused on helping veterans build purpose, opportunity, and community in their post-service lives. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:36) Growing up in a Marine family (03:41) How sports built Kevin’s discipline (05:43) ROTC and military commissioning journey (08:25) Choosing artillery in the Marines (09:53) Serving in Desert Storm deployment (15:07) Marine Expeditionary Unit and London orders (22:16) Leaving the military for the U.S. Chamber (25:28) Building “Hiring Our Heroes” program (26:35) Shadowing CEOs at the Chamber (27:26) Addressing the veterans hiring gap (29:24) Media breakthrough at hiring events (30:23) Securing funding and scaling quickly (32:39) Facing burnout and stepping down (34:43) Losing purpose after leaving (37:16) The “Courage Cap” and Kevin’s turning point (39:14) Leading new nonprofit ventures (40:11) Founding ZeroMils to empower veterans (43:00) Challenging nonprofit culture norms (45:42) Emphasizing due diligence and impact (49:23) Vision behind The Service Project (53:24) Kevin's advice for transitioning veterans Additional Links & Resources: * Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango [https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango] * Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight] * Connect with Kevin Schmiegel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-schmiegel-03523b8/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-schmiegel-03523b8/] * Learn more about ZeroMils: https://www.zeromils.com/ [https://www.zeromils.com/] * Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk [https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk] Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/redefining-veteran-narrative-broken-thriving-2tt8 [https://supplychainnow.com/]

Serving Those Who Serve Featuring Michael Kelly

In this episode of the Tango Tango Podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Air Force veteran and former Deputy of Military Affairs at USAA, Michael Kelly, for a candid conversation about leadership, transition, and building a meaningful career after service. From his early days as a security policeman to retraining into public affairs and ultimately becoming an officer, Michael shares the pivotal moments, mentors, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey. He reflects on the realities of military life, lessons learned through deployment and leadership, and how those experiences translated into a successful 20+ year corporate career. The conversation also dives into one of the most critical topics for service members: transitioning to civilian life. Michael offers practical advice on networking, planning ahead, and positioning yourself for success in a competitive job market. Whether you're currently serving, transitioning, or simply interested in leadership and career growth, this episode delivers real-world insights you can apply immediately. Additional Links & Resources: * Connect with Michael Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfkelly/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelfkelly/] * Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango [https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango] * Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight] * Connect with Patrick Flood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/] * Learn more about Owners in Honor: https://www.ownersinhonor.org/ [https://www.ownersinhonor.org/] * Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk [https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk] Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/serving-those-who-serve-2tt7 [https://supplychainnow.com/]

After the Battlefield: Tragedy, Purpose, and the Rise of a CEO

Purpose often emerges from unexpected paths. For Patrick Flood, that path ran from small-town Wisconsin to Hollywood sets, from Special Forces deployments to entrepreneurship, and ultimately to helping veterans build and exit businesses with dignity. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, Lloyd Knight speaks with Army Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and Owners in Honor [https://www.ownersinhonor.org/] founder Patrick Flood [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/]. Flood reflects on growing up in Wisconsin, earning an ROTC scholarship to George Washington University, and beginning his career as an Army officer before an unexpected turn into acting in Los Angeles. After booking commercials, television roles, and film work, he realized that success in Hollywood still felt empty and pulled him back toward a life of service. They discuss Flood’s return to active duty through the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, his deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, and the injuries and hardships that shaped his leadership and sense of purpose. He also shares how his father’s business was sold for far less than it was worth due to poor exit guidance, an experience that inspired him to found Owners in Honor. Today, he is focused on helping veterans buy and sell businesses in ways that preserve dignity, strengthen communities, and create new pathways for purpose after military service. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (02:16) Growing up in Ephraim, Wisconsin (04:53) ROTC scholarships and family sacrifice (10:18) Commissioned, but stuck in limbo (11:56) Los Angeles move and Army recall (13:25) Reviving a struggling reserve unit (17:03) An accidental start in acting (26:11) Brother’s loss and horse therapy (29:38) Hollywood emptiness, Army purpose returns (32:09) Fort Bragg and early war deployments (33:58) Advised to try Special Forces (34:43) How acting helped in combat (37:09) Explaining his Afghanistan combat rotations (41:52) Bit by a cobra mid-firefight (47:11) Blast injury, broken neck, TBI (53:03) Why he founded Owners in Honor (58:09) Helping veterans buy and sell businesses (59:23) Fatherhood, walking, swimming, and healing Additional Links & Resources: 1. Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango [https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango] 2. Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight] 3. Connect with Patrick Flood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickmichaelflood/] 4. Learn more about Owners in Honor: https://www.ownersinhonor.org/ [https://www.ownersinhonor.org/] 5. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk [https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk] Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/after-battlefield-tragedy-purpose-rise-ceo-2tt6 [https://supplychainnow.com/]

Aim High - From Airman to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force: The Journey of JoAnne Bass

Nobody trains and educates better than the military. That belief, shaped by decades of service and leadership, continues to guide how she develops people and advises organizations today. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight speaks with retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-bass/], the first woman to serve as the senior enlisted leader of a United States military service. An Army brat who grew up moving around the world, from Illinois to Germany to Hawaii, Bass reflects on her early years, including getting into trouble as a teenager and joining the Air Force in 1993, looking for direction and discipline. They discuss her journey from aviation management in the operations world to senior enlisted leadership at Ramstein, Goodfellow, the Pentagon, and Second Air Force. Bass shares lessons on mentorship, resilience, and learning to take care of herself after experiencing burnout. She also speaks candidly about becoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during a time of global uncertainty, navigating public scrutiny, addressing suicide and people policy reform, and leading through the challenges of the digital age. Now in her next chapter, she continues to focus on national security, leadership development, and building strong people and strong families beyond the uniform. Jump into the conversation: (00:00) Intro (01:15) Army brat life across Germany (03:50) Banned from Hawaii military bases (07:07) Open general enlistment decision (10:10) First assignment at Pope AFB (11:40) Meeting husband at Fort Bragg (16:58) Ramstein AMOC and DV scheduling (20:29) NCO Academy during 9/11 (29:35) Ramstein squadron and group leadership (31:31) Selected chief despite discouraging advice (34:11) Command chief at Goodfellow AFB (39:28) Leading professional military education at Pentagon (45:26) Birthday call selecting next CMSAF (59:10) Testifying before Congress on force issues Additional Links & Resources: 1. Learn more about Tango Tango: https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango [https://supplychainnow.com/program/tango-tango] 2. Connect with Lloyd Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydknight] 3. Connect with JoAnne Bass: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-bass [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-bass] 4. Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk [https://bit.ly/3XH6OVk] Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/aim-high-airman-chief-master-sergeant-air-force-journey-2tt5 [https://supplychainnow.com/]