Life After the Military: Now What?

Plumber to Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal to Plumbing Inspector: Josh McFarland

1 h 1 min · 11. aug. 2025
episode Plumber to Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal to Plumbing Inspector: Josh McFarland cover

Description

In this episode, Keith sits down with Josh McFarland, a former Army EOD specialist turned city plumbing inspector in Minneapolis. Josh shares his journey from a challenging youth in a strict religious community to discovering plumbing through family ties, transitioning into military service in his 30s, and ultimately building a rewarding post-military career in plumbing and inspection. He talks candidly about the ups and downs of his plumbing career, the demanding path through EOD training, his unique experiences protecting dignitaries in the capital region, and the personal challenges and growth that came with military life. Josh also discusses his involvement with the EOD Warrior Foundation and offers valuable advice for those joining or leaving the military. This episode is a raw and insightful look at perseverance, career transitions, and finding purpose both in uniform and beyond. Find me on Facebook at Life After the Military: Now What? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574796509003 Theme music by Wookiefoot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Comments

0

Be the first to comment

Sign up now and become a member of the Life After the Military: Now What? community!

Get Started

1 month for 9 kr.

Then 99 kr. / month · Cancel anytime.

  • Podcasts kun på Podimo
  • 20 lydbogstimer pr. måned
  • Gratis podcasts

All episodes

20 episodes

episode Plumber to Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal to Plumbing Inspector: Josh McFarland artwork

Plumber to Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal to Plumbing Inspector: Josh McFarland

In this episode, Keith sits down with Josh McFarland, a former Army EOD specialist turned city plumbing inspector in Minneapolis. Josh shares his journey from a challenging youth in a strict religious community to discovering plumbing through family ties, transitioning into military service in his 30s, and ultimately building a rewarding post-military career in plumbing and inspection. He talks candidly about the ups and downs of his plumbing career, the demanding path through EOD training, his unique experiences protecting dignitaries in the capital region, and the personal challenges and growth that came with military life. Josh also discusses his involvement with the EOD Warrior Foundation and offers valuable advice for those joining or leaving the military. This episode is a raw and insightful look at perseverance, career transitions, and finding purpose both in uniform and beyond. Find me on Facebook at Life After the Military: Now What? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574796509003 Theme music by Wookiefoot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

11. aug. 20251 h 1 min
episode Army Infantryman to Owner of Stagebot: Chris Malcolm artwork

Army Infantryman to Owner of Stagebot: Chris Malcolm

In this episode, Keith sits down with Chris Malcolm, a former Army infantryman with three deployments to Iraq, who shares his unique journey from military service to becoming a live event production company owner. Chris opens up about the challenges of transitioning out of the military, dealing with PTSD, and how he found healing and purpose behind the scenes of concerts and festivals. He dives into the realities of running a live sound and production business, the nitty-gritty of the industry, and offers practical advice for veterans and newcomers interested in audio and event production. Tune in to hear compelling stories from the battlefield and backstage, valuable lessons on resilience, reinvention, and the art of mixing both sound and life after service. Find Chris at stagebot.live Theme music by Wookiefoot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

4. aug. 202542 min
episode Navy Cryptologic Technician to Founder of GetGeofencing.com: Chris Seminatore artwork

Navy Cryptologic Technician to Founder of GetGeofencing.com: Chris Seminatore

In this episode, Keith sits down with Navy veteran and marketing entrepreneur Chris Seminatore to discuss his unique journey from military intelligence to pioneering location-based advertising with his agency, GetGeofencing.com. Chris shares how skills and discipline from his Navy career, including tours during the Gulf War, laid the foundation for his successful transition into the private sector. They dive into the power of geofencing technology—serving targeted ads based on physical location—and why it’s disrupting traditional digital marketing, especially as social media ads decline in effectiveness. Chris also opens up about overcoming the challenges veterans face after service, including imposter syndrome, adapting to civilian life, and building confidence through a healthy mental, physical, and spiritual foundation. He offers practical advice for veterans looking to launch businesses, emphasizing passion, perseverance, and daily discipline. Enjoy candid conversations about military experiences, entrepreneurship without outside funding, managing a thriving agency with over 1,600 clients, and the importance of creativity and mental wellness in business success. Plus, Chris and Keith discuss insights on quitting smoking, anti-aging clinics in Mexico, and the pitfalls of socialism and social media addiction. Tune in for an inspiring episode packed with actionable wisdom for veterans, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating life transitions with grit and heart.  Find Chris and learn more at GetGeofencing.com. If you’re a veteran interested in sharing your story on the podcast, email keith@28aprilproductions.com [keith@28aprilproductions.com] Find me on Facebook at Life After the Military: Now What? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574796509003 Theme music by Wookiefoot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

28. juli 202549 min
episode Army Infantryman to Pre-Construction Manager: Eric Swinnen artwork

Army Infantryman to Pre-Construction Manager: Eric Swinnen

In this episode, Keith reconnects with fellow infantryman Eric Swinnen to dive into their shared military experiences and the challenging transition to civilian life. Eric shares his journey from Army infantryman at Fort Bragg to navigating various post-service jobs—including car sales, warehouse work, and route sales—before finding his passion in commercial construction project management. They discuss the realities of military service, the struggle with identity after leaving the military, and how their time in uniform shaped their resilience and work ethic. Eric offers candid insights on mental health, the importance of making a plan when transitioning out, and why construction is a great career path for veterans. The conversation also touches on embracing change, adapting to new industries, and the evolving landscape of work with AI. Tune in for a raw, honest conversation about life, work, and finding purpose after service. If you’re a veteran interested in sharing your story on the podcast, email keith@28aprilproductions.com [keith@28aprilproductions.com] Find me on Facebook at Life After the Military: Now What? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574796509003 Theme music by Wookiefoot ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

21. juli 202547 min