Veteran Empire with Timothy Lawson, USMC

VE 100 is here and it is our last! Listen to this second part of the "best of" with segments from Terminal Lance, Shannon Ihrke, Tim Kennedy, and more.

VE Podcast #99 is part one of the "Best of VE" pair. Episode 100 and the final official post for the show will be out tomorrow. Until then, enjoy these segments from my interviews with Christopher Van Etten, Jake Wood - Take Command, Mylee YC, Oscar Mike, Montgomery Granger.

Roman is Marine veteran and the artistic director of Exit 12 dance company. In this episode he talks about his struggle of trying to find purpose through classical ballet, the Marine Corps and beyond. He also emphasizes the importance of continued service and mentorship.During his transition back into civilian life after returning from Iraq, Exit 12 became the answer to his wife's (then-girlfriend's) question, "If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?"He integrates military themes in his choreography, inspired by his own deployments and input by the military community. I got chills just listening to Roman describe some of the pieces the company has produced. The dance also speaks for itself and you can check them out at www.exit12danceco.com.The featured track is "Contagious" by Mario C featuring Alicia. Lawdawg is looking for veteran created music for the Veteran Empire podcast! Email him at lawdawg@veteranempire.com.

On this week’s episode, Marine vet and Pocket Square Heroes creator Christopher discusses “Vetrepreneurship” and haberdashery. First, Christopher outlines his colorful career history including service as a federal police officer and air marshal. After being injured in the line of duty, he created Pocket Square Heroes when he was inspired during his recovery.The mission statement of the company is to be the “world’s first award inspired fashion accessory for veterans, military and public safety professionals” and is “designed specifically to foster the pride of belonging, to enhance civil military understanding transitional transparency to our national heroes, all so they can tell us their stories.”

Kayla is an Army vet and author of Love My Rifle More Than You (2005) and Plenty of Time When We Get Home Love and Recovery in the Aftermath of War (2014).She talks about what she learned after publishing her first book, gives advice for aspiring authors and discusses her newest book, which details the road to recovery with her husband's PTSD and her own transition back to civilian life.“I believe it would be inspirational to anyone who has experienced trauma or loved someone who has,” Kayla says, “Ultimately I think it’s a story of hope, healing, recovery and love.”

Cody is a Marine vet and filmmaker at the Los Angeles Film School. His final project, Junk Yard, a horror film set to be completed by the end of July. He talks about his remission from cancer, his involvement with Veterans in Film and Television (VFT) and the movie itself, from its conception and the bumps in the road to Junk Yard’s release and beyond.

Among other things, Ralph is a Marine vet, airline pilot, owner of Knockout Motorcycles and stars as Rockem in Discovery Channel’s “The Devil’s Ride.”In this episode Ralph demystifies the meaning of the “1%er” diamond, the price point for a Knockout Motorcycle, the real reason he joined The Devil’s Ride (it’s good), what he thinks of Sons of Anarchy and what to consider if you’re thinking of joining or starting a motorcycle club.The featured track is Perfect Weather by Matt Dunn (@mattdunnmusic)

Harvey is a Marine vet studying at the Art Institute of Philadelphia…but not for long. He's transferring to the Art Institute of California, Orange County and documenting the administrative and logistical aspects of transferring schools in his feature documentary, “Leaving the Comfort Zone.”

The Veteran Empire podcast spotlights military veterans who are doing significant, creative, aspiring, and interesting things with their lives outside of the military. We interview veterans of the Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard. Listen to the VE Podcast to learn about their decision to join the military and how they got into the trade they have now.

Shannon returns for this 75th episode of the VE Podcast and just in time for “Woman Crush Wednesday.” The Marine-turned-model’s career took off after placing as a finalist in Maxim’s “Top Ten Hometown Hotties” in 2011. Since then, she has been an MMA ring girl and modeled for numerous magazines and fashion shows. She has been Chicago’s classic rock station, WLUP's reigning Loop Rock Girl since 2013. Shannon considers winning this title the biggest accomplishment of her career after working with Maxim.

Marine and Army veteran Matthew is the owner of Reveille Joe Coffee Co. in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Reveille Joe provides a “comfortable, tranquil, living room atmosphere” where veterans can find all of the information they need and speak openly about their issues. “We might not have the answer but we know how to find the people who do,” Matthew said.The coffee shop was inspired by his personal experiences overcoming depression after leaving the military. Matthew demystifies Reveille Joe's name, the mission and the menu and gives advice about starting a business.“If your mission is to make a million dollars, you’re in the wrong business…If your mission is to help a million veterans within the timeframe of your business being open then you have a successful mission whether you’ve helped a million or not, you’ve helped one.”Learn more at http://www.reveillejoe.com/The featured track is by a non-vet friend of W.R.A.T.H., Bless the Mastermind with “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time)

You may know Rorke as a Navy SEAL and lead actor in the 2012 film "Act of Valor" and as the author of New York Times Bestseller “Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior.”On the show this week Rorke talks about his well known works as well as things you might now know about him. This includes an in depth look into playing lacrosse for Syracuse, what didn’t make it into the book and what branch he would have chosen if he couldn’t be a SEAL.Featured track is "Song for Vincent" by WRATH

Noah is a Marine veteran, quadriplegic and founder of Oscar Mike. He discusses the inspiration behind the name and logo of this “apparel with a mission” as well as how the company got its start. He even shares a few of his personal favorite designs from the expansive Oscar Mike collection.

Scott is an Army veteran and creator of the Command Your Business podcast, interviewing veteran entrepreneurs about their endeavors.  This show gets into Scott's journey in the Army, how he started his podcast, and what the experience as a podcaster has been like.

This week the VE Podcast celebrates two years and about 70 episodes. Lawdawg interviews Sharon, the first military spouse to be on the show. She is an Air Force wife, mother of five and predominantly self taught artist. She illustrated the children’s book Daddy’s Deployment, written by Lorin Sanchez Nelsony, a fellow Air Force wife.