Veteran Lifestyle Magazine™

Annette Whittenberger

"Empowering Veterans: Connecting Stories, Celebrating Lives" At Veteran Lifestyle Magazine, our mission is to honor and empower the diverse and inspiring stories of veterans from all walks of life. We are dedicated to creating a vibrant and inclusive platform that celebrates the triumphs, challenges, and unique experiences of those who have served our nation. Our approach values community and collective collaboration over competition, recognizing that it's the bonds formed and shared experiences that enrich both the journey and its destination. Through compelling narratives, insightful featur

  1. 08/26/2025

    VLM with Dave Rossberg

    In this episode of the Veteran Lifestyle Magazine Podcast, hosts Annette Whittenberger and Joe Palacios sit down with Dave Rossberg, a former U.S. Navy nuclear submarine officer who transitioned into a successful career as a general contractor and business advisor. Dave shares his journey from structured military service to the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, highlighting how leadership, mindset, and community form the foundation of success. Through candid reflections, he explains how the lessons learned in high-pressure military environments—teamwork, accountability, and adaptability—translate seamlessly into building and running a business. Dave’s path shows the value of adaptability—shifting from Navy service to entrepreneurship by finding passion in helping others succeed. Military discipline provided the structure, but true fulfillment came from supporting tradespeople and business owners. Effective leadership isn’t about control—it’s about empowering people and holding them accountable. Just as operating a nuclear submarine requires every individual to contribute, running a business requires relationship-based leadership. Success depends on cultivating a growth mindset—viewing challenges as opportunities rather than barriers. Both Dave and Joe emphasized that striving for continuous improvement matters more than knowing everything. “Finding your tribe” is essential for both veterans and entrepreneurs. Events like Veterans Edge demonstrate the importance of collaboration, encouragement, and belonging in business and personal growth. Dave’s parting wisdom captures the essence of entrepreneurship: align your work with what truly energizes you. Passion, discipline, and community create the bridge from military service to entrepreneurial success 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Transition with Purpose 2. Leadership as Empowerment 3. Mindset is Everything 4. Community is a Force Multiplier 5. Do What Sets Your Soul on Fire Connect with Dave: https://daverossberg.focalpointcoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrossberg/ https://www.facebook.com/rossberg.dave https://www.instagram.com/dave.rossberg/

  2. 08/06/2025

    VLM with Julie Tully

    Cowgirl-turned-nomadic-Navy-spouse-turned-author, Julie Tully writes about life, culture, and the places they intersect. Her own life reads like a novel—from her roots in rural Northern California to her time as a globehopping expat. She is equally at home on the back of a horse rounding up cattle as she is at a formal diplomatic dinner. Julie’s memoir, Dispatches From The Cowgirl: Through The Looking Glass With A Navy Diplomat’s Wife, was published in 2022 and details the years she and her family lived and worked in Africa. Dispatches was the 2023 winner of the prestigious Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Award Gold Medal and the Military Writers Society of America Silver Medal. Beyond her memoir, Julie’s writing has been featured in Legacy Magazine, Your Teen for Parents, Military Spouse Magazine, and is used by the Department of Defense for training the next generation of the military’s diplomats. A sought-after speaker, Julie uses her unlikely and unique journey to highlight the importance of storytelling in our society. Originally from El Dorado, California, Julie holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University Chico. Over the years she has worn many different hats to include university researcher, marketing and public relations executive, communications specialist, and ghostwriter. Julie has been recognized by ambassadors and senior military officials for her work in the diplomatic world. In 2017, she was named a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky on behalf of her work in Djibouti with our military and the Kentucky National Guard. After spending almost two decades overseas, Julie now resides in Monterey, California with her husband, John, son, Quinn, and two rambunctious cats. Follow Julie at: @dispatchesfromthecowgirl and at https://julietullywriter.com/

  3. 07/09/2025

    VLM with Christopher Kruger

    Chris Kruger grew up just outside Spokane, Washington, and joined the Army before turning 21, driven by a sense of purpose and a thirst for challenge. Over the next 22 years, he forged a diverse and demanding military career—starting as an infantryman and eventually becoming a Blackhawk maintenance test pilot. His journey took him from Basic Training and Airborne School at Fort Benning to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he completed an impressive lineup of elite training programs, including Amphibious Reconnaissance School, Ranger School, HALO and HALO Jumpmaster, and Flight School, among others. Along the way, he earned the Expert and Combat Infantryman Badges, a Bronze Star, a Meritorious Service Medal, and several other honors. Chris deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Far East, spending more than five and a half years overseas—experiences that deeply shaped his outlook on leadership, resilience, and life. After retiring, he turned to writing as a way to unpack and give meaning to those intense years. What began as personal reflection quickly became a mission to reach others walking similar paths. Today, Chris lives in Huntsville, Alabama, with his wife Genevieve and their two daughters, Charlize and Isabelle—writing from a place of survival, strength, and connection. Together, Chris and Genevieve are active in their local church and committed to encouraging others to overcome life’s hardships, expanding their reach through writing and a forthcoming podcast aimed at inspiring healing, faith, and perseverance. https://www.facebook.com/chris.kruger.927758 http://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-kruger-780406205 https://www.instagram.com/chris.kruger.927758/# Read full article at: https://veteranlifestylemagazine.com/2025/07/09/embracing-transformation-a-conversation-on-leadership-service-and-storytelling-with-christopher-krueger/

  4. 06/18/2025

    VLM with Scott Neil

    Scott Neil is the President of American Freedom Distillery and a co-founder of Horse Soldier Bourbon, a premium American whiskey brand built on legendary service, resilience, and brotherhood. Founded in 2016 by a group of friends and retired Green Berets—including Scott—Horse Soldier Bourbon tells the powerful story of some of the first U.S. Special Forces teams deployed to Afghanistan following the attacks of 9/11. This elite unit, later nicknamed the “Horse Soldiers,” is immortalized in the America’s Response Monument at Ground Zero and continues to inspire the spirit behind every bottle. Under Scott’s leadership, Horse Soldier Bourbon has become one of the most compelling brands in the spirits industry—celebrated not only for its award-winning whiskey, but for the authenticity and heroism behind its founding. Each bottle is forged in tradition—some even molded in glass made from steel recovered from the World Trade Center—and honors the values of service, sacrifice, and American craftsmanship. The brand’s future distillery, Horse Soldier Farms, currently under development in Somerset, Kentucky, will serve as a world-class destination for bourbon lovers, patriots, and adventurers alike. A retired U.S. Army Special Forces combat veteran, Scott was among the first to lead direct action and counterterrorism operations during the early days of the Global War on Terror. After recovering from combat injuries, he became a leading advocate for veteran reintegration, entrepreneurship, and wellness. He has played a key role in raising millions for veteran causes, launching programs through the Green Beret Foundation, and advancing policies to support veteran-owned businesses. Scott is a sought-after speaker and national media contributor, with appearances in outlets such as Fox News, Bloomberg Businessweek, the Los Angeles Times, and Newsmax. He also works closely with the George W. Bush Veterans Initiative and serves as an advisor to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Through Horse Soldier Bourbon, Scott continues to share a powerful story of courage, camaraderie, and the enduring American spirit—with every pour. https://www.facebook.com/horsesoldierbourbon https://www.instagram.com/horsesoldierbourbon/ https://www.youtube.com/@HorseSoldierBourbon https://horsesoldierbourbon.com/

About

"Empowering Veterans: Connecting Stories, Celebrating Lives" At Veteran Lifestyle Magazine, our mission is to honor and empower the diverse and inspiring stories of veterans from all walks of life. We are dedicated to creating a vibrant and inclusive platform that celebrates the triumphs, challenges, and unique experiences of those who have served our nation. Our approach values community and collective collaboration over competition, recognizing that it's the bonds formed and shared experiences that enrich both the journey and its destination. Through compelling narratives, insightful featur