Build Your A-Team

Freddie Kim
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Welcome to “Build Your A-Team” a podcast powered by MilSpec Talent, where we educate Small Business owners on how to attract, recruit, and retain high-impact, low-ego talent. I’m your host Freddie Kim, founder of Milspec Talent, I’m am a West Point grad, former Green Beret, Kellogg MBA, and more importantly, I’m passionate about championing the value and leadership of Veteran 2.0s in our workforce.

  1. Veteran Led Collab: Stephen Hartz on Leadership, Accountability, and Building Better Teams

    2d ago

    Veteran Led Collab: Stephen Hartz on Leadership, Accountability, and Building Better Teams

    What does effective leadership actually look like — and how can organizations develop leaders who build trust, accountability, and performance? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬)  speak with Stephen Hartz, founder of H&H Leadership Solutions, about leadership development, accountability, and building strong organizational cultures. Stephen shares practical leadership lessons learned throughout his career, explaining why self-awareness, communication, and accountability are critical to long-term success. He discusses how leaders can build trust, develop people more effectively, and avoid common pitfalls that prevent teams from reaching their potential. This conversation is packed with insights for leaders, business owners, Veterans, and anyone responsible for developing teams and driving performance. 🎙 In this episode:• Leadership lessons from decades of experience• Why accountability drives organizational success• Building trust within teams• Leadership coaching and development• Creating high-performance cultures• Avoiding common leadership mistakes Guest Links:LinkedIn:   / stephenhartzhhleadership  Website: https://hhleadershipsolutions.com/

    15 min
  2. No Honor in the Grind with Bill Watkins

    Jun 25

    No Honor in the Grind with Bill Watkins

    Freddie Kim sits down with friend and mentor Bill Watkins (USMA '77) — Army Veteran, former corporate executive, and entrepreneur who built and sold his own company after 20 years. Today, Bill leads The Lions Pride and Alpha Forge, helping Veteran Founder-CEOs reach their highest potential.  Bill has spent years coaching Veteran Founder-CEOs from the top 1% to the elite 0.01%, and he shares the battle-tested tools he uses to do it: the one-page business plan, the Alpha Forge progression, and why business excellence means nothing if you don't master your life alongside it.  If you're a Veteran entrepreneur, a Founder-CEO grinding solo, or a leader who refuses to sacrifice family for the business – this one is packed with real tools. #VeteranLeadership #FounderCEO #ExecutiveCoaching #BusinessExcellence #OperatorMindset 🎙️ The Build Your A-Team (BYAT) Podcast spotlights Veteran leaders building teams with resilience, clarity, and impact. Hosted by Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent. 🔔 If this episode helped you level up your team: like, subscribe, and share with a Veteran leader who needs it. Connect with our guest:🎖 West Point Graduate (USMA '77) & Army Veteran.🦁 Founder of The Lions Pride – coaching Veteran Founder-CEOs from the 1% to the 0.01%.🏆 Built and sold his own company after 20 years.🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/theoldgradcoach🏢 The Lions Pride: https://www.thelionspride.com/about 📘 Resources:One-Page Personal Plan — "you're not leaving something, you're running to something""I have / I am" vs. "I will" — Bill's language test for spotting drift

    54 min
  3. Veteran Led Collab: Tad McIntosh on Leadership, Hiring, and Building Strong Teams

    Jun 3

    Veteran Led Collab: Tad McIntosh on Leadership, Hiring, and Building Strong Teams

    How do organizations build teams that actually perform — and why do so many leaders struggle to hire effectively? In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬ speaks with Veteran and HumCap founder & CEO Tad McIntosh about leadership, hiring, talent development, and building strong organizational cultures. Tad shares practical insights on hiring strategy, accountability, and why successful organizations prioritize people just as much as performance. He explains how leaders can improve communication, align teams more effectively, and build environments where individuals are empowered to grow and contribute. This conversation also explores leadership development, workforce challenges, and how organizations can create sustainable cultures that drive long-term success. 🎙 In this episode:• Leadership lessons for building strong organizations• Hiring strategies and talent development• Why culture drives performance• Building accountability within teams• Communication and trust in leadership• Aligning people with organizational growth Guest Links: Website: https://humcapinc.comWebsite: https://humcaphr.com

    15 min
  4. Veteran Led Collab: Ron Moore on Leadership, Service, and Building Community Impact

    May 18

    Veteran Led Collab: Ron Moore on Leadership, Service, and Building Community Impact

    What does leadership look like after the uniform — and how do you continue to serve your community? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬ speak with Ron Moore about leadership, service, and building lasting impact beyond military life. Ron shares insights on how Veterans can continue to lead in their communities, emphasizing the importance of accountability, engagement, and purpose. He explains why leadership doesn’t stop after service — it evolves into new opportunities to serve, mentor, and build. This conversation highlights how Veterans can take ownership of their next mission, create meaningful change, and stay connected to the communities they serve. 🎙 In this episode:• Leadership after military service• Building community impact and engagement• Translating military experience into civilian leadership• The importance of accountability and purpose• Creating opportunities to continue serving• Leading beyond the uniform

    8 min
  5. Veteran Led Collab: James Suh on Leadership, Growth, and Building High-Performance Teams

    May 13

    Veteran Led Collab: James Suh on Leadership, Growth, and Building High-Performance Teams

    What separates leaders who scale from those who stall — and how do you build teams that consistently perform? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent ‪@FreddieJKim‬  speak with James Suh about leadership, growth, and building high-performance teams. James breaks down the key elements of effective leadership, including accountability, clarity, and execution. He explains why many teams struggle to perform and how leaders can create environments where individuals are empowered, aligned, and focused on results. This conversation also explores how leadership principles translate across military and business environments, and why building the right team is one of the most critical decisions any leader can make. 🎙 In this episode:• Leadership principles that drive team performance• The importance of clarity and accountability• Building and scaling high-performance teams• Decision-making and execution under pressure• Creating environments where people can grow• Lessons from leadership across military and business Guest Links: nashvilleanalytics.com

    22 min
  6. Veteran Led Collab: Patrick Flood on Veteran Leadership and Owners in Honor

    May 5

    Veteran Led Collab: Patrick Flood on Veteran Leadership and Owners in Honor

    How do Veterans move from service into ownership — and why does that path matter? In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬) speaks with Patrick Flood, Army Special Forces Veteran and founder of Owners in Honor, about Veteran leadership, entrepreneurship, and building purpose through ownership. Patrick shares the vision behind Owners in Honor, an initiative focused on helping Veterans transition into business ownership and leadership roles. He explains why ownership provides a renewed sense of mission, accountability, and long-term impact, and how Veterans can leverage their leadership experience to succeed in business. This conversation also explores the mindset shift required to move from structured military environments into entrepreneurial roles, and why building the right team and support system is critical for success. 🎙 In this episode:• Why ownership is a powerful path for Veterans• The mission behind Owners in Honor• Leadership lessons from military to business• Transitioning from service to entrepreneurship• Building teams and support systems• Creating purpose after military service

    22 min
  7. Veteran Led Collab: Jary Jackson on Veteran Careers and Building Your A Team

    Apr 29

    Veteran Led Collab: Jary Jackson on Veteran Careers and Building Your A Team

    What does it take for Veterans to succeed after service — and how do you build the right team to get there? In this episode of Veteran Led, Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬)  hosts a conversation with Jary Jackson, CEO of TCS & Thurion and former U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Beret), focused on Veteran career transitions, leadership, and building high-performance teams. Jary shares practical insights on how Veterans can navigate the civilian workforce, position themselves effectively, and avoid common transition challenges. The discussion highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, building your “A Team,” and creating environments where accountability and performance drive results. This episode is a must-listen for Veterans, leaders, and anyone focused on hiring, developing, and retaining top-tier talent. 🎙 In this episode:• How Veterans can navigate career transitions successfully• Why building your “A Team” matters• Leadership lessons from military and business environments• How to communicate your value in the civilian workforce• Hiring and team-building strategies for long-term success• The role of accountability in high-performance teams Guest Links:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jarytjackson78

    19 min
  8. Veteran Led Collab: Nick Ripplinger on Veteran Entrepreneurship and Building a Business

    Apr 8

    Veteran Led Collab: Nick Ripplinger on Veteran Entrepreneurship and Building a Business

    What separates Veterans who successfully build businesses from those who stay stuck? In this episode of Veteran Led, John S. Berry and co-host Freddie Kim of MilSpec Talent (‪@FreddieJKim‬) speak with Nick Ripplinger about Veteran entrepreneurship, leadership, and the mindset required to build a business after service. Nick shares insights on transitioning from the military into entrepreneurship, explaining why action, adaptability, and resilience are essential for long-term success. He breaks down the challenges Veterans face when entering the business world and how to overcome uncertainty by focusing on execution rather than perfection. This conversation also highlights how Veterans can apply their leadership experience to business, build strong teams, and create opportunities through disciplined decision-making and continuous learning. 🎙 In this episode:• Transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship• Why taking action matters more than waiting for perfection• Leadership lessons applied to business building• Overcoming uncertainty in early-stage growth• Building strong teams and accountability• Creating opportunities after military service Guest Links:LinkedIn:   / nicholas-ripplinger-14160823  Website: https://nickripplinger.comEmail: nripplinger@gmail.com

    16 min
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About

Welcome to “Build Your A-Team” a podcast powered by MilSpec Talent, where we educate Small Business owners on how to attract, recruit, and retain high-impact, low-ego talent. I’m your host Freddie Kim, founder of Milspec Talent, I’m am a West Point grad, former Green Beret, Kellogg MBA, and more importantly, I’m passionate about championing the value and leadership of Veteran 2.0s in our workforce.

Information

  • Creator
    Freddie Kim
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    36
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MilSpec Talent