Operation Next Chapter

Marc & Cole
  • 4.9 (7)
  • Health & Fitness

Operation Next Chapter is a leadership and life podcast for people navigating transition, pressure, and purpose. Hosted by Marc and Cole — two former U.S. Air Force First Sergeants — the show is built on real stories from the diamond: moments of crisis, accountability, compassion, and growth that shaped how they led people when it mattered most. Each episode breaks down lessons learned in high-stress environments and translates them into practical guidance for everyday life — at work, at home, in relationships, and in personal growth. At the heart of the show is a simple mission: RECLAIM — your leadership, your finances, your health, and your next chapter of life. Whether you’re a veteran transitioning out of service, a leader feeling the weight of responsibility, or someone looking to live with more intention and resilience, Operation Next Chapter is here to help you move forward with clarity and purpose. Because leadership doesn’t end when the uniform comes off — it evolves. Email us at OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  1. 4d ago

    Your Next Chapter Isn't Waiting for You

    Sometimes we talk about our “next chapter” like it's something that's going to eventually find us. The right opportunity. The right job. The right purpose. The right time. But what if your next chapter isn't waiting for you? What if you're waiting for it? In this episode of Operation Next Chapter, Marc and Cole talk about what happens when we spend too much time waiting for the perfect opportunity instead of taking action. Whether you're transitioning out of the military, changing careers, rebuilding your health, working on your marriage, starting a business, or simply trying to figure out what's next, there will probably never be a perfect time to begin. At some point, you have to stop waiting for the next chapter to start and start writing it yourself. Your past may have shaped you. Your circumstances may have changed. And you may not have all the answers yet. But you don't need to have the entire story figured out. You just need to take the next step. Your next chapter isn't waiting for you. It's waiting for you to begin. 🎙️ Operation Next Chapter — Purpose. Transition. Growth. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  2. Sep 14

    What Does Success Look Like Now?

    For most of our military careers, success was pretty easy to measure. Rank. Promotion. Awards. Retirement. Pay. Position. There was always another goal to chase and another box to check. But what happens when those measurements no longer matter? In this episode of Operation Next Chapter, Marc and Cole ask a question that gets more complicated the further we get from the uniform: What does success actually look like now? Maybe success isn't a bigger title or a bigger paycheck. Maybe it's a healthy marriage. Being present for your kids. Time with your grandkids. Having control over your schedule. Building a business. Becoming financially free. Being healthy enough to hike, travel, and enjoy life. Or simply having meaningful friendships and waking up excited about what you're doing. We talk about how our definition of success has changed, what we're chasing now, and why the things we once considered “success” don't necessarily bring the same satisfaction anymore. Because eventually, you have to stop measuring your life by someone else's scoreboard. Success in your next chapter gets to be defined by you. 🎙️ Operation Next Chapter — Leadership, Life, and Lessons After the Uniform. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  3. Sep 7

    One Year Later: The People Who Lived Our Next Chapter With Us

    One year. One year of Operation Next Chapter. When Marc and Cole started this podcast, the conversation was about life after the uniform—figuring out who we were, what came next, and how to navigate a transition that looked a lot different than we expected. But we didn't make that transition alone. In this special one-year anniversary episode, Marc and Cole are joined by the two people who have lived this next chapter right alongside them: their wives. Because when one person retires from the military, the whole family transitions. They've experienced the uncertainty, the changes in routine, the new opportunities, the struggles, the wins, and everything in between. They've seen the parts of this journey that don't always make it into the podcast. We'll talk about what this past year has really looked like—not just from our perspective, but from theirs. What has surprised them? What has been harder than expected? What have they enjoyed? How has life changed since leaving the military? And maybe most importantly, what does it look like to build a next chapter together? It's a conversation about marriage, identity, transition, family, and the people who stand beside us while we're figuring it all out. One year later, we're still learning. And we're realizing that the next chapter isn't something you build by yourself. It's something you build together. 🎙️ Operation Next Chapter — Leadership, Life, and Lessons After the Uniform. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  4. Aug 31

    Who Are You When Nobody Needs You?

    For years, someone needed you. The military needed you. Your team needed you. Your family needed you. There was always a mission, a responsibility, a problem to solve, or someone counting on you to step up. But what happens when the phone stops ringing? When the uniform comes off? When the kids grow up, the career changes, and the responsibilities that once defined your day-to-day life aren't there anymore? In this episode of Operation Next Chapter, Marc and Cole tackle a question many veterans—and honestly, many people—don't talk about enough: Who are you when nobody needs you? We talk about the uncomfortable space that can come when your identity has been built around being useful, dependable, and needed. Is there a difference between being needed and having purpose? And can we learn to find value in who we are, not just in what we do for everyone else? This isn't about becoming less useful. It's about realizing that your worth doesn't disappear when your responsibilities change. Because your next chapter isn't about finding someone who needs you. It's about discovering who you are when you finally have the space to choose. 🎙️ Operation Next Chapter — Leadership, Life, and Lessons After the Uniform. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  5. Aug 24

    We Didn't See That Coming

    What happens after the uniform comes off and the plan you thought you had doesn’t quite work out? In this episode of Operation Next Chapter, Marc and Cole get off the script and share some of the funnier, harder, and more unexpected experiences they've had since retiring from the military. Some were wins. Some were failures. Some took them down rough roads before ultimately bringing them somewhere better. Because sometimes you don't realize what a moment taught you until years later. From career decisions and unexpected opportunities to mistakes, setbacks, relationships, and the lessons that only come from experience, this conversation is a reminder that your next chapter rarely goes exactly as planned—and that's okay. You don't have to have it all figured out. Sometimes you just have to keep turning the page. In this episode, we talk about: The things we thought retirement would look like—and what actually happenedThe mistakes we made after leaving the militaryUnexpected wins and opportunitiesThe failures that ultimately redirected usWhat experience has taught us that preparation couldn'tWhy the rough spots can become some of the most valuable parts of your storyYour next chapter isn't supposed to be perfect. It's supposed to be yours. Listen in, laugh with us, and maybe recognize a little bit of your own story along the way. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  6. Aug 19

    The Stories We Still Tell: Air Force Memories That Never Get Old

    Not every military memory is about the hard days. Sometimes, it’s the TDY that went completely sideways, the deployment story that somehow gets funnier every time you tell it, the assignment you never expected to love, or the people who made even the worst days memorable. In this episode of Operation Next Chapter, Marc and Cole take a trip down memory lane and share some of the stories, experiences, and moments from their Air Force careers that still make them laugh years later. Because when you look back, you realize something: the things we complained about the most often become the stories we miss the most. The job ended. The uniform came off. But the friendships, the experiences, and the stories? Those stick with you. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  7. Aug 10

    So That...

    Why do so many people quit on their goals? Because they know what they want—but they've forgotten why they want it. In this episode of Operation Next Chapter, Marc and Cole explore one of the simplest yet most powerful mindset shifts they've learned: "So that..." Inspired by a lesson from Dave Ramsey, this concept has transformed the way they approach finances, marriage, health, leadership, and life after military service. Getting out of debt isn't the goal... it's so that you have freedom. Improving your health isn't the goal... it's so that you can fully enjoy the life you've worked so hard to build. When you connect your goals to a deeper purpose, you'll find the motivation to keep going long after the excitement wears off. If you're feeling stuck, unmotivated, or wondering whether your hard work is really worth it, this episode will help you rediscover the reason behind your next chapter. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why purpose outlasts motivation.  How to uncover the deeper reason behind any goal.  How the "So That" mindset applies to your finances, marriage, health, and leadership.  A simple exercise to help you clarify what truly matters. Your next chapter doesn't begin with a better goal. It begins with a better why. 🎙️ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to reconnect with the purpose behind their goals. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

  8. Aug 3

    Live Life Like a Dog

    What if one of the best blueprints for a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life has been right in front of us all along? In this episode of Operation Next Chapter, Marc and Cole take a lighthearted idea and uncover powerful life lessons from man's best friend. Dogs don't overcomplicate life—they focus on the fundamentals. As it turns out, those same fundamentals can help us become better leaders, spouses, parents, friends, and human beings. In this episode, we discuss:  💧 Drink more water and take care of your body.  🚶 Move every day—even if it's just a walk.  🍪 Enjoy treats... but only occasionally.  ❤️ Love the people in your life unconditionally.  🥣 Simplify your routines to reduce decision fatigue.  😴 Prioritize sleep and recovery.  🎉 Find joy in the little things.  🐾 Let go of yesterday's stress and start fresh. Whether you're transitioning out of the military, building your next chapter, or simply looking to live with more purpose, this episode is a reminder that lasting change doesn't come from complicated strategies—it comes from consistently doing the simple things well. Challenge for the Week: Pick one "dog habit" and practice it every day for the next seven days. Small habits lead to big transformations. Operation Next Chapter: Helping veterans and leaders build purpose, discipline, and fulfillment beyond the uniform—one conversation at a time. OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Operation Next Chapter is a leadership and life podcast for people navigating transition, pressure, and purpose. Hosted by Marc and Cole — two former U.S. Air Force First Sergeants — the show is built on real stories from the diamond: moments of crisis, accountability, compassion, and growth that shaped how they led people when it mattered most. Each episode breaks down lessons learned in high-stress environments and translates them into practical guidance for everyday life — at work, at home, in relationships, and in personal growth. At the heart of the show is a simple mission: RECLAIM — your leadership, your finances, your health, and your next chapter of life. Whether you’re a veteran transitioning out of service, a leader feeling the weight of responsibility, or someone looking to live with more intention and resilience, Operation Next Chapter is here to help you move forward with clarity and purpose. Because leadership doesn’t end when the uniform comes off — it evolves. Email us at OperationNextChapter@gmail.com

Information

  • Creator
    Marc & Cole
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Operation Next Chapter
  • Show Website
    Operation Next Chapter