Vector Accelerator

Vector Accelerator
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Vector Accelerator exists to help all veterans find clarity as they transition from military to civilian life, so that they navigate their next mission with confidence and conviction.

  1. Serious Play for a Serious Transition: How Creativity Can Guide Your Next Mission With Van Lai-DuMone

    ٢٩ يناير

    Serious Play for a Serious Transition: How Creativity Can Guide Your Next Mission With Van Lai-DuMone

    🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode, hosts Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara sit down with Van Lai-DuMone, a team and leadership development expert who uses LEGO Serious Play and creative problem-solving tools to guide transitioning veterans. Van shares her personal story—from being a Vietnamese refugee to creating transformative learning experiences—and explains how creativity can unlock new mindsets, build hope, and reframe what’s possible after military service. Whether you’re unsure about your next step or looking for a new way to connect the dots, this conversation will inspire you to take action and play your way forward. 🔑 Key Takeaways LEGO Serious Play is not just about toys—it’s about thinking with your hands. Veterans build models that reflect their inner thoughts, helping surface possibilities they wouldn’t articulate otherwise. Creative problem-solving starts with divergent thinking. In transition, you need to ask “what else?” and “what if?” instead of “what now?” or “how am I going to make this work?”. Curiosity leads to clarity when paired with action. You don’t need to have it all figured out—just take one small step and see where it leads. Transition work shouldn't only focus on job search mechanics. Self-reflection through play helps veterans reimagine what’s possible, which is why Van’s sessions at the Honor Foundation are so impactful. The process of building with your hands helps bypass the internal critic. Instead of shutting down ideas with “Who am I to do this?” the act of play opens up space for ideas to emerge and grow. 💬 Memorable Quotes “The military career informs what you do next—but it doesn’t dictate what you do next.” – Van Lai-DuMone “Hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s the belief that tomorrow will be better because I’m going to do something to make it better.” – Scott Schimmel “You are the builder. You are the storyteller. What you build is what you say it is.” – Van Lai-DuMone “Follow curiosity with creative action.” – Van Lai-DuMone 🚀 Next Steps for Listeners Try this today: Write down everything you're curious about for one week. At the end of the week, filter them using personal parameters (like income, location, flexibility), then take a small step toward one of those ideas. Build something. If you have LEGO bricks at home, build a model of what you loved doing as a child. Use it as a metaphor to explore what that passion could look like in adult life. Grab Van’s book: What If Pigs Can Fly? is a practical guide to following your curiosities—with exercises and prompts to help anyone move forward creatively. Connect with Van Lai-DuMone: Reach out on LinkedIn or visit worksmartadventures.com  to learn more about her methodology. Join the Vector Accelerator community: If you’re a transitioning veteran and want to explore your identity, purpose, and community with guided support, visit vectoraccelerator.org  to get started. Van Lai-DuMone CEO, worksmart Advantage Author, What if Pigs Can Fly?  Van is the founder of worksmart, a progressive leadership and team development consultancy that utilizes creativity, play, and shared experience to attract, engage and retain top talent. She also serves as a volunteer faculty member at The Honor Foundation where she uses creative tools to assist in the transition process for the SOF community. Van studied Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned her MBA from Pepperdine University. With over 20 years of corporate and start-up experience, Van actively works to rewrite the way we apply creativity in the workplace, inviting clients to think with their hands and use creative tools to disrupt traditional training methods. Her clients include gamechangers such as Google, LinkedIn, and Pandora.  Her TEDx Talk titled, ‘What if? The Life Changing Power of Curiosity’ highlights the incredible story of how 20 Vietnamese refugee women, including Van’s mom, followed their curiosity,  pioneering the now $8.3 billion manicure industry in the United States. Her book, ‘What if Pigs CAN Fly?’ offers a practical guide and framework for all of us to follow our curiosities to achieve seemingly impossible goals.  Connect with Van on LinkedIn

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  2. The Hero’s Journey After Service With Alex Gendzier and Rob Sarver

    ٢٢ يناير

    The Hero’s Journey After Service With Alex Gendzier and Rob Sarver

    Episode Title: “The Hero’s Journey After Service: Reframing Transition for Veterans” 📘 Overview: In this powerful episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, host Scott Schimmel sits down with Rob Sarver, a former Navy SEAL, and Alex Gendzier, an attorney and father of a Naval officer, to unpack the ancient-yet-relevant concept of The Hero’s Journey—and how it directly applies to veterans navigating the transition from military to civilian life. What started as a personal “memo to my son” became a six-year journey of interviews, self-discovery, and co-authorship. Rob and Alex share the story of their unlikely friendship, the lessons they learned from over 200 veteran interviews, and how storytelling, reflection, and grief work can transform not just individuals, but communities. If you're a veteran searching for meaning, identity, or clarity post-service—this conversation is your next call to adventure. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Veterans live two hero’s journeys: one when they enter the military, and a second when they transition out. Recognizing that can reframe how we view the challenges of civilian life. Grief and identity loss are not soft topics—they're central to successful transitions. The return phase of the hero’s journey involves metabolizing grief, integrating experience, and reclaiming purpose. Listening, storytelling, and reflection are critical tools for healing and growth—and are missing from many traditional transition programs. Transition doesn’t happen alone. Building a “transition team” of trusted people can dramatically expand your clarity and opportunities. Veteran hiring programs often fail not due to lack of intent, but lack of understanding. Rob and Alex now consult with companies to help bridge this gap. 🗣️ Best Quotes: “The hero’s journey is not just for veterans—it’s for anyone who has gone through trauma or profound change. But for veterans, they live it twice.” – Rob Sarver “Grief isn’t sadness—it’s neurological. It’s chemical. It changes you. It’s the body trying to metabolize a loss that’s too big to digest all at once.” – Alex Gendzier “We didn’t want to write another SEAL book. We wanted to write something that would help someone who’s hurting, someone who’s stuck.” – Rob Sarver “You can't let the suffering go to waste. The most powerful stories we heard were from people who turned their pain into purpose.” – Alex Gendzier “Healing happens in community. Isolation is the enemy of growth.” – Scott Schimmel 📣 Calls to Action: 👉 For Veterans: Start your own hero’s journey today with the Vector Accelerator program . If you’re transitioning out or already have, this is the compass you’ve been looking for. 👉 For Listeners: Buy the book: The Hero’s Journey by Alex Gendzier and Rob Sarver is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Visit www.heroes-journey.net  to learn more about their work, coaching, and programs. 👉 For Corporate Partners & VSOs: Interested in veteran hiring and integration done right? Connect with Rob and Alex for consulting and speaking engagements via their website. Consider how your company supports transitioning service members—not just with jobs, but with identity and purpose. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro + Welcome 01:30 – Meet Rob & Alex 04:30 – What is the Hero’s Journey? (And why it matters for veterans) 10:00 – Combat, trauma, and coming home 14:00 – The origin story: From memo to mission 20:00 – Why Rob said no to writing “another SEAL book” 25:00 – Storytelling, grief, and transformation 30:00 – A vision for the future: one million lives 33:00 – How to get connected About the Guests Rob Sarver is a 2004 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he transferred after attending the Virginia Military Institute. He initially served as a surface warfare officer and ultimately as a Navy SEAL assigned to SEAL Team 3, where he completed seven deployments, including three tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Rob’s military awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal with combat “V” device and oak leaf cluster, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with gold star device and various other personal and unit awards. Rob has served in multiple leadership and executive positions since leaving the military in 2013 with organizations including Goldman Sachs, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Employer Direct Solutions, Sycamore Tree Capital Partners, and is presently the Co-founder of Servius Group and Co-CEO and Co-founder of the Heroes Journey, LLC. Rob also completed his Executive MBA with a major in Entrepreneurial Management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in May 2016. He regularly speaks about transition to companies, veteran’s groups, government agencies, foundation and universities, with Alex. He is recognized as one of the experts about veteran transition in the United States from the years’ worth of interviews and research for this Field Manual and the interviews and talks that have arisen out of it. Alex Gendzier is a Partner at a top law firm. In college, he studied Ancient Greek philosophy, literature and plays, which he continues to this day. From a deep commitment to veterans, he has provided pro bono legal services to veterans and their families for over a decade, including having led his prior law firm’s efforts to assist Afghan allies and friends. Although Alex has no military experience, he has a connection with veterans in their transition to civilian life from his own journey overcoming the odds, healing from painful losses, reflection on his successes and failures and making life-changing transitions. His desire to make a contribution to our service members and their families, led to his collaboration with Rob Sarver. He is recognized, with Rob, as one of the experts about veteran transition in the United States from the years’ worth of interviews and research for their book, Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Heroes Journey. He and Rob regularly speak about transition to companies, veteran’s groups, government agencies, foundation and universities.

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  3. Getting Yourself Unstuck in Transition

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    Getting Yourself Unstuck in Transition

    Episode Description: In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, host Scott Schimmel sits down with Joe Lara to talk about a challenge nearly every veteran faces during transition—feeling stuck. Whether it’s the job search dragging on, a lack of responses from potential employers, or just the emotional weight of uncertainty, this conversation gets real about what it’s like to hit a wall—and how to get moving again. As the holidays approach and the world seems to slow down, Scott and Joe unpack the emotional and tactical sides of being stuck, and offer science-backed, practical steps to find clarity and regain momentum. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed, discouraged, or just lost in your next chapter—this episode is for you. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Stuck ≠ Failure: Feeling stuck is normal during transition, especially around the holidays. It’s not a reflection of your potential—it’s a sign to pause, reflect, and shift perspective. The Science of Hope: Hope isn’t wishful thinking—it’s the belief that tomorrow can be better, and that you have a role to play in making it better. Movement Creates Momentum: Sleep, physical activity, and simple tasks like taking a walk or journaling can unlock new solutions and release stress. You Need a Team: Transition isn't a solo mission. Text a friend, schedule a “cup of coffee,” or talk it out—connection is often the first step forward. Be Strategic, Not Desperate: Follow up with hiring managers in ways that add value (like sharing relevant articles), rather than repeating the same “just checking in” message. Network Before You Need To: Authentic relationships built before you’re in a crisis make it easier to ask for help when you are. ⏱️ Timestamps: 00:00 – Why people slow down around the holidays—and how that affects transition 01:18 – The difference between feeling stuck and being stuck 02:46 – Scott opens up about emotional paralysis and discouragement 04:12 – Joe’s go-to tactic when stuck: texting a friend 05:54 – The power of movement: how physical activity clears mental blocks 06:52 – Hope as a science: why believing in tomorrow changes everything 07:23 – Tactical tips for stalled job searches (without sounding desperate) 10:46 – “Spycraft” and networking: thinking like an intelligence officer 13:10 – The danger of only reaching out when you need something 14:46 – Final thoughts: be a friend before you need a friend 📣 Call to Action: Feeling stuck in your transition? Don’t go it alone. ✅ Take the first step by downloading our free Transition Readiness Checklist  — a simple guide to assess where you are and what to do next. 💬 Or, text someone you trust and tell them what’s on your mind. It might be the spark that gets you moving again. And if you haven’t already, subscribe to the Vector Accelerator Podcast wherever you listen, and share this episode with someone who needs a boost right now.

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  4. Let Your Past Be a Teacher, Not Your Identity

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    Let Your Past Be a Teacher, Not Your Identity

    🔍 Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, host Scott Schimmel sits down with returning guest Joe Lara for a meaningful conversation about the role of self-reflection during life transitions. Joe shares the powerful idea that your past should be a teacher, not your identity—a concept that resonates deeply for veterans and anyone navigating change. Together, Scott and Joe explore how moments from your childhood, career, and even past mistakes can offer unexpected wisdom—if you know how to mine them. From journaling tactics to memory prompts, this episode is packed with practical tools to help you reclaim your story and move forward with clarity and conviction. 🎧 Why You Should ListenIf you’ve ever felt stuck in your transition—unsure of what’s next or who you are without your title or uniform—this conversation is for you. Joe and Scott don’t just talk about finding clarity; they model it, offering a path to deeper purpose through intentional reflection. You’ll walk away with: A fresh way to look at your past Tools to access meaningful memories And a reminder that clarity is a gift you can give yourself 🗣️ Best Quotes from the Episode“Let your past be your teacher, not your identity.” — Joe Lara “We carry around internal labels that don’t serve us—and we forget to challenge them.” — Joe Lara “In transition, reflection is the first thing to go. But it’s the only way to remember who you really are.” — Scott Schimmel “Clarity isn’t found in a job title. It’s found in the stories that shaped you.” — Scott Schimmel ⏱️ Timestamps & Key Moments00:01 – Scott opens with Joe’s recent quote and sets the stage for reflection 01:45 – Identity vs. resume: Why we confuse what we’ve done with who we are 03:20 – Joe shares how childhood experiences shaped his parenting today 04:30 – What happens in “crisis mode” and how it blocks reflection 05:08 – Joe’s simple journaling prompt: “What made that moment meaningful?” 06:10 – Scott shares a practical tip: Use your phone’s notes app to catch memories 06:32 – A holiday challenge: give yourself the gift of clarity this season 07:10 – Final thoughts from Scott: this work is free, but it’s life-changing 📢 Call to Action🟢 Start with reflection. Take 60 seconds today to write down a positive memory. Then ask yourself: What made it meaningful? 🟢 Download the free Clear Future Checklist — your first step toward clarity, purpose, and alignment. 🟢 Explore the Vector Accelerator curriculum. It's free, built by veterans for veterans, and led by experts like Scott and Joe who’ve been through it themselves. 👉 Know someone in transition? Share this episode. It could be the clarity they didn’t know they needed.

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  5. Discernment over Default: How to Avoid Settling in Your Civilian Career

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    Discernment over Default: How to Avoid Settling in Your Civilian Career

    Episode Summary: In this thoughtful conversation, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara dive into one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of military transition—discernment. Instead of rushing into a job, city, or lifestyle just because it’s what you “should” do, this episode encourages veterans to pause, reflect, and choose well. Drawing from their personal journeys and years of coaching experience, Scott and Joe unpack how to evaluate opportunities through the lens of values, identity, and long-term vision. They explore the difference between reactive decisions and intentional ones, why “you always have a choice” post-military, and how curiosity, community, and self-awareness shape better outcomes—not just professionally, but in life. If you're navigating big decisions during or after transition, this is an episode you'll want to sit with. 🔑 Key Quotes: “Vector doesn’t tell you what to do. It opens up the aperture so you can see what’s even possible.” – Joe Lara “You always have a choice. It just doesn’t feel that way if you’ve spent your life being told where to be.” – Scott Schimmel “The discomfort of slowing down is where the good stuff is.” – Joe Lara “If you’re doing something just because you’re supposed to, that fuel doesn’t last long.” – Scott Schimmel “Discernment is not about drawing a straight line, it’s about learning to notice the right signals.” – Joe Lara ⏱️ Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction Scott opens with the central question: how do you decide what to do next? 01:30 – Joe’s Own Transition Story Joe reflects on leaving the military and what led him to The Honor Foundation. 03:00 – Linear Thinking vs. Self-Discovery Why veterans often default to safe options and how curiosity opens new doors. 04:50 – The Power of Owning Your Identity Joe shares how Vector helps reveal what’s been hidden beneath the surface. 06:30 – The Role of Influence and External Voices Scott tells a personal story about making decisions to impress a mentor—and the lessons he learned. 09:00 – Filtering Opportunities Through Values From rockets to nonprofits, how Joe uses personal alignment as a decision filter. 11:00 – Choosing with Intention, Not Obligation Why “supposed to” isn’t a good enough reason—and how to know when you're choosing for the right reasons. 13:45 – The Freedom to Choose (Even to Quit) How the civilian world differs from military life in autonomy—and why that’s both liberating and unsettling. 15:00 – It’s Not Just About Work Scott and Joe explore how decisions around identity impact relationships, purpose, and well-being beyond career. 17:00 – Choosing How You Show Up Inside the military and out, what matters most is how you do the work—not just what you do. 19:15 – Call to Action: Use the Discernment Tool Scott shares how to get a practical tool to help guide your next big decision. 📩 Want to Make Better Decisions? If you're facing a major life or career choice and want to make sure it aligns with who you are—not just what’s available—email us at info@vectoraccelerator.org  to receive the Discernment Tool mentioned in this episode. It’s a simple yet powerful guide to help you avoid missteps and move forward with clarity.

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  6. Your Point of View About Work Shapes Everything

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    Your Point of View About Work Shapes Everything

    Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara dive into the evolving nature of work philosophy, emphasizing the importance of personal reflection and the influence of one's surroundings on their perspective about work. They highlight that our views on work are not static but can change based on experiences and choices. Takeaways It feels better to give it my all.Reflection is key to understanding our work philosophy.We absorb the philosophies of those around us.Our perspective about work is not fixed.Personal choice plays a significant role in our work philosophy.Engaging with diverse perspectives can enrich our own.Work philosophy can evolve over time.Surroundings influence our beliefs and attitudes.Active reflection can lead to personal growth.Understanding our work philosophy can enhance job satisfaction. Let's Connect! If you're a veteran leader looking to better support those in transition, we’d love to talk. Vector Accelerator is redefining what’s possible by guiding veterans through the most overlooked yet critical phase of transition—rediscovering their identity, purpose, and direction. We’re actively partnering with organizations, mentors, and leaders who believe that veterans deserve more than resume tips—they deserve clarity and conviction about what comes next. If that sounds like your mission too, let’s explore how we can collaborate. Visit VectorAccelerator.org/partners or reach out directly—we’re building something better, and there’s a seat at the table for you.

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  7. “What Kind of Life Do You Want?”

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    “What Kind of Life Do You Want?”

    Summary In this conversation, Joe Lara reflects on his life journey from being an 18-year-old seeking change to becoming a 51-year-old who has undergone significant transformation. The discussion explores themes of self-discovery, the impact of military service, and the lessons learned over decades of personal growth. Takeaways 18-year-old Joe wanted to escape his upbringing.The military provided a drastic change in Joe's life.New experiences shaped Joe's identity over the years.Joe's journey reflects a common quest for self-discovery.Life trajectories can change significantly over time.The importance of reflection on past decisions.Transformation often requires stepping out of comfort zones.Joe's story illustrates the impact of life choices.Personal growth is a lifelong journey.Meeting one's past self can be enlightening. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context00:44 Reflections on Personal Growth If you're a veteran leader looking to better support those in transition, we’d love to talk. Vector Accelerator is redefining what’s possible by guiding veterans through the most overlooked yet critical phase of transition—rediscovering their identity, purpose, and direction. We’re actively partnering with organizations, mentors, and leaders who believe that veterans deserve more than resume tips—they deserve clarity and conviction about what comes next. If that sounds like your mission too, let’s explore how we can collaborate. Visit VectorAccelerator.org/partners  or reach out directly—we’re building something better, and there’s a seat at the table for you.

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  8. Redefining Success in Veteran Transition

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    Redefining Success in Veteran Transition

    Summary In this conversation, Scott Schimmel and Joe Lara explore the complexities of measuring impact in veteran transition programs. They discuss the importance of defining success beyond just job placement, emphasizing the need for veterans to find purpose and meaning in their careers. The dialogue highlights the challenges of quantifying intangible outcomes such as confidence and satisfaction, and the necessity for collaboration among veteran service organizations to improve measurement practices. Takeaways Measuring impact in veteran transition is complex.Success looks different for each individual veteran.Meaningful jobs are more important than just any job.Satisfaction and purpose are hard to quantify.Veterans often compare their success to others.Clarity about purpose is crucial for veterans.Feedback from veterans helps shape programs.Collaboration among organizations enhances impact measurement.Intangible outcomes are essential to understand.Sharing knowledge can improve veteran services. Chapters 00:00 Measuring Impact in Veteran Transition02:35 Defining Success for Veterans05:20 The Role of Purpose and Meaning08:01 Challenges in Measuring Intangible Outcomes10:52 Collaborative Approaches to Impact Measurement Join Us! More Than Just a Job Monday, September 29, 2025 9:00 AM PDT Why it’s time for VSOs and veteran employers to adopt a new impact framework — and how hope, purpose, and wellbeing can drive better results. For leaders of veteran-serving organizations and corporate veteran initiatives, one of the hardest challenges isn’t delivering programs—it’s proving they work. Funders and stakeholders want clear evidence, yet the standard metrics still revolve around jobs, salaries, and short-term placement rates. These numbers rarely capture the deeper story of transformation: purpose, belonging, and sustained wellbeing. In this webinar, Dr. Evie Muilenburg-Trevino, lead researcher at Vector Accelerator and a quantitative psychologist, will share a new framework for measuring veteran outcomes. Built on hope, purpose, citizenship, and resilience, this approach moves beyond employment statistics and equips leaders to: Prove real impact with data that reflects the full veteran experience. Tell a more compelling story to donors, corporate partners, and funders. Strengthen reporting and credibility with validated, research-driven tools. If you’re struggling to show that your programs do more than place veterans in jobs, this session will give you the clarity and tools you need to measure what truly matters—and to tell that story in a way that inspires support and investment. For corporate leaders, this framework offers a powerful way to demonstrate that your veteran hiring initiatives go beyond headcounts. You’ll gain tools to show how your programs foster resilience, belonging, and long-term growth for veterans in the workplace. By learning how to capture and share these outcomes, you can inspire greater employee engagement, attract funders and partners, and lead the way in building a veteran-inclusive culture that delivers measurable impact. To Register, go to vectoraccelerator.org/impact-webinar

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Vector Accelerator exists to help all veterans find clarity as they transition from military to civilian life, so that they navigate their next mission with confidence and conviction.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Vector Accelerator
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠٢٣ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
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    ملائم
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    © 2026 The Honor Foundation and YouSchool
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    Vector Accelerator