{"podcast":{"title":"Military Retirement Podcast","slug":"military-retirement-podcast-5828412","podcast_index_feed_id":5828412,"rss_url":"https://anchor.fm/s/c45efb18/podcast/rss","website_url":"https://militaryretirementpodcast.com","image_url":"https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/staging/podcast_uploaded_nologo/32845590/32845590-1754206436316-8d4c12873c4bd.jpg","author":"w/ John McConnell and Victor De La Flor","episode_count":130,"summary":"Highlighting military retirement journeys from all walks of the military. Wide ranging long form conversations with Veterans. We discuss the retirement process, life starting in the military, and life after the military. Also talk to former military members who transitioned before reaching retirement and started their own businesses.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-20T22:19:28.187838+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/military-retirement-podcast-5828412"},"episode":{"title":"#117 - Finding Your Focus: Chris Lancia on Resilience, Community Service, and Navigating Transition","slug":"117-finding-your-focus-chris-lancia-on-resilience-community-service-and-navigating-transition","published_at":"2026-01-01T23:47:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/military-retirement-podcast-5828412/117-finding-your-focus-chris-lancia-on-resilience-community-service-and-navigating-transition","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/military-retirement-podcast-5828412","url":"https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/militaryretirementpodcast/episodes/117---Finding-Your-Focus-Chris-Lancia-on-Resilience--Community-Service--and-Navigating-Transition-e3d1v4k","audio_url":"https://anchor.fm/s/c45efb18/podcast/play/113359444/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-0-1%2F415310485-44100-2-8c2af60c18b01.mp3","summary":"John and Vic are joined by Chris Lancia, Chief of Staff for Tennessee's Department of General Services and a retired Army Public Affairs Officer. Chris shares his unique journey from crew chief to journalist to senior state leader, providing a masterclass in networking and finding a "new mission" after military service.We dive deep into the first-of-its-kind Tennessee Governor’s Veteran Fellowship Program, the value of trade skills, and why the "grass isn't always greener" without a solid plan.Key Topics and Timestamps:[03:04] Veterans Education & Career Resources: Highlighting the VECT training center in Georgia and Operation Stand Down Tennessee for resume workshops and networking [05:14].[07:36] The Power of the Handshake: Why 70% of jobs come from relationships and how "getting out of your shell" at job fairs can lead to unexpected offers [08:05].[15:37] The Tennessee Governor’s Veteran Fellowship: A detailed breakdown of this unique 12-month paid program that allows veterans to explore different state agencies before hiring [19:00].[29:42] Networking Outside the Box: Why volunteering for youth sports or community organizations is the best way to build a non-military network [31:05].[33:46] The Value of Vulnerability: Chris explains why admitting "I don't know" is a critical first step in learning the language of Corporate America [34:24].[44:48] Resilience & Positive Psychology: How "hunting the good stuff" and maintaining a growth mindset turns transition speed bumps into opportunities [46:26].[56:06] The "Grass Isn't Always Greener": Chris shares his personal lesson of leaving and returning to the military, highlighting the true cost of healthcare and civilian benefits [59:52].[01:13:24] White C…","meta_description":"John and Vic are joined by Chris Lancia, Chief of Staff for Tennessee's Department of General Services and a retired Army Public Affairs Officer. Chris sh…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":6619,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/military-retirement-podcast-5828412/episodes/117-finding-your-focus-chris-lancia-on-resilience-community-service-and-navigating-transition/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/military-retirement-podcast-5828412/117-finding-your-focus-chris-lancia-on-resilience-community-service-and-navigating-transition.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}