Tango Tango

Some paths don’t move in a straight line. They’re shaped by grit, responsibility, and the willingness to keep choosing impact, even when the original plan changes. For Katherine Torres-Pummill, that path began in Queens, New York, where she was raised by a resilient single mother in a first-generation household surrounded by culture, community, and hard-earned lessons. She once imagined a future in law and public service, but her career in media revealed another way to serve: by telling stories, creating visibility, and helping communities be seen. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Katherine Torres-Pummill, General Manager of Military & Defense at Recurrent Ventures, to discuss her journey from New York City to leading some of the most influential brands in the military and veteran space. Kathy reflects on growing up in Queens, working full-time while attending college at night, building a career across outdoor advertising, news, licensing, and digital media, and taking the leap that brought her into military media through We Are The Mighty. They also discuss the growth of Recurrent Military & Defense, including Military Influencer Conference, MilSpouse Fest, We Are The Mighty, Task & Purpose, and TWZ. Kathy shares…

Some callings start with a moment you can’t ignore. For Brandon Wilson, that moment came after the death of his childhood friend, whose helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. Raised in Brevard, North Carolina, in a family rooted in faith, hard work, and generations of military service, Brandon left a life as a professional hunting guide and walked into a Marine Corps recruiting office ready to serve. What followed was 12 years in the infantry, deployments to Iraq and Ukraine, and a deeper understanding of sacrifice, brotherhood, and what it means to keep showing up for the people beside you. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Brandon Wilson, Marine Corps veteran, Chief Operating Officer of Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, and longtime veteran advocate, for a conversation about service, transition, mentorship, and faith. Brandon reflects on growing up in rural North Carolina, joining the Marine Corps after his childhood friend’s death, finding his footing after leaving the infantry, and the chance encounter with General Carl Mundy that became one of the most meaningful mentorships of his life. He also shares how his work as a veteran service officer grew into systems-level advocacy,…

Some careers are built through careful planning. Others are shaped by curiosity, service, and a willingness to keep showing up wherever people need you most. For Beau Higgins, the path from New Orleans to Marine Corps colonel was never about chasing status or recognition. It was about leadership, responsibility, and taking care of the people around him. From humanitarian missions in Somalia to combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, Beau learned that leadership changes as you grow, but the foundation stays the same: put your people first, stay humble, and never make it about yourself. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Beau Higgins, Marine Corps veteran, senior client partner at The Military Veteran, and VP for business development at Oplign, to discuss leadership, military transition, and the power of personal branding. Beau reflects on his journey from New Orleans to the battlefield to the corporate world, sharing lessons on mentorship, veteran hiring, networking, and why success comes from helping others succeed first. Today, Beau continues serving the veteran community through organizations like Oplign and The Military Veteran, helping veterans and military spouses navigate careers, connect with opportunities, and build stronger futures. Whether…

Some of the strongest leaders don’t find their voice at the peak of their success. They find it in the moments when everything starts to fall apart. Shaped by humble beginnings, hard lessons, and a constant awareness of the paths he didn’t want to take, Dr. Keith “KC” Castille’s rise to Chief Master Sergeant was built slowly through mentorship, self-discovery, and a growing understanding that leadership isn’t about rank, it’s about responsibility. Behind the uniform, though, were deeper struggles. Loss, grief, and the weight of raising three sons on his own brought him to a breaking point that forced him to confront something he had spent a lifetime avoiding. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, sponsored by CareSource, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Dr. Keith “KC” Castille, CEO of C2H LLC, for an honest, unfiltered reflection on what it means to lead when you’re hurting. Together, they move through the defining chapters of KC’s life and the quiet battles that followed him along the way. KC shares the moment he realized he needed help, the decision to seek it, and how that choice reshaped not only his life, but his understanding of strength. They explore the realities…

Purpose can be forged in the most unexpected crucibles. From growing up as a homeschooled “Grady baby” in Atlanta’s South Cobb area to serving as an Army infantry officer deployed to Afghanistan with Special Forces, Zack Knight’s path took him through the grind of blue-collar work, the discipline of law enforcement, the chaos of combat, and the depths of his own personal rock bottom, before finding healing and a renewed sense of mission. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Army veteran, entrepreneur, author, and ATLVets founder Zack Knight. Despite sharing a last name, the two are quick to clarify they’re not related, though they’ve become close brothers in the veteran community. Zack reflects on his Atlanta upbringing, his years with the Smyrna Police Department, his decision to join active duty at 28, and his deployment to Afghanistan in 2019 where his unit lost six soldiers. They discuss the physical and mental toll of combat and Zack’s spiral into survivor’s guilt and a near-fatal crisis. From that low point, a friend’s simple challenge sparked a transformational self-discovery. Zack also shares the unconventional healing practices that helped him rebuild, from Emory’s outpatient therapy program…

The journey to purpose unfolds in unexpected ways. From growing up in small-town New Jersey to serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during Desert Storm, Kevin Schmiegel’s path led him through nonprofit leadership and ultimately to founding ZeroMils, a company committed to helping veterans thrive in civilian life. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, Lloyd Knight speaks with Marine Corps veteran and ZeroMils founder Kevin Schmiegel. He reflects on his upbringing in Toms River, New Jersey, his ROTC scholarship, and his career as an artillery officer in the Marines. After his service, he transitioned into nonprofit work, ultimately founding Zero Mills to support veterans in thriving beyond military service. They discuss Schmiegel’s military service, the hardships he faced, and how his nonprofit experiences led him to create a new model for veteran success. Today, he’s focused on helping veterans build purpose, opportunity, and community in their post-service lives. Additional Links & Resources: Connect with Kevin Schmiegel Learn more about Tango Tango Learn more about our hosts Learn more about ZeroMils Learn more about Supply Chain Now Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit

In this episode of the Tango Tango Podcast, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Air Force veteran and former Deputy of Military Affairs at USAA, Michael Kelly, for a candid conversation about leadership, transition, and building a meaningful career after service. From his early days as a security policeman to retraining into public affairs and ultimately becoming an officer, Michael shares the pivotal moments, mentors, and mindset shifts that shaped his journey. He reflects on the realities of military life, lessons learned through deployment and leadership, and how those experiences translated into a successful 20+ year corporate career. The conversation also dives into one of the most critical topics for service members: transitioning to civilian life. Michael offers practical advice on networking, planning ahead, and positioning yourself for success in a competitive job market. Whether you’re currently serving, transitioning, or simply interested in leadership and career growth, this episode delivers real-world insights you can apply immediately. Additional Links & Resources: Connect with Michael Kelly Learn more about Tango Tango Learn more about our hosts Learn more about Vetlanta Learn more about Supply Chain Now Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now’s Media Kit

Purpose often emerges from unexpected paths. For Patrick Flood, that path ran from small-town Wisconsin to Hollywood sets, from Special Forces deployments to entrepreneurship, and ultimately to helping veterans build and exit businesses with dignity. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, Lloyd Knight speaks with Army Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and Owners in Honor founder Patrick Flood. Flood reflects on growing up in Wisconsin, earning an ROTC scholarship to George Washington University, and beginning his career as an Army officer before an unexpected turn into acting in Los Angeles. After booking commercials, television roles, and film work, he realized that success in Hollywood still felt empty and pulled him back toward a life of service. They discuss Flood’s return to active duty through the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, his deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, and the injuries and hardships that shaped his leadership and sense of purpose. He also shares how his father’s business was sold for far less than it was worth due to poor exit guidance, an experience that inspired him to found Owners in Honor. Today, he is focused on helping veterans buy and sell businesses in ways that preserve dignity, strengthen communities, and…

Nobody trains and educates better than the military. That belief, shaped by decades of service and leadership, continues to guide how she develops people and advises organizations today. In this episode of the Tango Tango podcast, host Lloyd Knight speaks with retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass, the first woman to serve as the senior enlisted leader of a United States military service. An Army brat who grew up moving around the world, from Illinois to Germany to Hawaii, Bass reflects on her early years, including getting into trouble as a teenager and joining the Air Force in 1993, looking for direction and discipline. They discuss her journey from aviation management in the operations world to senior enlisted leadership at Ramstein, Goodfellow, the Pentagon, and Second Air Force. Bass shares lessons on mentorship, resilience, and learning to take care of herself after experiencing burnout. She also speaks candidly about becoming Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force during a time of global uncertainty, navigating public scrutiny, addressing suicide and people policy reform, and leading through the challenges of the digital age. Now in her next chapter, she continues to focus on national security, leadership development, and…