EPISODE 41- From Military to Meaning: Leadership Lessons on Transition, Identity & Mental Fitness

What happens when everything you’ve built your identity around suddenly changes—or disappears?

In this powerful and deeply human conversation, host Dagmara Asbreuk is joined by Howie Cohen, a former U.S. Army officer turned leadership consultant, who shares his remarkable journey of transitioning from military service to civilian leadership—and how that journey led him to help other veterans do the same.

Together, they explore the emotional weight of major transitions, the silent cost of losing identity, purpose, and community, and the overlooked importance of mental fitness in leadership.

Howie opens up about his most painful transition, the role of mental resilience, and why transparency and empathy in leadership matter more than ever.

Whether you’re a veteran, executive, or leader facing change—this episode offers profound insight, hope, and a roadmap for navigating transitions with clarity, courage, and care.

You’ll learn:

Why identity, purpose, and community are critical in every transition

The surprising emotional toll of being let go—and how to lead exits better

How mental fitness shapes your resilience, decision-making, and impact Practical tools and reflections to strengthen your own transition journey

About Howie Cohen:

Howie Cohen is a retired Army Officer who served for over 27 years in a combination of conventional and Special Operations Forces assignments from 1980 to 2007. After retiring from the military in 2007, he transitioned to the corporate workforce providing government contracting support for eight (8) years with the Morgan Franklin Corporation and SRA.

He transitioned a second time as he left government contracting to perform leadership and management consulting services support for four (4) years with The McChrystal Group. Howie transitioned a third time to work with Pivotal Moments Media working as the Director of their Charlie Mike Channel that focused on the military transition process and lowering the high rate of veteran suicide.

Howie now works with the Onward Ops Program as a Department of Veteran Affairs trained and certified Sponsor that helps transitioning service members and their families plan, prepare for, and execute low stress and high success transitions to a life after the military.

Connect with Howie:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/howie-cohen?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app

Here is how you can connect with Dagmara and learn how she can guide you:

🤝 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dagmara-asbreuk/

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