A podcast about leadership, energy, and service — told by the veterans shaping America’s Energy Dominance. Project Vanguard brings raw, mission-first conversations with those who’ve led in the military and continue to serve their country, building our energy future. Real stories. Clear insight. Focused on an All of the Above energy strategy where Energy Security is National Security. <br/><br/><a href="https://media.projectvanguard.com?utm_medium=podcast">media.projectvanguard.com</a>
Project Vanguard Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Kevin Doffing
5.0(4 reviews)
35 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
39
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality65
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
Podcast Overview
A podcast about leadership, energy, and service — told by the veterans shaping America’s Energy Dominance. Project Vanguard brings raw, mission-first conversations with those who’ve led in the military and continue to serve their country, building our energy future. Real stories. Clear insight. Focused on an All of the Above energy strategy where Energy Security is National Security. <br/><br/><a href="https://media.projectvanguard.com?utm_medium=podcast">media.projectvanguard.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/7/2025
Unlock The Full Podcast Authority Score Report
See how your podcast performs across key metrics
39
Podcast Authority
BetaPoorBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality65
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement32
7
Excellent Areas
2
Good Performance
10
Growth Opportunities
excellent
Episode Length
38 minutes
Performing excellently!
good
Publishing Consistency
Every 10 days
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
poor
Episode Thumbnails
Recommendations available
Unlock the full report to see detailed tips
+16 More Metrics
Unlock comprehensive insights including:
- • YouTube presence analysis
- • Social media reach metrics
- • RSS compliance scoring
- • Podcast 2.0 features
- • Technical standards
What's Included in Your Full Report
Detailed Analytics
- Complete breakdown of all 19 authority metrics
- Personalized recommendations for each metric
- Industry benchmarks and comparisons
- Technical RSS feed analysis and compliance scoring
Growth Strategies
- Step-by-step action plans for improvement
- Quick wins to boost your score immediately
- Pro tips from successful podcasters
Get your free podcast insights report
See how your show performs across every key metric
Instant delivery
No spam
Attract Better Guests
High authority scores make your podcast more attractive to industry leaders and influencers who want to appear on credible shows.
Secure Sponsorships
Sponsors look for podcasts with proven authority and engagement. Your score demonstrates your podcast's value to potential partners.
Grow Your Audience
Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you make data-driven decisions to expand your listener base effectively.
2 verified contact emails on file for Project Vanguard Podcast
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
June 17, 2026
From Geopolitics to the Kitchen Table with Andy Davis
<p>When Andy Davis first heard “energy security,” he thought what most people think. Oil. Nuclear. Geopolitics. A problem that lived somewhere far away, between governments.</p><p>He had more reason than most to think that way. As an Army Ranger, he parachuted into Iraq on the night of the invasion and later spent ten days in a firefight on top of the Haditha Dam, one of the largest power-generating facilities in the country. There was intel it would be blown to flood the Euphrates and trap American troops. His mortar crews were hitting the substations below. At the time, it was a mission. Years later, working for one of the largest dam owners in the world, he found himself giving public tours of hydroelectric dams and realized he’d been standing on top of one of these structures under fire long before he ever explained one to a crowd.</p><p>That full circle is the heart of this conversation, but it isn’t really the point. The point is what changed in how Andy sees the work.</p><p>His argument is simple: energy security stopped being a geopolitical abstraction for him and became a kitchen-table issue. People want the lights to stay on and the bill to stay predictable. Most of them have no idea where the power actually comes from or what the charges mean. He thinks the industry has a job to do there, and that most of these arguments are won or lost not in Washington but in a town hall or at someone’s kitchen table.</p><p>Kevin pushes on this from his own experience riding out hurricanes in Houston, where a small home microgrid is the difference between his kids streaming on their iPads and the neighbors huddled around a candle.</p><p>There’s also a straight answer here for veterans wondering how to break into energy, and it has less to do with credentials than you’d expect.</p><p>Andy didn’t plan any of this. He’ll tell you the best move he made was being willing to walk through a door he hadn’t planned on.</p><p>Timestamps</p><p>* 00:00 - Introduction & Andy Davis</p><p>* 01:39 - Welcome & Spotting Fellow Veterans</p><p>* 05:05 - His Work in Community Engagement</p><p>* 07:08 - Finding Project Vanguard</p><p>* 11:05 - Joining the Army Rangers</p><p>* 13:39 - The Combat Jump Into Iraq</p><p>* 16:31 - The Haditha Dam Mission</p><p>* 22:41 - From GI Bill Struggles to Politics</p><p>* 27:49 - Advice for Veterans Entering Energy</p><p>* 29:27 - Energy Security at the Kitchen Table</p><p>* 33:36 - Becoming a Project Vanguard Leader</p><p>* 37:19 - Closing Thoughts & Sign-Off</p><p>Resources</p><p><strong>People & Organizations</strong></p><p>* Andy Davis</p><p>* Brookfield Renewable (<a target="_blank" href="https://bep.brookfield.com/">Website</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/brookfield-renewable"> </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/brookfield-renewable">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* NYISO (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nyiso.com">Website</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyiso"> </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyiso">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* Kevin Doffing (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevindoffing/">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* Project Vanguard (<a target="_blank" href="https://projectvanguard.com/">Website</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-vanguard"> </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-vanguard">LinkedIn</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582528685159"> </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582528685159">Facebook</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Project-Vanguard-USA"> </a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Project-Vanguard-USA">YouTube</a>)</p><p>* Community Leader Fellowship (<a target="_blank" href="https://share.hsforms.com/1JOeE6KoHQBuJjomLoKhxfgs8gr7">Apply</a>)</p><p>* Other orgs mentioned</p><p>* Atlantic Council Global Energy Center (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/global-energy-center/about/">Website</a>)</p><p><strong>Company & Industry News</strong></p><p>* Section 247 Hydroelectricity Incentives: Brookfield Renewable Selections (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.energy.gov/cmei/water/section-247-maintaining-and-enhancing-hydroelectricity-incentives-selections">Department of Energy</a>)</p><p>* Solutions to the Energy Talent Gap Are Hiding in Plain Sight (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.utilitydive.com/news/clean-energy-jobs-recruit-irec/756818/">Utility Dive</a>)</p><p><strong>Related Podcasts by Project Vanguard</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/how-a-marine-lands-in-energy-policy">How a Marine Lands in Energy Policy</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/energy-needs-a-new-pitch-veterans">Energy Needs a New Pitch, Veterans Are It</a></p><p><strong>Related Substack Posts by Kevin</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/make-energy-boring-again">Make Energy Boring Again</a></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Project Vanguard at <a href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">media.projectvanguard.com/subscribe</a>
May 20, 2026
How a Marine Lands in Energy Policy
<p>Most service members start thinking seriously about life after the uniform six months out. Jim Purekal started two years out. He networked, he sat down with people who had nothing in common with his career, and he treated the whole thing like a mission with a deadline.</p><p>That discipline is how a retired Marine Corps major with twenty years in aviation ended up running Virginia legislative work for Advanced Energy United, a national trade association.</p><p>It is also why this episode is useful for anyone who is actually thinking about energy as a second career.</p><p>Jim spent his last active duty stretch on Capitol Hill as a congressional fellow in Senator Perdue’s office, then retired out of the Pentagon. He used SkillBridge to land at SunPower for twelve weeks during the pandemic, learning the industry from the inside on a DOD paycheck. His take on that program is direct: if a service member is six months from getting out and their command does not have a plan for them, that is a leadership gap.</p><p>The conversation gets into the work itself. Most days, Jim is in Richmond during the General Assembly session, working bills, educating lawmakers, meeting with member companies. Virginia sits inside PJM, the regional grid operator covering thirteen states and DC. Demand is climbing fast. Data centers, building electrification, transportation. The decisions that shape how the grid actually gets built happen in state capitals, not on cable news.</p><p>Jim and Kevin also dig into the harder question for transitioning veterans. What soft skills actually transfer. What the learning curve looks like. Why sales, policy, and project development are real landing spots, not just the technical trades. And what Jim wishes he had known when he was the one buttoning up his resume and asking strangers for a conversation.</p><p>The Solar Ready Vets program that helped Jim get placed has since been cut. That makes the question of where veterans find their next foothold in this industry less abstract, and more pressing.</p><p>Project Vanguard Podcast is produced by <a target="_blank" href="https://clarityforgestudios.com/">ClarityForge Studios</a>.</p><p>Timestamps</p><p>* <strong>00:00</strong> - Introduction & Jim Purekal</p><p>* <strong>01:10</strong> - Inside Advanced Energy United</p><p>* <strong>04:42</strong> - The Virginia Legislative Beat</p><p>* <strong>05:51</strong> - What’s Driving Virginia’s Demand</p><p>* <strong>07:27</strong> - The Day-to-Day Policy Work</p><p>* <strong>11:27</strong> - Why He Joined the Marines</p><p>* <strong>15:25</strong> - SkillBridge and Landing at SunPower</p><p>* <strong>18:30</strong> - Choosing Energy Over a Defense Contractor</p><p>* <strong>23:04</strong> - The Congressional Fellowship</p><p>* <strong>25:43</strong> - Preparing the Transition Early</p><p>* <strong>29:28</strong> - Advice for Veterans Getting Out</p><p>* <strong>33:49</strong> - What Energy Security Means to Him</p><p>Resources</p><p><strong>People & Organizations</strong></p><p>* Jim Purekal (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-purekal/">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* Advanced Energy United (<a target="_blank" href="https://advancedenergyunited.org/">Website</a> - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-energy-united">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* Kevin Doffing (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevindoffing/">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* Project Vanguard (<a target="_blank" href="https://projectvanguard.com/">Website</a> - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-vanguard-usa">LinkedIn</a> - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582528685159">Facebook</a> - <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Project-Vanguard-USA">YouTube</a>)</p><p>* Other orgs mentioned</p><p>* DoD SkillBridge (<a target="_blank" href="https://skillbridge.osd.mil/">Website</a>)</p><p>* Solar Ready Vets Network — IREC (<a target="_blank" href="https://irecusa.org/programs/solar-ready-vets/">Website</a>)</p><p><strong>Company & Industry News</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://advancedenergyunited.org/blog/virginias-2026-legislative-session-delivered-major-clean-energy-wins/">Virginia’s 2026 Legislative Session Delivered Major Clean Energy Wins</a> — by Jim Purekal</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vpm.org/generalassembly/2026-01-05/virginia-lawmakers-energy-affordability-reliability-spanberger-ceur-dominion">Virginia lawmakers seek to balance energy affordability, reliability in 2026</a> — VPM News</p><p><strong>Related Podcasts by Project Vanguard</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/the-network-after-service-with-ken">The Network After Service with Ken Webre</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/take-a-risk-on-yourself-with-laura">Take a Risk on Yourself with Laura Gardner</a></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Project Vanguard at <a href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">media.projectvanguard.com/subscribe</a>
May 6, 2026
Don't Play Small with Marcus Barnes
<p>About seven percent of Americans have served in the military. The number who actually make it from a uniform into a career that fits is smaller than it should be, and the people who fall through the cracks most often are not the officers with MBAs. They’re the junior enlisted.</p><p>That’s the gap Marcus Barnes works in every day.</p><p>Marcus is a Marine Corps veteran and the Energy Program Manager at NextOp Vets, the Houston-based nonprofit Kevin has long called one of the best junior enlisted placement organizations in the sector. NextOp focuses on the E3 to E7 sweet spot, the rank range where transition is hardest and the industry’s recruiting machinery is weakest. Marcus’s specific job is to take that pipeline of talent and connect it to oil and gas, utilities, and renewables.</p><p>The conversation gets practical fast. Kevin and Marcus walk through how NextOp actually works, how employers plug in without paying to play, and where Project Vanguard’s swim lane ends and NextOp’s begins. PV builds the peer network. NextOp does the placement. The handoff matters, and most veterans don’t know either piece exists.</p><p>The other half of the episode is the human side. Marcus gets out of the Marines after six and a half years, walks into a staffing agency, and gets told his job is called HR. He didn’t know what HR was. He’s open about how often transitioning vets assume free resources are for somebody else, not them, and how much that single mindset costs people.</p><p>His parting advice is simple:</p><p>Don’t play small.</p><p>If you know a transitioning service member, especially a junior enlisted one staring at a graduation date with no plan, this is the episode to send them. And if you’re an employer in energy who keeps saying you want to hire more veterans but can’t find the pipeline, the pipeline is in here.</p><p>Timestamps</p><p>* <strong>00:00</strong> - Cold Open & Introducing Marcus Barnes</p><p>* <strong>01:56</strong> - Where NextOp Stands Today</p><p>* <strong>05:03</strong> - Why Veterans Fit Energy & Finding NextOp</p><p>* <strong>06:56</strong> - Networking and Telling the Right Story</p><p>* <strong>11:40</strong> - Reaching Bases & Transitioning Service Members</p><p>* <strong>14:26</strong> - Project Vanguard and NextOp Swim Lanes</p><p>* <strong>17:31</strong> - Sponsorship, Donations, and Funding</p><p>* <strong>19:10</strong> - How Marcus Ended Up a Marine</p><p>* <strong>25:54</strong> - What Transition Looks Like for Junior Enlisted Now</p><p>* <strong>28:30</strong> - How to Support NextOp</p><p>* <strong>31:37</strong> - Energy Security and Storm Response</p><p>* <strong>34:15</strong> - Don’t Play Small & Wrap-Up</p><p>Resoures</p><p><strong>People & Organizations</strong></p><p>* Marcus Barnes (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-o-barnes-m-a-737765a/">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* NextOp Vets (<a target="_blank" href="https://nextopvets.org/">Website</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextopveterans/"> LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* Kevin Doffing (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevindoffing/">LinkedIn</a>)</p><p>* Project Vanguard (<a target="_blank" href="https://projectvanguard.com/">Website</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-vanguard/"> LinkedIn</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582528685159"> Facebook</a> -<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Project-Vanguard-USA"> YouTube</a>)</p><p><strong>Company & Industry News</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.stripes.com/opinion/2025-11-13/veterans-can-power-american-energy-future-19755971.html">Veterans are ready to power America’s energy future, if we give them the chance</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://cewd.org/resources/energy-workforce-fast-facts/">Energy Workforce Fast Facts</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://kiggans.house.gov/2025/06/24/veterans-power-america-kiggans-houlahan-introduce-bipartisan-vet-act-to-support-veterans-and-strengthen-americas-energy-workforce/">Kiggans, Houlahan Introduce Bipartisan VET Act</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/how-nextop-helps-veterans-get-careers-skilled-trades.html">How NextOp Helps Veterans Get Careers in Skilled Trades</a></p><p><strong>Related Podcasts by Project Vanguard</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/training-the-energy-workforce-with">Training the Energy Workforce with Nick Martocci</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/energy-needs-a-new-pitch-veterans">Energy Needs a New Pitch, Veterans Are It</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/take-a-risk-on-yourself-with-laura">Take a Risk on Yourself with Laura Gardner</a></p><p><strong>Related Substack Posts by Kevin</strong></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/combined-arms-of-energy">Combined Arms of Energy</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/p/make-energy-boring-again">Make Energy Boring Again</a></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to Project Vanguard at <a href="https://media.projectvanguard.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">media.projectvanguard.com/subscribe</a>
35 total episodes available
Recent guests on Project Vanguard Podcast
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Larry Perry
Guest
Bryan Reed
Guest
Barrett Thomas
Guest
Kyle
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for Project Vanguard Podcast
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Project Vanguard Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.