The Active Duty Passive Income Podcast
The military taught us discipline, leadership, and resilience—but it never taught us how to build wealth or create true financial freedom. That’s where we come in. I’m Markian Sich, a United States Marine turned real estate investor, and I know firsthand how tough it can be to figure out what’s next after service. That’s why I started The Active Duty Passive Income Podcast—to bring you real stories, real strategies, and real success from military investors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts who’ve been where you are. We talk about leveraging your VA Loan, Military House Hacking, and proven investing strategies to help you build passive income, transition with confidence, and take control of your financial future. You’ve fought hard to defend the American Dream—now let’s make sure you own a piece of it. Subscribe now and start your journey to financial freedom!
Episodes
You’re Not Behind… You’re Just Using the VA Loan Wrong
Most military members don’t have an income problem.
They have a strategy problem.
In this solo episode, Markian breaks down why the VA loan is either your biggest wealth tool… or your biggest miss, and how most people unknowingly reset their progress every time they PCS.
This isn’t about learning more.
It’s about using what you alrea...
Show Summary:
In this solo episode, Markian cuts straight to the point: if you're still consuming content but haven't taken action on your first (or next) real estate deal, you don't have an information problem — you have a plan problem. He shares his own story of staring at the military pay chart and realizing his income ceiling was controlled by someone else, then walks through the ADPI First Deal Plan — a simp...
In this episode, Markian shares the story of his first commercial deal.
It’s a 56-unit apartment complex outside Indianapolis.
It still pays him $3,500 a month.
It pays his parents $7,000 a month.
This isn’t a get rich quick story.
It’s about feeling stuck.
Staring at the military pay chart.
Realizing your income has a ceiling.
And then finding a different path.
You’ll hear how he found the deal.
What went wrong early.
How he fixed it.
And how...
He Walked Away After 12 Years… Here’s Why It Paid Off
Mike Goering on Sunk Cost, Multifamily, and Community-First Investing | ADPI Podcast
In this episode of the Active Duty Passive Income (ADPI) Podcast, Mike Goering shares the real story behind walking away from a 12-year military career… and why staying “safe” was actually costing him more.
We break down the sunk cost trap, how one rental became a forced wealth engine, and...
From Military Service to Financial Freedom: Seneca Peña-Collazo on Real Estate, Reputation, and Building the Right Team
In this episode of the ADPI Podcast, Seneca Peña‑Collazo shares his full journey—from growing up in Philadelphia to serving in the Army, and ultimately building long-term wealth through real estate, business ownership, and intentional team building.
Seneca breaks down how a single mindset shift during COVID helped h...
In this powerful episode of the ADPI Podcast, Markian Sich sits down with Marine Corps veteran, ADPI Hero, and mobile home park investor Joe Jackson for one of the most raw and inspiring conversations we’ve ever had.
Joe shares his journey from growing up in a mobile home park, hitting rock bottom with no power and no direction, to building and operating a mobile home portfolio spanning 1,000+ pads across multiple states. This episo...
Guests: Trey Stone & Ian Stapleton
Hosts: Markian Sich & Eric Upchurch
Real estate investor Trey Stone and digital entrepreneur Ian Stapleton reveal how they built massive wealth through multifamily investing, why veterans are uniquely suited for real estate, and how “unpopular” properties can become the safest and most profitable assets when operated correctly.
From turning around D-class neighborhoods to raising capital ethi...
Starting With $1K: Military Discipline, Investing Smarts & Defining a Rich Life with Darren Ick
In this episode of the ADPI Podcast, host Markian Sich sits down with Air Force veteran and long-time investor Darren Thedieck, who shares how he built financial freedom starting with just $1,000 and a Roth IRA. Darren opens up about his humble beginnings, growing up in a split household, and the financial lessons he learned watching ...
From Marine Raider to ADU Builder: Finding Freedom, Purpose, and a New Mission with Mark Brookman
In this powerful episode, Markian sits down with Marine Corps veteran and real estate investor Mark Brookman to unpack the part of the military story most people never see—the invisible battles after the uniform comes off. Mark shares how micro–traumas from Afghanistan and Iraq slowly piled up, what it felt like to “look fine” on paper ...
Markian sits down with Cheyenne Wachtendorf, a new ADPI member whose path runs from military service to creative deals—live-in flips, seller finance—and a 106-acre VA loan purchase. Cheyenne shares the mindset behind taking calculated risks, learning from setbacks, and his vision for Walk Squad Haven: real estate development, experiential recreation, and community mentorship.
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction and Conference Recap
01:30 ...
From ROTC to Real Estate: Landon Fillmore's Journey of Investments and Identity
In this episode, host Mark chats with Landon Fillmore, a member of the military community who has successfully navigated his way into real estate investing. Landon shares his journey from joining the ROTC in college, to buying his first fourplex property, to managing rentals while stationed overseas. They discuss the pivotal conversations, education...
Blockchain and Real Estate: A Deep Dive with ADPI Experts
In this engaging episode of the ADPI podcast, host Tim Kelly chats with Seneca Peña Colazo about the intersection of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and real estate investing. They clarify misconceptions about crypto, likening blockchain to a highway where scams are the driver's fault, not the road's. Highlighting the permanence and transparency of blockchain, the episo...
Uncovering Creative Financing: A Deep Dive with Adam Catledge
In this episode, we welcome Adam Catledge, a Marine Corps veteran and seasoned entrepreneur, to demystify the complexities of creative financing in real estate. Known for his profound knowledge in sub-2s and wraparound mortgages, Adam shares his journey from military service to becoming a successful real estate investor. He elaborates on his first deals, the mechanics of ...
In this high-energy episode, Markian interviews Rob Pekarek, a Naval Academy graduate and active-duty Air Force officer, who shares his inspiring journey in real estate investing while serving in the military. Rob discusses his initial steps in real estate, starting from a single-family house hack to joining a general partnership team for multifamily deals. He emphasizes the importance of adding value, building strong teams, levera...
In this episode of the ADPI Podcast, host Markian Sich sits down with powerhouse military spouse, real estate investor, and soon-to-be author Kaitlyn Dannhardt, who reveals the wildly creative strategies that turned a broke PCS move into a full-fledged short-term rental business — all starting with just $1,500 and a VA loan.
From pioneering “TDY hacking” to PCS’ing with a garage full of Wayfair furniture, Kaitlyn breaks down how she...
In this episode, Markian dives deep into the world of real estate syndication with legal expert Mauricio Rauld. The conversation starts with an informal introduction and segues into Mauricio's extensive background in syndication and securities law, detailing his journey from litigation to becoming a prominent figure in the real estate legal space. They discuss the intricacies and legalities of raising capital for real estate d...
Markian sits down with Thach Nguyen to blend mindset and tactics for today’s market—how military precision can become analysis paralysis (and how to beat it), why rapport is the real negotiation edge, and the ADU/DADU playbook to force value, boost cash flow, and even approach 1–2% rule outcomes.
What You’ll Learn
- The mindset shift from “perfect plan” to “action first” (especially for vets).
- Rapport frameworks that turn negotiatio...
From VA Loan House Hack to $22M Portfolio with Michael Mnatsakanian
In this episode of the ADPI podcast, host Markian Sich sits down with Michael Mnatsakanian, a military veteran who turned a single VA loan house hack into a real estate empire worth over $22 million. Michael unpacks the mindset shifts, strategic moves, and creative financing tactics that helped him scale fast—all while staying true to his mission of financial freedo...
Navigating Real Estate and Military Transition with John Rabino
In this episode of the ADPI podcast, the host welcomes an esteemed guest, John Rabino, who shares his captivating journey from his military service to becoming a successful real estate investor. Rabino delves into his background, growing up in Brooklyn and being influenced by a family of business owners, including his father, a Marine Corps veteran. He describes his pat...
Navigating Real Estate and Life Challenges with Erica Lehmkuhl
In this episode, Markian welcomes Erica Lehmkuhl, a retired Army First Sergeant and successful real estate broker in Hawaii. Erica shares her vast experience in real estate, discussing her transition from the military to entrepreneurship, her strategic property investments, and unique insights into the Hawaii real estate market. She emphasizes the importance of offering...
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