The Female Veterans Podcast

This story is one I love. It spans 20 years from the 1970's to the 1990's. We talk about how Penny decided to leave home for 20 years, starting her career before WACs transitioned to the Army, reclassifying to intelligence, her work as a spy, the end of The Cold War, The Gulf War and Gulf War Syndrome. We discuss healing traumas and alcoholism. I also learn about her transition out of the military...

Award winning author of "Squared Away" a series of stories of our veteran sisters, Alicia shares her experience as a journalist in the Army National Guard. We talk about the things she saw and did, stories she wrote as she traveled across the globe while serving, and her difficult transition out. We talk in depth about how marginalized and underpaid we often feel entering careers post military. I...

Talented orator, leadership expert and post Vietnam Era veteran Jennifer McNeill shares her military experience. To escape a toxic relationship and create a better life she had to leave her daughter behind.  After joining the military she met the love of her life and overcame any obstacle that stood in her way to achieving success. We talk about her 20 year career and how the military changed...

To fulfill her dream to become a cop, Danique joins the Navy. But her career takes a horrific turn when she discovers the perpetrators are in her own chain of command. Find out what happens when she "tried" to report, and what she had to do to escape sleeping next door to the barracks where her attacker lived. Spoiler alert*** it involves Oprah Winfrey. We discuss how a group of Seabees changed he...

After a great experience in ROTC Amanda gets deployed. What happens next actually took me by surprise. But of course, I shouldn't have been. A base can be a lot like high school campus after all. Find out what made Amanda decided to leave the Air Force in this episode. We also discuss her transition to civilian life, how she overcame her obstacles and her advice for you.  Learn what led Amand...

With a promising career under way Wendi's military experience and personal life was shaken to the core. Find out what happened when Wendi is faced with losing everything.  We also discuss how she found a way to continue serving others after making the difficult decision to leave active duty.  Wendi talks about finding your passion, changing your mindset and she gives some fantastic advic...

In this episode I chat with Liza a finalist in the Ms. Veteran America Competition.  Liza deployed to Afghanistan and recounts some of her experiences there.  Liza educates me on the difference between a pageant and a competition and I find out what the Ms. Veteran America competition is like. We also talk about our mutual desire to change the amount of homeless female veterans we have l...

Every now and again, I like to have a brother who is doing something amazing on the show.  I also like to feature not for profit organizations that help our vet community. This interview gave me the opportunity to do both. Ellsworth is the Founder of Veterans Counseling Veterans and hosts a live stream panel discussion on Facebook. He shares his story of being both enlisted and an officer. In...

Erin's episode comes with a trigger warning. *****After a fundraiser, Erin goes with some friends to an after party. What happens next is a shocking nightmare.  Her promising career as an artillery officer in the Army is cut short and her life is forever changed by reporting. Hear Erin's story in as much candid detail as she could tell it, and find out exactly why she is working on a law degr...

Meet Kim Morrow the show's first female veteran from the Coast Guard. I was dying to know about her military experience and Kim didn't disappoint.  Serving in the 80's her story of MST, and retaliation had me furious for how she was treated.  We discuss how the Navy and Coast Guard are similar and the under-representation of women, especially women in the Coast Guard. Her healing journey...

Baby Lee spent 13 years in the Army. During her difficult transition out she slowly began to discover qualities that made her different than civilians.  Determined to discover why she was being perceived as hard or bitchy, she began a journey of self awareness and healing. Through this process Baby discovered her true self, love and success in business. Baby is the owner of Massage Clinic and...

This is the conclusion of Kim's story. Two weeks later and after being locked down for Covid, we connect to finish the episode. Find out what happened when Kim's husband is accused, how another unresolved trauma led her on a downward spiral, and how hitting rock bottom forced her to completely change her life. This is an incredible journey to hell and back. This story is nothing short of purely in...

Kim joins the military and immediately her life turns upside down. Trying to cope with trauma after trauma her life begins to spiral out of control. Hear Kim's story in her own words, as she speaks her truth. In her first ever public conversation about what really happened to her while serving this country in the US Army. Kim is candid, raw and real. This story will make you feel emotions...it com...

Aimee was stationed at Fort Knox. She did her job, ignored harassment and misogyny to complete her military service honorably. Then her real fight began. Find out why Aimee's transition out almost led her to blowing the whistle on the Army. What happened to Aimee's husband is unbelievable! The same tenacity and drive that helped her get the care he needed is what has also helped her become a succe...

Alisha loved being in the Navy but when her baby wanted her to stay home, she decided to end her military career and begin a new one. She formed Alisha D. Brown Consulting. If you are a veteran in need of a resume or want to know how to get a government job this is who you want to connect with. She also produces an amazing natural hair event and is the south east regional director for a military a...

Alison founded Cherry River after serving in the US Navy.  For years she fixed things and was passed over for well-deserved acknowledgement. She details her experience from assimilating to the culture to rebelling against it.  Now her family owned CBD infused beauty products business is growing rapidly. Alison shares her experience of serving on active duty and the reserves and details w...

How do horses and education help female veterans thrive? Find out from Virginia and Viviana two amazing women who are passionate about helping female veterans succeed. The Barbara Giordano Foundation has been helping women for decades. When this organization decided to focus on female veterans they became pioneers in helping our sisters succeed. What can they do for you? Listen and find out. On Ap...

If you suffer with PTSD, chronic pain, anxiety or depression this episode is for you! We speak openly about our experiences. My old friend and " Milt Sister" Sandra, host of the podcast "The Kush Nurse" has been both a nurse and entrepreneur for over 20 years. She shares her story and explains why this alternative therapy should be more widely accepted. She also explains why it is very beneficial...

Tara joins me to discuss her military experience in the US Navy. Find out what happened to cut her military career short and send her into a crippling depression and over 20 years of healing. And it's not what you'd think. *****Spoiler Alert*** The advice in this one is incredible. If you've experienced any sort of trauma, you can't miss it! Love you guys!  Wanna connect with this podcast cli...

Jennifer and Susan are a mother and daughter team who are passionate about getting our nations veteran heroes off of the streets. For the last 6 years they have worked tireless to take homeless veterans from homelessness back to thriving in life. This is the story of how it all began, what they have  achieved so far and their expansive vision for "Homefront" the first all veteran community fo...

Veteran and pin up Jessica is always doing something to help others. Her dedication to serve began with caring for her beloved disabled brother. After he passed away fulfilling his dream to serve in the military. So how did this bright, beautiful, strong female veteran end up in an abusive relationship after returning to civilian life? Find out in Jessica's own words, and hear her advice for survi...

When Makissa transitioned from the military back to civilian life, she felt incredibly unprepared. Not realizing that she was suffering from the effects of unresolved trauma that occurred while serving, she struggled. Education was a savior for her. She felt the need to help her veteran sisters find the resources to educate themselves. As with many of us, healing occurs when we face our trauma and...

Season 3 kicks off on a happy note! Raquel Riley Thomas is a pageant title holder, photographer, former Elite model, beauty expert and business mogul. She has the unique experience of being both enlisted and an officer as well as coming from a legacy of women who served in the military. Find out what Raquel wants young women to know who are thinking about serving and how to transition out of the m...

No time to listen to each episode or binge the season? Join me and my special guest Meloney, a U.S. Navy female veteran as we discuss each episode of the season. This one includes clips from the episodes and lots of thoughts, feelings and opinions! Thank you to all the female heroes who shared their stories.  Stay tuned for the Season 3 premiere!

Jennifer joined the military with the dream of a long military career. She was thrilled to be stationed on a carrier, the USS Roosevelt. A dedicated hard-worker, she exceled until failing health destroyed her dream. Jennifer turned to acting carving out a brilliant career in one of the toughest places in the world to make it - Hollywood. Hear our veteran sister Jennifer's story and find out what l...