The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast

This week, host Brenna West is rounding out this season of The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast with the inspiration behind the Dudes of Girl Scouting series— Dan Ketchum, aka Gramps . Dan has been a pillar of Camp Linden , following in the footsteps of his father as Ranger and dedicating decades to making camp a home for generations of Girl Scouts. Though he recently retired, his work at camp never s...

Our  Dudes of Girl Scouting  series continues with  Matt Bates — Chief Financial Officer at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan ,  dad of three Girl Scouts , and a dedicated  employee of 23 years !  Matt has worn many hats throughout his tenure, working in outreach, programming, research and evaluation, and, finally, as our CFO. Beyond his professional role, Matt shares how Girl Scouts has influenced hi...

In this episode of The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast , we continue our Dudes of Girl Scouting series with Rob Lehman , Facility Manager for Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan and a dedicated member of the team for over 25 years! Rob’s passion for camp started early— “I was a camp kid,” he shares. Before joining Girl Scouts, he worked at YMCA Camps, but eventually transitioned to the property side with G...

In this episode of The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast , our Dudes of Girl Scouting series continues with Mark Patterson —a Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan employee, troop volunteer, and proud Girl Scout dad! 💚 Mark has been with Girl Scouts for 10 years, first working in membership and now as a Research and Evaluation Specialist, helping to shape the future of the organization one survey and data-poi...

The  Dudes of Girl Scouting  series continues on  The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast  with  Jamie Lettow , a dedicated  Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan Board Member  and proud Girl Scout dad ! Jamie has served on the board for over three years and has two daughters already in Girl Scouts—and a third ready to join soon! He is deeply invested in the organization’s impact on young girls. As a forme...

The Dudes of Girl Scouting series continues on The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast , and this week, we’re joined by Rod Roesch from Troop 60213 in Clinton, MI ! Rod’s Girl Scout journey began when he jumped feet first in when his younger daughter joined. He began as a Brownie co-leader and is now in his second year as a troop leader, embracing the experience and history of Girl Scouts in Clinton—dati...

In this episode of The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast , our Dudes of Girl Scouting series continues with special guest Jon Barrows , a proud Girl Scout dad and longtime supporter. Jon shares his journey into Girl Scouting that began with a deeper introduction from host, Brenna West, and his journey with our organization the past three years. Reflecting on his experience, Jon says: “It has been so am...

Welcome back to a brand-new season of The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast ! This season, we’re diving into a new series called Dudes of Girl Scouting , where we highlight the men who champion, support, and lead at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. In this kickoff episode, host Brenna West sits down with Fred Shaw , a dedicated co-leader and volunteer with over a decade of experience in Girl Scouti...

Awardees Laura Chappell & Brittany Chesney join Brenna for the final installment of the 2024 Women of Distinction season of the Girl Scout Advantage Podcast. Laura and Brittany dish on how the two of them met during Girl Scouts as young girls and have used the skills they learned in their troop to become entrepreneurs and business partners. Laura Chappell – Laura was born and raised in G...

We are so excited to welcome Dr. Cathy Glick, a 2024 Women of Distinction Awardee, to the Girl Scout Advantage Podcast! This episode Cathy and Brenna talk about the ground breaking work Cathy does in cardiology, how she became a doctor, and her journey in Girl Scouts. Dr. Cathy Glick is originally from Teaneck, New Jersey, but moved to Michigan when she attended medical school in Ann Arbor. She ha...

We are so excited to have Women of Distinction Honoree Rebecca Noell this episode on the Girl Scout Advantage Podcast. Rebecca and Brenna touch on her history with the Girl Scouts and how that sparked her passion for learning and future in higher education. Rebecca resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with her American Staffy, Wilbur. She works in higher education and student affairs, with expertise in...

Joining Brenna this week on The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast is 2024 Women of Distinction Honoree, Elizabeth Garvey! This episode Elizabeth and Brenna touch on her background in education, how she came to move to Michigan, and how educating the next generation is the best gift you could given the legacy she hopes to leave. Garvey is a Wilmington College graduate in English, psychology, religion, a...

Joining Brenna this week of The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast is Acadia Hahlbrock! Acadia is a Girl Scout Alum who achieved her Gold Award, and as she grew, she noticed the profound impact Girl Scouts had on her. She became a trop leader to share this profound impact with the next generation of Girl Scouts so they can also learn to be brave and take risks in a safe and supported environment. Acadia...

This week on The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast, Jennifer Cline joins Brenna to talk about her time as a Girl Scout and her volunteer experience. Alum Jennifer shares all about her 16 years as a Girl Scout leader and everything she and her girls have accomplished through the years. Jennifer shares the importance of a troop being girl-led and how she encourages her girls to be decision-makers. She al...

Joining Brenna this week on The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast is Stacey Seaver! Stacey reminisces about her almost 40 years of Girl Scout experience, from the fun adventures of her childhood to the many hats she wears in the organization now. She opens up about volunteering and how much getting girls out of their and being a safe space for them means to her. She advocates for her girls to try new t...

On this week’s episode of The Girl Scout Advantage Podcast is Jessica Dailey! Jessica joins Brenna to talk about her experience with Girl Scouts and volunteering. Her time in Girl Scouts began as a young girl, starting in Brownies and continuing until her junior year, where she earned her Silver Award. Jessica shares how she started volunteering during the pandemic and the resources that Gir...

On this week’s episode of the Girl Scout Advantage Podcast, Brenna is joined by Susan O’Leary! Susan is a Girl Scout alum who wanted to continue her role with Girl Scouts when her daughters became Girl Scouts themselves. In the episode, Brenna and her speak about finding her role as a volunteer as someone who knew that becoming a troop leader straight away wasn’t for her but still had interests an...

Joining us this week on the Girl Scout Advantage Podcast is Megan Fiero! Megan wears many hats at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. Besides being an alum, she continued her legacy as a Troop leader for her daughter’s troop. However, her real Girl Scout passion is Product. Megan also serves as the Service Unit Product Manager for Birch Run. She prides herself in her work for the Product Program in her...

This season on the Girl Scout Advantage Podcast, we are spotlighting the volunteers who make the magic happen! Throughout the season, we will speak to our wonderful volunteers about their experience with Girl Scouts and what makes the work they do so unique and rewarding. In this episode, you’ll hear from alum and current volunteer, Kelsey Moberg, about why she volunteers and what makes Girl...

Join us to hear from Girl Scout Heart of Michigan CEO, Jan Barker! Brenna and Jan focus on the overview of the 15 Outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and what it means for all girls. Listen to Jan talk about how she played a leading role in creating the 15 Outcomes and how it is the backbone of everything that is done in Girl Scouts! Welcome to the newest season of the Girl Scout Adva...

Join us to hear from Girl Scout Alexis and mom April! Listen to them talk about how they started their volunteer journey with Girl Scouts. Brenna, April, and Alexis focus on outcome Take Action 5: Girls feel empowered to make a difference in the world. They talk about how being in Girl Scout Camp has helped inspire them to take action and learn new skills. Welcome to the newest season of the Girl...

Join us to hear from Girl Scout Emme! Listen to her talk about how she has learned to be a leader through Girl Scouts. Brenna and Emme focus on outcome Take Action 4: Girls educate and inspire others to act. Emme talks about how she earned her Bronze and Silver awards and what they meant to her. Welcome to the newest season of the Girl Scout Advantage podcast! In this season, each week, Brenna wil...

Join us to hear from Girl Scout Makayla and mom/Troop Leader Chelsea! Listen to them talk about how much they have learned and experienced with Girl Scouts. Brenna, Mikayla, and Chelsea focus on outcome Take Action 3: Girls advocate for themselves and others, locally and globally. They talk about how Girl Scouts has helped to build their community connections so that they can impact more people! W...

Join us to hear from Girl Scout Katie Holmes! Listen to Katie talk about how Girl Scout Camp has helped shape who she is today. Brenna and Katie focus on outcome. Take Action 2: Girls are resourceful problem solvers. Katie talks about how there are so many different experiences in Girl SCouts where she learned how to solve problems and be creative. Welcome to the newest season of the Girl Scout Ad...

Join us to hear from Girl Scouts Saydee and Kasidee Davenport! Listen to the sisters talk about how being Girl Scouts have helped them bond with their mom,  who is also their troop leader. Brenna, Saydee, and Kasidee focus on the outcome Take Action 1: Girls can identify community needs. Saydee and Kasidee talk about an annual service unit project that they participate in, where troops and communi...