Episode 136 | Guest: Peter Bludworth

✅ Marine Corps veteran
✅ 30+ year career in corrections, including roles as Warden and Assistant Warden across multiple federal and private facilities

What We Discuss ⬇️

➡️ How 7 years in the Marines shaped a decades-long corrections leadership career
➡️ The veteran traits that stand out: bearing, integrity, and work ethic
➡️ Why purpose and camaraderie are essential after service
➡️ How to find your safe space—and why it matters
➡️ The power of having an “8-minute friend”
➡️ Why using your EAP and joining ERGs can change everything
➡️ How letting go of the past helps you move forward
➡️ Why leaders need to set the example by asking for help
➡️ The importance of protecting veteran mental health
➡️ How to translate your military skills into civilian terms

This episode proves that you can be successful in your post-service life too!

Connect with Pete: Pete Bludworth | LinkedIn

Pete Bludworth has worked with Custom Made Coins for years, relying on them to create high-quality, custom-designed challenge coins. The company produced several coins for the correctional facility he led in Montana, as well as for the Veterans Group he referenced in the podcast. Melanie, the point of contact, is known for her exceptional service, and the company's artists are skilled at bringing any coin concept to life.

🔗 Custom Made Coins Website

Pete has also collaborated with RRB Systems International for over 25 years. He became a Master Trainer for their Rapid Rotation Baton and Rapid Cuffs. Pete played a key role in getting the baton approved for use in federal prisons and helped pioneer training programs for the handcuff covers, which had been approved but lacked formal instruction.

🔗 RRB Systems Website

Both companies have been trusted partners throughout Pete’s career, consistently delivering innovative tools and top-tier service.

Connect with Vets2PM: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vets2pm

Podcast Title: How to Design a Post-Military Career That Matches Your Ideal Lifestyle
Guest: Gary Steensgard, People & Culture Manager at AV

What does it take to design a career that actually fits your life after the military?

In this tactical conversation, I sit down with Gary Steensgard, a People and Culture Manager at AV and a proud veteran advocate with over 15 years in HR and talent development. Gary shares how he’s shaped a career rooted in purpose, service, and building people-first cultures inside organizations.

We explore:

✅ Why every transition, military or civilian, should be approached one year at a time
✅ How to define the lifestyle you want and build a career around it
✅ What to say yes to and what to walk away from
✅ The power of impact, even if no one is watching
Whether you're in uniform, transitioning out, or already navigating civilian life, this episode will help you rethink what success means for you, and give you tools to design a life and career that truly align.

Connect with Gary: Gary Steensgard | LinkedInConnect with Vets2PM: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vets2pm

Most veterans are trained to stay calm, push through, and get the job done no matter what. But what happens when the mission ends and emotions catch up?

In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, Coast Guard veteran and certified coach Matthew Barney breaks down the emotional side of life after service. He shares what emotional intelligence actually looks like — not just in leadership, but in day-to-day life when the uniform comes off and identity shifts start to surface.

We talk about:

• Why emotions like anger, anxiety, or numbness are normal

• How to process feelings without falling into a victim mindset

• Tools for handling emotional triggers like job search stress and uncertainty

Matthew is the founder of The Emotional Male and brings 15+ years of leadership experience and coaching insight to this raw, honest conversation.

Whether you’re in transition or supporting someone who is, this episode will shift your perspective and give you practical tools to move forward.

Connect with Matthew here: Matthew Barney | LinkedInConnect with Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/training

Special Episode!!!! MPLW Client Review

Army Veteran Trevor Huntly joins Misty to share his experience as a Fort Bliss Master Project Leadership Workshop (MPLW) graduate. Hear how the program helped him translate his military skills, earn key certifications, and step confidently into a civilian project management career.Check out the MPLW program at Fort Bliss or Fort Campbell.

Master Project Leadership Workshop | Vets2PM PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP, aPHR, CM, Scrum Exam Certification Training Course Online Virtual Certificate

In this episode, Misty sits down with Army Veteran Aaron McEvers to normalize the tough feelings many service members face and offer tools to navigate them with confidence.

They discuss:

• How to reframe what feels like career regression

• What imposter syndrome really is—and why it shows up during transition

• A simple but powerful fear exercise to regain control of your thoughts

• Why finding a “third place” can offer the connection and support you didn’t know you needed

If you’ve been questioning your worth, your progress, or your place after service—this episode is your reminder that this is normal… and you’re not alone.

Connect with Vets2PM at www.vets2pm.com/training.

In this bonus episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, Carson Carter, Growth & Compliance Officer for Vets2PM, breaks down the My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship, a benefit for military spouses. Whether you're exploring career options or ready to earn a certification, MyCAA can cover up to $4,000 in tuition costs for approved education and training programs.You’ll learn:- Who qualifies and how to apply- What programs and certifications are covered- How to choose the right training based on your goals- Tips to use MyCAA to fast-track your career growthThis episode is a must-listen for military spouses ready to invest in their future while supporting their family’s mission. We also cover how Vets2PM training programs align with MyCAA funding and what to expect once you enroll.Visit vets2pm.com/mycaa to learn more.#mycaa #militaryonesource #vets2pm #militaryspouses

🎙️ Prepare Today for Your Transition Tomorrow

Guest: Todd Kemp | Retired Air Force Veteran, Program Manager, Paramedic

Host: Misty Moreno | Military Transition Academy

Todd Kemp joins Misty Moreno to talk about preparing for life after the military—before you’re forced to. A retired Air Force veteran with experience in emergency medical services, program management, talent acquisition, and government contracting, Todd now helps others find clarity, purpose, and peace in their next chapter.

In this episode, Todd shares practical insight on:

• Choosing a degree that excites you

• Why life insurance can’t wait

• Untraditional career paths post-service

• Adopting a “get to” mindset

• Letting lifestyle—not job title—lead your search

• And why your military service is a chapter, not your identity

He’s also a fierce advocate for veteran and first responder mental health. If you're feeling stuck, rushed, or unsure, this episode is a reminder: your transition is your responsibility—and it starts today.

Connect with Todd: Todd Kemp, NRP | LinkedInConnect with Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/training

Podcast Title: Why Drone Operators Make Great Hires
Guest: Tanner Yackley | Former MQ-9 Sensor Operator | Aviation Professor | PhD Researcher in Military Mental Health

Description:Drone operators are some of the most skilled, mission-critical professionals in today’s military—and some of the most misunderstood. In this conversation, we’re joined by Tanner Yackley, a former MQ-9 Sensor Operator turned aviation professor and PhD researcher, to unpack what drone operators actually do, the high-level skills they bring to civilian roles, and how employers can better lead and retain this unique talent pool.

Whether you're in HR, talent acquisition, or leadership, this episode will help you:

✔ Understand the complexity of remote warfare roles
✔ Translate drone operator experience into business value
✔ Learn how to build trust and psychological safety for drone veterans
✔ Become a better advocate for veteran hiring and retention

If you're hiring veterans—or want to—this is an essential listen.

If you are a Drone Operator, this episode is for you too!

Learn more about hiring with impact at vets2pm.com/talent-services

Connect with Tanner: Tanner Yackley, MSA | LinkedIn

🎙️ Episode 129 – Garrik Dennis: How to Create a Meaningful Post-Service Career

In this episode, we talk with Garrik Dennis, Army veteran and Vets2PM Lead Instructor, about one of the hardest parts of military transition—finding meaning...a sense of purpose after the military.

In the military, purpose is built in. The mission is clear. The structure is solid. You know where you belong and why it matters.

But when the uniform comes off, that clarity can disappear—and many veterans find themselves asking, “Now what?”

Garrik shares how he now helps others find meaning through mentorship, certification, and professional growth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What it feels like to lose your purpose—and how to get it back

• How to identify what drives you beyond the uniform

• The role of service, even after military life

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your inspiration.

🔗 Subscribe for more conversations like this one.

Connect with Vets2PM at www.vets2pm.com/training

Episode Title: Mindset Through Every Transition
Guest: Irene Glaeser – Army Veteran
CEO: About | Spahr Solutions Group

In this episode, Irene Glaeser joins Misty to share how mindset has played a pivotal role in navigating her career transitions—from enlisted soldier to colonel, federal executive, and now CEO. With more than 30 years of leadership across the military, government, industry, and nonprofit sectors, Irene offers valuable insight on growth, grit, and purpose beyond the uniform.

Topics discussed include:

• The power of courage, kindness, and the "Three A’s"

• Redefining your identity after military service

Irene is the bestselling author of Choose Your Battles, a candid and humorous account of her experiences as a woman overcoming challenges in the armed forces. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Veteran Small Business Coalition, where she champions training, networking, and contracting opportunities for Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses.

Tune in to hear practical advice, hard-earned wisdom, and encouraging perspective on what it really takes to lead through change.

Connect with Irene: Irene Vaishvila Glaeser | LinkedIn

Explore Vets2PM services: Vets2PM PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP, aPHR, CM, Scrum Exam Certification Training Course Online Virtual Certificate