Welcome back to The Female Veterans Podcast, ranked in the top 100 veteran mental health podcasts! In this powerful and timely episode, Theresa Melton returns to share her deeply personal and shocking story. After joining us in Season 7, Theresa has faced unimaginable challenges, including the tragic loss of her husband to suicide. But what unfolded before his death is a story every female veteran needs to hear.

Theresa opens up about the financial, verbal, and emotional abuse she endured at the hands of her husband—a man who controlled and manipulated her, even attempting to take 50% of her VA compensation back pay. This episode is a vital resource for anyone who may recognize similar red flags in their own relationships or who wants to understand the insidious nature of financial abuse and power imbalances.

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Thank you to our sponsor Arras Health! Please go support my friend Kelly who is launching an incredibly needed mental health app different than what you've seen! Go to Instagram and follow @arrashealth to support her and learn how to become a member when the app launches.

📌 Hashtags: #FemaleVeteransPodcast #FinancialAbuse #VeteranMentalHealth #Empowerment #SurvivorStories

About Our Episode: The Female Veterans Podcast is ranked in the top 100 for mental health podcasts for veterans! In this compelling episode, we speak with Ashton, who was born into a military family with both parents serving in the Air Force. Despite her lineage, Ashton’s path was fraught with challenges from the very start. Join us as she shares her raw and honest story, from grueling bootcamp experiences to the trials she faced during her service.

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📌 Hashtags: #FemaleVeteransPodcast #MilitaryLife #MentalHealth #VeteranStories #HealingJourney

👤 About Our Episode:

In this powerful episode of The Female Veterans Podcast, we sit down with Amanda, a former Marine who served from 1994 to 2002. Amanda chose the Marine Corps for their polished appearance and prestige, and she shares her profound and often harrowing experiences during her service. Join us as Amanda opens up about her journey, from bootcamp to her life after the military, offering deep insights and advice for other female veterans.

🌟 Episode Highlights:

1. **Choosing the Marines:** Amanda reveals why she was drawn to the Marine Corps, highlighting the polished appearance and prestige that attracted her to this branch of the military.

2. **Bootcamp and Duty Stations:** Amanda shares candid stories from bootcamp, including her desire to remain invisible and the crazy things she witnessed. She provides detailed accounts of her experiences at various duty stations.

3. **Facing Harassment and Assault:** Amanda bravely discusses her experiences with sexual harassment and assault by a predator within the military, detailing the profound impact these events had on her career and personal life.

4. **The Healing Journey:** The importance of therapy in Amanda's healing process is emphasized, showcasing how it has helped her navigate life as a veteran.

5. **Transitioning to Civilian Life:** We explore Amanda's challenges in fitting into civilian life, particularly in understanding corporate behaviors that differ from military culture.

6. **Advice for Female Veterans:** Amanda wraps up the episode with heartfelt advice for other female veterans, sharing wisdom and encouragement from her own journey.

💪 Key Takeaways:

- Understand the unique challenges and experiences faced by female Marines.

- Recognize the importance of therapy and support in the healing process for veterans.

- Gain insights into transitioning from military to civilian life and navigating corporate environments.

- Receive valuable advice and encouragement from a fellow female veteran.

📌 Connect with and follow Amanda on Instagram: @ampalmer75

You've got to listen until the end for this one! In this episode of the Female Veterans Podcast, I chat with Dawn, a former United States Army soldier with a decade of service under her belt. From her military upbringing to navigating the trials of bootcamp while injured, Dawn shares her harrowing journey through the ranks, shedding light on the challenges faced by female veterans. From difficulties in AIT to being stationed at the infamous Ft. Hood as her first duty station, Dawn is open and candid about the difficulties she faced while serving in the military, like watching people be killed and how she has overcame them.

Key Points:

1. Dawn's upbringing in a military family laid the foundation for her own service in the Army. Military family, army upbringing, military tradition

2. Surviving Bootcamp: Despite facing injury, Dawn persevered through bootcamp, sharing the gritty reality of her experience. Bootcamp survival, overcoming injury, military training

3. Nightmare in AIT and Iraq: Dawn opens up about the challenges she encountered during her time in Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and the coping mechanisms she adopted in Iraq to maintain her sanity. AIT struggles, Iraq deployment, coping mechanisms

4. Facing Reality: We delve into the issues female veterans confront, including the truth behind the rumors surrounding Fort Hood, echoed by tragic stories like those of Vanessa Guillen and Denisha Montgomery. Female veterans' issues, Fort Hood rumors, tragic stories.

5. Leadership and Experience: Dawn reflects on the impact of bad leadership and the transformative experience she found at her final duty station, realizing the military dream she'd long pursued. Leadership impact, duty station experience, military dream.

6. Balancing Act: From getting married and divorced while serving to navigating single motherhood during deployment, Dawn discusses the unique challenges faced by women in the military. Military marriage, single motherhood, deployment challenges.

7. Deployments: Dawn shares her experiences working at a detention center in Iraq post-9/11, shedding light on the complexities of serving in a volatile environment. Overseas deployment, detention center duty, post-9/11 service

8. Transitioning Out: With her military career behind her, Dawn discusses her decision to transition out and the factors that influenced this choice. Military transition, career end, life after service.

9. Future Plans and Advice: Finally, Dawn offers insight into her future plans and imparts valuable advice for female veterans navigating their own journeys. Future aspirations, veteran advice, life after military

Join us as we embark on Dawn's remarkable journey from the trenches of bootcamp to the triumphs of civilian life, offering inspiration and guidance to female veterans everywhere.

Call To Action:

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Female Veterans Podcast. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more empowering stories and insights from women who've served the country in the armed forces. Follow on Instagram @thefemaleveteranspodcast. You can now listen on CHW Streaming Radio. Download from your app store. Go to www.thefemaleveteranspodcast.com to be added to the mailing list for the new newsletter.

On this best podcast episode of 2024, Victoria shares her story. We discuss her military experience, assualts, trauma of a very challenging deployment and the impact it had on her family. She shares how her military experience changed her into a monster, and her long journey to heal herself and her family. I learn how gardening transformed her, and how she is helping other veterans learn to heal through gardening.

Call To Action:

Share this episode with others who might find these stories and insights inspiring and stay tuned for future episodes from The Female Veterans Podcast. Don't forget to follow the podcast on Instagram @thefemaleveterans podcast and subscribe on YouTube search for The Female Veterans podcast.

In this very special episode of The Female Veterans Podcast, I am joined by Lola, who is doing some incredible work for the veteran community. Lola shares her experience facilitating veteran women's indigenous healing circles and discusses the upcoming event - a female veterans grief retreat. She highlights the constant presence of grief in the lives of female veterans and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing it.

We talk about creating safe spaces for female veterans to process their grief, share their experiences, and support each other, incorporating indigenous healing methods and humor as essential components. Lola underscores the need for community, care, and compassion, expressing how these emotions have often been overlooked or trained out of them, particularly in high-intensity military environments. We also touch on the challenges of representing all women in a male-dominated military structure and the necessity of dismantling misogyny within their own ranks.

Lola shares the significance of creating a container for women to share and be present in their own way, expressing the value of intentionally spending time with other veteran women. We discuss the impact of these healing circles, the power of sharing and witnessing each other's stories, and the opportunities for breakthroughs and continuous personal work.

With the upcoming grief retreat being a safe and confidential space for female veterans, Lola invites women to reach out and participate, even if they have doubts or concerns. I also express my admiration for Lola's work and reiterates the podcast's mission of supporting female veterans and providing a platform for their stories to be heard.

This episode serves as a heartfelt invitation for female veterans to join the grief retreat, find support, and transmute their grief in a space that honors their experiences and fosters healing. It's a testament to the power of community, compassion, and the value of intentional time spent with fellow veterans.

Episode Highlights:

1. Safe Space for Healing: Lola and her team have crafted a 3-day grief retreat focused on addressing the grief experienced by female veterans. This retreat provides a safe and confidential space for women to share, support, and transmute their grief.

2. Indigenous Healing Practices: The retreat incorporates indigenous methodologies and emphasizes the importance of building community, honoring vulnerability, and embracing humor as a healing tool.

3. Accessible Support: Through the use of virtual platforms like Zoom, Lola has made the support accessible to female veterans regardless of their location. Whether you're in your pajamas at home or in a rural community, this retreat offers the opportunity for healing and connection.

Conclusion:

For more information or to inquire about future events, you can contact Lola at [email protected]. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of a supportive community dedicated to female veterans' healing and empowerment. Remember, you are not alone on this journey!

Call To Action:

Join us in gaining valuable insights into the experiences of these incredible women veterans as they create a safe space for healing, sharing, and supporting one another. Share this episode with others who might find these stories and insights inspiring and stay tuned for future episodes from The Female Veterans Podcast.

In this episode of The Female Veterans Podcast, I welcome Ketara, a proud National Guard servicemember and the founder of Brave Woman Academy. We explore the often overlooked journey of a guardsman. Ketara shares her multifaceted experiences and the astonishing breadth of skills she acquired, reminding us that the Guard's mission is as critical as any in our armed forces. Ketara gets candid about the unique journey of serving in the National Guard, the often-overlooked challenges guardsmen face, and the experiences that shape their military careers. Ketara illuminates the intricate balance of civilian and military life, the importance of readiness at all times, and the prejudice guardsmen must contend with, as we share stories of service, growth, and camaraderie.

Episode Highlights:

A deep dive into the misconceptions and lesser-known truths about the National Guard's pivotal role.

The revelation of Ketara's transformative experiences, from competitiveness in her unit to the patriotic duty during Desert Storm and COVID-19.

The significance and sensitivity of end-of-service traditions, including the intricacies of burial rights and benefits for veterans.

Ketara's personal challenge of grief and how it steered her to establish a haven for healing, the Brave Woman Academy, to support her fellow women veterans.

Investing in self-improvement and professional development paralleled to grooming, highlighting the importance of nurturing one's inner self alongside outer care.

Kia and Ketara's shared journey of coping with the transition between military rigor and civilian sensibilities, including Kia's decision-making process between the Navy and the Air Force.

The exploration of female empowerment, self-worth, and resistance against conformity through Kia and Ketara's personal and professional trials and triumphs.

Key Quotes:

00:56:31 - "You think you know, but legally, you could be left out in the cold." - Ketara on marital status and burial benefits.

00:57:23 - "Hold onto those documents like lifelines." - Kia advising on the critical nature of maintaining military records.

01:01:01 - "Brave Woman Academy isn't just about healing; it's my legacy, my gift to the world." - Ketara sharing her inspiration for helping others.

01:05:22 - "There's an unspeakable bond that forms when women stand together through the trials of service." - Kia on sisterhood in the military.

Conclusion:

Embrace the honor and resiliency of this inspiring servicemember as we discuss her life-altering experiences and the enduring bonds born out of our time in the military. Ketara's enlightening perspective offers a fresh glance into the world of guardsmen, military standards, and the pursuit of personal enlightenment, providing an indispensable resource to listeners and veterans alike.

Call to Action:

If this episode moved you or echoed your own experiences, please share it with those who might find solace and empowerment in these stories. Subscribe to The Female Veterans Podcast for more compelling conversations, and be sure to tag along for our upcoming workshop with the Barbara Giordano Foundation. Join our community by signing up for our upcoming Newsletter at www.thefemaleveteranspodcast.com. Want to show some support - follow on Instagram @thefemaleveteranspodcast. Subscribe to the YT Channel and share to keep the dialogue going!

In this inspiring best podcast 2023 episode of The Female Veterans Podcast, I chat with Martha, a retired army veteran, who shares her powerful journey from immigrating to the Bronx, New York, from the Dominican Republic, to joining the military at the tender age of 17, and eventually becoming a Medical Service Corps officer. Listen in as Martha recounts her intense experiences at boot camp with limited testing days, her climb through the ranks inspired by supportive leaders such as Sergeant Crawford, and the profound impact that making the leap from NCO to an officer had on her career and personal growth. Martha also gets candid about the emotional challenges of balancing motherhood with her duties as a soldier, navigating financial matters from simple budgeting to investing, and the importance of seizing opportunities. Kia, our host, shares her reflections and connections with Martha's stories, emphasizing the common threads that unite female veterans. The episode concludes with a stirring message about the importance of documenting and sharing women's experiences in military service and Martha's advice to current female service members to take bold actions and seize every chance for improvement.

Episode Highlights:

- Martha's rapid completion of boot camp and the immediate lessons in fitness and self-awareness.

- The heartwarming story of Martha reconnecting with a long-lost friend through a Facebook group.

- Martha's deep appreciation for Sergeant Crawford, whose guidance paved the way for her educational pursuits.

- The inspirational journey of Martha from an immigrant eager to give back to her country to aspiring to be the sergeant major of the army.

- Martha's brave transition from NCO to officer, challenging the status quo and taking opportunities to grow.

- The emotional balance between military service and motherhood that both Martha and Kia experienced.

- Martha's varied military service, her decision to leave for family, and the joy she found in motherhood.

- The launch of Martha's initiative, 'Team Extra,' aimed at improving health and wealth.

Key Quotes:

- 'No matter how tough it was, I knew that every step was an opportunity to become stronger and more aware of my abilities.' - Martha

- 'Sergeant Crawford wasn’t just a mentor; he was a beacon of hope that shone on my path to education.' - Martha

- 'I wasn't just switching uniforms; I was determined to make a bigger impact and reach further, and if that meant being called a traitor, so be it.' - Martha

- 'Being a soldier is one identity, but being a mother is another. Juggling the two is the most bitter-sweet struggle.' - Martha

- 'Every travel, every training, was a chance to meet a new face, learn something new, and bond over our shared service.' - Martha

- 'If your time in the military teaches you anything, it's that the only constant is change. Embrace it.' - Kia

- 'The heroes behind the heroes — our kids — they bear sacrifices, too, and grow up with a legacy of resilience.' - Kia

Call To Action:  Make sure to check out Martha's website, teamxtra.com, and stay tuned for more info to follow her updates on TikTok and Instagram for more on her initiatives, including the upcoming launch of 'Team Extra' focusing on health and wealth enhancement. Join the conversation by supporting the podcast, signing up for our newsletter at www.thefemaleveteranspodcast.com, sharing this episode, and subscribing to The Female Veterans Podcast Youtube Channel.

Welcome back for another gripping episode of the Female Veterans Podcast. Today, we have a rockstar guest joining us - Detrel, an army veteran and founder of the impactful organization, United in Sisterhood. We're going to dive deep into the joys, challenges, and even fears associated with her military service, discussing everything from boot camp down to the battlefields of Desert Storm. And so much more!

Detrel shares the inspiring story of her fight for compensation as a disabled vet, and we'll get real about the struggles faced in finding suitable therapy within the VA healthcare system. Both of us have quite the tales to tell, so buckle up, grab that cup of coffee, and let's get chatting.

Oh, and before we dive in, Detrel and I want to send this reminder to all our vets out there - you are seen, you are valid, and we stand by you. Whether you've seen combat or served during peacetime, we're all part of the same brave family. Now, enjoy the show!

About Detrel

Detrel was born into a family with a deep affinity for aviation as her father, a maker of model planes, always aspired to be in the Air Force. Tragically, her father was robbed of life when she was a mere nine years old. This ignited her own drive to serve in the military, particularly the army, pulling her to the great outdoors which she loved so much. Despite her mother's wishes for her to pursue collegiate education, Detrel found her compromise and joined the army reserves. Through this venture, she paid homage to her departed father, fulfilling the dreams of military service that he was unable to, and forging her own path simultaneously.

Learn More: www.unitedinsisterhood.org

Key Points

Topic 1: Introduction and Background

- Introduction of Host, Kia, and guest, Detrel

- Detrel's motivations for joining the military

- Boot camp experiences of both Kia and Detrel

Topic 2: Military Training and Deployment

- Detrel's experiences in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm

- Differences in Kia and Detrel's active duty experiences

- Training for gas attacks and anthrax

- The struggles and trauma associated with military service

Topic 3: Combat Experiences and PTSD

- The ongoing impact of military service on Detrel's mental health

- The significance of combat and non-combat veteran experiences

- The struggles associated with PTSD and the triggers that worsen it

- Therapy experiences and the importance of finding a fitting therapist

Topic 4: Transition Out of The Military and Struggle for Compensation

- Detrel's frustration and struggle to receive disability compensation

- Differences in support for veterans from companies, airlines, and employers

- Frustrations and problems within the VA healthcare system

Topic 5: Contribution to Veteran Community

- Detrel's work with veterans having criminal histories

- Founding of United in Sisterhood by Detrel and its growth

- Importance and challenges of creating a support system for female veterans

Topic 6: The Future of Female Veterans Podcast

- Kia's plan to expand The Female Veterans Podcast

- Potential introduction of video interviews and expansion to a YouTube Channel

Topic 7: Encouragement for Other Veterans

- Urging veterans to self-advocate and file claims for service-connected disabilities

- Encouragement for female veterans to seek out organizations for support and connection.

Please share the episodes stay tuned for the newsletter. join by submitting your email at www.thefemaleveteranspodcast.com

Don't forget to subscribe to to the YouTube Channel. Search: The Female Veterans Podcast

In this episode of best podcast 2023, The Female Veterans Podcast, I am joined by fellow podcast host (Your Story Doesn't End Here) and Navy shipmate Rachel Oswalt. She shares her experience of joining the Navy and undergoing bootcamp. She addresses concerns like the lack of challenging curriculum, inadequate leadership, and the impact on mental health. The discussion underscores the repercussions of lowering military standards and emphasizes the significance of supportive leadership and mental health awareness. We share our insights as female veterans of the US Navy. In this episode of The Female Veterans Podcast, we delve into our expectations, disappointments, and the experiences that Rachel had that led to her choosing to end her military career. She gets candid about the assault she experienced and how she was victim shamed. We also discuss her transition out and how she came to create her podcast “Your Story Doesn’t End Here.”

Episode Highlights:

Key Quotes:

01:22:42 - 01:22:48

• "But you know, the things women deal with in pregnancy that are... taboo and they're not talked about."

01:23:38 - 01:23:45

• "The podcast was very therapeutic in a way, but also it was something for me to do."

01:24:48 - 01:24:52

• "I started the podcast knowing that it's not perfect, but I'm just gonna start."

01:28:14 - 01:28:21

• "The transition out of the military directly impacts the mental health of service members and vets."

01:32:09 - 01:32:14

• "You matter more than anyone else in this entire universe because you are all you'll ever have."

Conclusion:

Join us in gaining valuable insights into the experiences of these incredible women veterans as they discuss the challenges, transformations, and vital lessons learned during their Navy bootcamp journeys.

Call to Action:

Don't forget to share this episode with others who might find these stories and insights inspiring and informative. And stay tuned for future episodes from The Female Veterans Podcast. And don't forget to add your email to the list for the upcoming newsletter!