Welcome to The Veteran Woman Podcast! I am your host, Airial Re’nal.
I’ve had the pull to podcast for a while now but I allowed fear to sink in and overcome me. I stalled and I procrastinated while it kept pulling me and tugging at my heart and then I finally decided to just do it. By the way, I want to give a shout-out to Scott Doucet, Podcast Host at Podcast Bay, co-founder of The Podcast Discovery Center on FB and my amazing podcast producer and consultant!
Why am I podcasting? Let me start by telling you a little bit of a story: I served active duty in the Army for 12 years and got out in 2014. I spent almost two years trying to figure out what I wanted to do after I got out of the military. I thought I was ready, I had everything together: resume, job lined up, a degree, everything.. What I didn't realize is that I wasn't as quite as emotionally ready as I thought. My last couple of years in the military were trying. From being sexually assaulted by my supervisor, to experiencing racial discrimination, to complete breakdown (I was in a mental institute for 5 days), to major panic attacks and depression, I didn't want to live any more. I felt hopeless and purposeless.
The adjustment was difficult. I had been attending therapy for about 2 years and on meds. I was back and forth trying to decide what I wanted to do in life. In addition, every time I went to therapy, I felt as if a scab was constantly being picked. I felt stuck, I wanted and needed to move forward past the pain. Because of this, I signed up for a discovery call with a life and business coach. Little did I know, that conversation would change my life. I was reminded of my strengths, my passion, my purpose, I was reminded that I wasn't alone. It was then I decided I wanted to serve others in the same capacity. I hit the books and became certified coach and shortly after, founded The Veteran Woman, LLC.
The Veteran Woman is more than just a company or business, it’s a persona, it’s a movement. And it definitely isn’t just about me. I created The Veteran Woman entity in order to help women make the necessary life decisions without all the red-tape. This podcast serves as one of the platforms to empower, inspire, and encourage women veterans and those who love them; provide a platform to share their voices and stories and for advocacy and awareness without bureaucracy or red-tape.
Do I serve male veterans? Do I serve civilians? I won’t turn anyone away because of their gender or military affiliation, or lack thereof. My target demographic is women veterans because I am one and I understand first hand some of the struggles we go through both in and out of the military.
I'm welcoming guests from all backgrounds – men, women, veterans and non-veterans. A veteran by my definition is anyone who has ever served even one day in the Armed Forces. So, whether you've been honorably discharged, dishonorably discharged, seen combat or not: you are a veteran. I am looking for both women and men who have followed their heart, recognized the value of their experiences, and are enjoying purpose, prosperity and fulfillment in their lives. I am looking to have wholehearted conversations about life stories and how you have overcome obstacles and barriers.
Authenticity and openness are highly important. I’d like to have you share insights and wisdom to help others move closer to their own vision. Through increased confidence, clarity and self-belief or specific skills, strategies and tactics. If you have an inspiring personal or business story to tell or are an expert in your own field with valuable skills to share, I want you!
I am a huge advocate for veterans, women veterans, and mental health. Things may, at times, skirt the lines of politics to get the word out to the people who can influence and make policy changes.
