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In this episode of Women Serve Too, Brittinie sits down with Air Force veteran and leadership advisor Corinna Kelley to talk about identity, service, transition, and what happens when the uniform that shaped so much of your life comes off.

Corinna opens up about the loss of identity that can come with transitioning out of the military, realizing that her worth extended beyond her service, and learning that taking care of others shouldn’t require constantly sacrificing herself. She also shares how those experiences changed the way she views leadership, excellence, and service—and how she carries those lessons into the work she does today.

Key Topics:

• Military journey and transition
• Redefining service and leadership
• Capacity and self-care during change
• Impact of culture and identity on perception
• Burnout and mental health awareness
• Supporting veterans in civilian careers
• Generational differences in work and mental health
• Strategies for organizational change and readiness

About Corinna:

Corinna Kelley is an Air Force veteran, mother, wife of a veteran and Black and Mexican American woman whose understanding of identity, leadership, and service has been shaped by family, culture and community. After leaving the military, she continued serving through community health—uplifting voices that often went unheard and helping leaders turn community needs into meaningful action. Today, she is a leadership advisory and coach who specializes in resilience and change management and the founder of CREID Consulting, where she helps people navigate transitions and growth, reconnect with what matters, and lead what comes next without carrying it all. Outside of work, Corinna enjoys fitness, holistic wellness, DIY projects, true crime, and traveling to experience different cultures, food, and history.

Connect with Corinna:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/corinna-kelley-mph-452172a9/  
https://www.facebook.com/people/Corinna-Kelley-MPH/100092348829090/

FREE GIFT:

Want support making sense of what comes next? 

Schedule a complimentary "Next Move Conversation with Corinna". https://calendly.com/corinnakelley-creidconsultingllc/introduction_call

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In this episode of Women Serve Too, Navy veteran and IO psychology expert Dr. Marla Albertie joins Brittinie Wick for a conversation about the human side of leadership, resilience, and intentionally designing a life that aligns with who you are.

Dr. Albertie shares how her experiences in the Navy shaped her approach to leadership and why authenticity, connection, and understanding people matter far more than a title. She breaks down Industrial-Organizational (IO) Psychology and how the science of human behavior can be applied not only in the workplace, but also to personal development, relationships, and everyday life.

The conversation also dives into navigating loss and mental health, balancing multiple roles and businesses, empowering the next generation through education and life skills, and learning how to evolve when life takes you somewhere you never expected.

This episode is about more than becoming a better leader. It’s about understanding yourself, showing up for the people around you, and having the courage to intentionally build a life that feels like yours.

In this episode, we talk about:
• Leadership lessons from military service
• What IO Psychology actually is—and why it matters
• Authenticity and human connection in leadership
• Resilience, grief, and healthy coping mechanisms
• Reinventing yourself beyond the uniform
• Balancing multiple passions, roles, and businesses
• Empowering youth with real-world life skills
• Personal growth and intentionally designing your life

About Dr. Marla Albertie:

Dr. Marla J. Albertie, a dynamic force, draws on her diverse life experiences as a US Navy veteran and a native of Jacksonville, Florida. She has cruised 26 times, with 3 more booked. Passionate about life as a journey and a visionary leader, Marla is the owner and founder of the award-winning Truth Speaks Group LLC, an innovative research lab rooted in industrial-organizational psychology and focused on leadership development and workplace transformation. She also leads Marla J. Albertie, LLC, her personal brand and life design company, and serves as founder and executive director of the award-winning I/O for Teens Inc., where she empowers young people with skills, confidence, and career readiness grounded in the science of human behavior. Additionally, she owns MJA Publishing LLC and co-owns Rogers Logistics Group LLC.

Marla loves speaking, teaching, and writing. She has published three books and three poems and co-authored two others, with more books in the works.
A proud graduate of the D’Aniello Institute for Veteran & Military Families Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV), Marla is an active sustaining member of the Junior League of Jacksonville and contributes to numerous professional organizations. She serves on the boards of the National University Alumni and the MIA Foundation. She is an adjunct instructor at SNHU and an assistant professor at Colorado Tech University.

She is a passionate advocate for suicide prevention, justice-impacted individuals, and mental health. When she’s not changing the world, she enjoys movies (nachos in hand), cruising, shopping, reading, and spending time with loved ones, especially her glam-son Gio.

Connect with Dr. Marla:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlajalbertie/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/truth-speaks-group-llc/?viewAsMember=true
https://www.facebook.com/Truthspeakscoaching/
https://www.youtube.com/@truthspeaksgroup
https://twitter.com/TSpeaksCoaching
https://www.instagram.com/tspeaksgroup/
https://www.truthspeakscoaching.com/
https://marlajalbertie.com/
https://substack.com/@livingtheiolife
https://medium.com/@truthspeakscoaching

Nonprofit
https://www.ioforteens.org/
https://www.instagram.com/ioforteensinc/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/i-o-for-teens-inc/?viewAsMember=true
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085950013648
https://www.youtube.com/@ioforteensinc
https://www.tiktok.com/@ioforteensinc
https://x.com/Ioforteensinc1

Dr. Marla's FREE Gift to you:

https://marlajalbertie.com/product/living-the-io-life-monthly-tracker/

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In this episode, Kelsey Hire shares her journey from Army officer and combat veteran to founder of True North Resilience, a burnout recovery practice for high-capacity women, where she helps clients recognize and work through the survival patterns their bodies never actually stood down from. Kelsey talks through what bracing costs a person over decades of service, the identity questions that surface when you're never fully in the military and never fully out of it, and what it's like building a business and a marriage around two overlapping Reserve careers. She also shares how a deployment to Poland became an unexpected turning point, how her Survival Archetypes framework traces back to her own childhood and a real moment with her stepdaughter, and what she learned running retreats built specifically for women veterans. Her story is a look at why burnout keeps coming back long after the mission is supposedly over, and what it actually takes to rebuild the ability to rest, even for the women who are still serving right now.

Key Topics:

• Military service and deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Poland
• Nervous system regulation and trauma healing
• Survival archetypes and stress responses
• Impact of military culture on women and mental health
• Healing retreats for women veterans
• Balancing military career and personal life
• The importance of community and connection in recovery
• Tools for nervous system regulation and resilience
• Transitioning from active duty to civilian life
• The role of nutrition and lifestyle in healing

About:
Kelsey Hire is an Army Logistics Officer and combat veteran of three tours across Iraq and Afghanistan, with a later deployment to Poland, and she's currently serving in the Army Reserves alongside her husband, a firefighter in the Air Force Reserves. Most of her career was spent in operational units, where she cycled through burnout again and again over the years, until she finally built something different.

Now, after more than 20 years in the military and a former corporate and nonprofit leadership career. she's a functional nutrition practitioner and nervous system specialist, and the founder of True North Resilience. She developed the Survival Archetypes framework, which helps ambitious women understand the specific survival pattern driving their burnout, regulate the system underneath it, and stop cycling the same exhaustion no matter how much work they put in. Her work is built on the idea that your body isn't betraying you, it's running a survival pattern it learned a long time ago. She blends neuroscience, functional health, and nervous system regulation to map that pattern and give you tools that actually work in the middle of a high stakes, high pressure life.

Kelsey leads women's nature and adventure-based retreats through True North Resilience, hosts the podcast The Scars We Lead From, and is currently writing a book by the same name. She is also a stepmom, and she still lives with a foot in both worlds, the military one she came from and the entrepreneurial one she's building now, out of Boise, Idaho.

The Decode Your Survival Mode Quiz:
If you've spent years trying to change your habits, boundaries, or mindset but keep ending up in the same place, your body may be following a survival strategy you don't even know is there.

Take the free 3-minute Decode Your Survival Mode Quiz to discover the pattern beneath the behaviors and learn where to begin changing it.

You'll discover:
• Your primary Survival Archetype™
• The patterns and tendencies that often accompany it
• Why your symptoms may not be telling the whole story
• The next step if you'd like to understand your result more deeply
Because the goal isn't to become a different person, it's to understand the person you've had to become.
https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/67f5ab19c7c78d00158dba0f
(also available on www.pathtotruenorth.com)

The Scars We Lead From Podcast
A podcast for high-functioning humans in recovery from chaos, survival, and the pressure to hold it all together. Hosted by Kelsey Hire, military leader and founder of True North Resilience, The Scars We Lead From explores burnout recovery, nervous system regulation, and the patterns high achievers keep finding themselves stuck in, even after therapy, personal growth, and doing all the “right” things. Through honest conversations, body-based tools, and grounded discussions around burnout, identity, chronic stress, and constant readiness, this podcast helps you understand why the pattern keeps returning, and what it takes for change to finally hold. If you are exhausted but can’t slow down, tired in a way rest hasn’t fixed, or carrying more than your body knows how to recover from, this is for you.
https://kelseyhire.substack.com/podcast
Als available on Apple and Spotify 

Connect with Kelsey:

https://www.instagram.com/thetruenorthresilientwoman
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-hire

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In this episode, Hillary Collandra shares her inspiring journey from military service to founding Warvinas, a company dedicated to creating purpose-built gear for women in the military. Discover her insights on leadership, community building, and the importance of tailored solutions for women in demanding professions.

Key Topics:

• The need for purpose-built gear for women in the military
• Leadership and care in military environments
• Building community among women service members
• The entrepreneurial journey of Warvenas
• The importance of representation and role models for young women in uniform

About Hillary:
Hillary Collandra is a U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander, founder of WARVINAS, and an advocate for the women who serve on the front lines of our nation’s military and industrial workforce. After more than 15 years leading sailors, she recognized that women were still adapting to equipment and apparel never truly designed for them. She founded WARVINAS, creating purpose-built gear while building a community that empowers women to lead with confidence. Through her leadership, writing, and entrepreneurship, Hillary is working to ensure the next generation of women doesn’t have to choose between serving their country and being seen.

Connect with Hillary:

www.instagram.com/warvinas

www.warvinas.com (use code: WomenRule for 15%OFF)

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In this episode,  Abi Dorhosti shares her profound journey with psychedelics, exploring their potential for healing, connection, and self-discovery. She discusses different medicines, their purposes, and how to approach this powerful tool with intention and safety.

Takeaways:

• Different types of psychedelics and their purposes
• The importance of intention and safety in psychedelic use
• Personal experiences with psilocybin, MDMA, and five MEO DMT
• The role of retreats and guided experiences
• The significance of listening to intuition and trusted sources

About:

Abion “Abi” Dorhosti is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and doctoral candidate in Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University, where she designed the Veteran Leadership concentration and will begin teaching later this year.

Drawing on twenty-five years of military service in support of the Department of Defense, Department of State, and the Intelligence Community, she brings lived experience of leadership, service, and post-service transition into her scholarly and clinical work. Her doctoral research examines the Outside-In Pathway, a sequential mixed-methods investigation into whether externally received compassion facilitates self-compassion access in veterans with moral injury, with an exploratory interest in how non-ordinary states of consciousness may facilitate compassionate experience. She is completing her PhD alongside certificates in psychedelic research and ecopsychology, reflecting her commitment to integrating emerging science with transpersonal, ecological, and relational approaches to healing.

Abi’s work is grounded in the understanding that moral injury is not only a psychological wound but a rupture in identity, meaning, and belonging, requiring relational, experiential, and often transpersonal pathways to repair. Central to this work is the concept of compassionate witnessing, which she explores as both a relational healing mechanism and a subject of scholarly inquiry. She is the founder of Amistar Foundation and Liminal Experiences, LLC, and an invited speaker whose presentations have reached hundreds of veterans, clinicians, and researchers.

Her work bridges military experience, emerging research, and embodied practice, supporting veterans and others healing from trauma in moving from shame and disconnection toward self-compassion, purpose, and renewed participation in life.

Connect with Abi

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abi-dorhosti
https://www.facebook.com/abion.dorhosti
https://www.instagram.com/abi_holisticwellness
https://home.amistarfoundation.org
www.heal.me/liminal

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In this episode, Alexandra Mahanna shares her inspiring journey from military service to leadership coaching, highlighting key leadership lessons learned along the way. Discover how pressure reveals leadership strengths and gaps, and gain practical tips for authentic, confident leadership.

Takeaways

• Leadership becomes clear under pressure.
• Pressure amplifies existing traits, good or bad.
• Effective communication is crucial for trust.
• Adaptability is key to leadership success.
• Self-trust and clarity build sustainable confidence.

About Alexandra:

Alexandra Mahanna is the Founder of Alexandra Mahanna Leadership and an executive leadership coach known for helping leaders cut through the noise and lead with greater clarity, confidence, and intention. Through a grounded, practical approach shaped by experience across military, corporate, and higher education environments, she helps leaders strengthen decision-making, communicate more effectively, and stay steady under pressure. Her work challenges leaders to stop operating on autopilot and start leading with the kind of clarity others trust.

Connect with Alexandra:

https://www.alexandramahannaleadership.com
https://www.instagram.com/alexandramahannaleadership/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584831492007#
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandramahanna

FREE Gift:
Alexandra would like to invite listeners to watch her free webinar "The Hidden Leadership Gap: Why Clarity, Confidence and Connection Matter More Than Ever"

Right now the very end of this webinar does invite viewers to learn more about a coaching program she is offering.

https://www.alexandramahannaleadership.com/get-leadership-gap-webinar

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In this episode, Dawn Rose shares her inspiring journey from a troubled personal life to a fulfilling career in the Air Force, where she rose from enlisted to officer. She discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of mentorship, and the balance between military and family life. Dawn emphasizes the need for self-advocacy and the significance of supportive partnerships in achieving career goals. Her story serves as a testament to resilience and the power of leadership, especially for women in the military.

Takeaways:

• Dawn joined the Air Force to change her life direction.
• Mentorship played a crucial role in her career advancement.
• Balancing family and military life requires teamwork and communication.
• Self-advocacy is essential for career growth.
• Leadership should be about supporting others, not diminishing them.
• Work-life balance is more about integration than separation.
• Challenges in the military can lead to personal growth and resilience.
• Women in the military often face unique challenges that require strong support systems.

About Dawn:

Dawn is a retired Air Force Major. She started her enlisted career as a Biomedical Equipment Technician (BMET) and ended her officer career as a Healthcare Administrator. Dawn is married with two children. She was a military brat growing up and found that the military served her very well. She is a self-described “gypsy” who loves to move every few years but she is trying to settle down in one place now. She currently works in the healthcare construction industry, utilizing her equipment and facility management knowledge that she gained in the military to catapult her career post AF retirement. 

Connect:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AqDPRN5Vs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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In this episode, Jackie Frederick shares her journey from military service to civilian life, discussing her experiences as a retired Lieutenant Colonel, a mother of four, and her advocacy for health and family issues. She reflects on the challenges of balancing military duties with family life, the impact of her husband's health condition, and the importance of faith and mindfulness in navigating these transitions. Jackie emphasizes the need for women in the military to embrace their unique strengths and offers advice for those transitioning to civilian life, highlighting the importance of setting goals and giving oneself grace during the process.

Takeaways

• Jackie Frederick's military journey began in 2002 through officer training school.
• She emphasizes the importance of embracing feminine qualities in the military.
• Navigating family life while serving can be challenging, especially with health issues.
• Health care for military families can be complex and often requires advocacy.
• Transitioning to civilian life can lead to a loss of identity and purpose.
• Setting goals and having a plan is crucial for post-military life.
• Mindfulness and being present with family are essential for well-being.
• Women should have the freedom to make medical choices during pregnancy and nursing.
• Financial planning is important when transitioning out of the military.
• Encouraging and supporting spouses can strengthen family dynamics.

About Jackie:

Jackie Frederick is a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, devoted wife, and mother of four. After completing 20 years of military service, she has embraced a new chapter focused on financial independence, travel, educational freedom, and the rewarding role of being a stay-at-home mom.

In her post-military career, Jackie has built a diverse portfolio of remote and leadership roles, including serving as a Fellow with Children's Health Defense, Department of Defense consultant, real estate investor, Central Baptist Church Administrator, Accountant, and Chief Operating Officer for Nutrition Advisor.

During her military career, Jackie served as an Air Battle Manager and speechwriter, gaining extensive experience operating at both the tactical and strategic levels. She developed expertise in U.S. Department of Defense operations, government affairs, business process improvement, requirements development, public speaking, and tactical communications. She is also recognized as an expert in Multi-Domain Command and Control (MDC2).

Jackie holds a Master's degree in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from American Military University and remains passionate about leadership, family advocacy, personal growth, and helping others successfully navigate life's transitions.

Connect with Jackie:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclynfrederick/

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In this episode, Ashley Sard leverages her military background and nonprofit experience to support women veterans through innovative outreach, education, and storytelling initiatives. Learn about VA resources, community programs, and ways to honor veterans' legacies. 

In this episode: 

• Ashley shares her inspiring story of service in the Air Force and her transition into civilian advocacy 
• The Veteran History Project's role in preserving firsthand stories of veterans since 2000 
• How to participate and submit stories to the Library of Congress and Women Veterans Memorial 
• Resources available at VA for women veterans, including maternity care, postpartum support, and grief services 
• The impact of community events, coffee socials, and networking on veteran support Innovative outreach ideas like virtual calendars, social media, and local resource fairs 
• The Blue Butterfly program for children experiencing trauma and the importance of mental health support  
• The benefits of partnership and information sharing among veteran organizations and nonprofits 
• Practical tips for advanced care planning and having conversations about end-of-life wishes 

Resources

• Library of Congress Veteran History Project
• Empath Health
• Hope Florida
• CareerSource Tampa Bay

About Ashley:

Ashley Sard is a proud Air Force Veteran with 15 years of service as a medic; however, her dedication to the military began long before she ever put on the uniform. Growing up in a military family, her father served in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division, and her younger brother followed in his footsteps—service was a part of her identity from an early age. 

During her time in the Air Force, she was privileged to care for service members and their families, an experience that deepened her commitment to the well-being of those who serve. Today, that mission continues in a new form. As a Community Partnership Specialist with Empath Health, she has the honor of supporting Veterans through outreach, education, and advocacy. It’s her passion to bridge the gap between our communities and the needs of those who served, ensuring that no Veteran is forgotten or underserved.

Connect with Ashley:

• LinkedIn

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In this episode, Hadon McKinley shares her inspiring journey from a C-130 navigator in the U.S. Air Force to a coach empowering women to regulate their nervous systems, banish burnout, and find calm amidst chaos. Her story highlights the importance of unlearning military hustle culture and embracing self-awareness for a more fulfilled life.

Key Topics

• Hadon’s military career and lessons learned in leadership and resilience
• The transition from military to civilian life and the challenge of unlearning "go, go, go" mentalities
• Recognizing and overcoming burnout cycles rooted in overachievement and high standards
• How nervous system regulation and self-awareness transform inner calm and confidence
• The role of self-reflection in healing, boundary-setting, and personal growth
• Practical tools Hadon provides: online courses, burnout archetype quiz, group programs, and personalized coaching
• The significance of community support, especially from family, in emotional transformation
• The importance of patience—how different people need different times to realize they need help
• How military leadership lessons like compartmentalization influence civilian wellbeing and how to unlearn them
• Tips on managing overthinking and emotional clouds to live more peacefully

About Hadon: 

Hadon McKinley is a certified coach, former Air Force C-130 Navigator, and corporate overachiever turned burnout disruptor. She teaches ambitious women how to stop living in chaos and start leading with calm confidence.

Connect:

www.confidencecollectivecoaching.com 
www.linkedin.com/in/hadon-mckinley-pmp-certified-coach-a77a4178 https://www.youtube.com/@HadonMcKinley

FREE Stress Archetype Quiz:

This quiz will allow you to see where you are in the burnout cycle and you'll receive free resources. https://link.confidencecollectivecoaching.com/widget/quiz/YyLyqfGAAZzsz722J6j8

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