Diapers and Deployments | SkillMil Podcast

On todays show we talk to guest Drew Stamp, Chief of Operations for the Donovan and Bank Foundation. As the COO, Drew manages and handles the daily business operations of the foundation, working closely with foundation staff and partners to support the day-to-day activities and all of our programs. The Donovan & Bank Foundation is a North Carolina based 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to helping United States Special Operators bring closure to their warrior story and transition to a life of peace, contentment and balance. The Foundation accomplishes its mission through a variety of transition assistance services delivered through four interrelated, mutually supporting programs. They have a unique level of credibility and access with their constituents that allows them to reach veterans in a way others cannot. They do focus on Army Special Forces (Green Berets), but they have developed a culture and reputation to help any and all SOF. www.donovanbank.org

We chat with Anthony Price today, Executive Director of the Gold Star Ride Foundation. In 2016, The Gold Star Ride Foundation began with a simple idea: Remember the families of the fallen. The Gold Star Ride Foundation actively supports, comforts and provides education benefits to Gold Star Families throughout the United States and provides these things directly with personal visits via motorcycle; and they support those other organizations that work to assist in these same activities. The Gold Star Ride Foundation averages 10 Gold Star Families a month, every month. They have honored families made Gold Star by every conflict since WWII. We encourage you to check out their book Yours, Very Sincerely And Respectfully: The True Story of the Gold Star Ride Foundation's 2018 Journey Across, Around and Through America, Honoring Gold Star Families. By Anthony Price and Keith Carey. All proceeds go to the foundation. www.goldstarride.org

On todays show we have actress of Little Women LA, Christy McGinity. She is currently working as a Recovery Coach, bringing strength and hope to others. Being 12 years sober herself, she knows the trials and tribulations of someone on the path of recovery. You wont want to miss the chance to laugh with the three of us on this light hearted episode of Diapers & Deployments.

Today we give you another organization helping veterans and first responders with PTS through equine therapy. We have on the show Patrick Benson, Co-Founder and Director of War Horses For Veterans. Through exceptional horsemanship, War Horses for Veterans provides combat veterans and first responders the tools for growth personally and professionally. The combat veterans come from all over the country. The new First Responders division serves the local Kansas City departments. The goal at WHFV is to help veterans and first responders who experienced life-disrupting trauma to recover from their limitations, to repurpose their talents and abilities to a successful life, and to reintegrate into their families, workplaces, and communities. Through working with horses, their tailored coaching approach provides tools and techniques that translate personally and professionally. No horsemanship experience needed! You'll learn how to interact and engage with horses from foundational sills to advanced riding. You work side by side with the team and see how every day chores can renew ones purpose and calm the mind. You will practice self care, focusing on the mind-body connection through culinary wellness, meditation and physical mobility work. www.warhorsesforveterans.org

On this podcast episode of Diapers & Deployments, Michael and Serena talk to Vincent Soto, Founder and Director of Operations of Navigating Solutions. Navigating Solutions was founded by veterans for our nation's veterans & our nation's workforce. Navigating Solutions' goal is to positively impact and create workforce opportunities by building resiliency in our communities through education and training programs, vital career resource venues, and providing critical job placement skills. www.navigatingsolutions.org

On todays show, we talk with Vince Morales, Social Services Project Manager and Co-Founder of Veterans Community Project. VCP Village, located at 89th and Troost in Kansas City, Missouri, is an innovative community of 49 tiny houses for Veterans experiencing homelessness. The homes range in size from 240 to 320 square feet, meet all local city code requirements, and connect to city utility services. Approximately 70% of the Village construction was performed by community volunteers. Many Veterans arrive at VCP Village with little more than the pain, uncertainty, and loneliness of life on the streets. A tiny house provides everything he or she needs to live with dignity and safety; new furniture, appliances, housewares, bedding, food, and utilities, free of charge. More importantly, VCP Village provides sanctuary and the emotional space needed for the Veteran and VCP's Veteran Support Services team to thoroughly address the underlying causes of his or her homelessness. Together, the Veteran and VCP's specially-trained case managers work to achieve incremental, lasting results in the areas of health and wellness, education, employment, financial literacy, and the development of a personal support network. www.veteranscommunityproject.org

On todays show we speak to Executive Coach at Tribe + Purpose and Auther of Enable Your Team's Success: Succeed in Life and Business with a Strong Team, Otis W. McGregor III, CPD, CPC. Enable Your Team's Success walks the reader through the foundations it takes to be a successful leader and build and run a successful team. It starts with how you define your success as a person and a leader and moves to how to build your team and lead them. Otis explains the concepts in easy to understand terms and then shows the reader how he applied those fundamentals in business, Special Forces and on the rugby pitch. LTC, Special Forces, US Army, Retired Otis McGregor leads Tribe and Purpose with his son Camden as the principal leadership and success coach. With over 40 years of experience as a leader, coach, and team member, Otis embodies the values and principles of Tribes and Purposes. Otis is driven both by these values and the idea that better leaders and tribes create better organizations, building better communities leading to a better world. Brought to the civilian world after retirement, Otis walks the walk and talks the talk. Spend five minutes with him, and he will inspire your heart and mind. www.tribe-purpose.com

Mike and Serena have the honor of speaking to Gold Star wife Michelle Black, Author of Sacrifice: A Gold Star Widow's Fight For the Truth. What is Sacrifice about? The shocking and affecting memoir from a gold-star widow searching for the truth behind her Green Beret husband's death, this book bears witness to the true sacrifices made by military families. When Green Beret Bryan Black was killed in an ambush in Niger in 2017, his wife Michelle saw her worst nightmare become a reality. She was left alone with her grief and with two young sons to raise. But what followed Bryan's death was an even more difficult journey for the young widow. After receiving very few details about the attack that took her husband's life, it was up to Michelle to find answers. It became her mission to learn the truth about that day in Niger–and Sacrifice is the result of that mission.In this heartbreaking and revelatory memoir, Michelle uses exclusive interviews with the survivors of her husband's unit, research into the military leadership and accountability, and her own unique vantage point as a gold-star widow to tell a previously unknown story. Sacrifice is both an honest, emotional look inside a military marriage and a searing investigation of the people and decisions at the heart of the US military. https://michelleblacksacrifice.com/

On todays show Michael and Serena talk to guest Army Veteran Stephen Machuga, Founder and Executive Director at Stack Up. Stack Up brings both veterans and civilian supporters together through a shared love of video gaming using our primary programs: The Stacks, Supply Crates, Air Assaults, and the Stack Up Overwatch Program [StOP]. "Active duty military personnel face extraordinary pressure in the line of duty. However, after their service is over, we understand another challenge begins for many. It is okay to want to be healthy and seek help, whether facing troubling times, feeling a lack of purpose, or having lost the will to persevere. At Stack Up, we aim to break down the stigmas associated with these issues through the use of gaming." www.stackup.org

On this episode of Diapers and Deployments Michael and Serena talk to guest Actor Michael Gier, Director and Producer of Documentary "Wounded Heroes." The story of his journey to find alternative treatments and programs is inspiring and includes stories of the many Veterans and 1st Responders he interviewed that overcame what seemed to be impossible. His story is a message of Hope that anyone can live the life of their dreams no matter the obstacles or circumstances they're currently facing. Many battling Post-Traumatic Stress believe that it's a "life sentence" but as the film shows, that's not true. Wounded Heroes features Veterans that had lost hope but now have their lives back because their PTS is gone. They went from contemplating suicide to living happy fulfilling lives. https://www.woundedheroesdocumentary.com/

Making the decision to leave the military can be very scary, no matter how many years you've served. You've been told what job you will do, where you'll do it, how much you'll get paid to do it. The fear of not knowing what job lies ahead for you as a civilian can add a lot of added stress mentally and financially. Michael went through this as a service member and Serena did as a spouse, and have talked about their experiences on past episodes. Wouldn't it be nice for a service member and/or their spouse to be able to chat with someone whos already in corporate America? "American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit organization focused on helping returning veterans and active duty spouses find their next careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online career advice. ACP engages the American people in a unique volunteer opportunity to provide career guidance to returning military as they transition back into civilian life. We believe that the biggest issue facing our returning service members is not unemployment – it's underemployment. ACP focuses on helping veterans and active duty spouses find meaningful employment opportunities and develop long-term careers." We have guest Richard Comitz, Senior Vice Present of American Corporate Partners on to tell us all about this great organization for veterans and their spouses! https://www.acp-usa.org/

If you've been paying attention to the real estate market the past year, I'm sure you have seen how wild its been. I've never thought about investing in property, but times like these make me think about it. Michael and Serena talk to guest Jay Johnson, CEO of Landing Collective Real Estate Solutions and Host of Expert(ish) podcast. Landing Collective Real Estate Solutions is a Veteran-Owned, Team Based Organization that helps others buy, sell and invest with ease. https://www.landingcollective.com/ https://www.yourpcspartners.com/

Are you looking for your next career step after your military Service? Are you within 180 days of transition? If your active duty and haven't heard of the Skillbridge program, you need to listen to this podcast episode! Discover opportunities to participate in training and development with industry and employers who are seeking the high-quality skills that you bring to the table. Today we have a guest from our SkillMil family, SkillMil Skillbridge Program Manager, Liza! She's going to give the details about the Skillbridge program specifically offered with SkillMil. You wont want to miss this episode if you're still trying to decide what you're going to do when you grow up! https://www.skillmil.com/skillbridgejobs https://skillbridge.osd.mil/

On this veterans day 2021, SkillMil wants to thank all of the Veterans and their families who have served and sacrificed for this country. TW: Veteran Suicide Todays show we get in deep with Nick Howland, CEO and Board Director of The Fire Watch. "The Fire Watch is Northeast Florida's fight to end veteran suicide. We are uniting our War Fighters and allies to swiftly activate local assets, stand watch, and build a life-saving network. To date, no city, county, or state has systemically reduced its veteran suicide rate. This effort is the first of its kind in the country." https://www.thefirewatch.org/ Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255

On this weeks show, Michael and Serena talk to Jaime Chapman, Founder and COO of Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce. The Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce mission is to ensure that all active duty and veteran military spouse business owners have the tools and resources they need to strengthen their families, communities, and our economy. Founded by military spouse entrepreneurs with over 30 years of collective experience in the nonprofit and for-profit world. They are determined to provide the best in class resources to help our spouses succeed. https://milspousechamber.org/

Learning is the Engine to Success and www.AristaLearn.com fuels that engine. AristaLearn is a woman-owned, minority, small business dedicated to continual learning and professional achievement. Their dynamic training programs help professionals learn at the pace of technology. Special programs for active military personnel, family members, and veterans include 50+ approved professional certificates via www.ArmyIgnitED.com for Active Army and Army Reserves members. Certificates include Project Management Certifications, Security, Infrastructure, Blockchain, Human Resources, Strategic Leadership, Word, Excel and more. Those who have access to the GI Bill Post 9-11 can take their IT Leadership Certificate Program which helps participants achieve 10-13 high-demand industry certifications at an accelerated page. Students can access the classes from anywhere in the world, any time. Contact: Learn@AristaLearn.com and mention SkillMil or this podcast Diapers & Deployment for special discounts!

Shopping small is more important than ever these days. With the boom of Amazon and big box stores, the small local shops seem to be glossed over, especially now during the strange times of Covid where most people prefer to shop online. Serena and Mike have a guest today that came up with a great idea to bring all those small shops, run by veteran and first responders spouses, to one place! We have Monica Fullerton on today, founder and CEO of Spouse-ly. The mission of Spouse-ly is “to support and champion military families seeking income-generating opportunities no matter where the military life takes them.” Their platform provides a place for military and first-responder families to share their creative sides with the world. By choosing to shop Spouse-ly you are supporting dreams, providing flexibility & stability to a community that faces the unknown frequently. With the holidays right around the corner, yes I said it, you will want Spouse-ly on your shopping list. www.spouse-ly.com

On this SkillMil podcast episode of Diapers and Deployments, Serena and Michael have on another musical star! Travis Marvin, from the Travis Marvin Band is on the show today to talk about Cars 4 Heroes, a charity where he sits on the board. Travis gives us all the details on giving back to veterans and other heroes, who are in need of transportation in this great country. The Car Santa in Olathe, KS is turning dreams into reality with the help of generous donators. We also get to hear two songs recently released by Travis and his band. You won't want to miss this episode. Mike and Serena would like to see Travis Marvin play at Flora-Bama down in Pensacola! Who's coming to hang with us? “Cars 4 Heroes is not affiliated with Cars 4 Vets, Cars for veterans, or any other organizations that give cars away. We have been around since 1996 helping veterans” www.cars4heroes.org www.travismarvin.com

We have talked about networking before, but we have another opportunity for networking, and this this time for women! Mike and Serena chat with Melissa Washington, CEO and Founder of Women Veterans Alliance. "Women Veterans Alliance is a premier national network focused on directly impacting the quality of life of women veterans. We do this successfully through transforming the way the community networks to bring people and programs directly together through a reliable and resourceful platform." https://www.womenveteransalliance.org/

So you're done with with military service but you aren't quite done volunteering yet? Maybe you've done research about the Peace Corps before? Maybe you know very little about it? This goes for Mike and Serena, they had an idea what the Peace Corps was about but had never gotten the details! Taylor Majher, Peace Corps Regional Recruiter of South Florida, speaks with them about her experience in Guatemala as a Peace Corps volunteer. "The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation." Peacecorps.org

If you've heard it once, you've heard it 100 times, its all about who you know! On todays show, we talk with Bruce Thompson, Vice President of Vets2Industry. Vets2Industry provides a free resource library for the military community – active, guard, reserve, veteran, military-spouse, dependent children, Blue-Star & Gold-Star Families, and caregivers – so they know which organizations provide free services and benefits. V2I also serves to break the circle of ignorance by listing companies that have opportunities for veterans, those that have specific military hiring programs, those that are on the 100 Military Friendly companies list, and those that selflessly provide Fortune 500 mentors for a year to transitioning service members through their partnership with American Corporate Partners. #HOW_CAN_I_HELP #PAY_IT_FORWARD

It's hard being the new kid on the block. It's extra hard when your family is uprooted from a place you call home and tossed to the opposite coast to try and make a strange place home again. Not just within your new four walls either, you have to find a new job, make new friends, find new doctors and *GASP* find new emergency contacts for your kids school forms! Have you ever heard of Blue Star Families? We hadn't either! So today we have Wendy Layton, Chapter Director for Blue Star Families in Jacksonville, on the show. "The families of our all-volunteer military make unprecedented sacrifices these days to serve our country. Blue Star Families was founded by military spouses in 2009 to empower these families to thrive as they serve. We're committed to strengthening military families by connecting them with their neighbors – individuals and organizations – to create vibrant communities of mutual support. We believe we're all stronger when we take care of one another." If you're serving for a little while longer, or you're ready to volunteer some of your time and advice as a seasoned spouse, you won't want to miss this episode. www.bluestarfam.org

I think its safe to say, a lot people think of the American Legion as a place for old comrades to enjoy a drink together. We are here to enlighten you, the American Legion is way more than what meets the eye! The American Legion's mission statement, is "To enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness". On todays episode, Joseph C. Sharpe, Jr., Director of Veterans Employment and Education, fills us in on some of the programs the American Legion has to offer to their members. https://www.legion.org/

On this epsiode of SkillMil's Diapers and Deployments, we dive in head first with guests from Advocate Health Advisors. We chat with Christina Lonigro, Veterans Initiatives Specialist and COL Cullen Wright, Retired, Veteran's Initiatives Director. The Advocate Health Advisors is Veteran owned and operated. Their mission is to help fellow Veterans with VA benefits and Medicare benefits and coordinate them to maximize care and minimize costs. Across the country, they help Veterans enjoy the peace of mind that comes from receiving the care they need at rates they can afford. You wont want to miss this episode! www.advocatehealthadvisors.com

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics provide confidential therapy services to post-9/11 veterans, family members and loved ones. The Cohen Clinics provide veterans and their families with high-quality, accessible care, regardless of discharge status or role in service. At Cohen Clinics, they make sure there are no barriers to care. Serving people from ages 3-90 years old. Mike and Serena get the opportunity to speak to Brigadier General (ret) Michael Fleming, Outreach Director for the Cohen Clinic at Centerstone in Jacksonville, FL. On the show he provides details on how to get high quality mental health-care at various locations across the United States. www.cohenveteransnetwork.org

Content/Trigger Warning : PTSD & Suicide/Veteran Suicide On this episode of Diapers and Deployments, Mike and Serena get to chat with veteran and singer/song writer Shannon Book from http://linktr.ee/ShannonBookMusic. "He is working on a complete collection of original songs reflecting his time in combat, injuries (both physical and emotional), and living with the aftermath of war. He hopes his music will help to educate military families and civilians, as well as help to heal those that have shared in some of the same experiences." https://deliberatelybroken.com/about/ Starting in 2018, every penny earned from his hit song Not Alone goes to help combat veteran suicide. National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

On this episode of Diapers and Deployments, Michael and Serena discus how SkillMil plays a key role in your civilian job search, and how to wash dirty laundry. Serena introduces Mike to her friend Jenna Young, a Military Student Transition Consultant, and she fills us in on her role as MCEC and the resources available to military children as they transition to a new school and community. April is designated as the Month of the Military Child. It is part of the legacy left by former Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger. The Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and the challenges they overcome. “Purple Up! For Military Kids” is a day for DoDEA Communities to wear purple to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple indicates that all branches of the military are supported.

Have you ever wanted to start you own business? Did you know there are loans available specifically for Veterans wanting to start their own business? Neither did Mike and Serena! On this episode, they interview Natalie Hall, an Economic Development Specialist with the Small Business Administration. The SBA provides assistance for those that are looking to start, grow, and finance their small business, and Natalie tells all about it. Serena is still keeping the mermaid tattoo under wraps despite listeners requests, and Mike is breaking the bank dressing his kids in Hey Dudes!

This week on Diapers and Deployments Serena learns who she’s NOT going to call for moving help, scams on LinkedIn and Mike's bright idea for Elon Musk. In a single night, over 37,000 Veterans experience homelessness across the United States. Sharon Lynn Unger from Veterans Village of Northeast Florida is trying to reduce those numbers with a 125 acre tiny house community for homeless veterans. On today’s show she introduces us to her plans for helping veterans off the streets and integrated back into society and the work force. http://www.facebook.com/VVNEFL

Serena and Mike have a pulse on everything. This week’s episode of Diapers & Deployment talks about Goat Yoga, Trevor Lawrence saving Jacksonville, and transitioning Women Veterans programs. Sharleen Deary, US Air Force Veteran, highlights the outstanding work the Northeast Florida Women Veterans is doing for women veterans transitioning out of service and located in Northeast Florida. The organization provides the tools and resources needed for women veterans to be self-sufficient and successful members of the civilian community. They provide workshops, programs, and assistance for professional and personal wellness at www.forwomenvets.org As promised, join this week's fun and informative installment of Diapers & Deployment.

Serena and Mike tell it how it is as they share valuable tips and tricks for PSC-ing to your next duty station. Mike turns the tables on Serena and interviews her about her FINAL military move. She shares her worst moving fears and insights on her successful move back home with the help of her best friend with kids in tow. We discover that even the most seasoned military member and spouse can learn from a moving expert. Listen in as Mike and Serena interview, Christy, a military moving professional, who shares some expert advice and dirty little moving secrets. Join the fun in the latest installment of Diapers & Deployments!