SERVED: Military Women's Stories

In this episode, I'm joined by special guest Mary Tamura and her daughter Barbara. Mary, a Nisei, or first generation born Japanese-American, shares her family's experiences of being forcibly removed from their home in Southern California, transported, and incarcerated in Arizona's Gila Japanese-American Relocation Camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Facing racial prejudice and oppression, Mary and her family's deep sense of faith, family and community carried them through years of uncertainty. Mary's decision to take advantage of a new federal program - the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps - changed the trajectory of her life. Mary reflects on her historical journey with grace and resolve. She's joined by her daughter Barbara, who shares how she learned of her family's history, and how that's shaped her own life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOTXPFfU9zU

Entrepreneur extraordinaire Amanda Huffman's podcast WOMEN OF THE MILITARY has 139 episodes to date! Amanda shares her story of commissioning into the Air Force as a Civil Engineer, deploying to Afghanistan, life with a military husband, and embracing the transition from active duty to diaper duty. Amanda also talks about post-deployment trauma, reaching out for help and being dismissed by a mental health counselor, and later finding support with the Cohen Veterans Network and Celebrate Recovery. Visit Amanda's website and podcast at AirmanToMom.com. CelebrateRecovery.com CohenVeteransNetwork.com

Lachrisha Parker shares a variety of experiences from her 28 years of service. From her unique family connection into the military, to finding balance in a blended family with her military husband, Lachrisa embraced the challenges and rewards of the familiar Army slogan “BE ALL YOU CAN BE”. Lachrisha's continuation of service extended to her participation in Ms. Veteran America 2019 - which raises awareness and financial support for homeless female veterans. Lachrisha currently serves as the Community Engagement Manager for the Military Women's Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. https://womensmemorial.org/index.php/make-herstory/

Tracy, a veterinarian and epidemiologist, shares her experiences as a Public Health officer in the Air Force and as a civilian specialist at Scott Air Force base in Illinois. From prepping for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, to the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Tracy emphasizes the importance of preparation, education and communication during uncertain times. Tracy also shares her personal experience with being involuntarily separated from the military - honorably - and how she redefined herself and her career out of uniform.   

Dawn shares her Air Force journey from Florida, to Belgium, to The Pentagon, with a non-traditional deployment to France to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dawn shares her experiences as a whistleblower, having reporter her former government agency employer to the Office of Special Counsel and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for prohibited personnel practices and retaliation. She created Dawn Westmoreland Consulting LLC, which educates employees and employers on Workplace Bullying & Discrimination, and Safe and Respectful Workplace Environment Practices. https://www.workplacebullyingsupport.com

West Point alumna Harlene Coutteau, (Class of '82) and Chuck Hunsaker, coach & author of ANGELS IN COMBAT BOOTS, share their experiences with overcoming obstacles while ushering in the first women’s cross-country team at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The women's team became Eastern Champions, finished in the nation's Top 10 twice, and became the first Army women's team to BEAT NAVY! Buy the book here!

Sandy Stosz shares character-centered leadership lessons from 40 years of service in her incredible book BREAKING ICE AND BREAKING GLASS: LEADING IN UNCHARTED WATERS. From polar icebreaker deployments in Antarctica, to becoming the first female superintendent of any service academy - her alma mater, the Coast Guard Academy - Sandy's engaging storytelling will inspire you to embrace change and explore opportunities outside of your comfort zone. https://sandrastosz.com

Dr. Erin Mires shares her journey of growing up in the Middle East, to serving her homeland as an officer in the Air Force. Dr. Mires is also the Founder & CEO of EVOLVE COACHING & CONSULTING, which empowers high-achieving women to live a life of balance and global impact through network marketing. A career path that offered unexpected and rewarding opportunities during the Covid pandemic. https://www.erinmires.com

Dr. Jeni Hunniecutt shares her journey as a cheerleader in Virginia, to enlisting in the Army National Guard, to earning her PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Denver in Colorado. Dr. Hunniecutt, an advocate for veteran identity, is currently the assistant director of research engagement and educational programming at the Chez Veterans Center, and research assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health in the College of Applied Health Sciences, both at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne. 

Former SERVED guest Sara Potecha is joined by an extra special guest Freida Rothman, Founder and CEO of Freida Rothman Jewelers. Their serendipitous meeting resulted in a unique and purposeful collaboration that celebrates women and their accomplishments. https://www.freidarothman.com/pages/honor This episode is not sponsored or paid for. It’s just one heck of a great story!

Former Army Captain Sara Potecha shares her experiences of being in the third class of women to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point in her book WEST POINT WOMAN - HOW CHARACTER IS CREATED AND LEADERSHIP IS LEARNED. Sara is also a wife, mother, entrepreneur, keynote speaker and leadership consultant. https://www.sarapotecha.com/the-book/

Mary Beth, an Operation Iraqi Freedom combat engineer veteran and president of The Mission Continues, shares her experiences at the Naval Academy as both a midshipmen and an instructor, leading her unit into Kuwait and Iraq in 2003, transitioning to civilian life and motherhood, and fulfilling a continuation of service to local communities and veterans through collective action. https://www.missioncontinues.org

Laurel "Buff" Burkel, a retired C-130 navigator, passionate University of Michigan alumna, and football fan turned hockey playing fanatic, shares her journey of resiliency and community after surviving a Royal Air Force Puma HC Mk2 helicopter crash in 2015. Photos that emphasize Buff's experiences can be viewed on her website at https://onetuffbird.com or on her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/OneTuffBird

Dr. Bethany Miller shares her experiences in aviation, having retired as a pilot from the Air Force and commercially. Bethany has traveled to 85 countries and authored THE FLUX AGENTS GUIDEBOOK, which offers her unique perspective on pursuing a boundaryless career path and lifestyle. Bethany also sits on the board of the Abingdon Foundation, which offers scholarship and mentorship opportunities to young women interested in STEAM career fields. Visit Dr. Miller's website: https://www.bethanyjjmiller.com

Dr. Kate, an adjunct professor at George Mason University's Department of Global and Community Health, behavioral medicine researcher and Master Certified Health Education Specialist, shares her research in evidence-based mental fitness. Dr. Kate has authored over 100 scientific publications and presentations, including her latest book STOPPING MILITARY SUICIDES: VETERAN VOICES TO HELP PREVENT DEATHS, which she co-authored with fellow Marine Corps veteran Sarah Plummer Taylor. https://dockate.com 

Kay Wakatake, the Staff Judge Advocate for the Army Medical Command at the Pentagon, shares her experiences of attending Airborne school, deploying to Iraq, balancing work and personal responsibilities, and leveling the playing field both physically and intellectually while stationed at an infantry division overseas.

Vicki Jordan shares how her love for languages led her from Nebraska to the Army's Defense Language Institute in California, where she excelled in Russian and met her husband. Vicki also served as the Chief of Staff of the Operations Directorate at the NSA, and shares the importance of leadership, teamwork and communication in the evolving digital age of of cyber intelligence and security.

Nicole Katz shares her experiences of being hazed, to lapses in leadership, all while striving for excellence, graduating at the top of her class, and being empowered with tremendous responsibility while serving at TOPGUN. Nicole also shares how animal rescue benefited her life, and how she parlayed her military background into a career as an actor, voice-over artist and stunt performer in Hollywood. https://kittenrescue.org/. https://www.margulisvoices.com

Jodi Lynn Jordan shares her story from small-town life in Georgia to serving alongside the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, deploying to Saudi Arabia, shining in the stage lights of the competitive fitness world, Autism awareness, juggling motherhood and grad school, and how a conversation with a dying friend inspired entrepreneurship and new career pursuits. https://crossfitalgiers.com/about/meet-the-coaches

Persian Gulf War veteran and Bronze Star recipient Denise High shares her journey of growing up as a Navy "brat", pivoting careers as a civilian and as a recruit, unifying under pressure at wartime, a surprise multilingual romance, and reinvention during a military drawdown. 

Disabled Iraq & Afghanistan combat veteran Annette Wittenberger shares her experiences of having a military spouse, both deploying as a young parents, balancing the demands of personal and professional responsibilities, an unexpected retirement, and becoming an advocate for mental health awareness. https://www.awildridecalledlife.com Annette's Podcast THE TRUTHS WE HIDE 

Charlynda Scales, Founder and CEO of Mutt's Sauce, shares how her grandfather "Mutt's" military service inspired her personal and professional journey, how finding balance in business and motherhood provided space for self-care, and her continuous drive to be of service out of uniform. https://www.muttssauce.com

Melody Allen McBeth, the Executive Director of the Defense Language Institute Foundation and business owner of Highland Advancement Solutions, shares her experiences of joining the Army at the end of the Vietnam War, becoming a Russian linguist, staying active with her military and DLI community, and providing opportunities as an entrepreneur.  

Dr. Silvio shares her experiences of providing mental health services while deployed to Native American reservations, developing PTSD Treatment Programs for the VA in Las Vegas, and being the Deputy Director of the Council for a Strong America’s Police Training Institute, all while publishing 14 books and finding time to perform with her neighborhood community theatre. 

Women's Army Corps veteran Sonja Reiss, born in 1928, shares her story of growing up in a bilingual household, being recruited as an officer for the newly formed WAC unit, experiencing integration and segregation in the south, her unexpected discharge from the military, and finding fulfillment out of uniform.

Gulf War veteran Kim Heng shares her story of enlisting in the Air Force in her 20's, non-traditional deployments, balancing responsibilities at home and work, retiring overseas and continuing the call to serve military members and their families in Italy.

A bit about me and why I thought the planet could use ANOTHER podcast!

Karen, a Persian Gulf War veteran, shares her experience of working in the beauty industry, the importance of health and safety regulations in the workplace, and her discovery of stand-up comedy as a means of education and healing.

Iraqi War veteran Satinder Kaur shares her story of immigrating to the U.S. in middle school, enlisting in the Army just before 9/11, deploying to Iraq, returning to India to rediscover her roots, and sharing these experiences as a successful filmmaker in Los Angeles.