Waypoints podcast

Short intro to talk briefly about the Sisterhood, Mother B, and what we are doing.

In this first episode of the new Waypoints podcast, the official podcast of the Sisterhood of Mother B, Jenn and Jeannette, the podcast co-hosts, talk about their experiences as female USNA grads and Marine Corps pilots, and describe why the felt the need to be part of the Sisterhood of Mother B.

Our intro episodes consist of brief intro interviews with the members of the Sisterhood of Mother B, women from the great class of 1998 from the U.S. Naval Academy. In episode 2, Jenn and Jeannette interview Shannon about her experiences and what she has learned.

In Episode 3, we talk with Michele, fearless director of operations for the Sisterhood, to learn about her work and experiences. Have patience with us as we learn how to "do" podcasts! Flying helicopters was easier and still took us longer to learn...

Episode 4 features an interview with Kate, our resident Sisterhood twitter expert and all-around rock star. And check out the picture from '98's Plebe Summer book...

In episode 5 of Waypoints, the podcast of the Sisterhood of Mother B, Jenn and Jeannette interview Beth Ann, the 6th founding member of the Sisterhood. Episode 6, to be released soon, will feature the final Sisterhood member - Carrie Howe - before we move into the '80s ladies and some reader response episodes.

Jenn and Jeannette interview their fellow Marine Corps helo pilot and USNA classmate Carrie Howe, the final member of the Sisterhood of Mother B! Join us as we talk to Carrie - and stay tuned for our first write-in episode in two weeks!

...of needing to go to the bathroom. We're trying something new - write-in episode #1 asked listeners to share stories about how they adapted and overcame the equipment and process failures that result when the "norm" or "average" user is expected to be a man. While the topic is funny, the outcomes aren't always. Expect write-in episodes to range from the hilarious to the painful - and to cover everything in between. Stay tuned and provide feedback! And next time - listen up for our first interview with the women of the 1980s.

Welcome to our first interview with one of the women of the class of 1980 - the first class from USNA to graduate women! Stefanie is a force of nature, and her stories are riveting. Please tune in - and send us your feedback!

This week, Jenn and Jeannette talk all things USNA, women, sisterhood, and so much more with Barbette Lowndes, class of 1980 and fearless leader of the USNA Women's SIG.

For episode 10, Jenn and Jeannette talked with Kristin Reynolds Goodrich, class of 1989. Come listen to Kristin's stories of plebe summer, plebe year, and her journey from Annapolis to where she is today. And stay tuned for our next episode - we're branching out!

In Episode 11, Jenn and Jeannette - given the opportunity to freelance because of a scheduling glitch - dive into Jeannette's research, gender and security, leadership, and the book  Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Perez. Come join us as we talk Thomas Jefferson, Navy gear, and what happens when you bet against Jenn on the rifle range (hint: you lose).

This week, Jenn and Jeannette discuss suicide and veteran/military culture with Dr. Tiffany Prather. Please join us for a serious discussion. Resources are listed on our site and below: Service members, veterans, or their families experiencing crisis should seek help immediately by contacting the Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1. You can also seek crisis support via text at 838255 or via chat online at www.militarycrisisline.net. U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has established toll-free phone support to the Military Crisis Line for all USFK community members, including active-duty military, civilians, family members and contractors. Callers can reach qualified, caring responders at the Military Crisis Line by dialing 0808-555-118 or DSN 118. A live Internet-based chat service is also available for USFK members, as well as the rest of the U.S. military and their families, at www.militarycrisisline.net. For overseas or international: Dial 118 from any U. S. Air Force or U. S. Army installation in Europe or dial 00800-1273-TALK (8255) for a commercial toll-free line in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Service members or their families who would just like to talk to someone who has shared similar experiences should contact Vets4Warriors. They will be linked to a peer who is trained to assist them in overcoming their obstacles. Call 855-838-8255; email info@vets4warriors.com. If you are in need of support or you would like to help someone who is, consider downloading the Objective Zero app. Our Class President, Dave Forman, has led a team of classmates in partnering with the OZ team to raise funds and add capability to the app for connecting fellow service academy graduates. Learn more https://www.objectivezero.org/.

In this episode, Jeannette talks with the Rev. Tommie Lee Watkins, PhD. Tommie is a member of the great class of '98 at USNA, and he was our class president until the end of our junior (2nd class) year. His story is painful, powerful, and - seen through the perspective of the past two decades - one that leaders need to hear. 

In Episode 14, we have the pleasure of talking about leadership and service with the amazing Amy McGrath - Marine Corps fighter pilot, leader, professor, soccer star, mother, and candidate for U.S. Senate from the state of Kentucky! Come join us and listen as we talk flying and all things Navy and Marine Corps with Amy. SOMB makes no endorsement for (or against) any specific candidate or party, but we do encourage women, especially veterans, to run for office at all levels of government and participate in elections regardless of political affiliation. Our service to our country began in the military, but it doesn't end when we take off the uniform. To learn more about Amy's campaign for Senate, please use the links below. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/usnapod#. Campaign website: https://amymcgrath.com/

In this Episode, Jenn and Jeannette interview Steve Le, one of the most interesting grads we know. His story is heroic, tragic, and inspiring. Steve was born in Saigon just prior to its fall. Through a series of incredible experiences, he made it to the US in the 80s - and into USNA. After serving in the Navy, Steve held a wide range of positions, but eventually began working on Le Mobile Feast. Pay close attention to how three Gen Xers handle the technical malfunction toward the end of the podcast, and go check out Steve's website to learn about his story and journey: https://lemobilefeast.com/.

Come join us as three members of the Sisterhood, Jenn, Shannon, and Jeannette, share stories from listeners (and from each other) about the fun that can be Army/Navy week. Stories range from heartwarming to downright disgusting, and everything in between. And finally... BEAT ARMY!

In Episode 17, we continue with our interviews with women of the 90s, starting with Samanthia Rousos-Gage, member of the class of 1991. Please join us as we explore with Samanthia what it was like to serve in a time of incredible change for the Navy, and learn about what it's like to start at USNA as a non-swimmer only to become a Master's swimmer later in life. Beat Army!

For this episode, Jenn and Jeannette - who were TBS and flight school roommates - interview another set of roommates, Christine Bath-Zachery and Lynne Smith Driscoll, both class of 1990. Chris was Jenn's sponsor mom, and graduates from the late 90s might remember Lynne, who played an integral role in the USNA admissions process for those classes. Chris and Lynne finish each other's sentences, discuss how they supported each other both at USNA and beyond, and tell stories that might remind listeners of their own days at USNA and roommates and friends near and far.

In Episode 19, classmates Misty, Jenn, and Jeannette explore the wonders of Surf and Turf in King Hall, flying frigates, roommate Bingo, the Mystery of the French Fries, and - on a more serious note - discuss the heart-wrenching duties that redefine our lives as leaders. Please join us!

In episode 20, Kate and Jeannette read stories and comments from our listeners about what it's like to be dual-military... and because we can't keep our opinions to ourselves, we grind some axes as well. Come join us as we complain, vent, laugh, and in general agree that the pain is worth it...

COVID-19 occupies our every thought these days. The Sisterhood is considering how to best use our platform during this crisis, and how to support, connect, and engage as we all pivot to this new reality. While we regroup and chart out our path, we wanted to share Part II from our dual-military episode. We recorded it just before the virus became a reality inside the U.S.. Hopefully giving Jeannette and Kate a microphone and letting them grind their axes distracts everyone for a bit. Take care and stay safe...

In this episode, Jenn and Jeannette get to talk with Midshipman 1/c Taylor Sparks, USNA '20, about leadership and resilience in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. The Sisterhood of Mother B salutes the Class of 2020 as they embark upon their careers in a new normal - and without the kind of sendoff that the rest of us had. And because we are amateurs, Jeannette accidentally hit a button that made her voice sound weird partway into the podcast...and can't figure out how to fix it. So - Enjoy! 

In episode 23, Kate and Jeannette interview Phoebe Kotlikoff and Will Harris, both members of USNA Class of 98+15, both submarine officers, and married to each other. Please join us as we talk about breaking submarines (don't ask Kate and Jeannette to explain that part), dual-mil challenges and rewards, allyship and advocacy, and the work we still have to do. And join Kate and Jeannette in celebrating fellow nerds - we must unite!

In episode 24, amidst the turmoil that is 2020, '98er and track star extraordinaire Regina Ware Dixon joins Jenn and Jeannette to talk about USNA, race, the Navy, roommates, and gender... and what, how, and where we can learn if we want to make changes to our world. Also, the Kearsarge was problematic in summer 1996. And we need to check our assumptions. Join us...

Please join Shannon and Jeannette as they talk with Trishette (Hall) Neville, USNA '97, about racism, gender, and leadership at USNA and in the military. About the hanging of Confederate flags in Bancroft Hall. About isolation. About how complex and deep racism is, and how the fight against it can be subordinated to other causes. About loneliness and resilience. And, a little bit, about how drill seems like it would be cool but really it isn't. Unless it's not at USNA. Then it's cool. (Or not.)

As summer 2020 commenced in this never-ending year from hell, the Sisterhood of Mother B wanted to discuss racism together on Waypoints. Our group is white - and the burden is on all of us to use our voices, perspectives, and this platform for change. This podcast is awkward and it's humbling, but without forcing ourselves out of our comfort zones, real change won't happen. So join us as we get uncomfortable, learn, and work on getting it right - not being right. And please reach out with comments, ideas, corrections, additions, or reactions.

This week, Shannon and Jeannette bring Sandy Coward, CAPT (Ret) USN, onto the show. CAPT C, USNA '64, knows his way around a sea story... and he was head of the USNA admissions board in the early 90s, spearheading some of the changes that brought more women to Annapolis and recruiting women to join the amazing class of '98 and the also-amazing class of '98-1. Given the tribulations of 2020 so far, we asked him to talk about his life, career, and how to bring about institutional change. Please join us - and put your feet up. It's a long one!

In this episode of Waypoints, the Sisterhood discusses our personal experience with eating disorders and the prevalence of ED in the uniformed services.  Is it our type-A perfectionism that draws us both to uniform and to disordered eating?  How can the military better address this serious issue? 

Roll with us on this one. Chris Haynie and CB Johnson, both '98, joined forces for a long talk about.,.well, we're not really sure because SOMB haven't listened to it yet. But we've been told it's interesting - and knowing both CB and Chris, we bet it is. Both men, classmates, friends, and Marine Corps infantry officers, talk about life... the Corps... and the transformation that can happen when you start questioning the life you've lived. Better than a BOGSATT, we promise! 

Y'all - it's been a while. Let's just say that the chaos of 2020/2021 caught up with us a bit. But we're baaaaack! And who better to kick things off than another great '98er - Coreyanne (Rickwalt) Armstrong, prior SWO, bagpiper extraordinaire, mother of 8, and the energy behind a story that we found incredibly inspiring and eye-opening. Join us for a listen (and thank you to Corey for her patience and courage!). And if you want to learn more - take a look at Corey's work with Oxford House Building Hope (https://buildinghope.net/lend-a-helping-hand). 

Ten years ago last month, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy was repealed. But what did that policy represent for servicemembers? What was it like to serve before the policy existed as well as during it - and how can we each become more empathic leaders who seek to make our own organizations more inclusive and supporting? This month, CDR (Ret) Zoe Dunning, class of 1985, joined us to generously share her experiences; her stories remind us all that there is still so much more to be done.

Hello long-suffering Waypoints listeners! Inspired by our 25th reunion this past weekend, we are releasing - FINALLY (after 6 weeks of verrry sloooow editing by our wonderful Chief Editor) - Season 2!  Season 2 starts with Episode 1, where Kate, Jenn, and Jeannette discuss the 21-month hiatus that Waypoints took. TL; DR: life smacked us all in the faces at the same time. Please join us as we reboot Waypoints for Season 2. Thank you!