I’ll take happiness over job prestige any day! Looking back on my 28-year naval career, it’s the roles that truly brought me joy that stand out. Here’s what they had in common: ✅ Realistic expectations and a genuine respect for everyone’s contributions ✅ Warm weather climates, preferably with a beach close by 🏖️ ✅ A slower, more intentional pace—far from big-city chaos and traffic ✅ Space to challenge the status quo, innovate, and build programs that make a lasting impact Because here’s the truth: if you’re stuck in a job—no matter the prestige, pay, or power—you’re still stuck. That feeling seeps into everything. It strains your family, dulls your creativity, and makes you question if you’re really adding value. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to feel stifled, to have ideas brushed aside because they didn’t come from the top, to be part of an organization more focused on “staying on track” than making a difference. So I stepped away from the Navy’s “corporate ladder,” took a role two pay grades lower, and found a place where we’re creating projects that have real, tangible impact. Maybe the ladder didn’t want me, either—but here’s what I’ve learned: sometimes, life places you exactly where you need to be. Here’s to choosing joy, purpose, and impact over titles. #Reflections #CareerTruths #ChooseHappiness
Next week, we’re going to go there: when good jobs go bad! Who hasn’t been so excited to start that new position then find 🔎 it wasn’t what you thought? Or worse, be paralyzed with fear that you’ll never make the money you make now, won’t be able to feed your family and each day you walk into a soul-crushing grind? That’s the kind of tough topics we take on with the S.O.S. podcast. Kate Goggin will talk about the war within when we can’t let go but then the steps we can take to reclaim our power! Her writing is like poetry. I always love reading a piece of art. Feeling so lucky so many trust me with their story:)
As you close out your workweek, never forget we are stronger together! 🗽🇺🇸 We live in a country that lets us choose our destiny, where the entrepreneurial spirit reigns strong, and where our melting pot of people makes us mighty! Today, I watched a clip from Shawn Ryan that echoed the same story I have been telling you guys: We no longer believe in our traditional news channels, as they have shown us who they really are through deceptive editing techniques and outright lies. Instead, we now turn to “thought leaders” as trusted information and inspiration sources. Don’t let the silly political divisiveness get you down. Rather, let’s embrace the end of biased journalism, mis/disinformation, and the emergence of creators like myself, who have now become America’s most trusted news and information sources. I realize I’m here today with a more miniature (but hopefully mighty) podcast and a channel to express myself because people like Joe Rogan and Shawn who paved the way for smaller, independent creators like myself to have a voice! Sharing your story is the most powerful tool we have for self-expression. Do it often, as you become better because of it, and you not only help yourself, you help others know they are not alone. #GetSome #FridayMotivation
It always blows my mind who’s looking at my LinkedIn profile. There are people at the Pentagon communications offices, lawyers with the government, investigators, and people in the entertainment industry. And sometimes even communicators in the entertainment world! As I always say, I’m just a girl with a podcast! All I can say is thanks for stopping ✋ by! Hope you like my content and the stories of my guests. Don’t forget all you active duty, you can get a complimentary premium account on LinkedIn and also see who likes to spy! #ProTip 😉😉😉 #ISeeYou #FreeSpeech
In this episode, we’ll sit down with Julie Vida, a distinguished technology and business executive with a career that spans military service, high-impact roles in the public sector, and leadership in the tech industry. Currently, Julie leads the growth team for the Defense sector at ManTech, focusing on innovative solutions to secure the Department of Defense’s future. With past roles like Group Vice President & Chief Strategy Advisor for the Public Sector at Splunk and Executive Partner at Gartner, Julie brings deep insight into the intersection of data, analytics, and government operations. Julie shares her journey from her 24-year service in the U.S. Navy, where she served as both a Surface Warfare Officer and Naval Aviator, earning high honors like the Navy Air Medal for bravery in armed conflict during Operation Enduring Freedom. Transitioning from the military to the tech industry, she leveraged her expertise as the Navy’s Deputy Chief Information Officer, overseeing technology policy, investments, and cybersecurity. A passionate advocate for veterans and women in tech, Julie discusses her work mentoring transitioning military personnel and encouraging women and girls to pursue STEM careers. Tune in to hear her insights on leadership, resilience, and creating meaningful impact in both the public and private sectors experience.
When lives were on the line, some people are willing to risk it all. Reflecting on what makes a strong leader, I can’t help but think of Brett Crozier—a powerful example of courage and conviction. During the height of COVID, while experts warned of massive casualties, Crozier faced an impossible choice and put everything on the line to protect his crew. Years later, I asked if he had any regrets. His answer? It’s one every leader should hear.
Experience Navy Lodge life in Gulfport MS like never before! 🌊 We’ve been soaking up the sun and enjoying life on base while waiting for our house sale to go through. Take a look at our pictures for a glimpse into our life here. 📸🏞️ With good food, beautiful beaches, and a great working environment, there’s nothing not to love! 😍 Remember to count your blessings! 🙏
My next guest runs a property that helps our veterans in many ways and was recently granted new land to continue their mission. Not only that, but he also has a fighting spirit similar to mine, which infuses everything in his career. Meet Alan Yeck. Yeck is a former United States Marine, Special Intelligence Communications (MOS 2651—Company L, Marine Support Battalion, NSGA, Guantanamo Bay, and 1st Radio Battalion, Kaneohe, Marine Corpe Air Station), and Information Management Officer (IMO) with the U.S. Department of State, Foreign Service, Diplomatic Corps. Among his postings, he served three tours at the American Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, during its 18-year civil war, the American Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during Operation Desert Shield / Storm, “the original” Gulf War, and the American Consulate in Bogota, Columbia, during the FARC rebel conflict. More on Alan in first comment.
It’s alarming to think that active duty military members are denied the right to sue the government, essentially classifying them as second class citizens. This limitation has irreversible and devastating consequences for victims of military medical malpractice, defamation, sexual assault, and more. Civil courts play a crucial role in addressing such abuses. Navy SEAL and former BUDs Commanding Officer Capt. Bradley Geary’s is a similar situation in that his case highlights the issue of due process. Administrative investigations, rather than court martials, restrict his ability to litigate his case in a courtroom, lacking the same level of scrutiny. My recent S.O.S. podcast shed light on the risks associated with undergoing “routine” surgeries in military medical clinics. The lack of recourse if something goes wrong is concerning. It’s time for a change in this system. #MilitaryRights #CivilCourtsMatter
I’m proud to report that we received our pet expense reimbursement while moving Boxer dog Jayda from London to Gulfport, Mississippi. I am still waiting to hopefully receive the government-constructed cost (known as using a circuitous travel benefit) for what the Navy would have paid to fly me versus us boarding the Queen Mary. Perhaps our story will open the door to providing other options for moving pets from overseas. I’ll be sure to update my latest blog on this once my final liquidation is completed. Be the change when an option doesn’t exist. There are 27 dog breeds alone (not to mention cat breeds) qualifying as snub-nosed. They are prohibited from flying from June to September, which are the primary months for moving in the military. Military families should not have to shell out thousands of dollars in boarding expenses to fly outside of PCS season, and be lucky enough to find a trusted agent to ship their pets before or after the summer. They must be able to use all available resources! Even an Oceanliner. 🚢
I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Public Affairs Officer at U.S. Naval Construction Group TWO! “CAN DO!” 💪💪💪 🐝🐝🐝 🔨⚒️🪛🪚
On April 6, 2018, Sgt. Ryan Carter went to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for what is considered a routine back surgery for chronic neck pain. He left the hospital paralyzed, never to walk again. He and his wife believe he is the victim of military malpractice, but is currently unable to litigate his case and receive due process all because he served in the military. However, at the time of his surgery, he was not on active duty, which should have qualified him to file a claim against the government under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Yet months after this devastating procedure, the military backdated his orders, making him ineligible to file. This is the story of his fight to receive compensation for this life-altering injury, which has profoundly impacted him and his family. He now can only use his left arm, paralyzed from the chest down. Due to this surgery, he was forced to relocate from his home in Maryland to be close to family and near a veterans hospital in Flordia that specializes in spinal cord injuries. His story is not an anomaly. There are hundreds of cases of what many say are botched surgeries and gross negligence by doctors who are not held accountable within military hospitals for mistakes and violations of the standards of care. However, due to a 1950 Supreme Court ruling known as the Feres Doctrine, which lumps injuries and even sexual assaults on active duty as “incident to service,” victims never receive their day in court. Join us as I talk to Ryan, his wife Kathleen, and his lawyer, Chris Casciano, about how this happened to him and the story behind a cause much more significant than his case alone. This case is about how one ruling 74 years ago has now been grossly exaggerated and broadly applied in ways that advocates say were never intended. #militarymalpractice #feresdoctrine
How you are raised impacts everything. Here, Jake Herriman relates his childhood to what made him who he is today. It’s why it’s so vital to raise children well. They do go on to change the world. He first became aware of the stark poverty by serving as a Force Recon Marine in combat operations. Then Jake changed gears to tackle global poverty, and now he is helping to heal the divide in our communities. He can tie this sense of duty back to how service was ingrained as a child. Service is contagious - and that’s a good thing
Sometimes, we need the right “motivation.” As you can see in this video, Jayda will contort her body to access just about anything for the proper treat. The Dairy Queen Pup Cup was the carrot 🥕 to have her squat in a way we never saw before. It got me thinking about how we all need those incentives. Take goverment. I can think of many times when doing what’s ethical isn’t precisely intuitive; when more pressure is required. Whether the DoD needs to complete a study of suicides by job code properly according to the NDAA mandate, or an administrative investigation is sadly written for a predetermined outcome, sometimes a bit of “motivation” is needed for a change of heart, just like Jayda here. This is where sharing your story online, making friends with reporters willing to do investigative journalism, or podcasters like me come in. We can be that motivation to keep our democracy alive and keep being the great USA 🇺🇸espousing our shared values of “by the people, for the people.” We all need that “pup cup,” after all! P.S. Watch till the end to see just how far Jayda will go for something sweet! 🍦🍦
Happy birthday U.S. Navy! ⚓️ It never is far from my mind that a decision then Teri Pickard made on April 14, 1996 changed my life forever for the better. Here’s to a little while longer on this incredible journey and all the amazing people, deployments, exercises and operations along the way. Happy 249th!!!! #AmericasWarFightingNavy
Men suffer abuse, too… This week, I decided to watch The Melendez Brothers on Netflix. It tells the story of two wealthy brothers who lived in Beverly Hills in the late 80s. They had every resource at their disposal like expensive tennis lessons, access to Ivy League schools, fancy sports cars, personal trainers, and overall “the good life.” Yet, one quiet Sunday evening in August of 1989, Lyle and Erik, then 18 and 21 years old, brutally murder their parents while they relaxed in the den of their living room watching television. The Father, Jose, was shot in the back at close range. Mother Kitty, who survived the initial blast of bullets, was fatally shot in the face after the brothers went back to their car and reloaded their shotguns. You only do something this horrendous if you have a deep hatred for the people who raised you. Lots of famous people like Kim Kardashian and Rosie O’Donnell are now calling for their freedom, citing their early years of repeated sexual, mental, and physical abuse. This abuse was at the hands of their controlling father largely, but also their enabling and, some might say, equally abusive alcoholic Mother. Rest of story in 1st comment
What can be do to stop the spread of divisiveness? How can we understand one another and seek to empathize with people who don’t look like us, act like us, or even think like us? I believe this understanding is vital. One amazing veteran has founded an organization that’s on the front lines of healing our fractured communities through coffee, conversation and advocacy. Join us on the S.O.S. podcast as we kick off season 3 with what this show has always represented - our service to others by talking about our most pressing issues! Jake Harriman graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and served seven and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Platoon Commander in both the Infantry and Force Recon. During his military service, Jake led four operational deployments, including two combat tours in Iraq. Following his service, Jake enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business to gain the business acumen he would need to follow this new direction. While at Stanford, Jake founded Nuru International to eradicate extreme poverty in the world’s most unstable, vulnerable regions to help end violent extremism. Due to the desperate condition of the U.S. political system, Jake has now turned his attention to helping protect the American Democratic experiment, which he fears is on the brink of failure—a failure that would have terrible global consequences. Jake is the Founder of @moreperfectunion.us , a veteran-led movement to heal the divide in the nation by creating meaningful connections through civics, service, and leadership. He is now the Co-Founder and CEO of America Leads, a movement to build the new Republican Party for pragmatic, country-first conservatives. #healing #community #understanding #compassion
What time is it? It’s time for Cruisin’ the Coast, America’s biggest block party!! 🎉 Great welcome to Mississippi! In Long Beach, for example, people line up for miles like you see here and watch for hours the cars go by. There’s live music all over town, special veteran events, RVs parked up and down the coast, and, in general, a very festive vibe. What an excellent way to celebrate community and common ground! #cruisinthecoast
Season 3 of the S.O.S. podcast starts this Thursday! With that, I have an extraordinary guest encouraging us to stop ✋ the political divide and unite our great nation! Can you guess who it might be? I’ll give you all a hint… The founder’s group unites the country and strengthens communities through social connection, service, and civic engagement. Woo Hoo! Sounds like my kind organization! Stay tuned for this Thursday at 6 pm EST!! Ready, let’s go!!!!!
For my friends on active duty, are you prepared to use your VA medical benefits? Special thanks 🙏 to Dr. Paul Lawrence, whose expertise as a former undersecretary in this arena is of excellent service to all of us. In this clip, he describes what we often overlook on active duty and what we can do to remedy it. These are benefits you deserve and earn by serving! Never forget that. Full episode on YouTube or where you find podcasts.