Diapers & Deployments The SkillMil Podcast

Finding Employment Is The Easiest Part Of The Transition Journey

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 ...

"We Ride Because They Died"

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...

Laughing with Christy McGinity

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.

War Horses For Veterans

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 WHF...

It Takes Work To Find Work

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. ww...

Tiny Houses For Veterans Community Project

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 Ve...

What We Do Today Makes a Difference For the Future

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 ter...

Sacrifice: A Gold Star Widow's Fight for the Truth

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 ...

Veterans Are Their Mission. Gaming Is Their Passion

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 f...

Wounded Heroes, A Documentary Directed and Produced by Michael Gier

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....

Find Your Next Career with American Corporate Partners

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...

"Impress me with what you save, not with what you make."

Learning to Invest with Real Estate Expert(ish) Jay Johnson

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.landingc...

SkillMil Skillbridge Program

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 ...

The Fire Watch

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 r...

The Home of Military Spouse Owned-Business

On this week's show, Michael and Serena talk to Jaime Chapman, Founder and COO of Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce. The Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce's 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 p...

"Learning is the Engine to Success"

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 Pro...

"How Spouse-ly of you!"

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...

"How Souse-ly of you!"

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...

The Car Santa

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...

Networking for Women

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 platf...

Give Back with the Peace Corps

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...

The Power of Networking

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 t...

New Kid On The Block?

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 Fami...

The American Legion: Not Just A Veteran Hangout

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 ...

Maximizing Care and Minimizing Cost

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 ...

"No Barriers To Care"

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 fo...

Scratching the Surface of PTSD with Shannon Book Music

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 ha...

Purple Up for the Military Child

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 Defens...

Start Your Own Small Business, Why Not?

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 wra...

Supporting Our Homeless Veterans

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 ...

Women Veterans Supporting Transitioning Women Vets

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 succe...

The Most Dreaded Letters in the Military: PCS, aka, Military Moves

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 prof...

Retiring, Transitioning, Packing, Repeat

Robert Patrick on The SkillMil Podcast

What Are You Prepping For? A Short Survivalist's List of Things You Need to Survive a Potential Crisis

What Are You Prepping For? A Survivalist's List of Things You Need to Outlast a Potential Crisis

Meet the Hosts | Michael & Serena