S.O.S. (Stories of Service) - Ordinary people who do extraordinary work Theresa Carpenter

In what is only my second return guest, I catch up with Michael Sugrue, who tragically had to take a life in the line of duty.

This horrifying experience, along with unresolved childhood trauma, led him down a downward spiral. This ultimately led to him leaving law enforcement behind. However, Michael forged a new path championing the vital need for 1st responder mental health treatment.

Join me as we check in with Michael and see where a best-selling book, numerous speaking engagements and film appearances have led him and what advice he gives to those still struggling with stressful lives.

Michael Sugrue began his law enforcement career as a Security Forces Officer in the United States Air Force in 1998.  As a Security Forces Officer, Michael specialized in Law Enforcement, Global Force Protection, Anti-Terrorism, Nuclear Security, Foreign Air Field Assessments, and Air Base Ground Defense. 

Michael served in various assignments, including Flight Leader, Flight Commander, Senior Watch Officer, Chief of Command Post, and Chief of Security Forces.

Michael served all over the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and South America.  He was also a Security Forces Phoenix Raven with the unique identifier #1173. Michael honorably separated from the Air Force as a Captain in 2004.

Immediately after the Air Force, Michael was hired by the Walnut Creek Police Department, where he served in a variety of assignments, including Patrol Officer, Driver Training Instructor (EVOC), Field Training Officer (FTO), SIU Detective, Undercover CA DOJ Narcotic Task Force Agent (Contra Costa County), Public Information Officer (PIO) and Patrol Sergeant. 

Michael was awarded the Walnut Creek PD Distinguished Service Medal in 2014 for his heroic and life-saving actions during a Fatal Officer Involved Shooting in 2012. 

Michael ultimately medically retired in 2018.  He is now a Peer Volunteer at the West Coast Post Trauma Retreat (WCPR) and an Ambassador for Save A Warrior (SAW). 

Michael is a dedicated advocate for awareness, prevention, education, and training on Post Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) and First Responder Suicide Prevention. Michael continues to speak at law enforcement agencies all over the United States.

He is the subject in Mission 22’s “Smash The Stigma” short documentary film and in the full-length documentary film “Residual: Cumulative Trauma and
Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

This is a show I was terrified to do.

Which is precisely why I should do it. And, of course, because the topic is fascinating and vital to understand. How do we get comfortable talking about sex, love the skin we are in, challenge the traditional norms of relationships, and create the vulnerability and intimacy we crave?

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I think I found the perfect person to show us how, so this is one show you can't miss!

Rena Martine is a women’s intimacy expert known for her infectious energy, refreshing candor, and straightforward approach. As a certified coach, educator, and TEDx speaker, she's impacted thousands of women globally. She is on a mission to reclaim the term “Shameless” as a badge of honor.

Before obtaining her coaching certification, Rena spent 14 years as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney, where she specialized in sex crimes, child abuse, and domestic violence cases.

She is a regular expert on NBC, The Savage Lovecast, and Bustle. Rena's book, The Sex You Want: A Shameless Journey to Deep Intimacy, Honest Pleasure, and a Life You Love, is available wherever books are sold.

Find Rena - https://www.renamartine.com/
Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Sometimes, you need somebody to tell you the unvarnished truth, share their story filter-free, and provide insights you never considered. 

Tab does just that. Her authentic, vulnerable, and raw personal storytelling style put you in the room with her like a trusty confidant. 

Join us on this episode as we discuss her plight to restore her mental health and what she feels veterans need. I always know that when I explore Tab’s content, I get to know her better and learn something new. 

Tabitha Bartley served eight years as a public affairs specialist in the Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps she served as a Press Marine for the Quantico Sentry, the assistant director for the Base Community Relations Program at MCB Quantico, the Marketing and Public Affairs Director for Recruiting Station Columbia, S.C. and as Uniformed Sexual assault victim advocate.

Tabitha was the first pregnant woman to run for Indiana State Senate and first mentally and physically disabled Marine Corps female veteran to run for Indiana State Senate.

She was a project manager for unit campaigns at the Purdue for Life Foundation before returning to the National Capital Region. She is a public affairs specialist for USDA Agricultural Marketing Services.

Tabitha serves as the President for the Dept. of Agriculture’s Veteran Employee Organization (first female president), on the Board of Directors for Minority Veterans of America, as the Marking and Public Affairs Officer for the Jack Maas Marine Corps League Detachment. She also hosts the Oath We Took Podcast.

Find Tab - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabbartley?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Oath We Took Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3ndHktxRzUuFoj4FkNWZC8?si=c3vcY_DCSoO8OHfOj1VMQA
Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

If you want to know how to build a digital brand, there’s nobody better to ask than my friend Rich. He’s been an invaluable help as I navigated the podcasting world these last few years.

His work combines authenticity, craftsmanship, accountability, and a love of storytelling, which make him stand out as a sought-after thought leader.

Join us as we discuss how he transitioned so radically from his military life as a helicopter pilot to building a company in the digital space. We’ll also cover how you can build your own brand in the digital landscape.

Rich Cardona, a first-generation American and retired Marine Corps attack helicopter pilot, found his passion for media after transitioning from the military and earning his MBA.

After working in a leadership role at Amazon and consulting with Claude Silver from VaynerMedia, Rich launched his own company, Rich Cardona Media (RCM), focusing on helping executives become more visible.

Rich garnered a lot of attention through “The Leadership Locker” a Top 50 ranked podcast, in which influencers and industry leaders shared their insights, particularly aimed at helping transitioning service members and veteran entrepreneurs.

He also achieved recognition for his subsequent show "NFTs for Newbies" which gained 1 Million downloads in less than 8 months.

Rich creates long-term content strategies for high profile content creating CEOs to advance their brand and business visibility. Among many brand services, RCM offers video podcasting, video production, and content repurposing.

The company’s approach to business and content creation is influenced by Rich's military background, with an emphasis on simplicity, urgency,and rigor—and serve leading with their core values;  the “ABCs” -  Accountability, Be Better and Clarity in Communication.

Through an unwavering dedication to content creation and scaling, RCM has produced dramatic results for clients.

Find Rich - https://www.richcardonamedia.com/
Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

My next guest has endured sexual assault, bullying, and retaliation in and out of the military.  She now shares her story to help others heal and make systemic change. 

I often observe people who have endured incredible hardships and become beacons of change. They seem gifted with a superpower to go against the tide, shining light in the darkest parts of society, places most prefer to stay hidden. 

Her story is one of many overarching themes—how powerful people silence others, how she fights against the system for what she believes is just, and how she sets an example for others and her children. 

Master Sergeant Crystal C. Romero retired after serving 16 1⁄2 years in the US Army National Guard, serving full-time Active-Duty Operational Support primarily in her home state of New Mexico. 

Today, she is an activist for veterans’ causes and has had a significant role in passing legislation related to military sexual assault and veterans’ mental health. 
 
Crystal obtained four Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), held various positions, and successfully ran many programs, such as the DoD Innovative Readiness Training Program, throughout her military career, beginning in logistics and later transferring to a Public Affairs Detachment. 

She then transitioned to the 64th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) Specialist. 

There, she helped run operations and was activated for the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery efforts in 2003 and Hurricane Katrina, Rita, and Ike. Concurrently, she served with the New Mexico Counter Narcotics Task Force, serving as the Finance and Executive Assistant to the commander. 

In her final years in the military, she was a Senior Human Resources Specialist, Platoon Sergeant, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, member of the Safety Council, National Guard Bureau Counterdrug Program Evaluation team member, and the Joint Substance Abuse Program Coordinator for the State of New Mexico where she ran the drug testing program for all National Guard service members. 
 
After her honorable discharge in 2014, Crystal struggled to adjust to civilian life and found herself battling depression and PTSD. That struggle prompted her to volunteer to help other veterans, presumably worse off than her. 

This was her path to redemption and how she plans to make her mark in the veteran community through advocacy. 

She
Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

My next guest has been on a mission to bridge the gap between generations who serve the Armed Forces.

Through her painstakingly detailed analysis, she has uncovered findings that contextualize the problems service members face in so many arenas.

Join us as we unpack some of the larger cultural forces impacting our troops and ways we can better understand one another.

Corie Weathers, licensed professional counselor (LPC), is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and award-winning author of Military Culture Shift: The Impact of War, Money & Generational Perspective on Morale, Retention & Leadership and Sacred Spaces: My Journey to the Heart of Military Marriage.

Corie has focused her career for the last 20 years as a clinician specializing in marriage, the military culture, special forces, and leadership development. She has traveled internationally to visit troops and report on deployment conditions and has taught service families across the globe.

In addition to providing subject matter expertise on military culture, Corie consults organizations and institutions on building trust, creating impactful programming, and working within a multi-generational team.

Her advocacy has included being a part of Second Lady Karen Pence’s Military Spouse’s
Employment Working Group and contributing to passing a Congressional Bill for licensure portability.

Find Corie - https://www.corieweathers.com/
Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76