Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You

Exit Buddy
  • 5.0 (3)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You shines a light on the real struggles and triumphs of veterans navigating life after military service. Each episode dives into the heart of military transition—sharing tales of resilience, setbacks, humor, and growth as veterans move from boots to business or rediscover purpose in civilian life. If you’re seeking inspiration, practical advice on military transition, or just a reminder that you’re not walking this path alone, Exit Buddy is here to help you find your way forward and thrive beyond the uniform.

  1. 3D AGO

    Fear of the Unknown to Studio Owner: Reintroducing Yourself After Service

    In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen and Rachel sit down with Laura Hatcher, a veteran who served as a Navy Diver and intelligence officer before pivoting to professional photography. She opens up about the fear of not having a 5-10-15 year plan, and courageously turning her side-hustle photography passion into a full-time business—complete with walking into a stranger’s studio to ask for mentorship. Laura’s story is a reminder that transition often means reintroducing yourself to yourself, getting out of your own way, and drawing on your military arsenal of discipline and adaptability to build something new. Chapters 01:50 – Navy Family Roots & Becoming a Diver05:32  – Transition Fears & Redefining Yourself10:56 – Getting Out of Your Own Way & Early Retirement Insights13:28 – Pursuing Photography: From Boredom to Full-Time Business15:25 – Finding a Mentor17:20 – Military Skills as Entrepreneurship Foundation19:01 – Laura’s Five Transition TakeawaysKey Takeaways Self-Reflection Isn’t Issued in Your Sea Bag: Transition starts with reintroducing yourself to yourself. Figure out what you’re truly passionate about—it may take a year or two after leaving service to clarify.Get Out of Your Own Way: Laura realized fear of the unknown and self-doubt were bigger barriers than any external obstacle. Especially for women, stop waiting until you meet 100% of the job or role description. Apply, experiment, and allow yourself to grow into opportunities rather than counting yourself out.Seek Mentors & Accountability Buddies: Laura walked into a stranger’s studio to ask for a mentor and eventually took over that studio space. Surround yourself with people who will challenge and support you, not just echo you.Leverage Your Military Arsenal: Discipline, strategic thinking, leadership under pressure, and sink-or-swim adaptability are transferable superpowers. When challenges arise in business or life, reflect on similar situations you’ve already mastered.Never Stop Learning & Stay Uncomfortable: Comfort is the enemy of growth. Keep taking classes, seeking feedback, and pushing into new skills—even when math or the unknown feels overwhelming. The military taught you not to quit.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with a service member staring at the unknown—remind them they already have the tools to build what’s next. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests. Until next time, keep reintroducing yourself—your Exit Buddy is right here with you. #VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #ExitBuddy Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    23 min

  2. FEB 9

    12 Foxtrot to 12 Fox Beer: Brewing Community & Finding Family

    In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen chats with Joe Hogge, an Army combat engineer who turned a love of Bavarian beer into a Texas Hill Country brewery named after his old MOS. He shares memories of his first-year transition, the hidden trauma from years of explosives training, and the decision to start the Fireside Chat Support Network—sparked by a local veteran's suicide. Joe’s story reminds us that finding (or creating) your family is key to thriving post-service. Chapters 02:25 – Military Roots & German Beer Awakening06:13 – Family as a Lifeline & Fighting Hidden Trauma11:02 – Choosing Between the GI Bill and a Job Offer14:39 – Home-Building Crash to Wedding Venue Pivot16:22 – The Birth of Fireside Chat Support Network22:15 – Final Advice on Finding Your FamilyKey Takeaways Support Is Essential for Transition: Joe’s wife and in-laws became his first civilian unit. Having support is key to navigating life after losing your military family. Family can be built, not just born, so actively seek it out to avoid isolation.Hidden Trauma Adds Up—Even Without "Big" Combat: Years of routine explosives training can leave lasting effects. Recognize it, talk about it, and lean on support—it's not always obvious until someone points it out.Military Communication Doesn't Always Translate: The direct, profane style that works in the military can end careers in the civilian world. Adapt your language to avoid HR issues around the water cooler.Step Out & Find Your Tribe: Whatever your interest, get online, attend meetups, and show up. You might find friends, partners, or purpose—don't stay home alone.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with a service member who needs a reminder to find their post-service community. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests. Until next time, keep connecting—your Exit Buddy is right here with you. #VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #ExitBuddy Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    26 min

  3. JAN 26

    Wrestler, Drill Sergeant, Contractor, Lawyer: The Unstoppable Path of Relentless Effort

    In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen flies solo to sit down with an Army Reservist whose career reads like a masterclass in relentless effort and reinvention. From active-duty tanker and All-Army wrestler to Iraq deployment as an embedded advisor, drill sergeant, roofing/construction business owner, and now equity partner at a law firm, Anthony "Tony" Kuhn shares the twists, setbacks, and hard-won lessons that shaped his path. Hear how a near-miss with the Buffalo Police Department became the spark for law school, why he still credits military work ethic as his biggest edge, and what he’s looking forward to most as retirement nears. This story is packed with practical wisdom for anyone facing transition: do the work, push your comfort zone, and never stop moving forward. Chapters 01:52 – Tony’s Early Active Duty Days03:31 – First Civilian Pivot: Roofing, Re-Enlisting as a Drill Sergeant05:25 – The Windy Road: Construction, Iraq Deployment, Starting His Own Company05:59 – Embedded Advisor in Iraq, Family Impact, Police Dream Derailed, Pivot to Law11:23 – Top Tip: Be the Hardest-Working Person in the Room12:47 – Military Experiences That Prepared Tony for Law14:49 – Inner Tools: Time Never Stops, Push Your Comfort Zone17:14 – Retirement on the Horizon: Reclaiming Family Time After Years of SacrificeKey Takeaways Lean Into Your Military Work Ethic: The single most universal advantage veterans bring to any civilian role is a rock-solid work ethic. Show up ready to outwork the room, and doors will open—whether you start your own business or join an established one.Push Your Comfort Zone Relentlessly: Growth happens outside what feels safe. From wrestling injuries to writing SOPs in Iraq, to launching a veterans law practicum, stepping into discomfort led to extraordinary rewards for Tony.Time Never Stops—Neither Should You: When adversity hits, remember the clock keeps ticking. Hang on one more second, one more minute—perseverance compounds.Military Skills Translate Farther Than You Think: Leadership under pressure, teaching troops, managing teams in chaos, and self-taught business development all became tools for success in law and beyond for Tony. Don’t sell your experience short.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with a service member who needs a reminder that relentless effort pays off. Until next time, keep pushing—your Exit Buddy is right here with you. #VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #ExitBuddy Resources & Links Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests. Check out Tony's previous appearance on Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring & How to hear his legal advice for security-cleared military personnel. Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    21 min

  4. JAN 19 · BONUS

    Producer Pick: Passion & Purpose After Service

    Welcome to this special edition of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You. As we gear up for our second season (airing January 26, 2026), we’re excited to share a “producer pick” featuring one of our first and favorite episodes. If you missed it the first time around, buckle up and enjoy learning from Navy veteran Shanon Raab. You can view the show notes and transcript from the original airing of this episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535619/episodes/17838415 Follow us for more veteran stories to guide your transition journey in season two, and text this episode to a fellow service member who’s navigating their exit. Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    33 min

  5. 12/08/2025 · BONUS

    The Lessons We Learned from Our Honorary Exit Buddies

    It’s the Season 1 finale! Kathleen and Rachel sit down to reflect on the incredible veterans who joined us on Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You. From pilots to cyber warriors and nonprofit founders, each guest left us with hard-won wisdom on mindset, identity, resilience, networking, purpose, and navigating military transition. This episode is the ultimate recap: the biggest “aha” moments and the practical takeaways you can steal for your own transition. Whether you’ve been here since day one or you’re just finding us, this is your Season 1 cheat sheet to help you navigate life after military service. Chapters 00:36 – Start planning early and take advantage of transition programs01:13 – Build your safety net before you leap02:08 – Prepare emotionally for the identity shift03:13 – Start soul-searching early — don't wait for transition to happen to you04:32 – Pause and rediscover your identity before jumping into the next chapter05:16 – Your path may change — adapt with resilience06:18 – You can pivot more than once7:13 – Embrace your mistakes as lessons07:59 – Protect your foundation: VA benefits & mental health09:11 – Jobs are replaceable, but family experiences are not09:55 – Ask for help early and often11:27 – Mentorship takes many forms12:23 – Find/build your tribe13:29 – Translate your leadership experience into civilian terms14:12 – Passion plus preparation creates opportunity16:30 – Build your skills, grow your network, and take your shotThank you to our honorary Exit Buddies who trusted us with their stories this season — you made Season 1 unforgettable. Thank you to YOU, our listeners, for walking this road with us, sharing episodes, and building this community. We’ll be back with Season 2 for more stories and transition truths to guide the way. See you on the other side! Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    17 min

  6. 12/01/2025

    Brewing Your Next Chapter: Translating Supply Corps Skills to Starbucks

    In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, we meet Stephanie West, a Navy veteran who charted a course from the supply lines of the military to the heart of Starbucks operations. She discusses joining the Navy at 17 through the Buddy Program, how she turned night classes into degrees (all the way to an MBA), how her passion for Starbucks’ business model became her civilian north star, and why she’s still thriving there a decade later. Stephanie shares candid stories and tips for navigating culture shock, imposter syndrome, and networking. Whether you’re looking for proof that military logistics translates directly to corporate America or simply need a dose of “yes, it can work out,” Stephanie’s story inspires. Chapters 01:13 - Joining the Navy at 17 With a Buddy02:40 - Stephanie’s Pursuit of Education05:15 - Falling in Love with Starbucks While Stationed in Italy06:55 - Stephanie’s Starbucks Role: Keeping 10,000+ Stores Brewing08:32 - Culture Shocks: Language, Insurance & Leadership Style11:00 - Why She Stayed 10 Years (and How You Can Too)14:53 - Giving Back with Compass USA18:42 - Stephanie’s Simple Secret: Networking Is Just Talking22:07 - Final Advice: Stay Open-Minded & Give It a Real ChanceKey Takeaways Military Logistics = Corporate Gold: Supply Corps skills like Stephanie’s experience with parts, budgets, and feeding the troops translate well to the civilian world. Don’t underestimate how your skills can be leveraged post-service.Give Yourself Time to Assimilate: Imposter syndrome is real, but rushing out of a new job in the first year robs you of the chance to grow into the role. Seek out veteran networks, resource groups, or buddy systems in your workplace to ease the transition.Networking Doesn’t Have to Be Scary: Networking is as simple as a conversation. Start with your family, your old shipmates, or the person next to you at an event. “It’s really not scary—it’s just talking,” encourages Stephanie.Give as You Go: Volunteering and mentoring aren’t just ways to serve—they also help you build new purpose and connections as you carve out your next chapter.Stay Flexible: Your first civilian role may look different from what you expect. Keep an open mind, be willing to adapt, and let unexpected opportunities become new launching pads.Follow us for more veteran stories to guide your transition journey, and text this episode to a fellow service member who’s navigating their exit. Until next time, keep brewing your next chapter. Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    26 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    Breaking Barriers in Aviation & Turning Passion into Nonprofit Purpose

    In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, retired US Air Force pilot Jessica Ruttenber shares her remarkable journey navigating—and ultimately transforming—the world of military aviation. Jessica recounts battling physical and cultural obstacles to become a pilot, and how she advocated for lasting policy changes at the Pentagon. She discusses her transition with SkillBridge, the mental gymnastics of leaving military service, and the importance of documenting injuries and seeking mental health support. Jessica also reveals how following her passion took her from a corporate role to founding a nonprofit that empowers the next generation of aviators. Her story is one of resilience, advocacy, and purpose, offering insights for anyone facing career transitions or striving to create meaningful change. Chapters 01:53 - Jessica’s Fight to Get into the Cockpit07:30 - Advocating for Women Pilots at the Pentagon10:41 - Transitioning with the SkillBridge Program13:07 - Finding Purpose with Level Up Aviation15:38 - Importance of Documenting Injuries for VA Benefits17:36 - Connecting with Veterans Post-Service19:38 - Advice on Addressing Mental HealthKey Takeaways Break Barriers with Persistence: Jessica’s story of overcoming obstacles, like the half an inch in height that stood between her and her aviation dream, reminds us that determination can rewrite the rules.Safeguard Your Future: Let your ego go and document your injuries now, as this is critical for obtaining VA benefits and the support you deserve down the road. Be sure to prioritize your emotional well-being in addition to your physical health, and reach out for support when needed.Find Your Passion and Mission Post-Service: Transitioning out of the military can mean a loss of identity and tribe, but finding a new mission is essential, just as Jessica did with her nonprofit work. Don’t be afraid to pivot toward what truly inspires you.Build a Network of Exit Buddies: Surround yourself with others who have already navigated the transition to civilian life. If you don’t know where to start, find someone online from your unit. Even if you haven’t talked to them in several years, Jessica encourages you that they will be happy to share their experience with you.Follow us for more veteran stories to guide your transition journey, and text this episode to a fellow service member who’s navigating their exit. Until next time, keep lifting others as you soar. Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    23 min

  8. 11/10/2025

    Buckle Down & Break Through: From Devil Dog to Cyber Champion

    Join Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman as they welcome Tom Eston, a Marine turned cybersecurity trailblazer, podcaster, and mentor, for an inspiring dive into his journey. From his infantry days to carving out a security career, Tom shares how curiosity, self-discipline, and determination fueled his rise. Tom emphasizes the importance of mentorship, continuous learning, and leveraging military-learned skills in the corporate world. His story is a testament to the potential within every veteran to reinvent themselves and excel in new fields. Chapters 01:44 - Tom’s Marine Corps Infantry Days03:07 - The Spark of a Tech Career06:56 - Leaping into Security with a Real Estate Gig09:58 - Advice on Seeking Mentorship13:03 - Military Skills in the Corporate World15:48 - The Birth of a Podcasting Passion17:47 - Overcoming Nerves to Take Risks20:38 - Advice to His Younger SelfKey Takeaways Self-Discipline Drives Success: Continuous learning and personal motivation are critical for career transformation. Your ability to set goals, stay focused, and push through challenges determines your professional growth.Mentorship Comes in Many Forms: You don’t need a formal mentorship program to seek guidance. A single conversation or brief connection can provide pivotal insights for your career journey.Skills Can Be Learned, Character Cannot: Technical skills can be taught, but the leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving skills gained in military service are irreplaceable and set you apart.Network and Share Your Knowledge: Attend conferences, start a blog, and put yourself out there so people can learn who you are. As Tom learned, sharing your knowledge can help educate you in return.Follow us for more veteran stories to guide your transition journey, and text this episode to a fellow service member who’s navigating their exit. Catch you next time! Send a text Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show. Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

    27 min
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out of 5
3 Ratings

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Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You shines a light on the real struggles and triumphs of veterans navigating life after military service. Each episode dives into the heart of military transition—sharing tales of resilience, setbacks, humor, and growth as veterans move from boots to business or rediscover purpose in civilian life. If you’re seeking inspiration, practical advice on military transition, or just a reminder that you’re not walking this path alone, Exit Buddy is here to help you find your way forward and thrive beyond the uniform.

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