Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You

Exit Buddy

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. 1D AGO

    A Brochure Changed Everything: From JAG Courtroom Battles to Page‑Turning Political Thrillers

    Join us as we get to know Army veteran, former JAG officer, civil affairs officer, and political thriller author Francine Ehrenberg. Francine shares how a random brochure in a law firm desk drawer rerouted her from a bored real estate attorney to Army JAG. She opens up about the shock of coming home to “too much” comfort after living on MREs and unexploded ordnance, why she keeps serving through American Legion and Boys State, and how decades in criminal law and military justice fueled her second act as a novelist. Her story is a reminder that your path doesn’t have to be linear, humor is a survival skill, and you’re never as alone in transition as you may feel. Chapters 01:19 – Introducing an Army JAG, Civil Affairs Officer, and Author02:16 – The Desk Drawer Brochure That Changed Everything05:05 – From Active Duty JAG to Civilian Prosecutor and Army Reservist06:35 – Humanitarian Missions in Albania09:18 – Reverse Culture Shock: Coming Home Overwhelmed11:22 – Serving After Service with American Legion and Boys State15:00 – A New Mission: From Courtroom to Creative Writing19:19 – Transition Advice: You’re Not Alone, Reach Out, Stay OpenKey Takeaways One Brochure Can Change Everything: Francine didn’t grow up around the military and was bored stiff in real estate law—until she opened a drawer, found an Army JAG Corps brochure, and discovered a path that matched her desire for meaningful, high‑stakes work. Be open to opportunities that don’t look “planned.”Reverse Culture Shock Is Real: Coming home after deployment from harsh conditions to a comfortable bed, full grocery stores, and constant connectivity can feel overwhelming and even guilt‑inducing. If your transition feels “off” or “too much,” you’re not broken—you’re recalibrating.Service Doesn’t Stop at ETS or Retirement: Through the American Legion and the Boys State program, Francine continues to mentor rising high‑school seniors, teach criminal justice, and expose them to public service and the legal system. There are countless ways to keep serving and stay connected after you take off the uniform.Your Skills Translate More Than You Think: Years of JAG, prosecution, and financial crimes work translated into rich storylines for political thrillers filled with courtroom scenes, money laundering, and high‑stakes investigations. Your experiences (good, bad, and bizarre) can fuel a powerful second act.Humor Is a Survival Tool, Not a Cop‑Out: Francine’s mantra—“you can either laugh or you can cry”—isn’t about minimizing hardship; it’s about staying human in the middle of it and giving yourself space to move forward.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with someone who feels overwhelmed by coming home. They may just need to hear they’re not alone and it’s okay to laugh through the hard parts. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests. Send us Fan Mail 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.

    22 min

  2. APR 20

    Goldfish in a New Tank: Acclimating to Civilian Life Without Shock

    In this episode, we sit down with Marine Corps veteran Ferguson “Juice” Dale, who went from chasing a football scholarship to flying aircraft, then founding Semper Sky, a company focused on emergency management and airborne disaster response. Juice shares how losing his shot at college football, a life‑altering car accident, and a tough lesson in integrity pushed him toward the Marines—and how a simple challenge to “do one more” pull‑up reshaped his mindset for good. He breaks down what it really means to rebuild structure as a civilian, why SkillBridge was his “goldfish in a bag” moment, and how mentorship, reservists, and AI are helping him scale a mission‑driven business. His story is a blueprint for veterans who feel unmoored after service and need practical ways to design their own systems, protect their value, and carry that mission focus into a new kind of fight. Chapters 02:07 – Chasing a Football Scholarship & the Cost of One Bad Decision03:35 – The Car Accident and Losing the Team05:10 – “You Don’t Have Integrity”: A Hard Lesson at 1806:20 – The Recruiter, Pull‑Ups, and “Do One More”08:54 – From Enlisted to Officer: Different Roles, Different Expectations10:10 – Marines Give You Structure, Civilian Life Makes You Build It11:15 – The Goldfish in a New Tank: SkillBridge as a Gentle Transition12:27 – Starting Semper Sky and the Power of a Mentor14:45 – Three Lessons for Entrepreneurs: Fire Yourself, Use Your Network, Leverage AI17:48 – Know Your Value and Stop Underselling YourselfKey Takeaways “Do One More” Is a Mindset, Not Just a Pull‑Up Count: A recruiter’s challenge (“You know why you can’t be a Marine? Because you never tried to do one more.”) became a lifelong mental model. For transition, that “one more” might be one more application, one more conversation, or one more uncomfortable step toward a new career. The Military Gives You Structure—Civilians Have to Build It: In uniform, structure is handed to you: training schedules, evaluations, missions. On the outside, freedom without structure can end up being chaos. Civilian success means designing your own systems so that important things still get done without someone else’s orders.SkillBridge Can Be Your “Goldfish in a Bag”: Juice compares his SkillBridge internship to gently lowering a goldfish (in its old water) into a new tank. Supporting the Marine Corps from the private sector gave him time to acclimate to new expectations, culture, and pace before fully jumping into civilian life.Fire Yourself from the Wrong Jobs: As a founder, Juice learned that trying to do everything made him the bottleneck. The real job is identifying where only you add value, and “firing yourself” from everything else so the team can move faster and do better work.Know Your Value and Don’t Undersell It: Many veterans have a heart of service and are vulnerable to being underpaid or under‑titled. Recognize your worth, negotiate for fair pay and benefits, and walk away from organizations that don’t see your value.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with someone who’s struggling to build structure after service—they might just need a new way to think about their “goldfish in a new tank” moment. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voi Send us Fan Mail 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.

    20 min

  3. APR 6

    We Can All Win: Don’t Self-Select Out of Your Next Mission

    In this episode, Kathleen and Rachel chat with Air Force veteran Jacki Davenport, a 20+ year intelligence and special operations professional who refused to take no for an answer from the very beginning. Jacki shares her journey from recruiter office moments to tight-knit special missions units, cyber operations, and eventually, the private sector. Along the way, she gets honest about the cost of high-tempo deployments, the identity whiplash of going reservist, and the power of a network that believes “we can all win.” Her story is a reminder not to self-select out, and to use your non-negotiables to steer your next chapter instead of settling for whatever comes first. Chapters 02:18 – Jacki’s Path to the Military 04:05 – Saying Yes to the Unknown09:14 – Humanity Catching Up & Choosing the Reserve Path10:35 – Redefining Identity and Impact11:40 – Standing Up an Offensive Cyber Unit13:25 – From Intel Targeting Officer to Chief & Mama Bear15:01 – “We Can All Win”: How Jacki’s Network Carried Her Transition16:33 – Starting at the Bottom Again: New Acronyms, New Language, Same Grit19:35 – Building Intelligent Systems in the Private Sector22:24 – Don’t Self‑Select Out & Know Your Non‑Negotiables23:40 – It’s Okay to Ask for Help: Using Your Network Without ShameKey Takeaways Prepare for Identity Whiplash: Going from a fast‑paced, small special mission unit to the reserves was Jacki’s first real separation struggle. Recognizing and naming identity shifts early can help you avoid making rushed decisions to return to what’s comfortable.Don’t Self‑Select Out of Opportunities: If you can say yes, say yes. You can always course-correct later, but you can’t win if you never step up to the plate.Your Network Really Can Be the Difference: The right people can open doors you didn’t even know existed when it’s time to transition. Jacki reminds us: you are not burdening your network by asking for help; you are finally using it for what it was built for.Let Your Non‑Negotiables Guide Your Next Role: Go into your civilian job search (and interviews) clear on what you will and won’t accept. Those guardrails will help you quickly rule out misaligned roles.Be Humble Enough to Start at the Bottom Again: By the time Jacki retired, she was at the top of the food chain in uniform—but in the private sector, she had to be the person writing down acronyms and Googling them after meetings. Her advice: accept that your rank and past titles don’t automatically transfer. What does transfer is how you bring value, learn fast, ask questions, and build credibility all over again.Impact Can Shift from Mission to People—and That’s Okay: In uniform, impact meant operational results and mission success. As a chief and later in industry, Jacki’s impact became about developing people, protecting her team’s mental health, and reducing human cost through better systems. Accepting that your definition of service can evolve is key to feeling fulfilled after the military.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with someone who feels stuck between who they were in uniform and who they’re allowed to be next. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated. Send us Fan Mail 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

  4. MAR 23

    Cracking the Corporate Code: Turning Military Skills into Cyber Success

    In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen and Rachel sit down with Army veteran and West Point grad Bryson Bort, who went from feeling “complete ignorance and sheer terror” in terms of military transition, to successfully building multiple cybersecurity companies and a nonprofit. From a global commodity manager who didn’t know what an RFP was, to an IT asset manager, to the creator of a global CMDB that actually worked, to offensive cyber in the intelligence community, Bryson shows how curiosity and tying your work to dollar value can open doors you never knew existed. He also delivers some tough‑love truths: why you need to stop sacrificing yourself for the mission in profit‑driven environments, what risk in entrepreneurship really looks like, and how networking and reputation can turn even your missteps into momentum. Chapters 02:09 – Meet Bryson: Choosing West Point Over MIT04:50 – Medically Discharged & First Civilian Interviews06:30 – “What’s an RFP?” Alone, Unqualified, and Learning Fast09:06 – Back to Tech as IT Asset Manager & CMDB Builder10:30 – Cracking the Corporate Code with the CFO11:57 – State, DIA, Special Forces & Googling “What’s a CTO?”13:40 – Building an Offensive Cyber Unit at the Tip of the Spear14:55 – Tough-Love Truth: Stop Sacrificing Yourself for the Mission15:31 – From Napkin Sketch to Launching GRIMM17:59 – Rethinking Risk & Failure in Entrepreneurship20:57 – Co‑Founding ICS Village & Giving Back to the Community22:08 – Network, Ask Questions & Fix Your ResumeKey Takeaways Tie Your Work to Dollars: In corporate environments, showing financial impact keeps projects alive through leadership changes and budget cuts. Bryson’s global CMDB didn’t simply survive because it was technically elegant; it survived because he could show hard dollar savings to the CFO.Stop Sacrificing Yourself for the Mission: Bryson’s wake-up call to veterans in the civilian, profit‑driven world is, if you’re yoked to the mission at the expense of your health and family, someone else is profiting from your sacrifice. You are allowed to set boundaries.Entrepreneurial Risk Is Often Lower Than You Think: For professionals with strong reputations, starting a consultancy is usually a measured risk. Worst case? You build a bigger network, deepen your expertise, and become more valuable when you step back into a traditional role.Network Your Way into Clarity: If you don’t know what civilian job fits your MOS—or if you even want that path—conversations are your intel‑gathering. Each coffee chat narrows the options, sharpens your resume, and reveals opportunities that never get posted.You Already Know How to Figure Things Out: From West Point to Signal Corps to offensive cyber, Bryson kept succeeding in jobs he didn’t initially understand by doing what veterans do best: figuring it out under pressure, seeking guidance, and taking ownership.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with someone who feels afraid of what lies ahead. They may just need a new mission and permission to bet on themselves. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests. Send us Fan Mail 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

  5. MAR 9

    Nervous System Reset: From Combat Ready to Calm Within

    In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen sits down with Army veteran and former 82nd Airborne paratrooper Patience Ulsted, who went from ballet shoes to jump boots to holistic health entrepreneur. Patience shares how chronic pain, daily migraines, and living at “10 out of 10” readiness pushed her to explore yoga, massage, chiropractic care, Reiki, acupuncture, and Ayurveda—and how those tools helped her reset her nervous system without losing her edge. Her story is a powerful reminder that you’ve already done the hard thing, you deserve your VA benefits, and part of transition is learning how to shift from combat ready to calm within. Chapters 01:23 – From Restaurant Grind to “I’m Joining the Army”03:16 – “You Can’t Go Airborne, You’re a Chick”06:06 – Transition Injuries: Feeling 27 Going on 7006:50 – The Yoga Class That Ended the Migraines08:53 – Massage, Chiropractic, Reiki, Acupuncture & Ayurveda11:57 – From Underpaid Spa Work to Entrepreneurship14:00 – “I Can Do Anything”: What Airborne Service Taught Her16:30 – Learning to Ask for Help & Be Coachable19:10 – Always at a 10: Military vs. Civilian Nervous Systems23:47 – Get Your VA Benefits & Don’t Live at 10 Forever Key Takeaways You’ve Already Done the Hard Thing: Use your service—especially high‑demand roles like Airborne—as proof you can handle big transitions and entrepreneurship.Holistic Health Is Nervous System Work, Not Woo‑Woo: Yoga and other modalities helped Patience move from constant hypervigilance to a healthier baseline while keeping the ability to “flip the switch” when needed.Ask for Help and Be Coachable: Getting coaching and stepping outside her comfort zone helped Patience double her business and expand her impact.Document Injuries & Use Your VA Benefits: You earned them—beyond medical care, there are career and entrepreneurship resources many veterans never tap into.Don’t Stay at 10 Out of 10 Forever: Living on adrenaline will eventually catch up with you. Learning to access “2 out of 10” is key for long‑term health and relationships.Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with someone who’s still living at a 10—they may just need permission to finally reset. Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests. #VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #ExitBuddy Send us Fan Mail 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

  6. FEB 23

    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 us Fan Mail 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

  7. 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 us Fan Mail 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

  8. 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 us Fan Mail 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
See All (23)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information