Beyond Orders

Michelle Penczak
  • 4.9 (15)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Beyond Orders is a podcast hosted by Michelle Penczak, founder of Squared Away and military spouse on a mission to break the mold. This show shines a spotlight on military spouses who are challenging expectations, creating opportunity, and stepping far outside the traditional narrative. Through honest conversations and bold stories, Michelle sits down with spouses who have built businesses, forged new careers, and found purpose beyond the PCS cycle. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and rewriting the rules...on your own terms. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, solidarity, or that extra nudge to think bigger, Beyond Orders is your reminder that while orders may move us, they don’t define us. Because military life may be unpredictable, but your potential doesn’t have to be.

Episodes

  1. 10/14/2025

    Krista Knuffke: Redefining Resilience Through Reinvention

    In this episode of Beyond Orders, Michelle sits down with Krista Knuffke, proud Army spouse, mom of two, and Director of Client Success at Squared Away. Krista’s journey from healthcare to operations leadership is one defined by adaptability, grit, and purpose. Together, they explore what reinvention really looks like for military spouses navigating constant change: balancing family, career, and identity while creating impact in every chapter. From managing moves and motherhood to leading sales and client onboarding, Krista shares how she’s built a life and career that thrives beyond the boundaries of traditional work. Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation about growth, service, and the strength it takes to start over, again and again.   Government Shutdown Resources

    39 min

  2. 09/30/2025

    Lauren Cecora: Faith, Family, and the Postpartum Journey

    In this episode of Beyond Orders, I sit down with Lauren Cecora -  a 16-year Air Force spouse, devoted mom of two daughters, homeschool parent, and author of Past-Partum. Lauren opens up about the challenges and triumphs of military family life, from navigating deployments to preparing for her husband’s upcoming retirement after nearly two decades of service. We dive into her journey through postpartum struggles and how sharing her story in Past-Partum became a lifeline of hope for other mothers. Lauren also shares how faith has grounded her family, why homeschooling has been such a powerful choice for her daughters, and how embracing the 1000 Hours Outside movement has transformed the way her family connects with nature, each other, and themselves. Lauren’s story is one of reinvention, courage, and intentional living and it’s a reminder that even in seasons of uncertainty, we can choose resilience and purpose.

    37 min

  3. 09/05/2025

    Kerissa Frigo: Veteran Strength Meets Military Spouse Resilience

    In this episode of Beyond Orders, we sit down with Kerissa Frigo. Veteran, military spouse, mom of two energetic boys, and now an Executive Assistant with Squared Away. Kerissa shares her journey from serving five years in the Air National Guard to navigating a decade of marriage through the highs and lows of military life. She opens up about raising a child with Williams Syndrome and how that experience has reshaped her outlook on resilience, adaptability, and purpose. Today, Kerissa brings that same strength and perspective into her role supporting leaders at Squared Away, where she helps them stay focused, organized, and ready for whatever mission comes next. This conversation is about more than career shifts; it’s about how the challenges of service, parenting, and perseverance equip us with the skills to lead and support others in powerful ways. Tune in to hear Kerissa’s inspiring story and discover the lessons she carries from the Air National Guard to the homefront to the clients she serves today.

    44 min

  4. 08/25/2025

    Danielle Hillebrand: Piercing Through Challenges and Building Identity Beyond Orders

    In this episode of Beyond Orders, we sit down with Danielle Hillebrand, a professional body piercer with 17 years of experience and a proud military spouse of 8 years. Danielle’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of identity in the face of constant transition. Each PCS move has brought new challenges, but also new opportunities. Danielle has successfully restarted her studio, Elegant Edge, four times in four different states — proving that dedication and creativity can keep both passion and career alive no matter where military life leads. Through every relocation, Danielle has rebuilt her clientele, reestablished her business, and continued to grow her craft. As a mom of two young kids and a business owner, Danielle balances the demands of family, entrepreneurship, and military life with grit and grace. She shares candidly about the sacrifices, lessons, and strategies that allow her to maintain peace, protect her sense of self, and continue thriving in a career she loves. Listeners will walk away with insights on: Navigating career reinvention through PCS moves and military life The challenges and rewards of running a business while raising young kids Why identity and purpose outside of the military structure are vital for spouses How to lean into passion and perseverance to create a life that works anywhere The resilience it takes to start over, again and again, without losing momentum Danielle’s journey is a testament to the fact that military spouses don’t just adapt, they innovate, rebuild, and thrive. This conversation will leave you motivated to hold on to what makes you you, even in the most unpredictable seasons of life.

    43 min

  5. 08/09/2025

    Taylor Lingerfelt: Leading with Heart as a Military Spouse and Team Lead

    Taylor Lingerfelt is a proud active duty Army spouse, mom of two, and Team Lead at Squared Away. She began her journey with the company in 2021 while at home with her kids, seeking a way to reconnect with her own identity. Over the years, she’s held multiple internal roles, growing her skills in leadership, client success, and remote team management. Today, Taylor is passionate about finding balance between family life and career, leading with empathy, and embracing the beautiful chaos of military life. Her story is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and leadership that military spouses bring to the workforce. In this episode of Beyond Orders, Taylor shares how she built a fulfilling career from home, the challenges and rewards of managing a remote team, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, delegation, and staying grounded while life moves at military speed.

    38 min

  6. 08/04/2025

    Beyond the Bar: Libby Jamison’s Fight for Military Families and Policy Reform

    This week on Beyond Orders, we sit down with Libby Jamison, a powerhouse attorney, policy strategist, and unapologetic advocate for military families. With nearly 20 years in law, government, and grassroots organizing, Libby has worked everywhere from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the West Wing, where she served as Senior Advisor to Joining Forces, Dr. Jill Biden’s initiative supporting military families, caregivers, and survivors. As former President of the Military Spouse JD Network, Libby helped drive licensing reforms across more than 40 jurisdictions, opening professional doors for spouses nationwide. She has earned national recognition, including Military.com's Spouse Changemaker of the Year and a spot on the 2023 Mighty 25, and for good reason. In this episode, Libby shares the behind-the-scenes truth about policymaking, the personal toll and triumph of advocacy, and why military spouses are more than just resilient. We are revolutionary!

    49 min

  7. 07/27/2025

    Meagan Eskew’s Inspiring Story – Single Mom, Breast Cancer Survivor, Leader

    Meagan Eskew started as a virtual assistant with Squared Away in 2020 and worked her way up to become our Director of Client Connections. A single mom who battled, and beat, breast cancer, Meagan didn’t just climb the ladder, she built her own. Now, she’s stepping into a full-time role with a client buyout, proving what happens when grit meets opportunity. She homeschools her kids, leads with heart, and shows exactly what betting on yourself looks like when life throws everything at you. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to go from surviving to thriving, this episode is your answer. 🎧 Listen in and see why Meagan is one of the toughest, smartest women we know.

    45 min

  8. 07/21/2025

    Military Spouses Make Great Leaders & Jessica Ryan Proves It

    What does it take to grow from a virtual assistant to a trusted executive leader, all while proving that military spouses are some of the strongest leaders in the workforce? In this episode of Beyond Orders, Michelle Penczak, CEO of Squared Away, interviews Jessica Ryan, the company’s Chief People Officer. Jessica started in 2020 as a virtual assistant and steadily rose through the ranks, from Team Lead to the executive team, by leading with empathy, consistency, and quiet strength. Jessica shares how she built trust, supported hundreds of military spouse virtual assistants, and helped shape Squared Away’s culture. Her story is proof that military spouses are not just support staff, they are leaders, innovators, and change-makers. If you’re a military spouse ready to grow your career, step into leadership, or prove that you’re more than “just an assistant,” this episode is a must-listen. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to grow from support roles to leadership positions Why military spouses make exceptional leaders The power of empathy and consistency in building influence How to lead without a loud voice and still be heard Listen now to discover how you can own your story, your skills, and your seat at the table.

    47 min

  9. 07/14/2025

    From Virtual Assistant to COO: Sara Brooks-Glover on Leadership, Growth & Reinvention

    In this episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak, CEO of Squared Away and military spouse, sits down with Sara Brooks-Glover, Chief Operations Officer at Squared Away, to talk about career growth, remote leadership, and scaling systems in a mission-driven company. Sara shares her inspiring journey from starting as a virtual assistant to rising through the ranks as Director of Finance and Compliance, leading Talent and Development, and now serving as COO. She offers insights into how she built scalable operations, aligned cross-functional teams, and leaned into reinvention every step of the way. Whether you're managing a remote team, hiring virtual assistants, building business infrastructure, or navigating a leadership transition, this episode is packed with practical advice and lessons in resilient, empathetic leadership. Keywords: military spouse career, remote team management, virtual assistant business, leadership development, female COO, career growth, business operations, hiring systems, delegation strategies, Squared Away, Michelle Penczak, Sara Brooks-Glover, Beyond Orders Podcast 🎧 Subscribe for more interviews with military spouses, remote leaders, and professionals redefining what’s possible.

    48 min

  10. 07/06/2025

    From Grief to Grace: Tiffany McCawley’s Story

    In this deeply moving episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak sits down with Tiffany McCawley, a military spouse and mother of five whose faith and resilience leave a lasting impression. Tiffany became part of the Squared Away team in 2020, but her journey began long before that. In 2015, Tiffany endured every parent’s worst nightmare; the loss of two of her children in a tragic accident. What followed was not a neatly wrapped healing journey but a raw, honest walk through grief, anchored by her faith and a quiet strength developed through lived experience. Tiffany shares how she moved from surviving to thriving, how her work brought renewed meaning, and how her belief in God gave her the courage to keep going when nothing made sense. She speaks candidly about the causes close to her heart, including Let Them Live, supporting foster and at-risk youth; While We’re Waiting, empowering women facing unexpected pregnancy; Backpack Friends, feeding food-insecure children; and Ride Safe Foundation, striving to reduce underage drinking and increase safe rides for teens. To learn more about Tiffany’s journey, visit her blog: theclanmccawley.blogspot.com. Some causes that are important to the McCawley Family: - https://ridesafefoundation.org/ - https://www.backpackfriends.org/ - https://whilewerewaiting.org/donate/

    1h 1m
  11. Beyond the Resume: Leadership, Life Lessons, and Starting Over

    06/29/2025

    Beyond the Resume: Leadership, Life Lessons, and Starting Over

    In this episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak speaks with Rachel Hornbeck, the Director of Talent and Development at Squared Away, about her journey from being a stay-at-home mom to a leadership role within the company. They discuss the supportive culture at Squared Away, the challenges of imposter syndrome, the importance of community, and the personal stories of adoption that have shaped their lives. Rachel shares her insights on leadership, accountability, and the hiring process, culminating in a reflection on the theme of reinvention and personal growth. Real leadership starts when we stop waiting for permission to grow. The culture at Squared Away empowers individuals to thrive. Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for many leaders. Supportive communities can foster personal and professional growth. Heart and caring mentality are essential in leadership roles. Being open to feedback is crucial for success. Accountability is key to building trust within teams. The hiring process at Squared Away is thorough and thoughtful. Personal stories of adoption can create deep connections. Reinvention involves being brave enough to outgrow comfort zones.

    45 min

  12. 06/21/2025

    Rooted at Last: How Squared Away Became Jordan’s Steady Ground

    In the inaugural episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak sits down with Jordan Streetman Cole, Chief Experience Officer at Squared Away, for a powerful conversation about the realities of military spouse life and the unexpected opportunities that can come from uncertainty. Together, they unpack Jordan’s journey from applying to Squared Away out of sheer desperation to growing into a key leadership role within the company. Along the way, they explore themes of reinvention, resilience, and the deep need for stability in a life shaped by constant change. This episode dives into the unique strengths military spouses bring to the workforce, the transformative power of meaningful assistant-client partnerships, and why building community and trust is at the heart of it all. Whether you’re navigating career transitions, PCS chaos, or simply looking for a story that reminds you you’re not alone, this one’s for you. Because while military orders may move us, they don’t have to define us. Jordan's book reference - Time, Talent, Energy The podcast aims to empower military spouses to rewrite the rules of their careers. Desperation often drives military spouses to seek new opportunities. Stability in employment is crucial for military spouses facing frequent relocations. Resiliency is a key trait of the Squared Away team. Building a community among military spouses enhances support and connection. Successful client-assistant matches require time and investment in understanding each other. Celebrating wins, both big and small, is essential for motivation. Reframing opportunities for military spouses can change perceptions in the workforce. Reinvention is about honoring one's potential and evolving into the best version of oneself. Leadership is about empowering others and leading by example.

    39 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Beyond Orders is a podcast hosted by Michelle Penczak, founder of Squared Away and military spouse on a mission to break the mold. This show shines a spotlight on military spouses who are challenging expectations, creating opportunity, and stepping far outside the traditional narrative. Through honest conversations and bold stories, Michelle sits down with spouses who have built businesses, forged new careers, and found purpose beyond the PCS cycle. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and rewriting the rules...on your own terms. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, solidarity, or that extra nudge to think bigger, Beyond Orders is your reminder that while orders may move us, they don’t define us. Because military life may be unpredictable, but your potential doesn’t have to be.

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Penczak
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Beyond Orders