The Women in the Arena

Iron Butterfly Media
  • 5.0 (9)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to "Women in the Arena," where we expand the storytelling umbrella of Iron Butterfly Media to encompass the experiences of women in the military. Our mission is to amplify America's women veterans' diverse voices and honor their resilience, authenticity, and leadership through storytelling. Join us as we celebrate remarkable women who have dared greatly in various areas of life, illuminating the human experience with their strengths, challenges, and triumphs. Through authentic storytelling, we provide a platform for these women's voices to be heard, their stories shared, and their contributions honored. Inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's iconic speech, "The Man in the Arena," our podcast acknowledges the countless women navigating male-dominated spaces, continuously placing themselves in various arenas of life, both professionally and personally.

  1. May 14

    Army Veteran Hailey Gibbons on Ranger School, Grit, and Achieving Your Dreams

    On this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we sit down with Hailey Gibbons, a former Army officer, Ranger School graduate, and leader whose career has spanned everything from Division I athletics and leadership development at United States Military Academy to serving in the 75th Ranger Regiment and later transitioning into the tech industry. Hailey shares her journey through some of the military’s most demanding leadership environments, including what it took mentally and physically to successfully complete Ranger School. We talk candidly about preparation, resilience, fear, failure, discipline, and the mindset required to perform when the stakes are high and the pressure is constant. This episode is for anyone preparing for their next big challenge, whether that’s a military school, selection, endurance event, career transition, or major life milestone. Hailey offers practical insight on building confidence through preparation, developing habits that sustain high performance, leading under stress, and learning how to push beyond self-imposed limits. This conversation is packed with perspective and motivation for anyone striving to lead well, perform at a higher level, and step fully into the arena when life demands more of them.

    1h 6m

  2. Mar 31

    Breaking Free from High Conflict with Amanda Ripley

    This week on The Women in the Arena Podcast, we sit down with journalist and bestselling author Amanda Ripley to explore the powerful ideas behind her book High Conflict. Amanda has spent her career studying how people get pulled into deeply entrenched conflict—and more importantly, how they find their way out. In this conversation, she breaks down the psychology of conflict, why it can become addictive, and how it shows up in our workplaces, relationships, and communities. We also dive into her work with Good Conflict, and how we can shift from destructive patterns to more productive, human-centered engagement. Amanda’s insights challenge us to stay curious, listen deeply, and build meaningful connections with those who see the world differently. This episode is a powerful reminder that while conflict is inevitable, how we navigate it can change everything. Amanda’s work focuses on how people and groups transform, and what we can learn from those moments of change. She is the author of High Conflict, The Unthinkable, and The Smartest Kids in the World, and her writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. A former Time Magazine journalist and Slate podcast host, she now co-leads Good Conflict, a media and training company focused on repairing political polarization. She lives in Washington, D.C., where she works as both a writer and conflict mediator.

    1h 26m

  3. Feb 17

    Colonel Chaveso “Chevy” Cook, Ph.D on Leadership and Mentorship

    In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, Sarah sits down with COL Chaveso “Chevy” Cook, an Army Special Operations veteran whose career spans elite military leadership, global influence operations, and transformative nonprofit work. With experience leading numerous teams in various types of commands, Chevy brings deep expertise in international relations, counterinsurgency, behavior modification, organizational dynamics, and strategic communication. His academic background in organizational psychology and human development, combined with his numerous publications and studies on leadership, team dynamics, training, and professional development, adds even greater depth to his perspective. Together, we explore the foundations of effective mentorship, what truly drives meaningful leadership, and how to assess and evolve organizations from the inside out. Chevy shares powerful insights drawn from both his military service and his work developing thousands of leaders across the military and civilian sectors, offering a clear-eyed look at human dynamics, organizational change, and the kind of intentional leadership that strengthens teams and communities.

    1h 21m

  4. 12/04/2025

    USAF Vet, Founder and CEO of TORCH Warrior Wear, Haley Marie McClain Hill on Entrepreneurship, Scaling, and Building a Community Through Your Brand

    In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, Sarah sits down with Haley Marie McClain Hill, Air Force Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, 2x NFL Cheerleader, and founder of Torch Warrior Wear, the first-ever bodysuit built for women warriors. Haley shares the story behind creating her groundbreaking brand, how she secured major wins like a Shark Tank Season 15 deal, the 2022 Veteran Shark Tank $50K grant, and what it truly takes to build a business from the ground up. Together, we explore the realities of entrepreneurship and scaling, along with the ever-evolving landscape of retail, e-commerce, and the veteran support network. Her passion for helping others build brands, win pitch competitions, and step confidently into big dreams makes this conversation both inspiring and deeply practical for anyone ready to pursue their next big leap.

    1 hr

  5. 11/20/2025

    Jody Fletcher on Coaching, Understanding Organizational Behavior, and Overcoming the Voice in Your Head

    In this special episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we welcome our first-ever male guest, Jody Fletcher, a Special Operations Navy veteran and executive coach with over three decades of leadership and coaching experience spanning both the military and corporate worlds. From advising general officers to coaching C-suite executives and small business owners, Jody brings deep insight into leadership, culture, and human behavior. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Authentic Leadership Coach (CALC), and CALC Faculty Instructor, he has helped countless individuals and organizations strengthen communication, resilience, and emotional intelligence. During our conversation, we dive into common challenges Jody encounters in his coaching practice- like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and communication dysfunction, unpacking not only how to identify these patterns but also practical ways to overcome them in both organizational and personal contexts. This episode offers an honest and actionable look at what true leadership requires, and how self-awareness and trust form the foundation for any strong team or culture.

    1h 1m
  6. Sam and Sarah: Laced Up and Ready- On Recent Actions by the Secretary of Defense, the Elimination of DOCAWITS, and Impact to the Veteran Community

    10/27/2025 ·  Bonus

    Sam and Sarah: Laced Up and Ready- On Recent Actions by the Secretary of Defense, the Elimination of DOCAWITS, and Impact to the Veteran Community

    In this special collaboration, The Women in the Arena Podcast presents Sam & Sarah: Laced Up and Ready,  a new series where Sarah Scully and Samantha Sliney dive deep into the issues shaping today’s veteran and military family community. Sarah, an Army veteran and founder of The Women in the Arena Podcast, brings a grounded, community-focused perspective on leadership, service, and life after the military. Sam, an attorney, Air Force veteran, current Air National Guard officer, and military spouse, works at the intersection of law, policy, and advocacy in the Department of Defense–State Liaison Office. Her mission is to advance policies that strengthen military families and promote gender equality. Together, Sarah and Sam explore critical topics affecting service members, veterans, and their families, breaking down what’s happening, why it matters, and what can be done about it. These episodes bring facts, the hosts’ informed opinions, and compelling calls to action, sparking conversations that move the community forward. In this episode, Sam and Sarah unpack recent actions by the Secretary of Defense, including the elimination of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) - a decision that has raised serious questions about representation, accountability, and the future of gender equity within the Department of Defense. They explore what DACOWITS accomplished throughout its decades-long history, why its dissolution matters, and how it may affect ongoing efforts to ensure equal opportunity for those in uniform. The conversation also takes a closer look at the language currently shaping discussions around gender, standards, and service, and why certain narratives can become dangerous when they shift from dialogue to division. Sam and Sarah discuss the broader implications of these shifts, not as a critique of any one leader or administration, but as an open, informed conversation about impact, perspective, and the need for balance in shaping future defense policy. Ultimately, this episode brings together facts, the hosts’ perspectives, and compelling calls to action, encouraging listeners to stay engaged, informed, and ready to advocate for a stronger, more inclusive military community.

    52 min

  7. 06/24/2025

    Lena Andrews on her Book “Valiant Women,” The Stories of Women Veteran in WWII

    Welcome back to The Women in the Arena Podcast! Today’s episode is special for so many reasons — it marks our very first book club edition, featuring a conversation with Lena Andrews, author of Valiant Women. In this powerful book, Lena brings to life the incredible and often overlooked stories of American women who served during World War II, highlighting their courage, resilience, and critical roles in the war effort. Over the past month, a group of our listeners read along, and thanks to Lena’s generosity, many of you received donated copies of Valiant Women and submitted thoughtful questions that helped shape today’s conversation. Lena came to our community through a former guest — a perfect example of the authentic connections being built here at Iron Butterfly Media. With her background as an intelligence analyst, paired with her research and storytelling of women veterans, Lena’s work reflects everything we stand for. She’s a passionate writer doing the essential work of preserving these stories — work that feels more important now than ever. A huge thank you to everyone who followed along as this episode came together. I had so much fun collaborating with Lena — I could have easily spent hours more talking with her about her research process and the inspiration behind this book. She is truly a remarkable woman. We hope this is just the first of many book club episodes, creating even more ways to connect, engage, and grow this incredible community. As always, be sure to like, follow, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms and social media so you don’t miss what’s coming next!

    1h 14m

  8. 06/10/2025

    Women, Peace & Security: What’s at Stake and Why It Matters with Air Force Major Samantha Sliney

    Major Samantha Arrington Sliney is an accomplished legal professional and Air National Guard JAG officer with over a decade of experience spanning criminal law, administrative law, and national security. Her career has been defined by a passion for advocacy and impactful policy reform, with a focus on removing systemic barriers affecting servicewomen, military families, and Department of Defense readiness. She has led high-level legal research, barrier analysis, and policy campaigns, engaging directly with Congress, nonprofits, and DoD leadership to drive lasting legislative and cultural change. In this episode of The Women in the Arena podcast, we dive into the history and purpose of the Women, Peace, and Security initiative, including recent claims by Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth that he would dismantle the program within the DoD. We explore the legality of such claims, the missed opportunities tied to the initiative’s intent, and end with a call to action- discussing how to remain tactful and composed during politically charged times, and recognizing that we are often more united than we realize.

    49 min
See All (26)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Women in the Arena," where we expand the storytelling umbrella of Iron Butterfly Media to encompass the experiences of women in the military. Our mission is to amplify America's women veterans' diverse voices and honor their resilience, authenticity, and leadership through storytelling. Join us as we celebrate remarkable women who have dared greatly in various areas of life, illuminating the human experience with their strengths, challenges, and triumphs. Through authentic storytelling, we provide a platform for these women's voices to be heard, their stories shared, and their contributions honored. Inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's iconic speech, "The Man in the Arena," our podcast acknowledges the countless women navigating male-dominated spaces, continuously placing themselves in various arenas of life, both professionally and personally.

Information

  • Creator
    Iron Butterfly Media
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Iron Butterfly Media
  • Show Website
    The Women in the Arena