Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You
Exit Buddy
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About This Podcast
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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Recent Episodes
S2E10 If It Doesn’t Open, It’s Not Your Door: What Corporate Taught a Career Officer
In this episode, we meet Stephanie Hahn, an Air Force Reserve Colonel with 21 years of service, who transitioned from intelligence and cyberspace operations into enterprise software sales. Through a…
S2E9 The Off Ramp: Empty Chairs, New Chapters, and Betting on Yourself
In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen and Rachel sit down with Joey Meininger, an Air Force veteran who spent 20 years as a firefighter, became a command chief, and…
S2E8 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…
S2E7 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…
S2E6 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…
S2E5 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…
S2E4 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…
S2E3 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…
S2E2 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…
S2E1 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…
S1 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…
S1 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…
S1E11 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.…
S1E10 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…
S1E9 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…
S1E8 Don’t Tough It Out: A Marine's VA & Vitamin M Warning
Join Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman as they welcome Rob Fuller, a U.S. Marine veteran, cybersecurity leader, and community founder, for a raw look at his journey. From blowing up 300 pounds of C4…
S1E7 From Chief to "Just" Jaimee: Soul Searching & Taking Your Shot
In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Air Force veteran Jaimee Freeman shares her recent military transition experience—shedding her Chief identity for "just" Jaimee after 28…
S1E6 It Sucks, but I Love It: Finding Joy Through the Tough Stuff
Air Force veteran Josh Mason shares his journey of military transition and personal growth on this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You. From cybersecurity to teaching,…
S1E5 Carrying the Load and Uplifting Others
Army veteran Daniel Benjamin steps up to the mic to share his military transition story, from 20 years in signals intelligence to a program manager in cybersecurity and healthcare, on this episode of…
S1E4 Red Nails, New Trails: Forging Your Identity After Service
In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, 20-year Air Force veteran Trecie Spencer shares her journey from joining the Air Force at 17 to a successful career as a project manager…
Frequently Asked Questions
Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You has published 25 episodes since September 2025, covering topics in Education, Government.
Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 24m.
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