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 programs
• 01:13 – Build your safety net before you leap
• 02:08 – Prepare emotionally for the identity shift
• 03:13 – Start soul-searching early — don't wait for transition to happen to you
• 04:32 – Pause and rediscover your identity before jumping into the next chapter
• 05:16 – Your path may change — adapt with resilience
• 06:18 – You can pivot more than once
• 7:13 – Embrace your mistakes as lessons
• 07:59 – Protect your foundation: VA benefits & mental health
• 09:11 – Jobs are replaceable, but family experiences are not
• 09:55 – Ask for help early and often
• 11:27 – Mentorship takes many forms
• 12:23 – Find/build your tribe
• 13:29 – Translate your leadership experience into civilian terms
• 14:12 – Passion plus preparation creates opportunity
• 16:30 – Build your skills, grow your network, and take your shot

Thank 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 us 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.

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 Buddy
• 02:40 - Stephanie’s Pursuit of Education
• 05:15 - Falling in Love with Starbucks While Stationed in Italy
• 06:55 - Stephanie’s Starbucks Role: Keeping 10,000+ Stores Brewing
• 08:32 - Culture Shocks: Language, Insurance & Leadership Style
• 11:00 - Why She Stayed 10 Years (and How You Can Too)
• 14:53 - Giving Back with Compass USA
• 18:42 - Stephanie’s Simple Secret: Networking Is Just Talking
• 22:07 - Final Advice: Stay Open-Minded & Give It a Real Chance

Key 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 us 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.

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 Cockpit
• 07:30 - Advocating for Women Pilots at the Pentagon
• 10:41 - Transitioning with the SkillBridge Program
• 13:07 - Finding Purpose with Level Up Aviation
• 15:38 - Importance of Documenting Injuries for VA Benefits
• 17:36 - Connecting with Veterans Post-Service
• 19:38 - Advice on Addressing Mental Health

Key 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 us 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.