Hey there, listener! Thank you for checking out our older seasons! We're adding this note on the top of the show notes to keep you up-to-date with the show. Connect with Jen Amos and get bonus content when you subscribe to our private podcast show, Inside the Fort by US VetWealth, at http://insidethefort.com/

Last Updated: September 2, 2024

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148: "Thank you for being a part of our journey and seeing value in our candidness. It's an honor." Checking in with Jen and Jenny Lynne

Jen and Jenny Lynne take a break from interviewing to reconnect! They reflect on how much they enjoy the pace of Season 6, how Jen's priority to feel locally rooted has influenced the format of their show, their pre-recorded thoughts about attending Disney Institute's Veterans Institute Summit, and much more.

Announcements

• Jen and Jenny Lynne are going to Disney World to attend Disney Institute's Veterans Institute Summit on August 19 to 20, 2022! Learn how you can register online at https://www.disneyinstitute.com/disney-institute-summits/veterans-institute-summit/

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RETURNING FALL 2023

The award-winning podcast, Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth, is returning for Season 7 in Fall 2023 to share inspiring stories of service and self-sufficiency from the military community! This show is a must-listen for military servicemembers and families interested in pursuing financial autonomy while serving our nation.

The show is very excited to announce its new partnership with The Rosie Network, which will include featuring the stories of Service2CEO Cohort Members. Read more about this exciting partnership at https://issuu.com/therosienetwork/docs/me_mag_2023/16

Our main sponsor US VetWealth is proud to announce their newest FREE resource hub: Military Retirement Blueprint — the perfect knowledge library for career retiring military officers who want to make the most of their retirement. This specialized program provides training, guides, consulting, investment-grade insurance strategies, financial & retirement planning, and more. Join for FREE today by visiting: https://usvetwealth.com/war-chest-learning-center-access-the-military-retirement-blueprint/

Stay connected and get the latest updates from our Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth community by subscribing to our newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gTTOdT Questions? Email jen@holdingdownthefortpodcast.com

In August 2022, Jen Amos' work on the podcast was recognized by Disney Institute and she was hand-selected as the only non-Disney employee to moderate the first Military Spouse Employment panel for the Veterans Institute Summit. March 2022, Jenny Lynne has voted the 2022 Naval Station Norfolk Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year. November 2020, Jen Amos was awarded “Media Professional of the Year” at The Rosie Network Entrepreneur Awards! The show continued to collect award nominations in the following years. In September 2021, the show made the Final Slate in the 16th Annual People's Choice Podcast Awards for the Government & Organizations category. In November 2021, the show was an Award Finalist for the 5th Annual National Veteran & Military Spouse Entrepreneur Awards. December 2021, the show was a Golden Crane Podcast Awards Nominee. September 2022, the show was a Finalist for the 13th Annual Plutus Awards presented by Capital Group for “Best Military Personal Finance Content.”

Holding Down the Fort has also been featured in multiple media outlets including Military Entrepreneur (M.E.) Magazine, MOAA’s Never Stop Learning Podcast, The Leadership Void Podcast, Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast, Sisters in Service Podcast, Get 2 Vet, Blue Star Families of Dayton & Southwestern Ohio, Legacy Magazine, U.S. Veterans Magazine, The American MilSpouse, VeteranCrowd Network, It's a Military Life, VirtForce, Military Veteran Dad Podcast, and much more.

Enjoy our show? Kindly leave us a written 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/30SJ7NW, Podchaser https://bit.ly/3dnCacY, or write a LinkedIn Recommendation for Jen Amos https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenamos/edit/forms/recommendation/write/

Jen Amos 0:00

All right, hello Jennylyn for the first time this season, I think since episode one of season six, we are catching our breath and slowing down if we haven't slowed down already, but you know, just taking a minute to take a break from our interviews to connect as co host and check in with all of you. I know that sometimes listeners after a while, they're like, Well, what about like Jen and Jenny Lynn, though, you know, what about them? What about their story? And although we're not going to go into depth with our personal stories today, I hope that this is a treat for all of you that it's just Jen emos and genuine Stroup. Jenny Lynn, any opening thoughts? I mean, we have been at it with pre interviews and interviews pretty much since February, April, like it's been months, since we've just kind of, you know, at our blinders on. Yeah, you know, producing the show this year.

Speaker 1 0:56

Yeah. I mean, I guess first, like, I really love our new format. Like I love that we do the pre interviews, I love that we get the opportunity to meet with the guests we bring on and really kind of hone in on their story and how it fuels the holding down the fort story. And that we get to be a part of that and have met, you know, such great people we consider part of the holding down the fort family now. Yeah, it's been really fun. But you're right. Like, I think what was it two Tuesday's ago, we didn't have any recordings. But I was like, what's happening? My day is weird. Like, why are we not talking? What's going on? It's just such. I mean, it's such a fun part of my week. And you know, I enjoy connecting with you as much as I enjoy connecting with our guests, and especially being remote work. And I know you get this to working in an office one. You know, it is just so great to take a break from the work to sit down and talk to people and like hear their stories. So I really love the way we're doing it. But yes, it has been since the beginning of the year,

Jen Amos 2:02

maybe? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it has. I mean, if I were to pull up my calendar, I'm pretty sure. Like, our first interview was probably back in February, like it was way back when, and yeah, it's wild. I mean, I kind of liked doing that. Because part of why in the past, like for our listeners, you may have noticed that we you know, only publish once a week, as opposed to three times a week, like what we used to do in the past. And part of that is because, you know, I personally have been wanting to focus more on my in person life. You know, Scott and I have been settled in our current place since last December. And there's nothing more I wanted, then to route myself. And it's odd because when I think about it's like, you know, I was a military child like 20 plus years ago. And here, I am still kind of repeating that story. Like I always seem to reinvent myself or something shifts every like two to three to five years. And last December, I was like, I'm done with this, I'm done. Like I'm done with traveling. I don't care what anyone has to say about that remote life, you know, working remotely like it's lonely, it can be really lonely. And part of why I had really leaned into podcasting and pumping out all those episodes in the last seasons with you was because that was my way of friends connected of staying grounded of knowing what was going out in the world while we all were stuck at home. So this year has been fruitful for so many reasons. One of my friends, they recently released my interview on their show, and we recorded this at the beginning of the year. And it was interesting to hear it eight months later. And at that time, I was still in this like, I wouldn't say like survival mode. But definitely like I was hustling still in that time. And not that I'm not hustling right now. It's just that I was so much in this, like I want to get rooted. And now I can say, like I feel as routed as I can, at this point in my life, I'm really happy about that. And that really has reflected in our guests and the way that we've slowed down, like you mentioned, and really getting to know the guest and you know, hear out their stories and make this more of a collective effort. When we do the interview, which I absolutely love, like, you know, from the pre interview to the actual interview and you know, referring to Dennis all the time, when we are recording live, to sharing the title and show notes with the guest to make sure that we represented them as well as we could. It's been this beautiful collaborative, like slow but meaningful effort, you know, to amplify everyone like not just as as CO hosts but the people we bring on and, and I'm just extremely grateful for the pace we've taken this year.

Speaker 1 4:40

Oh, same same. I mean, you know, and for me, it's been such a good learning opportunity. I mean, if people have been around the show for a couple of seasons, they know that I came on as like an answer to a want ad in a newsletter basically, here because there was a newsletter opportunity that I happened to respond You and You know, I think this is what the fourth, I mean, I'm coming up on my two year anniversary is holding for a podcast co host. And it's been a really good learning experience for me. And I think we have evolved as a team and it's been fun to like, learn and grow and see the different sides. I mean, we make jokes all the time on here that I'm like the chief show or upper. I'm also now the chief inviter. Like, let's just throw that out there.

Jen Amos 5:23

You've been so wonderful at that, like bringing on all these incredible people. And I look them up later. I'm like, oh, that person. Okay, Jen, gotta be more professional next time. Yeah.

Speaker 1 5:37

So it seems nothing. You know, nothing says more professional than all of the technology failing on the day that we interview like the media person. That was great. Oh, yeah, no, that was so

Jen Amos 5:48

funny. And actually, I mean, y'all can listen to that, that episodes already out. But it was just so funny. Like, after the fact, I was just like laughing at myself. And the good thing was when I was listening to the edits, after Dennis made them, I was like, okay, like, I'm so glad for Dennis. Because I was like, Oh, my gosh, I promise you like, I'm moderating this panel and Disney, which we'll get into in a little bit here, but like, I have not like this. But you know, I forgive myself, because it's been a long year. And we've been hosting the show for many seasons now, as you mentioned, and we're gonna have some hiccups, and that's okay. And that is partly why we pre record these so we can have people like Dennis like, make us sound amazing. But I do believe that that episode will turn out well, I did listen to it. I was like, Okay, does not sound like we were off that day.

Speaker 1 6:36

It was like a thunderstorm. Like our electricity. Like Mike's went out. It was great. It's Wi Fi went out. It was

Jen Amos 6:42

yeah, like the most hilarious like, I'm still laughing about I was telling Scott about it. I was like, You should have been there like even you would have been like just laughing at me. It was pretty comical. But it's fun. It's fun to like, have those shared experiences with you. And we're not perfect at this. And I think that's part of why it's always important for me, like I had a nonprofit, I can't say their names yet, because it's not official yet, or it is official, but they haven't produced content yet. But you know, a nonprofit had reached out to me to help host their virtual conference. And they had said that, yeah, I'll tell you offline what it is. But they had said that the reason why they reached out is because they really like our casual approach to talking to people like I mean, yes, it probably would be ideal if we sounded a little more uptight and professional, but I'm a civilian, you know, yes, I'm a Gold Star family member and a veteran spouse, but I'm a civilian. And part of what I tried to do on these shows is to be as human as possible, because I can't be anyone but me, you know, because then it's going to show you're going to hear it through our recordings. And you're gonna hear like, oh, John's uptight, you know, but I hope that in this whole process, like everyone feels like they know us, they feel like they're friends with us and that we are approachable, because that's really, you know, one of the big things we talk about on our show is community building. And so I hope that our approach makes you all feel like you can be in community with us.

Speaker 1 8:02

When I think that addresses some of the questions we've gotten to like we just got one today during your pre interview about like, so what do you consider a season? I think we both look at that and go Well, we both come from a pretty long military background. So it is what you can make it Yeah, point honestly, like, I think that's great. allowing each other the humaneness and flexibility to do this in a way that builds community and allows for life to happen. Is really, outside of you know, a growing relationship with you is one of my favorite things about doing this is there is all those allowances and I think our guests feel that when they come on and Blake Hey, we're really happy to have you here and also like Mike's are gonna go out under may happen. We're gonna think Dennis 100 times in episode that no one's gonna hear on the back end. But you know, yeah, I like that about this.

Jen Amos 8:57

Yeah. And I'm glad that you feel that way. And I think it puts the pressure off both of us to be a certain way and to act a certain way. And I'm grateful. You know, I think that's part of the beauty of being an independent podcaster is our show is literally what we make of it. And when we met. Yeah, so that's kind of like all the notes I had today.

Speaker 1 9:16

Speaking of being really professional, though, and we just talked about all the ways in which like, we're very laid back and kind of roll with what's going on. But being very professional. I mean, you have been invited to do something really fun. Yes. And I am so excited. But I hold the title as co host reporting on the port podcast. That means I get to do something really fun. So why don't you tell everybody what we're getting ready to go do? Yes, that's

Jen Amos 9:43

to just plus one.

Plus one, especially because we went to Disney World, too. And I'm sure we'll mention this in the upcoming recordings here,

I guess. Boston, this the fun instigator here? Yes,

yes, yes. So I have been so fortunate to be invited to host I think this is their first panel, the first Military Spouse Employment panel, and be able to talk to the experts. And I think I mentioned this probably in the pre recording, I might insert this later, because I don't want to butcher anyone's names. But to be able to moderate this panel of incredible individuals who have really pushed for military spouse, remote work, military, spouse, entrepreneurship, and just overall Military Spouse Employment, including not just what most people perceive as female spouses, but male spouses and caregivers. I'll read a little bit of the description here for this panel. So it states that studies show service members, spouses tend to experience unemployment and underemployment at a significantly higher rate than their peers begin to think differently about the appearance of resume experience gaps, frequent job changes and other relevant topics. So it's interesting because they purposely wanted it to although it sounds specific, it's actually really vague. And like the team mentioned this because they wanted us to be the experts and that we they wanted us to explain what Military Spouse Employment is and all that. And so I'm just excruciatingly honored that I don't know if that's the right phrase there. But I'm just so honored that they had recognized our work on holding on the fort to select myself as the only non Disney employee to facilitate because they even said at the beginning of our virtual rehearsal, they said, you may notice that there is not a Disney facilitator here. That's because we wanted to bring on Jen, you know, who hosts the show, because we know that we're not the experts. So it's truly like, even though it's just one panel, like it's like the best panel and the fact that they had listened to my show, apparently, they know our stories inside and now genuinely so. So don't get creeped out if they start like talking about like, whatever they know about you and me, but like they know us inside and out. And they know our initiatives, they know, you know who we are professionally, and our personal stories. And they have, you know, handpicked you know me to moderate this. So I'm really grateful about that, you know, especially because I started holding on the for like with an ounce of impostor syndrome. You know, thinking like, you know, who am I this Gold Star family member and veteran spouse to really advocate for military spouses and families. And yet here I am now you know, being able to work with the Disney Institute's veterans Institute Summit, moderating a panel about Military Spouse Employment, I'm just, I'm extremely grateful. And I'm just happy that you're going to be there. Like, you're going to be like my support system, because you know, you've been part of this journey with me. And obviously, you get a benefit in so many other ways, which we'll begin to reveal in upcoming episodes.

I mean, the blurb you read about Military Spouse Employment is just something so close to my heart as an active duty military spouse. Yeah, I think I shared with you I'm not sure if it made it to an episode or not. But I was recently in an interview for a new position. And the very first question is, what are you most proud of like in your career? And I have jokingly replied, like having one question mark, exclamation mark, because I started my adult life with a career that required a license, which wasn't going to transfer every time we moved. And so, you know, to have been gainfully employed for almost three years now with the same organization that allowed me to work remotely for the last year and a handful of months to now be transitioning into another remote position speaks volumes of how far we've come and Military Spouse Employment, but you know, there is, you know, as a group, the largest unemployed out there, yeah, distinctly. And so to think that it's getting traction by a company world renowned for their business practices. It's really cool and to get to go with you and be your plus one and represent holding down the fort. And also being an active duty military spouse, like, I'm over the moon. Also, I'm a complete Disney nerd. And having worked there in college, like it is one of my most favorite places. And so all of the things about this make be so very happy. Yeah. And I am, you know, really, really proud of the way that you facilitate this show that it is recognized by other folks to be able to have opportunities like this. Yeah. That you include me that you look at us as a team, I really like that is something that is very special to me, Well, of course,

just hugs all around. I love I'm really grateful. And it's a team effort. I mean, this show started as a team effort me initially with, you know, my team at US vet wealth, and it expanded. And there are some times where I do forget to make sure to credit the team. But whenever I do have that self awareness, like I do, make sure that you're involved. And, of course, I had plenty of space in the hotel, so And Scott wasn't gonna bring the dog and that would have been really complicated. And then the cat, we have a cat now so that that's a whole other different layers. So yeah, but the last thing I want to add to that, as we wrap up here is that I mentioned earlier, like how we have been doing the show virtually for a very long time. And like I said earlier, also is that I don't know who's listening. So the fact that, like someone from Disney heard, I remember asking them, I said, they said, Oh, someone Someone recommended your show. And I was like who like who? Who was it, they never told me they never told me. I don't know if they meant to keep that a secret on purpose. But I think it just it was just one of those like little things where I probably could have persisted and found out. But you know, the reason why this is so important to me, and why it means so much to us is like this is a manifestation of our work, even though it's really just us all the time. And then of course, we have a guest on here, people are listening, influential people are listening. And I don't take that for granted. I'm incredibly grateful and honored and humbled that our work is of value to an organization such as the Disney Institute. So I'm sure we'll have more reflections later, especially when we actually go to it. Right now, we are recording this before we go to Disney World, mainly because I want to make sure we have a vacation after the vacation when we're back and kind of take that breather. And we have more updates to come. And so I think you know, later on when we're ready to connect again, as co host for our listeners, I'm sure we'll have a ton of more updates. But until then, you know, thank you, Jenny Lynn for believing in me believing in our team. And Matthew to this is an extension to Matthew because I know Matthew is there in the background listening and I mean not literally but I know he listens to the show. So shout out to Matthew, and just your belief and our work together. I know we're gonna have a great time at Disney World already anticipated and we look forward to giving you all an update once you know once we do once we feel like it. Yeah, but we're gonna wrap up here, gentlemen, any final closing thoughts?

No. Looking forward to our trip. Yes, yes. We're interviews to come.

Yes, more interviews have come. Alright. Well, with that said thank you all we hope you enjoyed this short call. Post check in conversation. And I mean, I guess if you want to get a hold of us, you can find this in the show notes. I usually say that for guests, so I might as well mention that we're in the show notes. Oh, and if you like our show, I know we mentioned this in the outro. But you know, I do provide links to our LinkedIn recommendation if you want to leave one. So feel free to do that. But anyway, we're gonna wrap up. Appreciate you all. Thank you for being a part of our journey and seeing value in our candidness. I think that's what I'm most proud of is that we are both like, totally ourselves, and people see value in that. It's an honor. And that's it. We'll chat with you all in the next episode. Till next time