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Episode 6

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Published on:

17th Feb 2021

079: “The stability of a military spouse’s mental health is the cornerstone of the military family.” Theatre and expressive arts with Amy Uptgraft

079: “The stability of a military spouse’s mental health is the cornerstone of the military family.” Theatre and expressive arts with Amy Uptgraft

Amy Uptgraft is a veteran spouse, playwright, actor, and founder of The Veteran's Spouse Project, a non-profit which couples a touring theatrical production with an expressive arts workshop to hear and share veterans' spouses' stories across generations. Now with the pandemic, they also offer virtual classes and workshops to provide self care tools to military spouses.

Learn more about The Veteran's Spouse Project at https://www.veteransspouseproject.org/ or Like them on Facebook @iwillwaitvsp

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Visit our website https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/

Sponsored by US VetWealth - The moment that you leave the military is the biggest opportunity of your lifetime, and you’re going to need money for it. Download the first three chapters of Scott R. Tucker’s (Jen’s husband and business partner) Veteran Wealth Secrets for FREE to learn more at http://veteranwealthsecrets.com/

Connect with our co-hosts Jen Amos jen@holdingdownthefortpodcast.com and Jenny Lynne Stroup https://jennylynnestroup.com/ or jennylynnestroup379@gmail.com

November 2020, Jen Amos and Holding Down the Fort Podcast was awarded “Media Professional of the Year” at The Rosie Network Entrepreneur Awards! Check out her acceptance speech at https://therosienetwork.org/entrepreneur-awards

Enjoy our show? Kindly leave us a review on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/30SJ7NW, Podchaser https://bit.ly/3dnCacY, or write a LinkedIn Recommendation for Jen https://bit.ly/3jNobzB

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About the Podcast

Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth
The award-winning podcast, Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth, is back for its sixth season and ready to tackle the biggest question on the minds of career military families: "So...when are we gonna get out?" Co-hosts Jen Amos and Jenny Lynne Stroup, along with special guests, dive into the world of transition and post-military life, providing knowledge, resources, and relevant stories to help military families "hold down the fort." This show is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate the unique challenges faced by those in the military community.

Get ready to secure your future after active duty with US VetWealth! As the sponsor of the award-winning podcast, Holding Down the Fort, US VetWealth is dedicated to helping military retirees navigate the transition to civilian life. With our Military Retirement Blueprint, you'll have access to the only resource that offers alternative options to the Survivor Benefit Plan and privatized financial strategies. Don't let the misconceptions about retiring military officers and senior NCOs fool you - these high-income earners have untapped potential for post-military life. With our FREE resource, you'll get access to guides, courses, live training, consulting, and an ever-growing list of content to help you make the most of your future. Take control of your post-military life and visit https://militaryretirementblueprint.com/ today!

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.

Here’s what our listeners have to say about our 5-Star rated show:

"This podcast is a must-listen for military families everywhere. Each of Jen and Jenny Lynne’s conversations with guests reveals is heartfelt and insightful—highly recommend!" - Maddie 

"Funny, thought-provoking, challenging status quo and ruthlessly supporting their communities— Jen & Jenny Lynne are a delight to listen to and to interact with." - emillmanrn 

"Jen and Jenny Lynne create thought-provoking conversations for their military spouse audience. It’s like sitting down for coffee with two great friends who want to know how you really are and provide the kind of help that’s actually helpful. Looking forward to this podcast being around for a long time!" - Lam978 
Sponsored by US VetWealth

About your hosts

Jen Amos

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As the co-owner of US VetWealth (i.e. Scott R. Tucker’s “better half”), I assist in creating educational content for military retirees seeking alternative options to the Survivor Benefit Plan and privatized financial strategies for your military retirement.

From growing up in a military family to becoming a Gold Star family member at 10 years old, I have first-hand experience with how a sudden transition to civilian life can impact a family emotionally and financially. 20+ years removed from military life, I started the podcast show Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth in the summer of 2019 to get a pulse on the community today. I’ve come to find that our families still face similar issues that I faced in my childhood. It’s become a sense of responsibility to do my part in validating the stories and struggles of career military families. By the fall of 2020, I had been awarded Media Professional of the Year by The Rosie Networks' National Veteran and Military Spouse Entrepreneur Awards. Since then, the show has received five more award nominations and has been recognized by multiple media outlets, including the Disney Institute’s Veterans Insititute.

While the show is off-season, I focus most of my time building out US VetWealth’s Military Retirement Blueprint — the only resource for military retirees to learn about SBP alternatives and privatized financial strategies. Contrary to popular belief, retiring military officers and senior NCOs are, what we consider, high-income earners. Our FREE resource provides guides, courses, live training, consulting, and an ever-growing list of content for you to learn about your untapped potential and opportunities for post-military life. Access our free resource now by visiting https://militaryretirementblueprint.com/

You can read more about Jen Amos' work in the Spring 2022 Military Entrepreneur Magazine by The Rosie Network (Pg. 16).

Jenny Lynne Stroup

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Jenny Lynne Stroup is writer, blogger, podcaster, mental health advocate, MILSPOUSE, MOPS-alum, and recovering human being.

She joins the Holding Down the Fort Podcast as a seasoned military spouse who spends her time at each duty station fostering community. She believes that being vulnerable and sharing her story empowers others to do the same.

As a freelance writer, Jenny Lynne uses stories to bridge the gap between the civilian and military communities. She is passionate about narrowing that gap and sees her role as a military spouse as an opportunity to reach both communities.

Jenny Lynne has a background in marketing and education. Jenny Lynne received her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from Virginia Tech and her Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University.

Prior to advocating for military families' mental health as the Outreach Coordinator for the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Veterans Village San Diego, Jenny Lynne taught elementary school and spent her time working with several military organizations and spouse groups. She was a key note speaker for United Through Reading at both the Storybook Ball and the Tribute to Military Families events.

Jenny Lynne also worked for the USO of Metropolitan New York as a special event coordinator. During her time with the USO she worked to provide comfort and care for the wounded warriors participating the US Army Warrior Trials.

Originally from Virginia, Jenny Lynne takes her affection for her double name, her love of Southern cuisine, and her appreciation of Southern hospitality wherever the Navy sends her.