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This week, we acknowledge Armed Forces Day and honor our active-duty service members and their families!

While we’re at it, a few updates worth sharing:

I’m changing my book title! 📘

More details soon (just know I’m very excited about it). The hint is in my updated LinkedIn profile headline:

Helping military spouses protect their family’s hard-earned pension by making a confident, informed decision about the Survivor Benefit Plan.

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Free War Chest Library, and no opt-in necessary! 📚

Thanks to my husband’s hard work, we offer free guides on our website for the Survivor Benefit Plan decision, Thrift Savings Plan strategy, and retirement income, each with built-in calculators.

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Reflecting On Armed Forces Day

Although I’ve been a civilian for many years, it wasn’t until I started podcasting in 2019 that I learned how unique it was to be associated with the less than 1% of Americans who serve.

I once had a friend with no military connection assume that the military was all G.I. Joe, a toxic masculinity kind of institution. And I thought, “Wow, that’s such a different perspective than my actual experience with the community.” I grew up in the military, I got to reconnect with the community through my show, and I serve them through my work today. If only my civilian friend actually knew the amazing individuals who protect us, everyday Americans.

What I appreciate the most is how military life taught me to adapt. Sure, most of the time, it was out of necessity. But as a civilian, it easily translated to changing and choosing because I wanted to. If I already knew how to react to change, why couldn’t I prompt it myself?

My upcoming book speaks to the spirit of voluntary choice. I hope our military spouses will appreciate it when deciding how to protect their hard-earned pension, starting with the Survivor Benefit Plan.

Beyond this choice, however, your next chapter is less about being told where to go. It’s more about: where do you want to go, and how can we help you get there?

Anyway, I digress.

While you’re still actively serving, I sincerely want to wish you a Happy Armed Forces Day. Thank you for your service. 💙

— Jen

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Happy Military Appreciation Month

This week, we’re celebrating three things: Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Mother’s Day, and the full manuscript of The Military Spouse Benefit Plan! Now available to our subscribers for free.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

To express my appreciation, I’ve dedicated the last year and a half to writing a book to ensure that military spouses know they have options to protect the pension they earned for their service, too.

Preview Table of Contents

That’s not counting the years before I even knew I was going to write it. I’ve been trying to understand this gap since the summer of 2019, when my podcast began. If you take nothing else from this post, humor me: read the introduction and the first chapter. Why? Because…

It’s your pension, too.

You know this. I know this. And your power to decide how to protect it starts with knowing you have a say in the SBP decision.

To get your free download, simply visit the footer of my latest newsletter, or subscribe to the podcast, and it will arrive in your welcome email.

I appreciate you.

Happy Military Appreciation Month. Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and happy Mother’s Day.

— Jen

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First time here? Here’s the transcript for our relaunch with Keyani!

[00:00:00] Jen Amos: All right. Hey everyone. Welcome to Inside the Fort by US Vet Wealth. This is the private podcast of Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth. The short link to our podcast is INSIDETHEFORT.COM and I am really excited. I’ve had a private podcast for the show for quite some time.

But ever since I went off season and then I came back like last fall of 2025, I was trying to think in the back of my mind, like, how could I bring back the private podcast? And the short story is that if you’re an entrepreneur it helps having other entrepreneurial friends. So I’ve decided that while my public podcast is gonna be focused on obviously what I’m offering, and whoever guests come on my show, what they’re offering.

The private podcast, and I haven’t come up with a phrase for this yet... but for now it’s shoot the you-know-what? But basically this is to chill with, go behind the scenes, hang out in the living room, take off your shoes, just relax and chat with fellow entrepreneur friends.

So I’m excited to have Keyani kick this off with me. So Keyani, welcome to my private podcast.

[00:01:06] Keyani: Hi everybody. Hello Jen. I’m happy to be back.

[00:01:11] Jen Amos: Yes. And I figured we can share with people if they’re like, oh, how did Jen and Keyani meet? From what I recall, I was working with Tricia from The Rosie Network to coordinate guests for Holding Down the Fort.

And I had noticed that you were contributing a lot helping compile the list of guests to be on my show. And that’s my first impression, early on. And then as time went on, like we stayed in touch. Tell us a little bit about, I guess like our initial engagement or your impression of that, and then what has compelled you to continue being my friend?

[00:01:45] Keyani: Like you said, you were trying to compile a list through Tricia and so I actually worked for The Rosie Network as one of their chapter leads. And what that means is I just helped facilitate the entrepreneurial courses for that program. And whenever again, we would have people graduate, the whole point was to get them to come on podcast as both for a partnership exchange. And so I would always be telling my people, and even other people’s classes, like if I got a chance to go and help them and speak with them, speak to their classes, I’d be like, look, you wanna do this? It’s gonna help you.

Don’t be scared. It doesn’t matter if you got everything together. That’s not the point. You just need to get your name out there. So that’s, yeah, that’s how it came about. Like I understood the value of it. Also coming on myself as a guest initially somebody who had finished the program and somebody that was also working for the program at the time.

So that was our initial connection. And I think we laughed so much that first time because I kept saying, “ and then, and then.” Yeah.

[00:02:54] Jen Amos: Yeah.

[00:02:55] Keyani: Yeah. So yeah, that’s pretty much how we started. You gotta go listen to the other episodes and know why we kept saying that.

[00:03:02] Jen Amos: Yes. Yeah. And I’ll include your first interview in the show notes of this episode. But yeah, I’m just really grateful again for that time. Thank you for compiling that list. And I also thought it was interesting if I recall the conversation we had with Ken, we were discussing how interesting it was how like some of the alumni did not pick up the opportunity. I had a long list of alumni that I had reached out to and I had followed up with and I feel like maybe it was like 30% of them actually were open to it. And I just thought, in my mind I’m like, wow, this is like a free platform for them. All they have to do is show up. And I do everything else. I do the post-production, I create the marketing material, and I would think for a new business owner or a new entrepreneur with a new idea and a pitch deck that they would want an opportunity to practice public speaking.

I also acknowledge that everyone is in a different journey when it comes to entrepreneurship. Maybe they needed some time to, let the dust settle after graduation. Who knows? But I always thought that was interesting... you go through this program and wouldn’t you wanna take up this opportunity? It’s really at no cost to you. It helps me because I’m able to have content and I can network with people.

So I just feel like it, in my mind, I felt like it was a win-win. Who knows why, but the opportunity wasn there and the opportunity has passed.

[00:04:24] Keyani: Definitely.

[00:04:25] Jen Amos: Yeah. Now fast forward to today. The reason why I have Keyani on here is because I really just wanna deepen my friendships with other entrepreneurs. In my day-to-day life my husband and I are mainly around like working professionals. And so sometimes.. Sometimes I feel misunderstood, like with my friends who like work the nine to five, or sometimes I feel like they see me as a novelty.

They’re like, oh, like I wanna start a podcast, or I’ve been thinking about starting a business. And I’m glad that I sparked that in some of my friends, but in regards to having people who are on the journey with me, that is something that I have found to be more fruitful for me. To have people who are in the trenches, who are actively building something.

And it doesn’t have to be entrepreneurial, but having friends who are excited to talk about what they’re working on. And so I’m curious for you Keyani, if you like, feel the same way or, share that same struggle of having, let’s say, like-minded friends.

[00:05:21] Keyani: I think yes and no. It was a really bad struggle, I would say initially because I think it was because of me. Because I was still growing into what I needed and I couldn’t figure it out. But I knew that, not that the friends that I had at the time were not helped or not good, and they’ve always been supportive.

If they had to go fight somebody for me, they would do that. But, don’t fight nobody, y’all. I don’t need nobody to fight. But I also think that I was transitioning into new levels of what entrepreneurship looked like for me at the time. So what I had done in the beginning, I was moving from that.

And so a lot of my friends had never experienced that level. And I didn’t either, and there was nobody around me that I could say had done the same thing. So it was me as, as I started searching for what I needed, I think it helped me grow and actually build those authentic relationships with other like-minded entrepreneurs.

So I think it was just initially me not understanding. What I needed because of the new spaces I was elevating to.

[00:06:36] Jen Amos: I love how you say that because it puts the responsibility in your hands. And I know part of this has to do with the Mrs. P framework starting with mindset and responsibility.

So I feel like you embody your framework, which we’ll get to here later. But it’s true. ‘cause it’s like I can’t, like you said, I cannot fault my friends. It’s more about... I didn’t know I needed something different, like I didn’t know I needed to associate with other entrepreneurs.

[00:07:03] Keyani: Yeah.

[00:07:03] Jen Amos: And so I love how you said that because part of doing this private podcast now, yes, we have all the incredible organizations out there to join a cohort and stuff like that. But I think for me I’m looking for the in between now, like the steady friends. Yes, of course we can meet in those settings, but what about the ongoing.

I remember the last cohort I was a part of from this other organization. It was really cool ‘cause I made one friend out of it. And, we also stay in touch like on a monthly or bi-monthly basis just checking in with each other, but like for everyone else... it’s like school, like when you’re done with school, if you’re lucky, like you can stay in touch with a couple of people. But for the most part, like people move on or people’s priorities change. And so for me, I feel like I’m looking for the in between. Yes, I can meet there, but I hope to find, more long-term friendships where it’s not just about meeting in those settings, but more so like checking in to, to check in.

So yeah. What do you think about that?

[00:07:59] Keyani: Yeah. To all of that, because it’s true. I’ll definitely say that. Like I have like my day to day, sometimes I’m like, okay, nope. Not that, that frame won’t work for that one. I need to call that friend, or I need... it’s like I have them. I’m like, okay, no, that, no, they’re not gonna be able to answer that question for me. So it is like one of those, you do need those check-ins. You do need those, my brain is fried, can you see me somebody and help my soul get together. I can definitely say like I said yes and yes to everything you just said.

[00:08:37] Jen Amos: Cool. I love it. I feel like the more concise answers you give the more that I understand our journeys. But thank you for the one word like yes, and yes. That all makes sense. ‘cause it just makes me feel like, okay, I’m not like projecting anything. Like it sounds like you can relate in your own way.

So anyway, that is really the experiment here with this private podcast now is my hope is for anyone that is listening to this that if you’ve been a subscriber for our show for some time now, and maybe you’ve just been lurking, you’ve been casually opening up the emails, but you’ve been meaning to reach out.

And maybe you’re not ready to do a public recording, but you wanna just have more of a casual one like this, then reach out. Reach out. Because I was just saying to a friend at the gym today, I was like, I’m not really a corporate person. I’ve been self-employed for my entire adult life, so I’m the kind of person that wears gym clothes for most of the time, and I have my hair up in a bun.

And when I go to conferences and more important things like, yeah, I’ll dress up. But my outward look really reflects the easygoing person i’ve become. And for anyone that wants to be a little more relaxed in having these kind of conversations, I just want to invite you to be a part of this.

Like obviously Keyani and I could probably talk about a million things and it could just be us. But if you feel like you wanna jump into the conversation, I just wanna invite you to hang out with us. Just kick it with us. Any thoughts about that Keyani?

[00:10:07] Keyani: No, I’m with you. Don’t sit on the sidelines. Come on, join us. Talk about it. Talk it through. Sometimes we just talk it through with us.

[00:10:14] Jen Amos: Yes. Yes. Okay. So with that that is pretty much the introduction to the revamp of this private podcast Inside the Fort. For the public post of this podcast, you will be able to see a very detailed description of what this conversation is about.

But if you want to hear the audio, I mean by the time you’re listening to this you’ve upgraded. But for everyone else, I wanna let them know in the transcript at least that you can have access to the audio commentary by subscribing.

On the surface, if you visit the website INSIDETHEFORT.COM, you’re gonna see a paywall. But I’m gonna let you in the back door and say, so long as you subscribe for free, you will automatically get the welcome email that tells you to upgrade. And I could make this more accessible, but.. I don’t know, Keyani, for me, I just want people to show a little more commitment.

I wanna know that they really wanna be here. Yeah. I want them to know that they really wanna be here and like they see something of value in the show. If I can see just that little effort of upgrading then I know that they see value in this. And more importantly, it gives me an opportunity to maybe reach out to them and hopefully, invite them to the show. I’m just looking for more friends who wanna be a little more committed, like no big deal.

[00:11:27] Keyani: That’s just, I would say that’s just the space that you’re in. Where you are currently, your space, you wanna see a little bit more dedication, especially for where you are, is you don’t want it to be just lackadaisical. You wanna see like the efforts put in. And that’s cool. Yes.

[00:11:44] Jen Amos: Yes. I appreciate your support on that.

Yeah, so that is pretty much it with the call to actions. Now, I just wanna check in with you now, Keyani in regards to the Mrs. P framework. And just in case anyone’s listening to this for the first time, I’ll have Keyani’s links in the show notes of this episode. So you can be like, wait, what is the Mrs. P framework? You’ll have that in the show notes.

But I just figured like last time we caught up, you were giving me the latest update on the framework and who it’s for. So I’m curious if you wanna share the latest updates on Mrs. P framework.

To be continued…

Full transcript and audio available for Insiders!

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Note: Already a free subscriber? Check the footer of our latest newsletter for your free upgrade!

Resources Mentioned

The Rosie Network https://therosienetwork.org/

Connect with Keyani https://keyanisiobhan.com/connect

Check out Keyani’s past episodes

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We’re excited to welcome Keyani Washington back to the show to catch up on the following for Part 3 of 3 of her interview:

• We stress the significance of following Keyani’s MRSP Framework in the order mentioned

• How the MRSP Framework applies to your professional and personal life

• Simple steps to get started with Keyani’s “You Set the Meaning: 7-Day Journal”

How can I listen to Part 3?

1. Subscribe to INSIDETHEFORT.COM.

2. In your welcome email, you’ll see instructions on how to upgrade your subscription for free.

3. If you’re already a free subscriber, scroll down to the footer of our previous newsletters to upgrade now to Insiders!

4. Note: Please save holdingdownthefort@substack.com as a trusted contact. If you don’t receive a welcome email, please check your SPAM folder. Issues? Contact Jen at jen@holdingdownthefortpodcast.com

5. Listen to Part 3 on our private podcast: Inside the Fort by US VetWealth.

Keyani’s Giveaway 🎁

So... I did a thing. I finally spilled the tea on my MRS.P Framework, the one I use to help leaders, professionals, and purpose-driven entrepreneurs, the people I call Difference-Makers, go from “What am I doing” to “Ohh, I got this.”

Whether you’re navigating a transition, launching something new, or just tired of circling the same runway, this framework will give you fresh eyes and focused energy.

The 4 Pillars of MRSP:

M - Mindset → See it. Shift the thoughts and patterns holding you back.

R - Responsibility → Own it. Get clear on what’s yours to carry-and what’s not.

S - Standard → Elevate it. Step into the version of you that’s ready for more.

P - Practice → Execute it. Build the systems and habits that move you forward.

It’s not about doing more-it’s about becoming who your next level requires.

To celebrate, I’m offering a few free discovery calls for listeners who are ready for real clarity and next-step strategy.

Think of it as your business BFF chat, but with strategy, not just venting.

But hey, spots are limited, so if your gut says “this is the sign I needed,” trust that.

🎧 Tune into the episode, then hit that link and grab your spot. I’m ready when you are!

Here’s the link to book now:

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In part 2 of Jen Amos' marketing workshop with The Rosie Network's Service2CEO Program, she discusses the intricacies of understanding user intent and studying competition using Google's first page results. She also shares strategies for creating engaging content by exam…

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Jen Amos teaches practical marketing insights and strategies for The Rosie Network's Service2CEO cohort members. Jen invites the members to hot seats to address their unique business challenges. She shares her personal and professional experience on leveraging SEO, socia…

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Jen continues to reflect on the journey that led to going back to school and her desire for mentorship and structured learning. With guidance from experienced mentors and the advantage of a supportive environment, Jen hopes to hone her digital marketing skills, move pa…

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Jen shares her experiences and anxieties about returning to school after a 13-year hiatus. She reflects on her educational journey, highlighting cognitive dissonance due to differing personal desires and familial expectations. She shares her past academic pursuits, inc…

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For Ep. 210: Building a brand for monetary gain isn't everything - Part 2 of 2, Jen reflects on her upbringing as part of a Gold Star family, highlighting the benefits and challenges faced, including support received through programs like Chapter 35 for education. She discusses her in…

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For Ep. 209: Building a brand for monetary gain isn't everything - Part 1 of 2, Jen begins by recapping the previous episode where she announces her return to school. She shares insights from her podcasting journey over the past five years, highlighting the significance of the connect…

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Jen shares a personal update about returning to school! She reflects on her educational background, career journey, and the decision to seek structured mentorship. She emphasizes the importance of continual learning, resilience, and the evolution of her professional and personal life through digital marketing.

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Jen Amos as she gives a sneak peek behind the scenes of the podcast discussing the release of the trailer on September 16 and the new season starting on September 23. Jen talks about the evolution of the podcast over five years, the decision to cut back on the numbe…

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To her surprise, Jen Amos reads an email from Tricia Ross, the Marketing Director of The Rosie Network, congratulating her for being recognized as one of the 2024 Notable Military Connected Entrepreneurs! The email celebrates Jen's exceptional innovation, resilience, and leader…

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For the final commentary on Season 8 of Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth, Jen Amos reflects on her podcasting journey, discussing the benefits of creating content in advance to stay more present and engaged with the audience. She shares insights from her leisure readings, focusing o…

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Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QvXYWgqTo2U

In Part 3 of 3 of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome on the Entrepreneurial Path, Jen and Melody deep into the challenges of imposter syndrome, discussing strategies to overcome it and set up a successful business framework. Key re…

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Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DIfl3P0-Z8o

In Part 2 of 3 of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome on the Entrepreneurial Path, Jen and Melody delve into the complexities of language and cultural translation, discussing how Filipino and Western communication styles differ. The…

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Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BUp7Iv-dWQA

In Part 1 of 3 of Overcoming Imposter Syndrome on the Entrepreneurial Path, Jen speaks with Melody to discuss the importance of recording as much as possible when podcasting, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and how diver…

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Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E04H61kMxPY

In this special bonus episode of 'Inside the Fort,' Jen discusses the challenges associated with the military's Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). The episode features a testimonial from Stephanie Brown, the founder and CEO of The Rosie…

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For the behind-the-scenes of Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth's 200th episode, Jen experiences an eclipse and recounts her journey working at The Rosie Network's former co-working office in 2017. She highlights the importance of community and giving back to those who supported her along her entre…

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Before reaching the big milestone of 200 episodes for Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth, Jen Amos discusses the importance of creating content ahead of time for podcasting. She shares her journey of planning and preparing for her podcast, highlighting the meticulous process from ideation, guest ou…

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