Hey there, listener! Thank you for checking out our older seasons! As of September 2025, we have revamped our website! So if any episodes or links seem to be missing, don't hesitate to contact Jen at jen@holdingdownthefortpodcast.com
---
188: Karen Middleton on Weaving Stories Through Art and Data - A Veteran's Creative Journey
Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ezpw-MLuHdk
How has storytelling influenced your understanding of yourself and the world around you? For Karen Middleton, she shares how she created a data visualization firm specializing in qualitative storytelling, visualization, and design.
Karen shares her unique story of moving from the structured world of military intelligence to the expressive fields of quilting, textile, and fiber art, alongside her innovative work in qualitative data visualization. Through her dual passions, Karen illustrates the power of storytelling, connection, and the therapeutic nature of creativity. She also shares her experiences with job loss and how she used this time to focus on her passions and start her own business, K Middleton Design Studios.
Learn how personal experiences and professional skills can intertwine to create impactful art and data narratives, resonating with themes of personal growth, autonomy, and the quest for understanding human experiences.
Resources Mentioned:
As of Fall 2025, we have revamped our site! So if any episodes or links seem to be missing, don't hesitate to contact Jen at jen@holdingdownthefortpodcast.com
--
Our main sponsor, US VetWealth, proudly offers Life Insurance and Annuity Strategies for The High-Income Military Retiree. Let's help you capitalize on your above-average health and substantial income-earning potential for post-military life. Free military retirement calculator is available at https://usvetwealth.com/
SHOW'S HISTORY FROM SEP 2023 to NOV 2024:
For Season 8 and 9, we showcased our partnership with Blue Water Advisors who brings needed change to our Veteran Senior Leaders, One Career Progression at a Time. Learn more at https://www.bluewater-advisors.com/
For Seasons 7, 8, and 9 (from episodes 152 to 214), the show partnered with The Rosie Network to showcase Service2CEO Graduates. Read more at https://www.flipsnack.com/5C757FD6AED/military-entrepreneur-magazine-spring-2025/full-view.html?p=39
RECOGNITION:
In the Fall of 2023, Jen Amos was sought after by InDependent to co-host the 8th annual InDependent Wellness Summit™.
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, former co-host 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 THE SHOW?
Kindly leave us a 5-Star review on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/30SJ7NW, Podchaser https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/holding-down-the-fort-by-us-ve-890888, or write a LinkedIn Recommendation for Jen https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenamos/edit/forms/recommendation/write/
