The Montana Joining Community Forces Career/Transition Support Project Podcast

A Conversation with Veterans ASCEND Founder Robyn Grable

Our podcast this week welcomes Robyn Grable, founder of Veterans ASCEND.  In the interview we deep dive into the unique platform that Robyn has created to help connect employers to service members, veterans, and their spouses in a non-traditional manner, aligning the needs of the employer to the skills, attributes, and desired location of the end user.  Robyn also shares three gold nuggets and pieces of advice that will help anyone in transition as they face the challenges associated with change. 

A Conversation with Karen and Mitch from Adaptive Performance Center in Billings

This week's podcast welcomes Karen Pearson and Mitch Crous, the founders of Adaptive Performance Center in Billings.  We talk about their experiences and connection to the military and how they have found Physical Fitness to be an outlet to help Service members and Veterans be holistically well. 

A Conversation with David Wirtz, the Veteran Readiness & Employment Office for Fort Harrison Regional Veterans Benefits Administration Office

This week we visit with David Wirtz and discuss with him the intricacies of the Veteran Readiness & Employment services offered through VBA.  He shares his knowledge and expertise in order to assist Veterans in determining the viability of whether or not VR&E services is appropriate for them. 

A Conversation with Rich Ridgeway, the Willis Cruse House Case Manager

This week's podcast welcomes Rich Ridgeway, the Willis Cruse House Case Manager.  Rich shares his story and his original connection with the house.  We discuss some of the new things going on in the program, which includes their new property and additional space for Vets, as well as the recreational programming and activities that their team is bringing to their docket. 

A Conversation with DeeDe Baker and Dog Tag Buddies

This week's podcast welcomes DeeDe Baker with Dog Tag Buddies.  Our conversation includes hearing about their organizational mission, vision, and eligibility for Vets, as well as how they have grown over the past several years.  DeeDe Baker also shares some of the barriers posed and the work they are doing to educate the state and advocate for Vets in this realm. 

A Conversation with Jen Thomas of Veterans Inc

In this week's Montana JCF Career and Transition Support Project Podcast we learn more about the new Homeless Veteran Reintegration Programn grantee Veterans Inc and the work Jen Thomas and her team are doing across the state to support Veterans through this employment support grant. 

A Conversation with Chris Manos and Brian Obert on Montana Workforce Development and Supporting SMVS

In this week's Montana JCF Career and Transition Support Project Podcast we learn more about the work that Chris Manos, a non-traditional AmeriCorp VISTA, is doing in service to enhance workforce development in the Helena area through Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC).  Brian Obert, the Executive Director of MBAC joins us to talk about his role at both the local and state level with MEDA that directly impacts our Service members, Veterans and their Spouses. 

A Conversation with VBOC Executive Director Dustin Frost

In this week's Montana JCF Career and Transition Support Project Podcast we learn more about the small business support offered through the Veteran Business Outreach Center in Billings.  Dustin Frost shares his experience in the military and in the business ownership space.  Dustin also shares what he is seeing in the Vetrepreneur space and what Vets can do to advocate for themselves when it comes to the benefits of being a business owner. 

A Conversation with Veteran Navigation Network Founder Blake Fuhriman

In this week's Montana JCF Career and Transition Support Project Podcast we learn more about the importance of reconnecting to a new mission set and purpose after military service.  Blake's challenges through his transition helped him identify the gaps that exist and especially how vital the role mentors play in the transition process.

A Conversation with Herd2Human Founder Jeff Patterson

In this week's Montana JCF Career and Transition Support Project Podcast we learn more about the incredibly powerful force behind animal's, in this case horses, ability to heal individuals who have experienced trauma.  We also learn how Herd2Human is growing across the state to help Service members, Veterans, and their Families recover from scarring that many consider permanent.  We know through the help of organizations like Herd2Human that scarring does not have to be permanent.