In this powerful episode of Stories of Service, host Theresa Carpenter sits down with Dr. Michael Hackney—Army veteran, business leader, coach, and author—to explore the dynamic intersections of military service, organizational leadership, and personal reinvention.

Dr. Hackney shares his journey from commanding infantry units in Germany and supporting operations during the Gulf War to leading corporate turnarounds at Fortune 500 companies like PepsiCo, Sara Lee, and ConAgra. With a doctorate in organizational psychology from USC, he brings a unique perspective on what it takes to sustain meaningful change in both military and business environments.

Now the founder of ShaydeTree Enterprises in Nashville, Mike coaches executives and advises organizations on cultivating motivated, high-performing cultures. He also speaks candidly about his role as a veteran advocate, pilot, and writer—showing how a life of service can evolve in powerful and unexpected ways.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

* How military leadership principles apply to the boardroom
* Why "sustaining change" is more than a buzzword—it’s a discipline
* The critical importance of self-awareness and resilience in transformation
* Mike’s reflections on aviation, writing, and pursuing purpose beyond profit
* The ways he continues to serve veterans and mentor rising leaders

📚 About the Guest – Dr. Michael Hackney:

* Founder, ShaydeTree Enterprises (Nashville, TN)
* Former Infantry Officer & Gulf War veteran
* Doctorate in Organizational Psychology – University of Southern California
* Corporate turnaround specialist with leadership roles at PepsiCo, Sara Lee & ConAgra
* Published author, speaker, general aviation pilot, and veteran advocate

Key Takeaway:
Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about creating spaces where people thrive, grow, and bring their best to the mission. Whether in combat zones or corporate boardrooms, Dr. Hackney's life proves that service never really ends—it just evolves.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Michael Hackney:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mike-hackney-892b466/

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

In this episode, Stories of Service host Theresa Carpenter talks with Navy SEAL veteran Bill Brown and his attorney Chris D’Alessandro about Bill’s firing from McCarter & English. What began with a LinkedIn post reveals a deeper story of alleged discrimination and retaliation tied to Bill’s military service and beliefs.

Chris breaks down the legal side as Bill shares what it’s like to challenge a system that preaches diversity but often excludes veterans.

🎙️ Topics include:

• Transitioning from military to law
• The LinkedIn post that triggered the firing
• Alleged exclusion and retaliation
• What laws protect veterans and whistleblowers
• How to recognize and prove workplace retaliation

🎯 Why This Story Matters
This episode reveals the gap between DEI talk and real inclusion—especially for veterans. It’s about the hidden cost of service and the price of speaking up.

🔍 You’ll Learn:
• What workplace retaliation really looks like
• Challenges veterans face in corporate settings
• What true inclusion means in practice
• Why free speech and respect for service must coexist

📢 Call to Action
If you’re a veteran, an ally, or someone who believes in fairness and truth—this episode is for you. Share it, talk about it, and be part of the movement toward better understanding and advocacy.
More on this fight - https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2024...
More on Chris - https://www.ddplawfirm.com/

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

🎙️Episode Title: "Guilty Until Proven Innocent: When the Military Justice System Fails"

Episode Summary:
The U.S. military justice system was designed to uphold discipline and integrity—but what happens when it becomes a tool for political agendas instead of truth?

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, former Navy Commander Arvis Owens shares his harrowing experience of being falsely accused of sexual assault. What unfolds is a disturbing look at a system that, under pressure to show progress on sexual assault cases, has sacrificed due process and fairness in pursuit of conviction rates.

Key Topics Discussed:

•The rise of metrics-based justice since 2009—and why conviction rates became the new gold standard,
•Suppressed exculpatory evidence, blocked video proof, and commanders incentivized to convict,
•The military’s "titling" process that brands service members for life—even after acquittal,
•The absence of innocence projects or conviction review units in military courts,
•The deep personal and professional toll on the falsely accused,
•Why real justice means protecting the innocent and believing victims.

This conversation is not about discrediting survivors—it's about protecting the integrity of the justice system for everyone. When the balance tips too far in one direction, both victims and the falsely accused pay the price.

🔊 Listen now—and ask yourself:
If this happened to someone you love, wouldn’t you want a path to clear their name?

You don’t want to miss this episode — it’s raw, real, and deeply important. 🎙️

Read and rate his book - https://a.co/d/3FazLeK

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5449868908953600

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Tuesday show: 🎙️ S.O.S. Podcast | Ep. #204
Guest: Ricki Laahs – Marine Veteran, Critical Care Nurse, and Targeted Citizen

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ricki Laahs, a United States Marine Corps veteran whose career journey spans from military network administration to critical care nursing—and whose personal story raises urgent questions about civil liberties and government overreach.

Ricki began her service as a 0651, specializing in network administration. Her ability to bridge complex IT systems with real-world solutions propelled her quickly into leadership roles, both in uniform and as a government contractor. She later transitioned into project management before answering a deeper call: to serve others through nursing. Today, she applies the same precision, grit, and compassion she learned in the military to her work as an ICU nurse—meeting people on their worst days and offering hope in the darkest moments.

But in 2021, everything changed.

After peacefully attending the January 6th rally in Washington, D.C., Ricki was abruptly fired from her contracting job. Without warning or due process, she was labeled a domestic terrorist and flagged as an insider threat by federal authorities. She’s since been blacklisted from opportunities, harassed in airports, and denied access to the records that explain why.

💥 In this episode, Ricki speaks candidly about:
• Her journey from Marine to ICU nurse
• The emotional and professional toll of being wrongly targeted
• What it means to serve with honor—only to be cast aside without justice
• Why she continues to fight not only for her name, but for the rights of all silenced citizens

🔊 This is a story about courage, resilience, and refusing to be erased.

📍Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/54

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Paul Pearson, a seasoned IT professional and mission-driven leader whose journey took a life-altering turn after he unintentionally blew the whistle while contracting for the Department of Defense. What followed was a deep dive into ethical leadership, digital justice, and community empowerment.

Paul brings over 15 years of IT experience, including a decade of service in the U.S. Air Force with expertise in digital forensics and cyberspace operations. He now leads Running Name LLC, a veteran-owned business offering cybersecurity, managed IT, and digital strategy to nonprofits and small businesses.

But Paul’s work doesn’t stop there. He also serves as:
• President of Eduruna
• Vice President of Whistleblowers of America
• Director of Information at Blacks in Cyber

His 2019 whistleblower experience involving corporate espionage retaliation now fuels his advocacy for safer, more inclusive, and tech-enabled workplaces.

Topics Covered:
• Paul’s transition from military to IT entrepreneur
• Blowing the whistle: what really happened and what came next
• The importance of ethical leadership in tech
• Building secure, scalable solutions for nonprofits and small businesses
• The mission of Eduruna and empowering through education
• Why community matters in cybersecurity
• Lessons in resilience, retaliation, and redemption

Connect with Paul:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpearson85?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Running Name LLC: https://www.runningname.com/
• Eduruna.org: https://www.eduruna.org/

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

Back by popular demand, Neil Jurd OBE returns to Stories of Service to explore leadership, service, and the changing needs of those who lead—both in and out of uniform.

A former British Army officer and Sandhurst instructor, Neil is the founder of Leader Connect and author of The Leadership Book, aiming to make leadership accessible, values-led, and impactful across all sectors

In this episode, Neil dives deeper into:
• 🧠 The mindset of a true servant leader
• 🔄 How the best leadership is grounded in simplicity and human connection
• 📚 His vision for reshaping leadership education through Leader Connect
• 💥 Why “rank” doesn’t always equal leadership—and what really does
• 🌍 His commitment to equipping individuals at every level to lead with integrity, vision, and compassion

Whether you’re in the military, corporate world, education, or public service, Neil’s insights are universally relevant—and urgently needed.

ABOUT NEIL JURD:
Neil Jurd OBE is a leadership coach, author, speaker, and Founder of Leader Connect. A Sandhurst graduate and former Army officer, he now focuses on transforming leadership education. He received the OBE for his contributions to leadership development.

🌐 Learn more at https://neiljurd.com
📺 Explore the Leader Connect platform at https://leaderconnect.app

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!
💬 Follow the conversation and join the S.O.S. community across all platforms.
📣 Use #StoriesOfService to share what leadership means to you!

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

In today’s episode, we sit down with Chris Greco — a dedicated father, husband, and executive performance coach whose journey is as inspiring as it is instructive. Known for his unwavering faith, grit, and perseverance, Chris brings a boundless energy and a core-values approach that has helped transform both people and organizations.

Chris shares his experiences leading high-stakes turnarounds, including his role as CEO in 2023, where he revitalized a struggling retail tech company — saving jobs and delivering investor returns in under four years. Praised by a former food industry CEO as someone who “took a company from nothing and turned it into an industry-wide success,” Chris’s story is one of resilience and results.

We also dive into earlier milestones, like the $1.3 billion exit he led as the sales and marketing head in 2016 at a mobile tech provider, and his pivotal 2008 go-to-market strategy during Apple’s landmark launch era, which brought in 1,000+ new subscribers daily. With leadership experience at AT&T, Location Labs, Symantec, and Avast, Chris offers powerful insights into what it really takes to grow businesses in competitive markets.

Through it all, Chris remains grounded in his belief that trust, people, and purpose-driven leadership are the pillars of any thriving team — whether in the boardroom or at home.

What You’ll Learn:
• How faith and values fuel Chris’s leadership style
• Lessons from turning around a company during tough times
• Strategies for scaling growth in tech and telecom industries
• Why trust and vision are non-negotiables in high-performing teams
• The mindset shifts that separate good leaders from great

He is also the author of 8 Steps to Overcoming Adversity, a Maxy Award Winner book that Admiral Bill Owens called “Faith-based advice underscored by a powerful story of suffering and perseverance.”

Connect with Chris - https://www.grecospeaks.com/about

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

***Apologies for the sound. Thankfully, it's fixed after a few minutes in.***

Imagine dedicating 30 years to the Air Force, retiring with honors, and returning to serve again—only to be abruptly terminated without explanation. Publicly shamed, later vindicated, and still left in limbo more than a year later. This is the reality for today’s guest: Doug “Cinco” DeMaio.

Doug’s story is not just about personal resilience—it’s a stark indictment of a broken administrative system within the U.S. military. In this powerful episode, he shares his experience, exposes systemic failures, and explains why transparency and accountability are crucial for restoring trust in our armed forces.

What You’ll Hear:
• The events leading to Doug’s sudden dismissal
• His experience navigating the military’s opaque administrative system
• The emotional and professional toll of being silenced and sidelined
• Why systemic reform is urgently needed
• How Doug continues to advocate for integrity and innovation in defense

About the Guest:
Douglas D. DeMaio is CEO of All Domain Solutions LLC, consulting with the DoD, industry leaders, and academia on integrating AI into military operations. A retired Air Force and Alabama Air National Guard officer, Doug commanded at multiple levels, flew over 3,200 hours (including 500+ in combat), and helped shape strategy on space warfare, AI, and multi-domain operations. He holds advanced degrees from the Eisenhower School and SAMS and has authored influential work on defense innovation and strategy.

🎧 Listen or watch for a behind-the-scenes look at military leadership, justice, and one officer’s relentless pursuit of the truth. This will be my second in person podcast at our new home! It warms my heart a few take the time and can come see us!

🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5449868908953600

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76