In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, Sarah sits down with COL Chaveso “Chevy” Cook, an Army Special Operations veteran whose career spans elite military leadership, global influence operations, and transformative nonprofit work. With experience leading numerous teams in various types of commands, Chevy brings deep expertise in international relations, counterinsurgency, behavior modification, organizational dynamics, and strategic communication. His academic background in organizational psychology and human development, combined with his numerous publications and studies on leadership, team dynamics, training, and professional development, adds even greater depth to his perspective. Together, we explore the foundations of effective mentorship, what truly drives meaningful leadership, and how to assess and evolve organizations from the inside out. Chevy shares powerful insights drawn from both his military service and his work developing thousands of leaders across the military and civilian sectors, offering a clear-eyed look at human dynamics, organizational change, and the kind of intentional leadership that strengthens teams and communities.

In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, Sarah sits down with Haley Marie McClain Hill, Air Force Veteran, award-winning entrepreneur, 2x NFL Cheerleader, and founder of Torch Warrior Wear, the first-ever bodysuit built for women warriors. Haley shares the story behind creating her groundbreaking brand, how she secured major wins like a Shark Tank Season 15 deal, the 2022 Veteran Shark Tank $50K grant, and what it truly takes to build a business from the ground up. Together, we explore the realities of entrepreneurship and scaling, along with the ever-evolving landscape of retail, e-commerce, and the veteran support network. Her passion for helping others build brands, win pitch competitions, and step confidently into big dreams makes this conversation both inspiring and deeply practical for anyone ready to pursue their next big leap.

In this special episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we welcome our first-ever male guest, Jody Fletcher, a Special Operations Navy veteran and executive coach with over three decades of leadership and coaching experience spanning both the military and corporate worlds. From advising general officers to coaching C-suite executives and small business owners, Jody brings deep insight into leadership, culture, and human behavior. An ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified Authentic Leadership Coach (CALC), and CALC Faculty Instructor, he has helped countless individuals and organizations strengthen communication, resilience, and emotional intelligence. During our conversation, we dive into common challenges Jody encounters in his coaching practice- like imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and communication dysfunction, unpacking not only how to identify these patterns but also practical ways to overcome them in both organizational and personal contexts. This episode offers an honest and actionable look at what true leadership requires, and how self-awareness and trust form the foundation for any strong team or culture.