Have you ever been curious about energy work (a.k.a. energy medicine)?

We’re excited to welcome Candice Van Dertholen back to the show to answer your questions!

But first…

Updates!

* If this is your first time here, please subscribe at INSIDETHEFORT.COM to get weekly updates on the show, regardless of whether or not I publish a public podcast episode. 🎙

* Reason being, I’m expanding my content from podcasting to blog posts, YouTube videos, exclusive content, and simple newsletter updates! 📰

* I finished the latest draft of my book! I cut down the last draft by 10 chapters, lol. More updates soon!

Now, let’s talk Energy Work with Candice Van Dertholen

In Part 1 of 2 of our conversation, we discuss:

* What is energy work?

* Why are we in the right time and generation to embrace energy work?

* Who can benefit from energy work?

* At what age do we become disconnected from our internal language, and how is military transition an opportunity to reconnect with it

* How to identify patterns that may be holding us back from feeling whole, safe, and supported today.

* How integrating energy work into your life and being more inquisitive can be of great benefit to you

* How does one begin energy work?

Part 2 of our conversation, the final part, releases next Thursday! Stay tuned! 🎙

Connect with Candice Van Dertholen (Candice Elizabeth)

* https://heal.me/candice

* https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicevandertholen

* https://instagram.com/candice_elizabeth.co

* https://substack.com/@candicevandertholen

Past Episodes Mentioned

Special thanks to Robyn J. Grable, host of the ASCENDing Beyond Barriers podcast, for the opportunity to re-share Jen’s interview on our show!

Robyn’s podcast represents her 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The ASCEND Collective (TAC), which is dedicated to creating career pathways for veterans, military spouses, and underserved talent through a skills-first approach. At the ASCEND Collective, they believe talent is defined by potential — and that everyone deserves opportunities that value them as a person, recognize their skills, and provide a path to success. Learn more at https://theascendcollective.org/

It’s been a minute since Jen has had the fortune of being interviewed on someone else’s show!

Together, Robyn and Jen discuss the following:

* How everything changed when Jen became a Gold Star daughter at 10 years old

* How Susan Cain’s book Bittersweet helped Jen channel loss and grief into her work and artistry

* How Jen’s family worked with The Price of Freedom Foundation to publish a book about her late father

* How it’s like working with her husband at US VetWealth

* How retirees find US VetWealth when they are exploring an alternative to the Survivor Benefit Plan

* A different perspective for military spouses to make a confident and informed decision on the Survivor Benefit Plan

* How Jen’s curiosity about military spouses and the SBP decision led to starting Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth podcast

* Jen’s reasoning behind releasing her upcoming book a couple of chapters at a time

Jen’s interview is also available on YouTube, thanks to the ASCENDing Beyond Barriers podcast!

Also available on Spotify!

To wrap up our fall season, Jen recaps the following:

* Why she returned to podcasting after her one-year break

* Updates on more chapter releases for her upcoming book: The Military Spouse Benefit Plan

* Shoutouts to this season’s guests:

* Ep. 220 — Stephanie Brown and her SBP Testimonial

* Ep. 222 & 223 — Kris & Larry with PatriotCare

* Ep. 225 & 226 — Keyani with Mrs. P Framework (plus bonus episode)

* Free mentorship for seasoned spouses seeking accountability to start a podcast for 2026. To learn more: click here.

* How to become a guest on HDTF: click here.

The show will resume on Thursday, January 8th! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎄🎉

P.S. Join us for US VetWealth’s Post-Military Career Strategy Circle on January 14th, 2026, 1 PM (ET)

A professional roundtable for senior military leaders, recent retirees, and veteran leaders who want a more straightforward path forward — and a stronger network to walk it with.

This session brings together peers who understand the reality of transitioning from command-level leadership into corporate roles, consulting, entrepreneurship, or federal service. It’s a space to exchange perspectives, compare notes on the job market, and build relationships with people navigating similar challenges.

Or RSVP now by clicking HERE.

First time listener?

Please listen to the previous episode 225 for part one of Keyani’s interview!

We’re excited to welcome Keyani Washington back to the show to catch up on the following for Part 2 of 3 of her interview:

* A continuation of how ChatGPT can clarify original thoughts and suggest content ideas.

* A final emphasis on Mindset as the first step in the MRSP Framework

* The next two steps in Keyani’s framework: Responsibility and Standard

* Clarification on setting an “inner standard”

* Keyani’s “You Set the Meaning: 7-Day Journal”

* And more to come!

Part 3 of 3 is now available exclusively to our podcast subscribers!

In the final part of our conversation:

* 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?

* Subscribe to INSIDETHEFORT.COM.

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

* 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

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

Check out Keyani’s previous episodes: Ep. 153, Ep. 213, & 225 —

First time here?

Subscribe to INSIDETHEFORT.COM to receive your FREE upgrade to listen to Part 3 of Keyani’s interview!

Resources Mentioned

* The Rosie Network — https://www.therosienetwork.org/

* You Set the Meaning: 7-Day Journal — https://keyanisiobhan.com/you-set-the-meaning-7-day-journal

We’re excited to welcome Keyani Washington back to the show to catch up on the following:

* Keyani’s latest involvement with The Rosie Network

* Keyani’s MRSP Framework (a.k.a. “Mrs. P”) for leveling up in your personal or professional life, starting with “Mindset” and how it leads to “Responsibility.”

* How ChatGPT helped clarify Keyani’s “original thought” and condensed the brainstorming process to create her framework.

This is Part 1 of 3 of Keyani’s interview! Here’s what to look forward to in Part 2:

* A continuation of how ChatGPT can clarify original thoughts and suggest content ideas.

* A final emphasis on Mindset as the first step in the MRSP Framework

* The next two steps in Keyani’s framework: Responsibility and Standard

* Clarification on setting an “inner standard”

* Keyani’s “You Set the Meaning: 7-Day Journal”

* And more to come!

Subscribe to the podcast to be the first to hear about Keyani’s upcoming giveaway — plus additional freebies just for subscribing!

Check out Keyani’s previous episodes: Ep. 153 & Ep. 213 —

Resources Mentioned

* The Rosie Network — https://www.therosienetwork.org/

* You Set the Meaning: 7-Day Journal — https://keyanisiobhan.com/you-set-the-meaning-7-day-journal

Happy end of Military Family Appreciation Month and Happy Thanksgiving!

Jen shares a mix of updates, including:

* The updated objective for the show and the value of seeking a second opinion for military retirement, especially regarding military benefits such as SBP, TSP, and VGLI.

* An update on Jen’s upcoming book, The Military Spouse Benefit Plan.

* How small businesses and entrepreneurs can support military families by hiring military spouse virtual assistants who provide tailored administrative solutions.

* And what’s next for the show!

Resources Mentioned

* Military Family Appreciation Month — https://www.military.com/military-family-appreciation-month

* An alternative way to protect your pension — https://usvetwealth.com/military-retirement-income-toolkit-help-center/

* Freedom Makers — https://www.freedom-makers.com/

Happy Military Family Appreciation Month & Happy Thanksgiving, we are thankful for our military and for everyone who supports them!