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.

In this special collaboration, The Women in the Arena Podcast presents Sam & Sarah: Laced Up and Ready, a new series where Sarah Scully and Samantha Sliney dive deep into the issues shaping today’s veteran and military family community.

Sarah, an Army veteran and founder of The Women in the Arena Podcast, brings a grounded, community-focused perspective on leadership, service, and life after the military.

Sam, an attorney, Air Force veteran, current Air National Guard officer, and military spouse, works at the intersection of law, policy, and advocacy in the Department of Defense–State Liaison Office. Her mission is to advance policies that strengthen military families and promote gender equality.

Together, Sarah and Sam explore critical topics affecting service members, veterans, and their families, breaking down what’s happening, why it matters, and what can be done about it.

These episodes bring facts, the hosts’ informed opinions, and compelling calls to action, sparking conversations that move the community forward.

In this episode, Sam and Sarah unpack recent actions by the Secretary of Defense, including the elimination of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) - a decision that has raised serious questions about representation, accountability, and the future of gender equity within the Department of Defense.

They explore what DACOWITS accomplished throughout its decades-long history, why its dissolution matters, and how it may affect ongoing efforts to ensure equal opportunity for those in uniform.

The conversation also takes a closer look at the language currently shaping discussions around gender, standards, and service, and why certain narratives can become dangerous when they shift from dialogue to division. Sam and Sarah discuss the broader implications of these shifts, not as a critique of any one leader or administration, but as an open, informed conversation about impact, perspective, and the need for balance in shaping future defense policy.

Ultimately, this episode brings together facts, the hosts’ perspectives, and compelling calls to action, encouraging listeners to stay engaged, informed, and ready to advocate for a stronger, more inclusive military community.

Welcome back to The Women in the Arena Podcast! Today’s episode is special for so many reasons — it marks our very first book club edition, featuring a conversation with Lena Andrews, author of Valiant Women. In this powerful book, Lena brings to life the incredible and often overlooked stories of American women who served during World War II, highlighting their courage, resilience, and critical roles in the war effort.

Over the past month, a group of our listeners read along, and thanks to Lena’s generosity, many of you received donated copies of Valiant Women and submitted thoughtful questions that helped shape today’s conversation.

Lena came to our community through a former guest — a perfect example of the authentic connections being built here at Iron Butterfly Media. With her background as an intelligence analyst, paired with her research and storytelling of women veterans, Lena’s work reflects everything we stand for. She’s a passionate writer doing the essential work of preserving these stories — work that feels more important now than ever.

A huge thank you to everyone who followed along as this episode came together. I had so much fun collaborating with Lena — I could have easily spent hours more talking with her about her research process and the inspiration behind this book. She is truly a remarkable woman. We hope this is just the first of many book club episodes, creating even more ways to connect, engage, and grow this incredible community.

As always, be sure to like, follow, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platforms and social media so you don’t miss what’s coming next!

Major Samantha Arrington Sliney is an accomplished legal professional and Air National Guard JAG officer with over a decade of experience spanning criminal law, administrative law, and national security. Her career has been defined by a passion for advocacy and impactful policy reform, with a focus on removing systemic barriers affecting servicewomen, military families, and Department of Defense readiness. She has led high-level legal research, barrier analysis, and policy campaigns, engaging directly with Congress, nonprofits, and DoD leadership to drive lasting legislative and cultural change. In this episode of The Women in the Arena podcast, we dive into the history and purpose of the Women, Peace, and Security initiative, including recent claims by Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth that he would dismantle the program within the DoD. We explore the legality of such claims, the missed opportunities tied to the initiative’s intent, and end with a call to action- discussing how to remain tactful and composed during politically charged times, and recognizing that we are often more united than we realize.

In this episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we’re joined by Captain Riley Tejcek, a United States Marine Corps officer, Team USA bobsled pilot, author, and all-around force of nature. Riley shares her incredible journey from growing up in Carmel, Indiana, to playing Division I college softball at George Washington University, serving in the Marine Corps, and now competing on the world stage as an Olympic hopeful in the sport of bobsled. Riley is proving that women belong in every arena- whether it’s the military, elite athletics, or beyond.

We dive into the realities of balancing active-duty military service with training and competing as a high-performance athlete, the challenges of being part of an unfunded Olympic sport, and the purpose that drives her every day. Riley opens up about her passion for representation, her faith, and her desire to inspire others by living boldly and pursuing what may seem impossible. She’s also a published children’s book author, former Ms. Military titleholder, and keynote speaker- using every platform she’s earned to advocate for women in service and sport.

This conversation is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when resilience, discipline, and passion collide. Tune in to hear Riley’s story, and learn how you can support her journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy by joining #TeamTejcek.

Follow Riley on Instagram @riley.tejcek and learn more about how to support her bobsled career through sponsorship or donation.

Rebecca Tubman is a seasoned cybersecurity executive and veteran with over 25 years of combined experience across national defense, intelligence, and emerging technology sectors. As a Federal Account Executive at Varonis, she leads the company’s intelligence community initiatives, building the practice from the ground up and delivering automated, data-centric security solutions to U.S. Government and international clients. Her work ensures agencies are equipped to safeguard their most sensitive data from both internal and external threats.

Before transitioning to the private sector, Rebecca served for over two decades in the United States Air Force, where she held diverse leadership roles across missile warning, space operations, intelligence, special operations, partner nation engagements, and cyberspace operations. Her distinguished career included multiple overseas deployments and combat tours, with assignments spanning strategic, tactical, and operational levels.

A mission-driven leader with deep operational insight, Rebecca continues to bridge the gap between advanced technology and national security priorities.

In this inspiring episode of The Women in the Arena Podcast, we sit down with Janet B. Nalls, Director and Chief of Staff at NetCentrics Corporation. A U.S. Air Force veteran and national security expert with over 25 years of experience, Janet shares her remarkable journey from serving as an intelligence analyst to advising top intelligence and DoD organizations.

Janet opens up about her passion for mentorship, leadership, and empowering the next generation of national security professionals. She offers valuable insights into the critical areas of insider threat, counterintelligence, and strategic operations, all while reflecting on the importance of integrity, collaboration, and resilience in a demanding field.

Beyond her professional achievements, Janet talks about balancing her role as a devoted mom and lifelong learner.

Tune in for an authentic and motivating conversation that highlights what it truly means to lead with vision, heart, and strength.