All Episodes

September 19, 2025 16 mins

In this bonus episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, hosts Kathleen Smith and Rachel Bozeman pull back the curtain for a fun, heartfelt "get to know us" chat. From the inspiration behind the podcast name to their career journeys, military connections, and top advice for transitioning vets, they share laughs, life lessons, and a peek at their furry co-hosts. Whether you're curious about what makes these two tick or just need a reminder to "shake it off," this episode is your perfect pit stop before we dive back into more veteran spotlights.

Key Highlights

  • Podcast Origins: Discover why Kathleen named the show Exit Buddy and how Rachel's recruiting passion led her to champion veteran hires.
  • Career Pivots & Advice: Hear the "aha" moments that shaped their approaches to job hunting, plus their three-word career philosophies (network, network, network, anyone?).
  • Transition Tips: Don't count yourself out—ask questions, leverage your skills, and build that cross-network to grab your exit buddy.
  • Fur Baby Shenanigans: Meet the squad and their hilariously honest "feedback" on the hosts.
  • Power Anthem Reveal: What's the ultimate song to power through tough days? (Hint: It's a Taylor Swift banger.)

About the Hosts

Kathleen Smith is a career strategist with deep roots in the security-cleared community, passionate about demystifying the civilian job market for veterans.

Rachel Bozeman is a talent acquisition pro with a heart for military families, connecting heroes to careers that match their fire.

Tune in for inspiration, giggles, and a reminder that transitioning doesn't have to be a solo swim—you've got your exit buddies right here.

Next Up: Join us Monday for another veteran-led story to light your path.

Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You is brought to you by Kathleen Smith, Rachel Bozeman, and Ashley Jones. Special thanks to our furry crew for keeping things lively.

Send us a text

Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show.

Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

The Brothers Ortiz

The Brothers Ortiz

The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.