151: "Leaving the show does not mean that I'm leaving the community." Saying Goodbye to Jenny Lynne Stroup

Jen Amos 0:00

ast season ended September of: 2022

Unknown Speaker 0:36

I know I don't know how I feel about that.

Jen Amos 0:39

this recording, it's July of: 2023

Unknown Speaker 1:20

like we're gonna date are we like speed dating? Is that what's happening?

Jen Amos 1:23

It's kind of like that, I guess. But I'm gonna try to pick ones that are like fun. And that seem kind of relatable. Okay, so here's, here's a fun icebreaker question. And this is a hint as to what season seven and hold down the fort is going to look like by the way. Okay, so here's a question. What does your Instagram say about you? So that's a fun question. I'll go first. I don't have anything on my Instagram. So it's an easy answer for me, like at least my personal account, my personal account, I've been off of that, I think for almost two years now. So the only thing that is on there, if people want to look me up, because I do have a link in my bio, like the only the only place you can add like one link. And so if you click on that, then it'll show you what I'm currently up to today. But other than that, like I don't post about my personal life anymore, because I'm too busy living it, you know, I'm too busy in my life that I'm just not posting anymore. So that's what my Instagram says about me genuine. What is your Instagram?

Speaker 1 2:18

Threads? Like first user either I can assume? Yeah, I think my Instagram says about me that I have been in the deployment hole. I don't know that I have really similarly used a ton of social media other than LinkedIn. And that's really because of the job I have like, yeah, really, since you know, we recorded last like we've recorded about a month into Matthews, almost nine month deployment, and I was working full time raising two kids like and you got a new job. You started a new job. Yeah. Good job, like learning a new job. Yeah, do the new job and had you know, kids with school things come up. And so I think, you know, I think my last post on Instagram may have been the day Matthew came home, you know, because everybody just wanted an update. And outside of that, like, I just, I don't have the bandwidth to do that. Yeah. Which kind of bums me out. I do like it, but I just, yeah, I'm busy living the life I have. And I'm not constantly social media heavy about it.

Jen Amos 3:29

Exactly. There was a time where that was incredibly important for me to share to the whole world and people I'll probably never meet, like what's going on in my personal life. And I'm just honestly, I'm happier living my life than sharing about it, if that makes sense. Like, I'm just my local life. And I have told you this in the recent years since I've moved to the East Coast, like it's been a challenge to build community it's been a challenge to make friends. I mean, something called COVID had part to do with that. And really the last two years my life has been so like fruitful and alive like locally that to take the time I mean, if I do reflect if I do want to share stuff, I share it with people I actually do life with. And I'm very happy with that, you know, like I'm very happy to be in this stage of my life where in a way I've outgrown that part of Instagram I mean granted you know holding on to for it will still be on social media like you know, all the business related things the marketing things it'll be on social media but in regards to my personal life, like I just you know, I'm happy not sharing it with the world unless you're a part of it. So there you go. I'm not trying to make a statement here I'm really I'm really like joyfully sharing this and having this realization thanks for this icebreaker question. I didn't know I was gonna pull up. Cuz I have a whole deck of cards here if anyone saw this via video, which you never

Unknown Speaker 4:52

remember content creator that never post content.

Jen Amos 4:56

Exactly, exactly. So there's that okay. Let me see if I can pull up another question. Ooh, here's that. Here's an interesting one. It says, What would you say is the hardest part of what you do for a living? And I think this is actually a good question for you. Because this is a new job for you that you've almost worked at for a year. And I think I'm, what do I do for living? I guess I do marketing. So I guess I'll start with that. I think the hardest thing is not posting my own content. Haha. Not posting about my personal life on social media. That and I feel like I think marketing in general is always like a hit or miss. It's like a constant like, Okay, how do we get our messaging? Right? Is it going to land with people the right way? Yeah. So I think that's the hardest part is, it's a constant trial and error. There's my answer for that. How about you?

Speaker 1 5:47

I think, if we change it just a little to be like, what's hardest about what you do? I think because my, my work, like the job I am paid to do is so closely tied to the lifestyle that I lead. Yeah, that is what is both like the most joyous part of what I do, and also sometimes the hardest. And I think for me, with the shifts from military, mental health to military spouse workforce development, the hardest shift for me has been to find my own story in the workforce development piece, the mental health stuff was easy. Like, it was a really like, sort of freshly lived experience, like we were working through, I was very, you know, proud of the work my family had done and happy for the services we'd received. And to be quite honest, like military spouse, workforce development was like, Well, I mean, yeah, I'm a military spouse, I have a degree in this degree. And I got that. And I used to teach. And now I do this, like, yeah, that's kind of everybody's story. And so in one that I never gave a whole lot of thought to, it just was what it was. And so to switch, you know, and still be very deeply embedded in the military, spouse community, but have a totally kind of different mission and vision. Yeah. And to find my own, like, well, what is my workforce story? And the truth is, it really is that I've done a little bit of everything. Yeah, you know, have different degrees and certifications. And, you know, I'm really happy to be working in the military connected community. But that is not ever the path I saw myself wounding. That is not ever a thing that I gave a ton of thought to brilliant till now. It just was what it was. And so the hard part of what I do is finding my story within it, and try to be a good storyteller. To bring people into the fold. It was something that came super easily with me with mental health and something I've really had to like, oh, yeah, I guess this applies to me, too. And, yeah, we're worked through

Jen Amos 7:59

that. Yeah, I appreciate how you really want to tie like your personal story into your profession. And this is what I knew of you. When you did work for a mental health clinic. It's like you really wanted the people you talk to to know that what the company you worked for offered, really worked. And you can say it, firsthand experience. And so to now have this big mental shift, and try to be like, Okay, well, what's what, what's my story? What, what can I say to people where it's like, this works. And this is why we're so passionate about this is why I'm personally passionate about it. And I really love that you want to have that kind of connection with your job. Like, this is not just a job for you. You're really trying to make it like part of your calling.

Speaker 1 8:40

Yeah, well, and community like I'm just so community based and to which, like, it's how do we build community here and build it well, and I'm like, Well, I don't, it took me a while to figure out how I even fit in much less than go out and build community and rally people behind a completely different mission than what I was used to. Yeah,

Jen Amos 9:03

well, hopefully, if you're with your job for a while, you'll eventually figure it out.

Speaker 1 9:07

You know, I've been there almost a year, I think I'm definitely you know, I work with a great team. And I am really happy with the progress we're making in this space. And, you know, and everyone's ability to like, want to be there and want to make change. And so, you know, building community with my co workers first and then being able to build it out there. Out in the in the world side of our workspace. Yeah, yeah. In the community, you know, has been really fun. It's been fun to like learn how to flex and figure out like, what it looks like to tell the story to bring people into the organization.

Jen Amos 9:50

Yeah, I was just having a conversation with one of our company partners, about like, like, the thing is, these are people who are like high ranking officers who've retired and for Then they're very like mathematical minded. And he was even saying himself like, Hey, if you want to talk to military retirees or the, you know, the certain demographic about, let's say life insurance, like, you just have to make it into a math thing, like when they say like money talks, he says math talks, right? But even then I was saying like, Okay, well, even with the map, you still have to tell a story. And there's a there's a, there's a phrase that goes, facts tell and but stories sell. And I think that like, you know, what I'm hearing from you. It's like, like, yes, like, you're kind of trying to cultivate that story to fully advocate, you know, for what you're offering for what you're, you know, organization is offering. And it takes a lot of crafting, I think, even though the company already has the messaging, as a representative, like, you want to have the story that intertwines with the bigger message as well. And I definitely like have, you know, felt that way on our journey of doing hold down the fort was like, even trying to find my own story, like having been removed from the military for 20 years. It's like how, yeah, like, what is my story that can relate to, you know, our community, because just like with you, I like to feel like I have a personal connection with anything that I'm doing. You know, and I think it's just an ongoing journey of, like, really finding our purpose and wherever we're at. And I think it's very admirable, because it means that you want to do the work that you do very intentionally, and you want to be proud of what you do, and you want your kids to be proud of what you're doing, you know, and, and I just think, and I just think it's cool, I guess, to say the least I think it's cool. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Okay, so I want to do like, one more question. Let's see. Let's see. Just one more, one more, because these questions are fun. And I'm trying to find your

: 11:46

speed dating a little bit. And be like, somebody is gonna ring the bell, and we're gonna, it's been

Jen Amos: 11:50

a while. And look, we've already been hinting at, like, what's been going on in our lives. So I think this is kind of helpful. Okay, so this is funny. All right. What fast food restaurant would you most likely drive through? And what would your order?

: 12:04

I mean, immediately, Chick fil A came to mind. That was nice. I mean, I'm just born and raised here in Virginia. I realize it was started in Georgia, but also it's been here a very long time. Also, I know it's not a health food, but it feels healthier

Jen Amos: 12:20

than other factors justifying it. Yeah, for sure.

: 12:22

You know, I'm more of the, what did they call the restaurants that are like a Chipotle or Kava? They're not really like fast food, but they're also restaurants down there. Yeah, yeah. I'm more of like one of those middle ground folks, like, give me a good bowl with some vegetables and protein. And I'm your girl.

Jen Amos: 12:43

Yeah, I'll have to agree. If I had to pick a fast food restaurant, it would have to be like Chipotle only because that was like, first introduced to me in college. And in between classes. All my friends would go there. Like I was like, Where are you guys want? What's this Chipotle? And it was like, right, it was right on campus when I went to school at San Diego State. And so that was always like our go to lunch. And I was like, Oh, you can customize your burrito? Oh my gosh, they add a bunch in your burrito. Oh, my goodness, like, like, all the fillings don't even fit in the burrito. This is amazing. Like, this is such a sweet deal. You know, and I used to like, I used to like get like the burrito bowl. And I would ask for the tortilla on the side. So then I can make like two burritos. You know, that's it. It almost seemed like I can make like two different meals or two or three different meals, depending on how it was like splitting it up. But yeah, I also did that just because it did in my mind. I thought I was justifying like, oh, it's fast food, but it's healthy, you know? So anyway, cool, cool.

: 13:34

Well, if my kids are in the car, though, they're definitely pushing for Wendy's. That is their go to for whatever these days. So if I'm actually in my car and going through a drive thru, the likelihood of it being at Wendy's is probably nine out of 10. Because that's what my children want. So

Jen Amos: 13:50

oh my gosh, stage of life, Wendy's that is, yeah, I haven't heard Wendy's in a while back then I used to get like, they're, I don't know if you'd call I don't know what you'd call their hamburger. I'm just gonna call it the most basic hamburger. And then I would get like fries. And I don't know why I thought this was cool. But I would put the fries in the burger. So it's always because you're

: 14:08

from California, and you put fries and burritos and nobody else.

Jen Amos: 14:13

That is probably why that is probably why actually that was funny because like one of the icebreaker questions I asked at my gym some time ago was like, oh, what's your favorite burrito? And I was like, Well, I have to say California burrito because I'm from California. I don't really like it. But you know, I just have to represent like where I was from.

: 14:30

I just don't understand that. They were there for five years, and I still just don't understand it. Yeah, yeah, I don't know.

Jen Amos: 14:36

I know. And then some of my friends were like, Is that Is that the one with like french fries inside? I was like, yep, that's the one. Yeah, yeah. So anyway, we got well thank you for entertaining me for a little bit with those icebreaker questions. I thought it was just a great way to warm up for a very, I'm gonna say bittersweet recording. And yeah, bittersweet because I feel like I've personally I enjoyed co hosting with you throughout all these years, I feel like I've learned so much in hearing your story. And I've learned so much about myself and, you know, the kinds of conversations that came out of you. And I like interviewing together. And we, you know, we've reached a point where your direction in life is different than mine. And although, you know, we're still going to be friends. I mean, actually not although like, like, the beauty is that I feel like it's, it's like a very amicable, like breakup in a weird way. Like, it's a very positive, like, we're obviously still laughing. And if I happen to go to Disney World, again, I'll probably let you be my roommate. And who knows,

Unknown Speaker: 15:38

out there, I'm a great travel partner

Jen Amos: 15:41

is she is great, especially when it comes to Disney World, BT Dubs, so I'm just really grateful to have scheduled time, you know, with you to have like this formal wrap up and I and I'm saying to people that, like, the door's always open for you, If however, you just want to, like come in. And, you know, if you ever just want to come back and, like be a part of the conversation, but no pressure, either, we can definitely just stay friends. And so So yeah, I, I just want to open up with that. And I'm curious, genuinely, and if you have any, I guess, initial thoughts to share?

: 16:10

Yeah, I mean, it is bittersweet. I, this, being a co host on this podcast is something that brought a lot of value. To my life, it brought a lot of great conversation, it introduced me to people that, you know, I don't know, that I would have otherwise met, and I am really, really grateful for that. And, I mean, it's great that it brought you in, together, and then now we live in like the same town and we voted for Poway and have burritos without well, they don't do fries, but we cannot breathe. You know, I mean, there's there's just so much good that has come out of the, you know, several seasons that I've been able to do this with you. Also, you know, at this point in time, like, as we've discussed, I have two kids in middle school, my husband just got back from deployment. And I'm not even a full year into my job. And this, this is just something that, unfortunately, like my social media account has fallen off, it has fallen off the plate of things that I am able to, you know to do right now.

Jen Amos: 17:15

So, yeah, for sure. And it's it's really just recognizing where we're at, in our journey. And I don't think the show would have made it to six seasons. And now our seven one and fall, I don't think it would have made this far if it wasn't having you. Because I could have easily been like, Oh, I'm just gonna go on hiatus for two or three years until whatever happens, you know, but it was just so fun to do this with you and to, you know, interview a lot of people in your community, and for us to meet people together. And again, it's like I learned so much along the way. And I continued to do so. And I'm just so grateful that you were a big portion of holding on the forum, like you were part of like, at what it was at the last four seasons. I think like, yeah, yeah, it's been pretty amazing. So I just want to thank you for having been a part of it. And for being the amazing professional show or upper, you know, that you were and being so unapologetic about, like sharing your story, and always just giving us like a very clear snapshot of wherever you were at, in whatever season you were in, whenever we were recording. And, you know, just keeping it real for us, like get that I think I really enjoyed that. It made it easy for me to show up as openly and authentically as well. Because it's like, okay, cool. Like we're I mean, you know, other than genuine, like always loving wear makeup. Like, I feel like it's easy going with her, you know what I mean? Like, I feel like and I know you do that for you. I know that you know, but it's not like it's like the other night, it just feels easy. Like it's like, okay, it's easy going, it's casual. Like, you know, we're really just being real and raw about what this military life is like, and allowing people to be so candid also, and why they do what they do, whether it's, you know, running their own business working for a nonprofit, you know, whatever, whatever stage of life they were in, in their military journey or post military journey. It was just really, really fun to to venture that with you. Yeah. Agreed. Yeah. So I think what would you say are some highlights, like some things that you enjoyed the most about your time here?

: 19:23

I mean, is it is it trite to say community since we said that at least 57 times and empathy? Yeah, yeah. I mean, really, that's it for me. I so deeply love the military community, that that has been the greatest and the like, the greatest joy to come out of this is just to meet so many people, you know, and as we've talked about on the show over the years, like, we use military community to encompass all of us everywhere, which is great. Also But I just learned so much because my quote unquote military experience is actually navy. You know, and it was so wonderful for me to learn from other people from other branches because they don't all look the same. They don't branch in the same. They don't have the same mission like, yes, it's national security. But all of that looks different in the day to day and it was so I mean, truly fun to learn about the differences because I come at things with such a, you know, when when I say military, I'm actually saying navy. No, as as the one from the army is saying military but means army. Yeah, like it just so the way that this opened up, you know, my military community to truly be a military community, I think is the one of the best things Disney brought, of course, is very close.

Jen Amos: 20:57

Very close. I can love it. Yeah, no, I, I appreciate that. And I feel like I said military only because like, I was raised as a Navy kid. But then my husband was Army. So you know, kind of in the middle when it comes to the football games. I'm like, I have no comment. It's a little complicated here. Everybody. Everybody was Yeah, exactly. I love it. And so yeah, I agree with theorists being able to expand my own horizon. And that's really why I started the show to begin with, as was I wanted to get a pulse of the community today. And little did I realize how much more I was gonna get just out of interviewing everyone, like, I feel like we interviewed like, like, I'm not every but a good amount of our community to give us a wide perspective of what this is really about. So it's been really awesome doing that. And I want to say one of the highlights, I gotta say, like, one of the highlights I have in CO hosting with you is learning the word also, like I kid you not, I use the word also a lot with my best friend to the point that he uses it all the time now, and sometimes he's kind of like catching up with himself, he'll say, but also it is like going to also. So like, just, you know, and I know, that's like a mental health tip here, where it's like, allowing your person you know, allowing the good and the bad and the ugly and whatever to coexist. It's not this or that it's this and that. And I just really, you know, you often talked about on the show, like about strike straddling the gap between the civilian and the military world, and I feel like that that is a yes. And kind of situation and, and to hear you and your language, like being able to allow certain things to coexist all at once. really stuck with me like i because like, I remember, my best friend was like, oh, it's really cool. How you like use those words. I was like, those words aren't mine. I think I just listened to Jenny Lynn all the time. And now I say, and also and, you know, just just like positive ways to like, again, allow a lot of things to coexist at once without having to like, minimize one one thing, you know, and so I just wanted to thank you for that. Well,

: 22:56

thanks. 100%. All of the hours I spent on a therapist couch.

Jen Amos: 23:03

Y'all. There you go. Free Advice. Right there. Yeah, thanks, Jamie Lynn. Yeah. So I mean, we don't have to talk for the full hour, obviously, I think it's just a great, I'm just really grateful to have this moment to like, to capture and to appreciate. And, you know, I'm just excited to continue supporting you as a friend in, you know, whatever you end up doing, or whatever you get into, and I know that we'll stay in touch and considering how we live in the same area, as you have mentioned. And, you know, right now, we just hired some professional organizers again, to like, almost like do another round of decluttering in our home. And the other day, I was sitting there and I was like, Okay, I feel like this can be ready for like inviting people over. So I'm hoping by fall that I will feel comfortable just like letting people like come and go at the house or like have bonfires and stuff. So, um, so yeah. So just know that that's just know, that's probably in the horizon, upcoming bonfire invitations, if that's something you would enjoy doing. And yeah, I guess that's it. Just want to say thank you, gentlemen, thank you for being on the show. And is there anything? Is there anything you want to make sure that you let our listeners know, before we officially, you know, wrap this up? This is your moment? It's your flow?

: 24:23

I don't guess find me on social media is the right end here since we discussed our severe lack of participation. Yeah. Unless you want to see homecoming photos from you know, five months ago. I am I'm deeply grateful for the community that you and I made here and to be a part of four seasons of holding down the fort. And you know, I think your new venture that you will be introducing later is is really going to be great for you and Scott and your partners. And yeah, I mean, this is an n amicable, like truly an amicable like breakup? Except not because we still get together it tastes like once a month so yeah, people can find me on the internet I'm quite often on LinkedIn if you have a desire to follow a post once a month when I put it out there Yeah. Yeah, and I mean Yeah, well, we'll be around Matthew still has at least four years in the Navy so we're still very much a part of the community and will continue to be you know, leaving the show does not mean leaving the community Yeah, I guess that's really it like yeah, leaving the community I'm around you can find me Google works like it has my contact info if you really need me you know and just thank you for your listenership. Thank you for your kind words like to those listeners that I've run into it, you know, a different events that have been like, Oh, my God, you you're holding the fort. Like, it has been so fun. And so like, out of body experience to know that, like real people listen to it other than my husband.

Jen Amos: 26:09

Thanks, man, you know?

: 26:12

Yeah. You know, I just I'm deeply grateful for the time that we've spent together. Yeah, building community. And, you know, hope that in my leaving, like that community remains.

Jen Amos: 26:24

Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Yes, I am, I'm incredibly excited to share what's to come for holding down the fort. Soon. There's so much like exciting preparation. But you know, before I get to that, I wanted to make sure that we had this formal conclusion in which I'm grateful for I, like, I'm not attached to this anymore. Like, I feel like I've really, I've really healed from this. But for the longest time, like, as I was finding my voice in the military community, I would often describe that I had abandonment issues, you know, like having lost my dad when I was 10 years old, and not knowing what exactly happened to him. And so I identified with that for a longest time, and part of why I say that is because one thing I learned in therapy is that I never knew how to have like, healthy conclusions to anything like either things just get cut off, or I, you know, people block me, I block them, I disappear. And then like, you know, fast forward to today, like, I definitely don't identify with that anymore. And I think that having this conversation is really an example of even my own personal growth to say, like, hey, you know, you don't have to, like, you know, stretch out a relationship, just just for the sake of it. And then it starts to get really unhealthy and ugly. And, you know, I shouldn't hold on to something just because I don't want to lose it, for example, you know, like, like, it's just great to be like, Yeah, you know, what, here we are here. And this is what that that's, you're going there, I'm going here. And, you know, I'll see you when I see you, you know, I'll see I'll see you next month, I don't know, you know, like, and to just have that. So I guess I just also want to, you know, like, just recognize my own personal growth and the years of doing this. And yeah, thank you for being a part of it. And thank you for having this conversation with me. Because it's nice to have, like a very, like, almost, it almost feels like does it you know, I feel like endings, like when you do like TV shows, for example, they always have to be like really dramatic. And I just love how, in a weird way, this is like a boring goodbye, you know, it's like it's just, it's easily

Unknown Speaker: 28:19

no drama and drama.

Jen Amos: 28:23

So thank you for that. Thank you for just making it easy and, and mellow. And, you know, reassured that we're friends. And that, like you said, I love what you said, like, just because you're leaving the show, it doesn't mean you're leaving the community. So it's, it's all good. Like, I'm really in a place of gratitude and joy and happiness. And, and so yeah, so thank you. And I hope that our listeners who catch this, try to find genuine online and say thank her also thank her for having been co host with us for the last, you know, four seasons, I believe. And with that, like we have a lot of exciting things to come for holding down the fort for season seven, which is going to be coming out in fall 2023. So I'm saying this is probably like two months from now at the time of this recording. So you're all in for an exciting treat. And I'm just excited for the next phase of the show. And again, thank you, Jenny Lynn for helping us bring the show to where it is to this moment where I want to reassure you that the show will be taken care of and that it is still my goal and excitement to continue the community that you have helped built. So yeah. Awesome. Awesome. All right. Well, with that said, thank you all so much for listening. And remember, if you want to stay in touch or get the latest updates, check out the show notes of this episode will likely have a newsletter sign up so you can get all the details on what's to come. Or we will we will be reinvigorating our social media even though I'm not on it. So just stay tuned for that. And that's it for now. Thank

: 29:56

you for linking her Instagram in the show notes for everyone who wants to I got her posts from five years ago

Jen Amos: 30:01

yeah exactly awesome well thank you all so much for listening hope you all are enjoying your summer and we will talk to you in fall 2023 Tune in then