“It doesn’t matter, you can’t sue anyway.”

From Battlefield to Birth Trauma: Lauren Palladini’s Fight for Justice in Military Medicine

This week’s guest, Lauren Palladini, is a former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division whose life took a harrowing turn—not on the battlefield, but in a military hospital. At just 22 years old, Lauren experienced a catastrophic case of military medical malpractice during childbirth at Womack Army Medical Center. A lacerated uterine artery was left undiagnosed and concealed, leading to weeks of life-threatening hemorrhaging, multiple emergency surgeries, and a permanent hysterectomy.

But Lauren refused to stay silent.

In response, she co-founded Coalition of Heroes, a nonprofit organization dedicated to confronting medical malpractice in the military. The Coalition works to raise awareness, educate the public, and advocate for the voices of those harmed by preventable errors within the military healthcare system.

In this powerful episode, Lauren shares her story of trauma, resilience, and advocacy—and why she’s determined to spark lasting reform.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
• What happened during Lauren’s traumatic childbirth experience & the chilling words of those who were charged with her care
• The systemic issues behind military medical malpractice
• Why accountability is so difficult to achieve in the military healthcare system
• How Coalition of Heroes is helping victims and driving change
• What civilians and veterans alike need to know about this often-hidden issue

Mentioned in This Episode:
• Womack Army Medical Center
• Coalition of Heroes (cofounder)
• Military medical justice and reform efforts

Connect with Lauren Palladini & Coalition of Heroes:
Website: https://www.coalitionofheroes.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coalition_of_heroes?igsh=azVtNHVsOTZxOTY=
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CSWVDpkpC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Subscribe & Review:
If Lauren’s story moved you, please share this episode, leave a review, and help us spread the word. Every voice raised brings us one step closer to justice.

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

In this powerful episode of Stories of Service, host Theresa Carpenter sits down with Dr. Michael Hackney—Army veteran, business leader, coach, and author—to explore the dynamic intersections of military service, organizational leadership, and personal reinvention.

Dr. Hackney shares his journey from commanding infantry units in Germany and supporting operations during the Gulf War to leading corporate turnarounds at Fortune 500 companies like PepsiCo, Sara Lee, and ConAgra. With a doctorate in organizational psychology from USC, he brings a unique perspective on what it takes to sustain meaningful change in both military and business environments.

Now the founder of ShaydeTree Enterprises in Nashville, Mike coaches executives and advises organizations on cultivating motivated, high-performing cultures. He also speaks candidly about his role as a veteran advocate, pilot, and writer—showing how a life of service can evolve in powerful and unexpected ways.

🎧 Tune in to hear:

* How military leadership principles apply to the boardroom
* Why "sustaining change" is more than a buzzword—it’s a discipline
* The critical importance of self-awareness and resilience in transformation
* Mike’s reflections on aviation, writing, and pursuing purpose beyond profit
* The ways he continues to serve veterans and mentor rising leaders

📚 About the Guest – Dr. Michael Hackney:

* Founder, ShaydeTree Enterprises (Nashville, TN)
* Former Infantry Officer & Gulf War veteran
* Doctorate in Organizational Psychology – University of Southern California
* Corporate turnaround specialist with leadership roles at PepsiCo, Sara Lee & ConAgra
* Published author, speaker, general aviation pilot, and veteran advocate

Key Takeaway:
Leadership isn’t just about strategy—it’s about creating spaces where people thrive, grow, and bring their best to the mission. Whether in combat zones or corporate boardrooms, Dr. Hackney's life proves that service never really ends—it just evolves.

🔗 Connect with Dr. Michael Hackney:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mike-hackney-892b466/

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76

In this episode, Stories of Service host Theresa Carpenter talks with Navy SEAL veteran Bill Brown and his attorney Chris D’Alessandro about Bill’s firing from McCarter & English. What began with a LinkedIn post reveals a deeper story of alleged discrimination and retaliation tied to Bill’s military service and beliefs.

Chris breaks down the legal side as Bill shares what it’s like to challenge a system that preaches diversity but often excludes veterans.

🎙️ Topics include:

• Transitioning from military to law
• The LinkedIn post that triggered the firing
• Alleged exclusion and retaliation
• What laws protect veterans and whistleblowers
• How to recognize and prove workplace retaliation

🎯 Why This Story Matters
This episode reveals the gap between DEI talk and real inclusion—especially for veterans. It’s about the hidden cost of service and the price of speaking up.

🔍 You’ll Learn:
• What workplace retaliation really looks like
• Challenges veterans face in corporate settings
• What true inclusion means in practice
• Why free speech and respect for service must coexist

📢 Call to Action
If you’re a veteran, an ally, or someone who believes in fairness and truth—this episode is for you. Share it, talk about it, and be part of the movement toward better understanding and advocacy.
More on this fight - https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2024...
More on Chris - https://www.ddplawfirm.com/

Support the show

Visit my website: https://thehello.llc/THERESACARPENTER
Read my writings on my blog: https://www.theresatapestries.com/
Listen to other episodes on my podcast: https://storiesofservice.buzzsprout.com
Watch episodes of my podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheresaCarpenter76