Let’s find you where you are
And empower you through service life
Summit Essentials
Schedule of events, areas for note-taking, recipes, and more! This is a fillable PDF where you can type in your notes, or you can print it and write them in.
Where we will connect & socialize during summit week. Twelve Million Plus is a safe, 100% verified military spouse community in partnership with ID.me. This milspouse community welcomes all verified active duty spouses, veteran spouses, & retiree spouses.

Listen to the IWS23 Interviews on Spotify.

Listen to the IWS23 Interviews on Soundcloud.

Listen to the IWS23 Interviews on Amazon.
SUMMIT SHOP


SHOP
CHARLIEMADISON ORIGINALS
Transitions and new seasons of life can make us feel lost, forgotten, or disconnected from our true selves, but they can also be an opportunity to grow and thrive. When we give ourselves permission to embrace those changes, we reconnect with our true selves and make choices that are healthy and fulfilling. Wear this bracelet as a reminder to pursue inner joy, embrace change, and rediscover you.
Gemstones: 6mm Denim Magnesite, Fossil Crinoid, Apatite, and Sea Sediment Jasper
Using the bracelet as an essential oil diffuser
If your everyday wellness routine includes essential oils, the Flourish bracelet doubles as a diffuser bracelet. Simply add a drop of your favorite oil or oil blend to the wood beads and rub gently until the oil absorbs. Re-apply when you need an energizing boost to keep you motivated through the afternoon slump, a little extra help focusing on your big project, or a de-stressor to lift your spirits after a long day.
20% off a single purchase through 6/30/24 using the code SUMMITVIP2023 at charliemadisonoriginals.com. Cannot be combined with other discounts or Jewelry Rewards.
Resources and Freebies
See below this year’s freebies and resources to
help you find you, right where you are.
Just click the buttons below to download or learn more.

Wellness Directory
A directory of wellness professionals that understand military & first responder families.

Legacy Magazine
Create deeper and more meaningful connections with volume VIII of Legacy Magazine.
As an Independent Wellness Summit 2023 Attendee, receive an exclusive discount of 100% off of your initial digital subscription and save 20% on all future digital volumes. As a digital subscriber, be amongst the first to receive new releases.

Military Spouse Mentorship Hub
MSAN’s Military Spouse Mentorship-HUB helps to bridge military families from every branch & their surrounding communities worldwide through a Virtual Education and Resource Center, New Military Spouse Support Program, and Leadership Development Program.

Emergency Contact Form
A reference sheet for you and your family to update with your emergency contact. Update after every move!

Thrive Market
Thrive Market is an online marketplace that offers healthy groceries for up to 50% off.
Receive a FREE One Year Thrive membership through 2023.

Still Birthday
Practical Advice for supporting a grieving father.
VIRTUAL SWAG BAG

SAVOR
Savor creates beautiful homes to corral the chaos, to make it super simple to organize, and to bring a source of whimsy and joy to the process.
Save 10% off your purchase using code: WELLNESS10.
Valid 09/01/23 – 11/30/23.

ARTKIVE
The #1 solution for preserving and celebrating kids’ art!
We transform your piles of kid art into Art Books and Framed Mosaics.
Use this link for $20.00 off your purchase. Valid until 5/30/2024.

THE WAITING WARRIORS
Transform Your Self, Marriage & Family as a Military Spouse.
Save 20% off any purchase using code: ID20.
Never expires.

HARD DECK COFFEE
All of our coffees are organic and roasted from high quality beans. Our coffee is for all types who look for adrenaline and caffeine! Veteran owned and operated!
Save 15% off your purchase using code: IWS23.
Valid until 05/30/24.

BRAVE CRATE
The Homecoming Countdown Box for Military Spouses.
Save 20% off your first countdown box using code: IWS23
Valid until 05/30/24.

CULTIVATE WHAT MATTERS
Ready for a new way of doing life? We’ve got the tools to help you uncover what matters, break it down, and live it out. The best part? There’s no perfection required.
Save 20% off your purchase using code: WELLNESS20.
Valid until 10/08/23.

LIST & FILE
We created the first ever file-organizing product for military families. Our customizable binder inserts track your family’s paperwork for years, while giving you detailed guidance along the way.
In celebration of InDependent’s 10 Year Anniversary, enjoy 10% off your order using code: INDEPENDENT10
Valid only during the month of October.
SESSION 1: REDISCOVER YOU — Parenting
InDependent Wellness Summit
DAY 1
SESSION 1 REDISCOVER YOU: PARENTING
AMANDA DODSON
Amanda Dodson is a Doula and HypnoBirthing Educator. Her passion to help service members and their families during pregnancy and beyond inspired her to found the Japan Birth Resource Network in 2013 and Co-found the Military Birth Resource Network in 2016. Amanda is also a veteran and military spouse of 24 years and in 2016 was voted AFI Spouse of the Year for Marine Corps Base SD Butler, Okinawa, Japan for her important contributions and unwavering commitment to the military community. You can connect with the Military Birth Resource Network on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
During this interview you will learn:
- The roles of childbirth educators and doulas in helping families make informed decisions regarding bringing babies into the world
- Positive approaches to proactive parenthood, birth and the postpartum period
- What type of resources are out there for new and expecting parents
- How to advocate for yourself or reach out to advocates that can help your family
SHERMAINE PERRY-KNIGHTS
Bringing more than ten years of writing, teaching, and public speaking experience, Shermaine Perry-Knights has a unique perspective on growth, resilience, and success that will inspire, educate and motivate students of all ages. Using her talent and time, she helps others develop empathy and a deeper love for learning. Shermaine is a multi-award-winning author, project manager, TedX speaker, and world traveler. She holds several professional certifications in learning development. This passion has blossomed into resources that make military-connected families “feel heard and seen”. She also owns a publishing agency, Amazingly Published LLC. You can follow Shermaine on Instagram.
In this interview, you will learn:
- What it is like to grow up as a military child, from an “adult military child” herself
- How to help empower your military child(ren) and cultivate empathy
- Ways to help better engage and understand how your child is doing emotionally and socially through the challenges of military life
InDependent Wellness Summit
DAY 2
SESSION 1 REDISCOVER YOU: PARENTING
DR. AMBER MATTINGLY
Amber Mattingly is passionate about Mind, Body & Spirit Wellness and creating community wherever she is planted. Amber graduated from Baylor University with a BSE in Health Science Studies and received a Master of Divinity degree from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. In 2020, she graduated with her Doctor of Ministry degree from Claremont School of Theology where she focused her study on Compassion Based Leadership Strategies. Amber’s vision is to see people live a robust and resilient life. To that end, she creates safer spaces for people to heal through spiritually fluid, socially conscious health and wellness services including yoga, meditation, and fearless dialogue. You can follow Amber on Facebook and YouTube.
During this interview you will learn:
- Know your story to help your children know their story
- How to have compassion for ourselves and for others
- Ways to approach our children’s stories with wonder and curiosity
- How to be flexible in ourselves and our lives
LTC TERRELL JONES SR.
Chaplain Jones attended Sonoma State University, CA where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He earned a Master degree in Education from Auburn University, AL, a Master Divinity degree in Marriage and Family Counseling at Southern Christian University, AL and P-12 School Counseling certified, Columbus University, GA. He is currently a doctoral student at Erskine Theological Seminary, SC where he is completing his Doctor of Ministry. Chaplain Jones originally enlisted in the United States Army in 1984. After completing his active duty military commitment, Chaplain Jones then transferred to the National Guard where he continued to serve with several National Guard and Reserve units.
During this interview you will learn:
- The importance of family dynamics and how to identify them in blended families
- How to build a united family foundation
- How to be proactive instead of reactive
InDependent Wellness Summit
DAY 3
SESSION 1 REDISCOVER YOU: PARENTING
CORIE WEATHERS, LPC
#IWS23 Session 1 | Day 3
ADULT CHILDREN AND EXTENDED FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Presented by Legacy Magazine
Corie Weathers, licensed professional counselor (LPC), is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and author. She has focused her career for the last 20 years as a clinician specializing in marriage, military and first responders, the service culture, and its impact on families. In addition to providing subject matter expertise and consultation on military culture, Corie also produces content through interviews and videos, and facilitates meaningful and productive sessions and retreats for families on how to live, lead, find purpose, and build relationships using their natural talents. You can follow Corie on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
During this interview you will learn:
- How to prepare for & navigate a parent/adult child relationship transition
- Setting boundaries and expectations in our relationships with our parents or adult children
- How to know when it’s time to cut off an extended family
- Dealing with the “messy middle” of relationships with extended family
-