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.
Upgrade and enjoy giveaways, monthly workbooks, and unlimited, lifetime access to all of the IWS23 interviews.
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Listen to the IWS23 Interviews on Spotify.
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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.
The Edge Scholarships
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 2028.
Still Birthday
Practical Advice for supporting a grieving father.
VIRTUAL SWAG BAG
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.
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.
The Waiting Warriors
Transform Your Self, Marriage & Family as a Military Spouse.
Save 20% off any purchase using code: ID20.
Never expires.
Paragon Fitwear
When you feel good, you radiate that goodness. And that’s exactly what our brand is all about – bringing a touch of affordable luxury to your world.
Save 10% off your purchase using code: INDEPENDENT10.
Expires 2/1/2025.
Storyworth
Everyone has a story worth sharing. Preserve your most meaningful moments and memories in a beautiful keepsake book.
Use this link to redeem $10 off $99 package.Never expires.
Brave Crate
The Homecoming Countdown Box for Military Spouses.
Save 20% off your first countdown box using code: IWS23
Valid until 05/30/24.
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
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
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SESSION 2: REDISCOVER YOU
InDependent Wellness Summit
DAY 1
SESSION 2: REDISCOVER YOU
ZOË KORS
Zoë Kors is a sought-after thought leader of intimacy and sexuality. She is the resident sex and intimacy coach and contributor on the sexual wellness app Coral. Zoë is the former Senior Editor and Creative Director of LA Yoga Magazine and has appeared in The Washington Post, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Bustle, and many other publications. She is a certified Sexologist, recognized by the American Board of Sexology. Her training also includes dozens of programs and courses in sexuality and spirituality. Zoë is initiated in the Sri Vidya tantra lineage. Her work reflects her extensive study of Tantra, Zen Buddhism, Meditation, Yoga, Breathwork, and other Eastern disciplines, which she integrates with more process-oriented modalities of Western psychology and Evidence-based Coaching. You can follow Zoe on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
During this interview you will learn:
- How to fully connect with yourself
- How to identify what is keeping you from connecting with your spouse
- How to create your list of “want more of” and “want less of” to help facilitate a discussion with your spouse
DIANE VUKOVIC
#IWS23 Session 2 | Day 1
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: BE PREPARED, BE CALM, & BE SAFE
Presented by Legacy Magazine
Diane Vuković is an emergency preparedness expert who specializes in food storage, disaster hygiene, and outdoor survival tactics. Diane spent her childhood roaming the woods of upstate NY, making brush shelters, backpacking and orienteering. Now she is the proud mother of two adventurous girls whom she takes wild camping and teaches survival skills and self-defense. Diane has written extensively about the outdoors, survival and first aid. She is the chief writer for Primal Survivor, and is the author of several books including Disaster Preparedness for Women: 52 Steps to Get Ready for Any Emergency. You can follow Diane on Facebook.
During this interview you will learn:
- The importance of realistic Emergency Preparedness
- How to prepare to be self-reliant and calm the worry of the unknown
- Practical steps and tips to prepare
InDependent Wellness Summit
DAY 2
SESSION 2: REDISCOVER YOU
ASHLEY GUTERMUTH
Ashley Gutermuth is a military spouse stand-up comedian and actor. She appeared on ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jimmy Fallon where she was chosen by Jerry Seinfeld to win the ‘Seinfeld Challenge.’ Ashley regularly posts on social media and her hilarious videos of her stand-up and life as a spouse of a service member. When Ashley is not performing stand-up or voice-overs, she is usually running and has a daily running streak that spans over six years.
During this interview you will learn:
- To do things daily that you enjoy and make them a priority during your day
- How one small thing makes a difference over time
- There is nothing wrong with breaking a “pattern” – live the way YOU want to!
Resources mentioned:
MAJ. ADHANA MCCARTHY
Maj. Adhana McCarthy is an active-duty physician assistant in the U.S. Army and an IAYT-certified yoga therapist. She began teaching yoga while deployed to Iraq 16 years ago. Those early experiences helped her to weave yoga and mindfulness into her clinical practice. She is now the Director of Public Health at Fort Riley, Kansas and pursuing a doctorate in public health through San Diego State University/University of California, San Diego. Adhana has taught internationally and focuses on helping women reclaim their space.
During this interview you will learn:
- Practices you can use in your life to be well
- How to find your red flags that show when you are not doing well
- Ways to make good choices and reframe for your wellness
- How to honor yourself
- The importance of self-compassion and the many effects it can have on your life
Resources mentioned:
InDependent Wellness Summit
DAY 3
SESSION 2: REDISCOVER YOU
LACEY LANGFORD
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.
Lacey Langford, AFC®, is a financial coach, veteran, and military spouse who changes people’s mindset from being fearful of money to having control and confidence with it. Military and money are her jams. She’s an Accredited Financial Counselor® with over 15 years of financial planning, counseling, and coaching experience. She’s the creator and host of the Military Money Show, a podcast dedicated to the military community with personal finance, and MilMoneyCon, a national conference and community for financial professionals united by military service. Lacey’s also the founder of LaceyLangford.com, a personal finance blog and coaching practice specializing in the unique world of the U.S. military. You can connect with the Military Money Show and MilMoneyCon on Instagram and you can follow Lacey on Instagram and Twitter.
During this interview you will learn:
- How to save for you and your family’s financial future
- Military financial benefits
- A military spouse’s role when it comes to finances