Beyond Orders

About Beyond Orders

Beyond Orders is a podcast hosted by Michelle Penczak, founder of Squared Away and military spouse on a mission to break the mold. This show shines a spotlight on military spouses who are challenging expectations, creating opportunity, and stepping far outside the traditional narrative. Through honest conversations and bold stories, Michelle sits down with spouses who have built businesses, forged new careers, and found purpose beyond the PCS cycle. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and rewriting the rules...on your own terms. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, solidarity, or that extra nudge to think bigger, Beyond Orders is your reminder that while orders may move us, they don’t define us. Because military life may be unpredictable, but your potential doesn’t have to be.

Publisher

Michelle Penczak

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Jun 2025

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Oct 2026

   Caroline Beasley: A Military Spouse CPA Reveals How to Make Real Profit

   Michelle Penzak interviews CPA and founder Caroline Beasley about building and scaling a profitable business while navigating military life. They discuss pricing, SOPs and delegation, cash flow, tax planning, and how AI and virtual assistants can accelerate growth. Caroline shares practical advice for founders - create an MVP, test pricing, track KPIs, and stress-test scenarios - plus guidance on state tax issues and balancing entrepreneurship with military moves. Caroline Beasley is a CPA, MBA, and Big 4/Big 8-trained accountant who works as a strategic CFO for founders scaling past $1M in revenue. She helps business owners trade gut feel for real financial clarity by showing them true profit margins, protecting cash flow, and building a dashboard that shows in seconds whether the month is on track. She's especially passionate about helping women founders and creators access the CFO-level thinking that fuels sustainable growth. A military spouse and IRONMAN triathlete, she believes lasting success comes from discipline and boundaries, not burnout. Want the truth about your numbers in your inbox? Follow Caroline on LinkedIn or Facebook and subscribe to her newsletter, Make Bank.

2. 

   14 Oct 2025

   Krista Knuffke: Redefining Resilience Through Reinvention

   In this episode of Beyond Orders, Michelle sits down with Krista Knuffke, proud Army spouse, mom of two, and Director of Client Success at Squared Away. Krista’s journey from healthcare to operations leadership is one defined by adaptability, grit, and purpose. Together, they explore what reinvention really looks like for military spouses navigating constant change: balancing family, career, and identity while creating impact in every chapter. From managing moves and motherhood to leading sales and client onboarding, Krista shares how she’s built a life and career that thrives beyond the boundaries of traditional work. Tune in for an honest, uplifting conversation about growth, service, and the strength it takes to start over, again and again. Government Shutdown Resources

3. 

   30 Sept 2025

   Lauren Cecora: Faith, Family, and the Postpartum Journey

   In this episode of Beyond Orders, I sit down with Lauren Cecora -  a 16-year Air Force spouse, devoted mom of two daughters, homeschool parent, and author of Past-Partum. Lauren opens up about the challenges and triumphs of military family life, from navigating deployments to preparing for her husband’s upcoming retirement after nearly two decades of service. We dive into her journey through postpartum struggles and how sharing her story in Past-Partum became a lifeline of hope for other mothers. Lauren also shares how faith has grounded her family, why homeschooling has been such a powerful choice for her daughters, and how embracing the 1000 Hours Outside movement has transformed the way her family connects with nature, each other, and themselves. Lauren’s story is one of reinvention, courage, and intentional living and it’s a reminder that even in seasons of uncertainty, we can choose resilience and purpose.

4. 

   5 Sept 2025

   Kerissa Frigo: Veteran Strength Meets Military Spouse Resilience

   In this episode of Beyond Orders, we sit down with Kerissa Frigo. Veteran, military spouse, mom of two energetic boys, and now an Executive Assistant with Squared Away. Kerissa shares her journey from serving five years in the Air National Guard to navigating a decade of marriage through the highs and lows of military life. She opens up about raising a child with Williams Syndrome and how that experience has reshaped her outlook on resilience, adaptability, and purpose. Today, Kerissa brings that same strength and perspective into her role supporting leaders at Squared Away, where she helps them stay focused, organized, and ready for whatever mission comes next. This conversation is about more than career shifts; it’s about how the challenges of service, parenting, and perseverance equip us with the skills to lead and support others in powerful ways. Tune in to hear Kerissa’s inspiring story and discover the lessons she carries from the Air National Guard to the homefront to the clients she serves today.

5. 

   25 Aug 2025

   Danielle Hillebrand: Piercing Through Challenges and Building Identity Beyond Orders

   In this episode of Beyond Orders, we sit down with Danielle Hillebrand, a professional body piercer with 17 years of experience and a proud military spouse of 8 years. Danielle’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of identity in the face of constant transition. Each PCS move has brought new challenges, but also new opportunities. Danielle has successfully restarted her studio, Elegant Edge, four times in four different states — proving that dedication and creativity can keep both passion and career alive no matter where military life leads. Through every relocation, Danielle has rebuilt her clientele, reestablished her business, and continued to grow her craft. As a mom of two young kids and a business owner, Danielle balances the demands of family, entrepreneurship, and military life with grit and grace. She shares candidly about the sacrifices, lessons, and strategies that allow her to maintain peace, protect her sense of self, and continue thriving in a career she loves. Listeners will walk away with insights on: Navigating career reinvention through PCS moves and military life The challenges and rewards of running a business while raising young kids Why identity and purpose outside of the military structure are vital for spouses How to lean into passion and perseverance to create a life that works anywhere The resilience it takes to start over, again and again, without losing momentum Danielle’s journey is a testament to the fact that military spouses don’t just adapt, they innovate, rebuild, and thrive. This conversation will leave you motivated to hold on to what makes you you, even in the most unpredictable seasons of life.

6. 

   9 Aug 2025

   Taylor Lingerfelt: Leading with Heart as a Military Spouse and Team Lead

   Taylor Lingerfelt is a proud active duty Army spouse, mom of two, and Team Lead at Squared Away. She began her journey with the company in 2021 while at home with her kids, seeking a way to reconnect with her own identity. Over the years, she’s held multiple internal roles, growing her skills in leadership, client success, and remote team management. Today, Taylor is passionate about finding balance between family life and career, leading with empathy, and embracing the beautiful chaos of military life. Her story is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and leadership that military spouses bring to the workforce. In this episode of Beyond Orders, Taylor shares how she built a fulfilling career from home, the challenges and rewards of managing a remote team, and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, delegation, and staying grounded while life moves at military speed.

7. 

   4 Aug 2025

   Beyond the Bar: Libby Jamison’s Fight for Military Families and Policy Reform

   This week on Beyond Orders, we sit down with Libby Jamison, a powerhouse attorney, policy strategist, and unapologetic advocate for military families. With nearly 20 years in law, government, and grassroots organizing, Libby has worked everywhere from the Department of Veterans Affairs to the West Wing, where she served as Senior Advisor to Joining Forces, Dr. Jill Biden’s initiative supporting military families, caregivers, and survivors. As former President of the Military Spouse JD Network, Libby helped drive licensing reforms across more than 40 jurisdictions, opening professional doors for spouses nationwide. She has earned national recognition, including Military.com's Spouse Changemaker of the Year and a spot on the 2023 Mighty 25, and for good reason. In this episode, Libby shares the behind-the-scenes truth about policymaking, the personal toll and triumph of advocacy, and why military spouses are more than just resilient. We are revolutionary!

8. 

   27 Jul 2025

   Meagan Eskew’s Inspiring Story – Single Mom, Breast Cancer Survivor, Leader

   Meagan Eskew started as a virtual assistant with Squared Away in 2020 and worked her way up to become our Director of Client Connections. A single mom who battled, and beat, breast cancer, Meagan didn’t just climb the ladder, she built her own. Now, she’s stepping into a full-time role with a client buyout, proving what happens when grit meets opportunity. She homeschools her kids, leads with heart, and shows exactly what betting on yourself looks like when life throws everything at you. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to go from surviving to thriving, this episode is your answer. 🎧 Listen in and see why Meagan is one of the toughest, smartest women we know.

9. 

   21 Jul 2025

   Military Spouses Make Great Leaders & Jessica Ryan Proves It

   What does it take to grow from a virtual assistant to a trusted executive leader, all while proving that military spouses are some of the strongest leaders in the workforce? In this episode of Beyond Orders, Michelle Penczak, CEO of Squared Away, interviews Jessica Ryan, the company’s Chief People Officer. Jessica started in 2020 as a virtual assistant and steadily rose through the ranks, from Team Lead to the executive team, by leading with empathy, consistency, and quiet strength. Jessica shares how she built trust, supported hundreds of military spouse virtual assistants, and helped shape Squared Away’s culture. Her story is proof that military spouses are not just support staff, they are leaders, innovators, and change-makers. If you’re a military spouse ready to grow your career, step into leadership, or prove that you’re more than “just an assistant,” this episode is a must-listen. What you’ll learn in this episode: How to grow from support roles to leadership positions Why military spouses make exceptional leaders The power of empathy and consistency in building influence How to lead without a loud voice and still be heard Listen now to discover how you can own your story, your skills, and your seat at the table.

10. 

    14 Jul 2025

    From Virtual Assistant to COO: Sara Brooks-Glover on Leadership, Growth & Reinvention

    In this episode of Beyond Orders, host Michelle Penczak, CEO of Squared Away and military spouse, sits down with Sara Brooks-Glover, Chief Operations Officer at Squared Away, to talk about career growth, remote leadership, and scaling systems in a mission-driven company. Sara shares her inspiring journey from starting as a virtual assistant to rising through the ranks as Director of Finance and Compliance, leading Talent and Development, and now serving as COO. She offers insights into how she built scalable operations, aligned cross-functional teams, and leaned into reinvention every step of the way. Whether you're managing a remote team, hiring virtual assistants, building business infrastructure, or navigating a leadership transition, this episode is packed with practical advice and lessons in resilient, empathetic leadership. Keywords: military spouse career, remote team management, virtual assistant business, leadership development, female COO, career growth, business operations, hiring systems, delegation strategies, Squared Away, Michelle Penczak, Sara Brooks-Glover, Beyond Orders Podcast 🎧 Subscribe for more interviews with military spouses, remote leaders, and professionals redefining what’s possible.

11. 

    6 Jul 2025

    From Grief to Grace: Tiffany McCawley’s Story

    Tiffany McCawley recounts her journey through profound grief after losing two children, highlighting the strength she found in faith and purpose through meaningful work, in an interview with Michelle Penczak.

12. 

    29 Jun 2025

    Beyond the Resume: Leadership, Life Lessons, and Starting Over

    Director of Talent and Development Rachel Hornbeck discusses her career journey and insights on leadership, accountability, and personal growth with host Michelle Penczak in an interview.

13. 

    21 Jun 2025

    Rooted at Last: How Squared Away Became Jordan’s Steady Ground

    Michelle Penczak interviews Jordan Streetman Cole, Chief Experience Officer at Squared Away, about her journey from a desperate applicant to a key leader, highlighting resilience and stability for military spouses.

Who has been a guest on Beyond Orders

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Tiffany McCawley
• Rachel Hornbeck
• Jordan Streetman Cole

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

15 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 41 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

63

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Beyond Orders

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Beyond Orders