Introduction
Welcome to episode 30 of the captivating "Stories of Service" podcast, where our host, Theresa Carpenter explores the intriguing world of military Instagram/TikTok influencers. Theresa had the privilege of learning from three remarkable guests: Alexis Travis, a Navy lieutenant with an impressive following of 127,000 on Instagram and 38,000 on TikTok; Lieutenant Kelly Hall, a multifaceted individual with a background in professional modeling, business ownership, podcasting, and even a previous Miss USA State contestant, boasting an Instagram following of 112,000; and lastly, Captain Jackie Barnum, a Marine Corps Logistics officer who has gained a significant online presence with 91,200 Instagram followers.
Join Theresa as she unpacks the impact of social media on military communities and families. Her engaging conversation revolves around the experiences of these three amazing military influencers, shedding light on the positive and productive aspects of social media use. By analyzing their unique journeys, she aims to provide valuable insights to other military influencers and help them strike a healthy balance between their social media presence and personal well-being. As you dive into the transcript, you'll find group discussion questions and a featured video to further enrich your understanding of this fascinating topic.
Theresa' guest did a great job highlighting the importance of using social media as a positive tool for education, inspiration, and empowerment. They also stress the need for proper handling of negative comments and judgments, and the importance of staying true to your message while being patient and kind to yourself.
Key 🔑 takeaways
✅ Develop a better understanding of the role of social media in military culture and communication.
✅ What are the experiences of military influencers on social media.
✅ Learn to navigate social media in a positive and productive way.
✅ Discuss the challenges and potential risks associated with using social media as a military member.
✅ Share tips for creating engaging and meaningful content on social media platforms.
✅ Foster a supportive and inclusive community of military influencers on social media.
✅ Encourage transparency and authenticity in social media use within the military community.
Meet the guests:
Alexis Travis, Navy lieutenant
Alexis is using social media to change the conversation around Military Mental Health and Leadership. An MBA Candidate focusing elective study on Marketing, Behavioral Economics, and Human Capital Strategy. I have volunteered with the Veteran's Club and the Yale SOM Communications office for various events and content creation to highlight student life, opportunities, and the Veteran Community at Yale.
Lieutenant Kelly Hall
Lieutenant Kelly Hall shares her experience as a motivational speaker, and how she has been able to use social media to reach thousands of people daily. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to your message, knowing in your heart that you're doing the right thing, and uplifting others. She also encourages people to not be so quick to attack because something is different, as different doesn't always mean wrong.
Captain Jackie Barnum
Captain Jackie Barnum acknowledges the challenges of being on social media, especially in terms of handling negative comments and judgments. She advises new and younger users to develop thick skin and be patient and kind to themselves, knowing that they're doing the right thing and helping others. She reminds everyone to keep their drive alive and not quit after one punch, as doubters are inevitable.
Watch Full Episode
Resources:
Listen to the full episode: Military Instagram / TikTok Influencers | S.O.S Podcast #30
#MilitaryInfluencers #SocialMediaPositive #MilitaryCommunity #Education #Inspiration #Empowerment #PersonalWellbeing #Inclusivity #Authenticity #Transparency #Communication #Leadership #Diversity
