Episode 36
About this episode
In this powerful episode of Resiliency The Podcast , hosts Jenn Quader and Dr. Kelly Culver sit down with retired U.S. Navy Captain Jenn Donahue — an engineer, combat leader, keynote speaker, and author — to explore resilience under extreme pressure and what it truly means to lead when everything is at stake.
Over a 27-year military career, Jenn Donahue led at the highest levels in some of the world’s most hostile environments. She built a bridge across the Euphrates River during the Iraq War, commanded an 800-person battalion in Afghanistan, and led combat construction operations while under direct threat to her life. Through it all, she learned how resilience is built not through bravado, but through stability, self-awareness, and purpose.
Now in civilian life, Jenn helps leaders silence self-doubt, confront imposter syndrome, and lead with both strength and empathy.
What you will hear
- What resilience looks like when decisions carry life-or-death consequences
- How to lead calmly under extreme pressure
- Why imposter syndrome affects even the most accomplished leaders
- The power of pausing, stabilizing, and choosing clarity in chaos
- How to transition from military leadership to civilian leadership with purpose
- Why great leaders balance authority with empathy
- How to “silence the inner critic” and reclaim confidence
- Jenn also shares insights from her upcoming book, Becoming the Warrior: Harnessing Your Inner Strength to Silence Self-Doubt , offering practical tools and mindset shifts to help leaders navigate fear, pressure, and uncertainty.
- This episode is a masterclass in resilient leadership , courage, and what it takes to show up for others — even when you’re scared yourself.
Chapters
- Resilience under fire
- Meet Jenn Donahue
- Redefining resilience
- A hit on her life in Afghanistan
- Pause, breathe, stabilize
- Imposter syndrome in leadership
- Silencing the inner critic
- Leaving the military, finding purpose
- Meaning after combat
- Authority vs empathy
- Meeting people where they are
- Leading in male-dominated spaces
- Finding your leadership voice
- Mentors, allies, and battle buddies
- How to become a better leader
- Becoming the Warrior (the book)
- Rapid Fire
- Where to find Jenn Donahue
- Final thoughts on courage & resilience
Mentioned in this episode
Transcript
A full transcript of this episode is available.