Jessica Maerz

Hey everyone!

I was born in Athens, Georgia and moved to Wisconsin with my family when I was a toddler. I grew up in small-town Wisconsin and gave college a shot at Winona State in Minnesota. I may not have walked away with a degree, but I did gain lifelong friendships—so I call it a win.

At 21, I moved to Orlando, Florida and started working in patient registration at Florida Hospital. Just a few months later, 9/11 happened. Coming from a long line of Veterans—my dad, grandfather, aunts, uncles, and great uncles (we’ve had someone serve in every American war since the Revolution)—I felt called to do something meaningful. I joined the military, and in January 2003 (yes, it took that long for a spot to open for females!), I left for boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois.

I served five and a half years as an avionics technician, working with EA-6Bs and P-3Cs at NAS Whidbey Island in Washington State. After my service, I returned to Orlando to finish my B.A., and later earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

My first post-grad job? A case manager at a nonprofit serving people who were homeless, at risk, or living with disabilities—for $13 an hour. Fun fact: I ran a food pantry and also qualified to receive food from it. Smh.

A year later, I joined the Orlando VA as a social worker for homeless Veterans—a job I absolutely loved. But life had other plans. I fell in love with my husband (who I met in the Navy and who’s still active duty), and when he got orders back to Washington, I packed up again.

Back in Whidbey, I worked as a civilian for the Department of the Navy doing counseling, family advocacy, and suicide response. Then came another PCS, this time to the great state of Texas, where I’m now back with the VA—this time in suicide prevention. I feel so fortunate for the experiences and opportunities I’ve had along the way.

Outside of work, I have two incredible kids who are the second and third loves of my life—but tied for second. Fourth place goes to the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. Everything else in the world comes after that. (Don’t tell Ingrid.)

I joined this podcast with full confidence that it wouldn’t last and that all I’d have to do was read a few emails. And now? We’ve got a website, Facebook, Instagram… and probably a few platforms Ingrid hasn’t even told me about yet.

All jokes aside, it’s truly an honor to be part of this project—sharing people’s stories, highlighting important (and often overlooked) topics, and giving voice to the struggles and successes that connect us all.

Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy what we’re creating—and if there’s something you want to hear or a story you want to share, please reach out. (And let me get back to just reading emails already. Dang it!)