New conversation series debuts as America prepares to celebrate its 250th Independence Day, hosted by Marine Corps veteran Maura Sullivan and Navy veteran Rebecca Bennett
Contact: press@valormedianetwork.com
As Americans prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, VALOR Media Network and Meidas Defense are launching a new series dedicated to a simple but often overlooked truth: women have always answered the call to serve this country.
Hell Cats is a new conversation series hosted by Marine Corps veteran Maura Sullivan and Navy veteran Rebecca Bennett. Produced by VALOR Media Network and presented as part of Meidas Defense, the series gives women veterans the opportunity to tell their own stories—in their own words.
The series arrives at a moment when the service of women in uniform has once again become part of the national conversation. Rather than debating their contributions, Hell Cats places those contributions at the center of the story.
The title honors the original “Lady Hell Cats,” among the first women to serve in the United States Marine Corps during World War I. At a time when women were told they didn’t belong in uniform, they stepped forward anyway, helping open doors for generations who followed.
More than a century later, Hell Cats carries that legacy forward.
Executive Producer Kristofer Goldsmith said the series was created to preserve and amplify stories that too often go untold.
“For generations, women have served this country with extraordinary courage and leadership, but too often their stories have been left out of how we remember military service. Hell Cats exists to change that. These conversations aren’t about proving women belong—they’ve already done that. They’re about making sure Americans hear directly from the women who have worn the uniform, led under pressure, and continued serving long after their military careers ended.”
The series opens with Marine Corps veteran Maura Sullivan reflecting on the experiences that shaped her life—from growing up in the Midwest, to serving in Iraq, to leading at the Department of Veterans Affairs and in the private sector.
The second episode turns to co-host Rebecca Bennett, whose remarkable career includes graduating at the top of her Navy flight school class, flying helicopters in support of post-9/11 operations, becoming one of only eighteen women in history to qualify as a U.S. Navy test pilot, and building a second career as a healthcare executive.
Together, Sullivan and Bennett bring something rarely seen in public conversations: two women veterans who don’t have to explain military service to one another. Their conversations explore leadership, sacrifice, family, patriotism, innovation, and the enduring bond shared by those who have served.
New episodes of Hell Cats are released on Fridays through the Hell Cats podcast feed and Meidas+ on Substack. Edited feature presentations are released on the MeidasTouch Network YouTube channel as part of Meidas Defense.
Watch and Listen
Watch full video episodes on Meidas+.
Subscribe to the Hell Cats podcast wherever you listen.
Learn more about VALOR Media Network at VALORMediaNetwork.com.
About VALOR Media Network
VALOR Media Network is a veteran-led independent media company producing journalism, documentaries, podcasts, and original programming focused on democracy, national security, military affairs, history, and civic engagement. Through authentic storytelling and conversations with veterans, journalists, historians, and public servants, VALOR works to strengthen democratic resilience and elevate voices too often left out of the national conversation.
About MeidasTouch Network
MeidasTouch is the fastest-growing pro-democracy news network in the world and the home of the world’s most-downloaded podcast. Founded by brothers Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas in 2020, MeidasTouch has grown into one of the largest digital news organizations, with more than 1 billion impressions each month across YouTube, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. The network delivers breaking news, investigative reporting, in-depth analysis, and original programming featuring leading journalists, legal experts, elected officials, military veterans, and subject matter experts. With a commitment to factual reporting, accountability, and defending democratic institutions, MeidasTouch continues to redefine independent digital media while empowering an engaged community of millions known as the Meidas Mighty.
Editorial Note
Hell Cats is an independent journalistic production of VALOR Media Network created for educational and public-interest purposes.
VALOR Media Network retains sole editorial authority over the program’s planning, production, editing, and distribution. While some hosts or guests may also be candidates for public office, Hell Cats is produced independently and is not created by, authorized by, coordinated with, or produced on behalf of any political campaign or candidate committee.
