In this episode of Family Guidons, the hosts sit down with Lisa Mustard, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the psychological health program manager for the South Carolina Military Department, to talk about the challenges and emotional impact of deployment on military families. From managing stress and anxiety to navigating parenting and maintaining emotional well-being, this episode is filled with practical coping tools, expert insight and real-life experiences. If you or your family are facing the realities of deployment, this conversation offers support, understanding and resources to help you through it. This is part one of “Holding It Together at Home” so make sure you come back for part two where they continue the conversation.

00:00 - Intro

02:30 - Episode Topic: Coping with Deployment Stress and Anxiety

03:05 - Personal Experiences with Deployment

03:43 - Introducing Expert Guest: Lisa Mustard

04:52 - Understanding Deployment Stress

07:44 - Children's Reactions to Deployment

08:24 - Differences in Coping: Kids vs. Spouses vs. Parents

09:07 - Signs of Stress in Family Members

10:11 - Holding it Together: The Importance of Support Systems

11:14 - Different Coping Mechanisms for Spouses

17:46 - Long-Term Support for Military Families

22:09 - Signs of Serious Stress in Adults

23:01 - Signs of Serious Stress in Children

25:21 - Communicating with Children About Deployment

27:44 - Coping and Grounding Strategies

28:46 - Importance of Community Support

31:09 - Calming Techniques: Deep Breathing and Grounding

33:44 - Self-Care During Deployment

35:09 - Maintaining Routines and Schedules

37:06 - Adapting to the New Normal

39:06 - Importance of Self-Care for Parents

41:06 - Maintaining Connection with Deployed Partner

44:13 - Balancing Communication and Emotional Support

45:37 - Preview of Next Episode: Supporting Kids and Parents

Links:

Email: [email protected]

Lisa Mustard: 803-409-9965, [email protected]

South Carolina Army National Guard Behavioral Health Care Line - 866-345-8400

Military OneSource - www.militaryonesource.mil

24-HOUR NATIONAL CRISIS LIFELINE - Available for civilians and service members. 1-800-273-8255; Service Members press option #1.

You may also TEXT 838255 to the Veterans Crisis Line or click https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/ to open up a chat conversation.

Operation Purple: https://www.militaryfamily.org/state-of-the-military-family-programs/operation-purple/

Military spouse advocacy network: https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/

Bloom Military Teen program: https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/

Blue Star Mothers of America: https://www.bluestarmothers.org/

Defining Daily Victories During a Military Deployment: Navigating the Holidays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6GukafBcg

Handling Travel During Deployment of Your Service Member - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jataTay1g

South Carolina National Guard / https://www.scguard.ng.mil/

Youtube / scnationalguard

Facebook / scguard

Instagram / official_scguard

Twitter / scnationalguard

Flickr / https://www.flickr.com/photos/scguard/

DVIDS / https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/SCNG

In this episode of Family Guidons, the hosts sit down with Matalyn Bulwinkle from the South Carolina National Guard Child and Youth Program to talk about all things summer. From overnight camps and teen leadership retreats to scholarships, grants, and free tutoring resources, this episode is packed with practical tools to help military families plan ahead and make summer both meaningful and manageable. If you’re wondering how to fill those long summer weeks while balancing Guard life, this episode is for you.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Introducing Madeline Bullwinkle

03:30 Why summer planning is different for Guard families

05:30 Overview of SCNG Child & Youth Program

14:00 Month of the Military Child (April events)

16:00 Soldier for a Day event at McCrady

17:30 Grants & financial assistance for summer activities

19:30 Scholarships for military children

21:00 Local resources: YMCA, Boys & Girls Club

22:30 Virtual resources (Tutor.com, United Through Reading)

24:00 Advice for shy kids considering camp

25:30 Listener letter: Local day trips & creative summer ideas

26:30 Where to find SCNG Child & Youth resources & closing

Links:

Email: [email protected]

Child & Youth Programs:

Facebook/Instagram - South Carolina and Youth Program

Hashtag: #SCGCYP

Website: www.arngcys.com

Grants & Financial Assistance:

Our Military Kids - https://www.ourmilitarykids.org

United Heroes League - https://unitedheroesleague.org

Operation Homefront - https://operationhomefront.org

Fisher House Scholarships https://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/scholarship-programs/

Youth & Community Programs:

Military Child Education Coalition - https://www.militarychild.org

Boys & Girls Club of America - https://www.bgca.org

Local YMCA

Virtual & Academic Support:

Tutor.com - https://www.tutor.com/military

United Through Reading - https://unitedthroughreading.org

Defining Daily Victories During a Military Deployment: Navigating the Holidays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6GukafBcg

Handling Travel During Deployment of Your Service Member - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jataTay1g

South Carolina National Guard / https://www.scguard.ng.mil/

Youtube / scnationalguard

Facebook / scguard

Instagram / official_scguard

Twitter / scnationalguard

Flickr / https://www.flickr.com/photos/scguard/

DVIDS / https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/SCNG

In this episode of Family Guidons, Michelle, Kathy, and Charlotte talk about one of the hardest parts of military life: the long, stretching days of deployment. Through heartfelt listener emails and personal stories, they share practical and emotional ways to get through the endless weeks and months — from building your village and creating new traditions to breaking time into smaller milestones and finding purpose in the waiting. If you’ve ever felt like time slows to a crawl during deployment, this conversation is for you.

00:00 Intro

02:00 Listener email from a military child about the weight of waiting

04:30 How deployment changes your perception of time

07:00 Empty nest deployment during COVID

09:30 Newlywed deployment + early uncertainty

12:00 Handling milestones and hard weekends alone

14:30 What helps when the days feel endless

17:00 Building your village + accepting social invitations

19:30 Listener email: cleaning, distraction, nighttime loneliness

22:00 Productive projects to move forward (painting, organizing, home goals)

24:30 Creative coping (home projects, small improvements, purpose-driven tasks)

26:30 Staying connected: texting, video calls, Marco Polo app

29:00 Supporting the deployed service member emotionally

31:00 Planning ahead for birthdays and holidays

33:00 Countdown within a countdown + celebrating small wins

34:30 Listener email from active duty member on health & wellness

36:00 Closing encouragement + final thoughts

Links:

Email: [email protected]

Defining Daily Victories During a Military Deployment: Navigating the Holidays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6GukafBcg

Handling Travel During Deployment of Your Service Member - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jataTay1g

Operation Gratitude: https://www.operationgratitude.com/

Harper’s Homefront Heroes: https://theplanbylaurentruslow.com/pages/360-degree-plan-deep-dive

South Carolina National Guard / https://www.scguard.ng.mil/

Youtube / scnationalguard

Facebook / scguard

Instagram / official_scguard

Twitter / scnationalguard

Flickr / https://www.flickr.com/photos/scguard/

DVIDS / https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/SCNG

In this episode of Family Guidons, hosts Michelle Matheny, Charlotte Stilwell and Kathy Bridgers tackle one of the biggest challenges military families face today: staying connected online while also staying safe. In a world of fast news, viral posts, and constant access, they share practical tips for OPSEC, protecting your family’s privacy, setting healthy boundaries, and keeping your peace online—especially during deployments.

Links:

Email: [email protected]

ready.gov

Defining Daily Victories During a Military Deployment: Navigating the Holidays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6GukafBcg

Handling Travel During Deployment of Your Service Member - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jataTay1g

00:00 intro

03:10 Social media as a lifeline during deployments

04:30 How military connection used to look (before social media)

06:15 Staying connected across moves and duty stations

09:40 Personal story: deployment stress + quick updates bringing peace

14:10 How online visibility impacts family safety and peace

15:40 OPSEC basics: what not to post (dates, locations, identifiers)

19:10 Being careful with what you share verbally, too

20:30 Talking to family members about OPSEC boundaries

22:10 Social media safety tips: geotagging, privacy, followers

25:40 Teaching kids online safety and posting boundaries

27:10 Listener email: preparedness, awareness, and family protection

30:10 Handling nosy questions + setting boundaries with others

32:30 Protecting your emotional health and mental peace online

38:00 Closing thoughts: control what you can control

South Carolina National Guard / https://www.scguard.ng.mil/

Youtube / scnationalguard

Facebook / scguard

Instagram / official_scguard

Twitter / scnationalguard

Flickr / https://www.flickr.com/photos/scguard/

DVIDS / https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/SCNG

In this episode of Family Guidons, hosts Michelle Matheny, Charlotte Stillwell, and Kathy Bridgers dive into the theme of navigating the new year as a military spouse. With personal experiences and insights, they offer encouragement and support for those starting the year solo due to deployments or state activations. The conversation highlights the unique challenges and strengths of military life, fostering a sense of community among listeners. Additionally, the hosts share stories submitted by their audience, creating a deeper connection and understanding of the military experience. Join them for an honest discussion filled with camaraderie and inspiration as they remind you that you've got this!

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:57 - Listener Stories: Courtney P.

00:04:13 - Listener Stories: Jody H.

00:08:02 - Origin of the Podcast

00:11:04 - Christmas Reflections

00:19:10 - January Reset: New Year, New Challenges

00:25:15 - Personal Goals and Resets for January

00:30:15 - Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview

Links:

Email: [email protected]

Defining Daily Victories During a Military Deployment: Navigating the Holidays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6GukafBcg

Handling Travel During Deployment of Your Service Member - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jataTay1g

South Carolina National Guard / https://www.scguard.ng.mil/

Youtube / scnationalguard

Facebook / scguard

Instagram / official_scguard

Twitter / scnationalguard

Flickr / https://www.flickr.com/photos/scguard/

DVIDS / https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/SCNG

Welcome to Family Guidons, the podcast created by military spouses for military families. In this inaugural episode, we invite you to get to know your hosts and discover what this podcast is all about.

As military spouses, we understand the unique challenges of holding down the home front during deployments, state activations, and everything in between. Here, we aim to have honest conversations about the realities of military life—the highs, the hard moments, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. Family Guidons is powered by the South Carolina National Guard and serves as a platform for connecting with military families across all branches. Our goal is to cover topics that resonate with you and provide insights from our experiences. We will also feature guests who can offer resources and support for military families.

If you enjoyed today's episode and are curious about what comes next, please hit that follow button on your favorite podcast platform. Thank you for joining us on this journey with Family Guidons. From the Bluff Road Readiness Center in Columbia, South Carolina, to wherever you may be, we look forward to connecting with you. Until next time!

00:00:00 - Introduction to Family Guidons

00:00:41 - Facing a New Normal During Deployment

00:01:16 - Handling Natural Disasters Alone

00:01:42 - Pride in Service Members

00:02:08 - Challenges of Military Life

00:02:30 - Welcome and Purpose of Family Guidons

00:02:59 - Meet Your Hosts: Charlotte Stilwell

00:04:21 - Meet Your Hosts: Kathy Bridgers

00:05:06 - Meet Your Hosts: Michelle Matheny

00:06:56 - Podcast Powered by South Carolina National Guard

00:07:59 - First Official Episode Preview

00:08:12 - Outro and call to action

Links:

Email: [email protected]

Defining Daily Victories During a Military Deployment: Navigating the Holidays - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH6GukafBcg

Handling Travel During Deployment of Your Service Member - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62jataTay1g

South Carolina National Guard / https://www.scguard.ng.mil/

Youtube / scnationalguard

Facebook / scguard

Instagram / official_scguard

Twitter / scnationalguard

Flickr / https://www.flickr.com/photos/scguard/

DVIDS / https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/SCNG