Dr. Kimberly Dickman discusses the impact of loneliness and why it is an epidemic across the United States.  She also shares the importance of having meaningful connections and how those connections influence our overall well-being.   

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Vance Spouses' Club https://www.vancespousesclub.com/ and Peterson, Schriever, Cheyenne Mountain Spouses’ Club https://www.pscspousesclub.org/.   

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas. 

Show Notes: 

Resources: 

Dickman, K. (2024, July). Loneliness: The New Global Pandemic. On the Move. Summer 2024 

https://militarychild.org/news-and-publications/ 

Bio: 

Dr. Kimberly S. Dickman serves as an assistant professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD), where she leads the Healthy Relationship Education and Emotional Intelligence branch of the Development Division in the Center. CCLD’s mission is to advance the understanding, scholarship, practice, and integration of character and leadership development, resulting in cadets and permanent party prepared for service to the nation. 

Dr. Dickman is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified educator. She began her work in education for the Department of Defense in 1991. During her 20+ years of civilian service she has performed at the Wing and Headquarters Air Force level before coming to USAFA. Of note is her work in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program where she focused on education, analysis, and prevention science. Her extensive experience allows her to serve at USAFA as faculty and lead in topics such as healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, prevention science, human sexuality, and leadership development. She teaches Human Sex, Reproduction, and Sexuality in the Biology Department and Applied Positive Psychology in the Behavioral Science and Leadership Department.  

Dr. Dickman is widely recognized and is frequently requested to present across the DoD and on a national scale. 

"Connections are at the heart of growth".  Listen as Dr. Brent Wolf, school principal and lifelong educator discusses the importance of meaningful connections in building relationships.  Connecting with students, parents, and educators creates a true foundation for growth. 

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Wiesbaden Community Spouses’ Club, Inc., and Ramstein Officers’ Spouses' Club. To learn more, visit https://wiesbadencommunityspousesclub.wildapricot.org/ and https://www.ramsteinosc.org/.

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

2025 MCEC Global Training Summit

https://militarychild.org/event/gts/

Brent Wolf has taught students in elementary and middle school for sixteen years before stepping into his role as the Principal at Derby Hills Elementary School in Derby, Kansas. For over a decade, he has taught as an adjunct professor at Baker University, Southwestern College, Wichita State University, and Cowley College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Leadership Studies from Southwestern College, as well as a Master’s degree in Education from Baker University, Doctoral Coursework from Kansas State University, a Building-level Administrator Certificate from Pittsburg State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Southwestern College.

South Central Kansas has always been near and dear to Brent’s heart. He taught 3rd through 8th grade in Winfield, KS. Following those years, Brent moved into an Instructional Technology Specialist position for two years. After eight years teaching middle school English in Derby, KS (suburb of Wichita), Brent moved into the role as Building Principal at Derby Hills Elementary. This is his 5th year in that role.

Brent’s honors include making the first-ever website for Winfield Public Schools with his students through the GenY program. In 2015, Brent was named the KAKE News Golden Apple Award Recipient. In 2017, Brent was Derby Public School’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. That year, he also was named Region IV Teacher of the Year. He was a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Brent also was named a Spotlight Faculty Member at Baker University’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies. Brent serves on several committees through the Kansas State Department of Education. Brent currently is a member of the Higher Education Review Committee which accredits Kansas colleges’ education programs. He also serves as District 9-10 member of the Commissioner of Education’s Advisory Council. Brent is a newer member of the Kansas Teacher Recruitment and Retention Committee Member. Brent was the chair of the committee that wrote the ELA standards for PreK-12 in 2017. Brent was recently inducted into the Southwestern College Educators’ Hall of Fame.

Brent’s longest service period has been as a member and Vice President of the Winfield’s Board of Education. Brent served nine years and worked with hiring three superintendents, managing two bond issues, and tackling one global pandemic.

Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC) is a team of scientists and specialists who utilize research to develop evidence-based resources to help service members and their families to achieve total fitness.  Listen as Dr. Lauren Messina discusses the #GotMySix campaign and its focus on social connections and relationship building to help support military families maintain overall fitness.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.  

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

#GotMySix

https://www.hprc-online.org/total-force-fitness/gotmysix

Human Performance Resources by CHAMP

https://www.hprc-online.org/

Lauren A. Messina, PhD, LCMFT, DipACLM is a Senior Scientist supporting the Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC-online.org) team at the Uniformed Services University. With her clinical and research experiences, Lauren is a subject-matter expert in relational health, family well-being, social connections, behavior change, and holistic approaches to well-being. She is a Diplomate with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a certified Health and Well-being Coach by Wellcoaches ©.

Dr. Messina is an Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine and the College of Allied Health Sciences at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Messina has a master’s degree and clinical license in Couple and Family Therapy and a doctoral degree in Family Science from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Listen as Dominic Cirincione, a Military Family Advocate, discusses the unique challenges faced by military students of Reserve Component families.  These “Hidden Children” many times go unnoticed because of their non-traditional military lifestyle.  Dominic shares the importance of identifying these students and providing specialized systems of support.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.  

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

2025 MCEC Global Training Summit

https://militarychild.org/event/gts/

Dominic Cirincione is a motivational speaker, Military Family Advocate, and certified career coach who specializes in quality of life for geographically dispersed Military Families. As a decorated combat veteran, military spouse, and father, Dominic brings unique perspectives gained from his experience to organizations dedicated to supporting military families, empowering agencies to unleash the untapped potential of unique demographics and truly make a difference across the DoD enterprise. Using real-world examples, top level research and storytelling, Dominic sheds light on how the invaluable talent each person brings to your organization can positively impact our military families around the world.

Dominic has earned several significant awards to include Ten Outstanding Young Americans (TOYA) that he shares a fraternity with other recipients such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton, and Vice Presidents Al Gore, Dan Quayle, and Richard Cheney to name a few. He has also been awarded the DoD Reserve Family Readiness Award three times in six years. Dominic’s career has been a model of service recognized with awards and decorations, and he has been a speaker for over 100K Deploying Soldiers and Families and has presented the importance of Building Healthy Military Communities to the US Senate. Dominic shows each audience how to reconnect with what matters most so they can achieve any result, all while serving America’s Greatest Customers.

Artificial intelligence is quickly transforming the educational landscape.  AI offers immersive learning experiences, opportunities for enhanced engagement, and increased accessibility for students in the classroom.  Listen as Dr. Ann H. Lê discusses how AI is changing education and how school systems can learn to embrace this technology.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Sheppard Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://sheppardspousesclub.org/.

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

AI Tools:

Khanmigo

https://www.khanmigo.ai/

Magic School

https://www.magicschool.ai/

Eduaide

https://www.eduaide.ai/

Gradescope

https://www.gradescope.com/

Curipod

https://curipod.com/

Speechify

https://speechify.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooh4FHBTOh4GidnMpckbi5XKM8sfkHS4qwRUI_cZoU4_mEPx11X

Dr. Ann H. Lê is a visionary Special Education Consultant and advocate with over two decades of service and leadership in education. Through her consulting practice, Lê Consulting, she partners with families, educators, and institutions to improve outcomes for students with disabilities by offering expert guidance in areas such as behavior intervention, inclusive practices, and compliance.

Her career spans a wide range of roles, including special education teacher, educational diagnostician, ARD facilitator, behavior specialist, and Assistant Director of Special Education, each grounded in a deep commitment to equity, access, and student-centered practices. 

Dr. Lê holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership and a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education from Sam Houston State University, as well as a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Neuroscience, Pre-Law, and Pre-Medicine from Baylor University. In addition to her academic credentials, Dr. Lê is a certified Principal as Instructional Leader and Educational Diagnostician, and holds multiple Texas educator certifications, including in English as a Second Language (ESL), General Education, and Special Education.

A published author and sought-after speaker, Dr. Lê has presented on topics ranging from restorative practices and mental health to school discipline and leadership. She serves on several doctoral dissertation committees and advisory boards, including those at Sam Houston State University and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges education, public policy, and health, making her a trusted voice across sectors.

In recognition of her impact, Dr. Lê was named the 2023 Distinguished Educator of the Year by Sam Houston State University, where she also served as the honored commencement speaker. While she currently serves as Manager of the Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs Unit at the Texas Education Agency—overseeing initiatives such as the Military-Connected Students Program and Purple Star Campus Designation—her insights on this podcast reflect her personal and professional experiences as an educator.

Disclaimer: All views and opinions expressed during this session are solely those of Dr. Ann H. Lê and do not represent the stance of the Texas Education Agency.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s mission is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States.  Listen as Dr. Gregory Leskin, Rio May del Rosario, and Irene Ohsaka discuss trauma events, child traumatic stress, and what support looks like after experiencing a trauma.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.  

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)

https://www.nctsn.org/

Military and Veteran Families

https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/populations-at-risk/military-and-veteran-families

2025 MCEC Global Training Summit

https://militarychild.org/event/gts/

Dr. Gregory Leskin is licensed clinical psychologist and serves as Director, NCTSN Military and Veteran Families and Children Program and the Academy on Child Traumatic Stress at the UCLA/Duke University’s National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. Dr. Leskin directs the NCTSN/DoD Academy on Child Trauma, an online training and social media platform developed to train DoD Family Advocacy Program staff clinical skills related to child trauma and behavioral health prevention for military families and children. Previously, Dr. Leskin has worked as a Clinical Researcher and Director of Clinical Training at the National Center for PTSD, Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. He completed a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) post-doctoral fellowship at the National Center for PTSD at the Boston VA Medical Center.  Dr. Leskin has written, consulted, and lectured on a number of clinical topics, including risk factors facing military-connected children, combat-related PTSD, impact of deployment on families and children, and promoting psychological resilience and well-being. He is the primary developer for the MiTi Kids program bringing together Military Informed and Trauma informed Principles for organizations to serve the needs of military and Veteran Families.

Irene Ohsaka, PMP, has over 6 years of experience in training and development. Ms. Ohsaka serves as the Training and Operations Manager for the NCTSN Academy on Child Traumatic Stress (Academy) at the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. She received her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology at the University of California, San Diego. In the past, she trained over 13,000 employees and leaders in psychological safety and has experience working in longitudinal clinical research on brain development and child health. In recent years, Ms. Ohsaka has collaborated closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) and the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY) to develop trainings and resources on problematic sexual behavior in children and youth for military personnel and families.

Rio May del Rosario is a licensed Social Worker with nearly 20 years of experience. Ms. del Rosario serves as the Assistant Program Director for the NCTSN Military and Veteran Families and Children (MVFC) and the NCTSN Academy on Child Traumatic Stress (Academy) at the UCLA-Duke University National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. She received her Bachelor of Art in Psychology and Health: Science, Society, and Policy at Brandeis University and her Master of Social Work at the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College-CUNY. Prior to joining the Academy in 2014, Ms. del Rosario held various positions at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Unit in Brooklyn, New York serving victims and survivors of child maltreatment, domestic violence, and sexual assault. She also worked as a sexual assault crisis counselor with the Rape Treatment Center at UCLA Health, Santa Monica Medical Center.

Listen as Dr. Eric Flake, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, discusses Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and how it affects children and teens.  He shares some common misconceptions about ADHD and how parents can best support a child with this diagnosis.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.  

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)

https://chadd.org/

Eric Flake, M.D., is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and retired USAF Colonel. He currently works for the Henry Jackson Foundation and is contracted as the clinical director for a telehealth neurodiversity clinic centered at the Uniformed Services University (USU). He created the Developmental-Behavioral Family Readiness Center for the Department of Defense (DoD) and founded the only DoD Autism Center - JBLM Center for Autism Resource, Education, and Services (CARES). He attended the military medical school (USUHS), graduating in 2001.

Dr. Flake is an Associate Professor at the USU and the University of Washington. He currently serves in the American Academy of Pediatrics and on the science advisory board for the Military Child Education Coalition. Dr. Flake's passion is celebrating the strengths and resiliency of neurodiverse children. He has published numerous articles and presentations regarding childhood resilience, autism, and the psychosocial effects of deployment on children.

Homeschooling offers an opportunity to tailor a child’s education to their individual needs and interests.  For many military families it also provides a learning experience that is flexible and stable.  Listen as Natalie Mack discusses the importance of supporting social-emotional growth at home, while providing an environment for a military child to thrive.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.  

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

Military Homeschoolers Association

https://militaryhomeschoolers.org/

HSLDA

https://hslda.org/

Natalie Mack is an author, TEDx speaker, and experienced twenty-three years military home educator. She is known for her words of encouragement and advocacy for homeschooling. She is known for her motto- “Let’s Get It Done” which encourages homeschoolers that you can homeschool to college successfully! Natalie is a retired Navy chaplain’s spouse and mom of five: four college graduates and a 12th grader. ​

She owns Homeschool Natalie Mack which provides homeschool educational consultations and speaking services. Natalie is also the founder of Military Homeschoolers Association which hosts the podcast: Base2Base Military Homeschooling. Additionally, Natalie is the Military Community Outreach Coordinator for HSLDA. ​

Natalie’s published works include the book 101 Tips for Homeschoolers available on Amazon and several magazine articles.

Student 2 Student (S2S) is a peer-to-peer student-led program that brings military and civilian students together to welcome new students, create a positive environment for all, support educational opportunities, build connections through service, and ease transitions. Listen as Briana discusses how S2S supports students by building a community through connections.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Tinker Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.tinkerspouses.org/.

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

MCEC Student 2 Student

https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/student-2-student/

Briana is a 17-year-old senior at Union Pines High School in Cameron, NC. This is the 6th school she has attended. Although moving is difficult, Briana enjoys meeting new people and making connections.  

She has an older brother, Benjamin, and although he plays soccer in Germany, they are very close. Briana plays soccer, competes in indoor and outdoor track and is an active member of the Leo and S2S clubs at Union Pines. 

After graduation, Briana will be running track at the University of Kentucky. Her parents are excited for road trips! Briana’s father, Guy, has been an active-duty Army nurse for almost 27 years. 

There are approximately 2.3 million children and youth under the age of 18 living with a wounded, injured, or ill service member and/or veteran.  Caregiving youth show strength, courage and love for their families.  Listen as Audrey tells her story of being a military child and her experience as a caregiver. 

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.  

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

Caregiving Youth Student Leadership Program

https://militarychild.org/programs-and-initiatives/caregiving-youth-student-leadership-program/application-requirements/#top-content

Audrey is 16 years old and a 10th grade student from San Antonio, Texas. She is a competitive archer and a member of her school’s varsity girls golf team.  She is the youngest of three siblings and had the opportunity to attend the Spring 2025 MCEC Caregiving Youth Student Leadership Program.