Milspouse Matters

In light of what's going on in Afghanistan, I thought it was important to address it. We're a proud military family, and our son is now also serving on active duty.

While most of us agree that it was time to be done in Afghanistan, we deserved a better ending. You know who else deserved a better ending? The people of Afghanistan and our allies.

I'm hearing from a lot of military spouses. A common theme is "We're angry." They feel that their sacrifices mean nothing right now. They feel betrayed by their own country.

On this episode, I talk about our own family's experiences with Afghanistan and we honor those who were wounded or died there. I'm also sharing some ways you can help right now and resources to take care of yourself as a veteran, military member, or military family member.

Thanks to Scott Deluzio of The DriveOn Podcast for allowing me to share the tribute to his brother who was killed in Afghanistan.

Connect with those on the ground helping right now:

• No One Left Behind
• Save Our Allies
• The USO
• Keeping Our Promise
• International Institute of St. Louis
• LIRS Connect
• Women for Women
• Save the Children

Resources for military families and veterans:

• Yellow Ribbon Box
• Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
• Confidential help from Military OneSource: chat or call toll-free 1-800-342-9647
• Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) Program
• Be Safe, Love Mom

Deployment resources:

• The Milspouse Matters podcast
• You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse
• 5 Promises of God to Hold on to When Your Spouse Deploys
• 15 Bible Verses for Military Spouses Facing Deployment or Separation
• Free 5-day deployment devotional

Click here for show transcript and complete show notes.

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

I'm taking a little break this summer! On this episode, I'm sharing what's been happening the past weeks, where I've been, and what's ahead for the podcast.

Thank you so much for listening for the past few years! I couldn't do this without you amazing listeners. Interested in being a guest? Have an idea for a show topic? Keep listening!

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AND ALL RESOURCES MENTIONED

Click here to get my book - You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Get your free 5-day Deployment Devotional

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Want to be a guest? Apply here.

When their dad was deployed, my kids were encouraged and impacted for the better by Trevor Romain and his work with the Comfort Crew for Military Kids, a non-profit organization that has a mission of supporting military children through all the stresses and challenges they face. (Maybe you're familiar with their work too, and the Comfort Crew's mascot, CUZZIE! "CUZZIE cares!")

You are in for a treat! On today's episode, I am so honored and thrilled to have Trevor here to share with us what he does through his work with the Comfort Crew and also the Trevor Romain Company, the motivation behind it, along with some great tips for parents of military kids that he's gleaned from decades of working with kids. He talks about some of the stories which have affected him during his travels all around the world and how he copes with the deep issues he often encounters. He is a storyteller at heart, and I think you'll be so encouraged and strengthened by what he shares.

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED

Connect with the Trevor Romain Company: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Connect with the Comfort Crew: Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Connect with Trevor: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

Get my book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

If you know a military child, you know how incredible they are, as well as the many challenges they face. They make me want to be a better person! April is the Month of the Military Child, so let's talk about resources for our amazing military kids! But first, a little history behind it, as well as the 10 ways my military kids have inspired me. Click here for the blog post/show notes for this episode. Click here for the list of all military kid resources mentioned!

Get my book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Join the Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

Are you a new military spouse or know one? This episode is for you! OR maybe you want a refresher yourself.

I'm reaching back into the vault of my own experiences from nearly 3 decades of life as a military spouse as well of years of writing. I'm also sharing some great tips from friends and listeners (thank you to all who contributed!).

We're discussing some hot topics and common questions, such as:

• How can I make my military marriage work?
• What about relationships between officer and enlisted spouses?
• Finding friends and community as a military spouse.
• Making time for yourself.

I'm talking about my top tips for thriving in your military spouse life, and I reference quite a few resources and past episodes.

Click here for the list of all resources mentioned.

Get my book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Join the Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

Today I'm talking to Natalie Gross and Andrea Scott from the Spouse Angle podcast, which is just an amazing resource for military spouses, bringing you all the latest news.

In fact, I was on the Spouse Angle Episode 26: When Your Kid Goes to War, where I talked about being a military spouse and then a military mom as our oldest went on active duty.

We recorded this episode last fall, which you'll realize as we mention the upcoming election and the Spouse Angle's one year anniversary. Since I talked to them, they've launched a good news show, a monthly YouTube video series. They are encouraging people to send in story ideas! They also launched season 2 of the Spouse Angle in February.

Natalie and Andrea share what motivated them to begin The Spouse Angle, some of their favorite stories so far, and what's ahead. They both came from military families and are professional journalists by trade. If you're wanting to keep up with the latest news that affects you as a military spouse, you'll want to subscribe to The Spouse Angle.

Connect with the Spouse Angle:

• Spouse Angle Podcast Website
• Spouse Angle on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram

Get my book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

• Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram
• Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

Click here for complete show notes/resources mentioned.

On this episode, I'm talking to Stephanie Montague about how to make the best use of your military travel benefits, including Space-A flights (Space Available) and military recreation facilities.

She also shares how she and her husband did not do the typical 'life after military retirement' and how they've instead traveled and lived overseas since his retirement from the Army in 2015. Be warned: you may get a serious case of wanderlust after listening to this episode!

Of course, COVID has changed all things travel related, so if you're hoping to travel Space-A, keep up with the latest official guidance from Air Mobility Command.

Connect with Stephanie!

• Poppin Smoke: www.poppinsmoke.com
• Poppin Smoke on Facebook and Instagram

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Jen's "My Favorite Things":

• I Miss You Most book by Cassie Hoyt
• Veteran's Spouse Project Virtual Military Ball Fundraiser
• Soldiers' Angels Virtual Volunteer Opportunities

Resources mentioned by Stephanie Montague/Poppin' Smoke:

• Quickstart Guide to Military Space-A Flights
• Military Recreational Lodging
• What to Wear and Bring on a Space-A Flight
• Using TRICARE and Seeking Medical Care While Traveling Overseas
• The Expat Military Retiree Interview Series
• Interview with the AF Retiree Spouse Who Moved to Portugal
• Retired Navy Family Sailing Full-Time

Click here for complete show notes.

On this episode, I'm joined by Ashley Keller of GlowBodyPT. She's a veteran, a professional triathlete, a military spouse, mom of 3 young children, and a prenatal/postnatal exercise specialist and certified personal trainer.

I first connected with Ashley on Instagram and just love her posts and her positive attitude, as well as her realistic and practical take on military life.

We're discussing a range of topics—including tips on getting through deployment (her husband recently returned from his 9th deployment!), letting go of "Mom guilt" and the importance of making time to take care of yourself, becoming a stay-at-home mom when that's not what you'd planned, balancing work and kids, and so much more! Ashley has so much good to share with you. Her tips on keeping your focus vs. worrying about a 'schedule' is worth pure gold.

** Special offer for listeners: Get 10% off of her 10 Minute Plan or 10% off the 12 Week Post Pregnancy Plan with the code MILSPOUSE10 at GlowBodyPT

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

On this episode, I'm giving you an update of what's been going on (fun things like a site relaunch, not so fun things like having COVID--ugh).

During this past hard year that was 2020, we've all become more familiar with waiting. I hear from so many of you--you're waiting for your loved one at boot camp, you're counting down the days to the end of deployment, you're waiting for PCS orders that are on hold, or you just arrived somewhere and you're the new person...and you're longing for normalcy so you can connect with others and form a community again. Wait, wait, wait…

Waiting can seem like a waste of time or that we're doing nothing, but I want to remind you there is strength in the waiting. Join me as I discuss some lessons learned in the waiting.

CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

• Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

• Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group

For whatever reason, you and your spouse have delayed having children or won't ever have any. As far as the military goes, are you still a family? Do you often feel left out of military family oriented activities? Do the little jokes and comments about 'when are you going to have a baby' sting?

Today, I'm being joined by Jennifer Brantley, who you may remember from Episode 44 and the great discussion we had: "Where Do We Go From Here? A Military Spouse Discussion on Racism and Resources."

One topic I've been asked to cover several times is from military couples without children who wonder if there is a place for them and who often feel left out of unit or base activities. So today we're talking about it--how leadership and those planning base activities can better reach out to childless military couples, how friends can help--or hurt--and how we can all be a little more sensitive and inclusive to everyone.

Whether or not this is your situation, I think this discussion will help you better relate to other military families!

LEARN MORE ABOUT JENNIFER BRANTLEY AND GET ALL SHOW NOTES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED.

Get Jen's book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

• Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram

• Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group