You are more than a milspouse. Absolutely. But the reality is that, for many of us, being a military spouse becomes a large part of our identity. And the longer that our spouse serves, the more this is true. There’s a shared culture, experience, language, and understanding that comes with living the military lifestyle.  

So what happens when your spouse reaches the end of their service? What does that mean for you and for your identity?

That’s the question I explore with Jen McDonald. Jen is an award-winning author and podcaster. She’s the author of the book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse, and Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories, which was released in October 2023. Jen is the host of the Milspouse Matters podcast and The Christian Milspouse podcast, with a mission to strengthen and encourage military spouses. 

Better Together,

Christine

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jen-mcdonald.com

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Milspouse Matters Book

You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse

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There’s a big difference between those who dream of pursuing a goal or making an impact, and those that actually do. Today’s guest is someone who takes action.

Monica Bassett, is the Founder and CEO of Stronghold Food Pantry. She is the 2022 Armed Forces Insurance Army Spouse of the Year, a huge advocate for military families, and on a mission to ease the burden of food insecurity and shine a light on undernourishment of military families. But even more than that, she is a powerhouse mama, and a fantastic example of the power of having a strong ‘why.’

We talk about her experience as a ‘late career’ military spouse, her journey to find fulfillment without a career, where her passion for addressing food insecurity among military families came from, and the challenge of learning to juggle motherhood with a nonprofit startup. Buckle up for a great conversation!

Better Together,

Christine

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strongholdfoodpantry.org

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During this holiday season, it can be tempting to fixate on how far we are away from family, or that we don't get to spend a holiday with our loved ones. But when we stay focused on the negative, it leads us down the spiral of comparison, frustration, and discontentment with life.

We have the opportunity and the ability to reframe our thoughts and to change our lives simply by starting with gratitude. Gratitude helps us embrace life. It allows us to become more resilient and to thrive as military spouse. It helps us get unstuck and craft a life with purpose.

Crafting a life with purpose doesn’t necessarily mean doing something noteworthy or showy. It doesn’t necessarily involve starting a business, obtaining a certain degree or title, or speaking to large groups of people. It means that we approach each day with intentionality and choose to make today matter.

One way we can do that is just by spreading intentional acts of kindness. Today’s episode is going to focus on one organization that does just that. Ready to learn more? Then let’s dive in.

Better Together,

Christine

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givingtuesdaymilitary.com

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Most of us, whether we realize it or not, have specific thoughts, feelings and emotions tied to the holidays. A lot of that has to do with our past experiences, traditions, and what feels comfortable and familiar to us.

The real challenge for us is often when what’s possible this year, isn’t what we’ve come to know or expect. Perhaps this year your spouse will be deployed. Or you just moved overseas and you won’t be able to make it to the family reunion.

Perhaps you moved somewhere that doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in the same way you’ve grown accustomed to. Perhaps you’re living in climate that doesn’t get cold. I get that. It’s been a few years since I’ve experienced a true change of seasons.

So what can we do when our expectations don’t match our reality? And how can we make this holiday season meaningful, regardless of where we currently live? Let’s talk about it.

Better Together,

Christine

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Upward mobility in a thriving career is often cited as one of the biggest pain points for military spouses. But foreign service spouses also face this challenge, which is what this conversation is all about. I chat with Rona Jobe, a foreign service spouse, who is doing something about the lack of career options for foreign service and military spouses.

As an Eligible Family Member (EFM) of a Foreign Service Officer, Rona experienced career interruptions from frequent moves due to her husband’s career, which meant she had to re-establish her career every time they moved to a new post.

Rona founded LVL-Up Strategies in 2020 as an opportunity to make an immediate impact in two communities: the U.S. military/foreign service spouse community and the small business community. Now in its fourth year, LVL-Up Strategies provides opportunities for foreign service and military spouses to thrive professionally and use their extensive experience and varied perspectives to help small business owners thrive and grow.

If you have been frustrated by a lack of career opportunities or career progression, or you just need the reminder that all of us have the ability to make a difference in the status quo, definitely give this episode a listen!

Better Together,

Christine

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https://www.lvlupstrategies.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lvlupstrategies/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LVLUpStrategiesLLC

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lvlup.strategies/

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Have you ever felt like you were trying so hard to be happy…and yet it just was not working?? Today we’re looking at why that is.

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been talking about helpful practices that can actually become problematic. In episode 172, we explored the power of positive thinking and the danger of brushing aside our painful emotions in the pursuit of positivity—a phenomenon known as toxic positivity.

In episode 173, we talked about how mindfulness can help us connect with our emotions and become aware of them. But awareness can become problematic as well. If we don’t have a process for dealing with the thoughts and emotions and feelings that arise, it can actually leave us feeling more stuck and disempowered.

Today we’re unpacking why the pursuit of happiness can make you miserable (and what to do instead). If you’re ready to trade that frustration for fulfillment as a military spouse, then press play now!

Better Together,

Christine

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Ep 172: Should You “Embrace the Suck” or “Look For The Good”?

Ep 173: More Than Mindfulness: How 10 Minutes a Day Can Increase Your Focus, Improve Your Mental Health, and Transform Your Life as a Milspouse

Ep 36: Are You Missing One of These 3 FUNDAMENTAL Needs? Why No One Is Getting The Best Version of You as a Military Spouse

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Sometimes good ideas can become problematic. Last week on the podcast, we talked about how a positive mindset can turn into toxic positivity and how “embracing the suck” can actually lead us to resentment, rather than helping us overcome adversity. The key to tapping into the best of both these concepts lies in becoming aware of our feelings and emotions, so that we can process them in a healthy way.

Better Together,

Christine

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Making Friends as a Milspouse

Ep 113 – Unlock the Power of Mindfulness In Your Life (One Minute Mindfulness Practice)

Ep 153 – Want to Live with Less Overwhelm? How a Morning Routine Can Help

Ep 22 – How to Practically Own Your Day So It Doesn’t Own You

Headspace App – Free for Blue Star Families members

https://www.thetappingsolution.com

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess by Dr. Caroline Leaf

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Sometimes life circumstances are hard. It sucks. But the real question is, what is the best way to respond to those circumstances?

Is it better to just “embrace the suck” or “think more positively?” Which approach will actually lead you to resilience, true emotional health, and to thriving despite the obstacles in your way? The answer might surprise you.

Better Together,

Christine

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Free Milspouse Clarity Workshop

Ep 163: Are You Really Resilient??

Ep 165: How to Transform Your Life in 5 Minutes a Day

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Do you feel like there’s never enough time (or enough of you) to get it all done? Do you struggle to set healthy boundaries? Or to say no when a new opportunity arises? Do you long to be more present in your daily life, but even when you’re physically present, your mind is still a million miles away?

Today’s guest has been there. A former military spouse turned time management coach for busy women, Lissa Figgens walks us through what it really looks like to find balance, set healthy boundaries ,and thrive as a busy military spouse.

We discuss:

• Why we often wear busyness as a badge of honor

 If you feel like your schedule is owning you, rather than the other way around, then buckle up for a really great conversation.

Better Together,

Christine

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Redeem Her Time

Redeemhertime.com/fill

Redeemhertime.com

One Thing by Gary Keller

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It’s no secret that your mindset holds incredible power. What you think and believe, impacts your actions, attitudes and habits. This is true for so many areas of our lives. Today we’re going to look at how this applies specifically to how we handle money.

Have you thought about how your beliefs and past experiences with money influence how you spend and save money? This is your money mindset.

Whether you are living paycheck to paycheck, or you’ve accumulated a decent amount of savings in the bank, all of us are influenced by our thoughts, beliefs and past experiences with money. If you are ready to feel less stressed, develop healthy money habits, and make the most of the paycheck you have, then let’s dive into the show!

Better Together,

Christine

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                         Instagram: @yourfinancialhabit

                         yourfinancialhabit.com

                         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-baier-11b38226/

                         LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/habit-money/

                         [email protected]

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