MCEC Podcast

If you're listening to this and wondering whether what's happening at home is "bad enough" to talk about, this episode is for you. If you're a friend, a teacher, or a neighbor who has noticed something and doesn't know what to say, it's for you too. Dr. Ingrid Herrera-Yee joins us for a conversation about domestic abuse and domestic violence in military families: what it looks like, why reaching o...

If your kitchen table has ever turned into a homework war zone at 9 p.m., this episode is for you. We're talking about Tutor.com, the resource that lets military-connected kids get one-on-one help for free, so you can finally retire from pretending you remember how to factor polynomials. Tutor.com covers more than 250 education topics, helps students build study habits that actually stick, and wil...

Join us and sit down with the Objective Zero Foundation, a nonprofit built on a simple idea: veteran and military suicide can be prevented through connection and listening. Objective Zero operates a free, anonymous mobile app that connects service members, veterans, and their families to peer support and mental health resources, working from the belief that suicide can be prevented through the sim...

"It is a community to be seen and to be heard." Military-connected children make up a community of friends, advocates, caregivers, and leaders, and today we sit down with Seylah Stephens to hear what that looks like in her own life. Her honest, encouraging words are a reminder that no one has to go it alone, and that being recognized as you are may be one of the greatest gifts there is. Seylah sha...

Before school. After school. In the middle of the night when something goes wrong. Liz, Kasen, and Audrey have all learned to carry weight most of their peers never have to think about. They show up and care for a family member who needs them, again and again, in ways that rarely get noticed and even more rarely get thanked. They're not alone: an estimated 3.4-5.4 million youth provide essential c...

Every child faces some level of stress, and for many, that includes Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, which can increase the risk of mental health struggles down the road. In this episode, we talk with Dr. Whitney Raglin Bignall, Associate Clinical Director at The Kids Mental Health Foundation, about how protective factors like strong relationships, a sense of belonging, and yes, JOY, can he...

Here, at Brooklyn Youth Sports Club, values are built in young people each moment as they enter into a study-to-play contract, minute for minute. Commitment, integrity, service, and dedication are just a few of the life-skills that BKYSC teaches alongside basketball, business, and trust. The students at BKYSC face many challenges, as do military-connected students: transitory lifestyles, instabili...

Imagine moving every year (or more)! Finding a new dentist, a new doctor, a new playground, the best spot for coffee, a haircut, a new school, a new friend! Now, visualize having all of these tasks and a child with special needs who needs supportive services right away. We sat down with the legal analyst and the director of research from Partners in PROMISE to talk about what the data really says...

Picture this: the cool kids, the right clothes, the music that impresses, covering that acne, wiping those sweaty palms, and most importantly, getting the kids to include you, even though you’ve moved three times in these four years of high school. High school can be rough, especially if you’re moving every year or more often. With an Orion Scholarship, though, a homebase for your high school year...

As a staple of our childhoods and a safe space for our children, we all know and love Sesame Street. Perhaps we were unaware of the resources available specific to military families. Join us and long-time expert and representative of Sesame Street, Rocio Galarza, as we explore the exciting website for families, educators, and community members who support military-connected children on Sesame Stre...

Stability in Motion  Description: Listen as Mary Bier, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), discusses what military-connected children need most to thrive amid constant change. Drawing on both professional leadership and lived experience as a military parent, she reflects on the importance of stability, belonging, and prepared adults. This convers...

Baileigh Levée is a military spouse, mom, and personal blogger. She discusses how her military family has navigated holiday celebrations and traditions over the years, while living all over the world. She shares tips and resources for creating new holiday traditions and making it fun for the whole family.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Air and Space Forces Spouses’ Cl...

BigFuture’s mission is to ensure every student has free resources to plan for life after high school.  Listen as Greg Rafal, Director of BigFuture Program Implementation at College Board, shares how they are focused on supporting all students plan for their future.  He also discusses the importance of consistent college and career guidance for our military-connected students, and how BigFuture is...

The Purple Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school.  Listen as Pete LuPiba, “Founder of Purple Star Schools” discusses how the Purple Star Program is supporting military-connected students and families thrive.   This podcast is made possible by generous fundin...

Partners in PROMISE is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to Protect the Rights of Military children in Special Education and disability communities to ensure they receive equal access to an education.  Listen as Dr. Jenna Kremkow and Carla Wyrsch discuss how the PROMISE advocates for military children with special and exceptional needs.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding f...

Dr. Daniel Perkins and Dr. Jennifer Karre discuss the importance of policy in supporting military-connected students and families.  Listen as they examine the implementation of four policy initiatives: Advance Enrollment (AE), the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), the Military Student Identifier (MSI), and the Purple Star School program.   This podcast is made possible by g...

Positive childhood experiences (PCEs) are foundational to a child’s healthy development and well-being.  Listen as Dr. Elizabeth Hisle-Gorman and Dr. Binny Chokshi discuss promoting PCEs and how the Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences (HOPE) model supports strengthening families. This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Team Seymour Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit http...

Dr. Emily Goodman-Scott discusses Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the importance of the school counselors’ role in meeting the needs of all students. She highlights the benefits of universal mental health screenings in educational settings and how buy-in and support is critical to successful implementation. This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Hanscom Spouses Club. To...

“Are the kids okay?” Mental health in children and teens has been at the forefront of topics for concern, especially since the pandemic. Ross Szabo discusses the importance of mental health education in schools, and how we can normalize talking about it in our everyday conversations.          This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Academy Spouses' Club https://www.usafaasc.org/ and...

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 Spouse...

"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’...

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.   Thi...

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 f...

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 th...

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...