Milspouse Matters

Tune into this special episode to hear what's going on with Jen, some reflections on the past five years and what's coming for the podcast, and how to stay connected.  Mentioned in this episode:  Get Jen's new book here! https://books2read.com/MilspouseMatters Get Jen's first book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse here: https://amzn.to/3T4zkzY   See Jen at the Tu...

Some of the most listened-to episodes for this podcast are on the topics of self-care and fitness, and so I'm delighted to bring you today's guest Grace Barnick-Damazo. We're talking all about how to "PCS proof" your fitness routine, along with some practical tips you can start using today. Grace is the Head Coach and Owner of FitPath Coaching, LLC. She's spent years learning from the best in the...

On this episode, I'm honored to be speaking to Judy Gray and Taylor Kiland, the authors of the newly released book,  Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man is Left Behind . About the book: In a time when women faced countless challenges and societal limitations, these military wives dared to defy the status quo. They transformed from bystanders to frontline activists, passionately advoc...

Are you dealing with a military move or deployment right smack dab in the middle of the "most wonderful time of the year"? Let's talk about ways to cope and giving yourself permission to do what works for you and your family.   Mentioned in this episode:  Jen's new book,  Milspouse Matters: Sharing Strength Through Our Stories : https://books2read.com/MilspouseMatters  Get 20% off the 5-Day Deploy...

I'm so happy to bring you my talk with Charlynda Scales, author of the brand new book,  Rock Bottom Has a Trampoline , which has already ranked as a best new release in its category! She's a veteran, now a reservist, a former military spouse, and an entrepreneur. Charlynda is not only impressive, but she's a kind-hearted person who is wise beyond her years. But that wisdom has been hard-won. We di...

It's no secret that military families love their pets! But what do you do if you're facing a deployment and have no one to care for your pet? Or if you get an overseas assignment to a location your pet can't go? Enter PACT for Animals! PACT for Animals is dedicated to fostering pets for active duty U.S. military members on deployment or an assignment where they cannot bring their pet and veterans...

In this episode of Milspouse Matters, Jen talks with Brooke McLean, retired CMSgt and President/CEO of the Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV), a one-of-a-kind-community which has a mission of providing safe, secure homes for surviving spouses of military retirees and retired military couples. They discuss Brooke's military background, the mission of AFEV, and some of the wonderful stories of the re...

Have you ever felt lost after a military move? Are you trying to figure out how to get connected? Do you feel "stuck"? Susan Miller from Just Moved Ministry is here to talk about settling in, plugging in, and finding your new normal after a move...after the boxes are unpacked! As she says, "Don't isolate yourself. Join up, and join in!" She not only understands and validates the feelings of being...

On this episode, I'm discussing the issues that spring up with deployment and reintegration with guest Terri Laurent, a seasoned military spouse who's sharing a ton of wisdom. This episode is a "best of" from waaaay back on Episode 34.  Have you dealt with the emotional build up leading up to deployment? Have you wondered why the service member's homecoming isn't like what you see on TV or the mov...

Can you actually strengthen your marriage through a military deployment or separation? I believe, yes, you can! With mindfulness and intention.   First, I'm sharing some tips from my experiences, then we'll be hearing from other military spouses who've weathered deployments and separations. Mentioned in this episode:  Jen's book launch team - https://jen-mcdonald.com/books/new-book/ Podcast episod...

Life as a military spouse is an intricate dance of challenges and uncertainties, along with so many adventures. On this "best of" episode, we revisit one of my favorite interviews. I'm talking to author Lisa Molinari about her military spouse journey, and how she's found solace and strength through humor and processing life through writing.  Lisa refers to herself as a "garden variety military spo...

It's PCS move season and it's the perfect time to share some helpful resources for your military family.  Military life usually comes with a guarantee of change, and one of the most inevitable changes is moving. Whether you're a seasoned military family or embarking on your first Permanent Change of Station (PCS), my goal is to provide you with a wealth of information and actionable advice! With p...

On this Best Of episode, we're bringing back some tips for making a move with a baby, all from experienced military spouses! Whether you're relocating stateside or embarking on an overseas adventure, moving with a baby as a military family can be quite a challenge. The logistics of travel, the emotional adjustments, and the added responsibilities of caring for a little one can make the process ove...

On this "Best of" episode, join me and guest Elaine Brye as we delve into the unique challenges faced by parents with children serving in the military. We explore strategies, resources, and personal stories that provide support and guidance to parents on this extraordinary journey. Discover a community that understands what it's like to have a child in the armed forces. Elaine Brye, author of the...

Have you moved with pets? There's always something new to learn when it comes to our furry family members. On this Quick Tips episode, I'm sharing a few resources to help make your military move with pets easier. Well Loved Calming Chews for Dogs Calling all pet owners! Are you looking for a natural solution to help calm your furry friend? Look no further than Well Loved Calming Chews for Dogs. Wi...

We've hit the 100 episodes milestone of the Milspouse Matters podcast! I can't thank you enough for the continued support throughout this podcast's journey so far. And don't miss the BIG GIVEAWAY I'm throwing to celebrate, including some gifts provided by my amazing publisher, W. Brand Publishing. Find it on my Instagram and Facebook (links below). Note: this giveaway expires June 25, 2023.  Spons...

After dealing with anxiety and panic attacks as a young adult, things came to a head for Marine Corps spouse Erin after some big military life changes. She was physically ill, having daily panic attacks, and struggling to leave her house when she realized she needed to do something more than what she'd always done: try to cope alone. On this episode, you'll hear from Erin, a.k.a. "The Short Wife,"...

On this Quick Tips episode, we're talking about helping teens navigate a parent's deployment. So often, deployment resources are geared towards younger children, and while that's of course important, and I've also covered it before on several episodes , today we are focusing on our teenagers. This info is from part of a talk I gave during the amazing and supportive  PILLAR deployment retreat in fa...

Wendy Hively shares a behind the scenes look at how she started her successful business, Charliemadison Originals, while also working full-time as a scientist. As a longtime Navy spouse who's now the wife of a retiree, Wendy has a lot of wisdom about work/life balance, how she pivoted when the military took her family to Japan, avoiding burnout, the ways that entrepreneurship can be a great path f...

On this Quick Tips episode, I'm answering a question a listener submitted for advice about getting established at a new duty station, even if it's not a place you would have chosen to live or you don't think it's the greatest location. On Episode 93 I talked about how to cope when you hate your duty station, so be sure to go check out that longer episode! I'm sharing some of my experience as well...

On this episode we're talking about some hot topics: managing and saving your money with my amazing guest Kate Horrell.  Kate brings a sensibility to managing your finances, along with a deep understanding of military life since she has lived it herself. We cover topics like setting a spending plan, ways to save money, ideas for saving and investing when you're living on one income, getting out of...

On this episode, we're talking about planning for your overseas military move, both some practical tips as well as preparing yourself mentally for this big change in not only where you live, but also likely a bit of a culture shock. It's fitting that as I recorded this, I'd just returned from a long trip to Ireland, and that looong overseas flight was still fresh in my mind! My own family went thr...

Looking for your help! Please  take this short survey about the podcast and let me know your opinion. *Brand new!! You Are Not Alone Book Study Guide and Discussion Questions Use code STUDY15 for 15% off this digital download! You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse - the book On this episode, we're talking about how to cope when you hate where you're stationed with the...

On this episode, I'm thrilled to be speaking with Verenice Castillo, the founder of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN). If you're not familiar with MSAN, their motto is to Educate, Empower, Support, and they certainly do that! Verenice and I talk about the importance of connecting with your military spouse community as well as understanding that you're not alone in this military life. Fin...

Have you ever wondered the best process for sending a military care package? Want some help in creating your own or are you looking for a curated care package to send to your service member? On this episode, I'm joined by Hero Care Packages CEO Jack Wray, and we're discussing all things military care packages! Some topics we discuss:  The story behind Hero Care Packages (which features veteran cur...