Milspouse Matters

Lisa Molinari describes herself as a "garden variety military spouse" who was never nominated for Military Spouse of the Year. Yet, through decades of military life, she looked for the humor inherent in hard and even absurd circumstances and discovered her own unique ways of coping with the challenges that are common to us all: worries about our kids, living far from family, feeling inadequate aro...

On this episode, I'm talking to Mark Steffe from First Command, who's sharing some very practical financial and money-saving tips for military families. We can all use some help with our budgets, right? He talks about ways to stay on track with your financial goals, even during this historic time of job losses and furloughs due to the coronavirus pandemic.  We also discuss how to handle your finan...

On this episode, I'm talking to Stacy Huisman and Amanda Trimillos, coauthors of the book, Seasons of My Military Student. It was so fun to hear how they came together to write this important book that's so helpful for military families and teachers alike. They share about that process and then give some great advice about how we can help our military kids through the transitions that go along wit...

If you suddenly find yourself in charge of supervising your kids' schooling due to the coronavirus pandemic, this episode is for you! This week, Jen talks to Claire Wood, who is both a teacher and a homeschooling mom. Claire shares some great tips about 'temporary schooling from home,' including managing expectations, how to stay flexible while complying with what your school requires, keeping rhy...

On this episode, Jen shares encouragement and resources for U.S. military families as we navigate the "new normal" of life in the Coronavirus pandemic. Maybe your PCS move is on hold, the military member has been called up or is on extra duty, you're suddenly working from home (or you're out of work), your kids are out of school and it's up to you to keep them on task at home. Life has surely chan...

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 movies? Maybe you're struggling, and you think you're the only one. Then take a listen to this discussion with experienced military wife Terri Laurent, who's been through multiple deployments with her husband. (This is part two of our talk-...

Who doesn't love a good love story? Recently, I put a callout on social media for military spouses to tell the stories of how they met their loves, and boy, did you come through! On this episode, you'll hear from other spouses in their own words about how they met, and even some well-earned perspective on how to strengthen your own military marriage. From blind dates to chance meetings to online c...

This week's episode is all about deployment resources and support! Whether you're facing your first deployment as a military spouse or a recent rapid deployment, I'm hoping you'll find some new ideas and support here. I'm sharing some of my favorites, as well as tips and resources from listeners. Wherever in the world this finds you, please know that my heart is with you as you face deployment, an...

As you walk through military life, who do you look up to? How do you find someone who can help you navigate the nuances of the military world, answer questions, or be a support? Finding a trusted mentor can be so important. And then, as you get more experienced, passing that knowledge on is so needed! On this episode, Jen talks with guest Terri Laurent about the qualities that make a good role mod...

Life as a military spouse can be so amazing and exciting, but also isolating at times. What do you do when you just feel… alone? It can appear that everyone else has it together, but guess what? They don't, either! One of the biggest themes of my military spouse life has been lack of control. Just when I think I've settled in and figured things out, everything changes. Maybe you relate! Whether yo...

The traditional PCS season is winding down, so let's talk about making friends! Whether you've just moved or you're the one left behind, getting yourself out there and connecting can feel challenging. On this episode, I'm joined by Tara Howes (who was the first guest on the podcast on Episode 1!) and between us, we share over 50 years of experience at navigating the military spouse world (yes, 50,...

As military women and wives, our own health can sometimes take the back burner, especially in light of other pressing issues, like an impending PCS or deployment. This is your reminder that you're important, too! Join Jen as she talks to Ashley Gammon about giving ourselves permission to take time to refuel, ask for help, and find ways to incorporate self care, even if you're a busy mom with lots...

This week, we're talking about the importance of military friendships! If you don't know Stacy Taylor, then hang on, because you'll grow to love her! You may be familiar with this longtime Army spouse and her family from hearing the viral story of how the military spouse community rallied around and helped throw her Marine Corps son's wedding at Fort Hood after he was displaced by Hurricane Floren...

What role does faith play in your life as a military spouse? Are you tired of "church shopping" every time you move? This week, Jen's talking to Rebecca Alwine, Army spouse, mom of three, and freelance writer. They discuss finding your "tribe" and how important a faith community can be in your marriage and personal life. We touch on mentoring and being a mentor to someone else, as well as how your...

We're celebrating episode 25--woohoo! Jen's answering listener questions about all sorts of topics--life after the military, dealing with a spouse's PTSD, infertility as a military spouse, homeschooling as a military family, and even what hair products she uses and how she likes the "Gigi life."  Listener Questions: What scared you most about your husband's military retirement? What do you miss mo...

For young children with a military parent, deployment can be a confusing and scary time. The more resources you have to help them, the better! This week, Jen's talking to children's book author and Air Force spouse, Renee Walker, who initially wrote and illustrated her picture book, My Letter to Daddy , in order to help her own children cope with their father's deployment. Since then, she has shar...

For parents of military kids, it can be difficult to know how to help our children cope with the stresses of military life: constant changes, moves, deployments, and separations from one or even both parents. So much advice is geared towards younger children, but how to help an older child or young adult who's struggling?  This week, Jen's talking to Judy Davis of DASIUM and the Mighty Parenting p...

If you have a family member serving in the military and especially if your own child has decided to choose a life of military service, this episode is for you. Elaine Brye, author of the book Be Safe, Love Mom , shares her hard won wisdom and experience with other military families on this episode. She's an "Army brat" turned military wife and the mom of four active duty members—one each in the Ar...

This week, we're talking about military marriage! Keeping your marriage healthy is a challenge. Add in the stresses of military life, and it can be even more difficult! Whether you're a newlywed or have been married a long time, it's always a good time to work on your relationship. While my only "expertise" is 30+ years of marriage, I'm sharing a few tips I've learned. We'll talk about some practi...

With all the changes, moves, and challenges that go along with military life, it can be difficult to settle in and find your people.  On this episode, Jen's talking to Claire Wood about finding community, what to do when you just can't seem to make friends, and so much more. We discuss her book, Mission Ready Marriage, as well as her work with Milspo Gurus and using the Enneagram of personality to...

Keeping the lines of communication open during marriage can be challenging. Add in deployment, and it gets even trickier! This week, Jen's talking with Lizann Lightfoot, whose family has been through seven deployments.  Lizann, also known as the Seasoned Spouse, offers helpful tips for managing expectations, creative ideas for staying connected during time apart from your service member, and helpf...

What do you do when your only "emergency contact" in a new area is the Realtor who helped you find your rental? Yikes! Finding community as a military spouse can be one of the most difficult aspects of this life, especially when you've just moved and your spouse promptly leaves for deployment or training. But we know it's important to have connections to make it! If you're there or facing this sit...

Have the realities of life as a military spouse ever... scared you? Whether it's starting over in a different country or simply the overwhelm at all the details and the strange little world that is military life, you're not alone.  On this episode, Courtney Woodruff joins Jen for an honest talk about learning to give up control over her life to God, working through marriage difficulties, living ov...

If you've ever felt the pull of "military spouse denial," as guest Lindsay Swoboda so aptly words it, you'll relate to this episode! Maybe you've been there, too? It's that mindset of refusing to believe that military life will define you, change your life, or otherwise affect you. Lindsay's been there/done that! She talks about how back-to-back overseas moves, deployments, and the birth of her da...

What an amazing season it's been so far! It's hard to believe that the Milspouse Matters podcast is already coming up to episode #15. I'm so thankful for all the wonderful military spouses who've come on the show so far this season to talk about all the different aspects of military life.  On this episode, we're taking a quick moment to talk about where we've been, what's coming in the next season...