Life of a Military Wife

Ever wondered why the U.S. military spends Christmas Eve tracking Santa with fighter jets and radar? In this solo episode, I’m unpacking the 70-year-old NORAD Santa Tracker tradition that millions of families now count on, then sharing the simple, no-stress ways I’ve learned—as a military spouse—to turn any duty station into “home for the holidays.” From quick traditions that survive deployments a...

Grab your coziest blanket and a giant mug of hot chocolate, because Army veteran and fellow military spouse Modesty just sat down with me for the most fun, feel-good episode of the season! We countdown our personal top 5 favorite Christmas movies (some total classics, some totally unexpected picks) and spill exactly why we love them, why we hit play every single December no matter where the Army h...

Ever wondered what it REALLY takes to pack up your entire life, fly across an ocean with kids in tow, and start fresh in a country where you don’t even speak the language? In this week’s panel, Maria, Erika, and I pull back the curtain on overseas military moves—no sugarcoating. We’re talking the little mindset shifts that turn “overwhelmed” into “we’ve got this.” Whether you just got orders to It...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with retired Brigadier General Mike and his wife Ramona for a candid, heartfelt conversation about their 32-year Army journey. From multiple combat deployments to countless PCS moves and raising a family across continents, they openly share how they navigated the challenges of separations, kept their marriage strong, and made smart financial choices that let them...

Pull up a chair—today’s episode is a no-BS, living-room chat with two Army vets, Brooks and George, about the real Veterans Day. Before the uniform, it was different; after 7 years each (including deployments and, for George, a medical retirement), it’s something way deeper. We trade stories of how service flipped their perspective and get practical on what actually helps vets feel seen—think smal...

Imagine your grandpa quietly fixing phone lines in the freezing Korean hills while artillery shells whistle overhead—then coming home with a Bronze Star he never brags about. That’s Korean War veteran Lon Que Adams. In this episode, Que pulls us onto the front lines: the buddies who became brothers,  and the simple “I just wanted to serve” that sent a small-town kid halfway around the world. His h...

Buckle up for a globe-trotting adventure with military spouses Maria, Erika, and me on Life of a Military Wife! In this lively panel, we’re spilling the tea on traveling the world as a military family—whether it’s snagging Space-A flights, navigating commercial airlines, or hitting the road for epic family road trips. From clever packing hacks to unforgettable stories of exploring new cultures, we...

Ever wonder how a simple card can brighten the holidays for someone far from home? Join Laura from the Holiday Card Challenge, a non-profit she launched after years of her family sending personal cards to service members and veterans—now it's exploded into a nationwide movement with folks from coast to coast pitching in to deliver cheer. We dive into how it all began, the heartwarming growth of th...

Holidays can be bittersweet when your service member is deployed or you're oceans away from your roots, but they don't have to be—join Navy spouse Amanda for an inspiring chat on turning those moments into cherished memories, even from afar. Whether you're prepping for festive fun in a foreign country or holding down the fort solo, we’re unpacking practical tips, go-to resources from organizations...

Utah Senator Heidi Balderree joins us for an inspiring chat about her tireless work to uplift veterans and military families! From last year’s game-changing legislation supporting military spouses and veterans to her current push for credentialing that bridges military experience to civilian careers, she’s making a real difference. With a family rooted in military service, Heidi shares why she’s d...

Welcoming a spouse home after deployment is a joy, but it comes with real challenges—joined by Erica and Maria, seasoned military spouses, for our heartfelt panel on making reintegration meaningful and effective. From navigating the struggles of PTSD to adapting to new family schedules and dynamics that shifted while they were away, this episode dives into practical tips and honest stories to help...

Dreaming of a college degree or new career skills without the price tag? Military benefits can make it happen! Diving into how service members and their families can score free education and certifications. From decoding the GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill to navigating tuition assistance and beyond, we break down the ins and outs to help you or your dependents get the most out of these hard-earned...

Join a heartfelt interview with an infantryman who deployed to Afghanistan, working side-by-side with the Afghan military and police to forge deep connections with the Afghan people. From intense missions to moments of shared humanity, he shares raw stories of what he learned about their culture and how those experiences shaped his growth. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the heart of servi...

Dive into a dynamic panel discussion with military spouses Erika and Maria, exploring the unique challenges of deployments and separations across different military branches. From short-term absences to year-long deployments, with kids of varying ages in tow, this episode unpacks how these experiences differ by branch, duration, and family stage. Sharing candid stories and hard-won wisdom, the pan...

Dive into a vibrant conversation with YouTube content creator La Reina Creole, exploring her grandfather’s gripping World War II military journey and unlocking the secrets of researching family military records through family history resources. From unearthing her grandfather’s service details to sharing her own experiences contributing to military R&D, this episode blends heartfelt storytelli...

Step into history with an engaging interview featuring a Navy veteran who lived through two defining moments: the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade of 1962 and the chaos of 9/11 as a delivery driver in Lower Manhattan. From serving on a Navy ship during the Cold War’s tensest standoff, navigating the brink of nuclear conflict , to witnessing the tragedy and resilience of New York City on that fateful...

Join a heartfelt conversation with Beth Runckle, a military spouse who shares the real talk on navigating the stresses and struggles of educating military kids, with a deep dive into homeschooling. Drawing from her experience homeschooling her two children through the ups and downs of military life—think PCS moves and deployments—Beth offers candid insights and practical advice to help parents cho...

Get ready for a heartfelt and practical panel discussion with military spouses Erika and Maria, diving into the art of preparing for deployments and separations when your spouse is away! From must-have checklists to tackle everything from household tasks to kid schedules, to hard-won tips for mentally bracing for the emotional rollercoaster, this episode is your go-to guide for facing those tough...

Join me for a vibrant chat with Ann, a military spouse who’s unpacking the adventure of living in Korea with her family while her husband was stationed there! From homeschooling her kids and navigating daily life in a new country to embracing the joys and challenges of raising a family abroad, Ann shares heartfelt insights and practical tips for thriving overseas. Plus, now that they’re out of the...

VeteranPCS is a veteran-founded real estate referral network built for military families . Created by Army veteran Jason Anderson after navigating nine PCS moves in seven years, VeteranPCS connects service members, veterans, and military spouses with real estate agents and lenders who truly understand the challenges of military life. From VA loan navigation to tight timelines and cross-country rel...

Light up your 4th of July with this heartfelt episode as I sit down with a military spouse who journeyed from immigrant to U.S. citizen before embracing the wild ride of military life! We’re celebrating what it means to be a citizen of the United States—freedom, opportunity, and all the messy, beautiful moments in between—while diving into a warm conversation about what we love about different cul...

Grab your popcorn and join the fun in this week’s military spouse panel with Erika, Lindsay, and Maria as we dive into the wild world of military portrayals in movies, books, and TV shows! We’re dishing on what we loved, what missed the mark, and what felt real—or totally fake—about how the military is shown on screen and in pages. From heart-pounding films to gripping novels and binge-worthy seri...

Get ready for a star-spangled blast as we drop a special episode celebrating the Army’s 250th birthday with my fellow military spouse and YouTube queen, Erika! We’re spilling all the tea on how the Army throws down for this epic milestone—think parades, ceremonies, and some serious patriotic vibes—and dishing our unfiltered takes on the festivities. From laughing over the pomp and circumstance to...

Join me for an incredible conversation with a Cold War-era F-14 Tomcat Radar Intercept Officer who shares what it was really like in the Navy’s legendary fighter jet. From patrolling the Arctic skies to keep tabs on Soviet aircraft to flying combat missions over Lebanon during the 1980s, he opens up about life on the carrier and the intensity of those operations. He also tells the gripping story o...

Hop on board for an unforgettable episode as I sit down with military spouse Lindsay Swoboda to dive into her stunning new memoir, Holding On and Letting Go: A Life in Motion! From Korea to Morocco, Hawaii to Ecuador, Lindsay takes us on a whirlwind tour of her family’s overseas adventures as a Marine spouse, sharing the joys, challenges, and jaw-dropping moments that shaped their globe-trotting l...