MCEC Podcast

  Understanding the diverse needs of military-connected families of color is crucial in creating a sense of belonging and a welcoming environment.  In this podcast, we explore the unique perspective of a spouse and mother from her personal experiences within the military community.  We hope to bring awareness and understanding to such an important topic.   This podcast is made possible by generous...

We are revisiting an episode where Lucy discusses her experiences as a military child and how she navigates being the new kid at school (again!). Lucy is also the Middle School Spotlight Winner in the MCEC 2023 Call for the Arts contest, for her beautiful song, #Life of a Military Kid, and talks about her love of music, and how life inspires her songwriting.    This podcast is made possible by gen...

Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families. Jenny Valderas discusses how their programs and resources serve the entire family… because when military families are strong, our communities are strong, and America is strong.       This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Cannon Spouses’ Club. To lear...

A lot is asked of military families, and sometimes a simple form can feel like a violation of privacy. Understanding why information is requested and how that information is used – and protected – is critical to ensure resources and benefits reach those they are intended for. Recently, MCEC’s Parent Webinars featured What is MSI and Impact Aid. This podcast recaptures Nikki’s conversation with Lor...

  Dr. Becky Porter discusses meeting the needs of military-connected families through programs and initiatives such as our Military Student Consultants, and advocacy of Purple Star Schools through the new and popular MCEC 360 Summits. We also look ahead to what the new year holds.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Fort Gregg-Adams Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit http...

  MCEC’s 2023 Call for the Arts received hundreds of entries from across the globe and every branch of service, with creative expressions of strength, bravery, pride, and community. In this podcast, hear my conversation with three of last year’s Elementary School Winners: Everleigh, Isaac, and Annabelle. Seeing and hearing the world from the perspective of a child is inspiring and will brighten yo...

  No matter what holiday you and your loved ones celebrate – Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa or any other – this time of year can bring about high levels of stress.  Rollie Sampson shares tips for stress management during the holidays, while still finding joy in the season.       This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Ramstein Officers’ Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit  https:/...

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.  Marie McGarry and Catherine Cotovsky share their perspective as parents on the impact that Purple Star schools can have on our military-connected children.      This podcast is made possible by generous fund...

Baileigh Levee 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 Fort Bliss Spouses’ Association....

Dr. Margaret C. Wilmoth and Margaret A. Cope discuss the importance of supporting our National Guard and Reserve service members and families, through the unique challenges that they experience.  They share information on identifying the children within these families, to include the availability of and access to resources.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Spouses of Jo...

Julie Butner shares how Tarrant Area Food Bank in Fort Worth, Texas has been empowering their local community to alleviate hunger for over 40 years, and their special relationship with military and Veteran families in the area. They are making a difference in the lives of those in need, while continuing to develop innovative practices to expand their network of support.    This podcast is made pos...

Dr. Gabby L’Esperance discusses food insecurity and how it is affecting the Military and Veteran community. She shares information and resources that are available to address this need, and how the Military Family Advisory Network is focused on empowering these families to thrive.    This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Davis Monthan Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https:...

Dr. Daniel Perkins and Dr. Jennifer Karre discuss research-based risk, protective, and promotive factors for our military-connected families. They provide recommended solutions for programs and services to best support military family readiness.      This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Mountain Home Officers’ Spouses Club. To learn more, visit http://www.mountainhomeosc.org/...

Dr. Eric Flake and his daughter Sadie discuss the importance of social skills in the success of children and youth, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the development of these skills.  This podcast features the unique perspective and experiences of one military-connected youth.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from BAE Systems, Inc. To learn more, visit https://www.baesy...

Destiny Huff discusses the unique stressors that military-connected families with special needs children experience, and the importance of education and advocacy.  She shares resources and tools for educators, parents, mental and behavioral health professionals.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Fort Wainwright Community Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.fa...

CSM (Retired) Lamont “Chris” Christian discusses the importance of mental health and well-being within the military community. He includes strategies to find positive ways to change and begin healing, and how post traumatic growth is an integral part of the process.    This podcast is made possible by generous funding from BAE Systems, Inc. To learn more, visit https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/hom...

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 interview was recorded during the MCEC Global Training Summit.    This podc...

Dr. Andrew Moon and Dr. Carla Stumpf Patton discuss grief resources for military-connected children, parents, and providers.  This important conversation covers how to talk to young children about death by suicide or grieving the loss of a person, how both children and adults can care for themselves during grief, and where to find critical support throughout the process.    This podcast is made po...

“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 BAE Systems, Inc. To learn more, visit https://www....

Dr. Stephen Cozza and Dr. Christin Ogle talk about safety practices for young military families in and around the home and highlight resources available in the Safe is Strong toolkit, developed and designed to strengthen family health and safety.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Mildenhall Spouses’ Association.  To learn more, visit https://www.mildenhallspousesassociat...

Lucy discusses her experiences as a military child and how she navigates being the new kid at school (again!). Lucy is also the Middle School Spotlight Winner in the MCEC Call for the Arts contest, for her beautiful song, #Life of a Military Kid, and talks about her love of music, and how life inspires her songwriting.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Daughters of the A...

In this mini podcast episode, you'll hear how MCEC has partnered with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Department and Project ECHO® to host Professional Learning Communities (PLC) as a NEW way for educators to collaborate with and utilize a network of peers and partners to support military-connected students. Tara Gleason, Director of Programs at MCEC, discusses how the ECHO model is b...

Jennifer Predny, the parent of four military-connected children talks about the impact of multiple transitions and how they have affected her family. She gives insight on how parents can assist their children navigate being the new kid at school.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Hanscom Spouses’ Club.  To learn more, visit https: https://hanscomsc.org/ .   Audio mixing...

Kendall Harrison, Wylie High School History teacher and Student 2 Student sponsor in Abilene, Texas talks about supporting military-connected students and their families with a long-standing and successful student program.  She includes some tips on how to make new students feel welcome during the Back-to-School season. Their first home football game is this week, so… Go Bulldogs!   This podcast i...

Amanda Najera talks about her experience as a military-connected child and how the Student 2 Student (S2S) program assisted her in feeling welcome as the new kid at school.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Cannon Spouses’ Association.  To learn more, visit https: https://www.cannonspousesclub.org/donation-request-form.   Whether your family is starting at a new school a...