MCEC Podcast

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...

Dr. Becky Porter discusses the changing needs of military-connected children over the years, and how MCEC’s mission to support them through education, advocacy, and collaboration has evolved over their 25-year history.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Maxwell Gunter Spouses’ Club.  To learn more, visit https:   http://www.maxwellgunterspousesclub.com/ .   Audio mixing by Co...

Shelly Ramos, MIC3 Texas State Commissioner talks about the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and how it can assist our military-connected students and their families when they are moving to Texas, and how the Compact is there to help in all 50 states.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Texas Education Agency.  To learn more, visit: https ://tea.texas.gov/...

Tina Norris discusses self-care and what it really means, as well as the benefits and how to prioritize time for yourself in your daily life.    This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Marne Community and Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https: https://www.marnecommunityandspousesclub.com/ .    Show Notes:  MCEC Global Training Summit   Don’t miss Tina’s webinar, Self-care Essent...

Brook Schmidt from the The Parents Place of Maryland discusses special education placement, the importance of the team approach, and how setting SMART goals provides a blueprint for support services.    This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Dover Spouses’ Club.  To learn more, visit https: https://www.doverspousesclub.com/ .   Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas....

Rebecca Parlakian discusses early math learning with toddlers and preschoolers, while engaging in experiential play. She shares examples that are easily incorporated into your everyday activities.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Offutt Officers’ Spouses’ Club.  To learn more, visit https: https://offuttosc.com.     Show Notes:   Don’t miss Rebecca’s Distinguished Lecture s...

Dr. Gregory Leskin and Sue Lopez highlight the MCEC Global Training Summit Mental Health and Well-being Pre-Summit sessions on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and how this school-based, integrated model supports the development of the “whole child” academically, socially, and emotionally.   This podcast is made possible by generous funding from Keesler Spouses’ Club.  To learn more, visit https: h...

Sarah Flowers and Steve Cambron discuss how Kentucky took a data-driven approach and joined Prevention efforts with Purple Star designation to go above and beyond creating a supportive environment for military-connected kids. This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Scott Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://www.scottspouseclub.com/   Show Notes: Don’t miss Sarah’s Disting...

Meet Asha, high school Spotlight winner in the 2023 MCEC Call for the Arts, as she talks about her journey as a military child, the inspiration behind her art, and how being a Space Force kid is really not much different from being an Air Force kid. This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Hurlburt Spouses’ Club. To learn more, visit https://hurlburtspousesclub.com/   To see Asha...