Military OneSource Podcast

Military child care can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to it. In this episode, host Bruce Moody sits down with Air Force and Marine Corps child and youth program experts Michelle Crawford and Molly Hill to make the options clear. They break down how child care fees are set by total family income, how Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood works, and how to request care through Militar...

“Stress is everywhere and everyone encounters it, and a lot of times it can be a good thing. It means we care about something. But we don't want those small stressors to become big stressors that really get out of control for us,” said Jena Moore, an associate director of Military Community Support Programs. Moore and Kelly Smith, also an associate director of Military Community Support Programs,...

From part-time teller to leading executive, Navy Federal Credit Union Chief Operating Officer Kara Cardona shares how a chance visit to an NFCU branch in Puerto Rico launched a 25-year career of service, leadership and purpose. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Kara as she opens up about navigating overseas moves as a military spouse, finding meaningful employment and building community in places far f...

Some stories feel too heavy to say out loud until you realize they might be the exact words another teen needs to hear. In this episode, Jacob R., the 2025–26 National Military Youth of the Year, shares how he found his voice through theater, stopped carrying shame about his family’s mental health journey and learned to tell the truth without performing a character. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Ja...

How can finding a “spark” shape a young person’s future? In this episode, host Bruce Moody speaks with lifelong 4-H advocate Vanessa Tranel about how 4-H transforms the lives of military-connected youth. From hands-on projects like woodworking and rocketry to building confidence and a sense of belonging, 4-H empowers young people to discover their passions and develop essential life skills. Listen...

Between deployments, PCS moves and everyday life, military families carry a lot. The National School Lunch Program helps lighten that load, giving your kids healthy meals at school so you have one less thing to worry about. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Amy Maclosky, school nutrition director at Arlington County Public Schools in Virginia and a retired military spouse. They unpack how school lunch...

What if your child had someone at school who just “gets it” — the moves, the deployments, the stress? In this episode, host Bruce Moody sits down with military and family life counselors Mayela Lopez and Elicia Juarez to talk about the difference they make in schools every day. From helping kids open up about tough feelings to giving parents peace of mind, MFLCs give an extra layer of support that...

What if your next PCS move didn’t derail your career but launched your business? Starting a business can be daunting, but for military spouses it can also be a game-changer. Discover how entrepreneurship creates flexibility, financial security and confidence, while also strengthening military families and mission readiness. In this episode, host Bruce Moody speaks with Rosie Lee, co-founder and ch...

This episode continues our deep dive into the New Parent Support Program, featuring insights from a Marine Corps spouse and her home visitor. Discover how playgroups and home visits can create a lifeline for new parents. From playgroups to one-on-one visits, NPSP can help parents build confidence and connections in the midst of military life. It’s not about having all the answers — it’s about show...

This episode explores the New Parent Support Program through the eyes of a Navy spouse and her home visitor. Learn how the NPSP helps parents navigate early parenthood, without judgment or scrutiny. Hear how home visits offer guidance rooted in safety, culture and compassion, helping new parents feel confident, supported and never alone. You don’t need a perfect home — just a willingness to ask fo...

Few decisions weigh heavier on a military family than choosing to live apart during an assignment. In this episode, Leslie Gould – a seasoned military spouse who has geo-bached five times – shares the realties behind that choice. Drawing from her personal journey and her current role as director of Navy Fleet and Family Readiness, she offers both heartfelt perspective and expert advice for navigat...

From moving to Italy from Japan to starting college in the U.S., these military-connected youth have navigated big transitions and found steady ground through their installation’s youth center that is affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Military Youth of the Year finalists about how youth center mentors became lifelong anchors, how community helped them embr...

Entrepreneurship offers military spouses a flexible and portable career path to follow wherever military life takes them. Learn how the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program supports both aspiring and seasoned small-business owners. Host Bruce Moody speaks with SECO Career Coach Rhonda McCall about the program’s entrepreneurship career coaching package. Coaches offer personalized suppo...

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard. In this episode, you’ll hear simple, practical ways to make meals better for you and your family. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a crowd, you’ll learn how to plan meals, shop smarter and build habits that stick. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Capt. Frances White, a registered dietitian with the U.S. Army Medical Department, about how to take the str...

In part two of this conversation, host Bruce Moody talks with military-connected teens who recently presented three priorities and real solutions to Defense Department leaders as part of the Joint Service Teen Council. The JSTC empowers military-connected teens by giving them a platform to address their concerns and collaboratively develop solutions that benefit the entire military community. The...

Military-connected teens are stepping up, speaking out, building connections and making a difference. In the first episode of this two-part conversation, host Bruce Moody chats with members of the Joint Service Teen Council. The JSTC empowers military-connected teens by giving them a platform to address their concerns and collaboratively develop solutions that benefit the entire military community...

Strong families are the foundation of a mission-ready force. In this powerful conversation, host Bruce Moody speaks with Stephen Simmons — Marine veteran, military spouse, father and new deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy. Simmons shares how supporting military families drives retention, readiness and resilience and outlines his vision for transforming q...

In this episode, a career coach from the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program walks through seven real-life career scenarios, offering expert guidance and practical support tailored to military spouses. Host Bruce Moody speaks with SECO Career Coach Deborah McKenzie about navigating resume gaps, portable career options while stationed overseas, entrepreneurship, license portability an...

What you eat matters — especially when the demands are high. In this episode, host Bruce Moody speaks with Army Capt. Tina Sergi, assistant chief of Nutrition Education and Research at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, who breaks down the power of performance nutrition for service members. Learn how small, sustainable dietary changes can improve energy, recovery and mission readiness,...

What if every military installation could deliver support that’s not just reactive but truly transformative? At Fort Hood, the newly established People Directorate is reshaping how we care for our service members. The People Directorate consolidates nine previously separate prevention and support programs under one umbrella to improve coordination and better serve soldiers, families and civilians....

This is a story of strength. In this powerful episode, host Bruce Moody speaks with Aviation Ordnanceman Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Dixon and Aviation Ordnanceman Petty Officer 3rd Class Liz Dixon as they share their family’s story of resilience in the face of traumatic life events. You’ll also hear from Recovery Care Coordinator Tricia Loomis and Regional Program Director Marcus Pace as they s...

What happens when a Marine reaches a breaking point and chooses to speak up instead of staying silent? In this episode, host Bruce Moody speaks with Sgt. Fahteh Gill, who shares his powerful journey of recovery and self-discovery. Through open and honest conversation, Sgt. Gill talks about how seeking help, embracing vulnerability and engaging with leadership helped him heal after a suicide attemp...

What does it take for a Marine air traffic controller to make the leap from the flight line to the Ivy League? In this episode, you’ll hear from a Marine who achieved that goal through determination, hard work and the support of the Marine Corps Leadership Scholar Program. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Education Services Officer Rubie Blue at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego and Jo...

There’s a common myth that enrolling in the Exceptional Family Member Program can harm your military career, but that simply isn’t true. It supports it. In this episode, host Bruce Moody talks with Col. R. Erik Herrmann, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and father to a child with special needs, who shares how EFMP helped his family thrive without holding back his professional...

Support doesn’t always wear a uniform. Sometimes, it walks by with a warm smile and a listening ear. Learn how a military and family life counselor offers just that — approachable, everyday support through “walk-around counseling” that breaks down barriers and builds trust with service members where they are. In this episode, host Bruce Moody speaks with MFLC Raymond Hewitt, who serves at MacDill...