Military OneSource Podcast

Learn tips to balance stress and mission success. Counseling, support and self-care — which for some might include Dungeons & Dragons — can help service members disconnect, decompress and transition from the mission to life at home. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Frances Martinez, LCSW, the 960th cyberspace wing director of psychological health and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Howard, 960th cybersp...

Patricia Montes Barron looks back on her four years as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Office of Military Community and Family Policy and MC&FP’s accomplishments during that time. Host Bruce Moody and Mrs. Barron have a wide-ranging conversation that touches on a number of subjects, including the early days of Mrs. Barron’s advocacy for military families, how 30 years as a military s...

Hear from teens at a youth center who share their unique struggles and joys, from navigating life in a military town to building friendships and finding their voice. Through personal stories and experiences — such as ziplining over alligators or being part of a cooking club — hear how they connect outside of social media and support each other through the challenges of deployments and moves. Host...

The Deployment cycle can be stressful for service members and spouses, whether it’s their first one or their fifth. Hear about ways to prepare mentally and logistically and how that can ease the stress. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Navy veterans Amanda Romero and Tychera Mayfield. Both are Military OneSource licensed professional peer-to-peer counselors. They discuss common deployment concerns and...

A longtime partnership between the Defense Department and Boys & Girls Clubs of America empowers military-connected youth and teens and helps them prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow by providing educational, recreational and leadership opportunities in BGCA-affiliated youth centers at military installations worldwide. Host Bruce Moody speaks with 2024 National Military Youth of the Year Tay...

Learn how financial counselors can assist military spouses and children, both in the short and long term, following their service member’s death. Find out how they help survivors make money management decisions and learn the value of tax-effective, low-risk growth investments, as well as provide guidance on Social Security benefits and educational opportunities. You’ll also discover how they can c...

Holidays can be a challenging time if you’re solo parenting and your family is separated from your service member. In this episode, learn about strategies, tips and ideas to help you navigate holidays as a solo parent, including the value of reaching out to find community and resources such as installation libraries, Operation Purple Up, military and family life counselors, your installation Moral...

It’s not uncommon for service members and family members to feel lonely and stressed during the holidays. Learn how to take care of yourself during the season and beyond. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Capt. Meghan Corso, Psy. D., chief of behavioral health for the Defense Health Agency. Capt. Corso discusses factors that lead to holiday stress and loneliness for members of the military community an...

Get the answer to the MilSpouse Career Network LinkedIn Group question, “Where do I find seasonal jobs?” Learn about job-search tools and other free resources for military spouses. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Jennifer Matsuda, a Spouse Education and Career Opportunities career coach, about where to look for seasonal work and the many ways SECO can help spouses connect with education and career op...

Learn about one family’s experience with the expanded Military Parental Leave Program. The policy provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to service members who welcome a child into their family through birth, adoption or long-term foster care placement. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Heather and Marine Capt. Richard LeCompte, who took advantage of the expanded policy when their child was born in 2...

The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year. But they can also be the most expensive. Find out how to plan ahead and enjoy the season without overspending. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Michael Whitely, a financial counselor with Military OneSource. Michael talks about what to expect when reaching out to a Military OneSource financial counselor, the importance of budgeting and ways to s...

Learn about the connection between domestic abuse and the risk of suicide, how to recognize some warning signs of both and their shared risk factors, such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. You’ll also learn how grief could cause social isolation or a violent relationship to occur behind closed doors, how to approach a friend if they’re contemplating self-harm and where to...

Learn about the crucial role state and local election officials play in ensuring that service members and their eligible family members can exercise their right to vote, no matter where they are in the world. From helping with registration to processing absentee ballots to ensuring each vote is counted, they provide the essential infrastructure military voters need to stay connected to the polls....

Learn about the importance of patents and trademarks, what they are, the protections they offer and how to navigate the process of applying for them. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Jason Lott, managing attorney for Trademarks Customer Outreach, United States Patent and Trademark Office. Their conversation covers all things patents and trademarks, including the differences between them, protections t...

Learn about remote and portable careers, why flexible employment can be a good option for military spouses and how the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program can help spouses meet career goals. Host Bruce Moody speaks with SECO career coach Michael Cronk about remote work, telework, portable careers and seasonal jobs. The discussion covers trends in remote work, tailoring a resume for r...

Learn about programs, resources and tips designed to support the unique experience of moving and settling in to an OCONUS duty station, including relocating with children, finding employment, experiencing culture shock, navigating language barriers, connecting to your on-base community through installation programs, social offerings and more. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Stephanie Holets, a reloca...

Learn about the role of family centers in emergency family assistance, what family support looks like during a disaster, and what support and resources are available to the military community. You’ll also learn how services prepare to support disasters, how personnel, service members and their families can set themselves up for success with geographically specific preparedness, and about real-worl...

Learn about International Observe the Moon Night, a yearly event organized by NASA where everyone on Earth is invited to observe the moon, learn about lunar science and exploration, and honor the cultural and personal connections we have with the moon. Listeners will gain insights into how this special program can unite military family members — even if they are in different parts of the world — a...

In this episode, we delve into the essential role of the Federal Voting Assistance Program in supporting military spouses to help ensure their voices are heard in elections back home. Learn how FVAP provides comprehensive support — from voter registration guidance to absentee ballot assistance — and get practical tips on navigating the voting process and accessing the tools necessary to overcome v...

Learn about efforts to encourage help-seeking and mental health care in the military, where to go for help, and how members of the military community can support one another. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Air Force Maj. Melinda Marlow, Air Mobility Command Warrior Mental Health working group lead; and Air Force Maj. Cristina Benitez, a licensed clinical social worker who is a member of the working...

Learn about a special benefit available to service members and their families, veterans and gold star families: free access to America’s national parks. Find out how to obtain the pass and learn about the types of activities and experiences available at these diverse locations, from scenic hiking trails and historic landmarks to unique wildlife encounters and recreational opportunities. Get useful...

Hear from employers, hiring experts and military spouses about finding a career and reaching your professional goals as a military spouse. Get tips for achieving success and learn about free resources, including the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. Host Bruce Moody speaks with attendees at the Military Spouse Employment Partnership a...

You spoke. We listened. Hear about the results of the 2022 Exceptional Family Member Program Survey and how the program will continue to evolve to better serve families with special medical and educational needs. Get a brief overview of EFMP and its three components. Learn about the survey process, its purpose and how insights gained will be used to enhance EFMP. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Tomes...

Learn what factors trigger police involvement in instances of problematic sexual behavior in children and youth, when the juvenile system gets involved and how it can differ from state to state. You’ll also learn about misconceptions youth might have about PSB, how advice from an attorney can conflict with the need for treatment and what happens during the legal process. Visit Military OneSource a...

Military spouses own 26,000 businesses in the United States. Learn how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office supports them and other members of the military community with intellectual property protections and resources. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Kathi Vidal, undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The office issues U.S....