Military OneSource Podcast

Learn about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. WIC provides nutritious food to eligible pregnant and breastfeeding women and their children up to age 5. The program also provides nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to health and social service programs. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Courtney Paolicelli, p...

Learn the difference between typical and problematic sexual behavior in children and youth, problem-solving skills for parents and children dealing with unhealthy behaviors, as well as some protective factors that can help prevent them. You’ll also learn about vulnerability factors surrounding these behaviors, ways to help children navigate new social situations and why it’s important for parents...

Learn about how military families can serve the nearly 400,000 children in the foster care system, how to start the fostering process through state and county agencies with the help of AdoptUSKids and Military OneSource, and the attributes of successful foster families, including flexibility, commitment and dependability, and strong sense of community — all strengths of military families. Host Bru...

Learn how the Defense Department has expanded access to quality child care for eligible active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members, and DoD civilians (in designated locations). Qualified civilian child care providers in local communities can apply to participate in the military child care fee assistance program Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS, or MCCYN-PLUS. Child Care A...

Hear from experienced PCSers about the financial side of military moves and how to avoid pitfalls to reduce stress. Learn about understanding entitlements for different types of moves, what to keep in mind when PCSing overseas, practical matters to consider and the importance of making good memories along the way. Host Bruce Moody speaks with three veterans of military moves: Andy Cohen, Jennifer...

The Defense Department’s MWR Libraries Summer Reading Program is an initiative designed to encourage reading and learning among military families and service members. This program runs during the summer months and offers a range of free reading-related activities, challenges and events for children, teens and adults. Listen to this podcast and learn about how you can participate in this year’s sum...

In this podcast episode, you will learn about MilitaryChildCare.com, the Defense Department’s request-for-care management system. Developed as an entry point for all military families seeking affordable, accessible, quality child care, MilitaryChildCare.com serves as a “one-stop shop,” global database for families seeking child care. Listeners will also learn how to create a profile on MilitaryChi...

Learn what the Defense Department and the Air Force’s Air Mobility Command are doing to provide care, comfort and safety when moving your pets during a PCS. You will learn about steps to take to ensure pet health prior to the move, in addition to how the DOD defines a pet, breeds that qualify for moving assistance as well as breeds with added health risks, and details of the pet reimbursement poli...

Learn how the free MilLife Learning course, “Making Your Final Wishes Known,” can help military and nonmilitary personnel understand what actions need to be taken to ensure their final wishes are carried out upon their death. This includes minimizing paperwork and probate costs associated with distributing assets. You will also learn why estate planning is important regardless of your age or how m...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and non-medical counseling is a valuable resource that can help service members and military family members manage day-to-day stress and navigate challenges. In this podcast, host Bruce Moody speaks with Michelle Aldana, program analyst with Military Community Support Programs. Michelle answers questions about non-medical counseling, including where to get it,...

In this podcast, listen to deployment and time away experiences from a seasoned Navy MilSpouse’s perspective, and learn about tips and resources to help manage the phases of deployment — from predeployment preparation and traditions, setting personal and family goals for the deployment period, accepting help from and nurturing relationships with family and friends, giving yourself grace, and estab...

This initial episode of a planned series about military child care and fee assistance provides an overview of the military child care system. You will learn about how the Defense Department is expanding access to quality child care for military families, has streamlined its global request-for-care process through the MilitaryChildCare.com website, and is making child care more affordable while mai...

The Defense Department will show their appreciation for military spouses in May with a series of virtual events designed to help spouses reach their career goals. Learn about the events, which kick off May 14-16 with the 2024 Virtual Military Spouse Symposium, followed by hiring fair prep sessions May 21-23, and ending May 29-30 with the Military Spouse Employment Partnership Virtual Hiring Fairs....

Finances, trust, communication, parenting, frequent separations, deployment and PCS are some common sources of military relationship stress. Get tips and learn about free resources that can help military couples address these challenges and strengthen their bonds. Host Bruce Moody and Michelle Aldana, a program analyst with the Defense Department’s Military Community Support Programs, discuss ways...

Moving as a military parent has unique considerations and challenges. Discover tips and resources to take care of yourself as well as others during a PCS that can help you and your family address emotions, cope with feelings around leaving friends and community, sort through the stressors of moving to a new installation and more. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Marly Hinestroza, DOD military family l...

Having a parent deployed affects children, youth and teens differently from family to family. The Defense Department offers a range of support and resources across the services to help military families cope with all phases of deployment. In this episode, you’ll learn about the resources, such as the School Liaison Program and the important role school liaisons play, as well as Families OverComing...

In this podcast episode, parents will learn ways to connect with their children, including how taking walks with a toddler can improve their language skills, as well as getting tips on how they can better connect with their teenager on a personal level. Parents will also learn ways to maintain engagement with their children as a deployed or separated parent. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Shannon Be...

Learn about the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses for licenses, certifications, national testing, certain continuing education credits or associate degrees to pursue an occupation or career field. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Kristen Silverman, a career coach with the Spouse Edu...

On April 8, 2024, mark your calendar for a celestial event that has the power to unite us all — the total solar eclipse. Join our host, Bruce Moody, as he speaks with Anita Dey, strategic partnerships manager for outreach and engagement at NASA Headquarters, as we gear up for this awe-inspiring experience. Whether you’re stationed near the path of totality or deployed elsewhere, get ready to witne...

Learn how the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, installation youth centers and mentorship can inspire military-connected youth to find value, meaning and purpose in their stories and support each other along the way. You’ll hear how a National Military Youth of the Year winner is embracing her role as a motivator and mentor and using the lessons learned in her own journey as a MilKid to help other...

Learn how parents can help their children navigate challenges with mental health, what it was like for one military youth who grew up in the community and about her mental health diagnosis. You’ll also learn how she dealt with her insecurities and started therapy to forge a path ahead. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Cady, a military youth who speaks frequently to military groups about her experience...

PCS moves and deployments are among the factors that contribute to feelings of loneliness and social isolation among military families. Strengthening bonds with each other and connecting with the larger community can help families navigate these challenges. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Tara Wright of Sesame Street Workshop about new content and resources from Sesame Street for Military Families an...

Learn about the Commissary CLICK2GO program and app, an online service offered by the Defense Commissary Agency that allows eligible patrons to order groceries from the commissary and schedule free curbside pickup. Hear about how the Commissary CLICK2GO app can help with meal planning, food budgeting and reaching your nutritional goals. Note: DeCA is in the process of extending EBT/SNAP as an onli...

Learn how the Defense Finance Accounting Service has simplified the annual eligibility verifications for Survivor Benefit Plan annuitants. Also, learn when verifications are due each year, as well as what the SBP is and who’s eligible to receive payments in the first place. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Julie Burandt-Partin with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Visit Military OneSource a...

Learn how a free MilTax consultant can help maximize your tax refunds by ensuring you receive every tax benefit your military service entitles you to. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Michelle Aldana, with Military Community and Family Policy, and Fred Koch, a Military OneSource financial counselor and tax consultant. Michelle provides a general overview of MilTax, and Fred, who is retired from the Ai...