Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE Guest: Kaitlin Erkkila Army spouse Kaitlin Erkkila has two sons with special needs, as well as cancer. She shares how her family has navigated this long journey within the constraints of the military system and what resources have – and have not – supported them through it.   “Ultimately it took my husband coming home from a deployment, putting on a uniform, and coming and saying, ‘I need a referral to Duke.' And wouldn't you know – I went in 17 times; he went in one time. He got the referral.”     Learn more about: Partners in PROMISE resources   If you or a family member is in need of EFMP or Special Education resources or mental health support contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season goes back to our roots, telling military family stories because "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us." The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.   This episode of the podcast was sponsored by the Association of Bragg Spouses. To learn more about ABS visit their website: https://fortbraggabs.membershiptoolkit.com/aboutus    Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 Thepromiseact.org

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE Guests: Josh Protas, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger Kelley Klor, Blue Star Families Food insecurity touches many military families – particularly those in the junior enlisted ranks. But one of the challenges of collecting good data on the issue is that the label carries a weighty stigma. Two advocates share what even the limited data on the topic tells us about food insecurity in the military, and a military spouse shares her own experiences of needing financial assistance to feed her family.   “It's an issue that doesn't get talked about so much, and I think the more that we can have open and frank conversations, we help to normalize the idea and hopefully chip away at that stigma. Because families who need help should never be afraid or ashamed to have to ask for it.” -Josh Protas   Learn more about: MAZON's research, “Hungry in the Military” Supporting military families through MAZON Blue Star Families' Nourish the Service initiative The latest Blue Star Families annual Military Lifestyle Survey results   If you or a family member is in need of resources or mental health support contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE Guest: Jessica Strong, Blue Star Families The results of the latest annual Blue Star Families Military Lifestyle Survey are out, shedding light on the experiences and top concerns for active-duty and veteran family members. A researcher shares specific findings on the health and wellbeing of military spouses and children at a time when many are still reeling from the ripple effects of the pandemic. Plus, what these findings mean for the special education community in particular.   “Deployments didn't stop. Trainings didn't stop. They just shifted a little bit. So many spouses were encountering those changes in surge capacity during a time when they were separated from their service member.” - Jessica Strong on how military spouses supported their families during COVID, as reported in the 2021 survey. Learn more about: Blue Star Families' 2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS) Episode 1 of Disruptive Storytelling / Partners in PROMISE findings Learn more about surge capacity Blue Star Families communities (Chapters) If you or a family member is in need of resources or mental health support contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE Guest: Janessa Schilmoeller, Secure Families Initiative Military-affiliated voters across political parties have lost confidence in the American electoral process, and many have questions about whether their votes actually count. A researcher shares the latest findings of the Secure Families Initiative's voting participation survey and discusses why misinformation – and even disinformation – may be at play.    “Over 50 percent – so, I think almost 53 percent of respondents – said that they had experienced barriers or challenges to voting.”   Learn more about: The Secure Families Initiative voting participation survey results Military Vote Coalition Facebook Live Q&A with the Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP) Federal Voter Assistance Program website Custom election reminders for your state How to get involved with the Secure Families Initiative Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE Guests: Jennifer Akin, Blue Star Families Rosalinda Vasquez Maury, Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University A new survey explores the experiences of military families of color and how they compare to those of their white peers. Researchers dig into the data, as well as personal anecdotes shared in the study.    “What's a little bit unique here in this study is that we were really focusing on the military families of color. And when we looked at their earning differences, we found that black military spouses earn about 54 percent less than the total, and Hispanic/Latino military spouses earn about 66 percent less than the total. I mean – those are really almost double digits and significantly greater impacts for sure, compared to their relative peers.”   Learn more about: Blue Star Families research on military families of color Blue Star Families Racial Equity Initiative   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. Music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE Guests: Michelle Norman and Mary Monrose, Partners in PROMISE   Military families continue to have trouble accessing help for their children with special needs, according to the latest special education survey from Partners in PROMISE. On this episode, representatives from the organization share details of the latest findings, including some alarming statistics about the barriers military families are facing. Plus, recommendations for how to combat these challenges.   “When you go from state to state traveling with your IEP, it is absolutely true that every state is different. Every state has different laws. So, that is something that everyone needs to know. And it's frustrating for us because as the parents, we are starting over everywhere — every time we move.”   Learn more about: 2021 Military Special Education Survey findings Register for the Easter Seals Webinar Listen to Shine Sis, a podcast hosted by military spouses Mary Monrose and Candus Griffin helping like-minded women find their purpose in life through encouragement and shared experiences. Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). Music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guests: Callie Meredith and Sarah Curtis, military spouses   The term “dependa” has long been used as a derogatory slur for military spouses. Two new military spouses share their experiences with the stigma and stereotype and how they believe leadership can help change public perception of how military spouses are viewed.    “It's so outdated — what a military spouse is, the definition, what a spouse's role looks like. It's not modernized to what we do now as spouses, or what we can do now as spouses.”  -Callie Meredith   Learn more about: Callie's podcast, “Call to Marriage” Sarah's blog, “A Military Wife's Life” and Etsy shop The book "Campfollowing: A History of the Military Wife" How the military can improve communication The military's Interactive Customer Evaluations or “ICE” Comments Jennifer's War Horse feature about how we can modernize the military spouse support system   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). Music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Dr. Tom Galvin, U.S. Army War College assistant professor of resource management   What does organizational change have to do with stigma? A professor and researcher discusses how top-down, bottom-up and innovative change within organizations such as the military can help to combat various types of stigma within the ranks.    “If we're talking about stigma, we're talking potentially about, say for example, the chain of command. Somebody in the chain of command who is treating soldiers differently — or the perception that the chain of command is treating soldiers differently — because those soldiers who do not have EFMP are in some way preferred over those that do.”   Learn more about: Dr. Galvin's research The “Talking About Organizations” podcast   Please note that ​the views expressed by Dr. Galvin are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Retired U.S. Air Force Col. DeDe Halfhill   A retired colonel, who is described by bestselling author Dr. Brené Brown as a leadership hero and “a total badass,” talks about her work as a military leader and “Dare to Lead” facilitator, sharing examples of how she has helped people identify emotions and combat feelings of shame and stigma.   “I think the first thing we have to do is we have to get really comfortable with identifying it, right? Not just brushing those shame experiences, those shame feelings, that feeling of stigma under the rug. We have to start bringing it into the light.”   Learn more about: Dr. Brené Brown's books, “Dare to Lead” and “The Gifts of Imperfection,” and her audio program, “The Power of Vulnerability” Dr. Susan David's work on emotional agility DeDe's current read, “What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing,” by Oprah and Dr. Bruce Perry Snoop Dogg's speech thanking himself Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Jillian Johnson, Air Force spouse An Air Force spouse shares her story of coming out as pansexual and how the stigma of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community has impacted her military relationships. She also gives practical advice for supporting someone who comes out as LBGTQ+. “A lot of time when people learn this about me, especially in the military community, they're kind of shocked. There still is a stigma surrounding being LGBTQIA+, especially as a military spouse, and it's something I kind of want to bring awareness to.” Learn more about: Jillian's story in The Huffington Post  The Trevor Project's efforts to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth The Modern Military Association of America What the LGBTQIA+ acronym stands for  Why labels matter in episode 2 of “Disruptive Storytelling”   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Retired U.S. Army Maj. General Gregg Martin   A retired Army general shares his story of what it was like to experience bouts of mania and depression while on active duty — symptoms that would eventually lead to a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. He shares details about how the mental health condition affected his career and what he's doing now to ensure others don't encounter the same barriers to getting help or feeling the stigma as he did.   “Bipolar — I never wanted it, but it wanted me. And it's never going to leave. It's always a part of me, and it's my job to be vigilant and keep it at bay because if you let your guard down, it can come roaring back and take you down again.”   Learn more about: Gen. Martin's work to “stop the stigma” His story in Task & Purpose, Military Times & Florida Today David Woods Bartley's Ted Talk Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org    Or follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Jusika Martinez, Air Force spouse   A military spouse and mother shares how her family dealt with the aftermath of her young daughter's alleged* sexual assault on a military base. The trauma still haunts their family two years later. Jusika also shares the actions she's taking today so that other military families don't have to endure the same experiences.   “My key takeaway is that the military didn't believe us. ... To hear them invalidate it and also just kind of brush it to the side is what really has impacted this whole journey. And I think that that's my one takeaway is that that is one place that we need to get better at.”   *cases of assault are considered “alleged” until the guilty party is convicted.   Learn more about: Jusika's work with Operation Addi Child sexual abuse statistics The Defense Department's Special Victims' Counsel   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Kelcey Liverpool, co-founder and executive director of Kids Rank    After years of working with military children, military spouse, mom and nonprofit leader Kelcey Liverpool has identified many of the social and emotional struggles that come with military life. She shares what they are and how she works with military children to get help — and what's at stake if we let stigma get in the way.   “I think that we really have to be mindful of where our military children are now and really be talking about — not just with our civilian friends and providers and community — but also our military and DoD around how we're talking and thinking about mental health as it relates to the kids now because they really are our future.”   Learn more about what was discussed in episode 4: DoD Suicide rate report Focusing on Children Under Stress (FOCUS) program  Mental Health resources for kids can be found via Military OneSource Military Crisis Line/Veterans Crisis Line for confidential support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, text to 838255 or chat online at www.VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat. I Love Lucy - chocolate factory episode (totally unrelated, but funny) DoD Instruction (DoDI6130.03 Volume 1) that “flags” mental and physical health conditions during the military enlistment process. Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Amanda Huffman, author and “Women of the Military” podcast host   A combat veteran discusses her transition from airman to stay-at-home mom and the stigma that female veterans often face — even within the military community. Plus, what it's like being a military spouse who also served.   “When people find out I'm a veteran and then they find out my husband is a veteran, the way they treat me and the way they treat him are not the same, and that's really hard.”   Mentions: “Women of the Military” podcast "Women of the Military" book Girls Guide to the Military Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Dr. Anna Scheyett, University of Georgia School of Social Work dean   A researcher explains the definition of stigma and the impact it has had throughout history — from the slave trade to the Holocaust and modern-day conflicts. She also discusses what can be done to bring about change focusing on protest, education and connection.   Mentions: Dr. Anna Scheyett's podcast presentation on stigma Research by Patrick Corrigan Quote from “Love's Executioner” by Irvin D. Yalom: "We simply cannot cluck with sympathy and exhort patients to struggle resolutely with their problems. We cannot say to them you and your problems. Instead, we must speak of us and our problems because our life, our existence, will always be riveted to death, love to loss, freedom to fear and growth to separation. We are all of us in this together."     Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the  Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.   Follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Guest: Michelle Norman, Partners in PROMISE executive director Michelle Norman shares how stigma has impacted her family since her daughter was born with cerebral palsy and how she navigates the special education world. Plus, a look at what's to come on Season 1 of the podcast.  Mentions: Partners in PROMISE 2021 Military Special Education Survey Michelle Norman's story of navigating the Exceptional Family Member Program and founding Partners in PROMISE Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Katz about ADHD and the stigma related to self identifying   Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough. Follow us: Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE Instagram - @partnersinpromise Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1 thepromiseact.org

Disruptive Storytelling With Military Changemakers is a podcast brought to you by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the rights of military children in special education. On our premiere season we will focus on stories of military stigma. At Partners in PROMISE, we know that having disruptive conversations often leads to real change — both in special education and in the military.