Head, Heart, Homefront

Head, Heart, Homefront has been a moving and insightful project. In this episode, Erin Lindstrom, host of Head, Heart, Homefront, shares her biggest takeaways and lessons learned from interviewing the incredible HHH guests. For more info on Head, Heart, Homefront and the other incredible programming from the Barry Robinson Center, please visit barryrobinson.org Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Dr. Anna Crane is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and owner of NBB Psychology. She has extensive experience working with military families, particularly families within Special Forces, and understands the unique challenges faced within military life. In this conversation, Dr. Crane shares the amazing insights and perspectives that military kids and teenagers have in part because of the extra stressors military life presents. With this, Dr. Crane explains the therapeutic properties of play, presence, and laughter and how to intentionally create space for these moments. For more info please visit: https://nbbpsychology.com Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Rob McCartney MSW, is the Chief Executive Officer for The Barry Robinson Center, a behavioral health system in Norfolk, Virginia, anchored by a 72-bed residential treatment center. Over the past eight years, Rob has led The Barry Robinson Center's residential program's transition from a typical residential treatment center to a premier program whose primary mission is to help military-connected children and their families heal. In this conversation, Rob shares about the importance of transparency inside residential treatment systems and offers insight around questions parents should be asking when considering care options for their children. For more information, please visit: barryrobinson.org Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Lisette Burton is the Chief Policy and Practice Advisor for the Association of Children's Residential Centers (ACRC), a US Army veteran, and a dedicated advocate for children and families. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of being able to access mental health care at the right time and how parents can navigate their choices while advocating on behalf of their child. Lisette also shares about her personal experience and journey to this work and why she feels it's so important. For more information please visit: www.togetherthevoice.org Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Ginny Rodriguez is a military spouse who after marrying her husband in 1982 had 4 kids and moved 29 times throughout his military career including multiple tours to Georgia, North Carolina, Germany as well as assignments in Kansas, Rhode Island, Texas, Korea, Kentucky, Fort Belvoir, and Fort Myer. In this conversation, Ginny shares her insights and lessons on building resiliency, making friends, and creating a support network. For more information please visit: www.bigbrobigsis.com Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Samantha Hagan Lingad is the Lead Director of Operations and Maritime Programs of United Through Reading where she works with the Operations team to coordinate national program campaigns, oversee volunteer recruitment, and establish, expand, and support United Through Reading programs throughout the United States Military. She also works directly with U.S. Navy and Coast Guard Commands based from the Eastern half of the U.S. to Rota, Spain, and everywhere in between. In this conversation, we talk all about the power of reading to build routine, resilience, and readiness. For more information please visit unitedthroughreading.org, utr.org/app Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Dr. Becky Porter is the CEO and President of The Military Child Education Coalition, a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit leadership and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring inclusive, quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, transition, deployments, and family separation. In this conversation, we talk about the importance of social acceptance and belonging and how MCEC helps to create that for military-connected kids. For more info please visit: https://militarychild.org Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Sarah Smiley, a military dependent for more than 44 years, is the author of a syndicated newspaper column and of four memoirs: GOT HERE AS SOON AS I COULD, DINNER WITH THE SMILEYS, I'M JUST SAYING, and GOING OVERBOARD. Sarah is best known for writing about motherhood (she has three sons) and life in the military. In this conversation, we talk all about creating connection (especially when loved ones are away) and embracing imperfection. Sarah has been featured in Parade Magazine (Mother's Day cover feature), The New York Times Magazine ("Confessions of a Military Wife"), O Magazine, GoodHousekeeping, Military Spouse Magazine (cover feature), and Newsweek. Sarah has been featured on the Today Show, Katie Couric, Nightline, CNN, CBS The Early Show, Fox News, and MSNBC and we're so excited to have her with us. For more info please visit: www.SarahSmiley.com Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Amanda Yoder is one of two Military-connected School Counselors with Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Her primary roles are to support military students and families experiencing transitions such as moving and deployment and to train and support school division staff on military issues. In part due to her own military background as a combat veteran, Amanda has a diverse and extensive understanding of the challenges that military families face. In this conversation, we discuss the powerful impact school counselors can make and how to access the incredible resources and knowledge they can provide. For more information please visit: www.vbschools.com/military Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Sylvia Muller is the Program Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters: Operation Bigs Military Mentoring program as well as a retired Coast Guard spouse and mom of two amazing kids. In this conversation we chat all about the highs and lows of middle school and how having another person by your side can be incredibly beneficial and important. We also discuss quality vs quantity when it comes to meaningful relationships and the importance of having a “village.” For more information please visit: www.bigbrobigsis.com Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Stephanie Osler is the Director of CHKD's Mental Health Service Line and has been caring for children and their families in various clinical settings for over 20 years. In this insightful conversation, we're reminded that our kids didn't choose military life and while there are challenges, there are also unique opportunities. Stephanie shares how to build resiliency by connecting with and be available to our kids while also extending grace to ourselves. For more information visit: https://www.chkd.org/Support-Us/Support-Our-Mental-Health-Program/ Presented by The Barry Robinson Center Hosted by Erin Lindstrom

Welcome to Head Heart Homefront brought to you by the Barry Robinson Center, the country's leading behavioral health residential treatment center for military kids. I'm your host Erin Lindstrom and I'm so glad you're here. The Barry Robinson Center created this interview series to celebrate Military Family Month. We're bringing together mental health leaders to chat about building resiliency and healthy, happy families through the ups and downs of military life. We know military life can be challenging for our kids AND it can also present amazing opportunities. In these conversations, we talk about tools, tips, and techniques to navigate the highs and lows for both you and your children. The conversations have been incredible and we're so excited to share this series with you.