The Unspoken Life of the Military Wife

Welcome back to the show! With the holidays fast approaching, we're diving into some amazing organizations that offer financial assistance to military families. Discover programs like Operation Ride Home, which provides free flights for service members E1 to E5, and the Ben Jackson Foundation that helps new military members visit home. Learn about Trees for Troops and how to secure a free Christmas tree, and Operation Help a Hero's various support programs including baby showers and Operation Christmas Spirit. Plus, tips on sharing these invaluable resources within your community. Stay tuned and let's spread the word about these great initiatives!Make sure to follow @camouflageandperks on IG!Operation Ride HomeArmed Service YMCA locationsBen Jackson FoundationOperation Help A Herohttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking to Beth, a 25-year military spouse, to discuss her journey through military life, her newly published book 'Another Move God,' and marriage tips for military spouses. Beth shares her experiences of moving frequently, her struggle with the military lifestyle, and finding solace in her faith. She dives deep into the parallels between her life and the story of Sarah and Abraham and how faith transformed her outlook on military life. Beth also discusses the importance of managing expectations, maintaining communication, and supporting each other as military spouses. She highlights how prayer, resilience, and community support are pivotal in navigating the challenges of military marriage and offers practical tips to strengthen these relationships. Tune in to hear inspiring insights and advice on balancing military duty with personal life.Connect with Beth via her websitehttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

In this episode, Alison discusses everything you need to know about powers of attorney, particularly useful for military families. She covers why you need one, the different types available, and shares personal experiences to highlight the importance of these legal documents.Important Links:Armed Forces Legal Services LocatorMilitary One Source Free Legal HelpLegal Assistance for Service Members and Familieshttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

In this episode, we delve into the world of military balls, exploring their history, significance, and the unique traditions that define these events. I attended my first military ball recently and share insights on what to expect. We cover the schedule of events, from social hours to formal ceremonies and offer tips on dress code etiquette.We discuss resources for acquiring dresses, from renting to exchanging with fellow military spouses, ensuring you can look your best on a budget. Whether you're attending your first ball or just looking for new ways to enjoy these occasions, this episode offers valuable advice to enhance your experience.https://operationdeployyourdress.orghttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

In this episode, I continue our PCS saga, discussing the exhaustion and stress of moving to a new house in Washington that fell short of expectations. We talk about the struggles of renting sight unseen, dealing with an unclean and poorly maintained home, and the financial burden of constantly relocating. We then share tips on how to cope, including the importance of local mom and military spouse Facebook groups, strategies for helping kids adjust to new schools, and finding silver linings in difficult situations. This episode highlights the resilience and resourcefulness required for military families to navigate frequent moves.https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Here is it, the raw and real of a full DITY PCS in real time. I recorded this episode the day we loaded our truck and started our drive, so you get the true unfiltered version!In this episode, we share our experiences of hiring movers and the logistics of our move from Colorado to Washington.We discuss the benefits of booking directly with a moving company versus using Hire a Helper, our preparations and challenges including packing, disassembling furniture, and space management in the moving truck. We also touch on the emotional aspect of a military move, such as the difficulty of being separated from family and the desire to get settled quickly in a new home. Additionally, we provide tips on planning routes, weighing vehicles, and the importance of taking tasks off your plate to reduce stress during a PCS season.https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

I didn't want to leave you hanging....the show will be on hiatus for the summer while we PCS to Washington!https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the Show.I so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

In this episode, join me as I record from my car during a busy PCS season. I provide essential information on military move entitlements like Dislocation Allowance (DLA) and Personally Procured Move (PPM), discussing eligibility and advanced payment options. I also share insights on using moving alternatives like U-Haul, Penske, and pods versus U-Pack, and offer practical advice on comparing costs. Delving into our personal moving updates, I talk about securing a house, packing, and the challenges of selling our current home, alongside some unexpected setbacks like broken fingers and car accidents. Tune in for a mix of helpful tips and personal anecdotes from our ongoing PCS journey.00:00 Welcome to a Car-side Chat: Navigating PCS Season00:33 Understanding Military Moving Entitlements01:12 Dislocation Allowance (DLA) Explained03:56 The Ins and Outs of Personally Procured Moves (PPM)06:25 Choosing Between Moving Trucks, Pods, and U-Pack13:36 Our PCS Journey: Securing a House and Packing Challenges18:27 Living On Base vs. Off Base: What's Best for You?22:21 The Final Countdown: Preparing for the Move31:21 Signing Off and What's NextHelpful Links from today's show:2024 Dislocation Allowance RatesPPM allowed expensesTravel Pay Allowances and advanceshttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the Show.I so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

In the latest episode, the focus shifts from a planned book review on Dr. Aliza Pressman's parenting principles to a more relevant discussion for military families moving their kids to new schools. Diving into personal development, I share insights from 'How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk' by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, relating it to their own experiences and the challenges of school transitions due to military relocations. The episode offers practical advice for organizing important documents, engaging with new communities, and utilizing resources like the Youth Sponsorship Program to ease these transitions. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of personal involvement in educational settings and introduces listeners to helpful tools and checklists for a smoother school switching process.00:00 Welcome & Series Wrap-Up: Parenting Military Kids00:33 Pivoting from Planned Book Review to New Insights00:49 Navigating School Transitions: Resources and Personal Experiences04:33 Deep Dive into 'How to Talk So Kids Will Listen'07:04 Effective Communication Strategies with Kids10:06 Preparing for School Transitions: Practical Tips and Resources13:43 Engaging with New School Communities and Making Connections22:44 Volunteering and Getting Involved in Your Child's School28:33 Utilizing MSEC Resources for School Transitions33:09 Final Thoughts and Upcoming PCS UpdateResources mentioned in todays show:5 Princliples of Parenting bookHow To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk bookBinder Inserts from a military family small business  List and FileHow to find a Youth Sponsorship Program near you.Student 2 Student Programhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the Show.I so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are sitting down with Ashlee from Woman and Warrior to talk all things parenting our military kids through deployments and PCS's.This is a really fun and personal conversation about the challenges of parenting our kids through tough situations and sharing stories and tactics that have helped both of us and our kids cope through challenges. Books mentioned in the show:Hunt, Gather ParentThere's No Such Thing as Bad WeatherParenting With Love and Logic Podcasts mentioned on the show:Good Inside with Dr BeckyRaising Good HumansRisen MotherhoodFind Ashlee on her websiteor on IG @thewomanandwarriorhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the Show.I so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

The podcast episode features interviews with my military kids discussing their lives, the impact of PCS moves, and tips for adjusting to new schools. Sophia, 11, expresses discomfort with constant relocations and prefers not to be primarily identified as a military kid, highlighting the emotional challenges of parental travel and moving.Savannah, 12, shares strategies for coping with her father's absences, the advantages of buddy aid programs for acclimating to new schools, and the significance of reassurance and preparation in alleviating the stresses of moving. The episode aims to provide insights from the perspective of military children and offer advice to parents on supporting their kids through transitions.00:00 Welcome to the Show: A Military Family's Journey01:05 Sophia's Perspective: Life as a Military Child06:34 Savannah's Insights: Navigating Military Life and Moves16:34 Navigating New Friendships and School as a Military Kid18:37 The Challenge of Adjusting to New Schools and Making Friends21:16 Advice for Parents: Supporting Your Military Kid Through Moves27:10 Exploring Programs and Resources for Military FamiliesRESOURCES:Anchored 4 Life:  https://anchored4life.comDaddy Doll Savannah mentioned:  https://hugahero.com/collections/hug-a-hero-dollshttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

In this episode, I  share my recent activities, including a leadership course and a family vacation, and announces a temporary shift to a bi-weekly podcast schedule due to an upcoming PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move to Washington state. The main focus of the episode is on providing military parents with ten practical tips for maintaining consistency, establishing routines, and supporting their children through the challenges of deployments and frequent relocations. The tips range from establishing routines, open communication, creating familiar spaces, staying connected during deployments, involving children in planning, utilizing support networks, maintaining discipline, celebrating traditions, focusing on quality time, to practicing self-care. These strategies are aimed at helping military families navigate the complexities of military life while nurturing resilience, stability, and well-being in their children.https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

The podcast includes a conversation with Jana, an army spouse currently living in Madrid, Spain. She discusses her experience in navigating military life overseas along with the challenges encountered with constant moving in different countries. Jana also shares insights on the importance of decluttering, organizing spaces, and maintaining resilience despite the upheavals in military life. Furthermore, she talks about the life skills and experiences her kids are acquiring by being part of this journey, as well as her career trajectory through this unique lifestyle. Towards the end, she mentions her blog, 'The Organized Military Life', acquired tips on organization, and plans of sharing a checklist on decluttering room by room.  Jana's Military Life JourneyChallenges of Moving and AdaptingLiving in Madrid: The Ups and DownsNavigating Pet Relocation Jana's Career Path Amidst Military Life Moving Back to Texas and Stepping Back from Teaching The Impact of COVID and Another Move Dealing with Personal Loss and Health Challenges Starting a Blog and Becoming a Millie Scout Taking on Social Media and Content CreationBalancing Personal Blogging and Professional Work Transitioning into Organizing and Decluttering ServicesThe Evolution of the Organized Military Life Blog Finding a Niche in Organizing and Decluttering The Journey to Becoming More Organized The Challenges of Moving and DeclutteringThe Emotional Impact of Decluttering The Role of Organizing in Managing Stress The Importance of Controlling Your Home EnvironmentThe Dilemma of Deciding What to Keep or Discard Tips for Decluttering and Organizing The Role of a Millie Scout in Helping with PCS The Importance of Decluttering Before a PCS The Challenges of Decluttering with KidsCreating a Room-by-Room Decluttering GuideConnect with Jana!IG @theorganizedmilitarylifehttps://theorganizedmilitarylife.com**Episode 69 was the show talking about Millie! **https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

DOD Skillbridge  is an internship style program offered to transitioning  service members in their last 180 days of service. We cover:- who is eligible-how it works-can military spouses use the program too?Find out all the info HERE at the DOD Skillbridge siteWant to join the Mil Spouse Tribe?! Click HERE to snag your spot!If you can't make the February 27 11am MT meet-up, message me and we will add your preferred time to the schedule! themilspousepodcast@gmail.comhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Believe it or not, this is one of the most googled questions for military spouses! And the answer is NO, military spouses do not get TSA PreCheck for free.We talk about who does get it free, how you can get the fees waived and is it worth it?We also talk about pre-boarding when they call for military both when traveling with your military member and on you own, and the different airline policies. And I share an embarrassing story of when it can go wrong.https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are about 6 months out from our 9th military move and second full DITY or do it yourself move.Honestly at this point its the mental load that is killing me. The awful in-between I call it where you have "soft" orders, not hard orders, so you really can't do anything but stress about where your going to live and what school your kids are going to go to.I think its important to share all the good, bad and ugly of our lifestyle and todays topic is definitely of the ugly side, but not to fear! Its not all doom and gloom, I also share some cool tips I've picked up from other mil spouses for packing and be sure to check out my Amazon moving list! https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are getting into all things housing today. One of the first things we look for when we get new orders is where are we going to live?We talk about the benefits of living on base but the downsides of long waitlists and poor quality homes.We discuss BAH rates, or housing allowance. How do they come up with the numbers they do? What is BAH supposed to cover and other common questions.Finally we talk about purchasing a home and if and when that might be the right decision for your family. Hit me up and let me know if you have been able to live within BAH! You are the unicorns! https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking about the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kyosaki. I have to be honest, I thought this was a financial book for guys! But I promise you it isn't!I am sharing with you my biggest take-aways from the book like:-assets versus liabilities-increasing our financial literacy-using real estate as an investment tool-how we all need to become better at salesThis book truly rocked my world! I am excited to continue to grow my money mindset! Drop me a message when you read it! Financial Literacy Books:Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert KyosakiProsperity Consciousness by Fredric Lerhmanhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking to Chelsey who is a military travel card hacker. She has figured out how to use really high end credit cards, like the American Express Platinum card which has a really high annual fee, but it is waived for active duty military and their spouses.DISCLAIMER!!! PLEASE be responsible with your credit cards! If you know you are an overspender, maybe this isn't the right path for you. Do your research and make sure to PAY OFF your cards IN FULL every month!There are SO many benefits to having a card like this. Chelsey tells us how to maximize your points and how to transfer them to partner airlines. Chelsey recommends a site called Thrifty Traveller to find deals. The caveat is you really need to be flexible with your travel to get a lot of the really great deals. 9 times out of 10, it will be better to transfer your credit card points to an airline or hotel vice booking through the card. Your points go further when you transfer typically. We talk about different hotel and resort options available to military and some unique reward programs that come with free nights.What about your credit score? Isn't it bad to have too many credit cards or too many new accounts? Chelsey answers all of your questions!Follow Chelsey on IG @camouflageandperks https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell was a fascinating listen on Audible.I thought I was going to learn how to talk to new people, which is a great skill to nurture as a military spouse. But what it turned out to be was a case study in how we get it wrong.Malcolm talks about stories from Chamberlin meeting with Hitler to the infiltration of the CIA from Cuban spies to the suicides of Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. From the Bernie Madoff scheme to the Sandusky trial. How do we get it so wrong sometimes?I give you my abbreviated version and biggest take-aways from reading. Take a listen and let me know what you thought! themilspousepodcast@gmail.comTODAY, January 8, 2024 is the deadline to enter the 100th episode contest!! You can enter HEREhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Happy New Year!The new year usually brings with it thoughts of the past year and goals for the next.We are going to talk about areas to check in on, how to make small achievable goals and set yourself up for success going into 2024.I tell you about the book Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod which is a way to super charge your mornings and personal development.Don't forget to send me a message letting me know your going to join me so we can keep each other accountable!We talk about the pitfalls of setting unrealistic goals and how to avoid that. Another book to check out if you haven't already is Atomic Habits by James Clear!https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

100 episodes! Whew!We go way back to episode 1 and talk about the trials and tribulations of starting a podcast. I walk you through the process from start to finish of producing and putting out an episode.We go through the top 10 all time episodes!And finally I announce our contest!! You can enter HERE until January 8!https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today's episode is short and sweet! Command functions and military balls can be really stressful for mil spouses!What do you wear? How should I act? I'm so nervous! I share with you my best advice to navigating them. It really boils down to be yourself and try as best you can to have a good time!https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking about holiday travel. Specifically if your family doesn't live close by and you are getting pressure or guilt tripped into visiting over the holidays, when maybe that isn't what you want to do.I highly encourage you to be selfish! Think about your CORE family, those living in your house and who move with you every time you PCS. What do they want to do? Maybe it isn't traveling to family, maybe its a bucket list trip for the area you are in, or maybe its not traveling at all!What can we do to make it less hectic when we do decide to travel home to family?Travel advice:get travel insurance and make sure to know the airline or hotel cancellation policy if leave is cancelled last minuteThere are a ton of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, cruises that offer military discounts! Follow @camoflagueandperks on IG for great military travel hacking ideas!If you're stationed overseas over the holidays, could you embrace the local culture where you are? Deep dive into local traditions and learn and experience as much as you can, and maybe even find new traditions to carry on in your family. We talk about handling the holidays if your significant other is deployed. Really diving into your local community and putting yourself out there, even when its not comfortable. There are a lot of different technologies that can be helpful when you are geographically separated!How can we help our kids navigate the holidays if they have a deployed parent?Holidays can be really stressful and lonely with our military lifestyle. I encourage you to do what YOU want to do, and not worry about extended family!https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 https://www.organifishop.com/products/peak-power Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are rounding out our Holiday Mil Spouse Shop series with Emily from Thriving Homefront.Emily is a Navy wife and mom of 2 littles who was looking for a little more after leaving her teaching career to stay home with their kids. Like so many of us do while our spouses are deployed, Emily picked up a new hobby and taught herself to sew on a sewing machine.She started to make headbands for her and her daughters and people kept asking about them, so she opened up a shop and took off running!Emily had a lot of success early on with being connected with a subscription box company and talks about the trials and tribulations of wholesale orders and volume and difficulty finding material during the pandemic.Thriving Homefront has lots of holiday themed items for you to check out! Hair accessories make great teacher gifts and stocking stuffers!We then shift gears quite a bit to talk about potential PCSing, and orders changing mis PCS, that challenges of being on a flight schedule and having such limited time with your spouse and the effects all of those things have on home based businesses.This past year Emily decided to homeschool her kiddos. We talk about that decision and what homeschooling looks like for them. Emily also shares an amazing program if you are a FL resident and homeschooling where you can get up to $8000/per year per kid in financial assistance!Connect with Emily on Instagram @thrivinghomefrontVisit her website: www.thrivinghomefront.comhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e17c34781752946ff2b424 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are continuing our holiday mil spouse business spotlight today with Ashlee who wears all the hats at Woman and Warrior Co which is a mil spouse clothing line.Ashlee shares their very non traditional path to active duty. Her husband actually spent 12 years in the coast guard reserves before going active duty Army. She shares the ups and downs of that transition and how they are coping today with that decision. We really go into a deep dive of starting and having to pause a home business because of military life. Ashlee shares how that “pause” actually turned out to be really beneficial in her business. But that those road blocks or hiccups can feel really big and insurmountable at the time. I ask Ashlee to share with us what resources she tapped into to learn how to start and grow a shirt business. Watching and being part of her husbands small business, and sitting in on meetings and being privy to the internal going's on was a HUGE insight. She also really dove into books. They can be our greatest teachers! Even if we are living in an isolated space, we can read and learn anywhere!Some of the books Ashlee recommends are:-Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kyosaki-Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey-The Power of Broke by Damon John-The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan HolidayThe podcast The Goal Digger Podcast with Jenna Kutcher21 irrefutable laws of leadership by John C MaxwellStory Branding by  Donald MillerAs entrepreneurs, your community, your village, is SO important. You cannot do it alone, and you don't have to! Find your people!Connect with Ashlee on IG @womanandwarriorcoCheck out her WEBSITE Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Continuing our mil spouse holiday business spotlight, today we are talking to Sheri from Hartnett Homefront. Sheri makes the most beautiful wood art!Sheri talks to us about her military life so far and navigating her nursing career with military life.I know a lot of mil spouses think about health care jobs because they are everywhere! Sherri shares with us what she has done to keep her career while navigating motherhood and her husbands op tempo with the military, and the challenges that come with it. We talk about being a per diem nurse and the challenges and ins and outs of obtaining licensure in other states every time you move.Then we shift gears to talk about her woodworking business, how she got started, the challenges of a home based business when you have small kids at home. We talk about the products she makes, which are so beautiful! Make sure to check out her Spouse-ly shop for all her new holiday items!! Shop small, shop local and support our fellow mil spouses this holiday shopping season!Find all of Sheri's newest items on Spouse-lyVisit her website at Hartnett Homefront Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are kicking off our mil spouse holiday business series today with the creator of The Dainty Forces jewelry line, Navy spouse Erin.Erin is currently stationed in Hawaii. We talked about being stationed there, and the best way to get your dogs on island without having to put them in quarantine. Which I know is a big factor in many military families not wanting to be stationed there. Erin shared her job progression including the difficulty of finding a job in Hawaii and the lack of jobs specifically for military spouses. We face A LOT of job discrimination because of our lifestyle, it's not legal, but it still happens all the time. The Dainty Forces came from Erin's love of jewelry and her desire for small but impactful pieces that held special meaning and could provide comfort when we are navigating challenging times. Check out their holiday look book and remember to shop small first and help support our fellow mil spouses. We are in this thing together! Use the code THEMILSPOUSEPODCAST at check out to receive 10% off your order!Check out their website:https://thedaintyforcesco.comCheck out their Holiday Guide here:https://thedaintyforcesco.com/collections/holiday-gift-guide-2023 Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Well, we finally got orders, and we are headed back to the PNW and the sub base Bangor. This will be our 9th military move and our 2nd full DITY or do it yourself move.I thought it would be helpful to share with you, in real time, the process I go through to prepare for and execute a full DITY.9 months out, there are 3 things I am focusing on:1-purge purge purge! Nothing is safe! If you haven't used it since you unpacked from your last move, get rid of it!2- Organize and simplify your organization, the more uniform you can make boxes and containers, the easier it is to load into the truck and store3- Purge and pack well all holiday decor as the holidays come and go, then you have one less thing to worry about packing when you really start to pack outI'll be back in a few months with another update! Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking with Dyan who is the founder and CEO of Operation Turbo.Operation Turbo is a 501c3 non-profit that sends “boxes of home” care packages to deployed service member with a focus on those that aren't receiving support.Boxes are sent to ALL branches of service.Operation Turbo is a grassroots organization that stated back in 2010 with Dyan just trying to support the shipmates of her niece who was deploying at the time with a letter of gratitude. It has grown over the years into sending care packages of high quality food and personal items that are all full sized, with gender specific boxes.Such and amazing organization doing great work supporting our deployed troops. To date, they have shipped 10,500 "boxes of home"!Remember that every little bit makes an impact!To find out more about Operation Turbo, check out their WEBSITELook HERE to request a box for a deployed service member.If you want to DONATE to Operation Turbo, click the linkFinally to support by donating items from their AMAZON wish list, follow this link:https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1H5W2ENPVMCLX Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking to interior designer Brittany, from Bleu Bee Designs. Brittany is what I call a “late in life” mil spouse, meaning she already had a home and career established before marrying into the military.Brittany and her husband just completed their first PCS together from FL to WA. Brittany shares what she did in her interior design business PRIOR to moving to WA to help keep the momentum going.She established relationships with local (in the new duty station) vendors who had similar clientele but not competing clientele.  She started changing her SEO or search engine optimization about 4 months prior to moving to start getting her name into the local community. And also adding her new duty station as the geotag.What does it look like to work with an interior designer? What does a virtual business model look like for that? What steps were put into place to help ease the transitions of moving with the Navy?Best advice from Brittany is simplify how people are getting in touch with you. Have one place that acts like a funnel for people to come into your business, like a website form.Then we switch gears and talk about the move itself. Giving yourself grace to adjust and taking the time OFF you need to get settled back in. Taking the time you need for your family dynamics to settle back in as well.Moving a service based business isn't easy but Brittany shows us how it is possible! To connect with Brittany….https://bleubeedesigns.me Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

I love sharing what I have been reading with you.Today we are talking about the book Believe It by Jamie Kern Lima.She is the founder and CEO of IT cosmetics. The company that was sold to L'oreal back in 2016 for 1.2 billion dollars!We talk about the back story, it wasn't from Denny's waitress to 1.2 billion sale. There was 6 years of struggle in there. My biggest takeaways:When you believe in something, keep pushing, even through no after noWomen need to support other women. If you get a seat at the table, can you bring another woman there with you?Give compliments freely but genuinelyI highly encourage you to pick up your own copy of Believe It or download it on Audible! Highly recommend for mil spouse entrepreneurs!Get your copy HERE Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Learn about the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) program. If you're the child or spouse of a Veteran or service member who has died, is captured or missing, or has disabilities, you may be able to get help paying for school or job training through the DEA program—also called Chapter 35. We go over who is eligible!Also a couple of REALLY important things to know about the GI Bill, especially if you are wanting to share your benefit with your spouse or kids!Here is a LINK to the Chapter 35 page we talked about on the show.To learn more about what your eligible benefits might be, go HERE Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are continuing our homeschooling discussion this week with the host of The Military Homeschool Podcast, Crystal.Crystal is an almost 25 year mil spouse veteran and has been in various stages of homeschooling her children for the past 23 years. She shares with us why her family decided to homeschool, what she did to get started including choosing curriculum and how that evolved over the years.We get into the nuts and bolts of homeschooling, like what does your school year look like, do you go year round? How do you determine what your kiddo needs to learn that year? How are you tracking grades and milestones?What if you have different kids, with different likes and dislikes and learning styles, how do you manage all of that without getting overwhelmed?What about records? How did you track grading and making a transcript? Where do you find out what to track and how to keep it all together?To get in touch with Crystal you can email militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.comor visit her website militaryhomeschoolpodcast.comYou can also find her on Facebook and Instagram @militaryhomeschoolpodcast Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we have the honor to speak with 23 year homeschooling veteran Natalie Mack.Natalie and her husband felt the pull of is this the life we want for our kids? Running to school, working, picking up and being utterly exhausted to then go do it again? Is there another way to parent and teach our kids?We are going to talk about that and answer all of your questions like……-I'm not qualified! I barely passed algebra myself, how can I teach my kids?-What curriculum should I choose?What should you look for as you move around in a homeschooling community?What is a co-op and what does that entail?What about socialization?Different clubs and opportunities available to homeschoolersWhat are the differences in homeschooling if you are stationed overseas? Do you follow the home of record when moving or do you have to follow each states requirements?What differences have you seen in your own kids since starting homeschooling?What are some of the positive results you've seen since homeschooling?There was SO much covered today! If you have more questions feel free to reach out to Natalie!You can find her on her website: https://natalie-mack.com Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Buckle in! We are learning how  our guest Britnee Kinard started a service dog training non-profit from the ground up.Britnee is back with us, be sure to check out episode 76, if you haven't listened to that one yet, where Britnee shares their horror show of a time trying to get VA benefits for her catastrophically injured husband.Britnee is truly a force of nature and embodies the see a need, fill a need mentality.She walks us through how the program was started, which was to provide financial assistance to veterans who need help caring for theirservice animal.After being contacted by countless veterans and first responders and parents, who were dismayed by the years long wait lists at most service dog organizations,She started a training program. Britnee is so generous in her information and the good and bad and growing pains of starting and growing a non-profit. From where do they get their dogs, what does the training process look like to how to procure funding.If you have ever thought about starting a non profit or wanted to better understand service dogs and therapy dogs, this is the show for you!To support SD Gunner Fund check out their website: https://sdgunner.orgFind them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SDGunner Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Did you know that there is a such thing as high school stabilization for military kids entering into their junior or senior year of high school?Essentially it is a program you can apply for, and each branch of service has different requirements and forms, but you can apply to NOT be moved while your kid completes high school if they are in their junior or senior year at your rotation time.The more you know!Here is the links I talked about in the show:https://peatc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/High-School-Senior-Stabilization-Programs-Military.pdfHelpful YouTube Video HERE Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Its been 22 years since the 9/11 attacks. 2,977 people were killed that day and many others have succumbed to health issues related to the attacks since then.Every year on or around 9/11, the Travis Manion Foundation hosts the 9/11 Hero's run. An event to honor those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and should never be forgotten. This is a 5k event, so very doable for almost everyone. To find an event near you check HERE Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Hey there, wonderful listeners! We've got an exciting episode lined up for you today. We're diving into the fantastic world of 'Fast Like a Girl,' a book written by the incredible Dr. Mindy Pelz. So, get comfy and join us as we take a closer look at the awesome insights and practical wisdom this book has to offer.We talk about:-Why fasting might be a great fit for your busy military lifestyle-What are the different types of fasting and which is best for me?-What kind of health concerns can fasting help with?-Can I just dive right in or do I need to have a plan?-Why fasting with your hormonal cycle is SUPER important!-What if I don't have a cycle anymore? Can fasting still work for me?-Can I workout while fasting?We get into all the things!!! Please let me know if you liked this episode and would like to have more episodes dedicated to health and wellness! You can email me at themilspousepodcast@gmail.com or hit me up on IG @themilspousepodcastThe Model Health Show featuring Dr Mindy Pelzhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-1-way-to-activate-fat-loss-the-key/id640246578?i=1000618293338Order your copy of Fast Like A Girl on Amazon Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Cheating. No one wants to talk about it but we know it happens. Especially in military relationships, because long distance for extended periods of time, is REALLY hard. Add to that the unique military dynamic where your significant other spends lots of time with other people in close quarters and you can see why it is so prevalent.Not to say your significant other is going to cheat just because they are unaccompanied for a year or on deployment. Not everyone cheats! So what do you do when you are concerned about it? Today we are talking about a post I saw in a mil spouse support group from a young mom who's husband is being sent unaccompanied to Korea for a year. She's worried and doesn't know how to approach the subject. I share with you what has worked for my relationship and that is COMMUNICATION!Lots and lots of open communication!! What advice do you have for other mil spouses in this situation? Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today is short and sweet!I share with you the best advice I ever received as a new mil spouse. I also share my best advice for surviving deployments.My best advice for marriage and potentially being separated.And finally, my best advice for new mil spouses.Remember, in life, events don't get easier to handle; you become better equipped to handle them. Keep growing! Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking to retired Army wife Lissa about how we can be more effective with our time.It begins with being aware of how you are actually using your time. Are you checking your email 30 times a day? Are you getting sucked into the Insta or FB scroll and all the sudden 2 hours have gone by? Lissa tells us that step 1 of taking your time back is just simply being aware of how you are spending it. Then ask yourself….I spend too much time ……… and not enough time…….. Fill in the blanks.We put our time into what is important to us. To what we value. When you identify the ONE thing that is something you want to work on. Make a plan and get someone to check in with you and make sure you are following through. Again, just being aware of how you are spending your time is HUGE! RESOURCES on REDEEMHerTime.comREDEEM Her Time PODCAST:  https://redeemhertime.com/podcastREDEEM Your Time in 5 MIN GUIDE: https://redeemhertime.com/5FIND-THE-TIME 5 Min Coaching Call https://redeemhertime.com/call Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are closing down on 80 episodes! Which just blows my mind!I thought I would take a few minutes today to reintroduce myself for those of you who may be new to the show.Who am I? What has my military life looked like? What has me career looked like? Why did I start this podcast? Who is it for? Whats the point?Whats next for the show?Its all in there! As I get back into hardcore recording mode, what do you want to hear more about? How can I help? Hit me up!  Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today I am sharing with you a book I just finished called Mind Your Mindset by Michael Hyatt and his daughter Meagan. There is a lot of science in there about how our brains are wired and why we think they way we do. And how can we challenge that inner narrator? What questions can we ask? How can we change our mindset around fears and life events?I think the more we can learn about our brains, the better humans we can be. Understanding how our minds work can help us move much more smoothly through our day to day and especially as military families who face unique challenges. Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

We are in the middle of summer and you might already be losing your mind with your kiddos. Summer can be hard to manage sometimes with trying to keep everyone busy but also not driving yourself crazy with schedules and expectations.I talk about Mother's Day at the start and how we sometimes let expectations overtake our experience. We might find ourselves caught up in what you think you should be doing and enjoying with your family, when maybe you just want some alone time! Giving ourselves grace to have the experience WE want to have. That might be taking your kids to the pool everyday while you read a good book in a lounge chair. It might be going out and having “adventures” everyday. It might be a quiet day inside. It should be whatever YOU want it to be. We need to let go of the mom guilt of maybe not having your kiddo in every summer camp and activity over the summer. Taking a quiet moment either by yourself or include your kids if you want, to think about how you want your summer to go. How do you want to feel? What things do you want to do? And just managing expectations. Stay cool my friends!

Today we have the honor of having retired Army spouse Britnee Kinard on the show. Britnee has a really unusual story and path in their families military life.In 2005, Britnee's now husband was catastrophically injured by an IED in Iraq. Britnee didn't meet him until 2008 and they were married in 2010. From the time they were dating, Britnee has been fighting a battle against the VA for her husband to receive the benefits he has earned for his service and injuries.Britnee shares her, lets' call them “adventures” in fighting for her husband's rights and transforming her life to accommodate taking care of her husband and the ramifications of his injuries. We then switch gears and talk about how to turn tragedy into triumph and the role their sons played in his continued recovery. Their son was diagnosed with autism at age 3 and the challenge of letting him know it's ok to be different when Dad was still struggling to accept and talk about his own injuries forced a pivot for their family. They adopted the Dr Suess saying, “You have to be odd, to be number one”. Changing the mindset of denial about his injuries to how can I get the therapies I need to show my son thats its ok to get extra help, was truly a turning point for their family and his care. Britnee tells us about the program called CRSC which stands for Combat Related Special Compensation, which is funded and run through the DOD. Because her husband wasn't treated properly immediately following his injuries in Iraq, he was eligible to kind of circumvent the VA process and receive care through CRSC.If you are struggling with benefits with the VA and you have been deployed and seen combat while on active duty, you would qualify for the CRSC program.https://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/crsc/What other options are there for veterans who need more or better care?The Wounded Warrior ProjectThe Semper Fi Fund or America's FundThere is another great organization out of South Carolina called Hidden WoundsOr google organizations in your area. If you hit a dead end with one of these organizations as them if they have a referral partner.We then switch gears to talk about the SD Gunner Fund which is a service dog training non profit Britnee started when she saw a need that wasn't being met. She is truly a FORCE! We didn't have a ton of time to get into the specifics of starting this organization, so Britnee graciously agreed to come back and talk about it. Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today's show is a little different topic. We are going to talk health and wellness and how to maintain that through a PCS.We have Lizzie on today who is a nutrition coach and retired Navy wife. She is a published author with a really novel idea of looking at what is happening in our brains before tackling our health and fitness goals. This episode is coming at the end of our PCS series and we are going to focus on how to stay on track with your health and nutrition even through a PCS. Step one is that we know it's coming right? So we can mentally prepare that we might not be eating and exercising 100% the way we want too and THATS OK!Give yourself small goals that you know you can be successful at. Don't set the bar too high, our brains need those little wins to be able to keep going! Strive for imperfection consistently. Give yourself self compassion, this is a hard season, and we are just trying to make it through. Self compassion is much for effective for our brains than self criticism.Some tactical tips to keep yourself on track during a PCS:-what are some quick dining options your family likes? McDonalds? Chipotle? Look for the healthiest thing on the menu and get that. Plan for those eating out periods-again, small wins. What is one thing you can focus on? Drinking 60oz of water a day? Eating at least one veggie per day? Walking for at least 15 minutes per day?keep it small to allow for those little wins everydayGet to know Lizzie!Her website is: Confidentbody.coach https://confidentbody.coachListen to her podcast The Confident Body Podcast    Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are talking about preventing the summer PCS slide. Like the summer slide we all hear about, but adding the loveliness of a PCS on top of it.Tips include:-asking your kiddos teacher to make you a packet or give you online resources you could continue to use-downloading books to tablets or iPads for easy access- you can join your school or libraries summer reading programhere is the link to join the DOD/MWR summer reading program https://www.ila.org/dodsummerreading- For math, flash cards for all student levels-gas and food math-map planning and trip route must see listsI know summer is tough to keep school top of mind, we all want a break! Especially when we add a PCS on top of it all. But these are some cool ideas that could easily be implemented into your next move! Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

I am so excited for todays show! We are talking with Lindsay who is a language consultant. Coming in the end of our PCS series, I thought it would be a cool topic for those military families who might be getting stationed overseas this PCS season.If you didn't know it yet, the military does NOT provide any language services or learning for mil spouses. You are on your own! So what is the best method to become socially fluent in a new language as quickly as possible?#1 is don't panic! Lindsay shares with us her list of essential vocabulary, I'll provide the link below as well. A lot of apps and programs start you off with the basics of the language, but thats not going to help you navigate through a city. Those essential or useful phrases will be much more helpful in the short term. Lindsay also recommends listening to music or podcasts in the new language prior to getting overseas. Often times a new language or the sounds of it can be jarring. By exposing yourself to the language as much as possible prior to getting there, will make it a much smoother transition to the new language, and make you more comfortable. If your looking for a deeper dive or to get more proficient Lindsay recommends finding a tutor or teacher and gives some resources for that or finding maybe another spouse heading the same way and starting a study group or just some extra accountability with another person, sometimes they might understand something before you do and can help you get it. Free Podcast List: https://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/podcastlistFree Resource List: https://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/ultimatelistFree Essential Vocab: https://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/vocablistFree Language Starter Pages: https://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/starterpagesAll the options to learn with me, inc Language Life & Music Maestro that I mentioned: https://www.lindsaydoeslanguages.com/learn-with-lindsay-does-languages/Drops: https://languagedrops.com/Duolingo: https://www.duolingo.com/Memrise: https://www.memrise.com/uTalk: https://utalk.com/enLive Lingua: https://www.livelingua.com/projectitalki: https://www.lindsaydoeslangu Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Today we are sitting down with Box Ops owner and army spouse Shea. Like most great products, Box Ops was born out of a pain point. Military families are no stranger to moving, we are the experts! Shea took her nightmare moves and came up with a system to help streamline the process and make it as smooth as a move could possibly be. We talk about moves, what things you really want to look out for like:labeling all of your boxes with your name and phone number or email addresswriting a more descriptive content list so you can more easily identify whats missingthe importance of taking pictures!!! Of EVERYTHING!!!!understanding the loophole of making sure your more expensive items are listed out fully on the inventory logand that you do not have to take their first offer when you submit a claim! You can fight it if they low ball youShea offers some great things to watch out for with movers, like keep track of your weight tickets and make sure to look at the weight before they start offloading the truck in case the weight seems unrealistic. You are allowed to be present when the truck is being weighed, so you can ensure an accurate weight. Finally we get into some of the nuts and bolts of being a small business owner. The challenge not letting your competitors out price you but having to measure that against the amount of work it takes so get the products ready and to ship. Shea's best advice to brand new mil spouses doing their first PCS:make a plan! Who's doing what, where are you staying, get your savings in order for unexpected expensesPREP! Purge items, create an inventory list, take pics of everything!Have a plan for the day of the move, especially for pets!The Box Ops moving system is great for DITY moves, military packer moves and especially overseas moves. The stickers really curb the language barrier. Just match the box to the room color!Connect with Shea on IG @teamboxopsOrder from her Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/BoxOps Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com

Short and sweet this week. Next Monday is Memorial Day. Which we often look at as the kickoff to summer and cookouts and celebrations.In reality, Memorial Day is a day for us, as a nation, to honor  the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. The Travis Manion Foundation has The Honor Project where volunteers go to military cemeteries across the nation, to pay respect and honor those veterans who might not have family or friends near to where they are interred. For more information about this event visit: https://www.travismanion.org/events/the-honor-project/If you aren't close to one of the event locations, I highly encourage you to seek out an event in your local area!  Support the showI so appreciate you listening to the show!If you wouldn't mind leaving a rating and review I would really appreciate it!!Check out The Ultimate Do It Yourself or DITY guide for FREE!Podcasting is a labor of love for sure! I would love your support! Subscribe to the show HERE! To get in touch with Alison with questions or potential topics or guests please email themilspousepodcast@gmail.com Follow us on IG @themilspousepodcast And please check out our brand spanking new website! www.themilspousepodcast.com