Some of the most listened-to episodes for this podcast are on the topics of self-care and fitness, and so I’m delighted to bring you today's guest Grace Barnick-Damazo. We're talking all about how to “PCS proof” your fitness routine, along with some practical tips you can start using today. Grace is the Head Coach and Owner of FitPath Coaching, LLC. She’s spent years learning from the best in the fitness industry, so that she can get you the results that you deserve. Grace is a Navy spouse, and she understands the unique challenges that military life plays in reaching your health and fitness g ..read more

It’s a new year, and by now many of us have already given up on those New Year’s resolutions! And you tell yourself, why even bother setting goals when you’ve just moved, are about to move, or find yourself in the middle of a deployment or some other change? Is it even worth setting personal goals for yourself when the demands of the military always take precedence? But wait a minute! Your goals and dreams are still worth chasing, military spouse. So let’s talk about some ways to be kind to yourself, set realistic goals, move forward a little bit at a time, and even embrace your Plan B when ne ..read more

Are you torn between traveling to see your extended family and staying put to create your own holiday memories? Are you spending the holidays without your spouse due to deployment, training, or a remote assignment? Have you just moved and don't know a soul and are missing all your family and friends? Let’s talk about it! On this episode, I discuss your first holiday season as a military spouse, managing expectations, the pull of “going home” and the importance of creating your own traditions, getting through the holidays during deployment, and some of my favorite holiday memories as a military ..read more

On this episode, I’m talking to Becky Hoy, who is a U.S. Army military spouse of 10 years and the Founder of Brave Crate- the deployment countdown box for military spouses, and co-host of PILLAR- the digital retreat for deployment countdowns. She shares about both those ventures, and talks about how she learned to make the most of the time apart from her husband vs. just wishing for it to be over. Be prepared to get a brand new perspective and encouragement for the difficulties of deployment. Becky tells us how her perspective shifted from “counting every minute to making every minute count” a ..read more

This episode of the Milspouse Matters podcast is sponsored by SpouseLink, which was created in 2012 by AAFMA, the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association. The goal of Spouselink is to support, inform, and inspire military spouses. Learn more at Spouselink.org. We’ve had a lot of requests for a National Guard spouse to come on the podcast, so this is the episode for you! First, I’m sharing some ideas from National Guard spouses from my Facebook group for ways to connect with other spouses and the military community. Next, I’m talking to National Guard spouse Julie Provost, who you may know ..read more

It’s so important to feel connected as a military spouse! We’re talking about that today with Lizann Lightfoot and hearing about her brand new book, Open When: Letters of Encouragement for Military Spouses, a collection of letters for military spouses straight from her heart and experience. You don’t want to miss this! On this episode, we talk about the process and her vision behind this book, as well as many other military life topics. I am certain you will be encouraged by the wisdom and warmth Lizann shares, no matter where you are on the journey of military life. Connect with Lizann Find ..read more

Welcome to the latest Listener Q & A episode! Just a reminder, you can send questions to me on the Milspouse Matters Instagram or email me for possible inclusion in the next round! Today, we’re covering questions like:  What are your thoughts on planning weddings in the military? Or just trying to plan anything as a milspouse with this unpredictable lifestyle? (or is it not really as unpredictable as it seems) How and when should you apply for military base housing?  Sometimes the areas of OPSEC and security measures seem to be approached differently by a lot of military spouse ..read more

I'm taking a little break this summer! On this episode, I’m sharing what’s been happening the past weeks, where I’ve been, and what’s ahead for the podcast. Thank you so much for listening for the past few years! I couldn’t do this without you amazing listeners. Interested in being a guest? Have an idea for a show topic? Keep listening! CLICK HERE FOR SHOW NOTES AND ALL RESOURCES MENTIONED Click here to get my book - You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse Get your free 5-day Deployment Devotional  Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram Want to be a g ..read more

If you know a military child, you know how incredible they are, as well as the many challenges they face. They make me want to be a better person! April is the Month of the Military Child, so let's talk about resources for our amazing military kids! But first, a little history behind it, as well as the 10 ways my military kids have inspired me. Click here for the blog post/show notes for this episode.  Click here for the list of all military kid resources mentioned! Get my book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse Connect with Milspouse Matters on ..read more

On this episode, we’re talking about planning for your overseas military move, both some practical tips as well as preparing yourself mentally for this big change in not only where you live, but also likely a bit of a culture shock. It’s fitting that as I recorded this, I’d just returned from a long trip to Ireland, and that looong overseas flight was still fresh in my mind! My own family went through over a dozen military moves, four of them overseas. I’m sharing some lessons learned as well as some of my hard-won tips as you prepare for your move overseas! See this episode's show notes. Reso ..read more