Learn about remote and portable careers, why flexible employment can be a good option for military spouses and how the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program can help spouses meet career goals. Host Bruce Moody speaks with SECO career coach Michael Cronk about remote work, telework, portable careers and seasonal jobs. The discussion covers trends in remote work, tailoring a resume for remote and telework positions, how to leverage the military community to find career...

Learn about programs, resources and tips designed to support the unique experience of moving and settling in to an OCONUS duty station, including relocating with children, finding employment, experiencing culture shock, navigating language barriers, connecting to your on-base community through installation programs, social offerings and more. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Stephanie Holets, a relocation readiness program manager and survivor outreach services coordinator at U.S. Army Garrison...

Learn about the role of family centers in emergency family assistance, what family support looks like during a disaster, and what support and resources are available to the military community. You’ll also learn how services prepare to support disasters, how personnel, service members and their families can set themselves up for success with geographically specific preparedness, and about real-world examples of people being supported through the Emergency Family Assistance Center. Host Bruce...

Learn about the critical role of secretaries of state in the electoral process. Two distinguished members of the National Association of Secretaries of State share insights into how they ensure a secure, fair and trustworthy election process and discuss the vital support they provide to service members and their families, helping them exercise their right to vote no matter where they are stationed. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Hon. Steve Simon, NASS President and Minnesota Secretary of...

Learn about International Observe the Moon Night, a yearly event organized by NASA where everyone on Earth is invited to observe the moon, learn about lunar science and exploration, and honor the cultural and personal connections we have with the moon. Listeners will gain insights into how this special program can unite military family members — even if they are in different parts of the world — and serve as a gateway to a broader exploration of our solar system. Host Bruce Moody speaks...

In this episode, we delve into the essential role of the Federal Voting Assistance Program in supporting military spouses to help ensure their voices are heard in elections back home. Learn how FVAP provides comprehensive support — from voter registration guidance to absentee ballot assistance — and get practical tips on navigating the voting process and accessing the tools necessary to overcome voting obstacles. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Kehinde Oshikoyapamphille, Federal Voting...

Learn about efforts to encourage help-seeking and mental health care in the military, where to go for help, and how members of the military community can support one another. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Air Force Maj. Melinda Marlow, Air Mobility Command Warrior Mental Health working group lead; and Air Force Maj. Cristina Benitez, a licensed clinical social worker who is a member of the working group. The cross-functional working group addresses mental health and wellness challenges for...

Learn about a special benefit available to service members and their families, veterans and gold star families: free access to America’s national parks. Find out how to obtain the pass and learn about the types of activities and experiences available at these diverse locations, from scenic hiking trails and historic landmarks to unique wildlife encounters and recreational opportunities. Get useful tips on how to plan your park adventure. This episode also highlights the broader impact of this...

Hear from employers, hiring experts and military spouses about finding a career and reaching your professional goals as a military spouse. Get tips for achieving success and learn about free resources, including the Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program and the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. Host Bruce Moody speaks with attendees at the Military Spouse Employment Partnership annual event welcoming MSEP’s newest partner companies and organizations. MSEP is a Defense...

You spoke. We listened. Hear about the results of the 2022 Exceptional Family Member Program Survey and how the program will continue to evolve to better serve families with special medical and educational needs. Get a brief overview of EFMP and its three components. Learn about the survey process, its purpose and how insights gained will be used to enhance EFMP. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Tomeshia Barnes, associate director of the Defense Department Office of Special Needs. The purpose of...

Learn what factors trigger police involvement in instances of problematic sexual behavior in children and youth, when the juvenile system gets involved and how it can differ from state to state. You’ll also learn about misconceptions youth might have about PSB, how advice from an attorney can conflict with the need for treatment and what happens during the legal process. Visit Military OneSource at...

Military spouses own 26,000 businesses in the United States. Learn how the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office supports them and other members of the military community with intellectual property protections and resources. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Kathi Vidal, undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The office issues U.S. patents and registers U.S. trademarks, two tools to protect ideas and brands. The office also...

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

Learn the difference between typical and problematic sexual behavior in children and youth, problem-solving skills for parents and children dealing with unhealthy behaviors, as well as some protective factors that can help prevent them. You’ll also learn about vulnerability factors surrounding these behaviors, ways to help children navigate new social situations and why it’s important for parents to be aware of where and how their child spends their time. Host Bruce Moody speaks with Amanda...

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

Learn how the Defense Department has expanded access to quality child care for eligible active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members, and DoD civilians (in designated locations). Qualified civilian child care providers in local communities can apply to participate in the military child care fee assistance program Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS, or MCCYN-PLUS. Child Care Aware® of America administers this program for the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps while the Navy...

Hear from experienced PCSers about the financial side of military moves and how to avoid pitfalls to reduce stress. Learn about understanding entitlements for different types of moves, what to keep in mind when PCSing overseas, practical matters to consider and the importance of making good memories along the way. Host Bruce Moody speaks with three veterans of military moves: Andy Cohen, Jennifer Walker and Josie Beets. The guests have 27 moves among them and two are preparing for their next...

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

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

Learn about the Defense Department’s initiative to correct the records of former service members discharged for their sexual orientation with a less than fully honorable conditions discharge during Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Host Bruce Moody explores the review and correction processes for military records and how the initiative impacts the lives of service members with Col. Amy Brantley, chief of the Air Force’s Discharge Review Board and Christa A Specht, director, Office of Legal Policy,...

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

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

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

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