PODCAST · society
Milspouse Matters
by Jen McDonald
Milspouse Matters is the podcast dedicated to encouraging military spouses!I'm your host, Jen McDonald, and I was a military spouse for 30 years until my husband's retirement. We lived all around the world, raised four kids, and dealt with all the challenges and adventures of military life, just like you! I'm also the author of two books for military spouses. Over the years, I came to believe that we military spouses are tough, but we're only stronger together. Whether you're a new or more seasoned spouse…Whatever life is throwing your way? Let's talk about it!
Episodes
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It's Not Goodbye - It's See You Later, Ep. 115
Tune into this special episode to hear what's going on with Jen, some reflections on the past five years and what's coming for the podcast, and how to stay connected. Mentioned in this episode: Get Jen's new book here! https://books2read.com/MilspouseMatters Get Jen's first book, You Are Not…
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Learn How to PCS Proof Your Fitness - Ep. 114
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...
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A Talk with the Authors of Unwavering: Taylor Kiland and Judy Gray- Ep. 113
On this episode, I'm honored to be speaking to Judy Gray and Taylor Kiland, the authors of the newly released book, Unwavering: The Wives Who Fought to Ensure No Man is Left Behind. About the book: In a time when women faced countless challenges and societal limitations, these military wives…
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Military Moves and Deployments During the Holidays - Ep. 112
Are you dealing with a military move or deployment right smack dab in the middle of the "most wonderful time of the year"? Let's talk about ways to cope and giving yourself permission to do what works for you and your family. Mentioned in this episode: Jen's new book, Milspouse Matters: Sharing...
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Coming Back from Rock Bottom with Charlynda Scales - Ep. 111
I'm so happy to bring you my talk with Charlynda Scales, author of the brand new book, Rock Bottom Has a Trampoline, which has already ranked as a best new release in its category! She's a veteran, now a reservist, a former military spouse, and an entrepreneur. Charlynda is not only impressive…
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PACT for Animals: Fostering Pets for Military and Veterans - Ep. 110
It's no secret that military families love their pets! But what do you do if you're facing a deployment and have no one to care for your pet? Or if you get an overseas assignment to a location your pet can't go? Enter PACT for Animals! PACT for Animals is dedicated to fostering pets for active…
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A Home for Surviving Spouses and Veterans: A Chat with Brooke McLean, CEO of the Air Force Enlisted Village - Ep. 109
In this episode of Milspouse Matters, Jen talks with Brooke McLean, retired CMSgt and President/CEO of the Air Force Enlisted Village (AFEV), a one-of-a-kind-community which has a mission of providing safe, secure homes for surviving spouses of military retirees and retired military couples. They...
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After the Boxes Are Unpacked with Susan Miller- Ep. 108
Have you ever felt lost after a military move? Are you trying to figure out how to get connected? Do you feel "stuck"? Susan Miller from Just Moved Ministry is here to talk about settling in, plugging in, and finding your new normal after a move...after the boxes are unpacked! As she says, "Don't...
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Best of: Preparing for Deployment and Reintegration - Ep. 107
On this episode, I'm discussing the issues that spring up with deployment and reintegration with guest Terri Laurent, a seasoned military spouse who's sharing a ton of wisdom. This episode is a "best of" from waaaay back on Episode 34. Have you dealt with the emotional build up leading up to...
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Help Your Marriage Thrive During Deployment and Military Separations - Ep. 106
Can you actually strengthen your marriage through a military deployment or separation? I believe, yes, you can! With mindfulness and intention. First, I'm sharing some tips from my experiences, then we'll be hearing from other military spouses who've weathered deployments and separations.…
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Navigating Military Life with Humor - Ep. 105
Life as a military spouse is an intricate dance of challenges and uncertainties, along with so many adventures. On this "best of" episode, we revisit one of my favorite interviews. I'm talking to author Lisa Molinari about her military spouse journey, and how she's found solace and strength…
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Best of: Pro Tips for Your PCS Move - Ep. 104
It's PCS move season and it's the perfect time to share some helpful resources for your military family. Military life usually comes with a guarantee of change, and one of the most inevitable changes is moving. Whether you're a seasoned military family or embarking on your first Permanent Change…
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Moving with a Baby: Tips from Experienced Military Spouses - Ep. 103
On this Best Of episode, we're bringing back some tips for making a move with a baby, all from experienced military spouses! Whether you're relocating stateside or embarking on an overseas adventure, moving with a baby as a military family can be quite a challenge. The logistics of travel, the...
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Best of: When Your Child Joins the Military - Ep. 102
On this "Best of" episode, join me and guest Elaine Brye as we delve into the unique challenges faced by parents with children serving in the military. We explore strategies, resources, and personal stories that provide support and guidance to parents on this extraordinary journey. Discover a...
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Moving with Pets: Essential Resources and Expert Advice - Ep. 101
Have you moved with pets? There's always something new to learn when it comes to our furry family members. On this Quick Tips episode, I'm sharing a few resources to help make your military move with pets easier. Well Loved Calming Chews for Dogs Calling all pet owners! Are you looking for a...
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Celebrating 100 episodes! - Ep. 100
We've hit the 100 episodes milestone of the Milspouse Matters podcast! I can't thank you enough for the continued support throughout this podcast's journey so far. And don't miss the BIG GIVEAWAY I'm throwing to celebrate, including some gifts provided by my amazing publisher, W. Brand…
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Dealing with Anxiety as a Military Spouse - Ep. 99
After dealing with anxiety and panic attacks as a young adult, things came to a head for Marine Corps spouse Erin after some big military life changes. She was physically ill, having daily panic attacks, and struggling to leave her house when she realized she needed to do something more than what...
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Helping Teens Through a Parent's Deployment - Ep. 98
On this Quick Tips episode, we're talking about helping teens navigate a parent's deployment. So often, deployment resources are geared towards younger children, and while that's of course important, and I've also covered it before on several episodes, today we are focusing on our teenagers. This...
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Starting Your Own Business as a Military Spouse - Ep. 97
Wendy Hively shares a behind the scenes look at how she started her successful business, Charliemadison Originals, while also working full-time as a scientist. As a longtime Navy spouse who's now the wife of a retiree, Wendy has a lot of wisdom about work/life balance, how she pivoted when the...
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Tips for Settling In at a New Duty Station - Ep. 96
On this Quick Tips episode, I'm answering a question a listener submitted for advice about getting established at a new duty station, even if it's not a place you would have chosen to live or you don't think it's the greatest location. On Episode 93 I talked about how to cope when you hate your...
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Managing Your Finances as a Military Family - Ep. 95
On this episode we're talking about some hot topics: managing and saving your money with my amazing guest Kate Horrell. Kate brings a sensibility to managing your finances, along with a deep understanding of military life since she has lived it herself. We cover topics like setting a spending…
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Preparing for an Overseas Military Move - Ep. 94
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...
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How to Cope When You Hate Your Duty Station - Ep. 93
Looking for your help! Please take this short survey about the podcast and let me know your opinion. *Brand new!! You Are Not Alone Book Study Guide and Discussion Questions Use code STUDY15 for 15% off this digital download! You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse…
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MSAN Provides Mentoring and Support for Military Spouses - Ep. 92
On this episode, I'm thrilled to be speaking with Verenice Castillo, the founder of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN). If you're not familiar with MSAN, their motto is to Educate, Empower, Support, and they certainly do that! Verenice and I talk about the importance of connecting with...
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Military Care Packages with Navy Veteran Jack Wray - Ep. 91
Have you ever wondered the best process for sending a military care package? Want some help in creating your own or are you looking for a curated care package to send to your service member? On this episode, I'm joined by Hero Care Packages CEO Jack Wray, and we're discussing all things military...
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Getting Through Deployment - Ep. 90
We talk about the topic of deployment a lot on this podcast, and with good reason. It's such a challenging time for military members and their spouses, families, or significant others. I've been SO excited to bring you this episode, as Becky Hoy and Joanna Guldin-Noll are truly experts on this...
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Support for Military Homeschoolers - Ep. 89
Let's talk about homeschooling in the military, as well as a brand-new podcast created to support military homeschooling families! Since all my kids are now grown, one thing you might not know about me is that we were a homeschooling family for a couple of decades and loved that time with our…
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Let's Talk About Military Marriage - Ep. 88
A military marriage is not the same as a civilian marriage, and conventional wisdom doesn't always apply. From advice like you have to have a weekly date night to you must communicate about everything, how does this work in keeping your military marriage strong? It just doesn't apply if you're...
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Answering Listener Questions & New Season! - Ep. 87
Welcome back to a new season! On this episode, I'm answering listener questions and talking about what's coming. Some topics we cover: Is it ok to call yourself a milspouse or military spouse? What's been the hardest (and best) part of being a military spouse? How much should I share with my…
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A Military Spouse Overseas - Ep. 86
On this episode, I'm talking to Julie Tully, the author of the upcoming book, Dispatches from the Cowgirl: Through the Looking Glass with a Navy Diplomat's Wife. Julie is the spouse of a Foreign Area Officer and has spent the last 18 years living overseas in different countries in Africa and...
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Support for Seasoned Military Spouses with Pride & Grit - Ep. 85
On this episode, I'm talking to Jen Pasquale from Pride & Grit. Jen is a 15-year active-duty Army spouse, mom of two, and champion for seasoned military spouses. In 2018, Jen founded Pride & Grit as a support community, resource hub, and as of 2021, host of an annual personal development retreat...
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Shine Sis: Helping You Find Purpose in the Milspouse Journey - Ep. 84
This week, I'm talking to Mary Monrose and Candus Griffin, military spouses, mothers, and hosts of the Shine Sis podcast. I first connected with them on Instagram, where I saw their posts and loved the positive message they were sharing. When I realized they were also military spouses, I knew we...
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Moving with a Baby - Ep. 83
Whether you're moving stateside or overseas, making a move with a new baby can be a challenge. Get some tips from experienced military spouses! I was asked about this on social media, and here are some of my tips along with input from other military spouses. We talk about: Flying with a baby Tips...
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Comparisons & Admitting You Need Help - Ep. 82
Here's the second installment of the study of my book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse, that we've been doing in the Christian Military Spouse Facebook group. As mentioned on the last episode, I decided to share the audio from my talks there on the podcast, and...
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Giving Up Control in Military Life - Ep. 81
In the Christian Military Spouses group, we've been doing a book study of my book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouses, and I've been talking via video each week there. I'm sharing the audio from those talks over the coming weeks. This is the week 1 study, going...
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Facing a Sudden Deployment - Ep. 80
Whether you're a new or longtime military spouse, a sudden deployment can throw you into a tailspin. If you're facing an unexpected deployment of your spouse, this episode is for you. We're talking about ways to cope, how to connect with others (even if you don't think you need to), some...
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Advocating for EFMP Families & Military Kids in Special Education- Ep. 79
Guest Jennifer Barnhill shares the vision behind Partners in Promise, the challenges and barriers EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program) families face, especially as pertains to special education for military children, the results of their 2021 survey findings, and what Partners in PROMISE does...
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Setting Goals When Military Life Is Uncertain- Ep. 78
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…
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Support for Submarine Spouses - Ep. 77
I've had a lot of requests for more Navy spouse interviews, so I'm happy to bring to you my talk with Chelsea Davis from The Submerged Life! I first discovered the Submerged Life through their funny memes on Instagram and knew I had to reach out to these great ladies. Chelsea Davis, Meagan Guise,...
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Military Life and the Holidays - Ep. 76
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...
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Fostering and Adoption as a Military Family - Ep. 75
November is National Adoption Awareness Month, and this week's guest is sharing why military families can make amazing foster and adoptive families. In the U.S., nearly half a million children are in the foster care system on any given day. While those numbers are staggering, there's much that we...
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A Missionary Heart for the Military - Ep. 74
This week, I'm talking to Air Force spouse and missionary Megan Brown! Megan B. Brown is a seasoned military spouse and military missionary. She is the Military Liaison for the Speak Up Conference Global Missions Military Scholarship and the 2019-Armed Forces Insurance Robins AFB Military Spouse…
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How to Thrive During Deployment - Ep. 73
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...
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Military Spouse Friendships - Ep. 72
Welcome to this short bonus episode! I hear from a lot of you about the topic of friendship, and I know how difficult it can be to find friends as a military spouse. It's not easy to roll into a new location and not know a soul. On this short episode, I'm sharing some thoughts about how to be a...
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Support for National Guard Spouses - Ep. 71
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…
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Coping with Grief and Loss - Ep. 70
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. The guest for this episode is…
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A Seasoned Military Spouse Perspective - Ep. 69
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...
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Make Your Military Marriage Stronger - Ep. 68
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. Someone wise once told me many...
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Milkid Mailkit Connects Military Children- Ep. 67
This episode of the Milspouse Matters podcast is sponsored by SpouseLink, which supports, informs, and inspires military spouses. Learn more at Spouselink.org. I'm so excited to be talking about Milkid Mailkit™, a pen pal program for military children, with one of the program's co-founders,...
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Listener Q & A - Ep. 66
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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Milspouse Matters is the podcast dedicated to encouraging military spouses!I'm your host, Jen McDonald, and I was a military spouse for 30 years until my husband's retirement. We lived all around the world, raised four kids, and dealt with all the challenges and adventures of military life, just like you! I'm also the author of two books for military spouses. Over the years, I came to believe that we military spouses are tough, but we're only stronger together. Whether you're a new or more seasoned spouse…Whatever life is throwing your way? Let's talk about it!
HOSTED BY
Jen McDonald
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Milspouse Matters have?
Milspouse Matters currently has 115 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Milspouse Matters about?
Milspouse Matters is the podcast dedicated to encouraging military spouses!I'm your host, Jen McDonald, and I was a military spouse for 30 years until my husband's retirement. We lived all around the world, raised four kids, and dealt with all the challenges and adventures of military life, just...
How often does Milspouse Matters release new episodes?
Milspouse Matters publishes regularly with 115 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Milspouse Matters?
You can listen to Milspouse Matters on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Milspouse Matters?
Milspouse Matters is created and hosted by Jen McDonald.
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