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 ...
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Educating, Empowering, & Supporting our fellow #Servicemembers, #Veterans, & their Loved ones. Covering issues across all spectrum of #MilitarService for #ActiveDuty & Life beyond as #Veterans!
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Motivational and unforgettable takeaways to drive brave humans into action.
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Handle It With Humor is an uncensored comedy podcast about being a military veteran wife, parenting, marriage, babies, and stress. Mollie Gross is a comedienne, motivational speaker, and author. Her goal is to help you find humor in life's most stressful situations with advice you can LISTEN to, and stories you can laugh at.
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Erin Ward-McCarty and Molly Cruzen discuss their experiences as military spouses and what they wish they would have known in the beginning. Join us for some heartwarming conversation and great laughs. From our house to yours, we can’t wait for you to join us!
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Milspouse Matters


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Best of: Preparing for Deployment and Reintegration - Ep. 107
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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 deployment? Have you wondered why the service member’s ho…
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Milspouse Matters


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Help Your Marriage Thrive During Deployment and Military Separations - Ep. 106
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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. Mentioned in this episode: Jen's book launch team - https://…
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Milspouse Matters


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Navigating Military Life with Humor - Ep. 105
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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 through humor and processing life through writing. Lisa re…
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Milspouse Matters


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Best of: Pro Tips for Your PCS Move - Ep. 104
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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 of Station (PCS), my goal is to provide you with a we…
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Milspouse Matters


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Moving with a Baby: Tips from Experienced Military Spouses - Ep. 103
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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 emotional adjustments, and the added responsibilities o…
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Milspouse Matters


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Best of: When Your Child Joins the Military - Ep. 102
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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 community that understands what it's like to have a chil…
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Milspouse Matters


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Moving with Pets: Essential Resources and Expert Advice - Ep. 101
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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 natural solution to help calm your furry friend? Look no …
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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 Publishing. Find it on my Instagram and Facebook (links below).…
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Milspouse Matters


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Dealing with Anxiety as a Military Spouse - Ep. 99
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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 she'd always done: try to cope alone. On this episod…
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Milspouse Matters


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Helping Teens Through a Parent's Deployment - Ep. 98
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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 info is from part of a talk I gave during the amazin…
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Milspouse Matters


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Starting Your Own Business as a Military Spouse - Ep. 97
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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 military took her family to Japan, avoiding burnout, th…
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Milspouse Matters


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Tips for Settling In at a New Duty Station - Ep. 96
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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 duty station, so be sure to go check out that longer e…
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Milspouse Matters


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Managing Your Finances as a Military Family - Ep. 95
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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 plan, ways to save money, ideas for saving and investing…
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Milspouse Matters


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Preparing for an Overseas Military Move - Ep. 94
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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 …
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Milspouse Matters


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How to Cope When You Hate Your Duty Station - Ep. 93
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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 - the book On this episode, we’re talking about how to c…
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Milspouse Matters


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MSAN Provides Mentoring and Support for Military Spouses - Ep. 92
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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 your military spouse community as well as understandin…
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Milspouse Matters


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Military Care Packages with Navy Veteran Jack Wray - Ep. 91
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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 care packages! Some topics we discuss: The story behi…
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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 topic, and they’re sharing their insight and encouragem…
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People of the world, for the love of God SPEAK UP! https://www.anniepeguero.com/By Annie Peguero
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Milspouse Matters


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Support for Military Homeschoolers - Ep. 89
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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 four kids. I was also the managing editor for a large ho…
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Milspouse Matters


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Let's Talk About Military Marriage - Ep. 88
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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 apart a lot or have recently moved and don't have resou…
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In this episode, Annie explores the Urgency Response as it relates to trauma and anxiety. Get Annie's guided hypnosis downloads on her website at https://www.anniepeguero.com/By Annie Peguero
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Join Annie as she chats with Sōl Lifer™, award-winning graphic designer and artist Elena Jochum Connect with Elena at https://www.elenajochum.com/By Annie Peguero
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Milspouse Matters


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Answering Listener Questions & New Season! - Ep. 87
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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 spouse when they're deployed? I feel nervous about homeco…
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Join Annie to identify your tendencies toward perfectionism and allow it to fall away for peace, happiness, laughter and joy. Your donation to Adventures with Annie Peguero Podcast means the world. Any amount is appreciated to anne.peguero@gmail.com on Paypal friends and family. We have an Imperfection Party coming up for business owners on August …
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Where the Brave Grow


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Interrupt Your Thought Loops in 5 Simple Steps
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Annie shares how to Interrupt Your Thought Loops in 5 Simple Steps https://www.anniepeguero.com/By Annie Peguero
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Join Annie for this Big Breakthrough convo
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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 Europe. In fact, Julie recorded this episode from Italy, …
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MilSpouse House


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A Summer Farewell: An End To MilSpouse House First Season
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Hello MilSpouses! Thank you all for an amazing first season of MilSpouse House! As we close this season, we look back on all the amazing stories we've shared, what we've learned and what we hope for the future. From our house to yours, have a great summer! *** Are you struggling to win your VA disability claim? Check out VA Claims Insider! Schedule…
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Milspouse Matters


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Support for Seasoned Military Spouses with Pride & Grit - Ep. 85
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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 for seasoned military spouses. As a Gallup-Certified …
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We all have those memories as military spouses that we will never forget. Whether it's the first time we went on base, the first call that he's coming home, or the realization our spouse is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country–these memories will forever be imprinted in our brains. Join us as we share our core memories as milita…
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Today we celebrate Memorial Day. A day of reflection and gratitude for those heroes who gave their lives for our freedom. We dedicate this episode to those Americans who never made it home–as well as those who did make it home but are no longer with us. This is a very special episode for both of us and we thank you for listening. Emails us at milsp…
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Milspouse Matters


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Shine Sis: Helping You Find Purpose in the Milspouse Journey - Ep. 84
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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 had to talk! About Shine Sis: It’s hard trying to fin…
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MilSpouse House


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Does A Divorced Military Spouse Get Benefits? UPDATED!
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Divorce is never a fun topic and getting divorced in the military can seem scary. We are here today to give you the facts. Whether your spouse is still in the military or a retired veteran... what are your rights as the military (ex)spouse? Do you get to keep your military ID if you are separated? What about BAH? Are you allowed to get divorced if …
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MilSpouse House


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Why Military Marriages Fail And How To Save Yours
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We all know the statistics. We hear horror stories, but how do we nurture our military marriages? What steps do we take to bring love back into our relationships? How do we journey through the hard times together without growing apart? Too often we hear from military couples who want to stay together but aren't sure how to get started on the path o…
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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 for cross-country travel Preparing mentally Giving y…
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MilSpouse House


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Our Top 5 Things To Do Before Your Spouse Gets Out Of The Military
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Today we talk about the top 5 things to do before your spouse gets out of the military! Whether your spouse has served 4 years, 14 years, or 24 years... this episode is a MUST LISTEN TO episode for every milspouse! **** Do you know a veteran who is struggling to win their VA disability claim? Help your service member and check out VA Claims Insider…
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We dedicate this episode to all military mothers who may be listening–but especially the mothers of children serving in the U.S. Military. Today, Molly shares a question and answer segment with a mother who has more than one child serving in the U.S Military. She shares her initial reaction as her first child answered his call to serve, how that re…
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Milspouse Matters


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Comparisons & Admitting You Need Help - Ep. 82
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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 this is the week 2 study covering readings 5-7. If y…
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MilSpouse House


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How To Celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day
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Military spouses are an essential part of our military's success. We provide support and stability to our service members, veterans, and our families during times that can be very challenging. Here at MilSpouse House, we want to recognize YOU and thank you for everything you do! So join us as we share our thoughts on Military Spouse Appreciation Da…
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The death of a loved one is always a difficult time, and the loss of a veteran or active duty service member can be especially hard to cope with. In addition to the emotional toll, surviving family members may also face financial challenges. Fortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides survivor benefits to help dependents of deceased ve…
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After years of service, it is finally time to leave the military. As a veteran, your spouse is entitled to certain benefits, but did you know some states are more veteran-friendly than others? In today's episode, we discuss the top 5 states for veteran benefits! Knowing these benefits could make all the difference when deciding where to settle down…
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MilSpouse House


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Our Best Tips On How To Successfully Work From Home–Especially If You Have Kids!
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If you're a military spouse, or even if you're just a parent who has to work from home sometimes, you know that it can be challenging to balance work with home life. Juggling kids, housework, and trying to get work done can feel impossible at times! But don't worry–we've got some tips for how to make working from home a little bit easier. Keep list…
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MilSpouse House


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Raising Children In The Military: With Special Guest, Kayla Lyon
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This month we celebrate the military children of America. To honor them, Kayla Lyon came back to talk about what they face as well as tips for parents in deployment time or when things change suddenly with little ones at home! She also explains how resilience can be found inside every child of those who has served this country. Kayla Lyon is a vete…
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Pulling yourself out of the darkness is not easy. It takes a lot of time, commitment, and effort to turn your life around. And that's why it can be so easy to give up on yourself. You don't have to be lost in the dark. There are many things you can do to pull yourself out and these tips will help! Is your spouse struggling to win their VA disabilit…
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Annie shares strategies and insights on creating stillness in your busy life. Sign up for Annie's Island Time Wellness Challenge https://www.anniepeguero.com/By Annie Peguero
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Milspouse Matters


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Giving Up Control in Military Life - Ep. 81
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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 over Days 1-4 in the book. (Note: If you’d like to joi…
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MilSpouse House


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Celebrating K9 Veterans And How To PCS With Your Pet
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We owe so much to the brave men and women who have served our country, but what about their four-legged counterparts? K9s are often found in law enforcement, military or search and rescue. This episode is for all our K9 Veterans out there who served so selflessly and bravely. It's also important to remember the role pets play in our lives as milita…
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MilSpouse House


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The KEY To Helping Your Spouse Get VA Benefits
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If you're married to a veteran or active duty service member, then you know that they deserve all the benefits they can get. But understanding VA benefits can be difficult - especially when it comes to your spouse. Today we share with you our TOP TIP for making sure their needs are met. Instagram: milspouse_house Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/…
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MilSpouse House


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How To Keep Calm During Real World Conflicts
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Milspouses are feeling uncertain and stressed about the current state of affairs. We want to check in with you and see how you're doing. We know that it's hard right now, but we want to be here for each other. You are not alone. Let us be your battle buddy as we navigate through these uncertain times together. We will check in with each other every…
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