BONUS: Community Building as a Military Spouse
Two Marine Corps spouses share their struggles of building community during military life and what's ultimately helped them make lasting friendships.
This episode is sponsored by SpouseLink, a unique space created to help bridge the distance between family and friends that comes with military life.
Episode 72: What a Dead Voting Bill Has to Do With Military Families
A landmark piece of voting legislation, the "For the People Act," didn't make it past the Senate. Yet a military spouse and advocate breaks down why military families should care that it didn't pass — and what's next for their voting rights.
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Episode 71: A Same-Sex Spouse's Perspective on Military Life
In 2018 Brian Alvarado was the first same-sex military spouse to receive the Navy Spouse of the Year Award. Now he's using his national platform — including an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" — to advocate for military spouses and families. In this episode he also shares how the military's transformation since the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" era has shaped his family's service.
Connect with Brian Alvarado on LinkedIn. Follow The Spouse Angle on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Episode 70: Why Your Base Housing Rights Depend on Where You Live
Implementation of the Defense Department's Tenant Bill of Rights for military families in base housing has hit a few snags, even as more families sue the companies that manage these properties. A Stars and Stripes reporter provides the latest updates.
Articles mentioned in this episode include:
Former managers for privatized housing company plead guilty to fraud in doctoring maintenance records, Military Times
These 37 Army bases are providing all privatized housing tenant rights, Military Times
DOD delays final protections for military families in housing tenant bill of rights — again, Stars and Stripes
Follow Rose Thayer on Twitter. Follow The Spouse Angle on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Episode 69: Need a Job or Child Care? Military Families May Be Getting Help
Help may be on the way for military spouses struggling to find employment or pay for child care, as Congress weighs multiple bills that would impact military families financially.
To make your voice heard on the legislation discussed in this episode, contact your elected officials through the Military Officers Association of America via the MOAA Take Action Center or share your story with the National Military Family Association.
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Episode 67: Shannon Kent’s Gold Star Husband Shares Their Story
Gold Star husband and retired Green Beret Joe Kent reflects on the life of his late wife, who was killed on a special operations mission fighting ISIS in Syria. Joe is raising the couple's two young sons and shares how he's preserving Shannon Kent's legacy as a mother and a warrior.
Episode 65: A Spike in Cybercrimes Against Military Families
A Gold Star spouse discovered her late husband's photo was being used in online romance scams. Now, she's part of a new campaign to educate about a rise in cybercrimes impacting service members, veterans and their families at disproportionate rates.
Follow the Cybercrime Support Network on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and visit FightCybercrime.org to learn more. Follow the Spouse Angle on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Episode 64: An Army Spouse on Afghanistan: It’s ‘Like a Member of My Family’
As U.S. troops prepare to leave Afghanistan, an Army spouse shares her perspective on a country she's come to know and love through her husband's many deployments and the toll the war there has taken on her life.
Follow Rebekah Sanderlin on Twitter. Follow the Spouse Angle on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Episode 62: What a White House Initiative Means for Military Kids
First Lady Jill Biden is tackling military kids’ education as part of the White House Joining Forces Initiative. In this episode, a military kid shares her experiences moving from school to school, and a military child education leader shares what families can expect from the program.
Episode 61: The Story Behind ‘Military Spouse Owned’
A new Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce offers multiple resources for entrepreneurs and, for the first time, the chance to be federally recognized as a military spouse-owned business. Two Army spouses working on this project provide all the details.
Follow the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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Episode 60: What Spouses Say Are the Biggest Challenges of Military Life
The latest results of the annual Blue Star Families Military Lifestyle Survey are in. Hear how much the coronavirus pandemic has impacted military families and which challenges still remain consistent – COVID-19 or not.
The latest results of the annual Blue Star Families Military Lifestyle Survey are in. Hear how much the coronavirus pandemic has impacted military families and which challenges still remain consistent – COVID-19 or not.
Find out more about the survey at https://bluestarfam.org/survey-2/.
Episode 59: Why 2020 Was One Military Spouse Entrepreneur's Best Year Yet
On this month's feature episode, attorney and business coach Rachel Brenke shares how a cancer diagnosis launched her into entrepreneurship and how she's maintained success throughout the hard times of military life and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Episode 58: Struggling with Food Insecurity as a Military Family
Many military families are struggling to put food on the table, research shows. An Army spouse discusses what it’s like dealing with food insecurity and the resources that have helped her family, and a military spouse near Joint Base Lewis-McChord shares how she's growing food to give away to families in need.
Episode 57: Making It Easier for Military Spouses to Work
More states are passing laws to make it easier for military spouses to transfer professional licenses after a move. A lawyer and a teacher share some of the barriers they’ve faced when having to transfer their careers after a PCS.
For more information on state license recognition laws mentioned in this episode, click here.
Episode 56: Many Military Families With Special Needs Aren’t Getting Help
The military offers dedicated resources for families with special medical and educational needs. Yet according to a new survey, many families don't know about it.
Learn more about Partners in PROMISE on Facebook and at promiseact.org. Follow The Spouse Angle on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
BONUS: Secrets to Financial Success for Military Families
A financial expert who works with military families shares his top tips and practical advice for building financial security — especially during hard times.
This episode is sponsored by First Command. To learn more about the services the company provides to military families, visit firstcommand.com.