Episode 22: Coping with Stress in a Crisis
Military families are no strangers to uncertainty, yet the coronavirus pandemic is adding a whole host of new challenges, including halted PCS moves and extended deployments. So, how do you cope with the added stress of COVID-19? And how do you talk to your kids about it? A military spouse mental health counselor offers some advice.
Podcast guest Richelle Futch is offering a free download of her parenting workbook to Spouse Angle listeners. Download it now at https://www.powerbackparenting.com/freepdf.
Episode 21: How to Help Your Military Kids Survive the School Year
Military kids already face many education hurdles — and now they're all at home due to coronavirus fears. In this episode, a teacher and military homeschool mom shares best tips for surviving the rest of the school year, and an education expert highlights ways to help military kids succeed in school.
Take the Military Child Education Coalition survey at https://milkidsnoweducationsurvey.questionpro.com/.
Episode 19: What a New Tenant Bill of Rights Means for Military Families
It’s been more than a year since horror stories of black mold, lead, rats and other terrifying realities in military base housing started making headlines. This week Natalie looks at the new Tenant Bill of Rights — what's included and what military families are still fighting for — with the military spouse and activist who helped make it happen.
Episode 18: Military Families in the Middle of the Coronavirus Outbreak
The coronavirus epidemic is shaking the world, and military families in Korea are near the center of it all. A reporter in Seoul and an Army spouse at Camp Humphreys explain how the health scare and its ripple effects have upended everyday life for thousands of military families.
Episode 17: The Top Military Lifestyle Challenges for Troops and Their Spouses
Family separations. Spouse unemployment. Child care. These are some of the top concerns for military families, according to a new survey of more than 11,000 service members, veterans and military spouses. A researcher joins Natalie to dissect the data — and what it means for your loved ones.
Episode 16: Military Families With Special Needs Are Fighting for Change
Military spouses and mothers of children with special needs are asking Congress for help fixing a military program that's supposed to help families like theirs navigate medical care and education. They join Natalie to share what's at stake if nothing improves.
Episode 15: When There's No Child Care
Many parents have a checklist of nonnegotiables when finding a day care or interviewing nannies. But not all military families can be that selective — especially in remote areas or on bases without child development centers. In this episode, a Coast Guard couple shares their story of struggle and how building relationships in their local community has alleviated some of the problem.
Episode 14: Helping to Solve the Spouse Unemployment Crisis — One Remote Job at a Time
It's no surprise that the constant changes of military life negatively impact spouse's employment opportunities. But what if spouses had jobs that moved with them? This episode explores the latest research on job portability, and an Army wife entrepreneur shares how her innovative company is connecting military spouses with remote work.
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families report referenced in this episode is available at https://bit.ly/36TQpBi. Learn more about Instant Teams at https://www.instantteams.com/.
Episode 13: PCS Horror Stories: Military Spouses Share Worst Moving Memories
Tardy shipments. Damaged goods. On the heels of a recent DoD audit of military moves, spouses call in with their best PCS horror stories.
The DoD OIG report referenced in the episode is available at https://bit.ly/38GYk6e.
Episode 12: No More 'Tax' on Military Widows
For decades, surviving military spouses haven't been receiving all the money they're owed after their service member dies. But 65,000 surviving spouses will be benefiting from a new law passed to fix the "widow's tax." On this episode, two survivors join Natalie to talk about their heroes and the law's impacts.
Episode 11: As Iranian Threats Loom, Seasoned Spouses Offer Tips for Surviving Tough Times
As tension continues to mount between the U.S. and Iran, tightened security and rapid deployments have put the military community — and country — on edge. Two experienced military spouses join Natalie to discuss their fears, faith and advice for getting support in uncertain times.
Resources mentioned in this episode include:
https://www.facebook.com/MilspoCo/
Episode 10: Q&A With 'Women of the Military' Host Amanda Huffman
Natalie brings on fellow podcast host Amanda Huffman for a lighthearted Q&A to celebrate The Spouse Angle's 10th episode, answering listener questions about military family life, women in combat, podcasting for a military audience and more. Plus, some tips for supporting your spouse — even when it may be hard to support the mission.
Episode 9: The New Rules You Need to Know for Shopping on Base in 2020
Changes to base access rules on Jan. 1 mean 4.1 million more people can now shop at commissaries and Exchanges on military installations across the country. Who’s allowed? Why the change? And how does this impact active-duty families already shopping on base? A DoD expert answers these questions and more.
Episode 8: What Is the Gig Economy, and Why Are Military Families Depending on It?
Nearly 50% of military spouses and service members depend on the gig economy to supplement their military income. A team of experts explain why, and a husband and wife pair of artists share tips for running a side hustle.
Episode 7: What 2020 Presidential Candidates Are Saying About Military Pay, Deployments and More
What does President Trump plan to do for the military if he’s reelected? And what do his Democratic contenders eye as the biggest issues for military families? On this episode, a discussion with a Military Times editor brings out the important answers you won't hear from the debate stage.
Episode 6: Controversial Changes to Education Benefits, Explained
Think the Post-9/11 GI Bill is just for veterans? Some recent changes to the education benefit have everything to do with active-duty families. Natalie brings on a GI Bill expert to explain what's new and why the updates are so controversial.
Episode 5: Giving Tuesday, Military Style
Three military spouses are on a mission to make the world a better place through 1 million acts of kindness.
Episode 4: #AmbushedAtHome: Military Spouses Share Base Housing Horror Stories
Mold. Lead. Rats. These are just a few of the issues some military families have faced while living in base housing. A Navy wife and a former Army spouse join Natalie to share their nightmare experiences, and a housing expert offers a look at proposed legislation that could bring change.
Episode 3: How Russian Trolls Are Targeting the Military Community
Russian trolls are old news, but just how much they've been plaguing the military community has only recently come to light. On this episode, a conversation with a veteran who's been researching the problem and a military spouse who shares her story of being targeted. Both offer tips for staying safe online.