The American MilSpouse

I'm so excited and honored to bring you this episode! Cindy has been an Air Force spouse for 37 years and she is a passionate advocate for service members and their families. She managed a presidential service award program at the White House and also worked as a senior writer for proclamations and messages in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. She has developed innovative support programs for military families and is an incredible mentor for spouses. Having been through multiple deployments and countless TDY's, she shares with us her lessons and tips. Cindy is married to General Ken Wilsbach who currently serves as commander of Pacific Air Forces. They reside at Hickam Air Force in Hawaii; it's their 23rd move in their nomadic military life.  What do you do when your partner is deployed for a year? What do you do if you do not like the city you moved into or feel powerless in front of the unknown?Cindy answers these questions with brilliance and brings up so much wisdom! I can't wait for you to hear her! I'm also joined by the wonderful Jen and Kirst from Wives of the Air Force who helped make this interview happen. Keep up with them on instagram @wivesoftheairforce and keep up with Cindy @altogetherlovely.blog.  Highlights of the episode include: ● Introducing Jen (2:39) ● Introducing Kirst (4:14) ● Introducing Elizabeth (5:20) ● Meet Cindy (6:41) ● The challenges of moving as an airforce wife (8:23) ● cindy's advice for this lifestyle (11:34) ● Ways to cope with difficult situations (16:01) ● The power of a spouse group (21:05) ● Don't be afraid to reach out to other spouses (27:32) ● Be open to the unexpected of what your life could be in a location (32:54) ● How did Cindy discuss crossroads in her relationship (36:21) ● How to accept the volunteer role as a military spouse (40:01) ● How did Cindy make it through her partner's several deployments? (48:45) ● Cindy's regrets (60:15) ● conclusions (63:00) Did I not tell you that Cindy's insights would have a lot of wisdom? If you loved this episode as much as I did, if it helped you shift your perspective on difficult situations that being a milspouse brings, let me know on social media!

Breaking the mold this month! ⁠ ⁠ Join me for a quick one-take, 20 minute solo episode amidst the chaos of our current PCS. I was stressing about getting the next episode out and ready for you in it's typically neat bow but the reality that it just wasn't going to happen became quite clear. Initially I planned to just take the month off but on a whim decided to hop on and dump my thoughts out for you. ⁠ ⁠ I hope sharing our current state of things brings anyone else in the midst of PCS chaos some comfort that you aren't alone. ⁠ ⁠ Cheers to embracing what we can and being real about the parts that, frankly, kind of suck. :-) This was a leap for me and I'd love to hear your thoughts. <3 ⁠

Ashley Gutermuth is a stand-up comedian and actor who gives excellent advice to military spouses on the internet. Ashley is a fellow spouse. She is also the winner of the Tonight Show's Seinfeld challenge, which is, we think, just super cool. She does such a great job of offering hilarious advice for military spouses and helps you remember to take it all in stride. Do you embrace the craziness of life through comedy? Don't miss this episode as we chat with Ashley Gutermuth about how she uses many online platforms to encourage, educate and influence through humor. Ashley shares her insight about embracing the lifestyle of being a milspouse and setting boundaries, and combatting negative feedback. If you have ever felt like you need to laugh at the chaos of being a milspouse, this episode is for you. I can't wait to hear what you think! "You have to be upfront about everything. Being upfront about it and addressing it is how you move forward. Hiding it and pretending like things don't exist doesn't get us anywhere." - Ashley Gutermuth. Highlights from this episode include: Introducing Ashley G (0:21) Connecting with Ashley (1:27) Creating good, fun comedy (2:53) Embracing the lifestyle of being a milspouse (6:27) Combatting comments online (12:30) Respecting privacy while still creating content (18:30) Keeping content with Public Affairs (23:44) Influencing through humor (28:06) Avoiding being a hoarder and the wardrobe inventory (31:16) Ashley's boundaries in her comedy (36:15) Ashley's advice to other milspouses (40:09) The significance of being a milspouse (44:31) The reservist lifestyle (47:49) Using the platforms of today to serve (51:14) Before you slide over to binge-watch Ashley's content, I would love to know if you loved this episode and if Ashley's insight has helped you find community in those who can find humor in the day-to-day of being a milspouse! Join me on social! Connect with Ashley Website TikTok Connect with Jen & Kirst Wives of the Air Force Group on Facebook Instagram Website Connect with Elizabeth Website Facebook Instagram Thanks for joining me on this episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed this episode, please give me a 5-star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or continue the conversation with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community.

Stacy Morgan is an army spouse, mom, and author. She's also an astronaut spouse and knows all about feeling out of place in her community. She has recently written a book called The Astronaut's Wife, where she shares how launching her husband into outer space changed the way she lives on Earth. Stacey and her husband were both cadets at West Point, where they first met. Does filling out emergency contact paperwork make you realize how alone you are in your community? Don't miss this episode as Stacey and I talk about her experience in the military community and the astronaut spouse community. Stacey shares her incredible insight with us about what she calls the loneliness epidemic affecting women in America. This episode is for you if you have ever felt like a victim of loneliness in your community, and I can't wait to hear what you think! Highlights from this episode include: Introducing Stacey (0:09) Applying for NASA (2:58) Being all in during the application process (6:28) Being a stranger in a strange land (9:49) Inspiration to write a book (13:19) Finding support and community from other astronaut spouses (18:58) Feeling alone in a new community dynamic (25:04) Unearthing the epidemic of loneliness among women (28:36) Choosing to connect (34:16) Forming friendships through the vulnerability of not wanting to be alone (38:38) Advice for new military spouses (44:06) Prioritizing people and not the place (46:35) Stacey's Fast Five (48:10) Are you ready to get out there and start inviting people over for coffee? Before you rush out to buy more mugs and meet new friends, I would love to know if you loved this episode and if Stacey's insight has helped you as much as it helped me! Join me on social! Connect with Stacey The Astronaut's Wife Instagram  Connect with Elizabeth Website Facebook Instagram Thanks for joining me on this episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed this episode, please give me a 5-star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or continue the conversation with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community.

Emily Probst is an Air Force spouse, mother, former teacher, and rockstar realtor. Emily is the one who helped us find our house in Florida, and she is such a pro! Emily and her family's journey has been unique, and I can't wait for you to hear all about it. Don't miss this episode as Emily and I talk about how life is crazy and ever-changing, what it's like being a working mom and wife, balancing the MILSpouse community, and balancing that shift in roles, especially as you go back into the workforce. This episode is for you if you are ready to feel more aligned with your schedule and roles or want more information on VA loans! Highlights from today include: About Emily (3:02) Transitioning into Real Estate (9:26) Serving military families (10:55) Sanity and identities of a MILSpouse (12:23) Finding outlets during downtime (16:26) Identifying and balancing your capacities (17:38) Buying a house with Emily during uncertain times (22:18) Helping first time home buyers (24:32) Takeaways for buying a house right now (26:11) Conventional loan vs. VA loan (29:23) VA appraisals (31:27) The limits and eligibility for a VA loan (36:04) The balance between real estate and being a MILSpouse (43:14) Transforming our roles and schedules (46:14) Getting everything done as a MILSpouse (50:57) Communicating to work together (56:24) Carving out alone time (1:00:39) Setting expectations to align schedules (1:01:48) Rapid-fire questions (1:03:26) I told you Emily is a rockstar! How do you feel your schedule and relationship are aligning? I hope that you loved this episode as much as I do. I would love to know! Join me on social! Connect with Emily Facebook Instagram Work with Emily Connect with Elizabeth Website Facebook Instagram Thanks for joining me on today's episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed today's episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, give me a 5-star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or hang out with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community.

Today's episode is the first of a new collaboration journey that the American MilSpouse podcast is taking with Wives of the Air Force, or WAFs as they're affectionately known. If you think their voices sound familiar, you're right! They were on the podcast early last year. We will dive into how we have managed our mental health and some feedback that we've gotten from you. Jen and Kirst are Air Force spouses, working moms, and the faces of @wivesoftheairforce. WAFs started as a blog meant to serve as a resource for Air Force spouses. Check out their first episode on The American MilSpouse linked below. Be sure to tune in to this episode as Jen, Kirst, and I sit down and discuss current events, things going on in Ukraine, and what that's looked and felt like for us. You don't want to miss this special episode. Highlights from today include: About Jen & Kirst (3:02) Collaborating and finding a community (5:53) Trying to live normally even with insight (8:02) Obligation to stay informed of current events (10:00) Being grateful and spreading positivity (12:03) Being a trusted person to give digestible information (16:52) Social media and monitoring mental and emotional health (21:31) Face to face conversations are an opportunity for learning and growth (27:40) Navigating how accessible military families are to other people (30:08) Communicating with your partner and being a team (33:25) What can you control? (34:56) Connecting in a community where the struggles are so different (38:54) Making sense of the hard (42:27) The impact on different levels of being a military spouse (44:36) Being sensitive about what information you're sharing on social media (47:14) Understanding what they need not understand it as a helper (49:40) Friends who understand to hold space for you when you're ready (53:18) One takeaway that's helping Jen and Kirst walk through this time (58:08) What did you think about today's episode? I hope that you love it as much as we do! We would love to know! Join us on social and let us know! Resources mentioned  Meet Jen & Kirst Connect with Jen & Kirst Wives of the Air Force Group on Facebook Instagram Website Connect with me Website Facebook Instagram Thanks for joining me on today's episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed today's episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, give me a 5 star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or hang out with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community.

Sarah Lenox is an active duty Army spouse, a mom, and an advocate with the armed forces housing advocates organization. Her husband, a paratrooper and almost three-year-old son, is stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Today Sarah will share her quite harrowing experience with MHPI housing. She shares some major struggles with MHPI and her involvement with AHFA. Be sure to tune in to this episode as it's incredibly insightful as Sarah shares all that AHFA is doing to help make this better for our military community. Highlights from today's episode: About Sarah (1:14) Moving in, chronic respiratory issues, and unanswered questions (2:26) Trying to find answers, displacement, and reaching out to AHFA (11:28) Suspicions were never confirmed, and problems affecting readiness (15:05) Emotionally exhausted and feeling helpless (19:07) AHFA advocate and how this nonprofit helps the military community (21:15) AHFA advocates for more than environmental hazards (24:52) Military housing being exempt from Evans Law (27:00) PCS homelessness (28:52) The end goal of AHFA (32:06) The military community isn't siloed anymore with technology (35:21) How can the military community help (36:53) Rapid Fire (40:55) Did you know about AHFA before today's episode? Have you had an experience like Sarah's? I would love to know! Join me on social and chat about it over the next four weeks. Resources Mentioned AFHA Instagram Facebook Thanks for joining me on today's episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed today's episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, give me a 5 star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or hang out with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community.

Today's episode is special as my husband takes the role of host, and I am the guest for this month. Elizabeth Smith is an Air Force spouse, an account manager for a digital marketing company, a podcaster, and last but not least, a mother. Kyle and I have been married for eight years and have two amazing daughters. Today, we will talk about this past year, where we are now compared to where we were a year ago, the pandemic, and the loss of Kyle's dad. Be sure to tune in to this episode as we give you a little peek into us and maybe learn something new about me. Highlights from today with Kyle and I include: Recap of this past year (1:24) The transition back into full-time work (3:45) Different generational pressures (8:24) Big decisions and staying in the Air Force (13:04) Hummingbird of passions (18:24) Do the ads popping up on your phone come from listening to you? (24:59) Self-care, work-life balance and challenges at home (27:36) Losing Kyle's dad and the perspective from being a military spouse (33:38) Rapid Fire (41:57) This episode is truly a special one, such a fun opportunity to sit with Kyle for an hour uninterrupted and just chat. I loved it so much. Did you learn anything new? Did you enjoy having Kyle on as the host? I would love to know! Join me on social and chat about it over the next four weeks. Thanks for joining me on today's episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed today's episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, give me a 5 star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or hang out with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community. 

Monica McCool is an Air Force spouse, nurse, and mother. Monica and I met when our husbands were both in grad school in Boston, and fun fact, she and I had probably one of the lowest water bills for our unit. From investment baking on Wall Street to nursing - she's not just any nurse; she is a pediatric cardiac ICU nurse and helps the littlest patients. Monica's one of my best friends in the world, and I'm excited to jump into the conversation with her today. Be sure to tune in to this episode as Monica shares how she balances everything, what sometimes doesn't make the cut, and why that happens. Highlights from today with Monica include: A story about Monica (:04) Where military life has taken her and her family (2:42) Biggest surprises for Monica about military life (4:34) Career pivots and moves (12:10) How she balances it all (23:39) The effects of the pandemic on being social (31:45) How has this impacted her feeling of community and her support system (33:41) Rapid Fire (39:42) Isn't Monica fun? I loved catching up with her and hearing about her transition from Wall Street to nurse. Do you relate to Monica and Chris? Do you love hosting game nights, and your spouse doesn't? I would love to know! Join me on social and chat about it over the next four weeks. Thanks for joining me on today's episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed today's episode, please head over to iTunes or wherever you listen, give me a 5 star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or hang out with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community.

Angelina is a Lieutenant Colonel graduated Commander, a mom of two, and a spouse. Her husband is an F-15E pilot and weapons officer. They have been in the Air Force for 18 years. Be sure to tune in to this episode as Angelina shares with us her experience with postpartum depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations. A heavy episode, but one that is so valuable. Angelina discusses parts of what she walked through that she didn't necessarily know how to put a name to until she heard someone else talk about it. Maybe you will relate to her story or know someone going through any of these experiences. In today's episode, Angelina and I discuss How she and her husband met (1:59) Where military life has taken them (2:25) Trying to have kids, going to school, and living on a boat (3:39) Writing about her severe postpartum depression (7:47) The difficulty in saying it out loud (14:45) Normalizing sharing the challenging and scary (19:01) Be persistent and be patient (21:33) What led Angelina to write about her experience (27:23) The response when she shared (35:15) What Angelina wants you to know if you are struggling or know someone who is (38:49) Changing what strength looks like (43:30) Rapid Fire (44:51) I hope you found today's episode with Angelina and hearing her story and experience with postpartum depression and anxiety helpful. Maybe you will relate to her story or know someone going through any of these experiences. Resource mentioned Run toward the fire: My journey through mental illness  Thanks for joining me on today's episode of, The American MILSpouse! If you enjoyed today's episode, please head over to iTunes or wherever you listen, give me a 5 star, and leave a review to help me reach even more military spouses. Also, don't forget to check out my website or hang out with me on Instagram to stay connected with others in the community.