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Every move. Every new school. Every time a military kid starts fresh, there's a story worth hearing and hands-on strategies to help! For educators, family members, and those who work with military families, in this podcast, we listen deeply, learn from experts, and celebrate the lives of military-connected children and young adults. We explore the academic, emotional, and social landscapes they navigate — connecting families and communities to resources, organizations, and schools that help every child show up college-, work-, and life-ready.
Episodes

Aug 15, 2022
Aug 15, 2022
15 min
Description: Pinecrest High School S2S members chat about the student lead program and how its about creating connection for all students.
This podcast was made possible, thanks to the generous support from the Spouses of JBMDL Organization and the Belvoir Spouses Charitable Association.
https://www.belvoirspousesclub.org/
Show Notes:
Student to Student Program:

Aug 12, 2022
Aug 12, 2022
12 min
Description: Nine-year-old, Quinn talks about how her love of dance kept her connected with her deployed father and created conversations about military life with her classmates.
This episode was made possible thanks to the support of the Spouses’ Club of Lewis- McChord.
https://www.spousesclublm.org/
Show Notes:
Title: Spotlighting Artistic Expression and the Military Child featuring Dr. Jill Biden and Quinn
Description: Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, joined the 2022 MCEC Global Summit to share about raising the voices of military-connected children through artistic expression. Dr. Biden introduced the MCEC Call for the Arts artist spotlight, nine-year-old Quinn, who shared her gift of interpretive dance titled “For Our Soldier” set to the music “Soldier’s Light” by Rylee Preston. This piece was choreographed by Quinn and her mom, which brought comfort during her father’s most recent deployment and was a creative outlet for the family as they were experiencing the separation.
MCEC Youtube link: https://youtu.be/0bNEzHhIYtk
Bio:
Quinn is a vibrant nine-year-old entering 4th grade this fall. She currently lives in Northern California with her parents, younger sister, and dog Rudy. As a resilient military child, she has lived in four states, and will be starting her third 'new school' this year. She loves reading, dance, soccer, and exploring the outdoors with family and friends. During a tough deployment, Quinn and her mom sought comfort in the art of dance. They came up with the idea to choreograph a piece together that would honor Dad while he was gone. The song, "Soldier's Light" by Rylee Preston was a favorite on Quinn's Spotify Playlist. Over the next two months, Quinn and her mom found an outlet of support and release as they created this dance together. Upon Dad's homecoming, Quinn was excited to present him with the surprise gift of a dance dedicated to him. Quinn is the daughter of Major Matt LeCraw, active duty Air Force. Major LeCraw is currently a U-2 Pilot at Beale Air Force Base.

Aug 1, 2022
Aug 1, 2022
12 min
Description: Navigating a military move can be hectic, and there may be an added layer when special education is involved. Karen Terry from the Office of Special Needs shares some tips and resources that support military families before, during and after their move.
We'd like to thank the West Point Spouses Club for making today's podcast possible.
https://westpointspousesclub.org/
Show Notes:
EFMP and Me:
https://efmpandme.militaryonesource.mil/
Advanced EFMP registration:
https://efmpeducationdirectory.militaryonesource.mil/
MCEC's Webinar Transitions with Exceptional Needs-
Bio: Karen Terry
Karen Terry is Program analyst in the Office of Special Needs, Office of Family Readiness Policy, Military Community and Family Policy, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (OUSD) for Personnel and Readiness.
Ms. Terry is a retired service member with 21 years in the Air Force where she served both on active duty and in the reserves. Upon retiring, Ms Terry was part of the Headquarters Air Force Airman and Family Services team where she managed programs such as Relocation, School Liaisons, and the Exceptional Family Member Program.
Before joining OUSD, Ms. Terry was employed as the Family Support Specialist for a Virginia county public school Department of Special Education. It this position, she worked extensively with parents as they learned and navigated special education on behalf of their child and with the students to increase their access to education through appropriate accommodations and/or modifications.
Ms. Terry is married with three sons. Her middle son has autism spectrum disorder and was the reason she turned her professional focus to working with people with special needs.

Jul 19, 2022
Jul 19, 2022
9 min
Description:
Call for the Arts winner, Angelina, captures the voices of military children everywhere with her poem about love, loneliness, and loss.
Show Notes:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support from the AF Officers Spouses Club of Washington, DC
https://www.afoscdc.com/
Bio: Angelina is 17 years old and a resident of Monmouth County, New Jersey. She just graduated from High School with her CNA and CPR certification. Angelina will be attending Pace University in the fall with plans to major in nursing. She also enjoys spending quality time with family and hanging out with friends.
Show Notes:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts
Bio: Angelina is 17 years old and a resident of Monmouth County, New Jersey. She just graduated from High School with her CNA and CPR certification. Angelina will be attending Pace University in the fall with plans to major in nursing. She also enjoys spending quality time with family and hanging out with friends.

Jul 18, 2022
Jul 18, 2022
12 min
Description: Philip, Columbus High School Art Club member, explains how their art installation celebrates the military child.
Show Notes:
https://www.militarychild.org/programs/the-call-for-the-arts
https://www.instagram.com/pwpaints/?hl=en
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the AF Officers Spouses Club of Washington, D.C.
Bio:
Phillip Walker is 19 years old and a resident of Columbus Georgia. He currently attends the art school Rhode Island School of Design where he majors in painting. Phillip is the co-chair of communications for Brown/RISD Branch Christian Fellowship and enjoys making funny videos and drinking boba tea.

Jul 11, 2022
Jul 11, 2022
19 min
Description: When a military family member needs extra support, it can mean big adjustments for everyone in the family. Rosita and her friend, Rocío, discuss how to embrace this unique situation with a sense of family togetherness.
This program is powered in part by Wounded Warrior Project® to honor and empower post-9/11 injured service members, veterans, and their families.
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Show notes:
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
Sunny Days song
Sesame Street for Military Families: Long -Term Caregiving
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/topic/injuries-long-term-caregiving/?ytid=XZYUY9mFCTM
Bio: Rosita
Rosita is an optimistic and playful 5-year-old whose full name, Rosita la Monstrua de las Cuevas, means “The Monster of the Caves.” Hailing from Mexico, she speaks both Spanish and English, often mixing words from both languages when she talks. She is a sensitive and caring character, and she conveys her compassion with lots of hugs. She loves singing and playing guitar, reading and writing in both English and Spanish, and finding ways to share her heritage with others. She often teaches Spanish words to friends Elmo, Abby, and Zoe.
Rocío Galarza serves as Vice President, US Social Impact, Sesame Workshop
Rocío manages the development of educational content for a wide range of multimedia projects. As an expert in early childhood educational development, Rocío works with advisors to ensure that the content of Sesame Street’s initiatives is age-appropriate, engaging, and effective.

Jul 4, 2022
Jul 4, 2022
36 min
Description:
Chris O provides insight on topics surrounding Third Culture Kids (TCK) and how understanding this concept can help military kids use the skills essential to navigating life successfully.
Show Notes:
http://www.chris-o.com/chriso/index.html
Transition- Building a RAFT
https://communicatingacrossboundariesblog.com/2014/06/12/transition-building-a-raft/
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support of the AF Officers Spouses Club of Washington, DC
Bio: Christopher O’Shaughnessy
Christopher O’Shaughnessy is a passionate and versatile speaker, comedian, and author who uses a unique blend of story-telling, humor, and provocative insight to engage a wide array of people on topics surrounding Third Culture Kids (TCKs), intercultural understanding, and increasing empathy.
Born in England as a military child to American parents, Chris has lived and worked across the globe and to date has ventured to more than 100 countries. Tales from these experiences form part of the fabric of Chris’ engaging presentations.
Chris’ book, Arrivals, Departures and the Adventures In-Between, has received high praise from students, teachers, and other experts in the TCK and international community as a resource that is both enjoyable to read at a student level, and able to instill truths, insights, and skills essential to navigating life successfully as a TCK.

Jun 27, 2022
Jun 27, 2022
23 min
MIC3 answers questions regarding the Military Interstate Compact and makes recommendations for families on how they can use this powerful resource.
This podcast was made possible thanks to the Air Force Officer Spouses Club of Washington, D.C.
Show Notes:
MIC3: Successful Educational Transitions Webinar
Bio:
Lindsey Dablow
Operations and Training Associate

Jun 17, 2022
Jun 17, 2022
11 min
Description: Sesame Street discusses resources that can help prepare military families on the conversation of racial justice.
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support from the Air Force Officers Spouses Club of Washington, D.C.
Show Notes:
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/
https://sesamestreetformilitaryfamilies.org/
A Conversation with Sesame Street about Racial Justice Resources for Military Families Webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/eCZpAFR5qUH_3MA6eMsbFDNrb5PVL4bAOr1V7DoiLXE6sGeYY21w9BswWc1dMJA5DEbJzvBPpBnhag1t.AYjOMeY117S6GEHt?startTime=1650988736000&_x_zm_rtaid=4m5zTm_GQumf-0y-kHSK5w.1655483423039.769650079e8c0ae34e6badaa17e5803a&_x_zm_rhtaid=786
I am Me Activity:
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/racial-justice/?activity=i-am-me
Explaining Race:
Racial Justice Resources for Military Families:
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/subtopics/racial-justice-resources-for-military-families/
Great Things:
Bio:
Sabrina Huda is the Project Director for various Sesame Workshop initiatives that reach our most vulnerable and underserved families. Currently she leads Sesame Street’s initiatives for Military Families, Sesame’s COVID-response, and social justice initiatives. Sabrina formerly worked on Sesame’s international projects in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia. Prior to joining Sesame Workshop, Sabrina was an Assistant Director at Spence Chapin working in domestic adoption. She was also a Teacher at the Barnard Center for Toddler Development.
Sabrina holds a BA in Neuroscience & Behavior from Barnard College and an MA from Teachers College. When not on longest street in the world, Sabrina is getting into trouble with her 11mth old daughter.
Anna Carbone is a Project Coordinator within the U.S. Social Impact Department at the Sesame Workshop, and a licensed community social worker by trade. She comes to Sesame with experience developing programs and communications strategies in the nonprofit, federal government, and higher education sectors. In her role at the workshop, Anna works on the creation, management, and implementation of resources created for kids and families around the nation with a focus on supporting military-connected and veteran families through their biggest milestones. Anna holds a BA in Communications from Marist College and a Masters of Science from the School of Social Work at Columbia University. She's honored to be among such amazing individuals today and to share more about how to use these tools in your everyday life!

Jun 13, 2022
Jun 13, 2022
27 min
Description: Discussing the legal aspects of homeschooling for our military families.
This podcast was made possible thanks to the generous support from The Military Spouses’ Association- 29 Palms
Show Notes:
https://hslda.org/community/resources-for-military-families
Bio: TJ Schmidt
Tj was homeschooled starting in the second grade for nearly every year through high school graduation. For much of that time, his family served as missionaries in Haiti.
He earned his juris doctor from Oak Brook College of Law and began working as a legal assistant at HSLDA. Now, having served as an HSLDA Staff Attorney for over 18 years, Tj assists members across the country with legal questions and challenges to their homeschool freedom.
Tj and his wife, Susan, homeschool their seven children: Josiah, Suzanna, Ella, Makenna, Jonah, Annika, and Ezra.
