Milspouse In The House

Military Brands

MilSpouse in the House: A Podcast for Military Spouses, By Military Spouses Welcome to MilSpouse in the House, the podcast created to empower, inform, and uplift military spouses navigating the unique challenges of military life. Whether you’re new to the journey or a seasoned spouse, we’re here to provide the insights, confidence, and sense of community you deserve. What We’re About Valuable Information, Told Through Real Stories – We don’t just give you facts; we share real experiences, practical advice, and emotional connections that make information stick. Empowerment & Advocacy – Military spouses have rights, opportunities, and benefits that often go underutilized. We’re here to break it all down so you can confidently make informed decisions. Maximizing Your Benefits – From TRICARE and education opportunities to spouse employment programs and financial planning, we make sure you’re getting the most out of what’s available to you. Building Community & Morale – We highlight inspiring stories, personal struggles, and triumphs that remind you that you’re not alone in this journey. Join us for engaging conversations, expert insights, and heartfelt moments that make military life a little easier—and a lot more connected. MilSpouse in the House is more than a podcast; it’s your battle buddy in audio form.

  1. Lifting Up the Leaders: Inside AFI's Military Spouse of the Year Program

    JAN 6

    Lifting Up the Leaders: Inside AFI's Military Spouse of the Year Program

    Military spouses are often the quiet leaders behind the scenes — building community, supporting families, and stepping up when their service members can’t be home. In this powerful episode of MilSpouse in the House, host Christie Nix sits down with Lori Simmons of Armed Forces Insurance and Jaime Billert, the 2025 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year, to explore what it truly means to recognize and uplift military spouse leadership. From the origins of the Military Spouse of the Year (MSOY) program to Jaime’s deeply personal journey of service, leadership, and “blooming where you’re planted,” this conversation highlights how recognition can empower not just one spouse — but an entire community. Whether you’re thinking about nominating someone, wondering if your own work matters, or looking for ways to get more involved, this episode is a reminder that what may feel small to you can mean everything to someone else. In This Episode The origin and evolution of the Military Spouse of the Year programHow Armed Forces Insurance expanded MSOY to base, branch, and overall winnersWhat judges look for in MSOY nominees — and why leadership matters mostJaime Billert’s journey from first PCS to national recognitionWhy being nominated alone can be a powerful form of validationHow military spouses can support one another without burnoutEncouragement for spouses who feel like they’re “not doing enough” Military Spouse News & Benefits Update Brought to you by MilSpouses.com — built by military spouses, for military spouses. School Choice Expanded: New executive action strengthened school choice options for military families navigating PCS moves.TSA Access for Families: Military spouses and Gold Star families now qualify for free TSA PreCheck, plus expanded “honor lanes” at select airports.PCS Reimbursement Overhaul: The DoD announced plans to streamline PCS reimbursement and reduce financial strain.Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts: For the first time, military families can access healthcare FSAs — a major quality-of-life win. Key Takeaways Leadership isn’t about perfection — it’s about showing up.Recognition matters. Sometimes the nomination itself is the thank you someone needs.You don’t have to do everything alone. Community grows when we connect, collaborate, and lift each other up.Say yes — and figure it out along the way. Every impactful spouse started somewhere.As Jaime Billert shared: “What feels like a thankless job can still deserve a thank you. Take the genuine compliment.” Episode Links Nominate a Military Spouse: https://msoy.afi.orgArmed Forces Insurance: https://www.afi.orgFollow MSOY on Social: Facebook & InstagramNominations close January 16, 2026 Sponsored by TalkSpace Military life is rewarding — but it’s not without stress. With TalkSpace, you can connect with a licensed therapist anytime, anywhere. This holiday season, take care of your mental health while caring for others. Visit talkspace.com to learn more. Stay Connected Follow: @ThisIsMilSpouses on InstagramRead: You’ll find the latest in military family news and uplifting lifestyle features on milspouses.com.Subscribe: MilSpouse In the House on Spotify

    1h 7m
  2. Food, Family & Military Life: Holiday Cooking with Food Network Star Amy Pottinger

    12/09/2025

    Food, Family & Military Life: Holiday Cooking with Food Network Star Amy Pottinger

    Food, Family & Military Life: Holiday Cooking with Amy Pottinger Sponsored by: TalkSpace Host: Christie Nix Guest: Amy Pottinger – Air Force Reserve Spouse, Food Network Star Alum, Creator of Caviar & Crayons When it comes to military life, food is more than fuel — it’s comfort, connection, and sometimes the only steady thing during a PCS, deployment, or holiday spent far from home. In this episode of MilSpouse in the House, host Christie Nix sits down with Amy Pottinger, an Air Force Reserve spouse and Food Network Star alum whose cooking journey has taken her around the world and back into kitchens just like ours. Amy shares stories from behind the scenes at Food Network, how military life has shaped her cooking, and her best tips for making holiday meals meaningful and manageable. Whether you're hosting a unit potluck, feeding a crowd, or trying to bring a little bit of “home” to a new duty station, this episode is full of inspiration, warmth, and plenty of delicious ideas. Topics Covered: Amy’s life as a military spouse and how moving shaped her cookingHer journey to Food Network Star — and behind-the-scenes storiesHow regional flavors from different duty stations influence her recipesCooking with kids and making the kitchen a family spaceHoliday cooking tips for busy military householdsIdeas for potlucks, meal trains, and supporting your military community through food Military Spouse News & Benefits Update 2026 BAH Rates: New housing allowance rates are about to drop. Learn what may change and how it affects your family’s budget, especially if a PCS is on the horizon.Army–Navy Game: The rivalry continues! A beloved tradition that brings the entire military community together — who are you rooting for?Holiday Support Programs: Nonprofits like Operation Homefront, Toys for Tots, and USO offer gifts, meals, and financial support for families in need. A full resource guide is available on MilSpouses.com. Key Takeaways Food is an anchor during uncertain seasons of military life — use it to create joy and connection.Cooking with your kids builds confidence, family memories, and a love of food.Simple, comforting meals are best for supporting families during deployments, homecomings, or new babies.Don’t overcomplicate the holidays — prioritize togetherness over perfection.Episode Links Follow & Cook with Amy: Website: Caviar & CrayonsInstagram: @caviarandcrayonsSponsored by TalkSpace Military life is rewarding — but it’s not without stress. With TalkSpace, you can connect with a licensed therapist anytime, anywhere. This holiday season, take care of your mental health while caring for others. Visit talkspace.com to learn more. Stay Connected Follow: @ThisIsMilSpouses on InstagramRead: You’ll find the latest in military family news and uplifting lifestyle features on milspouses.com.Subscribe: MilSpouse In the House on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Join the Community: Leave a review and share your favorite holiday recipe or cooking tradition!

    36 min
  3. 11/25/2025

    Giving Tuesday Military: A Movement of Kindness and Service

    Giving Tuesday isn’t just a global day of generosity — for the military community, it’s become a powerful movement of service, connection, and hope. In this episode of MilSpouse in the House, host Christie Nix sits down with Jessica Manfre, Maria Reed, and Samantha Gomolka, the three military spouses behind Giving Tuesday Military and the Inspire Up Foundation. What started as an idea among friends from different branches has grown into a worldwide campaign inspiring acts of kindness across the military community. From how they met to the heart behind their mission, this episode dives into the stories that fuel their work — and how each of us can join in to make a difference. In This Episode How three military spouses turned a simple idea into a global movementThe early days of Giving Tuesday Military and how it’s grown since 2019Stories of service, kindness, and community impactThe creation of the Inspire Up FoundationHow to get involved and give back this Giving TuesdayMilitary Spouse News & Benefits Update TRICARE Open Season: November 10 – December 9. Enroll or make changes to your plan and check out the new DOD Healthcare Flexible Spending Account option. More Resources: Visit MilSpouses.com for updates and a guide on solo parenting during deployment. Key Takeaways Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.Kindness is contagious. One small act can ripple through a community and create lasting change.Together, we’re stronger. Collaboration across branches and backgrounds is what makes Giving Tuesday Military so powerful.Episode Links Learn more: GivingTuesdayMilitary.comInspireUpFoundation.orgInstagram: @givingtuesdaymilitary | @inspireupfoundationSponsored by TalkSpace Military life is rewarding — but it’s not without stress. With TalkSpace, you can connect with a licensed therapist anytime, anywhere. This holiday season, take care of your mental health while caring for others. Visit talkspace.com to learn more. Stay Connected Follow: @ThisIsMilSpouses on InstagramRead: You’ll find the latest in military family news and uplifting lifestyle features on milspouses.com.Subscribe: MilSpouse In the House on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Join the Community: Leave a review and share how you plan to give back this Giving Tuesday!

    58 min
  4. 10/28/2025

    Real Estate Readiness: What Every Military Family Should Know

    Buying or selling a home is never simple—but when you’re a military family constantly on the move, it can feel downright overwhelming. In this episode, MilSpouse In the House host Christie Nix sits down with Grant Vermeer, a Navy veteran turned real estate expert, to talk about what military families need to know before their next PCS move. From avoiding costly real estate mistakes to deciding whether buying is really worth it at every duty station, this episode is your insider guide to smarter, less stressful military homeownership. In This Episode Topics Covered: The real cost of clicking “Contact Agent” on Zillow or RedfinHow to spot a qualified real estate agent (and avoid the fakes)Whether military families should buy or rent at every PCSThe top mistakes service members make when buying or sellingWhat to expect when transitioning from service member to spouseHow The Vermeer Group connects military families with trusted agentsMilitary Spouse News & Benefits Update Government Shutdown Update: Pentagon taps $8 billion in funds to ensure mid-month paychecks for service members.TRICARE Delays: Families could face processing backlogs due to the shutdown.TRICARE Open Season: November 10 – December 9. Enroll or make changes to your plan and check out the new DOD Healthcare Flexible Spending Account option.More Resources: Visit MilSpouses.com for updates and a guide on solo parenting during deployment.Key Takeaways Take homebuying seriously. It’s one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions you’ll make—treat it with the attention it deserves.Have a plan—and think it through. Every choice matters: where you live, the home you buy, and the agent you trust. Understand the long-term impact of each decision.Leverage the experts. Don’t go it alone. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be your boots on the ground—especially in an unfamiliar area.Guest Spotlight: Grant Vermeer Who He Is: Navy veteran, active-duty military spouse, and founder of The Vermeer Group, helping military families find trustworthy real estate teams nationwide.Connect: thevermeergroup.com | Instagram: @thevermeergroupSponsored by TalkSpace Military life brings constant change. With TalkSpace, you can access licensed therapists online—anytime, anywhere. Because mental health matters, especially during PCS season. Visit talkspace.com to learn more. Stay Connected Follow: @ThisIsMilSpouses on InstagramSubscribe: MilSpouse In the House on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen.Join the Community: Leave a review and share your biggest PCS home-buying lesson!

    47 min
  5. 09/26/2025

    SFRG: Building Community When You're Both Command Spouses

    When two military spouses connect across the seemingly vast divide of rank and position, something remarkable can happen. In this heartfelt conversation, host Christi Nix welcomes Renee Williams, wife of Command Sergeant Major Williams, to share their story of unexpected friendship and partnership while serving as command spouses at Fort Stewart. Their journey began with a nervous phone call—Christi reaching out before taking on her role as battalion commander's spouse to Renee, already established as the command sergeant major's spouse. What could have been merely a professional courtesy blossomed into a friendship that strengthened their marriages, their battalion, and the entire military community they served. Both women brought over two decades of military spouse experience to their leadership positions—an increasingly rare continuity in today's military. They candidly discuss navigating Pre-Command Course, rebuilding community connections post-COVID, and the unique challenges of being "senior spouses" who sometimes feel isolated by their husbands' positions. With refreshing honesty, they reveal how supporting each other through difficult seasons enabled them to remain steadfast in supporting their husbands' demanding careers. The conversation offers practical wisdom for military spouses at any stage: how to leverage installation resources for personal and professional growth, strategies for maintaining strong marriages despite demanding schedules, and the courage to make yourself available to create meaningful connections. Their annual planning rituals with spouses, commitment to marriage retreats, and deliberate community-building efforts provide a blueprint for thriving amid the challenges of military life. Whether you're a brand-new military spouse feeling overwhelmed or a seasoned veteran of this lifestyle looking to mentor others, this conversation reminds us that we're always stronger together than apart. Listen, learn, and be inspired to reach out—you might just find the friendship that transforms your military journey.

    50 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

MilSpouse in the House: A Podcast for Military Spouses, By Military Spouses Welcome to MilSpouse in the House, the podcast created to empower, inform, and uplift military spouses navigating the unique challenges of military life. Whether you’re new to the journey or a seasoned spouse, we’re here to provide the insights, confidence, and sense of community you deserve. What We’re About Valuable Information, Told Through Real Stories – We don’t just give you facts; we share real experiences, practical advice, and emotional connections that make information stick. Empowerment & Advocacy – Military spouses have rights, opportunities, and benefits that often go underutilized. We’re here to break it all down so you can confidently make informed decisions. Maximizing Your Benefits – From TRICARE and education opportunities to spouse employment programs and financial planning, we make sure you’re getting the most out of what’s available to you. Building Community & Morale – We highlight inspiring stories, personal struggles, and triumphs that remind you that you’re not alone in this journey. Join us for engaging conversations, expert insights, and heartfelt moments that make military life a little easier—and a lot more connected. MilSpouse in the House is more than a podcast; it’s your battle buddy in audio form.