Military Wellness Collective

Military Wellness Collective
  • 5.0 (3)
  • CHRISTIANITY

Military Wellness Collective is made up of four friends — two retired Marines (Joshua and Brian) turned church planters and their wives (Brittany and Kelli)— who have lived life both in uniform and on the home front. Together, we share real stories, hard-earned wisdom, and practical, biblical encouragement to help military members, and their families thrive in every season. Whether you’re navigating deployments, adjusting to life in a new town, or simply seeking hope in the middle of your military journey, our mission is to equip you with truth from God’s Word and tools for a healthy, resilient life. 

  1. 2D AGO

    EP 25: Learning to Lament and Moving Through Suffering Well

    Pain doesn’t vanish when we pretend it isn’t there. It grows quieter, then heavier, until it reshapes our days in ways we never chose. We’re taking a different path—learning to lament—so we can name what’s broken, bring it to God, and find real rest for tired souls. We start by defining biblical lament as passionate, honest prayer that acknowledges sorrow, confusion, and loss while moving toward trust. From the Psalms’ language of refuge to Jesus’ invitation to the weary in Matthew 11, we draw a clear map: God is big enough for your tears and kind enough to hold them. Along the way, we share personal stories of grief, including infertility, and how the practice of lament created space for healing without minimizing pain or rushing to “fix” feelings. We also confront why lament is hard. Pride tells us to keep it together. Culture offers endless escapes—scrolling, streaming, substances, busyness—that numb for a night but steal tomorrow’s peace. Instead, we walk through a simple, repeatable rhythm: name what’s wrong, ask honest questions, bring it to God, and pivot toward trust. We talk about the difference between saying “It’s okay” and saying “I forgive you,” why avoiding pain becomes a quiet form of lying, and how lament transforms anger into energy for faithful action. If you’re ready for tools, we share them: journaling prompts that help you speak what hurts, scriptures that steady the heart, and how to create conversations that hold space with questions like “What’s been hard about that?” We recommend resources that deepen the practice—Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy; Gentle and Lowly; Suffering Is Never for Nothing; Good and Angry—and name when a wise, biblical counselor can help shoulder the load. Subscribe to get future episodes, share this with a friend who needs honest hope, and leave a review with one line about what you’re lamenting and trusting God with today. SHOW NOTES: Connect with us and send us your questions at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS from this week's episode:  Amazon.com : dark clouds deep mercy Amazon.com : suffering is never for nothing elisabeth elliot Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible): Bucey, Camden, Packer, J. I., Ortlund, Dane, Dennis, Lane T.: 9781433557415: Amazon.com: Books Video teachings or Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    32 min

  2. JAN 26

    EP 24: God's Refining Purpose in Our Suffering

    Pain isn’t theoretical when your life is marked by deployments, austere conditions, and long stretches of uncertainty. We open up about why military life can feel like unbroken suffering and how Scripture reframes it as a refining process that produces real steadiness and joy. From James’ call to count trials as joy to Peter’s vision of faith tested like gold, we trace a biblical map that turns raw hardship into purposeful growth without minimizing the hurt. We press into the story of Job to correct a common myth: doing “everything right” doesn’t exempt us from grief, and even upright people discover blind spots when the heat turns up. Along the way, we name a crucial distinction that changes how we respond: tests come from a good Father who matures us; temptations lure us to escape. That grid helps us see deployment as the test, while the urge to numb out or chase comfort is the temptation—so we can endure one and resist the other with clarity. Our own journeys are on the table—seasons of separation, infertility, a jarring disability label, chronic illness, anxiety and panic, and hard interpersonal conflict. Each story reveals the same pattern: suffering exposes sin we’d rather ignore and introduces us to Jesus in a deeper way. We share the practices that kept us steady when feelings frayed: short “fighter” verses, honest prayer and journaling, wise friends in a local church, and voices like Elizabeth Elliot and Joni Eareckson Tada who suffered well. We also talk about “wringing out” a trial—asking God for wisdom, harvesting lessons, and refusing to waste the pain. If military life has you at the edge of yourself, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. Lean in with us for grounded hope, tested truth, and practical steps you can take today. If this spoke to you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find these conversations. Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    31 min

  3. JAN 19

    EP 23: Praying For Government and Military Leaders with Wisdom

    What do you pray when leaders are flawed, the stakes are high, and the news cycle won’t slow down? We take a listener’s question and walk through a clear, Scripture-shaped way to intercede for authorities—from presidents to platoon leaders—without slipping into outrage or tribalism. Starting in 1 Timothy 2, we look at why prayer is commanded, how it calms quarrels, and what it produces in communities longing for quiet, dignified lives. Together we unpack a hard but honest view of power: leaders are a mix of good and bad, and the hardest problems land on their desks. Through a brief tour of history, including World War II’s moral tradeoffs, we show how complexity doesn’t excuse wrong but deepens our prayers. Instead of talking points, we start with biblical principles and move outward to policy and practice. That shift helps us replace labels with lament and hot takes with intercession that protects the vulnerable and seeks justice. We offer a practical roadmap: begin with thanksgiving, even for difficult leaders; ask for wisdom and discernment that values life and truth; pray for your own humility to submit when you should and the courage to quietly resist when conscience demands it; and don’t forget what matters most—salvation and transformed hearts. Daniel’s quiet faithfulness becomes a living pattern for today’s military and civic life: obey God, accept consequences, and keep a steady witness. If this conversation helps you trade grumbling for grounded prayer, share it with a friend, subscribe for more faith-and-military insights, and email your questions to hello@militarywellnesscollective.com. What’s one prayer you’ll start for your leaders today? Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    31 min

  4. JAN 12

    EP 22: How To Set Godly Boundaries When “Normal” Feels Unknown

    When “normal” keeps shifting under your feet, you don’t need guesswork—you need a compass you can trust. We tackle a listener’s question about boundaries and point straight to Scripture for clarity, then translate those principles into real-life guardrails for military marriages and daily discipleship. Think warning tracks, not brick walls: practical cues that help you protect what is good before you collide with what can break you. We dive into the high-risk zones we see most often around the force—adultery, alcohol, and pornography—and show how small compromises become big failures. Proverbs 5 offers both a sober warning and a hopeful plan: flee what destroys and actively delight in your spouse. We also discuss why the same boundary won’t fit every season. Deployments, duty stations, and friend groups change the playing field, so wise couples review and reset expectations for opposite-sex interactions, alcohol use, digital transparency, and communication rhythms. Throughout the conversation, we keep it practical: adopt public, transparent meeting spaces; avoid one-on-one privacy with the opposite sex; set alcohol rules or abstain during vulnerable seasons; use accountability tools on devices; and schedule regular heart-level check-ins. Just as important, we emphasize pursuit over mere prohibition—fill the vacuum by investing in your spouse with prayer, honesty, and shared routines that nourish intimacy. Pride says “I’d never,” but humility builds guardrails that let you run free without drifting. If this resonates, share it with your unit or spouse, subscribe for more biblically grounded tools, and leave a review telling us the boundary you plan to set this week. SHOW NOTES:  Share with us the boundaries you and your spouse plan to put into action at Hello@militarywellnesscollective.com Check out Brian's blog on this topic at https://brianoday.com/2025/02/07/lets-talk-about-sex-prevent-adultery/  Grab the book; Strengthen Your Marriage, by Wayne Mack (Brian's recommendation) here Amazon.com: Strengthening Your Marriage (Audible Audio Edition): Wayne A. Mack, Jim Denison, christianaudio.com: Books Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    32 min

  5. JAN 5

    EP 21: When Service Calls: Choosing Duty Without Abandoning Your Spouse

    The question sounds simple, but it opens a deep well: if a husband wants to deploy or take a faraway training, does that mean he doesn’t want to be with his wife? We tackle that tension head-on, drawing out real motives, addressing insecurity without shame, and reframing service as a shared purpose rather than a wedge. From the first minutes, we set aside quick fixes and rush-to-advice answers and instead walk through the heart work both spouses need. We share candid husband and wife perspectives shaped by decades in and around the military, church planting near bases, and mentoring dozens of couples through deployment. You’ll hear how clear motives—calling, competence, protection, discipleship—can coexist with deep love for a spouse, and why failing to articulate those motives breeds suspicion. We name the hard truth: sometimes a deployment or course can become an escape from conflict. That’s where courage, humility, and community step in. We offer practical questions that de-escalate: help me understand why this matters; is there anything else; remind me why we chose this life. We also explore how deployments act as marriage accelerators, speeding growth when foundations are strong and exposing cracks when they’re not. Identity sits at the center. Service members cannot replace God with rank, ribbons, or risk; spouses cannot replace God with constant proximity. When each seeks ultimate security and worth in the right place, distance becomes bearable and even purposeful. We widen the lens to the mission—readiness, protection, noble service—while keeping the covenant of marriage at the center. Along the way, we address fear, the difference between voluntary and assigned deployments, and the role of church and mentors in helping couples pivot from bitterness to partnership. If you’re navigating a pending deployment or debating a training slot, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and next steps to move from accusation to alignment. Listen, share with your spouse, and start the talk tonight. If it resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and send us the next question you want us to unpack. SHOW NOTES: Send us those questions you have bubbling over to Hello@militarywellnesscollective.com RESOURCES:  1. An older couple from your local church. Don't go at these conversations alone. Find mentors whom you value their marriage and know that they will speak truth into your lives. 2. If you are having marriage struggles and there are cracks that need mending, consider bringing in a Biblical or Christian Counselor. Your marriage can thrive, shed appearances of a happy marriage and actually work to have one. Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    31 min

  6. 12/29/2025

    EP 20: From Resolutions to Godly Rhythms: Using Time Wisely and Setting Goals That Last

    New Year noise is loud—gym ads, perfect planners, and big promises. We chose a quieter path: stewarding time as a gift, setting a few meaningful goals, and building small habits that actually last. With friends at the table, we dig into why goals matter from a Christian worldview and how to align them with the call to walk wisely and make the best use of the days. We start with the why, drawing from Ephesians 5:15–17 to reframe resolutions around purpose and discipleship. Then we get practical. We outline five steps to move from intention to action: get time alone with God to pray and think, list your roles and responsibilities, pick one or two resets or starts in each area, write them down, and tell someone for accountability. We also share a helpful eight-area review—finances, community, health and wellness, fun and recreation, home and spaces, family, spiritual and personal growth, and work and learning—plus a simple rating approach to see what needs attention right now. Real stories make it stick: a pricey program that failed because it was solo and unrealistic, the tiny morning routine that succeeded because it was shared and doable, and the monthly double-date rhythm that strengthened friendship and eventually sparked this podcast. We talk about starting with January, not the whole year; focusing on a few true goals; and choosing givens you can enact immediately. For anyone beginning a Bible reading plan, we offer a gentle strategy: remember your why, consider starting with the New Testament to build the habit, and keep going when you miss a day. If you want fewer resolutions and more transformation, this conversation will help you choose what matters, simplify your next steps, and keep your eyes on Christ. Listen, take one small action today, and share your January goal with us. Subscribe, leave a review, and pass this along to a friend who needs a reset. SHOW NOTES: Connect with us at Hello@militarywellnesscollective.com Don't forget to share your goals with us! We would love to hear from you. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE: Cultivate What Matters (Brittany's recommended) Cultivate What Matters / PowerSheets Best Selling Goal Planner Monk Manual (Brittany's Recommended) Monk Manual - A Daily System for Being and Doing Brian O'Day Blog Post https://brianoday.com/2025/02/28/process-your-military-deployment/   Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    32 min

  7. 12/22/2025

    EP 19: We Killed the Angel and Saved Christmas

    The quiet moments matter most when life won’t slow down. We gather around the tree with scripture from Isaiah 9 and Matthew 1 to center on Emmanuel—God with us—and then get real about Christmas in military life: deployments, duty, distance, and the tug-of-war between family expectations and a soul that longs for rest. You’ll hear the stories that shaped us: the frantic trip with a newborn during a wartime tour, the ceramic angel that shattered and became a turning point, and the surprising peace we found when we stopped chasing “home” and started guarding a holy, simple Christmas right where we live. We also share small, sticky traditions that carry big meaning: reading Luke 2 before gifts, slow mornings with cocoa, and nighttime drives to see lights that preach hope into dark streets. Hospitality becomes a mission as we open our door to Marines and young families who can’t travel, keeping the morning for our nucleus and the afternoon for anyone who needs a table. Along the way we name the roots beneath holiday stress—loneliness, expectations, fantasy—and offer a counterpractice that works in any zip code: be here now. Presence over perfection. Gratitude over comparison. Real life over curated feeds. If duty has you standing post or separated by oceans, this conversation offers both comfort and a plan. Carve small pockets of quiet into a packed schedule. Trade obligation travel for intentional time, even if it’s just an hour behind a closed door to read, pray, and breathe. And if you’re catching up, revisit our recent episodes on loneliness and dating your spouse; they thread directly into a healthier, happier holiday. Subscribe, share this with a military friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help others find the show. What expectation will you release to make room for presence this Christmas? SHOW NOTES: Shoot us an email at Hello@militarywellnesscollective.com  We would LOVE to hear your thoughts and take questions you would like us to answer about on future episodes of the podcast. MERRY CHRISTMAS, from our families to yours! Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    28 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    EP 18: Date Your Spouse, On Purpose

    Stop treating your marriage like a shared calendar and start treating it like a love story you’re still writing. We dive into what it really means to date your spouse—how to define a “good date” together, set clear expectations, and build rituals that bring back pursuit, play, and intimacy without adding pressure. From military separations to the grind of parenting, we unpack why logistics aren’t connection and how to carve out time for presence, laughter, and deeper conversation. We get practical about planning: put the date on the calendar first, agree on the vibe, and protect it from turning into a work meeting. You’ll hear simple prompts that change the tone fast—questions like “What’s been on your mind?” and “How can I love you better?”—and why those only build trust when paired with action. We talk phones-down meals, the power of eye contact, and how small acts of follow-through create safety that invites honesty. If money or childcare is tight, we share at-home date ideas that still feel special: early bedtime for the kids, candlelight steak for two, a saved movie, and time to flirt without interruptions. Joy matters too. Laughter is not a luxury; it’s glue. Try playful traditions like an alphabet restaurant tour, a beach walk, or a game night that lets you be silly. Physical affection belongs on the list—move beyond perfunctory kisses and bring back warmth and excitement. And if you’ve slipped into the “roommates” rut, use this as your pivot point. Pick one night, one simple plan, and one brave question. Keep them how you caught them: pursue, plan, and play. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a review with your favorite date idea—we’ll try a few on our next night out. SHOW NOTES:  Contact us at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com RESOURCES FROM TODAYS EPISODE 1. Date Your Wife: get it here--- Amazon.com: Date Your Wife (Audible Audio Edition): Justin Buzzard, Lyle Blaker, One Audiobooks: Audible Books & Originals 2. Strengthening Your Marriage: get it here--- Amazon.com: Strengthening Your Marriage (Audible Audio Edition): Wayne A. Mack, Jim Denison, christianaudio.com: Books 3. For our friends in the Southeast, The Billy Graham Retreat center does FREE Military Marriage Retreats, you just have to get yourself there. Check the dates out here--- Events - Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Military Wellness Collective is made up of four friends — two retired Marines (Joshua and Brian) turned church planters and their wives (Brittany and Kelli)— who have lived life both in uniform and on the home front. Together, we share real stories, hard-earned wisdom, and practical, biblical encouragement to help military members, and their families thrive in every season. Whether you’re navigating deployments, adjusting to life in a new town, or simply seeking hope in the middle of your military journey, our mission is to equip you with truth from God’s Word and tools for a healthy, resilient life. 

Information

  • Creator
    Military Wellness Collective
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Military Wellness Collective
  • Show Website
    Military Wellness Collective