Military Wellness Collective

Military Wellness Collective
  • 5.0 (4)
  • 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. 4D AGO

    EP 28: Marriage, God, And the Triangle That Changes Everything

    What if the fastest way to grow closer to your spouse isn’t to chase them, but to aim higher? We map out a simple triangle—God at the top, spouses at the base—to show how moving toward Christ draws you toward each other. Along the way, we get honest about the sneaky ways we try to fix our partner, the “I need you to…” sentences that pile unhealthy pressure on a marriage, and how identity rooted in Jesus frees us to love without fear or scorekeeping. We unpack Ephesians 5 with fresh eyes. Husbands, loving like Christ means more than chores or charm; it’s a steady, sacrificial pursuit of your wife’s good, even when it costs you. Wives, respect and submission don’t erase your voice; they shape how you use it with strength and dignity. We talk about what this looks like in real life—from deployments and emotional valleys to the quiet choices in the grocery aisle—where outserving one another turns theory into habit and habit into trust. You’ll hear practical rhythms to anchor a Christ-centered marriage: personal time in Scripture for each spouse, humble conversations that avoid weaponizing verses, and a renewed focus on the One who designed marriage in the first place. When God sits at the top of the triangle, love and respect stop competing and start completing. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope today, and leave a review to tell us one way you’ll outserve your spouse this week. Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    32 min

  2. FEB 16

    EP 27: How Putting Your Phone Away Restores Focus, Faith, And Real Connection

    Your phone promises connection, but what if it’s crowding out the people and peace you want most? We unpack the quiet cost of constant screens—how attention shatters, anxiety creeps in, and relationships thin out—then build a better way with Scripture, brain science, and practical habits. We’re not anti-tech; we’re pro-intention. From Psalm 84’s vision of richer desire to Ephesians 5’s call to redeem the time, we frame a simple truth: your heart follows your attention, and attention follows design. So we redesign. We talk candidly about military rhythms, boredom in the field, and the lonely hours at home during deployments that invite doomscrolling. We also address leadership by group text, why “formation times” changing 12 times kills trust, and how clear plans and in-person communication restore order. On the personal front, we tackle the myth of multitasking, the awkward but effective move of stopping mid-sentence when someone looks at their phone, and how micro-moments at the table and couch can either heal or hurt your home. You’ll hear how dopamine spikes rewire reward systems, why withdrawals are normal when you step back, and how to rebuild focus with paper Bibles, paper journals, and long-form reading. We share tactics that actually work: delete tempting apps, create friction with a phone bag or a high shelf drop zone, set phone curfews, and adopt a weekly low-tech sabbath. Prefer calls over long text threads, protect meals as phone-free, and replace the reach-for-your-phone reflex with prayer, a short walk, or a single page of a real book. Leaders, model sane boundaries and trust your teams; spouses, honor presence as a love language. If you’re ready to exchange the algorithm’s novelty for a life of depth, this conversation gives you the plan and the push. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a reset, and leave a review with the one boundary you’ll try this week. Your attention is precious—let’s spend it on what lasts. Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    33 min

  3. FEB 9

    EP 26: Mental Health; Commitment to Reality and Truth that Heals

    What if mental health isn’t about chasing a feeling but aligning your mind with reality? We unpack a surprisingly simple definition—dedication to reality at all costs—and show how Scripture, community, and honest self-assessment bring your thoughts back to center. From Colossians 3’s call to set our minds on things above to Philippians 4’s charge to think on what is true and lovely, we get practical about replacing intrusive lies with durable truth. You’ll hear why “don’t think about the pink elephant” always fails, and how Luke 11 warns against an empty, swept house that’s never filled with the Word. We also dive into life after high-alert seasons. A combat veteran explains the shift from necessary vigilance to unnecessary paranoia, and how learning to calibrate risk with reality protects marriages, parenting, and personal peace. We tackle fear of man, overcorrecting from painful upbringings, and the trap of isolation. Along the way, we draw a bright line between solitude that leads to Jesus and isolation that feeds despair. If you’ve wondered when struggle tips into sin or how to know it’s time to invite professional help, we lay out clear markers: when the basics aren’t moving the needle, when small triggers spark outsized reactions, and when helpers hit their limits and need to add specialists. To ground all of this, we share resources we trust: Bible reading helps that keep you in the Word, digital minimalism to reclaim attention, and programs like Mighty Oaks that meet people in dark places with hope and structure. Our aim isn’t quick fixes but faithful practices—read the Bible, pray, gather with a church, walk with trusted friends, and ask for help before the spiral deepens. The cost of truth can feel steep in the moment, but the cost of lies is always higher. Listen, take one concrete step today, and share this with someone who needs a nudge toward reality and hope. If the conversation helped, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what truth are you choosing to practice this week? SHOW NOTES: Connect with us and send us your questions at hello@militarywellnesscollective.com The Bible, read it and understand it for yourself with The Bible Recap: The Bible Recap | Read, Understand & Love the Bible in 365 Days Mighty Oaks: Mighty Oaks | Veteran & First Responder Recovery Programs Are your devices part of the problem? Check out the book Digital Minimalism:  Amazon.com : digital minimalism book Biblical Counseling resource for those who are searching for a Biblical Counselor near you: Find a Biblical Counselor Near You - CCEF Support the show http://instagram.com/militarywellnesscollective

    35 min

  4. FEB 2

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 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
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Military Wellness Collective
  • Show Website
    Military Wellness Collective