Military teens grow up navigating PCS moves, deployments, new schools, and changing communities — often without much choice in the matter. Yet their voices are some of the most overlooked in the military family conversation.

In this episode of MilSpouse in the House, host Christie Nix — a longtime Army spouse and mom of three teens — sits down with Raleigh Smith Duttweiler of the National Military Family Association and Kait Hsu from Bloom, a program created by military teens, for military teens.

Together, they explore what happens when teens aren’t just supported — they’re truly listened to.

From Bloom’s teen-led origins to the Military Teen Experience Survey, this conversation dives into how real data, real stories, and real connection are shaping better programs and policies for military youth. Raleigh shares powerful insights from six years of survey data, including mental wellbeing trends, food insecurity, and why military teens self-harm at more than twice the rate of their civilian peers. Kait explains how Bloom builds peer connection through blogs, art, TikToks, podcasts, and online community spaces that teens actually want to use.

They also break down how parents can support teens after a PCS, normalize mental health check-ins, and connect kids to resources without making them feel singled out.

If you’re raising a military teen — or working with one — this episode is a must-listen.

Military Spouse News & Benefits Update

Brought to you by MilSpouses.com — built by military spouses, for military spouses.

• Scholarships for Military Kids: Scholarship season is here, with deadlines through March. Find timelines, tips, and curated opportunities for military-connected students at MilSpouses.com.
  
  
• PCS Moving Reform: The Pentagon announced a new Personal Property Activity aimed at improving accountability and claims during PCS moves.

Key Takeaways

• Military teens don’t need adults to speak for them — they need adults to listen.
• Resilience isn’t automatic; it’s built through connection and support.
• Nearly 40% of military teens report low mental wellbeing.

Episode Links

Take the Military Teen Experience Survey: militaryfamily.org (Open until February 15)

Read & Share The Field Guide to the Military Teen
Authored by Bloom teens to help families, schools, coaches, and communities understand the real military teen experience.

Follow the National Military Family Association

Website: https://www.militaryfamily.org/

Instagram: @militaryfamilyorg

Follow Bloom Military Teens

Website: https://www.bloommilitaryteens.org/

Instagram: @bloommilitaryteens

Stay Connected

• Follow: @ThisIsMilSpouses on Instagram
• Read: 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, share this episode, and tag a spouse who deserves to be recognized.

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 program
• How Armed Forces Insurance expanded MSOY to base, branch, and overall winners
• What judges look for in MSOY nominees — and why leadership matters most
• Jaime Billert’s journey from first PCS to national recognition
• Why being nominated alone can be a powerful form of validation
• How military spouses can support one another without burnout
• Encouragement 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.org
• Armed Forces Insurance: https://www.afi.org
• Follow MSOY on Social: Facebook & Instagram

Nominations 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 Instagram
• Read: You’ll find the latest in military family news and uplifting lifestyle features on milspouses.com.
• Subscribe: MilSpouse In the House on Spotify

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 cooking
• Her journey to Food Network Star — and behind-the-scenes stories
• How regional flavors from different duty stations influence her recipes
• Cooking with kids and making the kitchen a family space
• Holiday cooking tips for busy military households
• Ideas 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 & Crayons
• Instagram: @caviarandcrayons

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 Instagram
• Read: 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!