Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a biweekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE. Partners and PROMISE is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the rights of military children in special education. Large organizations, like the military, have learned to love the status quo. But at Partners in PROMISE we believe in being disruptive, as we have learned having easy conversations rarely leads to real change, in special education or the military. We are a community of military changemakers who aren’t afraid to get disruptive.
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE
Guest: Kaitlin Erkkila
Army spouse Kaitlin Erkkila has two sons with special needs, as well as cancer. She shares how her family has navigated this long journey within the constraints of the military system and what resources have – and have not – supported them through it.
“Ultimately it took my husband coming home from a deployment, putting on a uniform, and coming and saying, ‘I need a referral to Duke.’ And wouldn’t you know – I went in 17 times; he went in one time. He got the referral.”
Learn more about:
- Partners in PROMISE resources
If you or a family member is in need of EFMP or Special Education resources or mental health support contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season goes back to our roots, telling military family stories because "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us." The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.
This episode of the podcast was sponsored by the Association of Bragg Spouses. To learn more about ABS visit their website: https://fortbraggabs.membershiptoolkit.com/aboutus
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Tuesday May 24, 2022
Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE
Guests: Josh Protas, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger
Kelley Klor, Blue Star Families
Food insecurity touches many military families – particularly those in the junior enlisted ranks. But one of the challenges of collecting good data on the issue is that the label carries a weighty stigma. Two advocates share what even the limited data on the topic tells us about food insecurity in the military, and a military spouse shares her own experiences of needing financial assistance to feed her family.
“It’s an issue that doesn’t get talked about so much, and I think the more that we can have open and frank conversations, we help to normalize the idea and hopefully chip away at that stigma. Because families who need help should never be afraid or ashamed to have to ask for it.” -Josh Protas
Learn more about:
- MAZON’s research, “Hungry in the Military”
- Supporting military families through MAZON
- Blue Star Families’ Nourish the Service initiative
- The latest Blue Star Families annual Military Lifestyle Survey results
If you or a family member is in need of resources or mental health support contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE
Guest: Jessica Strong, Blue Star Families
The results of the latest annual Blue Star Families Military Lifestyle Survey are out, shedding light on the experiences and top concerns for active-duty and veteran family members. A researcher shares specific findings on the health and wellbeing of military spouses and children at a time when many are still reeling from the ripple effects of the pandemic. Plus, what these findings mean for the special education community in particular.
“Deployments didn’t stop. Trainings didn’t stop. They just shifted a little bit. So many spouses were encountering those changes in surge capacity during a time when they were separated from their service member.”
- Jessica Strong on how military spouses supported their families during COVID, as reported in the 2021 survey.
Learn more about:
- Blue Star Families’ 2021 Military Family Lifestyle Survey (MFLS)
- Episode 1 of Disruptive Storytelling / Partners in PROMISE findings
- Learn more about surge capacity
- Blue Star Families communities (Chapters)
If you or a family member is in need of resources or mental health support contact Military OneSource for a free consultation.
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE
Guest: Janessa Schilmoeller, Secure Families Initiative
Military-affiliated voters across political parties have lost confidence in the American electoral process, and many have questions about whether their votes actually count. A researcher shares the latest findings of the Secure Families Initiative’s voting participation survey and discusses why misinformation – and even disinformation – may be at play.
“Over 50 percent – so, I think almost 53 percent of respondents – said that they had experienced barriers or challenges to voting.”
Learn more about:
- The Secure Families Initiative voting participation survey results
- Military Vote Coalition Facebook Live Q&A with the Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP)
- Federal Voter Assistance Program website
- Custom election reminders for your state
- How to get involved with the Secure Families Initiative
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. The podcast is hosted by Jennifer Barnhill with music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE
Guests: Jennifer Akin, Blue Star Families
Rosalinda Vasquez Maury, Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University
A new survey explores the experiences of military families of color and how they compare to those of their white peers. Researchers dig into the data, as well as personal anecdotes shared in the study.
“What’s a little bit unique here in this study is that we were really focusing on the military families of color. And when we looked at their earning differences, we found that black military spouses earn about 54 percent less than the total, and Hispanic/Latino military spouses earn about 66 percent less than the total. I mean – those are really almost double digits and significantly greater impacts for sure, compared to their relative peers.”
Learn more about:
- Blue Star Families research on military families of color
- Blue Star Families Racial Equity Initiative
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This podcast season, "We Love Data, But Stories Complete Us," aims to highlight the great work organizations have conducted to develop data-informed solutions and real stories leading to change. Music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Host: Jennifer Barnhill, Partners in PROMISE
Guests: Michelle Norman and Mary Monrose, Partners in PROMISE
Military families continue to have trouble accessing help for their children with special needs, according to the latest special education survey from Partners in PROMISE. On this episode, representatives from the organization share details of the latest findings, including some alarming statistics about the barriers military families are facing. Plus, recommendations for how to combat these challenges.
“When you go from state to state traveling with your IEP, it is absolutely true that every state is different. Every state has different laws. So, that is something that everyone needs to know. And it’s frustrating for us because as the parents, we are starting over everywhere — every time we move.”
Learn more about:
- 2021 Military Special Education Survey findings
- Register for the Easter Seals Webinar
- Listen to Shine Sis, a podcast hosted by military spouses Mary Monrose and Candus Griffin helping like-minded women find their purpose in life through encouragement and shared experiences.
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). Music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Tuesday Nov 30, 2021
Guests: Callie Meredith and Sarah Curtis, military spouses
The term “dependa” has long been used as a derogatory slur for military spouses. Two new military spouses share their experiences with the stigma and stereotype and how they believe leadership can help change public perception of how military spouses are viewed.
“It’s so outdated — what a military spouse is, the definition, what a spouse’s role looks like. It’s not modernized to what we do now as spouses, or what we can do now as spouses.” -Callie Meredith
Learn more about:
- Callie’s podcast, “Call to Marriage”
- Sarah’s blog, “A Military Wife’s Life” and Etsy shop
- The book "Campfollowing: A History of the Military Wife"
- How the military can improve communication
- The military’s Interactive Customer Evaluations or “ICE” Comments
- Jennifer’s War Horse feature about how we can modernize the military spouse support system
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). Music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Tuesday Nov 16, 2021
Guest: Dr. Tom Galvin, U.S. Army War College assistant professor of resource management
What does organizational change have to do with stigma? A professor and researcher discusses how top-down, bottom-up and innovative change within organizations such as the military can help to combat various types of stigma within the ranks.
“If we’re talking about stigma, we’re talking potentially about, say for example, the chain of command. Somebody in the chain of command who is treating soldiers differently — or the perception that the chain of command is treating soldiers differently — because those soldiers who do not have EFMP are in some way preferred over those that do.”
Learn more about:
Please note that the views expressed by Dr. Galvin are his alone and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Tuesday Nov 02, 2021
Guest: Retired U.S. Air Force Col. DeDe Halfhill
A retired colonel, who is described by bestselling author Dr. Brené Brown as a leadership hero and “a total badass,” talks about her work as a military leader and “Dare to Lead” facilitator, sharing examples of how she has helped people identify emotions and combat feelings of shame and stigma.
“I think the first thing we have to do is we have to get really comfortable with identifying it, right? Not just brushing those shame experiences, those shame feelings, that feeling of stigma under the rug. We have to start bringing it into the light.”
Learn more about:
- Dr. Brené Brown’s books, “Dare to Lead” and “The Gifts of Imperfection,” and her audio program, “The Power of Vulnerability”
- Dr. Susan David’s work on emotional agility
- DeDe’s current read, “What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience and Healing,” by Oprah and Dr. Bruce Perry
- Snoop Dogg’s speech thanking himself
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Tuesday Oct 19, 2021
Guest: Jillian Johnson, Air Force spouse
An Air Force spouse shares her story of coming out as pansexual and how the stigma of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community has impacted her military relationships. She also gives practical advice for supporting someone who comes out as LBGTQ+.
“A lot of time when people learn this about me, especially in the military community, they’re kind of shocked. There still is a stigma surrounding being LGBTQIA+, especially as a military spouse, and it’s something I kind of want to bring awareness to.”
Learn more about:
- Jillian’s story in The Huffington Post
- The Trevor Project’s efforts to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth
- The Modern Military Association of America
- What the LGBTQIA+ acronym stands for
- Why labels matter in episode 2 of “Disruptive Storytelling”
Disruptive Storytelling with Military Changemakers is a bi-weekly podcast presented by Partners in PROMISE, a nonprofit dedicated to Protecting the Rights Of Military children In Special Education (P.R.O.M.I.S.E.). This season of the podcast is sponsored by the Modern Military Association of America with music by Stephen McDonough.
Want to tell your Disruptive Story? Connect with Partners in PROMISE: info@partnersinpromise.org
Or follow us:
Facebook - @partnersinPROMISE
Instagram - @partnersinpromise
Twitter - @PartnersinPROM1