Veteran Spouse Network

A podcast of real stories that will resonate with the Veteran spouse community. Hosted by Hannah O'Brien of the Veteran Spouse Network and in collaboration with Coming Home Well. A community of peer support for military and veteran spouses and committed partners, providing opportunities to engage and connect to helpful resources and a community of support.

Veteran Spouse Network is a education podcast hosted by Hannah O'Brien, with 36 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Hannah O'Brien hosts Veteran Spouse Network, a education show with 36 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #35

  Navigating Careers, Finances, and Transitions with Sarah Roder

  Aug 11, 202647 minS4

  Hannah O'Brien sits down with military spouse and advocate Sarah Roder to break down the realities of military life, career disruption, and financial empowerment. Drawing from her unique journey through active duty, a 10-year transition and divorce, and remarrying into a 23-year military retirement, Sarah shares actionable strategies for military spouses facing the unknowns of service life. Action Steps & Resources Find a Career: Use the DoD's MSEP portal to connect with employers who actively recruit military spouses. Get a Mentor: Sign up for American Corporate Partners (ACP) for a free, year-long career mentorship. Master Your Money: Spousal IRAs: Unemployed or stay-at-home spouses can contribute up to $7,500 per year to an IRA in their own name. Protect the Family: Don't overlook stay-at-home partner life insurance or VA benefit realities. Start Small: Overwhelmed? Stop trying to fix everything at once. Write down your fixed monthly budget to get it out of your head and onto paper. Trusted Guidance: Visit Armed Forces Mutual for military-specific financial calculators, transition timelines, and survivor support.

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  Episode #34

  Restoring the Heart: Holistic Connection for Military Spouses

  Jul 5, 202651 minS4

  In this episode, host Hannah O'Brien welcomes Cathy Turner and Jacki Wojyack, the co-founders of the Restored Heart Collective. Born from their own personal journeys and a transformative experience at the Heroes and Horses program in Montana, Cathy and Jacki have created a unique space for military and veteran spouses to reconnect with themselves and each other. Through a blend of peer support, nervous system education, and immersive nature experiences including sauna sessions and cold plunges, the Restored Heart Collective helps spouses break through isolation, identify personal triggers, and rediscover their core identity beyond their roles as partners and parents. Resources & Links: Restored Heart Collective: Instagram: Connect with Cathy and Jacki for updates, community stories, and to DM them directly for questions. Website: Visit their homepage to find the application button for upcoming retreats. Book Recommendation: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (referenced for its insights on trauma-informed healing)

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  Episode #32

  Loving Through Loss: One Veteran Spouse Caregiver’s Story

  May 4, 202641 minS4

  <p>Life doesn’t always change slowly—sometimes it changes in an instant. In this episode, host Hannah O'Brien sits down with <b>Pavel Ythjall</b>, a veteran spouse, caregiver, Amazon bestselling author, and filmmaker.</p> <p>Pavel’s life was forever transformed by a devastating accident on the 405 freeway that left both him and his wife Kat—an Air Force officer—with broken necks. While Pavel recovered, Kat was paralyzed from the neck down. Pavel’s journey since that moment is a masterclass in radical love, hard-won resilience, and a redefined sense of purpose.</p> <p><b>Pavel’s Message:</b> T...

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  Episode #31

  Understanding and Managing the Mental Load

  Apr 5, 20261h 2mS4

  <p>In this solo episode, host <b>Hannah O’Brien</b> tackles a topic that affects nearly everyone but rarely gets the recognition it deserves: <b>the mental load</b>. Whether you are a military spouse, a veteran, a parent, or simply a human navigating the complexities of modern life, you are likely carrying a heavy cognitive burden. It’s time to name it, share it, and change it.</p> <p><b>What Exactly Is the Mental Load?</b></p> <p>The mental load is the ongoing, invisible cognitive effort required to manage, plan, anticipate, and coordinate the tasks of dail...

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  Episode #30

  When the System Fails, Spouses Step Up_ The Invisible Labor Behind Every Yes

  Mar 8, 20261h 20mS4

  <p>When military families receive PCS orders, the "yes" is often just the beginning of a bureaucratic battle.</p> <p>In this episode, Air Force spouse and registered nurse <b>Marissa Muntain</b> shares her grueling nine-month fight to overturn an EFMP denial that threatened her family's move to England. We pull back the curtain on the gaps between EFMP policy and reality, exploring how mental health stigma, inconsistent base-level implementation, and systemic hurdles impact military families.</p> <p>Key Takeaways:</p> <b>EFMP Reality:</b> Why your experience varies wildly depending on your base and coordinator.<b>Know Your...

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