Listen in for an honest update on my counseling practice, a shift in how I'm showing up for clients, and a powerful message about the stories we tell ourselves.

We will explore how internal narratives—those we silently repeat—can either dig graves in our lives or cultivate gardens. Drawing from real-life examples and relationship dynamics, we will discuss how to recognize when assumptions and inner dialogues shape mental health, marriage, and parenting, for better or worse.

You'll hear:

• How negative self-talk and assumptions sabotage relationships

• The metaphor of “stories as shovels” and how to choose narratives that bring life

• How to spot when you’re guarding your heart versus leaning into truth and connection

• How faith and radical acceptance offer a grounded path forward in hard seasons

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or just stuck in old thought patterns—this episode will meet you where you are and invite you to plant something new.

🌱 This week’s challenge: Notice the stories you're telling yourself—are you digging a garden or a grave?

Read Why I am Closing my Counseling Practice

All links: https://linktr.ee/corieweathers Work with Corie: www.corieweathers.com 1-on-1 Coaching: https://lifegiver.as.me/CorieWeathers Join me on Substack: http://SUBSTACK.COM/@CORIELPC Record Your Question/Message! https://www.speakpipe.com/CorieWeathers Music: nature / nurture by Kaitlyn Raitz

This episode explores the balance between communicating too much or too little in relationships. Learn how conflict, over-communication, and silence all play a role in marriage and leadership. Plus, Corie answers a listener’s question about how to recognize when you’re on the wrong path—whether in leadership, personal growth, or relationships—and how to pivot back toward wisdom.

Topics Covered: ✔️ Why this season has been inconsistent—and why that’s okay ✔️ The power of pausing before speaking in a noisy world ✔️ DBT’s “wise mind” approach to decision-making ✔️ How over-communication can be destructive in relationships ✔️ A listener’s question: What if I realize I’m on the wrong path? ✔️ Practical strategies for balancing communication in marriage

All links: https://linktr.ee/corieweathers Work with Corie: www.corieweathers.com 1-on-1 Coaching/Counseling: https://lifegiver.as.me/CorieWeathers Join me on Substack: http://SUBSTACK.COM/@CORIELPC Record Your Question/Message! https://www.speakpipe.com/CorieWeathers Music: nature / nurture by Kaitlyn Raitz

After hearing concerns on social media of Matt and I practicing yoga and prayerful meditation, I knew it was time to invite my dear friend Amber Mattingly, DMin to the podcast to share her story. This is a faith-based episode that addresses the biggest fears and questions around these practices.

Amber began yoga when her son was newly diagnosed with autism. She was overwhelmed, frightened for his future, worried about her marriage, and frustrated at life. At the height of this experience, she stopped sleeping for a whole year. She was not the youthful mom coming to yoga to learn handstands and complicated poses. Instead, she was the young mom barely able to make it through the day who ended up spending most of the time crying on her mat.

For her, yoga is a tool that reconnected her with her true self, strengthened connection with something greater than myself, and built relationships based on humility, compassion & radical amazement!

Amber met Pema while pursuing her Doctor of Ministry degree in Compassion based Leadership and they wondered what might happen if people from different faith traditions shared a prayer/meditation practice. Would they grow spiritually together while deepening their connection to their own faith tradition? This curiosity lead them to develop a study that included Buddhist and Christian practitioners. What we found were some hidden treasures!

Find out more about Amber: https://ambermattinglylivefree.com/

Read Amber and Pema's book: A Leap of (inter)Faith

 

Dr. Kendra Lowe knows the challenges service members face as she is a Veteran herself. When she switched to the civilian life Dr. Kendra was surprised to note that she experienced just as much stress as a spouse as she experienced while in the service. 

"The concepts and perspectives derived from Dr. Lowe’s decade-long research, aims to provide command teams with an operational approach to combat the mission degrading effects of military spouse stress." 

There is stress for spouse and it's significant. We know that. But what now?

Her book answers that question. 

Dr. Kendra has created a resource that walks the reader through 8 weeks of changing their thought processes. Her website states: This comprehensive and invaluable tool will help you accept the unique nature of military life, anticipate and persevere in the face of social-emotional setbacks, practice effective coping strategies, and learn to thrive on to new possibilities. Read more:

Resources:

Dr. Kendra's website

Her book titled Wake Up, Kick Ass, Repeat: A Guide to Self Perseverance Within the Military Spouse Life Cycle 

Interested in subscribing to the Lifegiver Newsletter? Subscribers get discounts on their first session with Corie and find more information on building a community of Lifegivers. Click here to subscribe. 

Want to give back?  Send a monthly cup of coffee to keep us going by being a supporter on our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/lifegiver

To the surprise of, well, everyone... kids who were in public schools are now at home facing a homeschool-like situation.  Parents are now scrambling trying to balance remote work, parenting, quarantines, and now overseeing their child's education.  If you are feeling overwhelmed, Jennifer Hamrick has words of encouragement for you. You can love your child and be a fantastic parent and still be very unhappy with this new situation.  Listen in as Jennifer shares great tips for how to manage a house full of kids and still have time for you.

Matt interviews two US Army Chaplains about how they are creatively sustaining community and care using social media and other platforms.  With the introduction of the Coronavirus, ministry teams and churches are looking to find new ways to care for each other, embrace the newest generations, and connect online rather than face to face.

Matt and I do our first live streaming episode where we talk about the impact of the virus on our community.  We specifically talk about how to handle the tension of being quarantined in your home 24/7 with your spouse and children. For our community, couples are often not used to being around each other all the time or as FR families are now facing long hours with an invisible enemy. Listen in for tips to navigate your conversations.  Here are a couple of resources we mention:

 

 

Interested in subscribing to the Lifegiver Newsletter? Subscribers get discounts on their first session with Corie and find more information on building a community of Lifegivers. Click here to subscribe. 

Want to give back?  Send a monthly cup of coffee to keep us going by being a supporter on our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/lifegiver

Join us as we take a moment to assess how we as service families are doing and what we can do to influence the change we need in our own lives.

The Blue Star Families survey results were recently released and, not surprisingly, it was noted that we are struggling in several key areas. Listen in as Corie unpacks these and provides tips on how to ask for what you need.

If you are a spouse and feel relegated to the back burner, we understand. We know that it's often where we have to go... mission first. However, you can't stay there indefinitely. Your marriage can't stay on the back burner indefinitely. In this episode Corie talks about what to do if you are struggling with the way things are.

As always, we at Lifegiver strive to encourage you give your spouse the benefit of the doubt (regardless of whether he or she is the serving or supporting spouse). Assume your spouse is trying their best, and in light of that, assume that they want what's best for you. Being assertive and asking for what you need is absolutely okay and your spouse will probably be glad not to have to read your mind.

Interested in subscribing to the Lifegiver Newsletter? Subscribers get discounts on their first session with Corie and find more information on building a community of Lifegivers. Click here to subscribe. 

Want to give back?  Send a monthly cup of coffee to keep us going by being a supporter on our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/lifegiver

Bree Carroll is an engineer using her skills as an event coordinator and wedding planner.  When Bree saw some marriages around her fail mostly due to a lack of resources to help them get through the challenges they faced.  The resources were too hard to find. Not complied. suicides  As a person of action she made the leap from spectator on the sideline to influencer, making it her mission to connect those hurting to those who have the ability to help. One of Bree's passions is wedding planning so watching marriages fall apart is counter to her very existence. 

Read more... 

Bree Carroll's resources:

Hearts and Stripes Podcast

Meet Bree

Other resources mentioned:

Come Home Project

 

 

What we discuss:

In this episode Heather shares her story about being a Registered Nurse and her introduction to the challenges military families face. Because the stress of the lifestyle affects whole family she wanted to find a way to help an organization that was caring for the family unit.

When she didn’t find one that was serving whole families she created one. Project Sanctuary hosts 6-day retreats that focus on overcoming obstacles: financial, communication, family counseling, PTSD, and more. There are ten different locations and in 2020 there are 32 retreats planned.

Two hours a day are spent in therapeutic sessions. There are incredible activities at each location including fishing, white water rafting, horseback riding, ziplining, and snowmobiling. Some of these are once-in-a-lifetime activities while other activities are able to be replicated once the family goes home (hiking or playing board games).

Licensed and trained counselors are on-site all week. Break-throughs on the part of both the veteran and the spouses occur at each retreat!

Once a family has been on the retreat they are welcome to return as volunteers.

Resources and Links: 

About Project Sanctuary

Apply to attend a retreat

 

PS: Jennifer here... My family was able to attend a Project Sanctuary retreat at Snow Mountain Ranch and I had two personal breakthroughs during the PTSD session. As a Chaplain's wife I figured I'd heard most of the stuff they were going to cover so the fact that I had two major breakthroughs I didn't know I needed was powerful. One is related to a minor change in my husband after deploying twice. After two tours he started bouncing his leg while sitting and it was incredibly annoying. (Still is, to be honest.) In the PTSD session the speaker mentioned that this is a common side effect of combat trauma. I constantly asked him to stop doing this. The PTSD session mentioned this was a natural and healthy way to release tension and that my asking him to stop was basically me asking him to keep that tension bottled up. The leg bouncing is still irritating but after that session I rarely ask him to stop. I see it for what it is now. 

The other breakthrough was having my own deployment-traumas validated. I didn't know that the supporting spouse could have legitimate traumas caused by deployment. I didn't face war. I didn't face danger. I didn't see death. And yet, I was changed and in some ways, the changes were strange to me. I got mad when my husband mowed the grass (it was my pet project during the 15 month deployment and he dared to touch it). I also didn't like for him to drive once he got back. I had spent the entire time taxiing the kids around and once he got back I didn't trust him behind the wheel. I had actual, physical manifestations of fear when he'd drive and he's a really good driver! Looking back I can see so clearly that both of these reactions were trauma-based but had no idea. How much easier reintegration would have been had we both known these things about ourselves and each other. 

These two breakthroughs were worth the time it took for us to drive from Texas to Colorado for our retreat but there were many other benefits and experiences that made it spectacular. It was, in a literal and figurative sense, a mountaintop experience. 

 

Welcome to Season 5!  I can't believe we are starting another year of the Lifegiver Podcast. This is the Season Premier where I update you on all that is happening with Lifegiver- including the new Lifegiver TEAM!  A special welcome to Jennifer Hamrick and Lisa Walters for their help in making the Lifegiver Newsletter an AMAZING resource for all of you.  (Hint: Catch my interview with Jennifer in the first season of Lifegiver!). 

If you haven't signed up for the Newsletter, make sure you do!!

In this episode we are talking about the importance of Timing and Tact with our emotions and words.  Whether you are in conflict with you spouse, in a leadership position, or even a public advocate.  Especially military spouses feel at times like their voice is limited and that any complaining can come across as being a negative spouse.  The truth is, we have a right to our feelings and opinions, but have great responsibility in how we express them.  Rather than become passive or perhaps worse- aggressive- we can learn to be more assertive in kindness and love.  But... also with the right timing and tact.  Listen in as I give examples and practical tips on how to be more confident with the amazing influence you have in your marriage, parenting, and in the world.

 

Become a Patron!

We are celebrating the end of Season 4 with a big question that likely everyone has asked... "Who is really in Charge?"  Is it man?  Is it God?  When does God get in involved?  Why doesn't he?  Perhaps you are waiting on orders to your next assignment (like we are) and wondering if the people involved are listening to God.  Or maybe you are praying for a promotion or for your spouse to turn back to God.  Some of you may have even experienced abuse at the hands of someone else and are wondering, "Why didn't God intervene?"  In this Sunday Special, I open up on my own journey to look into the Sovereignty of God and tackle these big questions by diving into what scripture says about it.

Thank you for a fantastic Season 4!

Included in this episode: A portion of James Cordon's Late Night Show.  To listen to the full video, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgLOv36an3s

 

 

We are nearing the end of Season 4 with a fantastic interview with Vernice Castillo of Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN)! There is no one better to talk about the importance and trend of mentoring than Vernice.  In this episode, we come full circle from Episode 1 with a discussion on how mentoring in our military and first responder culture is impacting the wellbeing of so many military spouses who are reporting issues of loneliness, fatigue, exhaustion, and resentment. Listen in and allow Vernice to remind you of why face-to-face is so much moree fulfilling than online connection.  It might open your eyes to what you've been missing.  

If you would like more information on how you can get involved with MSAN, click here: https://www.militaryspouseadvocacynetwork.org/

To listen to a previous episode on mentoring and the various generational shifts, listen to my previous episode: The Village.

The military lifestyle's stress is hard enough on marriage, but what happens when you add a medical diagnosis? A child in need of extra care?  In this episode, we explore Aaron and Monica Harding's story of finding help for their son, themselves, and their marriage.  

The Harding's son Jackson (17) was diagnosed with SynGAP in 2015, at age 10. Today, with children aged 24, 21 and 17, his wife, Monica, is now just learning how to take time away. And, according to Aaron, “that’s only because we started family therapy ~2 years ago.”

Children living with SynGAP live with symptoms that include: autism / intellectual disabilities / sleep issues / behavior issues / seizures (sometimes a hundred a day) / delayed fine motor and language skills.

Today, there is no cure, only medications that treat individual symptoms. Each case is different and brings its own unique challenges. For families like the Sandersons and the Hardings, those challenges are even more acute as they navigate the complexities of military life.

Sign up for my monthly newsletter here!

For more content and resources visit www.life-giver.org

We want to hear from you - It helps us serve you better! Send us an email at podcast@corieweathers.com

Want to work with Corie? Check out https://www.corieweathers.com/ for more info.

Song Credits: "You and Me" Tamas Kolozsvari

 

Get ready to take some notes!! This episode is LONG overdue and chock full of so much information.  I get asked weekly, "How do I find a clinician?" "What do I search for?" "How will I know if they are a good fit?"  For years I dug into Psychology Profiles and even websites looking for clinicians that were not only competent, but understood the service lifestyle.  This year, I launched the Lifegiver Clinician Directory- the first ever searchable directory and database of clinicians that have a passion to serve you and some of them are even first responders, spouses, and veterans!  Now you can find someone using the map or search fields to find the kind of provider that works for your family!

 

In this episode I also cover:

• How to know if you need counseling
• The difference between a counselor, psychiatrist, and psychologist
• The different types of counseling and treatments
• My experience with EMDR
• What I look for in a clinician
• How to handle your counseling relationship when it doesn't feel like a good fit.

Stay tuned, Season 4 is coming to a close soon. Listen in as I talk about the vision for Season 5!!!

  Becky Hoy from Brave Crates joins the podcast to share how you can better your marriage even when you are apart.  Becky Hoy believes that deployment is one of the best things that has ever happened for the growth of her marriage and her own personal development. As an Army spouse whose husband has been deployed or otherwise away from home for roughly half of their seven years of marriage, Becky realized quickly that wishing away the days during deployment could not be an option for her. To share this message with other spouses Becky founded Brave Crate. She shares weekly tips and inspiration as a blogger for Brave Blog and and has curated the deployment- positive support community for military spouses called Brave Board.                 ABOUT BRAVE CRATE   For military spouses, counting down to being reunited with their deployed service member can feel like a never ending journey! That's why each month Brave Crate sends a box of curated self development and personal wellness products that allow her to shift her focus away from counting the days and onto setting goals and finding joy- so that she can conquer the deployment countdown and meet her spouse at homecoming as the strongest and most resilient version of herself.  To find out more about how you can subscribe to Brave Crates or gift someone else, head over to www.bravecrates.com

Dr. Les Parrot joins me for an episode that is all about how couples can use a tool like the Better Love Assessment to get a healthy snapshot or check up on their marriage.  Dr. Parrott is a globally sought after marriage psychologist along with his wife, Leslie Parrott also a marriage therapist. Together, they have written several books and speak on how to improve your marriage communication, reduce conflict, improve your sex life, and much more.  In this episode, Dr. Parrott shares more about the Better Love Assessment (found at www.betterlove.com) in pointing out the individual strengths in your marriage.  Better Love can be a great tool for date night discussions, working on your marriage during a deployment or separation, and even ways to talk through topics that are normally hot topics.  To find out more and subscribe to Dr. Parrott's resources, check out www.lesandleslie.com

 

Matt joins me again for another episode where we talk about the impact of Family Readiness on the marriage. For years, decades even, the military has told families that their support makes the mission successful. Unfortunately, families are getting tired and are wondering at what cost. In this episode, Matt and I have an honest conversation on how families indeed play a pay in mission readiness but also how we can change our perspective to a more influential one that can change the trajectory of our entire family.

Most of us know that there are stories of war in the Bible, but what does it say about the warriors?  In this Sunday Special, we take a look at a specific warrior in the God's story and the impact of war on his life. We will address the tough topic of "What does it mean to have blood on your hands?"  What does that say about you?  Your marriage?  When you are asked to be the good in the world, face evil, but to do so requires the willingness to take a life?  Scripture actually addresses this and I'm excited to share with you what I've found.

In this Sunday Special, we address the biggest faith question I get during affair recovery, which is how and when do I forgive?  Of course this is a difficult question to answer depending on the damage that has been done.  Join me as I walk with you through scripture that gives us a blueprint for forgiveness and hope for restoration.  I address:

1. What is God's purpose and design for marriage
2. How and why the enemy wants to destroy your marriage
3. What Jesus says about when to forgive, and 
4. How We are not called to repeatedly forgive without boundaries.

Sunday Special's on the Lifegiver Podcast are a chance for us to dive deeper into honest conversations regarding our faith and topics that come up in our marriage.  In the last episode of the Lifegiver Podcast, I shared with you my strategy for affair recovery.  If you haven't heard that episode, listen to it here:https://www.podbean.com/eu/pb-5jwg4-b63b20

Join Matt and I on a Saturday afternoon over coffee where we talk about our recent PCS (relocation). We talk about how it affected each of us, our marriage, kids, and ideas fro how you can communicate through big changes your own family goes through. Referenced in this talk is a previous episode on Resiliency and Maslow's Ladder

 

Betrayal, is unfortunately more common than you think- especially in the service culture.  In this episode I share with you the strategy I use to help couples work through affair recovery.  There are three phases and couples will certainly stall if not fail to recover their marriage if they miss important steps throughout the phases.  Two people, if are both willing to work hard, can rebuild their marriage after an affair and go on to have a rich relationship.  

Here are some of the resources mentioned throughout the episode:

My interview with Dr. Mike Sytsma Here is also my podcast on "Sin in a Christian Marriage" Part 1 & Part 2 

More Resources:

• Torn Asunder by Dave Carder. There is also a workbook available for this book. (faith based)

• Unfaithful: Hope and Healing After Infidelity by Gary & Mona Shriver (faith based)

• Secrets to Surviving Infidelity by Scott Haltzman

• After the Affair by Janis Spring

•  Rebuilding Trust Video – Using the image of a “trust bucket”, Dr. Mike addresses rebuilding trust after a affair.

Setbacks in Marriage- The Podcast Episode Women & the Tough Bible Verses– (Topic of Submission and gender roles in the Bible- Authentic Intimacy) People Are More Important Than Marriage– Authentic Intimacy, When you shouldn’t fight for your marriage. Sexual Intimacy and Post Affair with Mike Sytsma How do Affairs Happen? New Life Church, Brady Boyd

Articles:

So You’ve Hit a Marriage Setback: 3 Steps Military Marriage: When to Separate Mike Sytsma- Betrayal & Affair Recovery (articles and video) Protecting Your Marriage from an Affair 

Books:

Mission Ready Marriage: My Life As An Active Duty Wife Claire Wood Sacred Spaces: My Journey to the Heart of Military Marriage Corie Weathers

When a good friend approached me and asked why I had not addressed addiction and alcoholism on the podcast yet- I didn't have an answer.  I could not believe this topic had not been covered yet.  As Alyssa and I talked, she shared with me that she had searched everywhere for solid information on how to address alcohol addiction in her marriage.  Ultimately, I invited her to courageously share her story.  In this two part interview, Alyssa shares how alcohol in the service culture impacts so many marriages and families and how she approached her husband on his drinking.

There are many different ways that alcohol, pornography, or many other addictions can destroy your marriage.  We won't be able to address addiction from all sides in this interview, however I am so proud of how Alyssa handled her situation.  Alyssa does a fantastic job not only respecting her husband and marriage, but also modeling healthy boundaries, asking for change, and supporting her husband through his recovery.

If you are struggling with addiction or your spouse is, there is help out there.  No couple should approach a situation like this alone.  Counseling, the military ASAP program, and 12 Step Programs in your area can provide you the help you need to navigate the complexity of addiction and recovery.

In this Sunday Special, I talk with Megan Brown, the If Gathering Military Outreach Communicator- basically that means that she loves Jesus and loves to get people excited about it.  I met Megan (officially) at the AFI Military Spouse of the Year Awards 2019, but I've been watching her for some time.  Her personality is as colorful as she is!  After hearing her lead a couple of morning devotionals, I knew I wanted to have her on the podcast. 

In this episode, Megan shares the importance of friendship in this crazy military lifestyle as a "life or death" importance.  Listen in as she shares how community and boundaries can breathe life into us from a biblical perspective.   

Go here to find out more about If Gathering Military

https://youtu.be/9r7inlWFO54

My new book Military Culture Shift is now available for pre-order and will launch November 14th! Order Here

Subscribe to the Military Culture Shift Podcast NOW!

In this episode, I talk about the power of choosing hard things and the character development that comes from the process. We are so used to only choosing activities that we will feel successful at. After a while, we are siloed into a lifestyle and career where we believe the lie that we have to be successful at whatever we put our mind to. Instead, think about what brings you joy, or what used to bring you joy, and consider valuing yourself enough to go back to it and give it a chance. 

At 44, I picked up the cello after loving the sound of it my whole life. I had no idea just how much I was going to have to face some things in my life that have long needed to be addressed. Listen in as we talk about how to choose what your "hard thing" will be, what sabotages us from trying, how to develop the grit to persevere through discouragement and obstacles, and how it translates to our personal wellness and leadership in and out of the home. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Angela Duckworth: Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance and her TedTalk. 

Sign up for our monthly newsletter here!

For more content and resources visit www.life-giver.org

We want to hear from you - It helps us serve you better! Send us an email at podcast@corieweathers.com

Want to work with Corie? Check out https://www.corieweathers.com/ for more info.

Song Credits: "You and Me" Tamas Kolozsvari

When a good friend approached me and asked why I had not addressed addiction and alcoholism on the podcast yet- I didn't have an answer.  I could not believe this topic had not been covered yet.  As Alyssa and I talked, she shared with me that she had searched everywhere for solid information on how to address alcohol addiction in her marriage.  Ultimately, I invited her to courageously share her story.  In this two part interview, Alyssa shares how alcohol in the service culture impacts so many marriages and families and how she approached her husband on his drinking.

There are many different ways that alcohol, pornography, or many other addictions can destroy your marriage.  We won't be able to address addiction from all sides in this interview, however I am so proud of how Alyssa handled her situation.  Alyssa does a fantastic job not only respecting her husband and marriage, but also modeling healthy boundaries, asking for change, and supporting her husband through his recovery.

If you are struggling with addiction or your spouse is, there is help out there.  No couple should approach a situation like this alone.  Counseling, the military ASAP program, and 12 Step Programs in your area can provide you the help you need to navigate the complexity of addiction and recovery.

Welcome to another Sunday Special!  I am so happy to bring back my good friend Sarah- you may remember her from episode two when we had a roundtable discussion.  I wanted to being back Sarah because she is not only funny, but I just love to listen to her talk!

In this episode, Sarah and I talk about what it is like to go through difficulty and feel like God is distant.  Is he trying to teaching you something?  Is this happening because I did something wrong?   It is so easy to try to rush through difficult circumstances and learn whatever you have to learn to end the struggle when what He really is trying to do is grow your character.  Join us as we wrestle through this conversation of "Where is God in the Dark Places?"

 We often hear from couples that the service lifestyle has made my spouse "cold, calculated, and harsh."  While this may be a nature versus nurture debate, the service lifestyle can definitely train a person to see the world in a different way.  In this episode, Corie and Matt come together to talk about how this doesn't have to create more conflict in your marriage- in fact it can be a strength that you lean on!

Matt shares how growing up in a first responder home shaped him into the man he is today as well as understanding the internal emotional world of warriors- in our community and military.  Join us in a fun and moving discussion on how you can embrace who you are as well as how life has shaped you and become a stronger team together.

*** SPOILER ALERT- We talk about Avengers:Endgame in this episode, so please hold off on listening until you have seen it!

Ok- so first a heads up- we are going there in this episode.  We will be talking all about the female anatomy!  Guys- this one is for you, too.  There is so much women are not educated on and the pelvic floor is just one of them.  Ashley Gammon, founder of M.O.M.S (Military Outreach MUTU System) is my guest!  After 3 C-sections of her own, something wasn't right. She didn't feel as strong, wasn't making progress in her fitness goals and was experiencing a whole lot of symptoms that you are likely experiencing but didn't know there was help for.  

Ladies, the trampoline is definitely in your future and so are those HIIT programs and everything else you've been avoiding because... let's be honest.  After kids, things just aren't the same.  But Ashley says that none of us have to live that way.  If you are interested in taking care of your own body and health again and are ready to reclaim your sex life, that trampoline, and get things back where they originally were, check out: www.mutustrong.com

    https://themilitarywifeandmom.com/diastasis-recti-mutu-strong-military/   https://militaryspouse.epubxp.com/i/10519   https://armywife101.com/2019/02/military-mamas-want-your-body-back-moms.html    https://in-dependent.org/blog/connecting-with-friends-about-womens-health-issues  

Connect with Corie Weathers!  www.life-giver.org www.corieweathers.com 

Join the conversation and participate in future shows! @CorieLPC 

 

This is the second Sunday Special in Season 4 where we have honest conversations around faith in the midst of the service lifestyle.  In this episode, I'm introducing you to Jim and Ashley, an Army Chaplain couple, who recently went through one of the most difficult seasons of their life.  Shortly after PCSing, Ashely found out she was having identical twins boys about the same time that their two year old son began to have seizures.  Stretched thin with doctor's appointments during an already busy season of being stationed at the Chaplain School house, they soon found themselves in an overwhelming situation.  Listen in as Ashley and Jim share how their faith was challenged as they fought for the lives of their sons.  If you are going through a current season of loss, or have in the past, Jim and Ashley's story will inspire you and encourage you as it has already done for hundreds of families that have watched them from afar.  

 

I could not be more excited to share my good friend, Brittany Boccher with you. She was the 2017 AFI Military Spouse of the Year and has been traveling the country investing in military spouse by helping them define their identity and purpose.  Originally, Brittany defined her purpose by advocating for special needs families as she has a son with multiple medical issues.  However, she soon found that a bigger issue is plaguing our community- a lack of identity.

 

Brittany continues to advocate for EFMP families, but her passion for helping spouses reclaim who they are and find new purpose has resulted in her partnering with the USO to create a workshop and workbook titled Discovering Your Spark.     

After the results from my latest survey came back showing the same issue, I knew I had to have Brittany on to talk about not only what she was finding as she sits down with spouses face to face, but also what she has discovered herself is a way to find our way back to ourselves again.  Find Brittany also on FB: https://www.facebook.com/discoveringyourspark/

Connect with Corie Weathers!  www.life-giver.org www.corieweathers.com 

Join the conversation and participate in future shows! @CorieLPC 

It's time for the very first Lifegiver Sunday Special.  I received feedback that some of you would like faith based content AND hearing from Matt- so this episode is the both of us giving a talk at our old stomping grounds where we first met- Gardner-Webb University.  The sound on this one is a bit different because it was recorded in a different place and format, but I hope the message comes through in a way that will encourage your story.

Guess what- You can also WATCH this episode as well!  Check it out here:

I hope that you enjoy this episode.  I personally am huge fan of Matt Weathers, so I'm happy to share the stage with him anytime.

Connect with Corie Weathers!  www.life-giver.org www.corieweathers.com 

Join the conversation and participate in future shows! @CorieLPC 

 

Episode 2, Season 4

What happens when a veteran, a military spouse, and a first responder spouse sit down and talk about life together?  

I often get asked, do we really have that much in common?  Why would I have a podcast where I address the needs of both military and first responders?  Because we have a whole lot more in common than you think.

In this episode, I bring Ashley and Sarah on the podcast to talk about our different worlds and we would love for you to join us. 

Sarah is a first responder spouse, whose husband is now on the local SWAT team.  She brings authenticity and humor that will brighten anyone's day.  

Ashley, calling in from Italy, is a veteran herself by has retired and is now a military spouse.  For those who don't know, we call that a dual service family.  She brings a perspective that all of use should pay attention to.

Grab a cup of coffee or tea and pretend you are sitting at the table with us.  You will definitely be changed by this conversation.

Connect with Corie Weathers!  www.life-giver.org www.corieweathers.com 

Join the conversation and participate in future shows! @CorieLPC 

Welcome to the season four premiere of the Lifegiver podcast!  

I've returned from my winter sabbatical with new vision for this year and that includes great plans for season 4.  When it all comes down to it, it's all about YOU.

In this first episode, I'll briefly share about my plans to make the podcast far more interactive in 2019 as well as talking about the results of a spouse survey I created that went viral.  Almost 750 spouses told me how they are REALLY doing and it turns out...

We have lots to talk about.

I wasn't surprised that we are struggling as a community. Many of you aren't doing well and you aren't talking about it.  In fact, many are burned out, exhausted, and borderline resentful.  So in this episode we are going to get honest about that.

But there are some of you who are really doing great.  So what is the difference?  Take a listen to find out where you fall with other spouses in the community.  Perhaps you need some encouragement who are figuring out how to balance it all or maybe you have a lot more to offer than you thought...

It's time to breathe life into our family- the community family as well.  

Books mentioned in the podcast:  Leading Women Who Wound

Connect with Corie Weathers!  www.life-giver.org www.corieweathers.com 

Join the conversation and participate in future shows! @CorieLPC 

 

Listen in to my premiere interview with actor, Emmy nominated director, and producer Sarah Drew as she talks about life after Grey's Anatomy, marriage, and her newest movie Indivisible that hits theaters Oct 26th. Indivisible is based on real life Army Chaplain Couple Darren & Heather Turner.

Find theaters and more on INDIVISIBLE: https://indivisiblemovie.com/

 

 A sneak peek at the new Military Culture Shift Limited Series Podcast!

Subscribe NOW here on Apple!

Also available on Podbean and coming soon to other platforms.

Pre-order Military Culture Shift, Out November 14th!

Based on the book, Military Culture Shift by clinical consultant and SME on military family culture, Corie Weathers. This podcast offers leaders an opportunity to understand the growing shifts happening within the military culture as an immersive supplement to the book. Based on 15 years of research, counseling, and teaching the military culture across all branches. Gain insights on changing perspectives within the culture, generational shifts in authority, the impact of Department of Defense budget decisions, emerging social trends within the military community, and the cumulative effect of two decades of the War on Terror on military family wellness.

Pre-order your copy of Military Culture Shift here. Out November 14th

Watch (or listen) NOW to my special interview with Heather Turner about the upcoming movie Indivisible that tells the story of her marriage to a US Army Chaplain, Darren. Heather and Darren vulnerably share their story of how deployment and reintegration almost cost them their marriage and how they found restoration and hope. INDIVISIBLE stars Sarah Drew , Justin Bruening, and Jason George from Grey's Anatomy and opens in theaters Oct 26th, 2018. To watch the INDIVISIBLE Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUDz81_yVGY

 

In this 2018 Season Finale, the Deployment Series brings an interview with Lizann Lightfoot, The Seasoned Spouse.  We talk all about the struggles of deployment and how you can thrive through any separation with your spouse.  Even if you are a first responder, this interview is for you.  First responders live daily deployments and experience reintegration everyday your serving spouse comes home.  

Find out more about Lizann's Deployment Masterclass by clicking here: https://seasonedspouse.com/ where she offers training, resources, private Facebook groups, and a series from "seasoned" experts ready to encourage you and prepare you.

 

In this 2018 Season Finale, the Deployment Series brings an interview with Lizann Lightfoot, The Seasoned Spouse.  We talk all about the struggles of deployment and how you can thrive through any separation with your spouse.  Even if you are a first responder, this interview is for you.  First responders live daily deployments and experience reintegration everyday your serving spouse comes home.  

Find out more about Lizann's Deployment Masterclass by clicking here: https://seasonedspouse.com/ where she offers training, resources, private Facebook groups, and a series from "seasoned" experts ready to encourage you and prepare you.

 

In this series, join Katie Christy and I as we completely nerd-out on the power of living out your strengths. All of us are good at something. None of us are good at everything. What if you figured out what you are created to do really well, maybe already do really well- and then get even better at it? Welcome to being a superhero.

In this series, join Katie Christy and I as we completely nerd-out on the power of living out your strengths. All of us are good at something. None of us are good at everything. What if you figured out what you are created to do really well, maybe already do really well- and then get even better at it? Welcome to being a superhero.

In this series, join Katie Christy and I as we completely nerd-out on the power of living out your strengths. All of us are good at something. None of us are good at everything. What if you figured out what you are created to do really well, maybe already do really well- and then get even better at it? Welcome to being a superhero.

The topic of moral injury continues to be discussed within the military and veteran space, but many still are unclear what it is and how it impacts a person and their family. Moral injury is often described as the internal struggle a person goes through after being asked to do something that goes against his or her morals or values. For many of our service members, this is a real issues that deeply impacts their ability to recover. In this FANTASTIC interview, listen as I speak with Chaplain Timothy Mallard, a subject matter expert not only in moral injury, but soul injury. Soul injury, he describes, is an even deeper and sometimes more complicated injury to the soul- often not due to anything the person did- but more so done to them. Sit back with a cup of coffee and listen. You wont want to miss a word of this two-part conversation.

The topic of moral injury continues to be discussed within the military and veteran space, but many still are unclear what it is and how it impacts a person and their family. Moral injury is often described as the internal struggle a person goes through after being asked to do something that goes against his or her morals or values. For many of our service members, this is a real issues that deeply impacts their ability to recover. In this FANTASTIC interview, listen as I speak with Chaplain Timothy Mallard, a subject matter expert not only in moral injury, but soul injury. Soul injury, he describes, is an even deeper and sometimes more complicated injury to the soul- often not due to anything the person did- but more so done to them. Sit back with a cup of coffee and listen. You wont want to miss a word of this two-part conversation.

The topic of moral injury continues to be discussed within the military and veteran space, but many still are unclear what it is and how it impacts a person and their family. Moral injury is often described as the internal struggle a person goes through after being asked to do something that goes against his or her morals or values. For many of our service members, this is a real issues that deeply impacts their ability to recover. In this FANTASTIC interview, listen as I speak with Chaplain Timothy Mallard, a subject matter expert not only in moral injury, but soul injury. Soul injury, he describes, is an even deeper and sometimes more complicated injury to the soul- often not due to anything the person did- but more so done to them. Sit back with a cup of coffee and listen. You wont want to miss a word of this two-part conversation.

WATCH or listen to this episode! Full transparency- I am in love with Young Life. This organization changed my life during our first deployment, simply because they loved my family when I needed it most. Now that my kids are old enough to be a part of it, I'm shouting it from the rooftops. Young life seres middle and high school students but extends all the way into college while also serving specific groups in need like special needs, teen moms, and more. In this interview, listen as I talk with Alex Holryode from Young Life in Columbia, SC. He shares how you can get your kids involved for extra support and positive role modeling- not to mention tons of fun. Be sure to click the links for more on Young Life and Club Beyond!

Listen in for how a strengths-based approach changes the way we view our relationships, work, and even our perception of ourselves. After over a decade of helping individuals, leaders, and couples discover what their talents are, it has been incredible to watch marriages heal from miscommunication, differences, and betrayal, helping individuals heal through loss, and find joy in doing what they are exceptionally talented at. Whether you are a leader looking for a new tool that increases communication and productivity or looking to change the patterns of communication in your home, the strengths approach helps you work with what you already do well and use that to address what you aren't good at. It also sets you free from being all things to all people, and lets you just be you.

Here are a few links mentioned in the episode:

• Gallup Strengthsfinder Assessment (Top 5 or Full 34)
• The Standout Assessment by Marcus Buckingham
• Strengths-based Coaching with Corie Weathers

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For more content and resources visit www.life-giver.org

We want to hear from you - It helps us serve you better! Send us an email at podcast@corieweathers.com

Want to work with Corie? Check out https://www.corieweathers.com/ for more info.

Song Credits: "You and Me" Tamas Kolozsvari

What could be more honest than a conversation with my own teenager? I could not have a series on Generation Z without bringing one in on the podcast. In this interview, I give Aidan full permission to honestly talk with me about his experiences at school with bullying, active shooter drills, academics, and what it is like to be a military kid that moves around a lot.

Do you have a pre-teen or teenager? I am so excited to share with you my interview with Gary Allen Taylor from Axis. Axis is an organization whose mission is to empower the next generation to think clearly and critically about what they believe and to take ownership of their faith. They do this not by outsourcing parents, but by resourcing them to disciple and transfer legacy to their children as they face life’s questions and challenges. We also support faith leaders in churches and schools by providing content and facilitators who effectively introduce and address life’s toughest topics. Raising Generation Z kids is all about having the right information and tools to parent in a loving and effective way. You will love the approach Axis is taking to equip you. Don't forget to sign up for their FREE newsletter called the Culture Translator. It will arrive in your email box every Friday with updates on what is happening in the culture, conversations your teen might be having at school, as well as tips for conversations you can start with your kids.

Parenting is hard enough, but raising kids in a lifestyle of service sometimes feels even harder. For military there are constant relocations that make you wonder after a while if you are causing more harm than good. Accepting the call to a service lifestyle is a deeply personal one. Putting your life on the line for country and community is a sacrifice that impacts your entire family. In this interview I speak with Dr Joshua and Christi Straub, a couple doing outstanding work in the field of parenting. Joshua Straub, Ph.D., has two cherished roles—as husband to wife, Christi, and dad Landon and Kennedy. He serves as Marriage and Family Strategist for LifeWay Christian Resources and leads Famous at Home, a company equipping leaders, organizations, military families, and churches in emotional intelligence and family wellness. As a family advocate and professor of child psychology / crisis response, Josh has trained thousands of professionals in crisis response. He also speaks regularly for Joint Special Operations Command and for military families across the country. Josh is author/ coauthor of four books including Safe House: How Emotional Safety is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well and creator, along with Christi, of TwentyTwoSix Parenting, an online community of parents offering discipleship tools for their kids. Together, they host the In This Together podcast and their weekly Facebook Live broadcasts reach tens of thousands of families. Joshua and Christi have the "In This Together Podcast" where they address topics on parenting and marriage as well as their 22:6 Parenting Curriculum that gives you everything you could possibly need to succeed as a parent including- - A supportive group environment, - Tools to use with your kids and - Monthly curriculum for you to download each month. To listen to our interview on their "In This Together Podcast", Click the link!