Wake Up and Live: Why Action Comes Before Confidence

Wake Up and Live: Why Action Comes Before Confidence

Have you ever caught yourself waiting? Waiting until you feel more confident. Waiting for the perfect time. Waiting until life settles down after the next PCS, deployment, or promotion. In this episode of The Military Spouse Show, Wendy Poling and Dr. Krista Wells continue their Vision Board Series by exploring the timeless self-development classic Wake Up and Live by Dorothea Brande. Although written nearly 90 years ago, the book's message is surprisingly relevant today: your life changes when you begin acting like the person you want to become, not when you finally feel ready. Together, Wendy and Krista share practical coaching insights, personal stories, and simple exercises to help you move from dreaming about your goals to actually living them. Whether your vision includes writing a book, starting a business, prioritizing your health, returning to school, or simply feeling more confident, this conversation will encourage you to stop waiting for permission and start taking the next small step. THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE Take a few minutes to complete this sentence: If I knew I couldn't fail, I would... Then identify two daily habits that align with that vision and commit to practicing them this week. We'd love to hear your answer! Join the conversation on our Facebook page and share your "Act As If" statement with our community. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Wake Up and Live by Dorothea Brande * Vision Board Series on The Military Spouse Show CONNECT WITH US Follow The Military Spouse Show for more conversations about: * Personal growth * Military spouse life * Goal setting * Leadership * Career development * Coaching tools * Building a life of purpose If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another military spouse who could use a little encouragement this week. Military Creator & Leadership Intensive and LIVE Podcast Experience, both presented by USAA 📅 Date: August 14, 2026 📍 Location: Liberty Station Conference Center | San Diego, California www.militaryspouseshow.com/events [http://www.militaryspouseshow.com/events] https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-leadership-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1403658834039 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-leadership-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1403658834039] Thank you for listening!

Mid-Year Reset: You're Not Behind - It's Time to Refocus

Have your New Year's goals drifted to the back burner? You're not alone. The good news is you don't have to wait until January to begin again. In this episode of The Military Spouse Show, Wendy and Krista share a practical framework for a mid-year reset. Together, they explore how to revisit your vision board, celebrate progress you've already made, release the guilt of unfinished goals, and intentionally refocus on what matters most for the rest of the year. Military life has a way of changing our plans. PCS moves, deployments, career transitions, family responsibilities, and unexpected opportunities can shift our priorities overnight. Rather than seeing those changes as setbacks, Wendy and Krista encourage you to view them as invitations to pivot with purpose. Whether you're working toward a personal goal, writing a book, growing your career, improving your health, or simply trying to be more intentional with your time, this conversation offers encouragement and practical next steps to help you finish the year strong. IN THIS EPISODE * Why July is the perfect time for a personal reset * Revisiting your vision board with fresh eyes * Celebrating progress instead of focusing on perfection * Recognizing when goals need to evolve with your current season of life * Letting go of guilt around unfinished goals * Creating momentum through small, consistent actions * Why flexibility is one of the greatest strengths military spouses develop * Updating your resume, LinkedIn profile, and professional accomplishments before you need them * Clearing "energy zappers" that quietly steal your focus * Choosing one or two priorities that will have the biggest impact during the rest of the year QUESTIONS TO REFLECT ON As you complete your own mid-year check-in, consider these questions: * What has gone better than I expected? * What has been more challenging than I anticipated? * What accomplishments haven't I stopped to celebrate? * What one or two priorities deserve my attention over the next six months? * What's one small action I can take this week? RESOURCES MENTIONED * Unlocking Your Future: The Power of Vision boards * The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron * Best Military Resume (AI-powered resume and LinkedIn optimization tool - coming soon on a future episode) KEY TAKEAWAY Progress isn't about perfectly following the plan you made in January. It's about regularly checking your direction, making thoughtful adjustments, and continuing to move toward the life you want to build. A reset isn't starting over, it's moving forward with greater clarity. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU What's one goal you're recommitting to before the end of the year? Share your answer with us on social media or leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts. Your story may be exactly the encouragement someone else needs as they begin their own reset. Military Creator & Leadership Intensive and LIVE Podcast Experience, both presented by USAA 📅 Date: August 14, 2026 📍 Location: Liberty Station Conference Center | San Diego, California www.militaryspouseshow.com/events [http://www.militaryspouseshow.com/events] https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-leadership-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1403658834039 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-leadership-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1403658834039] Thank you for listening!

Create What's Next: The Military Creator & Leadership Intensive

Have you ever had an idea you couldn't stop thinking about? Maybe it's starting a podcast, writing a book, launching a business, creating digital products, becoming a speaker, or simply figuring out what's next in your career. If you've been waiting for the "perfect time," this episode is your reminder that there's still plenty of year left. In this special episode of The Military Spouse Show, Wendy Poling and Dr. Krista Wells share the vision behind the Military Creator & Leadership Intensive, presented by USAA—a one-day experience designed specifically for military-connected individuals who are ready to stop waiting and start creating what's next. More than just another conference, this is the event Wendy and Krista wish they had when they were starting their own journeys. Together, they discuss how military spouses can build portable careers, turn ideas into action, and leave with practical tools—not just inspiration. Whether your next chapter includes entrepreneurship, podcasting, publishing, coaching, public speaking, or simply gaining clarity about your future, this conversation will encourage you to take one intentional step forward. Let's make the second half of 2026 count. Your next chapter might just be getting started. Join Us in San Diego MILITARY CREATOR & LEADERSHIP INTENSIVE, PRESENTED BY USAA 📅 Date: August 14, 2026 🕗 Time: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. 📍 Location: Liberty Station Conference Center | San Diego, California Visit our website for all the details on the events mentioned during the show! www.militaryspouseshow.com/events [http://www.militaryspouseshow.com/events] Register on Eventbrite! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1990803876987?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1990803876987?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true] Thank you for listening!

The Artist's Way for Military Spouses: Morning Pages, Artist Dates & Your Vision Board

Have you ever felt stuck, like you know where you want to go but you're not sure how to take the first step? In this episode, Wendy and Krista continue their Vision Board series with a deep dive into one of the most influential creativity books ever written: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. Whether you're building a vision board, navigating a new season of military life, or simply looking to reconnect with yourself, this conversation offers practical tools to help you move from overwhelm to clarity. Together, they explore why creativity isn't just for artists—it's for anyone who wants to live with greater purpose, intention, and joy. In this episode: * A synopsis of The Artist's Way * Why creativity is essential for designing your future * How Morning Pages quiet mental clutter and reveal what matters most * The purpose and power of weekly Artist Dates * Simple ways to overcome creative blocks and get unstuck * How these practices strengthen your vision board and help turn dreams into action MilSpouse Moment This week's MilSpouse Moment tackles a question so many military spouses ask themselves: "How do I start putting myself first after years of military life where everyone else's schedule came first?" Wendy and Krista share practical encouragement for rediscovering your own goals, creating space for yourself without guilt, and why investing in yourself ultimately benefits your entire family. This Week's Challenge ✨ Write Morning Pages for three days. ✨ Take yourself on one Artist Date. ✨ Add one new image, word, or idea to your vision board inspired by the experience. We'd love to hear what you discover! 🎁 Listener Giveaway We're giving away a copy of The Artist's Way along with the companion Morning Pages Journal, both by Julia Cameron. To enter: * Comment or leave a like on the social media post for this show episode on our Facebook page. Giveaway period is from 7-3-2026 thru 8-3-2026. We'll draw a random winner on 8-4-2026. Full details on our website. Thank you for being part of our community! Resources Mentioned * The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron * The Artist's Way Morning Pages Journal by Julia Cameron If you're enjoying this Vision Board series, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with another military spouse who could use a little creative encouragement today. Find us on Facebook (The Military Spouse Show): https://www.facebook.com/TheMilitarySpouseCoach/ [https://www.facebook.com/TheMilitarySpouseCoach/] Visit us at https://www.militaryspouseshow.com/ [https://www.militaryspouseshow.com/]

5 Mindset Lessons from Think and Grow Rich Every Military Spouse Should Know

EPISODE SUMMARY Military life rarely follows a straight path but your career doesn't have to stand still. In this episode, Wendy and Krista explore timeless lessons from Think and Grow Rich and discuss how military spouses can use mindset, persistence, and small intentional actions to build meaningful, portable careers. Whether you're navigating underemployment, a PCS, or dreaming about what's next, this conversation will encourage you to keep moving forward, one small step at a time. IN THIS EPISODE You'll learn: * Why having a clear mission matters more than simply "finding a job" * How military spouses can build a practical mastermind network * The importance of developing portable skills * Why persistence often matters more than talent * How strategic volunteering can become valuable career experience * Practical ways to stay motivated during seasons of underemployment * A simple three-minute exercise to identify your next step ---------------------------------------- KEY TAKEAWAYS ✔ Define one clear mission objective for the next 90 days. ✔ Build relationships before you need them. ✔ Invest in skills that move with you. ✔ Don't let temporary setbacks become permanent decisions. ✔ Small, consistent action creates momentum. ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED * Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill * MyCAA Scholarship Program * LinkedIn Learning * Google Career Certificates * Toastmasters * Elevations Career Assessment * Pomodoro productivity method QUOTE FROM THE EPISODE > "Many military spouses are only three feet from gold—they just don't know it yet." - Krista Wells ---------------------------------------- Our first creator focused event! Military Creator & Leadership Intensive – August 14, 2026 | San Diego Ready to turn your ideas into action? Join Wendy P, Krista W, and fellow military-connected creators, leaders, and entrepreneurs for a day of workshops focused on vision and goal setting, podcasting, publishing, financial confidence, leadership, and practical AI tools. Includes a workbook, lunch, networking, and actionable takeaways. Learn more and register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-leadership-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1403658834039 [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/military-creator-leadership-intensive-live-podcast-experience-tickets-1403658834039] CONNECT WITH US What is one small action you'll take this week toward your next career goal? We'd love to hear from you. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating, and share it with another military spouse who could use a little encouragement today.