podcast

In this episode, Jessica Beckendorf and guest co-host Kim Smith explore the military-civilian divide with Dr. Hayden, whose work focuses on the intersection of career development and mental health for service members, veterans, and military families.

In this conversation with Tom Mosgaller, we unpack a flexible Change Framework designed for communities of any size or location. Tom explains why relationships and taking action together are central, and how aligning desire, vision, power, and action can help us all overcome resistance and move toward a brighter future.

When child care is hard to find and harder to afford, some communities aren’t waiting for a fix. Kristin Forde Hurckes (University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Center for Cooperatives) explains how cooperative models are helping – and where they hit their limits.

Many military families don’t live near a large installation. Jennifer Holliday, Alabama’s first Military Family Liaison shares what it takes to coordinate support for geographically dispersed families and what any service provider can do to build that connective tissue in their own community.

What does it actually take to build a community where people feel cared for — and where that care turns into action? In this episode, we talk with Julika von Stackelberg of Cornell Cooperative Extension about her Community Resilience Builder Program and what years of bringing people together has taught her about connection, shared responsibility, and sustaining community across transitions — including for military-connected families.

In this replay episode from 2024, Jessica and Bob share a practice to help us engage people in the meaningful conversations we need to have, in order to plan and do our work together.

In this replay episode from 2024, Jessica and Bob talked about the “chaordic stepping stones,” a helpful tool for going below the surface with a group, and share four questions that can help groups work toward a clear statement of purpose together.

How does a small North Carolina city become a national example of collaboration between military and community? Mayor Will Lewis says it starts with relationships – and a willingness to show up for one another. In this replay episode from early 2026, Jessica talks with Havelock, North Carolina Mayor Will Lewis about what it looks like when a city and an installation grow together.

What is the value of using a systems lens in community work? In today’s archive episode, we are hearing from Bob and Jessica about solving issues in your community on a systems level, not just on a focused project level. What can you do to help you and your community start thinking about the whole system?

This episode is specifically about the Community Capitals Framework and how to get connected with the assets that already exist in your community. Collaborating with others in your community is important, but if you are finding yourself overwhelmed or with limited capacity, this framework and practice are a great way to get started. You don’t have to make everything happen yourself!