For military spouses exploring new opportunities and ideas outside the military, so that they can make more confident choices for their next chapter.
www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com (https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com?utm_medium=podcast)
234: Scholarships for military spouses in pursuit of service, sacrifice, citizenship, and legacy
Michael Blankers & Steve Curtis from the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation talk about the Champions of Valor Scholarship Program
* Michael and Steve share their military background, what led them to their involvement with the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award Foundation, and their roles.
* They share their involvement and passion for the Champions of Valor Scholarship Program.
* They explain how Veterans, Service Members, Military Spouses, and Students from Military Families can apply for the scholarship program.
* Michael shares his experience playing for a veteran softball team on behalf of another non-profit, Folds of Honor, and how a Gold Star family member’s comment impacted him.
* Jen shares her perspective as a recipient and/or as someone aware of organizations that provide resources to Gold Star and military family members like her.
* Steve shares the impact of opening up the Champions of Valor Scholarship Program to military spouses.
* Michael explains why he holds military spouses in high regard.
* Michael and Steve share their experience with the Survivor Benefit Plan decision during their military retirement and emphasize that it’s a personal choice based on individual circumstances.
Accepting Applications Until October 1, 2026
Veterans, Service Members, Military Spouses, and Students from Military Families can apply for the Champions of Valor Scholarship Program today at: https://www.actofvaloraward.org/bob-feller-act-of-valor-scholarships (https://www.actofvaloraward.org/bob-feller-act-of-valor-scholarships)
For donations, visit: https://www.actofvaloraward.org/donate (https://www.actofvaloraward.org/donate)
Additional Resources Mentioned
* Educational scholarships to the children and spouses of America’s fallen or disabled service members: https://foldsofhonor.org/scholarships/military-scholarships/ (https://foldsofhonor.org/scholarships/military-scholarships/)
Also listen to Michael’s previous interview with us:
Jen’s Book Updates
* Updated foreword by Stephanie Brown (https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/p/220-i-wish-that-we-had-made-the-time), Founder & CEO of The Rosie Network
* First-time listeners can subscribe to get the PDF copy in the welcome email. For subscribers, check the footer of the latest newsletter.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/subscribe (https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
30 Apr 2026
233: Month of the Military Child Wrap Up and Book Update
Happy end of the Month of the Military Child!
To wrap up, Jen reflects on the following:
* What it felt like recalling her military child life before becoming a Gold Star daughter
* The theme of choosing with childlike wonder and adventure and how it relates to military spouses going through military retirement
* The release of the latest chapters of The Military Spouse Benefit Plan (https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/p/msbp)
Subscribe for free today and get a free copy of The Military Spouse Benefit Plan
A Round Up of MOMC Posts:
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/subscribe (https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
19 Mar 2026
232: Energy Work for Beginners with Candice Van Dertholen - Part 2 of 2
Let’s continue our talk on Energy Work with Candice Van Dertholen
In Part 1 of 2 of our conversation (https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/p/231-energy-work-for-beginners?r=17xtm8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web), we discussed:
* What is energy work?
* Why are we in the right time and generation to embrace energy work?
* Who can benefit from energy work?
* At what age do we become disconnected from our internal language, and how is military transition an opportunity to reconnect with it?
* How to identify patterns that may be holding us back from feeling whole, safe, and supported today.
* How integrating energy work into your life and being more inquisitive can be of great benefit to you.
Now in Part 2 of 2 of our conversation, we discuss:
* How does one begin energy work?
* The benefits of stillness and slowing down long enough to hear yourself.
* Tips on how to build your nervous system relief over time.
* Why building and taking the time to learn who you are is so important.
* How energy work can serve you through military retirement.
* When Candice knew she wanted to be a root cause practitioner and her full-circle moment.
This concludes our conversation with Candice Van Dertholen! Thanks for listening! 🎙
Connect with Candice Van Dertholen (Candice Elizabeth)
* https://heal.me/candice (https://heal.me/candice)
* https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicevandertholen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicevandertholen)
* https://instagram.com/candice_elizabeth.co (https://instagram.com/candice_elizabeth.co)
* https://substack.com/@candicevandertholen (https://substack.com/@candicevandertholen)
Resources Mentioned
* On Assimilation: A Transition from War book by Leo Jenkins
* Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us book by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross
* Improving Military Mental Health: Spiritune teams up with Blue Star Families - https://www.spiritune.com/blog/improving-military-mental-health-spiritune-blue-star-families (https://www.spiritune.com/blog/improving-military-mental-health-spiritune-blue-star-families)
Past Episodes Mentioned
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/subscribe (https://www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
Inside a recent episode
234: Scholarships for military spouses in pursuit of service, sacrifice, citizenship, and legacy
Published 27 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] We thought about it, and I thought, you know, I thought a very important element of it was the community service aspect of it. So, you know, not so much as a student. I mean, so that's why, you know, with the 3.0, you can still apply. I wasn't looking, you know, I was looking for an average student. It doesn't have to be a 4.0 student because I was looking more for what they do within the community. And so it started out you had to be active duty in order to apply. Since then, we've added if you're retired or if you have a child that has a parent that has a 214 or is currently serving can apply and they have to write the essay. […]
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