Show Notes

Holidays in the Navy don’t always look like the ones we grew up with. Instead of gathering around familiar tables, many military families find themselves creating new traditions thousands of miles from “home.”

In this episode, Teal Yost and guest co-host Kathryn Butler dive into what makes OCONUS holiday seasons both challenging and deeply meaningful. From KFC Christmas dinners in Japan, to Le Befana visiting children in Italy, to 12 grapes at midnight in Spain, to fireworks across Hawaii — they explore how Navy families adapt, connect, and rediscover the heart of the holidays wherever they’re stationed.

Whether you’re preparing for your first holiday overseas or reminiscing on duty stations past, this episode is a warm reminder that home is wherever our people are.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Getting to know Kathryn Hear Kathryn’s Navy journey, her OCONUS duty stations, and how living abroad shaped her family’s holiday traditions.

• What to expect during your first OCONUS holiday season Is it harder? More meaningful? A bit of both? Teal and Kathryn share their honest, lived experience.

• Japan’s unique Christmas celebrations – Christmas Eve as a couple’s holiday – Stunning seasonal illuminations – The iconic KFC Christmas dinner (yes, really!) – The New Year’s Emperor Greeting

• Italian holiday traditions – La Befana on January 5 – St. Nicholas Day on December 6

• Spanish celebrations – Twelve grapes at midnight for good luck – New Year’s red underwear tradition – Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes)

• Holidays in Hawaii Fireworks, celebrations, and island traditions that make the season unforgettable.

• Advice for families spending their first holiday overseas Teal and Kathryn share heartfelt guidance for navigating emotions, expectations, and new memories.

Whether you’re a new Navy spouse, a seasoned partner, or a supporter of the Navy community, this episode offers inspiration, history, and a reminder that you’re never navigating this life alone.

Stay Connected With Us:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram
  

As Veterans Day approaches, many of us see the familiar wave of “thank yous” in the form of discounts and freebies. But what if that appreciation didn’t stop on November 11th?

In this episode, host Teal Yost sits down with Navy veteran and active-duty Navy spouse Grant Vermeer to talk about Valor, a new app making military discounts automatic — no ID, no awkward ask, and no forgetting to mention your service at checkout.

Grant shares how Valor is transforming everyday shopping for service members, veterans, and military families by connecting them directly with local businesses that want to give back. He also opens up about his own journey from Naval Academy grad to veteran, to military spouse — and what Veterans Day means to him now from both sides of service.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Grant’s Navy journey and transition from active duty to military spouse
  

• Behind the scenes of The Academy Insider podcast
  

• How Valor makes military discounts automatic — no cards or conversations required
  

• Why the app launched in Coronado, CA and what’s next for nationwide expansion
  

• How Valor is helping small businesses give back to the military community year-round

Featured GuestGrant Vermeer is a Navy veteran, Naval Academy graduate, and active-duty Navy spouse. He’s part of the founding team behind Valor, a free app that automates military discounts and cashback for verified service members, veterans, and spouses. He also hosts The Academy Insider podcast, supporting midshipmen and their families through life at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Whether you’re a new Navy spouse, a seasoned partner, or a supporter of the Navy community, this episode offers inspiration, history, and a reminder that you’re never navigating this life alone.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Valor: www.joinvalor.com

• Download the Valor App: Available on the App Store & Google Play

• Listen to The Academy Insider podcast

Stay Connected With Us:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram

This fall marks two incredible milestones: the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday and Naval Services Familyline’s 60th anniversary. For six decades, Familyline has been a trusted source of education, mentorship, and resources for Navy spouses and families navigating the challenges of military life.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, Navy spouse and host Teal Yost sits down with Nancy Ruttenberg, the newly appointed Chairman of Naval Services Familyline. Together, they celebrate these milestone anniversaries and look ahead at the future of support for Navy families.

Nancy shares:

• Her journey as a Navy spouse and the experiences that shaped her role in the community.
  

• A brief history of Naval Services Familyline and how it has grown over the past 60 years.
  

• Programs and resources available for Navy families today, including Compass, Core, and upcoming webinars like Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts.
  

• Her vision for Familyline’s future and the next 60 years of serving the Navy community.

This special milestone episode also highlights crowdsourced reflections from Navy spouses across the globe, who share:

• The greatest gifts Navy life has added to their journeys—from lifelong friendships to personal growth, career pivots, and unforgettable adventures abroad.
  

• How the Navy community has provided connection, resilience, and inspiration, even during challenging seasons.

Whether you’re a new Navy spouse, a seasoned partner, or a supporter of the Navy community, this episode offers inspiration, history, and a reminder that you’re never navigating this life alone.

Resources & Links:

• Naval Services FamilyLine

• NSFL COMPASS

• NSFL CORE

• Volunteer With NSFL!

Stay Connected With Us:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram