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

Show Notes

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

Creating Community Everywhere: Blue Star Families’ Kathy Roth-Douquet on Welcome Week, the Blue Star Neighborhood & Military Life

Show Notes

Moving to a new duty station can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost, a Navy spouse of 10 years, chats with Kathy Roth-Douquet, Marine veteran spouse and Co-Founder & CEO of Blue Star Families (BSF)—the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to supporting military and veteran families where they live.

Kathy shares:

• The story behind BSF—why she founded it and the mission that drives it today.
  

• Impact at scale: Over 16 years, BSF has delivered $336M+ in benefits, reaching 1.5M people annually through its chapters and outposts.
  

• Blue Star Welcome Week: how this annual event helps military families feel at home in their new communities.
  

• Blue Star Neighborhood: a year-round digital hub where families connect, share resources, and find ongoing support long after PCS season.
  

• Coffee & Connects: casual Starbucks meetups that bring military families together to build friendships and swap local resources over a cup of coffee.
  

• How you can get involved: from volunteering to partnering with BSF to support military families year-round.
  

Whether you’re in the middle of a PCS, eager to meet fellow military families, or looking for ways to give back, this conversation offers encouragement and practical ways to create community—wherever Navy life takes you.

Resources & Links:

• Blue Star Families

• Blue Star Welcome Week

• Blue Star Neighborhood

Stay Connected With Us:

• NSFL Website

• NSFL Facebook

• NSFL Instagram