Dr. Kimberly Dickman discusses the impact of loneliness and why it is an epidemic across the United States. She also shares the importance of having meaningful connections and how those connections influence our overall well-being.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Vance Spouses' Club https://www.vancespousesclub.com/ and Peterson, Schriever, Cheyenne Mountain Spouses’ Club https://www.pscspousesclub.org/.

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

Show Notes:

Resources:

Dickman, K. (2024, July). Loneliness: The New Global Pandemic. One the Move. Summer 2024

https://militarychild.org/news-and-publications/

Bio:

Dr. Kimberly S. Dickman serves as an assistant professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy Center for Character and Leadership Development (CCLD), where she leads the Healthy Relationship Education and Emotional Intelligence branch of the Development Division in the Center. CCLD’s mission is to advance the understanding, scholarship, practice, and integration of character and leadership development, resulting in cadets and permanent party prepared for service to the nation.

Dr. Dickman is a licensed clinical professional counselor and certified educator. She began her work in education for the Department of Defense in 1991. During her 20+ years of civilian service she has performed at the Wing and Headquarters Air Force level before coming to USAFA. Of note is her work in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program where she focused on education, analysis, and prevention science. Her extensive experience allows her to serve at USAFA as faculty and lead in topics such as healthy relationships, emotional intelligence, positive psychology, prevention science, human sexuality, and leadership development. She teaches Human Sex, Reproduction, and Sexuality in the Biology Department and Applied Positive Psychology in the Behavioral Science and Leadership Department. 

Dr. Dickman is widely recognized and is frequently requested to present across the DoD and on a national scale.

"Connections are at the heart of growth". Listen as Dr. Brent Wolf, school principal and lifelong educator discusses the importance of meaningful connections in building relationships. Connecting with students, parents, and educators creates a true foundation for growth.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the Wiesbaden Community Spouses’ Club, Inc., and Ramstein Officers’ Spouses' Club. To learn more, visit https://wiesbadencommunityspousesclub.wildapricot.org/ and https://www.ramsteinosc.org/.

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

2025 MCEC Global Training Summit

https://militarychild.org/event/gts/

Brent Wolf has taught students in elementary and middle school for sixteen years before stepping into his role as the Principal at Derby Hills Elementary School in Derby, Kansas. For over a decade, he has taught as an adjunct professor at Baker University, Southwestern College, Wichita State University, and Cowley College. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Leadership Studies from Southwestern College, as well as a Master’s degree in Education from Baker University, Doctoral Coursework from Kansas State University, a Building-level Administrator Certificate from Pittsburg State University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from Southwestern College.

South Central Kansas has always been near and dear to Brent’s heart. He taught 3rd through 8th grade in Winfield, KS. Following those years, Brent moved into an Instructional Technology Specialist position for two years. After eight years teaching middle school English in Derby, KS (suburb of Wichita), Brent moved into the role as Building Principal at Derby Hills Elementary. This is his 5th year in that role.

Brent’s honors include making the first-ever website for Winfield Public Schools with his students through the GenY program. In 2015, Brent was named the KAKE News Golden Apple Award Recipient. In 2017, Brent was Derby Public School’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. That year, he also was named Region IV Teacher of the Year. He was a finalist for Kansas Teacher of the Year. Brent also was named a Spotlight Faculty Member at Baker University’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies. Brent serves on several committees through the Kansas State Department of Education. Brent currently is a member of the Higher Education Review Committee which accredits Kansas colleges’ education programs. He also serves as District 9-10 member of the Commissioner of Education’s Advisory Council. Brent is a newer member of the Kansas Teacher Recruitment and Retention Committee Member. Brent was the chair of the committee that wrote the ELA standards for PreK-12 in 2017. Brent was recently inducted into the Southwestern College Educators’ Hall of Fame.

Brent’s longest service period has been as a member and Vice President of the Winfield’s Board of Education. Brent served nine years and worked with hiring three superintendents, managing two bond issues, and tackling one global pandemic.

Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC) is a team of scientists and specialists who utilize research to develop evidence-based resources to help service members and their families to achieve total fitness. Listen as Dr. Lauren Messina discusses the #GotMySix campaign and its focus on social connections and relationship building to help support military families maintain overall fitness.

This podcast is made possible by generous funding from the USAA Foundation.

Audio mixing by Concentus Media, Inc., Temple, Texas.

#GotMySix

https://www.hprc-online.org/total-force-fitness/gotmysix

Human Performance Resources by CHAMP

https://www.hprc-online.org/

Lauren A. Messina, PhD, LCMFT, DipACLM is a Senior Scientist supporting the Human Performance Resources by CHAMP (HPRC-online.org) team at the Uniformed Services University. With her clinical and research experiences, Lauren is a subject-matter expert in relational health, family well-being, social connections, behavior change, and holistic approaches to well-being. She is a Diplomate with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a certified Health and Well-being Coach by Wellcoaches ©.

Dr. Messina is an Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine and the College of Allied Health Sciences at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Messina has a master’s degree and clinical license in Couple and Family Therapy and a doctoral degree in Family Science from the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland, College Park.