When your spouse is deployed, breaking news can feel a lot more personal.

For Navy spouses, a headline about a carrier movement or an escalating conflict halfway around the world can quickly shift from something happening in the news to something that feels close to home. And in a world of 24/7 news coverage, social media updates, and unverified rumors, knowing when to stay informed—and when to step away—can be challenging.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost sits down with Madison Wade Cullinen, a Navy spouse and former television news anchor who experienced the unique challenge of reporting on world events involving the very aircraft carrier her husband was deployed aboard.

Drawing on their shared backgrounds in television news and their experiences as Navy spouses, Teal and Madison explore what happens when professional responsibilities collide with personal fears, why more information doesn't always bring more peace of mind, and how military families can navigate the uncertainty of deployment without letting the news cycle take over their lives.

From evaluating social media rumors to setting healthy boundaries around breaking news, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that staying informed doesn't mean you have to know everything.

Because sometimes, taking care of yourself means knowing when to turn it off.

In This Episode

• From the newsroom to Navy life: How becoming a military spouse can change the way you experience and interpret the news.

• When the story becomes personal: Madison's experience reporting on developments involving her husband's deployed aircraft carrier.

• The pressure of knowing: Why access to constant updates doesn't necessarily bring reassurance or a sense of control.

• Navigating rumors and social media: How to think critically about unverified information during deployments and developing world events.

• Living with the unknown: Managing anxiety when the news raises questions your deployed spouse may not be able to answer.

• Finding healthy boundaries: Recognizing when news consumption is increasing stress instead of helping you feel informed.

• Giving yourself permission to disconnect: Why turning off the television or putting down your phone doesn't mean you care any less.

  
  

Key Takeaway

There's a difference between staying informed and feeling responsible for knowing everything.

Military spouses can't control world events. But they can make intentional choices about how much news they consume and how they protect their peace of mind.

Whether following the news helps you feel grounded or stepping away helps you feel more balanced, the goal is to find what works for you.

A Few Questions to Reflect On

• Does following the news during deployment help me feel prepared, or does it increase my anxiety?

• Am I relying on verified information, or am I getting caught up in speculation and online rumors?

• What signs tell me I've reached my limit?

• What could I do with the time and attention I spend refreshing my news feed?

• What would it look like to give myself permission to say, “I know enough for today”?

About Our Guest

Madison Wade Cullinen is a Navy spouse and former television news anchor who brings a unique perspective to the intersection of journalism and military family life. Having experienced the challenge of reporting on events involving her husband's deployed aircraft carrier, Madison understands what it means to process breaking news professionally while navigating the personal uncertainty that comes with deployment.

Connect with our Navy Life

Our Navy Life: Connecting the Modern Navy Family shares practical insights to help Navy families navigate the unique experiences of military life.

Thanks for listening! Until next time, take care.

https://nsfamilyline.org/

Note: This episode discusses the emotional challenges of following breaking news during deployment and is intended to offer perspective and practical reflection, not replace professional mental health support.

When navigating Navy life, knowing where to turn can make all the difference.

A new duty station, an upcoming deployment, an unexpected challenge, or simply a question about available resources can sometimes leave Navy families wondering where to start. That's where one of the Navy's most important family support resources comes in: the command ombudsman.

In this episode of Our Navy Life, host Teal Yost is joined by Mrs. Angie Perryman, spouse of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy and an Ombudsman-at-Large, for a conversation about the people who help connect Navy families to their commands, resources, and communities.

They also break down what an ombudsman actually does, the kinds of situations they can help families navigate, and why connecting with your command ombudsman before a problem arises can be an important part of staying informed and connected.

In recognition of Ombudsman Appreciation Day, this episode is also a thank-you to the volunteers across the Navy who answer calls, share information, connect families with resources, welcome newcomers, and provide a familiar point of contact when Navy life feels unfamiliar.

Whether you're a brand-new Navy spouse, a seasoned military family member, or someone considering becoming an ombudsman yourself, this episode offers a closer look at the people and connections helping strengthen Navy families and their commands.

Key Topics & Highlights

• Meet Angie Perryman: A Navy Spouse's Journey

Before discussing her role as an Ombudsman-at-Large, Angie shares her own experience navigating Navy life.

• Finding Community in Navy Life

Teal and Angie discuss the importance of finding your people, the individuals who helped Angie navigate Navy life, and how those experiences can inspire military spouses to support and encourage the families around them.

• What Exactly Does a Navy Ombudsman Do?

Military life can mean starting over again and again, making new connections at every duty station, and learning how to build community wherever you land.

Teal and Angie discuss the importance of finding your people, the individuals who helped Angie navigate Navy life, and how those experiences can inspire military spouses to support and encourage the families around them.

• Why You Don't Have to Wait Until Something Goes Wrong

An ombudsman isn't only there for families during a crisis.

Connecting with your ombudsman, knowing who they are, and staying informed about your command community can help families build connections and know where to turn before they ever need assistance.

• Could You Be an Ombudsman?

For listeners interested in becoming more involved in their command community, Angie shares the qualities that can make someone a strong ombudsman.

You don't have to have all the answers or decades of Navy experience to make a difference. A willingness to learn, listen, connect with others, and help families find the right resources can go a long way.

• Ombudsman Appreciation Day

Much of an ombudsman's work happens quietly and behind the scenes.

• It's the phone call.

  The email.

  The welcome to a new family.

  The information shared before a deployment.

  The resource referral.

  And sometimes, it's simply being the person who says, "Here's where you can start."

  In recognition of Ombudsman Appreciation Day, Angie shares what the day means to her and offers a message to the volunteers across the Navy who dedicate their time and energy to supporting fellow Navy families.

• A Message for Every Navy Family

Angie shares practical encouragement for families looking to connect more with their command community and explains why knowing who your ombudsman is can be an important part of family readiness.

Resources & Links:

• Naval Services FamilyLine Website

• NS FamilyLine Facebook

• NS FamilyLine Instagram

To the ombudsmen serving commands around the world: thank you.

Welcome back to Our Navy Life, today’s episode is a very special episode because we are honoring the stories of our Navy spouses who are also veterans. In this episode, we have several wonderful guests to chat with us about their time serving. We are better together, and the rich experiences that Veterans bring to our community only make us that much better and stronger as a Navy family community.

Show Links:

• Military Crisis Line
• Naval Services FamilyLine Compass
• Naval Services FamilyLine CORE

Show Takeaways:

Listen in as we hear from several veterans and current military spouses as they share:

• Why they joined the military
• Their decision to get out and how they made that decision
• Their transition from active duty to supporting their spouse still on active duty

Let’s Connect:

• NSFL Website
• NSFL Facebook
• NSFL Instagram