Suzanne B. Phillips, ABPP, CGP, FAGPA is a licensed Psychologist, Psychoanalyst, Diplomat in Group Psychology, Certified Group Therapist and Fellow in the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She is Adjunct Full Professor of Clinical Psychology at the CW Post Campus of Long Island University, N.Y. since 1991 and Postdoctoral Faculty of the Derner Institute of Adelphi University. She on the Board of Directors and is Co-Chair of Outreach for the American Group Psychotherapy Association. She has worked, published and presented nationally and internationally on trauma, couple s, uniformed services, bereavement, relationship addiction, etc.

This week we'll take a look at new findings on the unexpected benefits of long distance relationships - especially common with military families and particularly partners.

Suzanne is author of three books and over twenty articles.  Most recently she co-authored, Healing Together: A Couple's Guide to Coping with Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress. She has appeared on national TV as well as Radio.  She blogs weekly on Psych Central (Healing Together for Couples) and Healthywomen.com. Her blogs have also appeared on Huffington Press and PBS This Emotional Life. In 2012 She was chosen as Psychologist of the Year for the Suffolk County Psychological Association. She has a private practice in Northport, N.Y. where she lives with her husband. She has two grown sons.

Hailing from St. Paul, MN, Larry Enders is an M.D. and a surgeon.  He was drafted into military service before he could begin private practice and was given a choice of service. He chose the U.S. Air Force because of his interest in flying.  He was authorize to go to Flight Surgeons school, and after two years of service in that capacity was offered a full four year residency to become a specialist in Aerospace medicine.  This residency included a master's degree in Public Health from a major university, jet aircraft flight school, worldwide qualifying survival school training ( water, jungle, arctic, mountain) and then two years of academics in all potential  medical problems possible associated with air and space travel.

In between space flights he was allowed to take part of several Air Force special mission research flights taking him basically around the world. He was also doing some of the medical selections of new astronauts.
The Viet Nam conflict took him to Southeast Asia, where he helped build a new small hospital at a jungle base, additionally providing medical care to natives in a nearby small village on his own off duty time, and flying 75 combat missions (which earned him 2 Air Medals).
Later positions which were accompanied by increasing rank led to him commanding two hospitals and, finally as a full colonel, command of the USAF School of Aerospace  Medicine.
 
Herein lies the basis for his book, Surviving Serendipity. A memoir of his 23 years as a surgeon in the U.S. Air Force.  Throw in 75 combat missions in Southeast Asia, dinner with the Chief of Staff of the Chinese Air Force, and a persistent FBI agent, and this true story seems almost unbelievable.

Judge for yourself as each serendipitous event unfolds... one after another.

Military Mom Talk Radio is co-hosted by Sandra Beck and Robin Boyd, hosted by Toginet Radio and powered by Motherhood Incorporated. Military Mom Talk Radio supports and helps bring information to the families, moms and wives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard and is dedicated to serving our friends and family in the Armed Service. We are proud supporters and members of the Military Writers Society of America as well as proud supporters of Operation Gratitude, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Shining Service Worldwide, Fisher House and the Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America.