Have you ever felt like you had to put on your "brave face" even when everything inside was crumbling? Many of us in the military community wear our resilience like a badge of honor, but sometimes that badge can start to feel quite heavy. You might notice that while everyone else is praising your strength, you're actually feeling more disconnected and alone than ever.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jennifer Barnhill, military family reporter and the 2025 Navy Spouse of the Year, to talk about her new book, The Military Stories You've Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear. We explore how the word "resilience" has morphed from a clinical term into a cultural expectation that can sometimes leave us feeling gaslit or dismissed .

What You'll Learn:

• The Origin and Evolution of "Resilience"
• The "Performance" of Strength
• The Impact on the "Home Front
• How the Narrative Affects Your Relationship
• Moving Toward Authentic Connection
• The Hidden Reality of "Presenting" Resiliently
• The Role of Nonprofits and Community Systems
• A New Perspective on "Dependents"
• The Truth About Systemic Gaps
• Why There's "Always More to the Story"

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• Read the show notes for this episode here.