What happens after you’ve lived the dream—and it’s over?

In this profound conversation, astronaut and Navy fighter pilot Susan Kilrain joins Passion Struck to explore her journey from humble beginnings in Georgia to piloting two Space Shuttle missions, becoming one of the few women to fly the F-14 Tomcat, and raising a family while married to a Navy SEAL.

But this isn’t just a story about spaceflight. It’s about grit, reinvention, and identity. Susan opens up about how landing on an aircraft carrier prepared her less for motherhood than she thought—and why stepping away from NASA was harder than launching into orbit. Together, we explore what it means to chase excellence, embrace failure, and start over without losing yourself.

If you’ve ever asked, “Now what?”—this episode will meet you there.

Visit this link for the full show notes.

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Catch more of Astronaut Susan Kilrain: www.susankilrain.com 

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