What happens when supporting someone else's career means losing your own voice entirely? In this conversation with military spouse and author Heather Sweeney, we talk about the both/and of military life—holding community and loneliness, pride and resentment, grief and relief all at once.

Heather shares her story of navigating anxiety, identity loss, and starting over after a 13-year marriage ended. From seven-month in-house separation to rediscovering her writing career under her maiden name, this is a raw, honest conversation about boundaries, self-trust, and learning that you can initiate a divorce AND still grieve what you lost.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- The both/and of military divorce: "My condolences and congratulations"

- How to rebuild self-trust and voice after years of selflessness

- Why boundaries erode when you're always saying yes to someone else's needs

- The cycle that kept them stuck: no time to talk before deployment, during deployment, or after

- Navigating transitions when you're holding grief and gratitude simultaneously

- The moment she knew: "We are not partners in this"

- Practical tools for starting over and rebuilding identity during major life changes

Follow It's Both for weekly conversations on navigating transitions, anxiety, overthinking, and personal growth—without toxic positivity.

Get Connected & Support the Show:

- Listen to the companion podcast: It's Both- Guided Meditations for Anxiety, Emotional Regulation, & Real Life Transitions

- Follow Heather Sweeney on Instagram, visit her website, follow her on Substack, & order her book

- Subscribe, rate, & review It's Both on Apple Podcasts

- Join the Courageous Living Group Transformation