26.Resilience may look different than you think. And what fuels resilience? We discuss it all in today's episode with doctorate-level performance psychology professional Michelle Kirk.

00:00 - Introduction and guest background
01:00 - Resilience, recovery, and team sport of military life
02:20 - Understanding resentment and unmet expectations
03:00 - Michelle’s journey into performance and resilience psychology
04:00 - Motivation rooted in athletic experience and studying behavior
05:30 - How resilience differs across domains and the importance of rest
06:50 - Resilience versus grit: definitions and misconceptions
08:36 - Parallels between sports and military family resilience
10:00 - Rest, recovery, burnout, and capacity for resilience
12:12 - Building resilience to handle stress, adversity, and pressure
13:45 - Domains of resilience and areas for self-awareness
15:39 - Unique challenges of military spouse resilience and recovery strategies
17:30 - The importance of community and shared language
18:57 - Recognizing energy depletion and capacity limits
20:12 - Domains of well-being and intentional self-care
22:36 - Practicing intuitive and effective self-care
24:44 - Reframing sacrifice and cultivating gratitude
32:27 - Personal experiences with resentment in military life
33:53 - Expectations, unmet needs, and communication
34:36 - Reflection, self-awareness, and responsibility in resilience
37:03 - Supporting children through deployments and challenges
55:00 - Building community and leveraging local resources
66:50 - Connecting with Michelle for support and follow-up

• Michelle Kirk - LinkedIn
• Email: [email protected] (or via direct message on Facebook)

Michelle Kirk is a doctorate-level performance psychology professional who has spent more than a decade helping military leaders, soldiers, and families build resilience and perform under pressure. 

She’s worked with the U.S. Army in roles ranging from leadership coaching and resilience training to developing suicide prevention and deployment support programs. 

In addition to her experience working with military populations, she’s coached sports from youth to the college level, worked at several universities across the country teaching sport psychology, principles of behavior change, and coaching courses. 

She continues to coach athletes and consult with parents and coaches to help enhance resilience and performance in sport and life. Michelle has earned a Ph.D. in Performance Psychology, a Master's degree in exercise science and is a certified master resilience trainer and mindfulness sport performance enhancement instructor. 

Michelle is a military spouse of 10+ years. In those 10 years, Michelle and her husband have logged six cross country moves along with having and raising four children. Through this lived experience, Michelle has developed a passion for supporting military spouses as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of military life to include deployment (and heavy TDY) seasons, relocation, finding community and maintaining connections, and meeting one's own needs (self-care) while always in the service of others.

25. From handling doctor visits and tough conversations to creating routines that help kids feel safe and secure, this episode is full of practical encouragement for parents in every stage. If you’ve ever wondered how to help your kids cope with change, uncertainty, or big emotions, this conversation with child life specialist Mary Frances will leave you feeling supported and empowered.

You'll Learn:

• How Medical Play Helps Kids Cope with Fear & Stress
• Preparing Kids for Doctor Visits Without Trauma
• Practical Ways to Use Medical Play at Home
• Advocating for Your Child in Healthcare Settings
• Handling the Unpredictability of Military Schedules
• How to Talk to Kids About Deployments & Hard Seasons
• Raising Resilient Kids Through Truth, Trust & Connection
  
  

Resources Mentioned:

"Curious George Goes to the Dentist" video and book

Ms Rachel Visits the Doctor for a Checkup youtube video

24. I'm in the guest seat today! We reflect on:

• An Iceland trip that was the catalyst for Nate joining the military
• Behind the scenes of our dating and early marriage days
• Fun and meaningful ways to build community through constant change (and building a life that holds people)
• A trip down memory lane remembering the good and the bad of the army bases we've lived at 
• The shift from one to two kids—logistics, overwhelm, emotional regulation

"Build a life that holds people. And choose people that hold you"

23. Board Certified Executive Coach and Head of School (Functional CEO) of 25 years, Doreen C. Kelly, shares several leadership lessons including:

• Common Issues Executives Face Today (and How It's Parallel to What We Face as Parents)
• Solving Problems vs. Managing Tension
• Handling Your Anger and Disappointment With Your Team
• How to Frame Courageous Conversations + Constructive Criticism (The SBI framework)
• The Importance of Supportive and Honest Friendships That Will Act as a Mirror for You
• A Wholistic Approach to Self-Care & Showing Up As Your Best Self
• Reflections of a Working Mom

This episode is faith-filled, encouraging, warm, and inspiring. 

You can reach out to Doreen C. Kelly on Linkedin or at The Creds Group.

22. If you've ever felt debilitating anger with your kids, this episode is for you. Erin Randol, mental health therapist, walks us through PRACTICAL tools that actually move the needle for our body when we feel anger rising and our logical brain has left the building.

• Why self-talk and deep breaths aren't cutting it
• What our body actually needs when we feel anger rising
• The surprising influence of OCD in mom rage

Resources Mentioned: 

• Postpartum Support International
• SNAPPY MOM SURVIVAL GUIDE (scroll down) - Use code "RAGE" to get for free.

You can find Erin Randol on TikTok @momragetherapy and on her website Sunrise Therapy Services LLC.

21. Jessica Carlisle, Child Abuse Expert, shares everything parents need to know about teaching (and protecting!) their kids from child abuse:

• Teaching how to spot red flags in adults
• Child-friendly ways to model consent
• How to talk body safety & private parts
• Tools for parents monitoring cell phones
• Empowerment for parents educating kids

Resources Mentioned:

A Parent's Guide to the App Store

Use parental controls to manage your child's iPhone or iPad

Other Resources:

NCMEC.org
Common Sense Media
NCOSE (national center on sexual exploitation)
Family Dinner Project

20. If you've ever felt that tug between crushing it at work and being present in your home-life, this episode is for you. Megan Beaver, Vice President and Integrator of Spotlight Branding and Marketing shares:

• How to pivot your career for a more family-friendly job
• The importance of Staying Centered over Staying Balanced
• How to stand strong in your Non-Negotiables and Boundaries
• How to handle allll the games and practices as a sports (hint: find your village!)
• Why staying disciplined in your health can make your day 1000x better
• Creating a vision board like a pro

You can reach out to Megan Beaver at [email protected]

19. Michelle Bevan shares 3 pivotal moments God has provided for her in her life. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and most importantly you'll be reminded of the importance of remembering God's faithfulness in your life too. 

18. Personal ramblings + reflections of 2025. 

• How obedience leads to intimacy in your relationship with God
• A personal journal entry mid marriage-fight
• Permission to pause & gain clarity
• A benediction for 2026

Thank you for listening friends. See you in Season 3 in a few weeks!

17. Real, honest advice from a HR professional of 10+years. Including:

• Is it a bad look to ask about a company’s parental leave or maternity leave in the job interview process?
• How to systematize your job application processes if you need a job ASAP
• Linkedin tips like training the algorithm, DM’ing guidelines, and turning on job notifications to be an early applicant
• How detrimental is the SAHM resume gap?
• Handling grief as an employee after a 16 week miscarriage
• What women need after a miscarriage in the workplace from their team leads

You can follow or message Mel @SweatingAtNaptime on Instagram or TikTok