Welcome back to the Dr. Kinney Show!

This week I’m joined by Jennifer Barnhill, an award-winning journalist, Navy spouse, and author of The Military Stories You’ve Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear. We dive into the true meaning of resilience and the hidden emotional and physical costs of being expected to “bounce back” especially in military life.

Jennifer shares her research and lived experience uncovering how military families navigate chronic stress, lack of support, and societal expectations to appear strong at all times. Together, we explore how resilience can both empower and harm, and why acknowledging vulnerability is a crucial part of healing and change.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Jennifer’s journey from journalist to author and advocate for military families
• The story that inspired her to write her book
• Why “resilience” in the military has shifted from clinical support to cultural expectation
• How “faking it till you make it” can mask real mental health needs
• The difference between acute stress and chronic stress in both military and civilian life
• How unprocessed emotions affect physical health and burnout
• The parallels between military resilience and modern societal pressures
• Why true healing begins with vulnerability and community support
• The importance of civilian communities showing up for military families
• Upcoming book launch events and how to connect with Jennifer

Jennifer’s message is powerful and universal, resilience should never mean suffering in silence. This conversation invites us to rethink what strength really looks like and how communities can better support one another.

Connect with Jennifer Barnhill:

• The Military Stories You’ve Been Told and the Ones You Need to Hear is available now, with a local book signing at Old Fox Books in Annapolis on November 8.
• http://jenniferbarnhill.com

• Book - https://bit.ly/49fCWYc