Some stories are easy to tell. This wasn’t one of them.
Liz’s episode felt like holding up a mirror to my past, my marriage, and the parts of me I’m still trying to find.
When Liz filled out an interest form to be a guest on Hidden Chapters, I was excited to have a common bond with a fellow retired military spouse. When we sat down virtually to talk about her story, she opened up about what it meant to be married for 20 years to the military life, 12 moves, three kids, deployments, emotional distance, and eventually, an unexpected divorce.
This wasn’t my typical interview. It felt like a heartfelt conversation between two women who instantly understood each other’s journey.
And as I listened... I realized I wasn’t just hearing her story.
I was hearing echoes of my own.
Why I Created Hidden Chapters
People have always looked at me from the outside and thought I had it all together; the wife who kept things running, who smiled through every move, who handled the changes with strength. What they didn’t see, what no one really asked about, were the hidden chapters I was carrying underneath it all after several years.
After my husband retired, I was searching for fulfillment and purpose. I was in transition, feeling uncertain about a role I had outgrown. I honestly didn’t know what my role was anymore.
Then this podcast formed out of an idea.
I’ve always been fascinated by stories of strength and resilience. I am deeply moved by learning the unexpected parts of people’s lives that aren’t visible at first glance. As people opened up to me, I was in awe of what they had overcome. And from the outside, no one really has it all together, despite what we may assume.
This passion for hearing and honoring personal stories led me to create a space not only to share my own hidden chapters, but also to help others feel seen and heard. Sharing these stories becomes an instant connection and a reminder that we aren’t alone.
Since launching Hidden Chapters in May, every guest I’ve had has left me with something: an encouragement, a truth, a strength I didn’t expect.
And then Liz’s episode happened.
It didn’t just inspire me. It cracked something open. A hidden chapter I’m not fully ready to share... yet.
Find Your Hidden Chapter: 10 Deep Questions to Reflect, Heal, and Be Seen
Her Story, My Season
Liz Davis talked about giving everything to the role being the strong one, the supportive one, the steady one. She shared the quiet unraveling of her marriage. The reality that the man she married no longer resembled the person she had built her life with. The moment she chose to "act with integrity, to hold firm to my boundaries, and to take the reins of my own life."
It was so admirable.
But the difference between her story and mine is this: after a successful 22.5-year military career, I am still working on the pieces of a marriage that struggled to communicate well.
Over the years, I’ve felt the unraveling of our relationship and of myself. I’ve lived the silence and struggle, because there wasn’t always a good time (between missions, deployments, trainings or flights) to talk through the issues. Eventually, too many events and years passed without true, healthy communication or healing. And I’ve spent the last few years looking in the mirror asking, "Where did I go?"
I’ve spent many years supporting my family, doing what had been asked of me by friends and loved ones. I was the mom, the wife, the volunteer willing to give and serve. But somewhere along the way, I forgot my own value.
I told myself, "If my family is happy, I’m happy." But it wasn’t filling my cup. When I stepped back into the workforce, I suddenly lost the self-confidence to believe I was worthy by society's standards. I was "just" a military spouse. "Just" a stay-at-home mom. "Just" a volunteer. I was constantly looking for validation that what I did — and still do — matters.
I lost (if I ever really had it) a vision for my own dreams. I didn’t know what I wanted to be "when I grew up."
After my husband retired, I worked for a while, but it didn’t feel fulfilling. I was stuck in a cycle of people-pleasing and overachieving. And when I finally left that job because it wasn’t authentically me, I found myself asking again, "What do I want?"
And the answer still wasn’t clear.
This Podcast Is My Way Back to Me
I didn’t start this podcast to make money or gain fame. It was a two-year-old idea I had tucked away, but a way to return to my love of journalism and design.
At first, the timing wasn’t right. Starting something brand new felt too daunting.
But a few months ago, I revisited that idea and really dove into the steps to build something that was mine. A place where I could be creative, in control, and use my God-given gifts to connect with others, get organized, and build something meaningful and full of purpose.
Podcasting gave me a way to tell stories that don’t need a highlight reel. I don’t need to please others or perform for recognition or validation.
It became a way to reconnect with the parts of myself I had forgotten while holding everything together for everyone else.
And as I built the podcast, Liz’s story became a mirror. A reminder that I’m still in the middle of my own hidden chapter, even while giving others the space to share theirs.
Healing doesn’t just happen when you walk away. It doesn’t come just because your spouse retires, or your kids are finally in school full-time, or you land a job you thought you wanted.
Healing comes when you choose to stay and still fight for yourself. Even while you’re fighting on the outside.
“It’s not selfish to choose yourself. It’s important.”
Even if it’s quiet. Even if it’s slow. Even if no one else sees what it’s costing you.
You Don’t Have to Tell It All, But You Deserve to Be Seen
If you’ve ever lost yourself in the middle of someone else’s mission... If you’ve ever looked strong on the outside but felt invisible inside... If you’ve ever held it all together while slowly unraveling...
Liz’s episode is for you.
And so is Hidden Chapters.
This episode allowed me to share more than I’ve ever expressed out loud. It’s the kind of conversation not many spouses are having because it’s messy, it’s vulnerable, and there’s still that voice that says, "What will people think?"
But what Liz and I talked about is a common experience, more common than we realize, in the lives of military spouses. And there isn’t always a simple fix.
Just like service members need support, counseling, and community when transitioning out of uniform, so do their families.
The hard parts don’t end with a retirement ceremony or a "thank you for your service."
The transition is real.
And it deserves to be seen.
Listen & Reflect
🎧 Listen to Liz’s episode:
The Hidden Cost of Military Life — and the Courage to Choose Yourself
📥 Explore your own story:
Find Your Hidden Chapter: 10 Deep Questions to Reflect, Heal, and Be Seen
Subscribe to join the Hidden community
Why This Matters (and What’s Coming Next)
This episode wasn’t just Liz’s life.
It was a rearview mirror into mine.
And maybe it’s yours, too.
I hope Hidden Chapters becomes more than a podcast for you. I hope it becomes a true connection. One honest conversation at a time.
If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to follow the show, share this episode, or reach out and tell me what part of it hit home. We don’t just share military life stories here. We share stories of resilience, grief, growth, joy, healing, and hope.
And if you’ll be at the Military Influencer Conference this fall, I’ll have the amazing opportunity to speak on stage about this very journey. Stay tuned!
With love and honesty,
Host of Hidden Chapters Podcast
