In this episode, host Hannah O'Brien welcomes Cathy Turner and Jacki Wojyack, the co-founders of the Restored Heart Collective. Born from their own personal journeys and a transformative experience at the Heroes and Horses program in Montana, Cathy and Jacki have created a unique space for military and veteran spouses to reconnect with themselves and each other.

Through a blend of peer support, nervous system education, and immersive nature experiences including sauna sessions and cold plunges, the Restored Heart Collective helps spouses break through isolation, identify personal triggers, and rediscover their core identity beyond their roles as partners and parents.

Resources & Links:

• Restored Heart Collective:
• Instagram: Connect with Cathy and Jacki for updates, community stories, and to DM them directly for questions.
• Website: Visit their homepage to find the application button for upcoming retreats.
• Book Recommendation: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (referenced for its insights on trauma-informed healing)

In this incredibly special and deeply personal episode, Hannah sits down with her husband, Cody—a Marine Corps veteran living with PTSD—to answer questions directly from the Veteran Spouse Network community.

Together, they pull back the curtain on the daily realities of navigating PTSD within a marriage and family. From tackling common misconceptions and managing unexpected triggers to understanding hypervigilance and building emotional safety, Hannah and Cody share the raw, honest, and hopeful truths of their journey. Whether you are a veteran, a military spouse, or someone supporting a loved one, this episode offers practical perspectives and a comforting reminder that you are not walking this path alone.

Disclaimer: This episode reflects Hannah and Cody’s personal experiences and is not intended to represent every veteran or spouse's unique journey.

Life doesn’t always change slowly—sometimes it changes in an instant. In this episode, host Hannah O'Brien sits down with Pavel Ythjall, a veteran spouse, caregiver, Amazon bestselling author, and filmmaker.

Pavel’s life was forever transformed by a devastating accident on the 405 freeway that left both him and his wife Kat—an Air Force officer—with broken necks. While Pavel recovered, Kat was paralyzed from the neck down. Pavel’s journey since that moment is a masterclass in radical love, hard-won resilience, and a redefined sense of purpose.

Pavel’s Message: To anyone deep in the caregiving trenches right now: You are not alone, and your story matters.

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