Samantha-Becoming a Gold Star Spouse

In episode 3, I sit down with Samantha — a Gold Star Spouse whose honesty, warmth, and strength will stay with you long after the episode ends.Samantha opens up about the moments after losing her husband, the support she received from her squadron, and the painful shift that happened when new leadership arrived. She shares what it felt like to lose her husband… and then lose her place in the military community too.We talk about what it really means to “show up” for someone who is grieving.At one point, Samantha turns the tables and asks me how I show up for Memorial Day. It caught me completely off guard and you’ll hear my very real, very human struggle to answer honestly while sitting across from someone who has lived the ultimate sacrifice.This episode is raw, eye-opening, and deeply important. Whether you’re a military spouse, military-connected, or someone who wants to better understand the meaning of service and loss, Samantha’s story will change the way you move through Memorial Day… and the way you show up for others.