
Episode #9
Live From MIC 2026: Grit, Humor, and Building Community with Ashlee Sullivan
In this special episode recorded from Podcast Row at the 2026 Military Influencer Conference, host Christie Nix sits down with military spouse, mom of four, entrepreneur, content creator, and WOMAN + WARRIOR® founder Ashlee Sullivan to talk about what happens when military life completely rewrites your career plan. Before building a business and an online community, Ashlee was a teacher. But as her family's military journey changed, so did her career. After navigating four states in one year, an unexpected rotation, four children—including a baby—and the realities of active-duty Army life, Ashlee learned an important lesson: Sometimes you have to give yourself permission to put your ambitions in park. And then know when it's time to hit the gas again. Together, Christie and Ashlee talk about making the leap from teaching to entrepreneurship, finding her voice as a military spouse content creator, and using humor to talk about the parts of military life that aren't always funny. Ashlee also shares the story behind WOMAN + WARRIOR's Deployment Depression® Collection and how something born from one of the hardest seasons of her own military life became a way to help other spouses and servicemembers feel seen. Whether you're considering a career pivot, building a business between PCS moves, or simply wondering what comes next, this conversation is a reminder that an unexpected path can still lead somewhere pretty incredible. Episode Links Shop WOMAN + WARRIOR®: https://womanandwarrior.com/ Follow Ashlee and WOMAN + WARRIOR® on social media for military spouse humor, community, new designs, and more.. Stay Connected Follow: @ThisIsMilSpouses on Instagram Read: The latest military spouse news, resources, and real-life stories at MilSpouses.com Know a military spouse whose career hasn't gone exactly according to plan? Share this episode with them. Sometimes the detour isn't the end of the story—it's where the next chapter begins. Sponsored by Talkspace Military life is rewarding—but it can also feel overwhelming, especially when you're balancing deployments, family, career, and everything in between. Talkspace makes it easier to prioritize your mental health by connecting you with a licensed therapist from your phone, tablet, or computer. Talkspace offers flexible, secure support designed to fit into busy lives. Visit Talkspace.com to learn more.





