Marital Status: Married (8 years)
Age: 31
Number of Children: 1 (and expecting)
Children’s Ages: 2.5 years old
Occupation: Former Air Force member and contractor; LSAT student
Location: Currently in California, moving to Texas
Episode Topics: Becoming a stay at home mom after being in the military, life on the based, miscarriage and pregnancy loss, pregnancy after loss, parenting with anxiety, adult ADHD diagnosis and motherhood, military family life and parenting, building community as a parent, navigating frequent moves with children, studying for law school as a parent, balancing parenting and personal aspirations, finding joy in parenting challenges.
Miscarriage, Motherhood, and Military Life: Katherine Dillon’s Journey
Guest Overview
Katherine Dillon is a former Air Force member, military spouse, and mom to a spirited 2.5-year-old daughter with another baby on the way. After six years in the Air Force and a stint as a contractor, Katherine is now preparing for a major move to Texas and studying for the LSAT to pursue her dream of attending law school.A soon-to-be Texas resident, Katherine is preparing for law school while managing the unique challenges of military family life. She recently wrote a powerful piece for Motherly, which you can read here.
Episode Summary
In this episode, Cory shares his transformative journey from the battlefield to the frontlines of fatherhood. He reflects on why parenting is tougher than sniper school, how becoming a dad In this heartfelt and enlightening episode, Katherine Dillon shares her journey through miscarriage, parenting after loss, and being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. Katherine opens up about the joys and challenges of motherhood while navigating life as a military spouse, preparing for a cross-country move, and studying for law school. Her story of resilience, community, and learning to embrace flexibility will resonate with parents at every stage.
his worldview, and the ways he’s working to raise his daughter with love, patience, and confidence. Cory also opens up about breaking generational cycles, navigating trauma, and supporting his wife through the challenges of parenthood. This candid conversation is filled with insights on growth, family, and purpose.
Fun Fact
Katherine recently wrote an insightful piece for Motherly reflecting on life before and after becoming a mom. You can read it here.
What do you wish you knew before having kids?
"Parenting is so much about learning to go with the flow. I thought I’d tell my child to get dressed, and they’d just do it. But now I realize flexibility and choosing what matters most are key."
What advice do you give your expectant friends?
"Talk to someone if you’re struggling. Therapy saved me by helping me cope with anxiety and build the supports I needed to show up as the parent I want to be."
What has been the most impactful part of your journey in parenthood?
"The two most impactful moments were experiencing two miscarriages before having my daughter and being diagnosed with ADHD. Both changed how I understand myself and my parenting journey."
What has brought you unexpected joy throughout this experience?
"My daughter’s personality! She’s silly, joyful, and constantly making us laugh. It’s incredible seeing her light shine through even the challenging days."
What is a sentence that sums up the most impactful part of your journey?
"Parenting has taught me to embrace resilience, find joy in the chaos, and rely on the strength of community."