Milspouse Matters Ep. 99 with Erin, the “Short Wife”
After dealing with anxiety and panic attacks as a young adult, things came to a head for Marine Corps spouse Erin after some big military life changes. She was physically ill, having daily panic attacks, and struggling to leave her house when she realized she needed to do something more than what she’d always done: try to cope alone. On this episode, you’ll hear from Erin, a.k.a. “The Short Wife,” about her journey to finding the help and resources she needed.
Erin says: “I didn’t know what was going on with me. I didn’t feel like myself…but I wanted to believe it wasn’t real. And I didn’t know how to ask for help.”

Erin has documented her journey on her website and Instagram, talking honestly about anxiety and other mental health issues. She’s known for being open, authentic, and warm and also brings humor to tough issues.
I was so glad to talk to Erin and I know you’ll get so much out of what she shares on this episode. She shares some of her favorite mental health resources and books, but most of all wants you to know that, if you’re dealing with anxiety too, you’re not alone.




She says,
“You are not alone in your struggles. There’s always someone who can relate to you, and there’s a whole community to support you.”
Connect with Erin:
- Erin’s site, The Short Wife www.theshortwife.com
- Find her on social media as @theshortwife




Resources mentioned in this episode for dealing with anxiety as a military spouse:
Online Therapy Covered by TRICARE: Telemind
Accounts that specialize in anxiety help on Instagram:
Find more resources on Erin’s Instagram account!
Books Erin suggests:
The Upward Spiral by Alex Korb
Unwinding Anxiety by Judson Brewer




More resources for your military life:
- Connect with Milspouse Matters on Instagram
- Christian Military Spouse Facebook Group
- Find the complete Milspouse Matters show archive and listen to every episode
Get Jen’s book, You Are Not Alone: Encouragement for the Heart of a Military Spouse.
Have a topic idea for the Milspouse Matters podcast or know someone who’d be a great guest? Send me a note or fill out our guest application.