Ruck Up Buttercup

Ruck Up Buttercup
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Kids & Family
  • Updated Biweekly

Ruck Up Buttercup is a podcast for military spouses, service members, and military families, brought to you by the nonprofit Deployed Love. Join hosts who are military spouses as we share real stories, practical advice, and expert insights to help you navigate deployments, PCS moves, military family life, and daily challenges. Each episode highlights resources, tips, and guidance to help military families thrive. Whether you’re a new spouse or a seasoned veteran family, our mission is to inform, inspire, and empower—you’re not alone. Nonprofit site: www.deployedlove.org

  1. Aug 2

    S6E17 Ruck Up Buttercup Turning Trauma Into Purpose Through Sobriety, Support, and Community

    Nicole Gebhardt: Turning Trauma into Purpose Through Sobriety, Support, and Community Trigger Warning: Episode will cover topics of loss, rape, addition and suicide. On A Ruck Up Buttercup Podcast, host Ashley interviews Nicole Gebhardt—2026 National Guard Military Spouse of the Year, best-selling author, mother, and recovering addict—who shares her “pain to purpose” journey and the importance of community for military spouses. Nicole recounts childhood sexual abuse by her father, a gang rape in college, miscarriages, and the death of her son Samuel at nine weeks old, followed by being treated as a criminal and enduring an abusive, drug-addicted first marriage before fleeing with her children while pregnant. After remarrying a service member, unhealed trauma led to heavy drinking and a 2019 suicide attempt that she survived, prompting sobriety and intensive healing. She now writes books, coaches women, and starts pregnancy/infant loss and addiction support groups with each PCS, urging spouses to ask for help, practice gratitude, communicate, and build community. 00:00 Welcome and Trigger Warning 03:29 Nicole’s Pain to Purpose 05:40 Childhood Abuse and College Assault 06:47 Miscarriage and Infant Loss 07:31 Escaping Abuse and Starting Over 08:54 Alcoholism and Suicide Attempt 09:48 Recovery and Building Support Groups 12:25 Finding Her Voice Publicly 17:01 Military Spouse Community Rally 20:46 Moving to Alaska and Healing Deeper 23:33 Honoring Samuel and Talking with Kids 25:17 Journaling and Daily Affirmations 27:29 How to Support Grieving Parents 32:18 Build Your Community After PCS 37:02 Sharing Support Networks 38:11 Spouse of the Year Connections 40:09 You Cannot Do It Alone 41:44 Books Groups and Coaching 42:53 Hard Topics We Avoid 45:10 Boundaries and Honest Parenting 48:12 Addiction and Healthy Coping 49:58 Healing Habits and Self Care 55:01 Marriage Communication and Love 01:01:16 Find Your Community 01:04:22 Closing Encouragement Connect with Nicole Website: http://www.nicolebgebhardt.com/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/nicolebgebhardtofficial Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolegebhardtheals IG: https://www.instagram.com/nicole.gebhardt Email: nicolebgebhardt@gmail.com Books: Broken Wings Broken Dreams: A Mother's Life After Infant Loss and Miscarriage The Healing Cocoon : A Mother's Emergence After Infant and Pregnancy Loss A Queen Saves Herself: A Story of Triumph and Transformation The Queen’s Companion Book: Rule Your Throne. Own Your Queendom Purchased here: https://nicolebgebhardt.com/bookstore/ Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: ashleybrown@deployedlove.org

    S6E17 Ruck Up Buttercup Turning Trauma Into Purpose Through Sobriety, Support, and Community

  2. Jul 19

    S6E16 PCS Season Survival Tips with Isabel of Logas MilMoves

    PCS Season Survival Tips with Isabel of Logas Mil Moves Host Ashley welcomes back Isabel, Army Military Spouse of the Year finalist and president of Logas to discuss community, networking, and practical PCS-season tips. Isabelle shares her work in military moving (Logas MilMoves), her Mexico-based Guerrero Leather venture, and volunteer efforts supporting a free clinic in Chihuahua providing cataract and dental care, emphasizing long-term impact and avoiding scarcity mindset. They explore why PCS moves are stressful—compounded stress, changing housing, school and commute priorities, and grief over leaving people and places—plus the importance of attitude and how kids absorb anxiety. Isabelle explains families can choose movers and “download” their budget, warns about bad brokers/lead farms, and recommends partial PPMs, creating a clearly marked “do not pack” closet, advocating for nonnegotiables, and booking early due to seasonal capacity and heat constraints, while Ashley highlights Deployed Love’s community support across 12 installations. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:29 Isabelle’s Background 04:35 Purpose-Driven Work 10:00 Community and Mindset 17:30 Deployed Love Mission 22:16 Why PCS Feels Hard 24:44 Priorities and Schools 29:35 Grief and Missing Home 32:17 Making PCS an Adventure 34:47 Mindset Shapes PCS 35:45 Kids Absorb Stress 38:53 When Plans Change 43:08 Taking Control of Moves 45:47 Avoid Broker Scams 48:15 PPM Costs and Work 54:06 Top Three PCS Tips 59:25 Protect Your Valuables 01:05:31 Resources and Booking Early 01:11:21 Self Care and Move Day Safety 01:15:53 Build Your Network 01:18:03 Final Wrap Up Connect with Isabel Website: Www.logsamilmoves.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BJKK7ttb7/?mibextid=wwXIfr Email: Isabel@logsahq.com More about Guerrero Leather and Clinic https://www.guerreroleather.com/ https://www.guerreroclinic.org/ Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: ashleybrown@deployedlove.org

    S6E16 PCS Season Survival Tips with Isabel of Logas MilMoves

  3. Jul 5

    S6E15 Ruck Up Buttercup The Heart of a Soldier's Child: Celebrating Military Kids and Community

    The Heart of a Soldier’s Child: Celebrating Military Kids and Community with Sara Ashley returns to the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast after a break due to solo parenting and military life challenges and welcomes Sara, a Deployed Love volunteer and Fort Benning school liaison officer. Sarah shares her family’s connection to the military through her husband’s DoD fire service career and her experience teaching in Vicenza, Italy, highlighting how military school programs and youth sponsorship help kids acclimate, build resilience, and form lasting bonds. The conversation emphasizes the unique strengths of military children, the importance of community for families, and encouraging kids to “shoot your shot.” Sarah announces her new children’s book, “The Heart of a Soldier’s Child,” written in poetic stanzas and illustrated by her former military-student artist; it releases July 4 on Amazon, with a portion of proceeds donated to Deployed Love. 00:00 Welcome Back Update 00:32 Meet Sara Volunteer 01:22 Sara Military Journey 02:44 School Liaison Connection 07:04 Why Military Kids Thrive 08:26 Resentment To Gratitude 09:35 Cliques And Belonging 12:35 Skills For Life After PCS 16:39 Freedom STEM Spotlight 19:05 Shoot Your Shot Advice 20:58 Social Media Connections 21:23 Inspiration in Italy 22:42 Finding the Illustrator 23:29 Crafting a Classic Look 26:21 Book Release and Why It Matters 31:11 Giving Back to Deployed Love 31:48 Advice for Parents and Kids 38:23 Dedication and Farewell Follow Sarah here Website: https://authorsarahwest.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisemanpublishinghouse Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: ashleybrown@deployedlove.org

    S6E15 Ruck Up Buttercup The Heart of a Soldier's Child: Celebrating Military Kids and Community

  4. Jun 7

    S6E14 Ruck Up Buttercup: Before the Breaking Point: Preventative Mental Health for Military Spouses

    In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, Ashley sits down with Patty Sandoval, Navy military spouse, public health professional, mom of two, and Founder & CEO of HomeFront Haven. Inspired by her own military spouse journey, Patty is on a mission to change how we support military spouses by focusing on prevention, connection, and peer-based mental health support before crisis hits. Ashley and Patty discuss the emotional labor military spouses carry, the challenges of deployment, isolation, postpartum struggles, and the pressure of "holding it all together." Patty shares how her experiences led her to create HomeFront Haven, an organization offering therapeutic retreats and year-long support designed to help military spouses build resilience, community, and lasting wellness. This honest conversation highlights the power of asking for help, finding connection, and prioritizing mental health throughout every season of military life. 💛 Real stories. Real struggles. Real strength. Connect with HomeFront Haven: https://www.homefronthaven.org 00:00 Welcome Back Update 01:55 Meet Patty Intro 03:28 Patty Military Journey 05:59 Isolation And IA Stress 08:04 Finding Therapy Support 09:16 Why Homefront Haven 14:07 Prevention And Retention 17:05 Tools For Tough Seasons 20:48 What Makes Them Different 26:45 Retreat Idea Origins 36:59 Retreat Details And Signup 40:58 Final Advice And Wrap Connect with Ashley at ashleybrown@deployedlove.org

    S6E14 Ruck Up Buttercup: Before the Breaking Point: Preventative Mental Health for Military Spouses

  5. May 31

    S6E14 Ruck Up Buttercup- More Than a Milspouse: Entrepreneurship, Community, and Not Waiting with Moni

    More Than a Milspouse: Entrepreneurship, Community, and Not Waiting with Moni Host Ashley returns to the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast after a break and welcomes back guest Moni, an Air Force spouse whose family recently transitioned out of the military and is navigating the learning curve of retirement and new insurance while enjoying reduced stress and more family stability. Moni shares her shift from building military life apps to growing a public relations agency and founding the Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) in 2019 to provide a verified, supportive, 24/7 online community for military spouse business owners focused on collaboration, resources, and making money. They discuss how entrepreneurship can address underemployment, identity challenges, and flexibility through validating offers, pivoting, volunteering to build skills, and using platforms beyond social media. Moni previews the third annual More Than a Milspouse Summit (Oct 7–9 in Arlington, Texas) and closes with advice: don’t wait. 00:00 Welcome Back Update 01:41 Moni Returns 02:56 Retirement Transition 05:17 From Apps to Agency 07:11 Why AMSE Started 11:26 Entrepreneurship Identity 14:27 AMSE Membership Portal 16:31 Elevating Spouse Voices 21:00 Social Media vs Community 24:32 Advice to Start Now 30:33 Volunteer To Break In 31:04 Self Taught Remote Skills 32:12 Winging It And Pivoting 34:35 Support Spouses Simply 34:59 Social Media As SEO 38:33 No Gatekeeping Community 40:17 Barriers And Passive Income 42:37 LinkedIn And Confidence 44:28 More Than A Milspouse Summit 51:13 Summit Details And Tickets 54:25 Final Advice Dont Wait Find Moni Here: Website: https://amseagency.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/amseage IG : https://www.instagram.com/amseagency/ncy LI :https://www.linkedin.com/company/assocofmilitaryspouseentrepreneurs/?viewAsMember=true TW: @theamseagency Reach Ashley at ashleybrown@deployedlove.org

    S6E14 Ruck Up Buttercup- More Than a Milspouse: Entrepreneurship, Community, and Not Waiting with Moni

  6. May 19

    S6E12 Ruck Up Buttercup: Building Bridges: A Community Focus on Supporting Military Spouses

    Building Community and Support with MilSpouse Fest Director Jessica Manfre Host Ashley welcomes Jessica Manfre to the “Ruck Up Buttercup” podcast to discuss supporting military spouses through connection, resources, and events like MilSpouse Fest. Jessica shares her background marked by early loss, meeting her Coast Guard husband young, experiencing isolation without a spouse network, and pursuing education and service, becoming a licensed clinical social worker who still sees military patients. She explains her path into military writing and then joining Recurrent’s military brands, ultimately becoming director of MilSpouse Fest in 2025. They describe MilSpouse Fest as a free, family-friendly event with a resource marketplace and community-building that reduces barriers like childcare and loneliness. Upcoming fests include Norfolk and San Diego, plus an international tour to Osan and Camp Humphreys in South Korea and Puerto Rico, with attention to bilingual support. Jessica’s advice: embrace new experiences and help pave the way for spouses coming behind you. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:50 Jessica’s Early Life 02:55 Coast Guard Spouse Reality 04:01 Finding Purpose in Service 04:33 Spouse Career Challenges 05:54 Ashley’s Military Brat Story 09:40 Why Community Matters 14:22 Joining MilSpouse Fest 17:13 First Fest Experience 21:55 Overseas Tour and Sponsors 23:38 Kids Welcome at Events 24:43 Raising Volunteer Kids 25:03 Military Community Then Now 25:18 Early Lessons in Service 25:57 Fisher House Memories 26:45 New Spouses Need Support 28:05 Collaboration Not Competition 29:05 No One Path Fits All 30:36 Fests and Guard Support 33:35 Take the Leap Solo 36:04 Use Resources and Show Up 40:48 Loneliness and Connection 41:24 Curating Help In Person 43:51 Deployed Love Origins 44:22 Volunteer to Find Purpose 48:08 Passing the Torch Forward 49:30 Advice Embrace the Yes 52:07 Closing Invite and Support Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: ashleybrown@deployedlove.org More information on MilSpouseFest Website: https://milspousefest.com

    S6E12 Ruck Up Buttercup: Building Bridges: A Community Focus on Supporting Military Spouses

  7. Apr 19

    Ruck Up Buttercup S6E11 Courageous Kids: Supporting Military Families Through Activity & Resilience

    Our Military Kids: Activity Grants and Courageous Kids Recognition for Guard/Reserve Families During Month of the Military Child, the host of Ruck Up Buttercup interviews Kara, a retired Navy veteran, longtime military spouse, and executive director of Our Military Kids, about supporting children in deployed National Guard/Reserve families and families of combat-injured service members. Kara shares her own Reserve mobilization after 9/11 with young children and explains how Guard/Reserve kids are often dispersed and overlooked compared to installation-based active-duty communities. The organization provides year-round extracurricular activity awards (from sports and music to driver’s ed and unique options like Japanese sword fighting), sending a “top secret package” that includes payment to the provider and a thank-you loop to donors. Kara cites survey data showing high stress during deployment and highlights benefits like stress relief, routine, friendships, mentors, family wellbeing, and boosted service member morale. She also describes the annual Courageous Kids contest (550+ nominations; 26 winners) spotlighted on social media in April. 00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro 02:03 Kara Military Journey 03:44 Why Guard Reserve Need Support 06:18 Mission Roots And Impact 09:39 Activities As Lifelines 13:27 Stress Data And Success Stories 15:13 Host Military Kid Story 18:26 Connection And Family Morale 23:54 What Grants Cover 25:22 How To Apply And Package 27:43 Thank You Card Loop 28:24 Impact on Families 30:21 Unique Activity Requests 31:46 Guard and Reserve Support Gap 33:41 Courageous Kids Contest 38:46 How Winners Stand Out 42:14 Sharing Stories in April 45:12 What People Overlook 48:04 Advice and Resources 53:08 Final Wrap and Thanks Reach us at ashleybrown@deployedlove.org Reach Our Military Kids at Facebook.com/ourmilitarykids Instagram.com/ourmilitarykids Linkedin.com/ourmilitarykids

    Ruck Up Buttercup S6E11 Courageous Kids: Supporting Military Families Through Activity & Resilience

  8. Apr 12

    Ruck Up Buttercup S6E10 Finding Community Through Spouse Associations

    Finding Community Through Spouse Associations at Fort Bragg In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the host talks with Renata, a military spouse and president of the Association of Bragg Spouses, about why building community is essential in military life and how spouse associations can help. Renata shares her late-in-life transition into military spouse life, joining the club soon after arriving at Fort Bragg, and how volunteering helped her find identity and support. They explain the club’s two main functions: philanthropy (raising funds for scholarships, continuing education, and welfare grants for local nonprofits) and social connection (coffee meetups, book club, nights out, luncheons, and other events). They discuss misconceptions that spouse clubs are only for officers, stress the importance of participation and volunteering to keep programs running, highlight newsletters and upcoming resource fairs, and encourage spouses to take initiative, ask for accommodations like childcare when possible, and ignore negativity in online groups. 00:00 Welcome Back Update 02:22 Meet Renata 03:23 Her Spouse Journey 05:56 Finding Purpose Volunteering 08:26 Building Local Community 11:45 Breaking Club Stigmas 14:36 Club Culture Matters 16:47 Programs Scholarships Grants 20:01 Social Events Internal Clubs 23:00 Kids Childcare Inclusion 27:14 Just Show Up 37:13 Funding Fundraisers Pivoting 41:05 Fundraisers That Give Back 42:31 Flexible Volunteering For Parents 44:16 Solo Parenting Reality Check 46:02 Stop Comparing Journeys 47:01 Join Spouse Associations 51:49 Resource Fairs And Scholarships 53:42 Deployment Support All Seasons 56:48 Podcast And Positive Community 01:00:15 Resilience And Survival Mode 01:02:29 Finding Your Tribe After PCS 01:09:56 Volunteer For Purpose And Resume 01:23:17 Closing Encouragement And Next Steps

    Ruck Up Buttercup S6E10 Finding Community Through Spouse Associations
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Ruck Up Buttercup is a podcast for military spouses, service members, and military families, brought to you by the nonprofit Deployed Love. Join hosts who are military spouses as we share real stories, practical advice, and expert insights to help you navigate deployments, PCS moves, military family life, and daily challenges. Each episode highlights resources, tips, and guidance to help military families thrive. Whether you’re a new spouse or a seasoned veteran family, our mission is to inform, inspire, and empower—you’re not alone. Nonprofit site: www.deployedlove.org

Information

  • Creator
    Ruck Up Buttercup
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Ruck Up Buttercup