Ruck Up Buttercup

Ruck Up Buttercup
Ruck Up Buttercup

A podcast brought to you by Deployed Love talking about all things military life.

  1. S5E14: You Belong with Ruth Anne Kramer

    JUN 29

    S5E14: You Belong with Ruth Anne Kramer

    Navigating Military Spouse Life with Anne Kramer In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, host Sabrina is joined by guest Anne Kramer, author of 'You Belong,' a book for US military spouses. Anne shares her experiences of serving in the Army, transitioning to life as a military spouse, and her current career as a social worker and therapist for veterans. The discussion covers various challenges military spouses face, including misaligned expectations, self-doubt, and the importance of maintaining individual identity. Anne also emphasizes the significance of using connections, managing disappointments, and recognizing the value military spouses bring to the table. The episode highlights key lessons from Anne's book and underscores its utility as a guide for military spouses navigating their unique journeys. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:36 Anne's Military Background and Transition 01:27 Challenges of Being a Military Spouse 04:08 Finding Purpose and Career Transition 05:44 Exploring Anne's Book: 'You Belong' 08:47 Navigating Military Spouse Expectations 19:46 Dealing with Self-Doubt and Belonging 24:33 Leveraging Military Experience in Civilian Jobs 25:12 Navigating Imposter Syndrome 25:53 The Challenges of Starting a Nonprofit 27:11 The Power of Volunteer Support 27:44 Dealing with Minimization and Insecurity 29:43 The Importance of Connections 34:05 Lessons from a Military Career 36:21 The Reality of Job Hunting for Veterans 39:35 Embracing the Military Community 41:19 Advice for New Military Spouses 43:41 Celebrating Military Spouses 46:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Find Ruth Anne Kramer Here :https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthannekramer/ Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org This Episode is sponsored by Ruth Anne Kramer the author of You Belong: The Guidebook for the Career-Minded Woman on the Move Ruth Anne openly shares her experiences of being questioned by others, being overlooked because of her differences, and not always being taken seriously as a woman in the workplace. Purchase her book here: https://tactical16.com/product/you-belong-a-guidebook-for-the-career-minded-woman/

    50 min
  2. S5E13-Exploring Military Life: Space Force Officer and Author Kelly Cagiano

    JUN 15

    S5E13-Exploring Military Life: Space Force Officer and Author Kelly Cagiano

    Exploring Military Life: Space Force Officer and Author Kelly Cagiano In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, hosts engage with Kelly Caggiano-Hollyfield, an officer in the Space Force and author of the children's book 'My Mommy's in the Military.' Kelly shares her transition from the Air Force to the Space Force, operational experiences, and cultural differences between branches. The discussion covers navigating military family dynamics, dual-military household balancing, career achievements, and the inspiration and journey behind her book that aims to represent and celebrate military mothers in diverse roles. The conversation underscores the importance of military support systems, adapting to unique challenges, and encouraging representation in literature for children. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:41 Kelly's Military Journey 01:31 Transition from Air Force to Space Force 02:37 Cultural Differences in the Space Force 03:30 Balancing Military Life and Family 05:33 Dual Military Family Dynamics 16:17 Writing 'My Mommy's in the Military' 26:20 Balancing Family and Military Life 28:08 Mom Guilt and Homeschooling 30:06 The Importance of Representation in Books 34:03 Military Career Paths and Opportunities 44:07 The Strong Military Community 48:38 Conclusion and Book Promotion Find Kelly Caggiano-Hollyfield here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-caggiano-328323125/ Buy her book here: https://www.amazon.com/My-Mommys-Military-Reader-Book/dp/1954000650/ref=asc_df_1954000650?mcid=ac71ff9c2c8d3e72b2283a0a095f0406&hvocijid=13615000551192562612-1954000650-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=721245378154&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13615000551192562612&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030225&hvtargid=pla-2281435177618&psc=1 Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org This Episode is sponsored by Ruth Anne Kramer the author of You Belong: The Guidebook for the Career-Minded Woman on the Move Ruth Anne openly shares her experiences of being questioned by others, being overlooked because of her differences, and not always being taken seriously as a woman in the workplace. Purchase her book here: https://tactical16.com/product/you-belong-a-guidebook-for-the-career-minded-woman/

    52 min
  3. S5E12: Military Spouse Grief and Loss

    JUN 1

    S5E12: Military Spouse Grief and Loss

    Managing Grief and Change in Military Life: A Raw Discussion In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the hosts engage in an honest and heartfelt conversation about the hardships faced by military families, particularly focusing on grief and loss. They discuss the inevitability of tough times, the importance of allowing oneself to feel emotions, and practical strategies for coping. The episode also covers the difficulties of maintaining friendships across relocations, the impact of separation due to deployments, and the emotional challenges of missed family events. Importantly, the hosts emphasize the value of seeking help, leveraging community resources, and finding ways to support one another through the unique trials of military life. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode 00:30 Dealing with Grief and Loss in Military Life 01:30 Personal Stories of Grief and Coping Mechanisms 02:35 Challenges of Maintaining Friendships 04:13 The Impact of Moving and PCSing 06:49 Coping with Separation and Geo Batching 21:00 The Emotional Toll of Missing Family Events 30:42 Navigating Family Relationships 33:10 Coping with Parental Dementia 33:54 Grieving Different Experiences 41:11 Military Life and Loss 51:06 Handling Crisis and Building Resilience 01:00:03 Finding Support in the Military Community Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org This Episode is sponsored by Ruth Anne Kramer the author of You Belong: The Guidebook for the Career-Minded Woman on the Move Ruth Anne openly shares her experiences of being questioned by others, being overlooked because of her differences, and not always being taken seriously as a woman in the workplace. Purchase her book here: https://tactical16.com/product/you-belong-a-guidebook-for-the-career-minded-woman/

    1h 8m
  4. S5E11-Dogs on Deployment

    MAY 18

    S5E11-Dogs on Deployment

    Supporting Military Families Through Dogs on Deployment: An Interview with Alyssa Johnson In this episode of RUP Buttercup, hosts chat with Alyssa Johnson, founder of Dogs on Deployment, a nonprofit organization supporting military families by providing resources and fostering programs for their pets. Alyssa shares her personal military experience as a Marine Corps pilot, her journey in creating the organization following the challenges she faced with her dog JD, and the range of services Dogs on Deployment offers, including boarding, financial assistance for PCS moves, and veterinary care. They discuss the unique struggles military families face with their pets during deployments and relocations, and how the community can support this mission. The conversation highlights the importance of community, volunteering, and how supporters can get involved to help military families and their pets. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:30 Alyssa's Military Background 01:30 Challenges of Military Life with Pets 03:05 The Birth of Dogs on Deployment 05:49 Personal Stories and Struggles 10:18 Expanding the Mission 18:36 Financial Assistance and Support Programs 24:56 Difficult Decision: Euthanizing a Beloved Pet 25:58 Emergency Vet Visit: A Life-Threatening Diagnosis 27:11 The Financial Burden of Pet Healthcare 29:00 Cherished Memories and Final Moments 33:51 Supporting Military Families with Pets 36:22 How to Support Dogs on Deployment 39:29 Volunteering and Community Involvement 46:36 The Importance of Philanthropy and Volunteering Reach out to chat: sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org Reach Out to Dogs on Deployment: info@dogsondeployment.org (4) Fahttps://www.facebook.com/DogsonDeploymentcebook

    49 min
  5. S5E10-FamilyinFlight

    MAY 4

    S5E10-FamilyinFlight

    Supporting Geo-Batching Military Families: Introducing Family and Flight with Chelsea In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the hosts interview Chelsea, the founder of the nonprofit organization Family and Flight. Chelsea discusses the mission of her organization, which aims to provide emotional and financial support to military families who are geo-batching—living in different states due to service commitments. She shares her personal experience of being a geo-batching spouse and the challenges that come with it, emphasizing the importance of intentional communication and therapy. The episode also highlights upcoming initiatives, such as their first virtual 5K fundraiser, and discusses the need for volunteers and corporate sponsors to support their mission. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:27 Chelsea's Story and the Birth of Family and Flight 02:30 Challenges of Geo Batching 03:56 Personal Experiences and Decisions 07:55 Communication and Support Strategies 28:10 Navigating Deployment Communication 28:49 Supporting Your Spouse Through Deployment 29:22 Understanding the Challenges of Military Life 30:41 Introducing Our Nonprofit Journey 31:25 Fundraising and Volunteer Opportunities 32:40 Corporate Sponsorships and Future Plans 33:30 Application Process and Support Details 38:02 Resource Page and Additional Support 41:33 The Importance of Community and Connection 52:18 Final Advice for Military Spouses Reach out to chat: sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org Reach Out to Family in Flight: familyinflight@gmail.com Facebook

    56 min
  6. S5E9 Discover Your Surroundings

    APR 20

    S5E9 Discover Your Surroundings

    Embrace the Adventure: Military Life and Traveling In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the discussion centers around travel and adventure opportunities that come with military life. Hosts Ashley and Laura share their experiences and tips on making the most of living in various locations due to frequent relocations. They emphasize embracing new duty stations and exploring local attractions rather than feeling stuck. They highlight affordable travel options, offer resources for military families like the Armed Forces Vacation Club and Vet Tix, and discuss the perks of having a travel agent. They also touch on the importance of creating memories with family and friends, supporting local businesses, and making the best of any situation by adopting a resilient mindset. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to share their favorite local spots. 00:00 Welcome to Ruck Up Buttercup! 00:26 Embracing Military Life Through Travel 02:02 Affordable Adventures for Military Families 02:49 Utilizing Military Perks for Travel 04:34 Exploring Local Gems and Hidden Treasures 08:59 Making the Most of Your Duty Station 11:59 Discovering Local Favorites and Activities 18:19 Navigating Texas and Beyond 26:09 Family-Friendly Brewery Events 26:56 The Appeal of Open Spaces at Breweries 29:03 Traveling and Utilizing Travel Agents 32:08 Affordable Travel Options 32:54 Making Memories Despite Military Life 38:17 Encouraging Family Visits and Exploring Locally 40:31 Exploring the US and National Parks 43:30 Making the Most of Military Moves 52:07 Final Thoughts on Travel and Exploration Reach out to chat: sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org

    54 min
  7. S5E8 USO Insights and Military Spouse Support

    MAR 29

    S5E8 USO Insights and Military Spouse Support

    USO Insights and Military Spouse Support: A Conversation with Nicole Vogel In this episode of 'Ruckup Buttercup,' Ashley welcomes Nicole Vogel, the Senior Program Manager for the USO and a military spouse. Nicole shares her 16-year journey with the USO, starting from her initial experience at Ramstein, Germany. They discuss various USO programs designed to support military families and spouses, including Coffee Connections, USO Reading Program, virtual events, and more. Nicole emphasizes the importance of community and connection for military spouses and provides valuable insights into how the USO has evolved to meet the needs of service members and their families. The episode highlights the transformative impact of USO programs on the lives of military families and offers practical tips for military spouses seeking support and connection. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:36 Meet Our Special Guest: Nicole Vogel from USO 00:53 Nicole's Journey with USO 02:56 Ashley and Nicole's Shared Experiences with USO 04:14 USO's Global Presence and Support 05:41 The History of USO 07:20 USO's Evolving Role and Programs 08:25 Coffee Connections: Building Community 15:32 Virtual Programs and Support During COVID 18:53 Emotional Impact of USO Programs 22:08 Personal Stories and Experiences 23:59 Volunteering and Community Connection 26:23 USO Programs and Services 27:12 Gaming and Virtual Connections 31:29 Importance of Connection and Support 32:48 Final Thoughts and Encouragement https://www.uso.org/ Find us or reach out here: Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagra m.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org

    39 min
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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A podcast brought to you by Deployed Love talking about all things military life.

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