Ruck Up Buttercup
by Ruck Up Buttercup
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
Episodes
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S6E23 Breaking the Silence
Breaking the Silence: Military Spouse Advocacy, Invisible Labor & the Need for Real Support with Allison Burton On this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, Ashley sits down with Allison Burton, an Army spouse of 20 years, military family advocate, and founder of The Burton Collective, for an honest...
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S6E22 Ruck Up Buttercup: Beyond the Lens The Stories We Carry and the Courage to Tell Them
Tori on Photographing Military Life, Writing Through Deployment and Cancer, and Building an Open Seat at the Table The hosts welcome Tori, a world-renowned photographer, military veteran and longtime military spouse, mom, author, and breast cancer survivor, to discuss her 25 years in the military...
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E21: We All Have Our Own Version of Hard
Meg Graves on ‘Your Own Version of Hard’: Military Life, Cancer Survivorship, and Community Support On the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast for military families, the host interviews Meg Graves, the 2026 Navy Military Spouse of the Year, about her “own version of hard” philosophy inspired by Kate Bowler...
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S6E20 A Standing Invitation to Belong
Building Connection Through Military Spouse Social Club: Virtual Community, Book Club, and Belonging Host Ashley introduces the Ruck Up, Buttercup podcast and interviews Becca, a military spouse of about 10 years, about how community can “make or break” military spouse life through deployments…
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S6E19 Ruck Up Buttercup Girl Chat: Are Military Kids Really Resilient?
Are Military Kids Really Resilient? Back-to-School, PCS Transitions, and Supporting Military Children In a girl chat episode of the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast, the host welcomes Lara back and introduces D’Vaunee, discussing chaotic back-to-school experiences and the common belief that military…
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S6E18 Ruck Up Buttercup: Beyond Belonging: Turning Your Military Life Into a Career Advantage
Beyond Belonging: Turning Your Military Life Into a Career Advantage What if your PCS moves, overseas assignments, volunteer roles, and constant transitions haven't only interrupted your career—but have actually been building it? In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, we sit down with educator…
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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…
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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…
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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...
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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.…
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E9 Spouse Chat from Service to Military Spouse
Spouse Chat: Veterans on Becoming Military Spouses, Deployments, and the Comparison Trap In this “Ruck Up Buttercup” spouse chat, Ashley hosts Lara and Grant, both veterans now military spouses, to discuss the shock of switching from service member to spouse, especially the loss of control during...
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E8-Across Borders: Belonging in the Military Community
In this episode, we talk with **Lydia Owiti-Otienoh** — a Kenyan immigrant, attorney, military spouse, and founder of the **Foreign Born Military Spouse Network (FMSN)**. Lydia shares her journey of moving to the United States while her husband was deployed and the challenges, she faced adjusting...
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E7 Confidence in Every Season: Style, Identity & Military Life
Style, Confidence, and Community: Practical Fashion Tips for Military Spouses with Laura The host of “Ruck Up Buttercup” rerecords an episode with Laura, a military spouse of 24.5 years nearing retirement, to discuss helping military spouses build confidence through personal style and community....
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E6 How to Use Space-A Flights: A Military Spouse Guide with Allison Beverly
How to Use Space-A Flights: A Military Spouse Guide with Allison Beverly In this episode of the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast, hosts Sabrina and Ashley explore Space-A (Space Available) military flights as an affordable travel option for military families. They interview Alyson Beverly, a military...
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E5 Navigating the Silent Ranks
Navigating the Silent Ranks: A Military Spouse's Journey In this episode featuring a heartfelt chat between two military spouses, the discussion delves into the often overlooked challenges faced by military spouses, referred to as the 'silent ranks.' They cover the pressures of upholding a strong...
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E4: Building Military Families
Ruck Up Buttercup: Building Military Families with Julie Eshelman In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, Sabrina, and Ashley, dive deep into the challenges and victories of military family building with Julie Eshelman, a resilient military spouse and the creator of the Building Military Families...
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E3 Hot Mess Military Moments and How to Embrace Them
Hot Mess Military Moments and How to Embrace Them In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, hosts Lara, Sabrina, and Ashley dive deep into the complexities of military life, focusing on PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves, housing issues, and the importance of advocacy. The discussion includes...
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Ruck Up Buttercup S6E2 Staying Grounded Through Military Life (AWAG)
Finding Community and Identity in Military Life In this episode of 'Ruck Up Buttercup,' Sabrina and Ashley host Portia, a seasoned military spouse, to discuss the challenges and rewards of military life. They explore the importance of building community, the benefits of volunteering, and how to...
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S6E1-Embracing New Adventures
Embracing New Adventures: New Year, New Goals for Military Spouses In the latest episode of "Ruck Up Buttercup," the hosts celebrate the start of season six with exciting updates and plans for the year. Listeners learn about the decision to increase episode releases to three per month, offering...
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S5E24 Year in Review Season 5
Reflecting on Season Five and Navigating Military Family Challenges In this final episode of season five of Ruck Up Buttercup, the hosts reflect on the past year's experiences and discuss the challenges faced by military families, including multiple relocations, financial strains, and the impact…
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S5E23 Navigating Military Marriage: A Conversation with Ashley Ashcroft
Navigating Military Marriage: A Conversation with Ashley Ashcroft In this episode of 'Ruckup Buttercup,' the host Ashley discusses the complexities of military marriage with guest Ashley Ashcroft, a seasoned military spouse, accredited national educator, homeschool mom, and Down Syndrome…
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S5E22 Spooky Season: Haunted Military Installations and Eerie Legends
Spooky Season: Haunted Military Installations and Eerie Legends In this episode of Ruckup Buttercup, the hosts dive into the spooky vibes of October by discussing haunted military installations and eerie legends associated with them. Originally set to feature a guest, the episode continues with...
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S5E21- Soldiers Best Friend with Mik Milem
Healing Heroes: How Soldier's Best Friend is Saving Lives with Service Dogs In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, we spotlight Soldier's Best Friend, an Arizona-based nonprofit that pairs veterans with PTSD or traumatic brain injury (TBI) with rescue dogs trained to be service dogs. Executive...
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S5E20 Financial Literacy for Military Families
Empowering Military Families with Financial Literacy: Insights from Moneybox Academy In this episode of 'Ruck Up Buttercup,' Ashley and Sabrina are joined by financial expert Crystal McLean, founder of Moneybox Academy, to discuss the importance of financial literacy, especially within the…
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S5E19: Harvesting Joy
Fall Cozy Time and Moving Adventures with Ashley and Sabrina In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, Ashley and Sabrina engage in a cozy girl chat as they eagerly anticipate the arrival of fall. They share their love for fall activities like hiking, reading, and spending time in cozy sweatshirts....
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S5E18 Navigating Military Spouse Life: Myths and Realities
Navigating Military Spouse Life: Myths and Realities In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the hosts engage in a girl chat about the common stereotypes and myths associated with being a military spouse. Key topics include the higher likelihood of divorce among military families, stressors such as...
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Homeschooling for Military Families: Navigating Education On the Move
Homeschooling for Military Families: Navigating Education On the Move In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the hosts discuss various schooling options available for military families, particularly focusing on the benefits of homeschooling. They explore personal experiences and address common...
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S5E16 Navigating Military Life: Challenges, Growth, and Identity
Navigating Military Life: Challenges, Growth, and Identity In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the hosts have an engaging discussion with Reyna Worthy, a Navy wife and advocate for military spouses, who also hosts her own podcast. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities that come...
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S5E15- Situational Awareness with Bart Womack
This episode offers invaluable insights for military spouses, veterans, and anyone interested in enhancing their situational awareness. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 01:02 Bart Womack's Military Journey 03:07 Untold Stories and Advocacy 06:36 The Attack at Camp Pennsylvania...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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S5E7 : Standing Silently Strong
Standing Silently Strong: Embracing the Military Spouse Journey with Ariana In this heartfelt episode of RUP Buttercup, hosts welcome guest Ariana to discuss the unique challenges and rewarding experiences of military life. They delve into the concept of 'standing silently strong,' a term that...
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S5E6: Balancing the Seven Dimensions of Wellness
Balancing the Seven Dimensions of Wellness In this episode of 'Ruck Up Buttercup,' hosts Ashley, Sabrina and Lara discuss the importance of the seven dimensions of wellness: mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, environmental, and vocational. They explore how these aspects interconnect...
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S5E5 Navigating Military Life: Insights from a Spouse and Children's Author
Navigating Military Life: Insights from a Spouse and Children's Author In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, hosts Ashley and Caila are joined by guest Valerie, a military spouse and children's book author. Valerie shares her 14-year journey across various military branches, from the Army…
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S5E4- Social Media Savvy
Navigating Social Media and OPSEC as a Military Spouse In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, hosts Ashley and Sabrina delve into the complexities of using social media as a military spouse. They discuss the importance of Operational Security (OPSEC) and Personal Security (PERSEC) and the…
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S5E3 - Protecting Military Families' Moving Entitlements: The PPM Petition
Protecting Military Families' Moving Entitlements: The PPM Petition In this episode, Isabel from LOGSA Mil Moves discusses the origins and goals of her organization, highlighting the veteran background of its founders and their focus on providing better moving services for military families. The...
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S5E2 Finding Jobs and Community
Empowering Military Spouses with Remote Work Opportunities In this episode of the podcast, the hosts welcome Kate, the Community Programs Manager at Instant Teams, an eight-year-old company founded by military spouses to provide remote work opportunities for fellow military spouses. Kate…
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Season 5 Episode 1- Rolling with the Punches
Embracing Change: New Beginnings, Resilience, and Navigating Military Life In this episode of 'Ruck Up Buttercup', the hosts celebrate the beginning of their fifth season and introduce Kayla as their new co-host. They discuss the complexities of military life, including upcoming PCS moves…
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Season 4 Episode 25 Season Finale
Finale Reflections and New Beginnings: Season Wrap-Up In this heartfelt final episode of the season, the hosts of the Ruck Up Buttercup podcast reflect on their successful four-year journey. They discuss the growth they've experienced, the consistency achieved this year, and exciting plans for…
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Season 4 Episode 24 Holiday Girl Chat
Budget-Friendly Holiday Tips for Military Families In this episode of Ruck Up Buttercup, the hosts discuss their holiday plans, including traveling to visit family, wrapping presents early, and managing holiday activities while living in different locations. They share personal stories and tips…
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Season 4 Episode 24 Resources with Military Family Advocate
In this episode, we are joined by Caila Holm, a well-known Military Family Advocate from TikTok. Caila shares her extensive 11-year journey as a military spouse and her career dedicated to supporting military families through various roles, including work with Army Community Services, the…
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About this show
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
Hosted by
Ruck Up Buttercup