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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 community and her work photographing military life across 17 installations. Tori explains how she began with photos of her daughter’s MWR cheerleading and evolved from sports photography into documenting units, aiming to show families what service looks like when they can’t be there. She describes mentoring newer spouses, the importance of community, and writing books—starting with “Praise Through It: Deployment Edition” during an unexpected Saudi deployment in DC—using raw journaling to process hardship and gratitude. She shares keeping her cancer private during her husband’s command at Fort Benning, relying on chaplains, and writing to help others navigate silent battles. The conversation highlights bridging rank barriers, including retirees, creating a “Table of 12,” and her book “True Obedience,” emphasizing inviting others in, sharing stories, and resilience. 00:00 Welcome Back Season Six 01:36 Meet Tori Photographer Vet 02:16 How Photography Began 03:25 Telling Military Stories 06:26 Mentoring New Spouses 08:25 Unexpected DC Deployment 11:01 Writing Praise Through It 14:56 Breast Cancer During Command 19:00 Finding Your People Table 24:46 Kids Watching Resilience 27:45 Military Kids Sacrifices 28:54 Writing Through Hardship 31:10 Redefining Success Over Time 33:42 Marriage Rules And Growth 36:02 Reintegration And Hidden Struggles 42:09 Mentorship Beyond Rank 49:18 Building Your Spouse Table 50:49 Retirees And Womanhood Wisdom 54:52 Real Stories Real Strengths 57:05 Final Thanks And Sendoff Find Tori Here Instagram- @torievansphotos @lifewithtorievans Website- Torievansphotos.com Reach us at [email protected]

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 and the importance of acknowledging struggle without comparison. Meg describes being an overwhelmed military spouse with three young, neurodivergent children and facing a stage 3C triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis in late 2020 during COVID-related deployment and quarantine disruptions. She explains how military life and an action-oriented mindset helped her navigate a changing treatment plan, and she details survivorship realities, including lymphedema after removal of 26 lymph nodes, radiation fibrosis, recurrent cellulitis, and lifelong daily antibiotics. They discuss supporting others by listening, small acts of kindness, and speaking up to advocate for systemic change, and Meg advises spouses to build community by getting involved and reaching out. 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 01:45 Return Date and Reintegration 02:15 Everyone Has Hard 04:33 Life Before Cancer 05:38 Diagnosis During COVID 10:21 Military Mindset and Planning 12:55 Survivorship Side Effects 16:27 Stop Comparing Struggles 20:01 How to Support Others 22:49 Advocacy Through Stories 26:08 Closing and Community Advice

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, PCS moves, and constant change. Becca shares her rapid first PCS after marriage, the grief of losing not only friends but everyday routines and familiar places, and how being married to an active reservist often means living far from bases without built-in support. She created the Military Spouse Social Club as a virtual community, starting with a library-accessible virtual book club, to provide a safe, welcoming space that isn’t dominated by negativity. They discuss standing invitations to connect, lurking until comfortable, the value of virtual friendships, supporting newer spouses with kindness, and collaboration among nonprofits. Becca highlights upcoming plans like async challenges, resource sessions, and mentorship, and advises spouses to remember their “why” and stay grounded in who they are. 00:00 Welcome to Ruck Up 00:55 Meet Becca 01:55 Becca’s PCS Story 03:22 Building Virtual Community 05:50 Safe Space Book Club 08:12 Belonging After PCS 09:18 Friendship Is Work 11:59 Reservist Spouse Isolation 15:24 Book Club Details 20:18 Virtual Friends Real Bonds 22:06 Standing Invitation Meaning 25:32 Open Invite to Connect 26:02 Finding Safe Spaces 28:10 Virtual Community Matters 28:47 Nonprofit Collaboration 32:51 Lean Into Connection 34:49 Community Beyond the Unit 36:11 Welcoming New Spouses 39:29 Grace During Hard Seasons 46:41 Whats Next for MSSC 48:39 Where to Find Them 49:17 Remember Your Why 51:26 Final Encouragement

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 kids are “resilient.” They question whether kids adapt because they are resilient or because they have no choice amid PCS moves, deployments, new schools, and constant restarting. The conversation covers practical challenges like water main breaks canceling school, enrollment and paperwork issues, 504 accommodations for Astrid’s EDS, and worries about middle school, bullying, and ADHD. They emphasize validating kids’ emotions, building routines, staying involved and advocating at school, preparing documents before PCSing, and using resources like school liaisons, Telemynd, and community groups such as Deployed Love to help families and kids feel connected and supported. 00:00 Welcome Back Girl Chat 01:47 Are Military Kids Resilient 02:25 School Year Chaos Stories 04:21 Squishies And School Rules 07:17 Defining Resilience 11:00 Astrid 504 And EDS 14:26 Missing Out On Opportunities 16:33 Mid Year Moves And Orders 18:40 Real Life Interruptions 24:02 Tools For Tough Transitions 26:34 Junior High Jitters 27:28 School Move Stressors 27:55 Easing School Transitions 29:58 Paperwork Before PCS 31:30 Advocate With Teachers 33:15 Accountability And Kindness 35:46 Beyond Resilient Skills 38:22 Books And Belonging 41:43 Friendships And Tech 48:14 Home Identity And Roots 50:34 Advice To Future Kids 57:15 Programs And Community 01:00:59 Final Wrap And Goodbye

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, TAP facilitator, transition strategist, military spouse, and community builder Jenni Fajardo-Dobbs to rethink the way military spouses talk about careers and mobility. From navigating life as a foreign-born military spouse to building a career across overseas assignments, Jenni shares how military spouses can recognize the leadership, relationship, cultural, and professional capital they've gained along the way—and learn to communicate its value. This conversation is for the spouse who's tired of feeling like they're always starting over. Maybe you're not starting over. Maybe you're starting again with more experience than you realize. Real stories. Real struggles. Real strength. 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:55 Meet Jenni Dobbs 02:39 Jenni Military Journey 04:38 Power of Community 07:49 Career Mission Spark 11:15 Advice for New Spouses 18:54 Advocacy and Resources 23:00 Working OCONUS Germany 29:37 Volunteer Work to Resume 34:16 LinkedIn Premium Perks 36:20 Share and Tag Resources 39:03 Rucksack of Support 41:11 Don’t Reinvent Wheels 42:10 Deployed Love Journey 46:47 Five Capitals Framework 49:18 Finding Your Community 52:16 MIC and Instant Bonds 59:38 Final Advice and Wrap

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: [email protected] 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: [email protected]

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: [email protected] 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: [email protected]

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: [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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: [email protected] More information on MilSpouseFest Website: https://milspousefest.com

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 [email protected] Reach Our Military Kids at Facebook.com/ourmilitarykids Instagram.com/ourmilitarykids Linkedin.com/ourmilitarykids

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

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 deployments, constant changes and extensions, and the value of understanding military language and realities. They compare deployment life for service members versus spouses managing home responsibilities, careers, finances, and reintegration challenges, noting that reunions can feel unexpectedly awkward and require relearning routines. The conversation covers career disruption, PCS barriers, stereotypes and drama in spouse Facebook groups, and how social media fuels negativity and comparison. Key guidance includes planning with flexibility, not overplanning, communicating needs during separation and reintegration, seeking supportive community and resources, avoiding assumptions, and not measuring one’s experience against others because every military journey is different. 00:00 Meet The Spouse Chat 02:28 From Service To Spouse 05:08 Deployment Extensions Reality 09:33 Losing Control At Home 14:13 PCS Careers And Money 16:41 Grant Love Story 20:58 Reintegration And Resentment 27:50 Spouse Groups Culture Shock 34:27 Prior Service Pros And Cons 38:40 Stereotypes And Spouse Views 41:26 Purpose Beyond Background 43:31 Every Sailor Has A Story 46:58 Spouse Groups With Empathy 49:42 Stereotypes And Reality Check 53:43 Finding The Right Community 56:49 Creating Content To Help 01:01:15 Parting Advice On Flexibility 01:05:55 Reintegration And No Comparison 01:14:39 Resources Plugs And Farewell Find us or reach out here: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DeployedLove Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: [email protected]

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 to military life as a foreign-born spouse. From culture shock and isolation to career disruption and immigration stress, Lydia opens up about the realities many immigrant military spouses experience but rarely talk about. After struggling with depression, career loss, and navigating immigration restrictions, Lydia founded the **Foreign Born Military Spouse Network** to help other spouses overcome barriers through community, education, and support. In this conversation, we discuss: • The challenges of arriving in the U.S. alone while your spouse is deployed • Career setbacks and credential recognition for immigrant spouses • Immigration uncertainty and its mental health impact • The isolation many foreign-born military spouses experience • Why Lydia created the Foreign-Born Military Spouse Network • The importance of community and support systems This episode highlights the invisible stressors many military families face and offers resources and hope for immigrant spouses navigating military life abroad. ⏱ Episode Timeline 00:00 Podcast Update 02:31 Meet Lydia 03:21 Solo Arrival Shock 05:12 Learning Military Life 08:25 Career Loss Depression 14:06 Immigration Anxiety 17:54 Invisible Stressors 19:14 Culture Money Driving 26:53 Founding FMSN 29:11 Discovering Resources 33:34 Finding Foreign Spouses 35:56 Isolation and Culture Shock 39:23 Why This Network Exists 42:57 Urgent Needs Right Now 43:54 Programs and Policy Gaps 47:38 From Online to Local Chapters 52:03 Reach Out to New Neighbors 58:55 Advice for Rebuilding Abroad 01:02:47 How to Join and Connect 01:05:26 Final Resources and Wrap If you found this conversation helpful, share it with someone who might need it. #podcast #militaryspouse #immigrantexperience #militaryfamily Find us or reach out here: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/DeployedLove Website: www.deployedlove.org/podcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/ruckupbuttercup Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruckupbuttercuppodcast Email: [email protected] Find Lydiah or FMSN here: Website: http://fbmnetwork.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fbmsnetwork LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foreign-born-military-spouse-network Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fbmilspouse/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@foreignbornmilspouses?lang=en Threads: https://www.threads.com/@fbmilspouse YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefmsnplug X:https: //x.com/fmsnetwork Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fbmilspousenetwork Email: [email protected]