Ruck Up Buttercup
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
