May 19, 2026 · 54 min
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