Jun 7, 2026 · 43 min
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 ashleybrown@deployedlove.org
Veteran Podcast Network