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The InDependent Spouse Podcast
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The InDependent Spouse Podcast

Author: Jess Sands : Podcast Host, Business Owner and military wife

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The InDependent Spouse podcast by The Milspo Business Network is a series of fun, informative podcasts for all military spouses, partners and other-halves.

The InDependent Spouse podcast was born from a need to hear something new. A need to hear from the inspirational men and women who experience service life from the ‘home-front’ while creating successful businesses, running amazing charities and taking on their own challenges.

To give a voice to those who are already achieving astonishing things, and to inspire those who dream of doing the same.

As the traditional role of the ‘military spouse’ continues to evolve in line with the military itself, it seems only fitting to reflect these changes in a modern way.

What’s also clear is the importance of developing their own role; one that gives the spouse, partner or other-half their own voice while also complimenting that of the service member.

In this series, Jess explores military life by chatting with inspiring people in the community.

So, sit back and listen to their personal stories. Hopefully, one day, we’ll hear from you!

Download. Subscribe. Enjoy!
62 Episodes
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I am Jess Sands, and this podcast is where all things business and armed forces life combine to inspire you in your modern military life. I'm a business owner, military wife, a new mum living in my Magnolia married quarter, running two successful businesses and creating the most impactful work of my life. But it wasn't always like this. When I first started my business, I was struggling to get started and wrestling with how to achieve my dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur. I was desperately seeking inspiration and a network of people who just understood how it really feels to be a military spouse in business. Fast forward today, I am not only growing my business year after year, but also teaching others how to do it too, all whilst being surrounded by inspirational mill space. I'm here to help business owning military spouses, partners, and other halves just like you go from overwhelmed, isolated, and uninspired dependence into confident focused entrepreneurs, ones who are building sustainable businesses that not only survive, but thrive in this modern military world. I'll help you build a sustainable business or side hustle that also creates an impact, changes your life, and gives you all of the freedom to become what you were born to be. Welcome to the Independent Spouse Podcast. Oh my goodness. Hello, it's me. I hope you're keeping well. It has been a long time since I did a podcast episode, but happily, the podcast series is coming back. It is heading your way soon, and I am looking for some new guests. So if you are a Milspo that's a military spouse, partner, or other half running your own business, creating an amazing project, doing something completely epic that you think others should hear of, then just get in touch. Email me at hello@milspo.co.uk and I'll get back to you. This next series is going to be brilliant. I've already got a few guests lined up. They are so inspirational and so creative and they really are showcasing how brilliant life can be as a military partner. We all know it's really tough. We probably all know that it's getting a little bit worse, and we know that the support's not out there where it should be. So that's why this podcast exists. It's to show that military life isn't always doom and gloom. There are positives. You just need to go out and find them. So if you think that's you, if you have an inspirational story or want to share something completely wonderful, please do think about it. Don't be frightened. You have a valid story that will make a difference in other people's lives. So come and share it. It's a great platform. It's had almost 20,000 downloads, so it's a brilliant and cost-effective way of sharing your wonderful news. Don't be worried about it. We would love to hear from you. In the meantime, I'll be over in the Milspo group that's on Facebook. It's our close group full of military spouses, partners, and other house running their own businesses. We get together to collaborate. We network. We just help each other build amazing businesses because that is what it's all about. It just means that we lift everybody up just to have something that's completely yours that you can take with you no matter where military life takes you. So come and join us. It'll really help you build your business or your side hustle, or your projects or whatever you're up to. We are a lovely, friendly bunch who can't wait to see you succeed and help you celebrate. So there it is. My little challenge to you. If you want to be on the podcast, get in touch with me now. Head over to the Milspo Facebook group and join us and generally just keep going. Military life is tough, but we can do it, especially with a little bit of help and support. I will see you next time for a new episode of The Independent Spouse Podcast.
Milspos, entrepreneurs and dreamers, listeners old and new, welcome back to the InDependent Spouse podcast! I'm thrilled to announce, with a heart full of excitement, that I'm back in action! So, put on your headphones, turn up the volume, and get ready for an inspirational episode. Have you ever felt the surge of inspiration that comes with discovering a new book? Well, get ready to experience that and more. Our podcast is embarking on a captivating mini-series, one that's ignited by the pages of the book, "Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box." This mini-series is not just about storytelling; it's about transformation. Imagine delving into the core of business principles, guided by the wisdom contained within those pages. We're not just exploring theories but uncovering practical insights that can reshape your entrepreneurial journey. Throughout this series, you'll have the unique opportunity to not only learn about the book itself but also to step into the world of Milspo. And that's not all – we're giving you a choice, a moment of introspection. As you listen to each episode, you'll find yourself at a crossroads, a juncture where you'll be prompted to reflect on your journey as a Milspo business owner. What kind of legacy do you want to create? What values will guide your path? This mini-series isn't just about passive listening; it's about actively engaging with your entrepreneurial identity. So, whether you're a seasoned business owner looking for fresh perspectives or someone who's just dipped their toes into the world of entrepreneurship, this mini-series is tailored for you. Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and empowered. Get ready to take that step forward on the path to becoming the kind of Milspo business owner you aspire to be. The wait is over, and the journey begins now. Stay tuned for episodes filled with insights, stories, and a dash of that special "Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box" magic. This is more than a podcast; it's an invitation to join a community of visionary doers.  If you're as inspired as we are, don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss a moment of our mini-series journey. Remember, the book "Building Business Beyond the Magnolia Box" is your guiding star, and we're here to help illuminate its brilliance. Stay tuned for the next episode, and until then, keep dreaming, keep building, and keep shining!
060 : Nicola Swann

060 : Nicola Swann

2021-12-1034:58

Hello you lovely lot, today I am chatting to the fab Nicola from Made with Mud. Nicola has a fascinating story about her business and how social media has both helped and hindered her business in the most dramatic way. But first, a little mention of the sponsors of this series – the RBL. After 100 years of supporting the Armed Forces community, the Royal British Legion understands and recognises the challenges faced by serving people and their families. That’s why they’re still here to support us in any way they can. From financial support to housing advice, or just someone to chat to outside of the chain of command or patch, they will continue to fight for us 365 days a year. Head to their website for more information or to get involved in their centenary celebrations www.britishlegion.org.uk The following interview is a fascinating and open conversation with Nicola, who explains how social media has helped her business, but almost bought her to the point of deleting it all. It’s one of those stories that blew my mind when I spoke to her, and I still can’t quite believe how bad it got for her – but mixed in with that is so much positivity and hope. Thank you to Nicola for sharing such a personal story and helping end this podcast series with your remarkable story.
059 : Carrie Moss

059 : Carrie Moss

2021-12-0331:35

Hello, you wonderful lot, today’s podcast is all about the power of networking, and it’s great to be able to share with you the interview that I did with the fantastic Carrie Moss from the Military Matchmaker. But, before we get stuck in a little message from the RBL, who sponsor this series. The Royal British Legion offers all members of our Armed Forces community support. But we also understand that sometimes what’s needed is just a bit of advice. So whether it’s recommending specialised services, advice on housing, finances, or employment, they’ve got your back. Head to www.britishlegion.org.uk to find out more. Carrie is the owner of Military Matchmaker and an amazing networker – she knows everyone!  Not only is she an incredible asset as an Ambassador for the Milspo network she is my go-to guru when I need help finding and connecting business owners. In this episode, we talk about her military life as an Army wife and the importance of networking for business. You’re going to really enjoy this one!   If networking is something that you would like some support with, especially if you’re struggling to build one because of military life, you’re going to love the Milspo network. It’s an online global network of over 1,200 members that you can access for free right now. We do monthly networking and meet-ups to support anyone running a business whilst living the roller-coaster that is Armed Forces life. So come and join us – search for Milspo MILSPO on Facebook. We’d love to see you there. That’s all for me for this week. I’ll be back next Friday for the last episode of the series – so, I shall see you then.
058 : Caroline Hocking

058 : Caroline Hocking

2021-11-2632:04

Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse – and what an episode we have for you today! If you’re a business owner, you’ll know that as soon as we get past Halloween, there’s another scary event on the horizon – tax season! Luckily, I know the most fantastic accountant, who also happens to be a military spouse, and Milspo Ambassador – and that’s who I am talking to today. But first off, a note from the sponsors, the Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion can offer you financial support. Whether it’s helping you manage your debt, setting up a new home or business, or just checking you and your family are getting the benefits you’re entitled to, they’ve got your back. Search RBL online or head to www.britishlegion.org.uk My guest today, Caroline Hocking, is an expert in all things tax and HMRC, so it gives me great joy to be able to bring you this episode today, just as we start creeping towards that January HMRC deadline. But, don’t worry – this episode may be all about finances, but it is far from boring. In fact, you’ll get so much from this whether you have your own business or not – so grab a pen, take some notes, and enjoy this episode of The Independent Spouse podcast. If you have any more questions, and you’re a military spouse, partner or other-half that has their own business, head over to the Milspo community on Facebook - facebook.com/groups/MILSPO – where Caroline will love to help. And, if you are looking for an accountant, or indeed a bookkeeper, I have just launched a very exciting new Milspo search website called Find A Milspo – an online directory where you can now find partner-owned businesses all in one place. It’s over at findamilspo.co.uk, perfect for finding that next Milspo business and makes it just that little bit easier to directly support the Armed Forces Community. So, that’s all from me for today. I will be back with another episode of The InDependent Spouse very soon, so I shall see you then.    
Hello you wonderful lot, I hope you are well, no matter where you find yourself in the world. It always astounds me when I check the stats on the podcast how many of you are listening, here in the UK and further afield. It’s great to see how these inspirational stories are being spread across the world and hopefully helping you feel a little bit more positive in your military life. Last week I felt especially honoured to talk at the International Military Spouse Virtual Employment Summit – showcasing military spouses, partners and other-halves in business and learning from other armed forces partners from across the globe. It was a wonderful event and really did highlight the challenges but in equal measure the people from our own community stepping up to support us all. I came away with a new sense that our voices really are being heard on a global stage, and a new hope that military families will now be part of the conversation. Something we can all work towards in our own ways. A charity that has always known how important military families are is the RBL, who are sponsoring this series. The RBL know that families are the most important support structure within the serving community. But time spent apart during exercises and operations has its challenges and can strain any relationship. As the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, the RBL works with its partners to support us when we need a bit of support ourselves. They are here for us 365 days a year, even if it’s just for a phone call to talk to a friendly voice. Head over to rbl.org.uk for more info. We all know how busy military life can be, but I’ve always been keen to know what life is like when both partners are serving. Today’s interview is with Group Captain Toria McPhaden. Toria is the Station Commander at RAF Northolt and is also married to a serving officer. In this interview we talk about how that works, and if life as a female officer is any different to the boys! I hope you enjoy this episode of The InDependent Spouse. Last series I spoke to the lovely Chris Keen on how life as a military husband was, so it’s great to hear the other side, and these interviews go so well hand-in hand together so I would recommend you checking out that episode too.  
056 : Rachel Luke

056 : Rachel Luke

2021-10-2930:58

Hello you wonderful lot, welcome back to The Independent Spouse. Today I am chatting to the fab Rachel Luke – Virtual Assistant, Social Media expert, and Milspo Ambassador. You are going to love this interview if you’re a business owner as it’s stuffed full with our best business tips associated with social media. Before we kick off with the interview, here’s a little note from the RBL, who sponsor this series. The Royal British Legion have been the national champions of Remembrance for 100 years, but they are about much more than just poppies. They’re here 365 days a year to support us and our families. Whether it’s helping to ease the transition for your family into civilian life or help to get your business off the ground, they’ve got your back. Visit their website rbl.org.uk for more information. So, on to the interview with the lovely Rachel. Grab a pen as you won’t want to miss any of these tips, and enjoy this weeks episode of The InDependent Spouse. A huge thank you to Rachel. If you like what you’ve heard, but you haven’t joined the Milspo Business Network, you are missing out. We have some fantastic things planned for 2022, and we want you to be there too – so, head over to www.milspo.co.uk, where you can find information about how to build a business that flourishes in military life, details about our vast global network and chances to connect and network in our free Milspo events. You are going to love it! There are over 1,200 members ready to support your business, no matter where you are located or at which stage of business you are at. So, that’s all from me for today. I’ll see you next time for another inspirational episode – have a great week!
055 : Eleanor Tweddell

055 : Eleanor Tweddell

2021-10-2226:41

Happy Friday you wonderful lot, I hope you’re keeping well and enjoying this new series of The InDependent Spouse. This entire series has been sponsored by the Royal British Legion, who are gearing up for their busiest time of year. The Royal British Legion have been the national champions of Remembrance for 100 years , but they are about much more than just poppies. They’re here 365 days a year to support us and our families. Whether it’s helping to ease the transition for your family into civilian life with finance and employment advice from their teams of experts, or helping get your business off the ground, they’ve got your back. Visit their website rbl.org.uk for more information. Thank you to the RBL for sponsoring this series. It means that I can keep bringing you the inspirational stories from our epic military community. My guest today is no exception. Eleanor founded Another Door to support others who wanted to reframe redundancy as an opportunity. Her book, Why Losing Your Job Could be the best thing that ever happen to you was published in November 2020 and is perfect for anyone looking at a change in their lives – perfect for any of us who have adapted due to Armed Forces Life. Enjoy this shiny new episode of The InDependent Spouse.
054 : Kelly Farr

054 : Kelly Farr

2021-10-1517:55

Hello you wonderful lot, welcome to a new episode of the InDependent Spouse. This week I have been talking to founder of YourNorth, and RAF Veteran Kelly Farr. Before we get stuck in to the episode I should tell you about the wonderful sponsors of this series – the RBL. The Royal British Legion offer all members of our Armed Forces community support. But they also understand that sometimes what’s needed is just a bit of advice. Whether it’s recommending specialised services, advise on housing, finances or employment, they’ve got your back. Just search for the Royal British Legion online. Your North launched in 2020 mid-pandemic and delivers accredited mental health training courses, wellbeing workshops and personal development coaching, to everyone. The husband and wife team who are both RAF Veterans, and therefore military partners have a special insight into the military life so this episode is full of handy tips for business and self-care for everyone in the military community. I hope you enjoy todays episode.
053 : Dr Jill Jackson

053 : Dr Jill Jackson

2021-10-0825:19

Hello you lovely lot, welcome to episode 6 of this 5th series of The InDependent Spouse. Today is a great episode if you are a parent, or a parent to be. I’ve been chatting to Dr Jill. Maternity doctor and founder of The Birth Café. But, just before the interview I need to tell you about the amazing work from The Royal British Legion, who sponsor this series. The RBL know that families are the most important support structure within the serving community. But time spent apart during exercises and operations has its challenges and can strain any relationship. As the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, the RBL works with its partners to support us when we need a bit of support ourselves. They are here for us 365 days a year, even if it’s just for a phone call to talk to a friendly voice. Head over to rbl.org.uk for more info. Today I’ve been talking to Dr Jill, who has a wealth of experience as a maternity doctor, and as a military partner knows first-hand the sorts of challenges we face as parents in the armed forces community. I hope you enjoy todays episode with Dr Jill.
052 : Naomi Hurst

052 : Naomi Hurst

2021-10-0126:30

Hello you wonderful lot, I hope you’re keeping well and enjoying the podcast series so far. I’ve heard some amazing feedback and really appreciate all of your comments. It really is an inspiring series, and todays episode is no different. Before we chat to Naomi, I need to tell you about the wonderful Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion offer all members of our Armed Forces community support. But they also understand that sometimes what’s needed is just a bit of advice. Whether it’s recommending specialised services, advise on housing, finances or employment, they’ve got your back. Visit their website rbl.org.uk for more information. Today I have been talking to a very inspirational member of our community who found an opportunity despite adversity whilst embracing the opportunities that military life brings. I really hope you enjoy todays episode with Naomi from Doda Yoga.
051 : Meredith Sneddon

051 : Meredith Sneddon

2021-09-2427:57

Hello you lovely lot, and welcome to a new episode of the InDependent Spouse podcast. Today I have been chatting to the lovely Meredith from the Royal British Legion. After 100 years supporting the Armed Forces community, the Royal British Legion understands and recognises the challenges faced by serving people and their families. That’s why they’re still here to support us in any way they can. From financial support to housing advise, or just someone to chat to outside of the chain of command or patch, they will continue to fight for us 365 days a year. Head to their website for more information or to get involved in their centenary celebrations www.britishlegion.org.uk A huge thank you to the RBL for sponsoring this podcast series. Without them it just wouldn’t be possible. This episode with Merry is a great one if you’re running your own business, and you are in need of some social media inspiration. It’s also chock full of useful information about the RBL, and I would definitely recommend heading to their website to see all of the amazing support they have on offer. I hope you enjoy this weeks episode.
050 : Nikki Scott

050 : Nikki Scott

2021-09-1737:24

Hello you lovely lot, and welcome to todays episode with the wonderful Nikki from the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers. Its an emotional one today, but a very important episode that I think you will all gain a lot from, but first, a message from the RBL. The Royal British Legion have been the national champions of Remembrance for 100 years , but they are about much more than just poppies. They’re here 365 days a year to support us and our families. Whether it’s helping to ease the transition for your family into civilian life with finance and employment advice from their teams of experts, or helping get your business off the ground, they’ve got your back. Visit their website rbl.org.uk for more information. And a thank you to the Legion for sponsoring this podcast. It wouldn’t be possible without them. So today I have been chatting to Nikki, Scotty’s Little Soldiers charity founder, and widow of Corporal Lee Scott. Scotty’s supports all bereaved British Forces children,  from all services, and is an amazing project. As you can imagine the interview that follows does mention death and repatriation. A huge thank you to Nikki for sharing such a personal story with me. 
049 : Emma Henderson

049 : Emma Henderson

2021-09-1031:10

Welcome to the second episode in this series of the InDependent Spouse. Today I have been talking to a wonderful charity founder who flipped the adversity of the pandemic into a project that has helped thousands of front-line healthcare workers across the country. Project Wingman took flight at the start of the pandemic, providing specialist VIP lounges, run by grounded airline staff to provide first class service for front line NHS workers. What follows is a fascinating interview that looking behind the scenes at the airline industry and the difference a good idea, at the right time can make. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Independent Spouse.
048 : Emma Gray

048 : Emma Gray

2021-09-0345:14

  Today I've been chatting to my wonderful friend Emma Gray from Rainbow Hunting Moments.   Emma shares her very personal story about the death of her Royal Marine husband and the changes felt by her and her young family. We also discuss the kinds of legal set-up we should all consider when contemplating end of life care.   A huge thank you to the wonderful Emma for sharing her story. I really hope you enjoy this first episode of the new series.
Time for something a little different. Jess, host of The InDependent Spouse was asked to be a guest on the Give Us Time podcast series and what follows is the complete episode. Give Us Time is a charity that offers free holidays to the military community, to help us connect with our serving partners and have quality time together as a family. Huge thanks to Give Us Time for allowing us to share this episode.
046 : Sarah Hulyer

046 : Sarah Hulyer

2020-11-2022:27

Today I have been talking to the wonderful Sarah from Blooms from the base.  This last episode of series four is a very positive episode that will have you dreaming of Spring! It's going to bring you an awful lot of happiness, especially at this time of year when the weather is looking a little bit miserable.  It's another great example of when military life gets a bit much and  if you are about to experience deployment it is defiantly a good one for you that might inspire you to get your teeth into a new project!
045 : Helen Massy

045 : Helen Massy

2020-11-1318:26

Today I have been chatting to the lovely Helen, who created Career Pursuit, a guide especially for all military spouses all over the world. It helps you gain clarity on your career  or in which way you might want to take your business. It is an amazing guide, chock full of information and you should definitely go and have a look. The following interview explains why she started it, and the sorts of information you can find in the guide.  Thank you to Helen for all of your hard work creating this epic resource!
044 : Chris Keen

044 : Chris Keen

2020-11-0621:50

Today I have been talking to the very lovely Chris Keen from The Military Husband, BFBS and #SpouseHour. We talk all things 'military husband' and how that can impact on life, but also the positives around re-writing the way that military spouses and partners are represented. This is a great episode if you are a parent, or looking for a new perspective on Armed Forces life!
043 : Nadine Monks

043 : Nadine Monks

2020-10-2823:26

Today I have been talking to the lovely Nadine from Forces Family Finance! Nadine is one of those amazing business owners who has worked really hard to build one of those profitable businesses that can pay her a salary. It supports her family, it works really well with military life - but it's been tough, she's had to grow it with three tiny children around her ankles, but she has done so well! So this episode is chock full of tips if you are a mum starting in business, or you have your own small children that you need to look after, so I really hope you enjoy this episode.
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