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 ...
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069 : Jess Sands - Building a Business Around the Juggle of Armed Forces Family Life
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52:47
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Emma Gray hosts this very special episode blending business and military life, sharing Jess' journey as a business owner, military spouse, and new mum. Jess Sands founded the Milspo Network CIC in 2018 to support military spouses in business, offering networking, training, and community - but, it's been far from a smooth ride. Get to know Jess and …
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068 : Scottish Veterans Commissioner, Lieutenant Commander (retired) Susie Hamilton.
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https://www.scottishveteranscommissioner.org Jess Sands hosts a podcast on business and military life, aiming to inspire military spouses to become entrepreneurs. In this episode, she interviews Susie, the Scottish Veterans Commissioner, who emphasises support for women veterans and bereaved families. The discussion highlights the gap between polic…
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067 : Mia Harrington - Founder Handleys Stitch
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Handleys Stitch - https://www.handleysstitch.co.uk Mia Harrington, a former Air Force Officer and current RAF wife, is the founder of Handly Stitched Soft Furnishings. Mia's journey from the military to creating curtains, blinds, lampshades, and cushion covers is inspiring, and a must-listen if you're in year one or have an idea for your business. …
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066: Helen Willamson - Financial Planner, Veteran & Milspo
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Jess Sands, a business owner and military spouse, hosts the InDependent Spouse Podcast, offering support to business-owning military spouses. In a recent episode, she interviewed Helen Williamson, a financial planner and ex-RAF veteran, emphasising the importance of financial planning for military spouses and self-employed individuals. Helen shares…
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065: Lizzie York - Founder - Cyclical Soul
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Lizzie York is an RAF wife and business owner who runs Cyclical Soul, an online yoga platform promoting women's well-being. Cyclical Soul focuses on cyclical living and aligning with your hormonal cycle to enhance your overall health and self-care, and this episode is chock full of handy tips to achieve that, even if you feel you have limited time …
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064: Emily Bailey - Founder - Just Tourism
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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. Welcome to the InDependent Spouse Podcast. Episode two of series six features Emily, a sustainable tourism consultant, discussing ways to make travel more eco-friendly. Emily is also the sustainability lead for F…
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063: Susan Bonnar - Founder - The British Craft House
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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. Welcome to the InDependent Spouse Podcast. Susan Bonner, a naval veteran and former military spouse, is a successful business owner of the British Craft House. Susan shares her own journey of starting her busines…
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062: The podcast is back! Could you be a guest?
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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 firs…
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061: What Choice Will You Make as a Milspo?
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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 discov…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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 mo…
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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 interv…
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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…
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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 suppor…
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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 t…
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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 …
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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’r…
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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 th…
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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 lo…
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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 wonder…
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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 …
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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 milit…
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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 inter…
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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 perspec…
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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 childr…
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Today I have been talking to Cat and Kirsty, over at the Dot Project. Cat and Kirsty are amazing business owners, mums and Army wives and this episode is full of positivity! A must listen if you are new to the military community. The Dot Project supports organisations across the social, public and education sector to be their digital best. I really…
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Today I've been talking to my lovely pal Dr Rosie, better known as Dr Rosanna Gilderthorp - Clinical Psychologist who's leading a movement of innovators to change the conversation about mental health. We talk all things hypnobirthing, psychological therapy and how on earth we get through military life and a pandemic. You are going to love this epis…
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Today I've been talking to the wonderful Sarah Walker from the free Supporting the Unsung Hero Business Start-Up course. The course is open to all members of the Armed Forces Community and gives easily digestible business advice to help you start your business.By Jess Sands
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Ever wondered what it's like to live through a Tsunami and under-water earthquake, well today's guest has done exactly that! Jessica is a Navy wife, mum and adventurer who's experienced some truly remarkable things whilst scuba-diving. I am very proud to be bringing you this episode as we re-start the series to highlight the huge range of stories f…
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I am moving house (again!) so sadly the podcast series is taking a little break. But, do not worry, there is still loads for you to get stuck into. Head to milspo.co.uk to find out about the weekly Milspo Meet-Ups, the monthly Virtual Networking, the online community and build a network you can take anywhere. Have the best summer and I'll speak to …
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This week's NEW podcast episode is with the wonderful Hannah Shergold. Winchester artist Hannah Shergold has a fascinating, albeit peculiar back story and is now one of the most successful self-representing artists in the UK. Since leaving the Armed Forces in April 2018 Hannah has hosted two solo exhibitions on London’s Pall Mall and within 15 mont…
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Hello you lovely lot, it’s time for a new episode of the podcast series and this week it’s with author Fiona Stanford. I think it’s safe to say that many of us have found ourselves a little bit in the shadows of our partners from time to time – especially if like Fiona, you are married to a 2-star general. In fact, everyone I told about interviewin…
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Hello you lovely lot, it’s back! Series 4 is here, and I am so pleased to be able to bring you the first episode with the fantastic Sarah Stone, founder of the Military Co-working Network. The Military Coworking Network is a community-run by and for military spouses. It is a place where we can share opportunities from the outside world with our com…
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Hello you lovely lot, I just thought it was time to give you a little update about the podcast series and when it will be back. Obviously, there has been a world load of changes since I announced the new series back in February – something that has affected the release of the podcast – however, there have been some exciting updates happening whilst…
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Hello you lovely lot, I hope you are well despite the very trying time we find ourselves in. I can’t quite believe that I am recording this during a national lock-down and a viral pandemic that is causing so much disruption. I hope that wherever you find yourself you and your loved ones are well. Series 4 wasn’t actually planned to start for a few …
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By Jess Sands
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By Jess Sands
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By Jess Sands
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By Jess Sands
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By Jess Sands
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Today I have been chatting to the wonderful Gems Collins! Gems has experienced military life in the UK growing up, and now, as the wife of a US serving member she is experiencing it all again - just stateside! This episode is a great look at the differences and similarities between our two countries and what we can learn from the US and how they're…
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Welcome to episode 8, of series 3, this time with the wonderful Gill, from Gillian Jones Designs. This episode is such a refreshing look at how important running a business can be. Gill faces physical challenges most days, but works flexibly within her business and incests in having a team around her. This episode is so inspirational and so useful …
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This week I have been chatting to the wonderful Andrea, from B's Clothing & Gifts. B's Clothing & Gifts is one of those companies that is run with an awful lot of love. Andrea creates some fab merchandise that is on-trend, innovative, and most importantly won't get you in hot water with the IP officers! She's very switched on about business and giv…
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024 : Alison Skipper, The Cariad Project JO
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'If you have an idea, or see a need - address it! Anyone can help a cause if they are passionate enough'. The Cariad Project JO was given life in 2019 by Alison Skipper. Alison moved to Jordan in 2018 taking up employment as a music teacher and volunteering with Loving Humanity UK. Whilst talking with urban refugee women she discovered that many we…
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Claire Willsher is the founder of DR ME, a qualified PE teacher, and wife of an RAF officer. Having worked in numerous schools throughout the UK and Europe she is passionate about educating people on the benefits of whole-body health. DR ME runs interactive workshops focusing on 4 key areas: Diet, Resilience, Mind, and Exercise (DR ME). People can …
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Welcome to Ep.4 of series 3, with the fabulous Jackie from #SMSpouses, a free, 12-week social media course for military spouses and partners. As we know, in this life, it can be difficult to find reliable work or build up professional skills between regular moves and deployments. Becoming a social media professional can help. This course is giving …
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Wendy Faux is the brains behind 'Not Just A Wife', a photography exhibition that aims to challenge the larger defence community in what they believe a military wife can achieve - and it's had some great reviews! Wendy comes from an experienced military background and the interview that she gave is packed full of passionate insight into her military…
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I am back with Ep2 of S3, and this time, it's with the Wonder Woman that is Mrs Jody Jones! This is one of the most inspirational episodes I have ever recorded. Jody Jones, Channel Swimmer, mummy, proud member of Military Wives Choirs, living with stage 4 cancer and amazing friend... I really hope you enjoy this episode! Head over to Apple Podcasts…
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