The InDependent Spouse Podcast with Jess Sands

Hello you lovely lot and welcome back to another inspirational episode, this week I have been talking to Phoebe from Off the Patch. We talk a lot about setting up a business and the challenges you can face doing that, how she managed to launch a start-up during a difficult pregnancy and her husband was deployed and the similarities between a new business and a new baby. This is a great episode if...

Hello you lovely lot, and welcome back to the InDependent Spouse – the voice of inspirational people doing amazing things, who also happen to be married to serving Armed Forces personnel. Today, in episode 30, I am talking to the completely lovely blogger and social media influencer Charlotte. Charlotte started her Instagram account back in 2018 depicting her daily life as a mum, illustrator and w...

Hello you lovely lot, welcome back to the independent spouse podcast Today I have been talking to the wonderful Louise from Hidden Valley Bushcraft. Hidden Valley Bushcraft has gone from a small idea, and has grown organically to what it is today - an award-winning company. Louise and her husband Nick run the company out of passion and a little bit of necessity – Ex-marine Nick has complex PTSD an...

Hello you lovely lot, welcome back to The InDependent Spouse podcast series. This week I am very proud to share with you my chat with the completely amazing Scott, from Veteran Owned UK. Veteran Owned UK is a massive online community - but don't be put off, it's not just for those Veterans, it's also for us! The military spouses and partners in business. This interview is perfect for January. It's...

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 supporting their spouses. It's also packed full w...

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 if you're running your own business so I really ho...

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 giving back, so you'll learn a lot about year one and...

'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 were putting their family's needs before their own,...

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 become their own doctor with the implementation of...

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 military spouses the tools to do just that. I real...

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 world. We talk about her fantastic exhibition, th...

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, Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud or wherever you fin...

I know how you are all eagerly awaiting the start of series 3 so I just wanted to give you a little update on the podcast. It's my great pleasure to let you know Series 3 will be launching on the 9th September – and it's going to be an amazing series! But while you're waiting I thought I should tell you all about a very exciting online event that you can sign up to straight away. The first Virtual...

Today I've been talking to the wonderful Pollyanna Charnley from The BeGlad Movement. In the BeGlad Movement Polly interviews inspiring people who have experienced terrible things but have found a way to move forward and she hopes that by sharing the stories of others it can help those who might still be struggling. I first met Polly when I was invited to be interviewed as part of the BeGlad Movem...

Today I am talking to the completely amazing Alecia. If you've been watching Heist on Sky One you will probably recognise Alecia as the no-nonsense talking, highly skilled detective, but there's so much more to this military spouse than that. In this very open interview, Alecia shares her experiences of working as a police constable whilst her husband was deployed and how PTSD has affected their l...

Today I've been chatting to some amazing women who have founded Strength Behind the Strong. Sharon, Emma and Vanessa are from the very first Military Wives Choirs in the BBC television show, The Choir with Gareth Malone. Together with a number of other military wives they volunteered their time and worked together to create the charity The Military Wives Choirs Foundation. A legacy of the success...

Today I have been talking to Jo Milmine from Shiny Bees. Jo is a former RAF Aerospace Battle Manager who turned her love of knitting into a multi-award-winning podcast series. Since August 2012 Jo has hosted the Shiny Bees podcast, a show about knitting and yarn mixed with snippets of Jo's life and a lot of comedy goodness Originally started as a hobby to fill her time during a posting to Africa J...

Today I have been talking to Mindy from Asali . Lincolnshire-based Asali create beautiful goods from genuine leather that are not only perfect for aviation fan, but are also helping out some well-loved charities. All of the Asali's military product have an RAF aircraft on them - from the majestic Spitfire through to the Typhoon – and everyone single one is officially licensed by the Ministry Of D...

Today I have been talking to Grace, founder of the Rainbow Tree , blogger and children's author. Her cross curricular art book, 'Potty About Pots; Arts & Crafts For Home And School' , is written for 4-12 year olds and meanders her way through the history of ceramics in a fun and simple way for children. Trained in the London art world, she worked for an International Art Consultant and Bonham's Au...

Today I've been chatting to Heather from the brilliant Forces Wives Challenge. Heather herself served in the regular army for 10 years and was deployed on operations, exercises and led expeditions throughout the world. She now experiences military life from the other side of the fence and is keen to give military wives the same exciting challenges and sense of belonging that she experienced whilst...

Today I'm talking to the wonderful Amy Nolan from Ginger Rainbow . Amy is a creative business owner who produces her colouring in gifts, cards and illustrations from her married quarters in Gloucestershire. Inspired by military life her colouring in pillow cases sprung from an idea she had whilst her husband was deployed to Afghanistan. Since then the idea has grown into a fully-fledged business,...

This week I have been talking to Jo Lomax, the inspirational founder of Huggable Heroes . Jo and her team produce personalised Huggable Heroes for those suffering from anxiety or separation. Inspired by her own experiences as a wife of a Marine, Jo started the company in 2015 and now helps all sorts of families with her Huggable Heroes. They are for children who are in hospital, for children with...

Welcome to The InDependent Spouse Series 2! In this new trailer for series 2 Jess, the founder of The InDependent Spouse tells you why The InDependent Spouse started, a little bit about the new series and how you can help. This whole series is dedicated to a very special person. Kim Debling. Kim was an RAF officer who grew her own inspiring creative business and was due to be interviewed by me las...

Welcome to The InDependent Spouse Series 2! In this new trailer for series 2 Jess, the founder of The InDependent Spouse tells you why The InDependent Spouse started and a little bit about the new series. Don't forget to subscribe, write a review, watch the new YouTube Vlog series, and head over to www.theindependentspouse.co.uk to see how it can help your 'magnolia wall life' business. Connect wi...

Today there's something a little different for you. I've realised that as the series has progressed you're probably interested in the story behind the podcast series and a little bit about me. Today I am sharing my own story - why I started The InDependent Spouse and how I launched my own business, Design Jessica. The InDependent Spouse podcast was born from a need to hear something new. A need to...