The Milspo Life Blog

Ahead of Remembrance Day, many of us pause to honour the incredible sacrifice made by our Armed Forces. For military families, however, this is also a time for reflection. That's why we've chosen to re-release one of the most poignant and important episodes of The InDependent Spouse podcast: my interview with the inspirational founder of Scotty's Little Soldiers, Nikki Scott. This is a powerful story of turning unimaginable loss into an epic legacy of hope. While it covers difficult topics like grief and the challenges of military life , it is ultimately a testament to the brilliance of the [...]

Welcome to the final episode of Series 7! This week, I’m joined by Bekky, a Navy wife, mum of three, and a graduate from the Milspo Business Start-Up course. Bekky shares her incredible journey from feeling lost and lonely as a new military partner to building her own thriving business, The Crafty Starfish.  We discuss the unique challenges military spouses face, such as frequent moves, deployments, and the general chaos of service life, and how she overcame them to create a business that is uniquely her own.Join us to hear Bekky share her inspiring story of overcoming the loneliness [...]

Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse Podcast! In this episode, your host Jess Sands dives into the inspirational world of Major Jo Vann – a true multi-hyphenate who redefines what it means to juggle military life, motherhood, and a thriving business. Jo is not only working full-time in the British Army with a serving husband and two children, but she also runs a stunning boutique hotel in Amesbury called "A Little Place." Jess was lucky enough to visit this beautiful Georgian property, which she describes as something out of a Jane Austen novel. In this conversation, Jo shares how [...]

Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse podcast! In this particularly exciting episode, Jess Sands sits down with the brilliant Felicity Mercer, wife to Johnny Mercer, who has navigated the unique challenges of armed forces life, the intense world of politics, and is now an award-winning business owner.  We cover it all, from meeting Johnny Mercer (MP and former Minister for State for Veterans Affairs) as children, reconnecting as adults when he was serving in Afghanistan, to supporting him through a whirlwind political career. Felicity shares candid insights into the realities of being a political wife – far from glamorous [...]

Join Jess Sands in this inspiring episode of The InDependent Spouse as she welcomes the incredible duo behind the award-winning podcast, Pad Wives Assemble – Sophs and Kirsha! Tune in as they dive into the realities of modern military life, discussing everything from building a supportive tri-service community to challenging outdated stereotypes about military spouses. Sophs and Kirsha share their journey of creating Pad Wives Assemble, born from a desire to provide a fun, safe, and inclusive space for armed forces families to connect and feel heard, with a few giggles along the way. They open up about overcoming [...]

Welcome back to The InDependent Spouse, and get ready for authentic stories and amazing inspiration from the military family! In this candid chat, Jess sits down with the incredible Lady Caitlin Knighton, wife of the Chief of the Air Staff and a brilliant family lawyer. If you've ever felt the squeeze of balancing military life with family and work, this episode is for you. Lady Knighton shares her journey of "muddling through" the rollercoaster of armed forces life, offering invaluable tips for navigating the unpredictability and finding your footing, even when you don't know where you'll be living next! [...]

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; [...]

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.

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!

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 hope you enjoy this new episode.

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 interviewing Fiona instantly asked what her husband did, rather than about her. So it gives me great pride to be able to focus on her story, which is just as fascinating. Author [...]

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 community and connect, help and inspire each other.   Starting in Leuchars, there are now 7 operational hubs (sadly closed due to COVID) with plenty more planned.   I really hope you enjoy this first episode [...]

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. 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 while we've been locked down. New Episodes have been recorded with the lovely Sarah Stone from the co-working hubs, Artist Hannah Shergold, Author Fiona Stanford and of course the COVID response episode with the fab Georgie [...]

Hello you lovely lot, it’s the last episode of series 3 today, and this time I have been talking to the completely inspirational Dr. Emma Egging, from the Jon Egging Trust. On 20th August 2011, Flt Lt Jon Egging lost his life whilst completing a display at the Bournemouth Air Festival. He was coming to the end of his first year flying with the Red Arrows – his wife Emma was watching. Emma, along with Jons mum and friends launched the Jon Egging Trust, a charity that supports struggling children to reach their full potential. The charity website describes [...]

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 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 you are wondering how you might have a family and a business whilst living this military life, especially if your partner is looking at shared paternity [...]

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 wife. It was in 2019, when going through deployment that Charlotte started to share even more of her life – how the deployment affected her son, who was 2 at the time, and [...]

Today I have been talking to the wonderful Louise from Hidden Valley Bushcraft. Hidden Valley Bushcraft has gone from a tiny 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 and uses the woodland for his own mental health, as well as encouraging Veterans to join him with the Warrior Programme, now supported by the Endeavour Fund and the Duke of Sussex who I have heard is a big fan. [...]

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 with business support that can help you in your own business, especially if you're just starting off. I really hope you enjoy episode 27! [...]

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 hope you enjoy it.

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 how to add a charitable arm to commercial sales - I really hope you enjoy this episode!

'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, any materials on hand were used as makeshift pads due to having no money left to buy suitable period pads. Use of these makeshift pads mixed with a [...]

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 small, yet significant changes using the knowledge gained at DR ME workshops to increase their resistance to disease. DR ME presents workshops in both education and corporate environments. Having seen first [...]

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 really hope you enjoy this episode. It's a great introduction to the course and is full of handy tips for your own social media.

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, the importance of the military patch and why the spouse is the glue that holds the Armed Forces community together.

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!

I am back, for Series 3 with the wonderful Suzy Olivier from Mothers of Enterprise. Suzy is an RAF wife and multi-business owner, newly posted to Cyprus, whose mission is to change the mindset of mothers in business. Her company, Mothers of Enterprise, supports women to help implement lasting change and success in their businesses. This episode is chock full of inspirational mindset tips to help you build a successful business, and takes a look into her own military life. I really hope you enjoy the start of Series 3.

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 Movement project. We spoke about my mums' Multiple Sclerosis and my own military life has affected me but how it has ultimately pushed me forward to create The InDependent [...]