Welcome to another inspiring episode of The InDependent Spouse Podcast! In this episode, your host Jess Sands sits down with the phenomenal Ria Jackson, an RAF veteran, founder of "The V Word," and CEO of Inclusive Minds UK. Join us as Ria shares her extraordinary journey of self-discovery and resilience, and learn about her mission to champion neuro-inclusion.

Episode Highlights:

• A "Squiggly Career" in the RAF: Ria shares her 12-year journey in the military, starting as a mover and ultimately pivoting to become an avionic engineer on Typhoons. She discusses how her diverse experiences in the forces, including extensive travel, provided invaluable lessons and shaped her squiggly path.
  
  

• The Transition and Unexpected Challenges: Discover the personal reasons behind Ria's decision to leave the RAF at the 12-year mark, including finding her life partner and facing medical downgrades due to knee injuries. She bravely opens up about the struggles of finding a job while pregnant and how this led her unexpectedly into education.
  
  

• Unveiling Neurodivergence: Ria transparently shares her journey through mental health difficulties post-military and motherhood, which ultimately led to her diagnosis of ADHD and dyspraxia. This pivotal moment transformed her self-awareness into profound self-acceptance.
  
  

• The Birth of The V Word and Inclusive Minds UK: Learn how Ria's personal need for community and an outlet for expression led to the accidental creation of "The V Word," an online community for women veterans. She recounts the viral success of her blog post "The Odd One Out," which gained 1.5 million views, and how this platform, though initially an escapism, became her "saviour" and laid the groundwork for Inclusive Minds UK.
  
  

• The Power of Neuro-Inclusion: Ria passionately explains why neuro-inclusion matters to everyone, emphasizing the human need to belong and create spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves. She discusses the importance of meeting others with curiosity and kindness, fostering growth and understanding rather than conflict.
  
  

• The IM Hub: An Accessible Resource: Get an exclusive insight into Ria's new venture, "The IM Hub," a purpose-built platform designed to make learning about neuro-inclusion affordable and accessible for all – from parents and partners to managers and individuals who are "neuro-curious." She highlights the hub's unique shared model of influence, offering insights from professionals with lived, medical, and academic experience.
  
  

• Language, Identity, and Growth: Ria shares powerful anecdotes about the evolving landscape of language around neurodiversity and the importance of owning mistakes and continuously learning. She emphasizes that identity is personal and that true support comes from understanding the individual, not just their diagnosis.
  
  

About Ria Jackson:

Ria Jackson is an RAF veteran, the visionary founder of 'The V Word' (a women veterans online community), and the CEO of Inclusive Minds UK. Her work with Inclusive Minds UK is dedicated to normalising neuro-inclusion, creating safe and supportive environments where everyone can thrive.

Connect with Ria & Inclusive Minds UK: www.inclusivemindsuk.com

About The InDependent Spouse Podcast:

The InDependent Spouse podcast, hosted by Jess Sands, is your essential guide to navigating modern military life. It's a place for inspiration and support, sharing real stories of resilience and success from the armed forces family to remind you that you're not alone. What started as a passion project in 2018 has grown into a thriving business network, helping military spouses build their own businesses and find success that thrives in military life.

Connect with The InDependent Spouse: www.milspo.co.uk/podcast

Explore free tools, resources, and upcoming courses like the business startup course in September!

In this inspiring episode, host Jess Sands welcomes Lulu from the Marama Alliance, a vibrant community dedicated to supporting Fijian women and their families in the UK armed forces.

Lulu shares her personal journey of moving from Fiji to the UK as a military spouse, facing challenges like adapting to a new climate and navigating unfamiliar systems like working in the UK, opening bank accounts, and that pesky married quarter heating.

This episode highlights the incredible resilience and unity of the Fijian military community and the vital role Marama Alliance plays in helping these families thrive while preserving their rich cultural heritage.

Key Takeaways:

• The Power of Community: Discover how the Fijian community in the UK armed forces provides essential support, from helping new arrivals with practical needs like setting up a home to celebrating cultural events and offering emotional connection.
  
  

• Cultural Preservation & Integration: Learn about Marama Alliance's efforts to keep Fijian culture alive through initiatives like Fijian Language Week and community gatherings, while also encouraging integration into the wider UK society.
  
  

• Navigating the Unknown: Lulu candidly discusses the unique challenges faced by Commonwealth military spouses, particularly concerning immigration status, housing, and resettlement when leaving the military, emphasizing the importance of early preparation.
  
  

• The Importance of Expanding Your Network: Lulu encourages military spouses to connect beyond their immediate military or cultural communities to expand their networks, find job opportunities, and gain diverse perspectives.
  
  

• Advice for New Spouses: Lulu shares invaluable advice for new military spouses moving to a new country: keep an open mind, be flexible, and don't hesitate to ask questions – there are no silly questions.
  
  

About the Guest:

Lulu is a driving force behind the Marama Alliance, a non-profit community organization dedicated to supporting Fijian women and their families in the UK. The alliance provides crucial information, creates community, and helps members navigate the complexities of military life and integration in a new country. They are working towards establishing themselves as a charity to further expand their vital programs and initiatives.

Connect with Marama Alliance: https://www.maramaalliance.com/

About The InDependent Spouse Podcast:

The InDependent Spouse podcast, hosted by Jess Sands, is your essential guide to navigating modern military life. Jess shares inspirational stories of resilience and success from military partners, offering support and community for those juggling family, business, and finding their place in the military world.

Connect with The InDependent Spouse: https://milspo.co.uk/podcast

Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to The InDependent Spouse Podcast for more inspiring stories and support!

Welcome to The InDependent Spouse podcast, your go-to place for inspiration and support in navigating modern military life. In this episode, host Jess Sands sits down with the incredible Camilla Howard: an RAF veteran, an Army spouse, a forces child, and a dedicated advocate for the military spouse community.

After 12 years in the RAF, Camilla transitioned to a civilian career with Compass Group UK and Ireland. She details how her passion for supporting military families led her to co-chair Compass Group's Armed Forces network, a role that allows her to champion initiatives for spouses and veterans.

Listen along to discover:

• Camilla's personal anecdotes about the "interesting balance" of dual-serving military careers and raising a child amidst frequent moves.

• How Compass Group actively supports military spouses through their innovative yet simple spouses policy, including endeavoring to redeploy spouses on posting, celebrating an annual Spouses Day during Armed Forces Week, and offering an extra day of leave for deployment collection or drop-off.

• The importance of the Armed Forces network's advocacy roundtables, which bring together companies to share best practices and encourage more organizations to genuinely support the military community.

• Camilla's invaluable advice for military spouses navigating career transitions: "release the pressure valve on yourself", understand your "red line areas", and leverage your network.

• Why military spouses possess unique and highly beneficial skill sets that are an asset to any company.

Camilla emphasizes that the military community is not about "pity parties", but about highlighting the incredible talent and resilience within it.

If you're a corporate interested in starting your own Armed Forces network or learning more about Compass Group's initiatives, you can reach out via AFC@compass-group.co.uk

Discover More from The InDependent Spouse Podcast: https://milspo.co.uk/podcast/

Inspired by Camilla's journey and feeling that spark to build something for yourself? We get it. At Milspo, we're more than just a community; we're a supportive hub where military spouses, partners, and other-halves transform challenges into incredible business opportunities. You're not alone in navigating postings, deployments, or the unique rhythm of military life – we're right there with you.

If you're ready to move from feeling overwhelmed to empowered, and from isolated to connected, our website is your next step. It's the go-to place for inspiration, practical strategies, and genuine connections with others who truly understand. Stop feeling lost and start building a sustainable business that thrives, not just survives your modern military life. www.milspo.co.uk