The Independent Mom

Arielle

What if we reframed the labels? What if, you’re not a single mom or a working mom, you’re an INDEPENDENT MOM! Welcome to The Independent Mom Podcast, where we want you to own your finances, reimagine your motherhood, and live a wealthy life, with or without a partner. Each week, join Arielle Deane as she shares her story and the stories of other moms on their own financial and motherhood journeys. Whether you're just starting out on your money journey or you're well on your way to financial freedom, this show will inspire and equip you to not only build wealth but to live a wealthy life.

  1. Apr 30

    70. Unlearning Hustle: Why Real Wealth Starts With Leading Yourself First

    If you've been running on empty and calling it productivity, this episode is for you. This week, I sit down with Sophia Mikelionis, founder of Gearing Together, for a raw and refreshing conversation about burnout — what it really is, why so many high-achieving women (especially women of color and working moms) are quietly living in it, and what it actually takes to come back to yourself. Spoiler: it's not a spa day. In this episode, we cover: → Why burnout isn't just exhaustion — it's a misalignment between your energy and your values → Sophia's personal experience climbing the corporate ladder and hitting a wall she couldn't ignore → The tiny habits that helped her reconnect with herself — and that she now teaches her clients → How to spot the early warning signs of burnout before it takes over (including one question you should be able to answer every week) → What self-leadership really means — and why you can't pour into others until you have your own non-negotiables in place A few signs you might be closer to burnout than you think: You romanticize how busy you areYou feel emotionally flat, even when good things happenYou can't name one thing you've done for yourself this weekSophia's approach is practical, compassionate, and deeply grounded — this is the kind of conversation that makes you want to pause, reflect, and make one small change today. Connect with Sophia: Join her challenge: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1822129/sites/170770632504510223/ub33JG Website: https://www.gearingtogether.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GearingTogether LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-mike/ Key Takeaways: Burnout is a misalignment of energy and values, not just stress or fatigueSelf-sacrifice has limits — long-term, it pulls you away from yourselfSmall, consistent habits are more sustainable than waiting for a big life resetYou have to lead yourself before you can truly lead anyone elseReal self-care means making choices that align with who you actually are#Burnout #SelfCare #SelfLeadership #WomenOfColor #WorkingMoms #MentalHealth #PersonalDevelopment #TheIndependentMomPodcast Connect with Arielle Website: https://arielledeane.com/ Join my free Stock Trading Webinar: https://arielledeane.com/session

  2. Apr 16

    69. Is It Dangerous… or Just New? A Framework for Making Better Decisions

    A conversation on fear, decision-making, and why high-achieving women often misread risk when building wealth In this episode of The Independent Mom, I’m sharing a framework I’ve been reflecting on deeply in this new season of business and life. For a long time, I made decisions based on whether something felt uncomfortable. But I’ve learned that discomfort isn’t one thing—and when we misinterpret it, we can either stay stuck or miss opportunities for growth. In this episode, I break down three types of discomfort: Danger: when something truly threatens your stability or safetyUnfamiliarity: when something feels uncomfortable simply because it’s newMisalignment: when something doesn’t actually fit your life or goalsLearning to distinguish between these has completely shifted how I make decisions—especially around money, growth, and building wealth as a high-achieving woman and mom. We also talk about how this shows up in financial decisions and why what often feels “risky” is actually just unfamiliar. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to tell the difference between danger, unfamiliarity, and misalignmentWhy high-achieving women often misread fear as a warning signHow this impacts decisions around money and wealth-buildingA new way to approach uncertainty with more clarity and confidenceReady to go deeper? If part of you has been wanting to explore new ways of building wealth, and you’ve been curious about stock trading but aren’t sure whether it’s actually risk or simply unfamiliar… I go deeper into this inside my free webinar. I break down what trading actually is, what it isn’t, and how to approach it in a grounded, strategic way so you can start building wealth with more clarity and confidence. https://arielledeane.com/session

  3. 09/18/2025

    68. Thank Your Younger Self: Reflecting on Building Financial Safety Nets, Shifting Mindset, and Redefining Wealth

    What would it look like if you thanked your younger self instead of judging her? What if the choices you made years ago were actually gifts to your future self?  In this heartfelt episode of The Independent Mom, I share reflections inspired by my time at Patrice Washington’s Redefining Wealth Live—a transformational event that pushed me to revisit how I’ve built my life, career, and finances over the last five years. This isn’t just about money—it’s about how we honor our past choices, embrace our growth, and create a financial safety net that gives us the freedom to rest, reimagine, and redefine what success looks like. Inside the episode, I walk through: The power of writing a letter to your younger self—and why gratitude is more healing than judgment.How I built financial safety nets that gave me the courage to take a sabbatical, leave corporate, and eventually launch my own business.The mindset shifts that helped me move from corporate exhaustion to entrepreneurial freedom.Why money, mindset, and mission are the three pillars that every woman needs to create lasting financial independence.This episode is your reminder that the choices you’re making today are future gifts to yourself. I’m hosting a Safety Net Setup Session next week! If you’re curious about how to create your own plan to step away from work without financial stress, click the link to register and join the session. Podcast Links: Connect with Arielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/Instagram: @theindependentmom⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/theindependentmom/Website: www.arielledeane.com

  4. 07/24/2025

    64: What if Your Finances Were Just an Experiment with Wealth Coach Jacenta Wamala

    In this episode, financial coach Jacenta Wamala joins the show to share her refreshing approach to building wealth—one rooted in experimentation, mindset shifts, and the power of possibility. Together, we explore how Jacenta encourages people to treat their finances like an experiment, seeing missteps not as failures but as data points that help guide the next step. She talks about the critical role of mindset, ownership, faith, and systems in moving from financial stress to financial strategy. Throughout the episode, Jacenta also shares stories of her students’ successes, how she transitioned from therapist to entrepreneur, and how motherhood shapes her views on risk, investing, and legacy. Whether you’re just getting started or reevaluating your current financial path, this conversation will inspire you to trust yourself, test new strategies, and stay resilient as you build the life you want. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 00:30 – The Turning Point: A Christmas Gift and Net Worth Reality 02:53 – Starting the Journey to Financial Freedom 07:33 – Mindset Shifts and Financial Strategies 11:46 – Challenges, Change, and Ownership 19:20 – Client Stories and Breakthroughs 26:46 – From Therapist to Entrepreneur 33:09 – Launching Her Community and Course 34:09 – Understanding Risk and Growth 37:16 – The Role of Faith in Finances 39:31 – Busting Financial Myths 46:28 – Investing with Clarity 49:35 – Motherhood, Money, and the Bigger Picture56:17 – Rapid Fire Questions and Wrap-Up Connect with Jacenta Wamala Website: https://www.wamalawellness.com/financial-freedom-acceleratorInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacentwamala/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacent-wamala-aa8baa194/ Podcast Links Connect with Arielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/Instagram: @theindependentmomWebsite: www.arielledeane.com

  5. 07/17/2025

    63. What to Do When You’re Starting Over Financially With Coach Kiera Speed

    What happens when your life turns upside down overnight—divorce, single motherhood, pandemic? For Kiera Speed, it became the wake-up call she didn’t know she needed. This week on the podcast, we welcome Kiera Speed, a certified financial coach who paid off over $40,000 in debt and founded Money Empowered. Kiera shares her journey to financial stability, how she overcame mindset barriers related to money, and the importance of both practical money management and emotional aspects of financial health. This episode is for every mom who's ever felt unsure about her financial future—and wants to feel empowered to change it. In this episode, we discuss: The emotional and financial aftermath of a sudden divorce The mindset shifts required to start investing (even if you feel intimidated!) How your early money beliefs may still be shaping your decisions today Why budgeting isn’t about restriction—it’s about permission How to go from big dreams to actual financial plans, one step at a time The role of financial coaching in helping women create freedom on their own terms Whether you're just starting your money journey or trying to take the next big leap, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and motivated to take action. Connect With Kiera Speed Website: http://www.moneyempowered.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/Money_Empowered Podcast Links Connect with Arielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/Instagram: @theindependentmom⁠⁠Website: www.arielledeane.com Listen in each week and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW, and SHARE the podcast

5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

What if we reframed the labels? What if, you’re not a single mom or a working mom, you’re an INDEPENDENT MOM! Welcome to The Independent Mom Podcast, where we want you to own your finances, reimagine your motherhood, and live a wealthy life, with or without a partner. Each week, join Arielle Deane as she shares her story and the stories of other moms on their own financial and motherhood journeys. Whether you're just starting out on your money journey or you're well on your way to financial freedom, this show will inspire and equip you to not only build wealth but to live a wealthy life.