The Independent Mom

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 are
• You feel emotionally flat, even when good things happen
• You can't name one thing you've done for yourself this week

Sophia'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 fatigue
• Self-sacrifice has limits — long-term, it pulls you away from yourself
• Small, consistent habits are more sustainable than waiting for a big life reset
• You have to lead yourself before you can truly lead anyone else
• Real 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

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 safety
• Unfamiliarity: when something feels uncomfortable simply because it’s new
• Misalignment: when something doesn’t actually fit your life or goals

Learning 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 misalignment
• Why high-achieving women often misread fear as a warning sign
• How this impacts decisions around money and wealth-building
• A new way to approach uncertainty with more clarity and confidence

Ready 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

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

The stock market is shifting fast—tariffs are making headlines, interest rates are in the spotlight, and inflation fears are creeping in. If you’ve been wondering how all of this impacts your money, this episode of The Independent Mom is your go-to guide.

I break down what tariffs mean for the stock market, how Federal Reserve interest rate decisions can affect your portfolio, and why market volatility doesn’t have to send you into panic mode. Drawing from real questions from my students, you’ll learn:

• How tariffs can ripple through the economy and your investments.
  
• The link between inflation, interest rates, and market performance.
  
• Why now is the best time to stay the course, and maximize your investing
  

Whether you’re just starting your investing journey or looking to refine your long-term wealth strategy, you’ll walk away with a clear understanding of what’s happening in the market—no matter what the headlines say.

🎧 Listen now and turn stock market uncertainty into opportunity.

Interested in Learning more about trading stocks: Schedule a Call to learn more: https://calendly.com/independentmom/chat

In this emotional episode I’m reflecting on the sudden passing of Rachel Luna, an inspiring coach and breast cancer survivor. I share my personal journey and the profound impact Rachel's teachings had on my life. I want us all to remember the importance of living each moment fully, expressing gratitude, and not putting off opportunities, as tomorrow is not guaranteed.

In this episode I am honoring Rachel's legacy and I encourage you to take actionable steps towards your goals and dreams today!

Podcast Links

• Connect with Arielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/

• Instagram: @theindependentmom⁠⁠

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Financial freedom gets all the hype — retire early, never work again, live off your investments. But what if that goal feels too far away?

In this solo episode, Arielle Deane shares why she’s shifted her focus to financial flexibility — the ability to create time, options, and breathing room without needing millions in the bank.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between financial freedom and financial flexibility

• Why flexibility can change your life now, even if freedom is years away

• Practical ways to build financial flexibility through investing, trading, and other income streams

• How flexibility lets you pause, pivot careers, and spend more time on what matters most

If the idea of early retirement feels unrealistic, this episode will help you find a more achievable path to time freedom, financial independence, and peace of mind.

Links & Resources:

• Follow me on Instagram → @theindependentmom

• Connect on LinkedIn → Arielle Deane

• Learn more about my stock trading course → Schedule a call

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

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.com

• Instagram:
• https://www.instagram.com/Money_Empowered

Podcast Links

• Connect with Arielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/
• Instagram: @theindependentmom⁠⁠
• Website: www.arielledeane.com

Listen in each week and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW, and SHARE the podcast

Have you been wondering what your next move should be? We often think it’s an overnight decision, but really it’s a journey and what my guest Tanisha Parrish has helped her clients do in moving from following success to really pursuing more significance. 

In this (Rewind) episode we discuss:

• The importance of noticing and following where your passion meets with positive feedback
• How Tanisha planned and prepared to take a 6 months sabbatical
• The big switch she noticed in her clients in moving from success to significance
• Why she believes you have to walk in faith towards the path God has for you, he won’t carry you.

And so much more…

Connect With Tanisha Parrish:

Website: ⁠www.lifeunderinnovation.com⁠

Linked In: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanishadrummer/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/coachdrummer/⁠

Connect with Arielle:

• Schedule an ⁠⁠introduction call⁠⁠: 
• Connect with us on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@theindependentmom⁠⁠⁠
• Email us at: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

Listen in each week and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW, and SHARE the podcast

If you're interested in learning more about how to make informed financial decisions, strategies for building wealth, and the role of debt in wealth creation, then this ‘oldie but goodie’ replay episode is a must-listen!

In this episode, I spoke with my guest, Cameron Rogers, formerly from Ellevest, now Partner at Angeles Wealth Management, about important insights and strategies for women to navigate the financial landscape. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Women and their money mindset
• The importance of debt as a wealth creation tool
• “Career Rewirement” and navigating the financial implications

And so much more…

Connect with Cameron

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-rogers-cfa-85768520/⁠

Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/camrogers33/⁠

Podcast Links 

• Connect with Arielle: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/⁠
• Instagram: ⁠@theindependentmom⁠⁠⁠
• Website: www.arielledeane.com

Listen in each week and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE, RATE, REVIEW, and SHARE the podcast