Episode 5, Rebuilding a Career Abroad: Identity, Resilience, and Starting Over with Sonia Burton

Episode 8, Expat Partner Coach Emma Somerville on Thriving Abroad

In the Season 1 finale of Wives, host Rosamaria Mancini sits down with expat partner coach Emma Somerville to talk about the emotional and practical realities of relocating abroad as a spouse. After moving from Dubai to Pakistan, and now Kenya, Emma shares how she navigated career disruption, identity shifts, loneliness, and the pressure many accompanying partners feel to “hold everything together.” But this conversation isn’t just about the challenges. It’s packed with practical advice for women trying to rebuild confidence, create purpose, and make life work for themselves too. Key takeaways * Why the first few weeks after relocation should be treated as “low-capacity weeks” * Why making friends abroad feels harder as an adult — and how to do it anyway * The importance of creating a “portable passion” that moves with you * How to stop tying your self-worth to productivity * Why underemployment can sometimes feel worse than not working at all * How to communicate resentment and unmet needs before they damage a relationship * Why your wellbeing directly impacts your children, marriage, and your partner’s assignment success Emma also explains the surprising research behind expat partner wellbeing and why organizations still aren’t doing enough to support accompanying spouses. Resources & Links Emma Somerville is an expat partner coach, positive psychology practitioner, yoga teacher, mum, and founder of The Zestie Life. She helps accompanying partners build confidence, rediscover purpose, and create fulfilling lives abroad. Connect with Emma: Instagram: @thezestielife Email: emma@zestie.org [emma@zestie.org] Website: https://zestie.carrd.co/ [https://zestie.carrd.co/]

Episode 7, Leaving the Dental Chair Behind with Allie Hanna

In this episode of Wives, host Rosamaria Mancini sits down with Allie Hanna, a dental hygienist whose life and career took a turn after relocating to Germany to support her husband’s military career. Allie shares the emotional realities of putting a career on pause, navigating unemployment overseas, and rebuilding her professional identity in a completely different role within healthcare administration. From canceling a wedding to move abroad, to finding purpose and community in a small military town, Allie offers an honest perspective on resilience, personal growth, and accepting uncertainity. Key Takeaways * Leaving a career behind can feel emotional and disorienting * Success evolves over time * Spouse employment overseas is challenging * Community makes a difference and building connections helped adjust to life in Germany Resources & Links Contact Allie on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/allie_hannah27/] If you enjoyed this episode of Wives, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more listeners discover these important conversations. www.wivespodcast.com [http://www.wivespodcast.com]  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wivespodcast/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583472707579] #militaryspouse #careertransformation #resilience #personalgrowth #reinventyourself #lifetransitions #supportandsacrifice #womenempowerment

Episode 6, Military Moves & McNuggets: Reinventing Life Abroad with Tamala Malerk

In this episode of Wives, host Rosamaria Mancini sits down with writer, editor, and historian Tamala Malerk to explore what it really means to build a life around constant change. From earning her PhD while moving across countries to redefining success and identity abroad, Tamala shares an honest and fun look at love, sacrifice, and self-discovery. Along the way, she reflects on turning writing into both therapy and a career, the tension between academic ambition and a mobile life, and what it takes to redefine fulfillment on your own terms. She also highlights the ongoing search for identity beyond job titles and even weighs in on a “serious” global ranking of McDonald’s chicken nuggets. This episode is a reminder that identity isn’t fixed, and that sometimes, the detours shape us more than the plan ever could. Key Takeaways * Identity evolves, especially through major life transitions * Career paths don’t have to be linear to be meaningful * Communication is essential in relationships that require sacrifice * Fulfillment often requires redefining success on your own terms * Creativity can become a lifeline during uncertain times Resources & Links Contact Tamala on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamala-malerk-ph-d-5749b999/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.tamala/] If you enjoyed this episode of Wives, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more listeners discover these important conversations. www.wivespodcast.com [http://www.wivespodcast.com]  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wivespodcast/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583472707579]

Episode 5, Rebuilding a Career Abroad: Identity, Resilience, and Starting Over with Sonia Burton

What happens when you follow your partner across countires, and your career doesn’t follow as easily? In this episode, Rosamaria Mancini speaks with Sonia Burton, a researcher and evaluator who has built her career across the UK and the U.S., only to face unexpected professional barriers after relocating to the Netherlands. Sonia shares the emotional and practical realities of navigating career disruption, maintaining a sense of identity without formal employment, and finding meaningful ways to stay engaged when you love data. This is an honest conversation about ambition, adaptability, and redefining success when life takes a different turn.  Key Takeaways ·      A career pause doesn’t erase your identity ·      Staying engaged matters ·      There’s no single “right” way to navigate this phase ·       Preparation is powerful ·      This time can reshape priorities ·      This chapter isn’t the end—it’s a transition Resources & Links Contact Sonia on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-b-57629265/] and Facebook. [https://www.facebook.com/sonia.burton.7399] If you enjoyed this episode of Wives, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review — it helps more listeners discover these important conversations. www.wivespodcast.com [http://www.wivespodcast.com]  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wivespodcast/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583472707579]   #militaryspouse #careertransformation #resilience #personalgrowth #reinventyourself #lifetransitions #supportandsacrifice #womenempowerment

Episode 4, From Expat Dream to Identity Shift: Rebuilding a Career Abroad with Nathalie Stork

What happens when a short-term career move turns into a lifelong commitment, and your identity shifts along the way? In this episode, host Rosamaria Mancini sits down with Nathalie Stork, an IT consultant, expat, and military spouse who shares her journey from a planned three-month work assignment in Germany to building a life and family in Europe. Nathalie opens up about the realities of putting her career on pause, raising a child abroad without a strong support system, navigating cultural differences, and eventually finding her way back into the workforce after years away. This honest conversation explores the emotional and practical challenges many women face when their partner’s career takes priority, and what it takes to find themselves again. Key Takeaways * It's not always easy to see the long-term impact of big life decisions in the moment. * Isolation abroad can be one of the hardest parts of expat life, especially without a support system. * Taking a career break can affect confidence more than capability. * Communication in relationships is critical, especially when roles shift over time. * It’s never too late to return to your career, but staying connected to your field helps. * Don’t underestimate your value when re-entering the workforce: ask for what you’re worth. * Balance isn’t something you find once, it’s something you continually adjust. Resources & Links Follow Nathalie on Facebook here [https://www.facebook.com/nathalie.lindquist] If you enjoyed this episode of Wives, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review, it helps more listeners discover these important conversations. www.wivespodcast.com [http://www.wivespodcast.com]  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/wivespodcast/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583472707579]   #militaryspouse #careertransformation #resilience #personalgrowth #reinventyourself #lifetransitions #supportandsacrifice #womenempowerment