The Independent Mom

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 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 [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1822129/sites/170770632504510223/ub33JG] Website: https://www.gearingtogether.com/ [https://www.gearingtogether.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GearingTogether [https://www.youtube.com/@GearingTogether] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-mike/ [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/ [https://arielledeane.com] Join my free Stock Trading Webinar: https://arielledeane.com/session [https://arielledeane.com/session]

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 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 [https://arielledeane.com/session]

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 [ https://the-independent-mom.kit.com/6f56bbee7a] 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 [https://the-independent-mom.kit.com/6f56bbee7a] and join the session. Podcast Links: * Connect with Arielle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/] * Instagram: @theindependentmom⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/theindependentmom/ [https://www.instagram.com/theindependentmom/] * Website: www.arielledeane.com [http://www.arielledeane.com]

67. Stock Market Uncertainty Explained: Tariffs, Interest Rates, and Smart Investing for 2025

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 [https://calendly.com/independentmom/chat]

66. Honoring Rachel Luna: Embracing Life's Uncertainties and the Power of Gratitude

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/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielledeane/] * Instagram: @theindependentmom⁠⁠ RATE, REVIEW, and SHARE the podcast