Wives with Rosamaria Mancini

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

Episode 3, Off Call: Pediatrician Shona Johnston Steps Away from Practice

Episode Summary What happens when a deeply rooted professional identity is put on hold? In this episode, Rosamaria Mancini sits down with Shona Johnston, a pediatric doctor who stepped away from her clinical career after nearly two decades in the UK to support her family’s move to the Netherlands. Shona shares her journey through grief, identity shifts, and the emotional complexity of leaving behind a vocation that defined her. From working in high-intensity hospital environments during COVID to navigating life abroad without practicing medicine, she opens up about loss, resilience, and redefining purpose. Key takeaways ·      Identity is not fixed - it evolves with life’s circumstances ·      It’s possible to hold two truths at once: gratitude and grief ·      Purpose can be rediscovered in unexpected ways ·      Letting go of a career path doesn’t erase your achievements ·      Having a sense of purpose is essential for well-being, especially in times of transition ·      Success can mean staying true to yourself—not just professional advancement  This is an honest conversation about ambition, sacrifice, and what it means to rebuild a sense of self when life takes a different turn.  Resources & Links Contact Shona at hello@drshonajohnstoncoaching.com [hello@drshonajohnstoncoaching.com] 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 #dancejourney #personalgrowth #reinventyourself #lifetransitions #supportandsacrifice #womenempowerment