Nancy Haines is recruiting women to take part in her newly released podcast exploring confidence, identity and the meaning of independence.
The Diary of an Independent Woman provides a platform for open discussion, and she is seeking participants who are willing to speak about their personal journeys.
Nancy said: “It always came up in conversation I was having with groups of women, about Independence, how it impacted them and how it served them, how it was hindering them, and I thought ‘There are all these women from different backgrounds that are carrying that same badge – why are we not talking about this?
“So, I decided this is going to be a podcast as a witness, taking people into these stories. We get so much thrown at us that sometimes we just want to have a conversation with somebody.”
Born in Los Angeles, she moved to the UK after spending several years in Dubai, where she relocated to support her husband’s professional opportunity.
“I met my husband in Los Angeles – a month later he said: “I am moving to Dubai; I got my dream job’. A year into the relationship I left my HR consultancy business behind, sold everything and took a leap of faith,” she said.
“After five years there, I moved to the UK.”
Her relocation prompted a reassessment of independence within marriage and partnership.
“Absolutely,” she said. “It is misinformation that now you are married, you lose your independence. Absolutely not – when you are with the right person, each identity gets to grow, and you nurture each other.
“But it is that independence that you get to define. What does that look like for you?”
She also describes how relying on her husband during the move affected her confidence and challenged her long-held beliefs about self-sufficiency.
“I was earning way more than my husband when I first met him – I had never relied on a man.
“I found myself having to rely on him in a country I did not know and where he was already established. I have worked since I was 12, that’s how independent I am, that I started working at 12 so my parents didn’t have to worry about me,” she said.
“And that, for the ego, was the biggest blocker. It knocked my confidence because in that moment I realised my value is tied to how much I earn – but it shouldn’t be.”
Her coaching practice and podcast both aim to encourage discussion about self-worth beyond financial success and social expectations.
The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Player FM and PodBean.
To take part, contact [email protected].