Military Family Life

In this month’s episode we are speaking with the Ombudsman for the Department of National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces, Mario Baril. In our conversation we talk about the scope of his role, how the Ombudsman’s office can support Military family members, and some of the tools and resources that have been created by his team. Mr. Baril also tells us what he has learned about - and from - Milita...

In this episode we are speaking with Amy Doyle and Dr Nicholas Held from the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR).  We discuss recent research studies, and how the findings are being put into practice in new programs and initiatives to support CAF Members, Veterans and their families.  In particular we talk about a series of books to help Military children to discus...

This month we are talking with two members of Team Canada at the Invictus Games in Whistler BC in February 2025. In our discussion we talk about : ·     what lead them to apply for Team Canada,  ·     the journey to the games once they were selected –  ·     and what it was like to complete at the Invictus Games. We also talk about the lessons they learned – and how the experience changed their pe...

In this episode we are speaking with Carley Robb-Jackson and Amy Carpenter from Military Family Services about some of the research that is being done by MFS as part of the Gender-based Violence and Family Violence portfolio. We also talk about: the challenges of Military family life that may put an additional strain on relationships  resources that are available for those in unhealthy relationshi...

April is Month of the Military Child.  For this episode we are speaking with Chris Quigley and her friend Bella about the work they do with Military Children.  They tell us about some of the challenges they hear about and what we all do to support Military Children this month - and year round. About our Guests: An East coast chance meeting and marriage to a CAF Member - now veteran - was the catal...

It has been three years since the first episode of Military Family Life! This month, Claudia and Julie are looking back at our first 20 episodes.  Here are some of our favourite stories, best pieces of advice and lessons learned along the way.   Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to join us on the podcast.  We have enjoyed getting to know each one of you, and we look forward to hearing m...

In this episode of Military Family Life we are speaking with Sgt Valery Switzer.   Valery is a CAF Member, a military spouse, a mother of two, a part-time student and a word champion powerlifter. She was also recently named Canadian Armed Forces Female Athlete of the Year!    In our conversation we talk with Valery about power lifting training and competitions, the importance of balance and self-c...

If you are a military family member, you have likely heard someone talk about an OUTCAN posting to a fabulous distant country. Our guest for this episode recently returned from a four year posting to Greece.  She tells us about the good, the bad and the surprises that she and her family experienced during that adventure.   She also talks about how the lessons she has learned helps her to support o...

This month we are bringing the second half of our conversation with Shannon and Cory Nowell. In this episode we talk about the Invictus Games, and Cory's experience on Team Canada in 2018. Shannon also tells us about her experience, and what the games are like for families members who are there to support loved ones. About our Guests:  Shannon Nowell has been connected to the military for her...

This month, we are talking to Shannon and Cory Nowell about their lives as a Military - and Veteran – family.  This episode is part one of two.  In it we talk about the challenges that come with relocations, IR, and Out Can postings.  We also talk the medical release process, PTSD, the transition from being a Military to a Veteran family – and the impact it has on the entire family. About our Gues...

In this April edition of our Military Family Life podcast - in honour of the Month of the Military Child - we are focusing on Military children.  Kayla Lamrock has experience as a military child, a military spouse and working at an MFRC with children and youth. In this episode Kayla talks about her experiences of deployments and postings from the perspective of a military family member.  She also...

In this month's episode we are speaking with Lt(N) Wendy Duguid, a Regular Force Military Chaplain. Wendy has been serving at Garrison Petawawa since 2019.   She was previously the Chaplain for the medical units, and is currently supporting the Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD) and 2 Signal Squadron. In this conversation we chat with Wendy about: the day-to-day life of a Military Chaplain and the...

This month we are talking with three former MFRC Executive Directors who have  recently retired from their positions in Goose Bay, Greenwood and Shilo. Our co-host Claudia Beswick also added some insight, as she too recently left her position as the ED in Petawawa to take on a different role supporting military families. With all of this experience and collective knowledge, we talk about: how life...

This month we are talking two members of the Canadian Military Wives Choir in Petawawa.  They tell us about how the choir helped them to connect with new friends in the community, their best memories performing with the choir, and their advice for people who are thinking about joining their local choir. About our guests: Melissa Perry-Biezing has been a military spouse for 18 years. Originally fro...

Our Guest this Month Ainsley Christensen is the curator at the Garrison Petawawa Military Museum and has worked at the museum in some capacity or another for the last 20 years. Ainsley was born in Manitoba -moved to Petawawa in 1995 and haw been here ever since  -  minus a few years to attend post-secondary school in Kingston, ON).  Ainsley is a military spouse with three very active children ages...

About our guest: Andrea Nauta is a military spouse - her wonderful husband Dustin has been serving in the military since 2007. They have two beautiful girls who are 11 and 9.  Andrea and her family have moved back and forth between Comox and Petawawa, and they are currently happily settled in Comox where Andrea works as a support worker at a local school.  Andrea is an accomplished baker.  She sta...

In this episode we talk about all things deployment with our guest Sandra Pinard.  Topics include: what are the things families can do to prepare for a deployment, some suggestions for items to include in a morale mail package and tips for re-integration. We also have an interesting discussion about the differences between Army and Navy deployments.  About our guest: Sandra Pinard has been associa...

About our Guest: Denver Hilland grew up in the GTA and was a professional level ballerina until she left for university. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Kinesiology and Physical Education from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Master of Arts Health Promotion from Dalhousie University. Denver served as the Project coordinator for the Early Childhood Collaborative Research Centre at MSVU, a Health Pro...

As many of you know April is month of the Military Child . It is an opportunity for our community to recognize the sacrifices and contributions made by the children Canadian Armed Forces members and Veterans. So this month we wanted to hear from some military kids about their experiences and lessons learned. Our Guests Kim Mills has been a military spouse for more than 20 years. She is the author...

This month we are speaking with Trisha MacLeod, the Commanding Officer at 2 Field Ambulance in Petawawa and Champion for the Petawawa Defence Visible Minority Awareness Group.    Trisha is a lifelong learner whose current pursuits are centred around understanding, acknowledging and deconstructing systemic racism within healthcare settings and CAF overall.    Driven to serve, she has over 20 years...

This month we are talking with Crystal Donak about: the importance of being resilient taking risks (including her recommendation that everyone should travel alone at least once in their life); and  how her career and education journey lead her to create Kaper Kids. About Crystal: Crystal has been a military partner for 12 years.  In that time, she was the Vice Chair of the PMFRC Board of Directors...

This month we are chatting with Laura Frey. Over the years Laura has worn a number of hats including: Military Spouse, Mom, CAF Member, Fitness Competitor and Grandma. Laura is currently posted to Halifax and is serving on the HMCS Charlottetown. As Army Spouses – living on a Garrison that is mostly Army – our hosts had plenty of questions about life on board a ship. In this conversation we talk a...

This month we are speaking with another couple – Norma and Tom Cartwright - about their lives as a Canadian Military family.  Having weathered eight postings and numerous deployments, our guests have some great stories and important lessons to share.  About our Guests  Norma Cartwright has been a military spouse for almost 35 years. She grew up on a farm in Southern Manitoba, and met Tom while he...

As military families, we have the opportunity - and the challenge - of moving from community to community. In the process we can make friends with people from across the country.  Sometimes when you move somewhere new, you have the good fortune of reconnecting with an old friend - someone you knew years ago in another time in another place - and to rekindle your friendship.   Catherine Grant met o...

About our guest: Tamara Kleinschmidt is the Executive Director of the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre.  As a military spouse Tamara experienced the privilege of living across our country and beyond. Over a twenty-six-year span Tamara experienced 11 postings, the final one to Trenton in 2005.  During this period, she completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Political Science, from the Royal Mil...