Military Life

On this week's Military Life podcast episode, I speak with Siobhan Mullins, Defence Partner and Founder of the Paper Advocate-Simple DIY Divorce Separation Agreements.   Siobhan and I speak about; -Her introduction to Defence life, starting a family, and her first interstate move -Learning how to connect and build a support network in a new location -Pivoting her career as a Family Lawyer to work...

On this week's Military Life podcast episode, I speak with Racheal Cosgrove-White Veteran and President of DEFGLIS the Defence LGBTI Information Service.   Racheal and I speak about; -Who DEFGLIS is and why such an important organisation exists -Who does DEFGLIS support and represent -How DEFGLIS has changed and evolved over the years -The impact DEFGLIS has had on the lives of LGBTI defence membe...

On episode 201 of the Military Life Podcast, Chief of Army Australia Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army Kim Felmingham, and I continue our family- focused conversation and speak about;   -An update on what Army families have been telling the Chief of Army in 2025. -The importance of the RSM-A also engaging directly with Army families. -The evolution of Army's fo...

So, you've decided that now is the right time to start saving for or look at buying a house....yay, go you! If you're like me, you have so many questions (so many) and need answers STAT about the potential homebuyer grants, and ADF schemes and entitlements you and your military member may be able to apply for. But…. those answers need to be explained in plain old non-military speak, which is why D...

On this week's Military Life podcast episode, Defence Partner Nicole, who is currently posted in the USA with her ADF member and two children, comes back on the podcast (for PART TWO) to give us an update and answer more of our overseas posting questions. Listen in to last week's episode for Part One of my chat with Nicole. If you would like to listen to my first episode with Nicole on the topic o...

On this week's Military Life podcast episode, Defence Partner Nicole, who is currently posted in the USA with her ADF member and two children, comes back on the podcast to give us an update and answer more of our overseas posting questions. Stay tuned next week for Part Two of my chat with Nicole. If you would like to listen to my previous episode with Nicole, where we discussed preparing for an o...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, Part Two of my chat with Director General of Defence Member and Family Support Libby Cremen. We talk all things DMFS, including; -The Partner Employment Assistance Program and the recent changes to PEAP -The ADF Families Survey and how DMFS uses the data to improve programs & support -The importance of engaging with a range of Defence families to ensure repr...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, Part One of my chat with Director General of Defence Member and Family Support Libby Cremen. We talk all things DMFS, including; -Who DMFS are and the support and services they provide for Defence Families -Connecting with Defence Families early so that they "know us before they need us" -The 24-hour DMFS helpline and when and why to contact the helpline -De...

On this week's Military Life Podcast episode and as the Defence Community start to receive news of postings and possible moves, I re-release PART TWO of my chat with Defence Partner and Declutter Expert Tara Tuttle.   Tara knows the challenges of Defence Life and moving and packing and unpacking and all the things!   Tara also knows the challenges Defence Families can face when it comes to organis...

On this week's Military Life Podcast episode, and as the Defence Community start to receive news of postings and possible moves, I re-release PART ONE of my chat with Defence Partner and Declutter Expert Tara Tuttle.   Tara knows the challenges of Defence Life and moving and packing and unpacking and all the things!   Tara also knows the challenges Defence Families can face when it comes to organi...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, you've got me, or should I say, I've got you! I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits.   In PART FOUR, I talk all about; -Re...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, you've got me, or should I say, I've got you!   I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits.   In PART THREE, I talk all about;...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, you've got me, or should I say, I've got you! I thought I would put together another episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. On PART TWO, I talk all about two big...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, you've got me or should I say, I've got you! I thought I would put together an episode for the new Defence Partners. The ones who are trying to get their heads around all things Defence life. The ones who are finding their feet when it comes to figuring out the good bits, the not-so-good bits and the…what the bits. We also hear from a handful of Defence Part...

As part of celebrating 6 years of the Military Life Podcast, let's revisit the first EVER episode with Defence Partner Natalie. Natalie has experienced separation, multiple deployments, surprise pregnancies, mental health struggles, and so much more in the now 20+years (it was 15+ at the time of recording) that she has been a Navy Spouse. This episode really has stood the test of time. Natalie's e...

This week on the Military Life podcast, I continue my Defence Family Focused conversations with the ADF Service Chiefs, prompted by National Families Week, which took place recently. Episode 188 with Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley is a continuation of last year's episode with the Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond. What is great about this being the second podcast episode f...

When I got the call that the Chief of Army Australia, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, wanted to come back on the Military Life podcast ahead of National Families Week 2025, I have to admit I was feeling a mix of emotions. The one at the top of the list- PROUD . Proud because it signalled that Defence Families are being thought about and considered. Proud because it means there has been a shift in...

RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with my Husband Scott, who has, just days ago, returned from a 6 month deployment. We speak about; -The ins and outs of deployment from the Defence member's perspective. -What happens when the ship pulls away from the wharf and sets off on its journey? -How it feels for the Military member to be away from their family for long str...

RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with the National Music Director of the Australian Military Wives Choir, Cath Parsons, about her journey as a spouse and where the idea for the AMW Choir came from. Cath and I also speak about;   -How the Choir went from being a handful of people in Canberra to locations around Australia -Why the Choir is about what we do as spous...

RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Susan, who has just hit the one-year mark of being a Defence spouse. Susan and I speak about; -The huge changes she and her Husband went through during the first 12 months of living Defence Life. -What Susan expected Military life would be like versus the reality. -How she adjusted to going from seeing her Husband everyday to...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Open Arms Community and Peer workers Jess and Sarah after the program recently celebrated its 5-year anniversary. Jess, Sarah and I speak about; -The Community and Peer program and how it aligns with the mental health supports Open Arms provides. -Why the Community and Peer program was established and how important it is that Peer workers have l...

RE-RELEASED EPISODE This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Army spouse Mel about a service dog called Maxx and how he saved her husband Damien. Mel and I also speak about; -What it's like when your Husband deploys every two years -Her Husband's decision to be proactive in seeking mental health support -Why a service dog was the right fit for her Husband and their family -Defence Comm...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, I had the privilege of having an authentic, informative, and real defence family-focused conversation with the Chief of Army Australia, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart. I have now met and spoken with Lieutenant General Stuart several times, in various settings, focused on discussing a range of defence family topics. There have been ten-minute conversations a...

This week on the Military Life podcast, Veteran Spouse Jo returns for PART TWO of her episode. In episode 179/PART ONE, Jo detailed her 15-year Defence Partner journey over 9 postings across New Zealand and Australia, her husband's transition, and her decision to take her career in a new direction.   In PART TWO, Jo and I speak about; -Why she decided to pursue Career Coaching and focus on helping...

On this week's Military Life podcast episode, Veteran Spouse Jo details her 15 year Defence Partner journey over 9 postings across New Zealand and Australia.   In PART ONE, Jo and I speak about; -Embracing support, finding community, and making lifelong friends -Discussing her spouse experience vs that of the 2024 Defence Partner -How she ensured her relationship with her Defence Member stayed str...