Military Life

In this week's podcast episode and as part of Pride month, I re-release my chat with Racheal Cosgrove, President of DEFGLIS, the Defence LGBTI Information Service.   Racheal and I spoke about; How and why DEFGLIS started Who DEFGLIS support and represent How DEFGLIS has changed and evolved over the years The impact DEFGLIS has had on the lives of LGBTI Defence members and their families Why it is...

On this week's Military Life *PARENTS EDITION* podcast episode, I check in with the University of New England's Dr Marg Rogers to find out how the Children's Family Resilience Programs have been going. The programs and related resources were developed following Dr Rogers' PhD studies and research that found there was a huge gap in the understanding and support of 2- 8-year-old defence kids. Marg a...

On this week's podcast episode, I speak with new spouse Emily about deciding to move with her ADF member after dating for just ONE month and how they are ensuring Defence life works for both of them.   Emily and I also talk about; Meeting on a dating app and finding out about his ADF career Having open and honest conversations one month into dating Deciding to move from Newcastle to South Australi...

Welcome to the 150th episode of the podcast! What a huge milestone for ALL of us to celebrate.   4 years of the podcast, 150 episodes and 80,000 downloads!!!   I want to say thank you to all of you for sharing your stories, listening, supporting, for getting it! YOU. JUST. GET. IT.   Thank you for this community we have all built and for this amazing space of connection and belonging we have all c...

On this week's podcast episode, I caught up with Defence Partner Leah who was a guest on the Military Life podcast a few years ago on episode 29. Back in 2019 Leah and I spoke about her quest to find meaningful employment, a long IVF journey and what happened to their remaining and only frozen embryo when they posted out of their location. On this episode, Leah updates us on the last few years, wh...

On this week's podcast episode, I speak with spouse Chantel about how COVID lockdowns gave her and her ADF partner the time and space to establish their relationship and start a family. Chantel and I also speak about; How they met and why after only knowing each other for three weeks, Chantel kinda moved in Her ADF partners fears starting a relationship, and the toll deployments take on a couple W...

TRIGGER WARNING- There is some discussion of suicide in these episodes. If these episodes bring anything up for you, please get in touch with FREE ADF mental health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or, in case of emergency, call 000.   This week on the Military Life Podcast, in celebration of the launch of my collaborative 'YOUR VOICE' campaign with Julia from The Home Post, a re-released episode...

TRIGGER WARNING- There is some discussion of suicide in these episodes. If these episodes bring anything up for you, please get in touch with FREE ADF mental health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or, in case of emergency, call 000.   This week on the Military Life Podcast, in celebration of the launch of my collaborative 'YOUR VOICE' campaign with Julia from The Home Post, a re-released episode...

On this week's podcast episode, I speak with spouse Freya about her quick introduction to defence life after meeting her RAAF guy through Tinder and three months later posting across the country with him. Freya and I also talk about; ·                      Why she decided to follow her heart and jump in feet first ·                      Making the hard decision to leave her cats behind in WA ·    ...

So you've decided that now is the right time to 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 home buyer 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 Defence Bank's Kym Bow...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Veteran Partner and Founder of Cowork Coplay Claire Harris about the importance of supporting the career goals of Defence Partners through innovative programs. Claire and I also talk about; -The concept behind Cowork Coplay and how lived experience guided how Claire created the initiative and built the social enterprise -Why Cowork Coplay was de...

TRIGGER WARNING- There is some discussion of suicide in this episode. If this episode brings anything up for you, please contact FREE ADF mental health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or, in case of emergency, call 000. Have a listen to Ep142 and PART 1 of this Military Life Podcast episode before listening to this ep. This week on the Military Life Podcast- Let's Discuss WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS!...

TRIGGER WARNING- There is some discussion of suicide in this episode. If this episode brings anything up for you, please contact FREE ADF mental health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046 or, in case of emergency, call 000.   This week on the Military Life Podcast- Let's Discuss WHY YOUR VOICE MATTERS!   In Episode 142 (PART 1) Myself, Defence Partners Marcelle and Julia, Veteran Partner Jo-anna, Ve...

Trigger Warning: The topic of Gaslighting is discussed in this episode. Gaslighting is a very sensitive topic to discuss for many and for some it can trigger intense emotions and thoughts. If you or anyone you know need mental health support, call FREE Veterans and Families counselling service Open Arms on 1800 011 046, Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 131 114, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or in a...

Protecting our Data & Identity- What we can all do TODAY!   By now, most of us would have heard about the Optus data breach, which compromised the sensitive information of up to 10 million customers. The Optus data breach highlights and reminds us that we live in a world where scammers exist and where there is a real need for all of us to increase our vigilance. On this week's Military Life Podcas...

Community Connectors EXPLAINED-PART 2 Maybe you have heard about Military Life Community Connectors or maybe you want to know more about them. This episode is all about who they are and what they do, and why I felt there was a need for the Military Life Community Connector Program.   No one quite gets you like a fellow Defence Partner but finding and connecting with other partners can be both tric...

Community Connectors EXPLAINED-PART 1   Maybe you have heard about Military Life Community Connectors or maybe you want to know more about them. This episode is all about who they are and what they do, and why I felt there was a need for the Military Life Community Connector Program.   No one quite gets you like a fellow Defence Partner but finding and connecting with other partners can be both tr...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to new Spouse Lara about what it's like to still be in Highschool while navigating Defence Life. Lara and I also talk about; The purpose and direction the ADF has given her boyfriend Why a troubled childhood led her partner to consider the Army Being under 18 and why their relationship isn't yet recognised The shift from living together to long-distance with...

In this week's podcast episode, I speak with defence partner Chaia about finding support and comfort in spouse friends, accessing Open Arms & Future plans.   Chaia and I also speak about; starting off as friends and what it meant once they started dating why nothing prepares you for the transition into defence life the difference between being posted to a reserve vs full-time battalion experiencin...

This week on the podcast, I speak with Chris North Co-Founder of Innoclub a not-for-profit organisation on a mission to help Defence Partner & Veteran Entrepreneurs thrive. Chris and I also speak about; Where the idea for Innoclub came from and why the focus on Spouses and Veterans? The importance of supporting Defence Partner and Veteran Entrepreneurs When and Who should sign up for the FREE Inno...

This week on the podcast my Husband Scott and I talk about our current and past experiences with living apart and being MWDU (Member with Dependants Unaccompanied) In PART TWO Scott and I talk about; Comparing MWDU experience one, two, three, four and now five Open communication and why some conversations are better had in-person Making sure we make living MWDU a positive experience for our childr...

This week on the podcast my Husband Scott and I talk about our current and past experiences with living apart and being MWDU (Member with Dependants Unaccompanied). In PART ONE Scott and I talk about; Why we choose to live MWDU and how our 5th MWDU experience is going How we prepare to live MWDU and the unexpected challenges Flex work and why this posting is a perfect fit for living MWDU Finding w...

This week on the Military Life Podcast, I speak with Defence Partner Kristy about a crash posting and balancing family and career alongside Defence life.   Kristy and I also talk about; Focusing on her career and why, early on, the Army had little impact on her everyday life The huge changes that came with a crash interstate posting (the 2-week notice type)   Living out of a motel to finish out he...

On episode 131 of the Military Life Podcast, I speak with RAAF spouse Rachael about finding the defence life balance, having her husband home and growing thanks to gratitude.   Rachael and I also speak about; the first posting shock and finding your feet away from family and friends the realisation that when her husband was away she was all alone being independent but still being able to be depend...

On this week's podcast episode, I speak with new spouse Kristen about her fiancé's decision to re-join the ADF and why defence life is a good fit for their family.   Kristen and I also talk about; Meeting just 3 weeks after her now fiancé had discharged from the Army Why her partner discharged and how hard it was to find meaningful employment Not having any transferrable skills and how it impacted...