Military Life

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. In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Solicitor Jacinta Harris from the Defence and Veterans Legal Service about the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide and the im...

Just as a warning-There is some discussion of eating disorders, relapse, disordered eating and the management of an eating disorder in this episode of the Military Life podcast. If anything comes up for you or you know of someone in need of support call the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673 or access free support via ADF Veteran and Family Mental Health service Open Arms on 1800 011 046.   In t...

This week's podcast episode is all about Soldier On, a not-for-profit support organisation offering services for Defence Partners, Veterans and their families. I speak with Soldier On Service Ambassador Dr Rebecca Jackson about;   Who and how to access support, services and resources through Soldier On What type of support you can access in-person and over the phone The Soldier On mission to enabl...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Army Spouse Julia who is the Founder of the Home Post a community and website dedicated to helping us with the DETAILS of defence life!   Julia has created a space and resources every Defence Partner has, at some point, tried to wish into existence with her first resource the Defence Family In Case of Emergency card (DFICE) launching this weekend.   I'm ta...

In this week's podcast episode, I speak with Navy spouse Rae about future plans with her Defence member, Open Communication and deciding whether Defence life will be a long-term plan.   Rae and I also talk about; Meeting each other through an online dating app Finding out three weeks in that he was planning on joining the Navy Being naive to what becoming a defence couple would mean Her partners 2...

There is so much to celebrate this week- 3 years of the Military Life Podcast and hitting the 65,000 download mark but what those two milestones actually mean is that for 3 years and a whopping 65,000 times this Podcast has been supporting me and has been supporting you.   It means that we have all listened to over 120 Episodes of Defence Partners telling their stories, being seen and heard, allow...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to spouse Emily about being new to Defence Life and when I say NEW I mean really new. Emily took the time to chat with me on the day of her partner's enlistment. DAY 1!   Emily and I also talk about; Making the decision, as a family, to join the defence force Patiently waiting for an enlistment date, injury delays and the anticipation Preparing for her partne...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to RAAF spouse Hana about the long road to becoming a defence family, mental health challenges and focusing on the good.   Hana and I also talk about; Their chance meeting while they were both working overseas How Hana helped uncover her partner's passion for aircraft Arriving back in Australia and the decision to pursue a career in the RAAF The long 3-year j...

This week on the Military Life Podcast Let's Discuss PART TWO! Defence Partners Hayley Boswell from Defence Kidz, Julia Michel from The Home Post and Tania Attley from the Raw Psychologist come on the podcast to discuss the Past Weeks Events, a Damaging and Hurtful Narrative & How to Move Forward Constructively. We also talk about;   Dealing with emotions and not repressing our feelings by avoidin...

This week on the Military Life Podcast Let's Discuss PART ONE! Defence Partners Hayley Boswell from Defence Kidz, Julia Michel from The Home Post and Tania Attley from the Raw Psychologist come on the podcast to discuss the Past Weeks Events, a Damaging and Hurtful Narrative & How to Move Forward Constructively. We also talk about;   Dealing with emotions and not repressing our feelings by avoidin...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to new spouse Mika about the first year of defence life and making long-distance work.   Mika and I also talk about; Starting off as friends and building strong foundations Making the decision to start dating while Alex was away at training Having big discussions about future plans early on Not seeing each other for 7 months due to COVID and border closures H...

In this week's podcast episode, I speak with Professor Sharon Lawn from Flinders University and Research Consultant Tiffany Sharp about their recent research titled Moral Injury and Families' experiences of supporting Veterans and Emergency Service First Responders to seek help for Mental Health Problems. We discuss; Why it was important their research focused on Partners and Families of Veterans...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to defence partner Fiona about meeting her now-husband, moving interstate together and 12 moves in 15 years.   Fiona and I also talk about; Moving in together and their first posting to Toowoomba Getting engaged after living together for 3 months The reality of defence life setting in during their second posting in Wagga Finding meaningful employment and the...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Navy Chaplain Jenny Schleusener about the role of Chaplains. Jenny and I also talk about; The type of support Chaplains provide to not only the Defence member but also Spouses Why you should think of Chaplains as friends who offer a confidential listening ear Defence members or spouses not needing to be in crisis to be supported by Chaplains Why you don't...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Defence couple Vicki and Jarod about being a dual serving Navy couple, Deployment, Discharge and Defence Life.   Vicki, Jarod and I also talk about; How being a dual serving couple works when you both deploy regularly Feeling like ships in the night and working on good communication The juggle of both being defence members and starting a family Jarod stepp...

Following on from last week's episode, PART 2 of Defence Partners Navigating the Pandemic. Earlier in the year, I caught up with a number of Defence Partners to talk about how they, and their defence member and family, navigated the pandemic, lockdown and COVID restrictions throughout 2020 and more recently 2021. They all had varied experiences. Some had a surprisingly positive story to tell while...

Earlier in the year, I caught up with a number of Defence Partners to talk about how they, and their Defence Member and Family, navigated the pandemic, lockdown and COVID restrictions throughout 2020 and more recently 2021. They all had varied experiences. Some had a surprisingly positive story to tell while others were understandably pushed to the absolute brink, for various reasons, including lo...

This week on the Podcast, I speak with Minister for Veterans' Affairs & Minister for Defence Personnel Andrew Gee about his top priorities when it comes to supporting and acknowledging Defence Partners and Families.   Minister Gee and I also have an open and real conversation about: His thoughts on partners and families being key contributors to defence capability The impact partners and families...

Let's talk about defence partners and gender equality in the workplace! In this week's podcast episode, I talk to two amazing women in positions of leadership about why it's up to all of us, especially employers, to challenge gender bias and inequality.   Chair of the Defence Bank Board Fran Raymond and Defence Bank Chief People Officer Kristen Bugeja talk about; - Why it's important employers tal...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Air Force Spouse Catherine about keeping the lines of communication open with your defence member, making friends and putting family first.   Catherine and I also talk about; Meeting her now-husband in an unusual way in an unexpected place Becoming friends and learning that they had so much in common Being upfront and honest about the extra challenges they...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to DFA's newly appointed Defence Family Advocate of Australia Sandi Laaksonen-Sherrin.   Sandi and I talk about; What her vision is when it comes to stepping into the role of Defence Family Advocate of Australia for DFA (Defence Families of Australia) Why it's important that there is an advocacy group for defence partners and families How DFA remains independ...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Air Force Spouse Elise about making defence life work for her, connection, community and her passion to help other defence couples navigate challenges through strong communication.   Elise and I also talk about; How she met her Defence Member by chance at the races Forming a great friendship and both getting busy with their careers Losing touch and then ev...

This week on the Podcast, Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley shares her Defence Partner journey.   After meeting at a function and bonding over our defence life experiences I took a chance and asked Mrs Hurley if she might consider coming on the MWL podcast to tell her story. It was the end of the night and she had mingled and chatted for hours and I was the last in a line of eager people wanting a f...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk with Navy Spouse Chantelle about making the transition from single and solo to figuring out defence life and finding your community.   Chantelle and I also talk about; How a chance meeting would lead to a whirlwind romance that Chantelle tried her best to avoid Why it took her Defence member 6 months to tell her he wasn't just a "government" employee and was...

In this week's podcast episode, I talk to the Founder and Manager of the not-for-profit organisation The Younger Heroes, a program designed to reconnect current and former ADF members with their children.   Damien and I also talk about; How his experience as a military kid and the death of a mate led him to start the Younger Heroes Why starting an organisation that brought parents and children tog...