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 others were understandably pushed to the absolute brink, for various reasons, like long separations...
Dec 21, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 115
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 long separations, uncertainty, isolation and support and services that found it hard to move with the ...
Dec 15, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 114
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 have on the well-being of the defence member The value he sees defence partners and families provi...
Dec 08, 2021•44 min•Ep. 113
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 talk about gender equality - This year's International Women's Day theme 'Choose to Challenge' - Supporti...
Dec 01, 2021•27 min•Ep. 112
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 may face as a defence couple Dating, becoming engaged soon after and just months later getting marrie...
Nov 25, 2021•42 min•Ep. 111
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 independent of defence and provides frank advice to the Minister DFA's advocacy pillars and what DFA will be p...
Nov 17, 2021•58 min•Ep. 110
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 eventually reconnecting and deciding to be together Getting engaged, married and having a baby all in a ...
Nov 10, 2021•43 min•Ep. 109
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 few minutes of her time. I was bursting to tell Mrs Hurley in person that I admired the way she had wor...
Nov 02, 2021•33 min•Ep. 108
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 the Navy Coming to terms with now being in love with a defence member and someone who will go away ...
Oct 06, 2021•32 min•Ep. 107
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 together for a 3 day/2 night experience in nature was the answer The time, research and tears that went i...
Sep 29, 2021•23 min•Ep. 106
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Air Force Spouse Donna about Defence life, living with a Disability and deciding not to post with her Husband. Donna and I also talk about; Meeting each other, buying a house within 6 months and moving in together Being legally blind and recognised as a dependent with special needs The extra challenges Donna needs to consider when it comes to being legally blind and moving How Donna learnt to enjoy her own company early on in their relationship Why havin...
Sep 22, 2021•30 min•Ep. 105
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Spouse and CEO of Frontline Yoga Rachael Day about the benefits of Yoga and why Veterans and Spouses should give it a go. Rachael and I also talk about; How Frontline Yoga started and why they offer FREE classes for Veterans, their families and spouses The range of physical and mental health benefits practising Yoga can have especially for the defence community Why practising Yoga alongside other support therapies can reduce your baseline of stress and h...
Sep 08, 2021•17 min•Ep. 104
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Army Spouse Emma about the first few years of Defence and Spouse life, working for yourself and connecting with your community. Emma and I also talk about; Why she was the one to suggest an Army career to her partner Going from being a civilian couple to a defence couple Focusing on her studies and how Emma and her partner made it work Going from living together to living apart during training The plan to reunite, moving and finding her feet in a new loc...
Sep 01, 2021•44 min•Ep. 103
TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains some discussion of suicide and mental health. If anything comes up for you and you would like to access support there are various options available. See below for contacts. In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Army Spouse Anne about the unfolding and uncertain situation in Afghanistan. Anne and I also talk about; Supporting her husband through two deployments in Afghanistan Why each mission was different but both had the same intent The immense pride s...
Aug 25, 2021•47 min•Ep. 102
In this week's Podcast episode, I talk with Kirsty a Lawyer, Mediator, Author and Divorce Coach about what happens when a Defence Couple decides to separate or get divorced. Kirsty and I also talk about; -How being a former Defence Partner herself allows her to understand the extra complexity that comes with breakdown of marriage when you are a Defence couple. -The difference between Mediation, Collaborative law and Litigation -Why Kirsty encourages her clients to stay out of court to not only s...
Aug 11, 2021•54 min•Ep. 101
Welcome to the 100th episode of the Military Wife Life Podcast! What a journey this podcast has taken me and all of you on. There is so much to celebrate this week- 2 years of the Podcast, 100 Episodes and 50,000 Downloads but what this week's milestones actually mean is that for 2 years this Podcast has been supporting me and has been supporting you. It means that we have all listened to 100 Episodes of Defence Partners telling their stories, being seen and heard, allowing us to share in the up...
Aug 04, 2021•23 min•Ep. 100
Welcome to the 100th episode of the Military Wife Life Podcast! What a journey this podcast has taken me and all of you on. There is so much to celebrate this week- 2 years of the Podcast, 100 Episodes and 50,000 Downloads but what this week's milestones actually mean is that for 2 years this Podcast has been supporting me and has been supporting you. It means that we have all listened to 100 Episodes of Defence Partners telling their stories, being seen and heard, allowing us to share in the up...
Jul 28, 2021•23 min•Ep. 100
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Racheal Cosgrove who is a Defence Member and the Events Director for DEFGLIS the Defence LGBTI Information Service. Racheal and I talk 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 important to have a group like DEFGLIS The safe and secure space DEFGLIS offers for LGBTI members and their f...
Jul 14, 2021•26 min•Ep. 99
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to new Navy Spouse Jeni about navigating defence life, the first posting and everything in-between. Jeni and I also talk about; Being together 13 years before Defence came into the picture How looking for a career change led her Husband to the Navy Researching the impact Defence life would have on their family How hearing the experiences of other defence families was invaluable Why joining the Navy took months of paperwork and interview's How Jeni felt once...
Jul 07, 2021•36 min•Ep. 98
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Executive Officer Leanne Kyle from the Defence Bank Foundation about the life-changing impact the Defence Community Dogs Program is having for the Dogs, Inmates, Veterans and their Families. Leanne and I also talk about; The Defence Bank Foundation and why they decided to support the DCD program What the DCD program is and how it supports dogs, inmates and Veterans Why the program decided to only use rescue dogs and give them a second chance at life The ...
Jun 28, 2021•21 min•Ep. 97
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Veteran Matt and spouse Mel about their whirlwind romance, doing long distance, transitioning out of defence and future plans. Matt and Mel also talk about; Meeting 1 week before Matt was due to post interstate Having big conversations and committing to long-distance 1 week in Making sacrifices, leaving family and moving to be with Matt How Mel established herself in a new location through social groups The reality of future postings and the strain on th...
Jun 14, 2021•39 min•Ep. 96
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to RAAF Spouse Meagan about balancing her medical career with defence life, being values-driven and changing direction. Meagan and I also talk about; Being high school sweethearts and both going their separate ways Reuniting years later while both visiting family Deciding to be together while living on opposite sides of the country Long-distance dating and trying to plan to at least live in the same state The push and pull of Meagan's medical career and her...
Jun 06, 2021•23 min•Ep. 95
In PART 2 of episode 94, I talk to Army spouse Kaz about her husband's shocking injury that led to his discharge, finding and receiving the right support and moving on. 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. Kaz and I also talk about; A chance meeting that triggered one of her husband's worst episodes What happened whe...
May 26, 2021•25 min•Ep. 94
In PART 1 of episode 93, I talk to spouse Kaz about defence life, back to back deployments and her husband's shocking injury that led to his discharge. 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. Kaz and I also talk about; Her husband joining reserves to ease them into defence life How a few weekends of reserve time turned ...
May 19, 2021•33 min•Ep. 93
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Reserve Army spouse Kim about how Reserve life actually works. Kim and I also talk about; Meeting her husband while he was a Navy recruit Living in the same posting location back to back Having the support and understanding of her military family The stress of her husband being medically discharged & finding a civilian job Why her husband decided to get back in after being medically discharged Going from fulltime Navy to Army Reserve How Kim juggles ...
May 12, 2021•27 min•Ep. 92
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to Navy spouse Cheree about what it's like when your husband joins defence a little later in life. Cheree and I also talk about; The first posting experience and her military member deploying within a few months. Building a support network and the lifelong friends she made on the first posting. The challenges she has faced while searching and securing employment. An international posting to Hawaii and the amazing experiences they had. The difference in spou...
May 05, 2021•20 min•Ep. 91
When the nominations for the MWL Lots of Love boxes land in my inbox it's hard for me not to get attached to those stories. Just reading about the connections and the amazing things spouses are doing that are prompting their friends and family to nominate them, is truly a privilege. This weeks podcast episode is about the stories behind the Lots of Love Box nominations. I talk to spouse Chantelle, a Lots of Love box recipient. Chantelle details the connection and deep friendship she formed with ...
Apr 21, 2021•21 min•Ep. 90
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to RAAF spouse Nicole about why a mindset shift has totally changed the way she experiences defence life. Nicole and I also talk about; Meeting her now Husband while he was studying at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Realising that the member doesn't just sign up for a job but a lifestyle Moving to Newcastle for her husbands first posting and not being formally recognised as a couple Trying to find housing, work and friends while not yet being e...
Apr 14, 2021•30 min•Ep. 89
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to NSW Legacy President Nikki Hollis about how Legacy started, what they're about and who they support. Nikki and I also talk about; How a dependant of an ADF member or Veteran can access support Why a dependant can put their hand up for support at anytime What you can access support through Legacy for and the process Breaking down the misconception that Legacy is only for older widows The help they offer for ADF families experiencing hardship due to the me...
Mar 31, 2021•13 min•Ep. 88
In this week's podcast episode, I talk to spouse Amanda about why she doesn't allow her Army Husbands job to control her life. Amanda and I also talk about; Not really knowing, in the beginning, what it meant to be an Army spouse Why she was hesitant to even acknowledge she was a spouse Moving in together and experiencing a deployment 6 months into the relationship A horrible experience with another Army wife and how it impacted her forming a support network Being MWDU for the majority of their ...
Mar 24, 2021•28 min•Ep. 87
