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 developed for defence partners with young children -The many (and complex) career and well-being chall...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 144
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! In Episode 143 (PART 2) Myself, Defence Partners Marcelle and Julia, Veteran Partner Jo-anna, Veter...
Nov 16, 2022•58 min•Ep. 143
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, Veteran Widow and also the parent of a past serving member Madonna and Defence Partner and Psychologist Br...
Nov 16, 2022•57 min•Ep. 142
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 an emergency 000. *What is Gaslighting? Behaviours that can be used to undermine someone's sense of s...
Oct 21, 2022•21 min•Ep. 141
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 Podcast Episode, Head of Fraud at Defence Bank Mike Smith and Michael O'Reilly, Chief Marketing & Pr...
Oct 13, 2022•25 min•Ep. 140
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 tricky and nerve-wracking! It took me 10 years to find a Defence Partner friend. Partly because I didn't r...
Oct 04, 2022•21 min•Ep. 139
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 tricky and nerve-wracking! It took me 10 years to find a Defence Partner friend. Partly because I didn't r...
Oct 04, 2022•22 min•Ep. 138
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 minimal communication The bond her partner has with her parents and the impact of separation Having ...
Sep 21, 2022•31 min•Ep. 137
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 experiencing her first posting and deciding to live apart (MWDU) why leaving her employment, her long service...
Sep 14, 2022•26 min•Ep. 136
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 Innoclub courses and workshops Using education and resources to help Defence Partner and Veteran Ent...
Aug 31, 2022•38 min•Ep. 135
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 children Drawing on our networks to ensure we make use of the support available Comparing the challenges o...
Aug 24, 2022•42 min•Ep. 134
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 ways to stay connected and why communication is so important Getting the Family time Vs Couple time V...
Aug 24, 2022•36 min•Ep. 133
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 her notice period at work and moving to Brisbane Going from having a successful career to being unemployed...
Aug 17, 2022•34 min•Ep. 132
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 dependent on each other figuring out their communication style and how they adapted it when apart making sur...
Aug 10, 2022•36 min•Ep. 131
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 his career prospects Finally finding work but feeling stuck in a job he couldn't progress in Her fian...
Jul 27, 2022•34 min•Ep. 130
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 important role defence partners and families can play in the proceedings. Jacinta and I also talk abou...
Jul 06, 2022•44 min•Ep. 129
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 this week's podcast episode, I talk to Defence Partner Trish about fast-tracking relationship milestone...
Jun 22, 2022•38 min•Ep. 128
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 enable veterans, defence partners and their families to thrive Soldier On Employment Support for defence pa...
Jun 01, 2022•33 min•Ep. 127
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 talking practical and needed stuff like checklists, guides and organising systems for ALL the things like ...
May 04, 2022•42 min•Ep. 126
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 2.5 year wait to be accepted into the Navy The shift from being a civilian couple to a defence couple T...
Apr 27, 2022•34 min•Ep. 125
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, allowing us to share in the ups and downs of Military Life, allowing us to feel that little bit less alone....
Apr 20, 2022•20 min•Ep. 124
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 partner's departure and building a support network The enlistment day drop off and the disconnect she felt B...
Apr 06, 2022•38 min•Ep. 123
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 journey just to get into defence and delays due to injury Getting the news her partner finally had a pl...
Mar 23, 2022•45 min•Ep. 122
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 avoiding them How we often go into planning mode when an unexpected operation occurs Why the brain hates ...
Mar 16, 2022•51 min•Ep. 121
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 avoiding them How we often go into planning mode when an unexpected operation occurs Why the brain hates ...
Mar 16, 2022•39 min•Ep. 121
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 How being separated helped with their communication Staying flexible with plans and accepting what you ...
Mar 02, 2022•41 min•Ep. 120
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 What 'Moral Injury' means and how it relates to Partners and Families The main findings of their res...
Feb 23, 2022•49 min•Ep. 119
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 varied experience gained Feeling unable to progress professionally due to frequent moves The ups and d...
Feb 09, 2022•44 min•Ep. 118
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 need to be religious to receive support from Chaplains Some of the main reasons Defence couples reac...
Feb 02, 2022•33 min•Ep. 117
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 stepping into the role of the solo parent when Vicki deployed What it was like for Vicki to deploy when the...
Jan 27, 2022•47 min•Ep. 116
