This month we are talking with two members of Team Canada at the Invictus Games in Whistler BC in February 2025.

In our discussion we talk about :

· what lead them to apply for Team Canada,

· the journey to the games once they were selected –

· and what it was like to complete at the Invictus Games.

We also talk about the lessons they learned – and how the experience changed their perspectives and their relationships.

If you are a fan of the Invictus Games you are really going to enjoy this behind- the-scenes look at how the athletes select the events they will compete in – as well as the training process to get them ready to compete.

Note - in this episode we do discuss Operational Stress Injuries, please listen with care.

About out Guests

Major Jessica Guerin is a dedicated Personnel Selections Officer with 23 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces. With a background as a medical technician and a degree in psychology from RMC, she combines her expertise in mental health with a passion for helping others find their career paths. Outside of work, she enjoys fitness challenges, cooking, and volunteering. Jess is also a proud mom and a strong advocate for veteran mental health initiatives, aiming to continue her journey in counseling psychology and support fellow veterans.

Pauline Lythgoe served in the Army and later in the Air Force as a Material Management Technician. She served in Petawawa for 18 years, working in different units and sections. She also completed an IR posting in Ottawa before retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces a few months ago in March of 2025.

We hope that you enjoy the conversation that my cohost Claudia Beswick and I had with Jessica Guerin and Pauline Lythgoe

Click here to learn more about Soldier On: https://www.soldieron.ca/

We want to hear from you!

Do you want to tell your story? Send us an email to find out more about being a guest: Podcast.Feedback@PetawawaMFRC.com

In this episode we are speaking with Carley Robb-Jackson and Amy Carpenter from Military Family Services about some of the research that is being done by MFS as part of the Gender-based Violence and Family Violence portfolio.

We also talk about:

• the challenges of Military family life that may put an additional strain on relationships
• resources that are available for those in unhealthy relationships, and
• the Healthy Relationships campaign presented each year.

Content Warning: We understand that discussions about family violence and gender-based violence can be difficult for some. Please listen with care.

About our Guests:

Carley Robb-Jackson is the Senior Manager, Gender-based Violence and Family Violence portfolio with Military Family Services. She has an extensive background working in gender equality, women's rights and family violence. Prior to working with MFS, Carley worked in the international development sector as a gender equality specialist. She holds a MA in Sociology, and has conducted research on family violence and breakdown, and women's access to justice.

Amy Carpenter is a Policy Development and Research Manager working at Military Family Services as part of the Gender-Based Violence team. Amy has worked in the military community for about 6 years and lives the military lifestyle with her partner. Prior to working at Military Family Services, Amy worked at the MFRC in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and the North of 60 MFRC in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

Learn More:

• CFMWS.ca website with access information and resources from the Healthy Relationships campaign: https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/healthyrelationships
• The Healthy Relationships Continuum: https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/healthyrelationships/tip-sheets/intimate-relationships-continuum-and-chart
• Revised DAOD 5044-4, Family Violence: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/policies-standards/defence-administrative-orders-directives/5000-series/5044/5044-4-family-violence.html
• Supports available for building healthy relationships and addressing family stress, breakdown and violence. : https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/healthyrelationships/supports-available-to-you
• Stories from other CAF families about their strategies for overcoming military lifestyle challenges: https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/healthyrelationships/stories-of-military-members-and-their-families
• Online course on how to support a friend or family member who may be experiencing intimate partner violence:https://cfmws.ca/support-services/health-wellness/healthyrelationships/online-learning-and-webinars

We want to hear from you!

Do you want to tell your story? Send us an email to find out more about being a guest: Podcast.Feedback@PetawawaMFRC.com

April is Month of the Military Child. For this episode we are speaking with Chris Quigley and her friend Bella about the work they do with Military Children. They tell us about some of the challenges they hear about and what we all do to support Military Children this month - and year round.

About our Guests:

An East coast chance meeting and marriage to a CAF Member - now veteran - was the catalyst for Chris’s now 26 year career supporting military members and their families at MFRC's and with Military Family Services.

Chris has a background in childhood education and MH. These pursuits allow her to engage with children to help them cope and learn resiliency skills. Using the art of puppetry, Chris is able to meet children where they are at and help them overcome their struggles. Some parents have described it as a true blessing.

Chris and Bella – her 6 year old ostrich puppet -- develop relationships with children – and in doing so they help children discover ways to cope with missing loved ones , overcome the fear of speaking to new friends and many other challenges that face Military children.

When Chris is not supporting military families in some capacity, you can find her volunteering at the local MFRC, gardening and planning her winter greenery and Christmas displays for friends in the neighborhood.

We want to hear from you!

Do you want to tell your story? Send us an email to find out more about being a guest: Podcast.Feedback@PetawawaMFRC.com