The Military Lifestyle-logo

The Military Lifestyle

Government

If you are in the Canadian Armed Forces or a family member connected to the military, the lifestyle can be a challenge. CFB Esquimalt's Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) explores deployments, postings, transitions and more through interviews with MFRC staff, experts in the community, military members and military-connected family members. There should be no concern about rank or trade, or finding the time to get through the doors at the MFRC. The goal is to meet you where you live and to help you prepare and get a plan in place so that you can master the military lifestyle.

Location:

Canada

Description:

If you are in the Canadian Armed Forces or a family member connected to the military, the lifestyle can be a challenge. CFB Esquimalt's Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) explores deployments, postings, transitions and more through interviews with MFRC staff, experts in the community, military members and military-connected family members. There should be no concern about rank or trade, or finding the time to get through the doors at the MFRC. The goal is to meet you where you live and to help you prepare and get a plan in place so that you can master the military lifestyle.

Language:

English


Episodes

A Mental Health Journey

11/4/2020
You never know where life will take you. For Bruno Guevremont, it took him into the Canadian Armed Forces for 15 years, including two tours in Afghanistan. It also took him on a battle with his own mental health, one where he got help, and is now helping others. Special Guest Bruno Guevremont was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 15 years including time in the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Navy. In addition to being a mental health advocate, Bruno does high performance coaching with organizations and individuals. Highlights Quotes "The military told you you can no longer serve in the military. But nobody told you that you could no longer serve your country. We need you in the communities we need the training that you've done. Nobody puts the amount of money in training you all around and all kinds of things like the military does. Basically, the average price between basic training to fully trades qualified, whichever trades you're picking up in the military is about a million dollars, you're worth a million dollars, you're a Million Dollar Man. So use those skills because they are needed in community." - Bruno Guevremont "And that starts by making a plan of before while you're joining in basic training and all that and, and really creating that support system around you and saying, hey, guys, what if? Because it might happen. And what if it happens, how we're going to deal with it?" - Bruno Guevremont "If you want to find out who you are, the military will show you that. It's the right platform to really find out what your abilities are, what you're capable of, and who you truly are at the core." - Bruno Guevremont Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Bruno's websiteTrue Patriot Love Expeditions Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:28:45

Healthy Nutrition

10/28/2020
Food can do many things, it fuels us up, keeps us going, brings friends and family together. A healthy diet, so many positive effects on our lives. But during times of stress, it can be hard to keep the motivation. Special Guest Alli Jones is a health promotion specialist at CFB Esquimalt. Highlights Quotes “All of us engage with food very differently. So it's really about figuring out you know, what triggers you? You know, if you're feeling low or if you're feeling lonely? Is your comfort found in food? Do you crave those maybe those higher fat foods when you're feeling low or when you're feeling tired? The first step is awareness and understanding, you know, what drives me to make these choices or what triggers me to make these choices." - Alli Jones Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Health Promotion Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:26:52

Techniques for Relaxation, Productivity and Happiness

10/21/2020
Now, some believe if you work harder, you'll be more successful. If you're more successful, then you'll be happier. Maybe not that simple. Living in the military lifestyle can be a handful, but wouldn't it be great to feel more productive living the life. Special Guest Sarah Francescutti is mindset coach with Exhale and Thrive Coaching. A former military member, she also works at CFB Esquimalt's Transition Centre. Highlights Quotes “You've probably heard about filling up your own cup first so that you can help others it's the same kind of concept. But I think of it more like a vehicle. Most everybody has a car. And you know, if you're running on empty fuel, you're likely gonna burn out, run out of gas on the side of the road and be stuck between here and wherever you're trying to get to. And the same sort of concept comes to mind, in your work and your personal life." - Sarah Francescutti "It's more around, working less hard, making things easier, prioritizing the things that are important. And when you know what those are, then you can choose where you put your focus and your time and your energy, then your productivity soars." - Sarah Francescutti Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Exhale and Thrive CoachingInside-Out Scheduling Guide Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:20:32

Healthy Relationships

10/14/2020
Relationships are great, but they're not always easy. Got to make time for each other, got to communicate. If you're in a relationship with a military member, in the context of the lifestyle, it's just more complex. This episode explores what you need for a healthy relationship and some things to watch out for. Special Guest Holly Flower is a social worker and counsellor with the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre. Highlights Quotes “It's really critical that we're prioritizing our relationships, that we're not taking them for granted, that we are learning how to turn towards one another, how to communicate with one another, how to have each other's back when it does get difficult." - Holly Flower Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Healthy Relationship on CAF ConnectionFamily Information LineMember Assistance Program Holly's Recommended Book List "Hold Me Tight - Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love" by Dr. Sue Johnson"The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work" by Dr. John M. Gottman Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:25:38

Trauma Resilience

10/7/2020
Trauma. Postal Traumatic Stress Disorder. Those words might spark a reaction in you. Imagine being able to change the culture around trauma and PTSD. Imagine when people seek treatment, it feels the same way as recovering from any other injury. Special Guest Dr. Tim Black is an Associate Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria. He has been working with the Canadian military and Veteran community for over 20 years and has delivered programs to help people with trauma. Highlights Quotes "If you're suffering you're suffering, you don't have to have anybody's permission to seek help when you're suffering. If you're upset and you're suffering, go talk to someone. I wouldn't wait." - Dr. Tim Black "Part of the reason I agreed to do this is really trying to help people understand when someone's traumatized, they're just not finished a process, and their brain is trying to finish it. And that's why and it's exhausting. When your brain continually tries to finish off this process, it's exhausting, because it never stops, it never takes a break. So if we can help people finish what they need to finish and support them to do that, then they can come out the other side." - Dr. Tim Black Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Wounded Warriors Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:31:38

ABC’s of Military Postings

9/30/2020
Military postings can be as easy as ABC, but there's still a lot to think about a lot of fine details. So let's explore what to do before you get your posting message, after you receive it, then after your move. Special Guest A former military member, Carole Lajoie is the Director of Education and Collaboration with the Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman's office in Ottawa, Ontario. Highlights Quotes “The best way to get through a posting is that you share the load when you consider the conditions now, all you have to consider, it can be overwhelming, but it's at the same time. There's so many tools. It's cool to have that so you can have a look before you actually get the posting instructions." - Carole Lajoie Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links The ABC's of Military PostingsCAF OmbudsmanHouse Hunting Trips - Information on Different Community Conditions Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:20:03

Mindfulness and the Military

9/23/2020
Mindfulness is everywhere nowadays. Schools, companies, smartphone apps, even the military. Mindfulness has gone mainstream. For some it's a buzzword, big business, a product. If you strip away all the packaging, what exactly is it? And how can you apply it to military life? Special Guest Patricia Galaczy is the Founder and Director of The Art of Dialogue, Associate Faculty with Royal Roads University, and Associate Faculty with the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s Centre for Leadership. As a Leadership Educator specializing in Mindfulness and Organizational Effectiveness, and Associate Faculty with Royal Roads University, Patricia has accumulated over 20 years and 10,000 hours teaching People Leaders. Highlights Quotes “When we can be more aware and compassionate of our own hearts and our own minds and our own bodies, we're able to offer that to others. Really importantly, mindfulness when we think about the military, we think about action, and taking strategic action taking wise action. When action comes from a place of calm when it comes from a place of non reactivity. That's when we're our smartest selves. So we're actually taking our most strategic actions when we're practicing mindfulness, the benefits are infinite." - Patricia Galaczy Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links The Art of Dialogue Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:26:31

Preparing Couples for Reunion

9/16/2020
For couples experiencing a military deployment, a homecoming isn't always like the movies. Reintegration can be a challenge. Let's take a look at what people are feeling and a few tips to have a smooth reunion. Special Guest Sandra Pinard is the Deployment Coordinator at the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre. She previously appeared on a previous episode to talk about preparing couples for deployment. Highlights Quotes “Couples have to renegotiate all of the different parts of being a couple, not just the intimate part, not just the who mows the lawn." - Sandra Pinard "So homecoming is not what you see in the movies. It is not this military member is in their white uniform, running down the jetty to their spouse who's in a dress and high heels and then they go off into the romantic sunset. That is not generally the case of what homecoming is like." - Sandra Pinard Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links MFRC Deployment App Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:29:11

The Military Lifestyle - Returning Soon

8/26/2020
Back with more episodes starting Wednesday September 16th, 2020. The military is not just a job, it's a lifestyle. Join Jon Chabun from the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre as he explores the world of deployments, postings and transitions. Each episode will feature interviews with MFRC staff, experts in the community, military members, veterans or military-connected family members. The lifestyle can be dynamic and all encompassing but it can be learned. In this second season, we examine the journey further -- resilience, health, and relationships within the military community. Get ready to dive back into military life with season two of "The Military Lifestyle."

Duration:00:01:37

Resilience Through Challenging Times

5/11/2020
Military Families learn to be resilient through living the military lifestyle. A pandemic might be the perfect time to lean in on those skills. Let's examine how life has changed and what can help military families through this experience. Special Guest Pauline Sibbald is a social worker with the Transition Centre at CFB Esquimalt. Highlights Quotes “We are truly stronger together. When you live this military lifestyle, you kind of live your life in two to three year increments. That's the cycle of deployment. That's the posting cycle. That's career progression. But with that there's all this adaptation that comes into play as well. Part of living the military lifestyle. There have been opportunities along the way, where people may have been able to learn some skills to help them cope through when dealing with COVID.” – Pauline Sibbald Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links R2MR – The Road to Mental Readiness Member Assistance Program Family Information Line Thank you Organized Sound Productions

Duration:00:30:52

Promoting Health with Kids

2/26/2020
The military lifestyle can be hard on kids, especially when part of their support system is away. Maintaining good physical and mental health is so important. Let’s examine the factors for good health and some things for you to do to set your military-connected child up for life. Special Guest Maryse Neilson is Health Promotion Manager at CFB Esquimalt and a member of the MARPAC Health and Wellness Strategy. Highlights Quotes “At a family level, we have to create family patterns and behaviours and structures that promote our health." - Maryse Neilson Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Health Promotion Program Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:31:03

Diversity and the Canadian Military: Part Two

2/19/2020
The Canadian Armed Forces says it must reflect the diversity of the country that we defend, and that we need a military that looks like Canada. Dr. Lisa Gunderson is back for the second part of the discussion on things that military families can do to help embrace diversity and ways to reduce bias. Special Guest Dr. Lisa Gunderson is an award-winning educator and frequent guest speaker on racial issues. Highlights Quotes “Know that you're going to make a mistake, or two or three, and that is fine. Make it, learn from it, say you're sorry, and keep going on.” – Dr. Lisa Gunderson Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Improving Diversity and Inclusion in the Canadian Armed Forces Canada’s Defence Policy – Strong, Secure, Engaged Harvard Implicit Bias Test Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:27:03

Diversity and the Canadian Military: Part One

2/12/2020
In Canada's Defence Policy (“Strong, Secure, Engaged”), it says the Canadian Armed Forces must reflect the diversity of the country that we defend, and that we need a military that looks like Canada. You often hear the phrase “stronger together” here in the military family community. If the military wants to reach its goal, families will be a big part of the process. Dr. Lisa Gunderson discusses privilege, bias, and a few things for the military community to consider. Special Guest Dr. Lisa Gunderson is an award-winning educator and frequent guest speaker on racial issues. Highlights Quotes "Having these kind of conversations with people that's going to support the Canadian Armed Forces larger goal. But it relies on all of us having conversations about these things to kind of make it a reality." -Dr. Lisa Gunderson Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Improving Diversity and Inclusion in the Canadian Armed Forces Canada’s Defence Policy – Strong, Secure, EngagedOne Love Consulting Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:31:12

Looking for Child Care in Greater Victoria

2/5/2020
It can be a challenge to find child care in Greater Victoria. If you're a military family, you also have to find care that matches the lifestyle requirements. Lisa Yates and Erin Holler from the Child Care Resource and Referral talk about where to start and their perspective on this challenging issue. Special Guests Lisa Yates and Erin Holler work with the Child Care Resource and Referral. They have two office included one in Victoria and one serving Sooke and the West Shore. Highlights Quotes “Be open to trying different type of care. Visit a lot of different places and you'll know it when you when you get there, it'll feel right for you." - Erin Holler, Child Care Resource and Referral Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Child Care Resource and Referral Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:26:00

Kim Mills from She is Fierce

1/29/2020
Kim Mills is a writer that has been living the military lifestyle for close to 20 years. Through her writing or storytelling and sharing her personal experiences, military families everywhere have connected to her work at She is Fierce. In this episode of The Military Lifestyle, she speaks about deployments, anxiety and what she has learned from living the lifestyle. Special Guest Kim Mills is a writer and military family member living in Edmonton, Alberta. She is well known in the Canadian military community for her storytelling and is a frequent guest speaker at events hosted by Military Family Resource Centres. She is also the author of the Way Home series of books. Highlights Quotes “I couldn't have made it this far without, you know, building into my community and doing so took real effort.” - Kim Mills, She is Fierce Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links She is Fierce Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:24:34

The Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman

12/4/2019
The military is a complex system. There are a lot of policies that govern the way it operates and that system can be complex for even the most experienced person. If you ever feel like the system's failed you, that you've got a complaint and think you've been treated unfairly, there's a formal way to move forward with help from the office of the Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman. Special Guest Greg Lick has been the Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman since 2018. His previous work experience includes the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves. Highlights Quotes “You always get to talk to a live person when you phone us. And even if you leave a message will always call you back. We have very clear service standards, which actually make sure that we do call you back that live voice is really important where somebody has a complaint because most people when they have a complaint, they want to be heard.” – Greg Lick, CAF Ombudsman Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman Website Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:23:36

Preparing Single Military Members for Deployment

11/27/2019
If you're a single military member and getting ready to deploy, you might be excited without a care in the world. But there are things for you to think about before you leave. So if you're single, single-ish, a parent of a single military member, or in a position of influence over one, let’s dig into everything you need to take care of before a deployment. Special Guest Sandra Pinard has been the deployment coordinator at the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre for over 15 years. Highlights Quotes “It can be a challenge for a mom or a dad to have their 19 year old go to off to basic training and then suddenly be shipped across the country. That's an adjustment for the entire family.” - Sandra Pinard Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebookInstagram Links MFRC Deployment app Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:31:48

Looking for Work in a New Community

11/20/2019
Military families have to recreate community with every posting. For some military spouses or partners that can mean looking for work in a new place and rebuilding from scratch. So, let’s break down how military families can address resumes, references, informational interviews plus a few skills that you can highlight. Special Guest Kim Dillon is the Community Relations Coordinator at WorkLink, an employment centre with locations in Langford and Sooke here in Greater Victoria. Highlights Quotes “Having your spouse or partner leave for a number of months or having to change completely the town that you live in is hard. And that brings a lot of growth and skill. If you can highlight how resilient you are, and how hard working you are, that's huge.” - Kim Dillon Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebook Links WorkLinkWorkBCMilitary Spousal Employment Network Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:21:59

Helping Children with Stress

11/13/2019
Stress can impact anyone, including kids of all ages, but it can be managed and you can help your child through the process. Let’s talk about what stress is for a military-connected child, what it might look like and a few strategies to deal with it. Special Guest Dr. Linda Scott is the former Program Manager at the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre and a trainer with the Psychology Foundation of Canada. She's currently retired, but she has a years of experience working with families. Highlights Quotes “When I first started looking at the Kids Have Stress Too materials, I couldn't believe that it was for three year olds. Because I thought, as an adult, I'm trying to learn how to manage stress. But imagine if you started gaining some of those tools when you were three years old. What a difference that could be.” - Dr. Linda Scott Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebook Links Psychology Foundation of Canada Kids Have Stress Too Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:26:50

Military Family Financial Planning

11/6/2019
Military life is different and so are your finances. There are deployments, postings, you might not have family close by and you might have businesses willing to give you a “great” deal. Let’s examine financial planning from a military perspective. Special Guest Suzie Fines is a financial planner with SISIP at CFB Esquimalt. She has over 15 years experience in the financial services industry. She works exclusively with serving and released Canadian Armed Forces members and their families. Highlights Quotes “A failure to plan is a plan to fail. So the sooner you start working on a plan, and getting an idea of what the future can look like, then understand what it is you need to do to close the gap.” - Suzie Fines Connect Podcast websiteTwitterFacebook Links SISIP Financial Thank you True Patriot Love FoundationOrganized Sound Productions

Duration:00:28:58