In this episode we are speaking with Amy Doyle and Dr Nicholas Held from the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR).

We discuss recent research studies, and how the findings are being put into practice in new programs and initiatives to support CAF Members, Veterans and their families. In particular we talk about a series of books to help Military children to discuss their feelings about the challenges facing them and their families.

Our Guests:

Amy Doyle has worked in publishing for many years as the owner of Midpoint Productions Inc. and as the former Director of Advertising at The Intelligencer newspaper in ontario’s Quinte region. Amy later transitioned into fundraising and partnerships - and now serves as Project Manager for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives at the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research at Queen’s University.

Amy is married to a former CAF reservist. Her youngest son serves with 2RCR at Base Gagetown in New Brunswick, and her eldest son is attending Dalhousie University.

Dr. Nicholas Held is the Interim Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University.

He is also the Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Military, Veteran, Family Health.

Prior to this role, Dr. Held served as the Assistant Scientific Director at CIMVHR. He has previously held positions as an Assistant Professor Teaching Adjunct in the School of Kinesiology at Queen’s University and a Term Adjunct in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University. He completed his PhD degree at the University of British Columbia and Postdoctoral training in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University.

In addition to research training, he gained valuable experience working in a clinical setting exclusively with CAF Veterans living with chronic pain. His research interests broadly focus on improving the wellbeing of military, Veterans and their families, with a specific interest in improving pain management and recovery of CAF Veterans.

Learn More:

About CIMVHR:

https://cimvhr.ca/

About the books:

https://cimvhr.ca/canadian-adaptations-of-childrens-e-books-for-military-veteran-and-public-safety-personnel-families/

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

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