Axons Unleashed

This week on Axon’s Unleashed Robbie is joined after-hours by client-turned-mate Ben Jefferson. Ben has an extremely candid and brave talk about his time in the ADF, his transition and the healing he has worked on since “getting out”.

In this episode, there are discussions about sexual assault, mental health and suicide, which can be distressing.

So if you need resources or support go to beyondblue.org or for 24-hour free counselling in Australia, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14.

Open Arms is for current and ex-serving Australian Defence personnel and their families when they need someone to talk to, please look after yourself.

www.openarms.gov.au

Join us for a very special episode of Axons Unleashed as the company hits the awesome 5 year milestone. Robbie, Tami & Dan sit down to reflect on the last half-decade as the business grew and evolved. Later they are also joined by some key-team members and a few other special guests to share memories and stories.

Happy Birthday Axon and here’s to another 5 years of amazing times!

This week Robbie sits down for an amazing one-on-one chat with returning guest Hugh Allen from Mates4Mates. Hugh has recently discharged from the RAAF and he appeared on episode #27 of Axon’s Unleashed with his partner Kelli to discuss their military career and their transition.

Now he’s back to talk about his own soft-landing into a charity that supports veterans and their families who have been impacted by service that’s doing amazing work supporting the veteran community.

Listed to find out just how this incredible organisation helps veterans and how you can support them in return. As Robbie discovered, Mates4Mates is doing incredible work in supporting veterans across a wide range of social activities and clinical recovery programs - most of which many of us are not aware of!

Hugh is a Liaison Officer at the Mates4Mates Brisbane Family Recovery Centre (FRC), with other FRCs located in Townsville, Darwin, and Hobart. For full details on each of these locations, plus their outreach and online services, visit www.mates4mates.org

When Defence Partner Angie Weeks decided to commit herself to support veterans and emergency service workers combat the effects of PTSD, she knew the best and only way to do that was through the power of the human connection with dogs!

In this heart-warming (and tail-wagging!) episode of Axons Unleashed Robbie is joined by the very best person to share this conversation, Dave Simpson (Axon team member and former dog handler in the ADF - Season 2: Episode 1).

Together Angie, RT and Dave talk about their own experiences of the healing and irreplaceable presence of canines and what we can all do to spread the message about PTSD and support this amazing cause.

Find PTSD Dogs Australia at www.ptsddogs.org.au or call Angie directly on 0488 101 026

In what will be his first appearance of many, Robbie & Dan are joined by National Manager of Psychology at Soldier On, Joe Losinno. In Robbie’s own words: “why did I not hear this stuff when I separated from the ADF 8 years ago?”

In a mind-blowing conversation that has Robbie and Dan in many moments of rare silence, Joe thoroughly breaks down his own military career and eventual separation (which included having RT as his leadership instructor at RMC-). He goes on to explain the processes and behaviours that will resonate with all of you - it even has RT and Dan gobsmacked as they exited the studio.

Don’t miss one of the most important episodes of Axons Unleashed so far. Once you’ve been gobsmacked, please share this with your mates!

Michael Lorrigan is the Founder and Managing Director of The Two14 Coffee Company, aptly named after the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, which he served in for nearly a decade.

Hear Michael’s amazing story unfold as he makes his journey from an Armored Corps Officer in Afghanistan to a cafe in Chermside and more as he dials into a ripper chat with Robbie and Dan. It’s filled with commendable elements of Mick’s determination, character and the will to keep going, no matter the odds against him!

Don’t miss this guest episode of Axons Unleashed!

Hugh and Kelli are Axon Members with a very familiar story… Both enlisted in RAAF at a young age and found each other during their initial training courses. From there, their similarities end. Both had different experiences in the ADF which saw them have different transitions. Luckily, both found their right time to “get out”.

Hear their transition stories and much more, including how they found their way to the Axon family, with hosts Robbie, and fellow ex-RAAF’y Dane, on this episode of Axons Unleashed.

Sometimes in order to truly commit to a career in the ADF a young family has to embrace the posting cycle that comes with it. Tash Herrmann is a military spouse of almost 30 years who with her husband, Kent, relocated 17 times before finally settling in their dream home this year (built with Axon!).

Tash joins Robbie, Dan and Jane on Axons Unleashed to share her incredible story of life as a young family following the postings of Kent during his rise to Warrant Officer Class 1. Everyone in the ADF will relate to many parts of this podcast.

What happens when an unexpected injury puts an abrupt end to a promising military career? Axon’s own Build Support member, Renee, bravely tells this story to RT and Dan on this emotionally-charged episode of Axons Unleashed.

How did this fork in the road affect Renee’s life and how did the ‘soft landing’ of Axon Property Group help propel her in a new direction? Do not miss this episode!

For the second part of our conversation with 2 Commando veteran Weston “H” Hennessey, we delve deeper into the moments of a SOCOMD member that changes a life. Robbie, Dave and Adam share their stories with H regarding 9/11, transitioning from the ADF, as well as dealing with the PTSD & trauma of service. This is an unmissable episode of Axons Unleashed!