The Northern Sentinels Podcast

On this NSP Short, Steve MacBeth shares a humorous story about his first experience doing his job as a private infantry soldier. He learned a valuable lesson about failure that day - failing is acceptable, but repeated failure might not be as welcome. 

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Humans are far more resilient than most of us understand. The modern world has separated us from much of the adversity faced by previous generations. On this NSP Short, Walt Natynczyk tells a heart breaking story about his family that highlights the power of the human spirit.

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NSP Shorts are some of the best stories and insights from guests of The Northern Sentinels Podcast, but in smaller chunks. Education and inspiration from great Canadians with less commitment to fit your schedule. 

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On this episode, I sit-down with Michel Maisonneuve, a retired Canadian three star general and public servant who worked for 45 years in service to the country. Michel was born in Montreal and spent the first part of his youth north of the city. As a result of his father’s profession, the family moved out west where he began grade 9 in Saskatchewan as a unilingual francophone. After graduating high school in Thunder Bay, he spent 35 years in the Army rising to the rank of Lieutenant-General. He made the choice to continue to serve in helping reopen College Militarire Royal in St Jean, Quebec as the Academic Director. After a decade in that position, he decided to retire to the peace and quiet of the Niagara region of Ontario. However, most Canadians might be familiar with the General from his acceptance speech at the Vimy Gala in November, 2022 where his remarks drew a significant amount of criticism. Why after 45 years of service to the nation would someone step into the spotlight in their retirement? We discuss this and much more.

Show Notes:

Canada 125 Government Commercial - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNHsXzRQYh0

Medak Pocket - https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/art-hub/battle-of-medak-pocket

Carol Off's Book on the Medak Pocket - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/124074/the-ghosts-of-medak-pocket-by-carol-off/9780307370785

U.S. General Tommy Franks - https://www.tommyfranksmuseum.org/biography--military-career.html

Excerpt from Michel’s Speech at the Vimy Gala - https://nationalpost.com/opinion/the-speech-by-a-general-attacking-cancel-culture-and-green-policies-that-caused-an-uproar

Some of Michel’s Op-eds

- https://nationalpost.com/opinion/clearing-the-air-about-my-anti-woke-speech-before-im-completely-cancelled
- https://nationalpost.com/opinion/michel-maisonneuve-criticizing-the-government-does-not-politicize-the-military
- https://nationalpost.com/opinion/cutting-1b-from-our-already-underfunded-military-is-simply-preposterous

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On this episode of the NSP, I speak with Robyn Hulan. Robyn hails from Labrador and is a retired Army Colonel who is currently the Chief of Transformation for the RCMP. Inspired to serve at a young age, Robyn had an impressive 30 year career in the military with a multitude of leadership appointments, several overseas missions, and a diverse range of jobs. She also has a deep background in working with the United States. She was serving in the US during 9/11 and her last job in the military was helping North American Aerospace Defence Command or NORAD understand how to optimize its use of data to protect the continent. She provides an important and timely perspective on Canada’s participation in this critical bi-lateral partnership as we have promised to invest billions in NORAD modernization over the next decade.

Show Notes:

Basics of NORAD - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NORAD

NORAD's Pathfinder Initiative - https://www.airandspaceforces.com/pentagons-silicon-valley-hub-is-helping-norad-monitor-us-airspace/

Canada's Upcoming NORAD Investment - https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/operations/allies-partners/norad/norad-modernization-project-timelines.html

The U.S. National Security Agency - https://www.nsa.gov/about/

Own It by Clare Beckton - https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000015731671/Clare-Beckton-Own-It

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On this episode I sit down for a conversation with Steve MacBeth. Steve’s family has a long history of military service which he carried on with distinction. He joined the Army as a private infantry soldier and eventually retired as a LCol after commanding a Canadian Battle Group. Although you would never hear it from him, Steve has been awarded meritorious service decorations on three occasions for his performance on overseas operations - twice in Afghanistan and once in Latvia. After leaving the Canadian military, he joined the New Zealand Defence Force, started In working on his PhD in Strategic Studies, was the Chief Operating Officer for Team Rubicon Canada, and has recently returned to New Zealand with his family to enjoy life in the southern hemisphere. Steve shares a variety of really cool stories during our chat.

Show Notes:

Chilkoot Trail  - https://www.travelyukon.com/en/see-and-do/itineraries/hiking-chilkoot-trail

Team Rubicon Canada - https://team-rubicon.ca/

Steve's Meritorious Service Medals - https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/139-367

Capt MacBeth in Afghanistan
- https://www.thestar.com/news/afghan-diary/article_2fc3b70c-be12-566d-941d-b528cd022fcb.html
- https://www.thestar.com/news/canadians-get-wary-welcome/article_a855b231-c6e9-5f46-af6c-f60df20b53da.html

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In this second part of the interview, Bob speaks about Rwanda, his final years in the public service, being kidnapped by AQ, and some thoughts on national security.

Show Notes:

Rwandan Genocide - https://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/historical-background.shtml

Romeo Dallaire - https://www.romeodallaire.com/

Ipsos Survey on Canadian Opinions on Defence - https://www.ipsos.com/en-ca/half-of-canadians-consider-armed-forces-antiquated

David Brooks article on How America Got Mean - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/09/us-culture-moral-education-formation/674765/

Bob Fowler's Memoire on being kidnapped by AQIM - https://www.harpercollins.com/products/season-in-hell-robert-fowler?variant=32114811469858

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On this episode, I had the opportunity to chat with someone I had never met before, Farid Yaghini. A Canadian born in Iran immediately following the Islamic Revolution, he immigrated with his family to Canada after being smuggled out of the country at 7 years old. His formative years were spent in Toronto before joining the Army. During most of his time in uniform he was focused on applying his linguistic and cultural skills to support both conventional and special operations in Afghanistan. When it was time to hang up the uniform, he went through some soul searching to find his new purpose. In addition to an increased focus on fatherhood, Farid founded Camp Aftermath - a year long program that helps active and retired military and first responders develop the mindset and skills to manage OSI/PTSD through volunteerism and the development of positive habits. As you will experience, Farid is a dynamic and passionate guy with a genuine desire to continue to serve.

Show notes:

Iran's Islamic Revolution - https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-iranian-revolution-a-timeline-of-events/

Maclean's Article of Human Smuggling out of Iran - https://macleans.ca/longforms/iran-human-smuggling/

Counterinsurgency Explained - https://smallwarsjournal.com/blog/two-schools-of-classical-counterinsurgency

Camp Aftermath - https://campaftermath.org/

Quantum Wellness - https://www.yourquantumwellness.org/

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On this episode I sit down with our former Chief of the Defence Staff, former Head of the Canadian Space Agency, and former Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs, Walt Natynczyk. A child of Polish and German immigrants, Walt grew up in Winnipeg and has a truly remarkable family history. After completing his degree at College Militaire Royale in St Jean Quebec, he spent 37 years in the military eventually being appointed to the top job at the height of Canada’s involvement in the Afghan War. After taking off the uniform, he lead the Canadian Space Agency and then became the top public servant at Veterans Affairs where he could continue to support those who protect us. You would be hard pressed to find someone with more passion and energy for service, Canada, and Canadians.

Show notes:

History of the Polish Deportation to Siberia - https://www.gov.pl/web/canada-en/commemoration-of-the-81st-anniversary-of-the-first-mass-deportation-of-polish-citizens-to-siberia

Canada's Army in Germany - https://valourcanada.ca/military-history-library/4-cmbg/

Appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff

https://www.ctvnews.ca/gentleman-general-appointed-to-lead-military-1.300787

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/new-chief-of-defence-staff-could-be-named-by-end-of-summer

Veterans Affairs Canada - https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng

Some of Walt's Volunteer Work - https://www.veteranschronicpain.ca/team/general-retired-walt-natynczyk

Volunteer Canada - https://volunteer.ca/

Volunteerism: At a Crisis or a Crossroads? - https://thephilanthropist.ca/2023/03/volunteerism-in-crisis-or-at-a-crossroads/

Thanks again for listening to the NSP.

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NSP Podcast Logo - L. Ayotte, 2023

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On this episode of the NSP, I get the chance to have a discussion with someone who has excelled in a multitude of disciplines in her life. Professionally, she is a doctor and an Army Colonel. She has been a physician to rural communities, military communities, and to deployed operations in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone. Athletically, she was a national level synchronized swimmer and continues to be a competitive CrossFit athlete. She is someone who always motivates me to push myself through her example. I was an absolute pleasure to sit down with my good friend Colleen Forestier.

Show notes:

Artwork of Maureen Harvey - http://alberta.emuseum.com/people/1067/maureen-harvey;jsessionid=068A55C57D072913CCC1D36BC00BC903/objects

Medical Illustrations of John Harvey - https://www.jharvey-portfolio.com/

Paper on Tactical Combat Casualty Care - https://www.canjsurg.ca/content/54/6_Suppl_1/S118

Operation SIRONA (Ebola outbreak) - https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/operations/military-operations/recently-completed/operation-sirona.html

CrossFit Games Results - https://games.crossfit.com/athlete/37656

Cloud Cuckoo Land - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cloud-Cuckoo-Land/Anthony-Doerr/9781982168445

Erebus - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/565735/erebus-by-michael-palin/9780735274297

Thanks again for listening to the NSP.

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NSP Podcast Music Credit: RomanSenykMusic, Action Trailer, https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-action-trailer-140711/

NSP Podcast Logo - L. Ayotte, 2023

NSP Shorts Music Credit: nomaBeats, You Are The Best!, https://pixabay.com/music/upbeat-you-are-the-best-146445/

NSP Shorts Logo - L. Ayotte, 2023