True Blue Conversations - Sonya Leeding Blue Widow
True Blue Conversations Podcast
Release Date: 10/16/2023
True Blue Conversations - Royal Australian Artillery Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Henneberry
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I sat down with Royal Australian Artillery Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Henneberry. Mark served for 23 years in the RAA. Mark joined the Army at 17. We discussed his deployment to Cambodia in 1993 and the effects of deploying at a young age. Mark talked about what all veterans and first responders face when they discharge, finding purpose after service. Mark found that purpose and now works in defence industries. Mark is a partner with other veterans and first responders for a whiskey company called Wet Canteen Bottling Company. Creating an authentic taste for...
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True Blue Conversations - Director of the Australian War Memorial Matt Anderson PSM
True Blue Conversations Podcast
A momentous ANZAC Day 2024 with the launch of my interview with Matt Anderson PSM, an ADF veteran and the Director of the Australian War Memorial, Matt discusses the current and future re-development of the war memorial, as well as what the memorial and the term ‘remembrance” means him. I remain inspired to hear Matt speak about the essence of what makes the war memorial a humbling and meaningful space to learn, commemorate, reflect, and honour the 103,000 men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Matt Anderson PSM...
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True Blue Conversations - A Woman of Force Deborah Wallace Detective Superintendent (Ret) - Part 2
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I sat down with Detective Superintendent (Ret) Deb Wallace NSW Police veteran serving for 36 years. Deb joined the NSW Police in 1983 and quickly found herself gaining notoriety early in her career when she was involved in the investigation into the murder of 26-year-old nurse Anita Cobby. From this, she was invited to undertake Detective training which led to an extensive career commanding various specialist squads, including the South East Asian Crime Squad, Middle Eastern Organised Crime, and Strike Force Raptor. In the 90s she was a detective at Cabramatta...
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True Blue Conversations - A Woman of Force Deborah Wallace Detective Superintendent (Ret)
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I sat down with Detective Superintendent (Ret) Deb Wallace NSW Police veteran serving for 36 years. Deb joined the NSW Police in 1983 and quickly found herself gaining notoriety early in her career when she was involved in the investigation into the murder of 26-year-old nurse Anita Cobby. From this, she was invited to undertake Detective training which led to an extensive career commanding various specialist squads, including the South East Asian Crime Squad, Middle Eastern Organised Crime, and Strike Force Raptor. In the 90s she was a detective at Cabramatta...
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True Blue Conversations - Johanna Griggs AM TV Personality / Former Commonwealth Games Swimmer
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast I sat down with Television Personality Johanna Griggs AM Before Johanna was on our television screens; she was a superstar Australian swimmer. We spoke about Joh’s life growing up, representing Australia, and winning a bronze medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. We spoke about Joh entering the world of television at such a young age and how hard it is in the media industry. The highs and lows that come with being in the public eye. We also spoke about Joh’s passion the work she does as a director of Beyond Blue. Joh is a true professional, but what really...
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True Blue Conversations - Former NSW Undercover & Tactical Police Officer Andrew “Panda” MacFarlane
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast I sat down with former NSW Police Officer Andrew “Panda” MacFarlane We spoke about his life and serving for 21 years in the NSW Police Force. The roller coaster ride in policing that stretched from being a general duties officer, then moving to undercover roles in various agencies including the NSW Crime Commission NSW Drug Enforcement Agency, Being a tactical operator (high risk policing operations) CT Command and Australian Federal Police then finishing up in Dignitary Protection. We also spoke about the loss of colleges the toll of serving at the sharp end of...
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True Blue Conversations - Michael “Slatt’s” Slattery 2nd Commando Regiment Combat Medic
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast speak with former Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Warrant Officer from the 2nd Commando Regiment Michael "Slatts" Slattery. Slatt’s enlisted in 1986 as a medic in the Australian Army serving 26years with multiple postings to different units. At the age of 36 Slatt’s attempted and passed the Commando Selection Training Course then completing the demanding Commando reinforcement cycle earning his beret qualifying as a special force’s operator. During his career he deployed on multiple operations including Iraq working alongside US medical doctors, nurses, and...
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True Blue Conversations - Matthew Connelly Cavanagh
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak to 3 RAR / Current Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Station Officer Matthew Connelly Cavanagh. Matt was posted into 3 RAR and deployed to East Timor in 1999. In 2000, Matt then transferred to Army Fire Service. In 2004, Matt discharged from the Army and joined the ACT Fire Brigade until 2008. In that same year, Matt went on to join the Queensland Fire Department. Matt is currently a station officer and a recruit instructor passing on his knowledge and over 20 years. Fire experience to new recruits. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Matthew...
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True Blue Conversations - NSW Police & Fire Rescue NSW Firefighter Veteran Mitch Parker
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast I speak to Mitch Parker former NSW Police officer former Superintendent NSW SES Command of the New England and Retained Fire Fighter with Fire and Rescue NSW. Mitch spent 17 years within the NSW police and 17 years and counting as a retained fire fighter with NSW Fire and Rescue. During his time within both roles Mitch has many stories from incidents that even led to receiving commendations for bravery as both police officer and firefighter. After an extensive career serving the community on the front lines he moved onto the role as Superintendent NSW SES...
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True Blue Conversations - Australian Army Photographer Veteran Rachel Ingram Part 2
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On part two of our chat with Rachel Ingram we speak about coming back from deployments. Being medically discharged from the Army after 19 year’s service and facing what every veteran faces when they leave the ADF, Transition, finding purpose after service and finding a new identity away from Defence the highs and the lows faced by all veterans and first responders when they leave service. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Rachel Ingram Editor: Kyle Watkins Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
info_outlineOn this week's episode we speak with current serving Queensland Police Officer (QPS) Detective Senior Constable / Author Sonya Leeding,
Born in New Zealand, Sonya relocated to Australia with her parents and three siblings in 1987. Sonya grew up in Logan and relocated to the Gold Coast in 2001. After completing a double degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies and a Bachelor of Laws Sonya practiced law for a short time and found her true passion in policing in 2003. She has been a Queensland Police Officer ever since, working at Southport, Runaway Bay, and eventually finding her passion, and fulfilling a lifelong dream becoming a detective with the Child Protection and Investigation Unit. Sonya was widowed at 32 years old and has had to adjust to life on her own, as a single mother since. Losing her husband Police Officer Damian Leeding who was killed in 2011 trying to stop an armed hold up at the Pacific Pines Tavern has taught Sonya many valuable lessons, but most importantly has allowed her resilience to shine through, which is also evident in her work in the Child Protection Unit. Sonya’s debut book, ‘Blue Widow’ is the journey of how she navigated life as a police officer after love and loss. It is a journey of resilience and the discovery that trusting in yourself can be the very thing that saves you. This story will introduce you to the humans behind the badge. When Sonya is not protecting vulnerable victim’s, you will find her in mum mode with her two children Hudson and Grace. Sonya has a passion for baking, it soothes her soul. Sonya’s downtime is spent at her local F45 gym or out walking with Labradoodles Elliot and Amalie. Sonya is also a keen camper and with the assistance of her 1968 Viscount vintage caravan, ‘Felicia’ manages to find peace and quiet at new locations around Southeast Queensland.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Sonya Leeding
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway