True Blue Conversations - Andy Steele - Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment Veteran Part 1
True Blue Conversations Podcast
Release Date: 05/05/2025
True Blue Conversations - Charlie Bezzina Ret. Veteran Police Homicide Detective
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Former Victorian Police Officer Charlie Bezzina. Charlie was one of Victoria's top Homicide detectives. In his 17 years in the Homicide Squad, he investigated more than 300 suspicious deaths, including 150 murders - among them the crimes of serial killer Paul Denyer, better known as the Frankson Serial Killer. Charlie also talks about the killing of Melbourne gangland figure Alphonse Gangitano and several murders that followed from that murder, and the Melbourne Gangland War Murders. After 38 distinguished years of...
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True Blue Conversations - Emma Donaldson - Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs)/Wife, Mum, Veterans' Families Advocate Veteran
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs) veteran Emma Donaldson. Emma served for 20 years, both full-time and as a reservist. Emma served in several units throughout Australia. Emma served at 152 Signal Squadron attached to the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth. Emma excelled in her role and would later meet her future husband while serving at 152 Squadron. Emma is a veteran/wife, Mother and the first I have interviewed talking about the role of wives and children back at home while their partners are deployed overseas. Emma met and is married to...
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True Blue Conversations - US Marine, Police Officer & DEA Agent Bret Hamilton
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former US Marine / Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officer / DEA Agent Bret Hamilton. Bret served in the US Marine Corps as a commissioned Officer. Bret deployed in the 1 st Gulf War. Bret left the Marines and, still having a willingness to serve, he joined the Charlotte–Mecklenburg Police Department as a Patrol Officer. After a couple of years, Bret applied and was accepted to join the DEA Drug Enforcement Agency. Bret worked undercover and worked throughout the US. In 2009, Bret became a member of the Foreign Deployed Advisory Support Team (FAST). Bret...
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True Blue Conversations - Australian Special Forces SASR - Federal Police Veteran Doug Sheridan
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Special Air Service Regiment & Australian Federal Police veteran Doug Sheridan, Doug enlisted in the regular army in 1991, posting to 5/7 RAR. In 1997, Doug attempted and completed SASR selection. He served 33 years in the Australian Army and Special Operations in both full-time and reserve capacities. During his service, he deployed to various locations, including Tonga, Malaysia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan. Additionally, he served with the United Nations in West Sahara. He also served for 10 years as a Federal...
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True Blue Conversations - Mark Thomas Victorian Police Sergeant and Code 9 Foundation Founder
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this weeks podcast, I'm joined by Victorian Police Sergeant Mark Thomas and the founder of the Code 9 Foundation. Mark joined the Victorian Police in 1996 and has spent over 29 years in the force. However, over the course of his career with the Victorian Police Force, Mark had attended many distressing scenes and usually recovered well, that is, until he was called out to a suicide. Nearly a decade later, the situation came to a head, and Mark was hospitalised. During this period, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression,...
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True Blue Conversations - Zachary Rolfe BM Australian Army / Northern Territory Police Officer
True Blue Conversations Podcast
True Blue Conversations is inclusive of all stories. On this podcast, I speak with Zach Rolfe BM. Zach is a former infantry soldier from the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and Northern Territory Police Officer. In 2010, Zach enlisted in the Australian Army, serving in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Zach discharged from the Army in 2015. Zach applied to be a Police Officer and was accepted by the Northern Territory force, enrolling at the academy in Darwin in May 2016. Zach graduated as dux of his squad and was posted to Alice Springs in Central...
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True Blue Conversations - Keith Payne VC, AM - Oldest living Victoria Cross Recipient in the World
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On todays podcast, I speak with Keith Payne VC, AM, the oldest living recipient of the Victoria Cross in the world. From the battlefields of Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam to the struggle for veterans welfare, Keith Payne has never shied away from a fight. More than 50 years ago, this bravery saw him receive the Commonwealths highest military honour - the Victoria Cross. Keith grew up one of thirteen children in the shadow of the Great Depression and the Second World War. After seeing his father come home wounded from war, Keith joined the army. He was sent to fight in Korea at just 18 years old,...
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True Blue Conversations - Royal Australian Navy Medic Karney Armstrong
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On todays podcast, I speak with Australian Royal Navy Veteran Karney Armstrong. With over 11 years of service as a medic, Karney’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and transformation. During her career, she faced extraordinary challenges—including a life-saving rescue when she treated a civilian attacked by a shark off Garden Island, WA, just shy of completing her Advanced Medics Assistant Course. Her dedication and quick thinking in that moment exemplify her bravery. Despite her service, Karney faced personal battles, including PTSD, OCD and anorexia, all while managing young...
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True Blue Conversations - Todd Bowler - WAPOL Police Tactical Response Group Veteran
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On today's podcast, I speak with Todd Bowler from, Western Australian Police Tactical Response Group Veteran. Todd has 23 years of combined Police experience, consisting of general duties, close personal protection, and undercover work, with 15 years of experience as a Team Leader and Senior Instructor with the WA Police Tactical Response Group, Todd has led high-risk operations ranging from shootouts with armed criminals to arresting the Claremont Serial Killer and billion dollar drug busts. He’s worked deep undercover and provided close personal protection for U.S. Presidents and members...
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True Blue Conversations - Nick Caldwell - Australian Special Forces 4 RAR Commando / SASR Veteran
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On todays podcast, I speak with Australian Special Forces Veteran Nick Caldwell. Nick spent 12 years in the military. Nick started his career in the Army Reserves before deciding to go full-time. Nick served 6 years as an SAS operator and 4 years as an Australian Commando with 4 RAR Commando. Nick’s military career was cut short due to the kinetic high-tempo lifestyle of a special forces operator. Nick was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Nick was medically downgraded and made he hard decision to discharge from the job he loved. Nicks operational service included deployments...
info_outlineOn today's podcast, I speak with Australian special forces 2nd Commando Regiment
veteran Andy Steele. Andy had a decorated career that included deployments to
East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and also serving in the domestic counterterrorism
team.
Andy joined the army at the age of 17. Andy marched into 4RAR in 2000, he went on
selection at 17.5, making him one of the youngest to successfully pass the
Commando selection and reinforcement cycle. During this conversation, we discuss
the impact of being the team commander during the tragic live fire training incident of
Mason Edwards that still weighs heavily on Andy. We spoke of the loss of one of
Andy’s close friends, the late Cameron Baird VC MG. Andy was on the ground in
2008 when Jason Marks was killed, a day Andy said he was lucky to survive himself.
For more about that day, go back and listen to episode 81, Jordan McCallum, and
episode 100, Craig Hamburgers recollection of that day. After Andy discharged from
the Army, he went contracting in Afghanistan and around the world.
Andy talks about how faith has helped him find peace and purpose after service,
This is a raw, honest powerful two-part episode. A true story of resilience and
redemption.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Andy Steele
Editor: Kyle Watkins