True Blue Conversations - Paul Burns DSC and Bar Colonel Ret. Australian Special Forces Special Air Service Regiment Commanding Officer
True Blue Conversations Podcast
Release Date: 01/13/2026
True Blue Conversations - Kurt Ludke 1 RAR / Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment Veteran
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Kurt Ludke. Kurt was born in Invercargill, NZ, and later moved to Western Australia. Kurt joined the army in 1998. After basic training, he was posted to 1 RAR in Townsville. Kurt faced adversity early in his career looisng his Mum to an aneurysm. Kurt took a compassionate posting for a few months before posting back to 1 RAR. Kurt deployed on multiple overseas deployments include multiple trips to East Timor, Afghanistan & Iraq. In 2005, Kurt applied and was...
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True Blue Conversations - Robert Kilsby - Australian SASR Vietnam Combat Veteran - Author Keynote Speaker
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Robert Kilsby, a former Australian Special Forces Special Air Services Regiment Vietnam combat veteran. Born on Boxing Day in 1951 in the small coal-mining town of Leigh Creek, South Australia, Robert’s early years were steeped in the spirit of adventure—bushland escapades, go-kart races, and the kind of rugged independence that would come to define his life. By age 14, Robert had already experienced one of life’s hardest lessons—his parents’ separation. But instead of falling, he rose. He understood something rare at that age: that people, even...
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True Blue Conversations - Paul Burns DSC and Bar Colonel Ret. Australian Special Forces Special Air Service Regiment Commanding Officer
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Australian Special Forces Special Air Services Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel ret Paul Burns DSC & Bar. Paul served as both a soldier and an officer in the Australian Defence Force for 25 years, with operational tours to Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. During his service, he commanded 1 SAS Squadron in the Western Desert during the invasion of Iraq and was tasked with a mission of vital strategic importance, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and Australia’s first Unit Citation for Gallantry. From 2009, he...
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True Blue Conversations - Bonnie Hancock - World Record holder for Circumnavigation by Paddling around Australia
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this weeks podcast, I speak with Ironwoman and world record holder, Bonnie Hancock. Bonnie spent 254 days, travelled 12,700 kilometres, battled sea sickness, sharks, crocodiles, and the ocean. Bonnie broke numerous records on her fastest ever circumnavigation by paddle around Australia, but that wasn't the achievement she is most proud of. Testing the limits of her mental and physical toughness, she learned what it means to overcome adversity and how important teamwork and perspective truly are. What looks distressing from the rocky shore or storm-tossed waves can be inspiring when you look...
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True Blue Conversations - Army Marine Specialist Special Operations Veteran - Chris Ghalayini
True Blue Conversations Podcast
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Marine Specialist Chris Ghalayini. Chris joined the Australian Army in transport before transferring to a specialist role as a Marine Specialist. He served across East Timor, Iraq, and within a Special Operations Unit, living a career built on discipline, purpose, and service. Chris thought he would wear the uniform for life, but everything changed the day a back injury brought his journey to a sudden halt. It wasn’t just the end of his military career; it was the start of a new battle he never saw coming. In this...
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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,...
info_outlineOn this week’s podcast, I speak with former Australian Special Forces Special Air
Services Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel ret Paul Burns DSC & Bar. Paul
served as both a soldier and an officer in the Australian Defence Force for 25 years,
with operational tours to Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.
During his service, he commanded 1 SAS Squadron in the Western Desert during
the invasion of Iraq and was tasked with a mission of vital strategic importance, for
which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and Australia’s first
Unit Citation for Gallantry. From 2009, he commanded the Special Air Service
Regiment (SASR), Australia’s most elite Special Forces unit, tasked with solving the
Australian government’s most urgent, politically sensitive and dangerous situations
within Australia and overseas. In 2010, he commanded all of Australia’s Special
Forces in Afghanistan and executed an operational plan that resulted in the liberation
of over 30,000 Afghan civilians from Taliban control, and the removal of numerous
very senior Taliban leaders, for which he received a Bar to the DSC. His rotation was
awarded a Battle Honour for the Shah Wali Kot Offensive, the first and only since the
Vietnam War.
Paul is an honour graduate of the United States Marine Corps School of Advanced
Warfighting (SAW) and holds two Master's degrees. In 2012, Paul discharged from
the Army after 25 years of service.
Paul is currently the owner of several companies that provide immersive live fire
shooting capabilities, immersive training solutions and strategic security services for
Australian and international customers. He is also the founder of Heroes and Horses
Australia, a 41-day program for combat veterans that “un-programs the
programmed” post military service. Paul is married with two adult children.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest :Paul Burns DSC & Bar
Editor: Kyle Watkins