True Blue Conversations Podcast
Inspired by the people and events that have shaped Australian history and character, with his authentically Australian down to earth approach, Adam Blum explores and shares their stories. Learn how in the past and more recently, service, sacrifice and grit have and continue to play a central role in Australia's True Blue History.
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True Blue Conversations - Dan Sultanowsky - RAAF / Australian Special Forces Special Air Service Regiment SASR Veteran
09/07/2026
True Blue Conversations - Dan Sultanowsky - RAAF / Australian Special Forces Special Air Service Regiment SASR Veteran
Welcome back to True Blue Conversations. Today’s conversation is with a man whose journey from the Royal Australian Air Force, to the Australian Army, and ultimately to the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, is a story of determination, sacrifice, self-belief and overcoming doubt. Dan Sultanowsky enlisted in the RAAF in February 2006 as an Airfield Defence Guard, posting to 2ADFS at Amberley, Queensland. Dan deployed to Iraq in 2008 on SECDET 13, attached to 7RAR A Company, In 2010, Dan set his sights on one of the most demanding paths in the Australian Defence Force — SASR selection. Dan attempted SASR selection in 2010 at just 22 years old, and his journey was captured in the Australian military documentary Search for Warriors. Dan went on to pass selection and the required courses before eventually posting to the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth. Serving in the regiment from 2010 through to 2019, Dan deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 with SOTG 3 Squadron, followed by another deployment in 2016 on SOPT and two rotations of TAG - WEST. But Dan’s deployment to Afghanistan in 2012 carries a particularly heavy memory. During that deployment, one of his fellow soldiers, Sergeant Blaine Diddams MG, was killed in action. Behind every deployment statistic is a person, a mate, a family and a story — and today, Dan opens up about that reality. In 2019, Dan made the decision to transition out of the Regiment and faced another challenge familiar to so many veterans and first responders — finding his identity and purpose after leaving the world he had known for so many years. But Dan had already been preparing himself for his next chapter. While serving in the Regiment, he taught himself how to code. That passion eventually led him into the IT industry, where he worked as a software engineer and later spent years writing code full-time enabling discreet operations for Defence. Dan eventually left Defence completely in May 2025 and is now working in the private sector, from home, for a US based company. Today, we have a raw and honest conversation about chasing the dream of serving in the SASR, silencing the doubts in your own head, and what it takes to push yourself beyond what you believe you're capable of. We talk about fighting alongside your mates, the realities of deployment, the loss of Sergeant Blaine Diddams MG, and the experiences that can stay with you long after you leave the battlefield. But we also talk about something that affects so many veterans, police, firefighters, paramedics and first responders — transitioning from a life of service back into the civilian world. Who are you when the uniform comes off? How do you find purpose again? And how do you silence the doubt that tells you that you’re no longer who you were? Dan’s story is one of service, resilience, loss, reinvention and ultimately finding a new purpose. This is a raw conversation about the reality of serving in Australia’s Special Forces, the sacrifices that come with it, and the journey of finding your place again when the uniform comes off. Host : Adam Blum Guest : Dan Sultanowsky Editor : Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Darwin Fermo - Australian Signalman / Australian Federal Police AFP Veteran
08/31/2026
True Blue Conversations - Darwin Fermo - Australian Signalman / Australian Federal Police AFP Veteran
Welcome back to True Blue Conversations. Today, I’m joined by someone whose journey through the Australian Defence Force spans service, deployments, communications, international operations, and an enduring passion for defence, intelligence and geopolitics. Darwin Fermo enlisted in January 2000 as a Reservist, marching into 10th Light Horse Squadron as a Driver/Crewman before transferring to the Australian Regular Army in February 2001 as an Operator Specialist Communications Signalman. He was posted to the School of Signals, where he was completing his training when the world changed forever with the September 11 terrorist attacks. From there, Darwin was posted to Brisbane’s 1st Joint Support Unit, serving with Radio Troop. His career would soon take him well beyond Australia, including a deployment to the Solomon Islands in 2003, participation in the first Talisman Sabre exercise aboard USS Boxer in 2005, and deployment to Iraq with AMTG2 later that year. He would go on to serve in Darwin with HQNORCOM, supporting Operation Resolute, while simultaneously undertaking university studies in Security, Terrorism and Counterterrorism. Darwin ultimately made the difficult decision to leave the Army in 2008, choosing to pursue his university studies full-time. But the ADF never really left him. He was offered the opportunity to re-enlist in 2018, which he declined while preparing for his wedding. Then, in 2019, he sat an Officer Selection Board for the Maritime Warfare Officer role. Despite being assessed as highly suitable, an unexpected medical classification issue prevented him from progressing. Today, Darwin continues to maintain a deep interest in the ADF, international relations, security and geopolitics. But his service didn't end when he left the Army. Darwin went on to serve as an Australian Federal Police officer, bringing together his military communications background, operational experience and passion for security and national service. In this conversation, we're going to explore Darwin's journey — from a young Reservist joining the 10th Light Horse, through the School of Signals and the post-9/11 military, to the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Talisman Sabre, and ultimately his transition from the ADF into policing and transitioning out of the AFP. We talk about the decisions that shaped his career, the opportunities he pursued, the ones that didn't work out, and what it means to continue serving in a different uniform and finding purpose again after the uniform comes off. Host: Adam Blum Guest: Darwin Fermo Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Mike Durant - 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - Black Hawk Down
08/17/2026
True Blue Conversations - Mike Durant - 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - Black Hawk Down
On today's episode of True-Blue Conversations, I am joined by Mike Durant, a former 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, aka Night Stalkers. Mike's deployment to Somalia was portrayed in the Hollywood movie Blackhawk down. Mike was a member of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) as a Chief Warrant Officer 3. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 Blackhawk helicopter Master Aviator in the 160th SOAR after participating in combat operations Prime Chance, Just Cause, and Desert Storm, and also Gothic Serpent, in which he was briefly held prisoner for 11 days in 1993 after a raid in Somalia. During Operation Gothic Serpent, Mike was the pilot of Super Six Four, the second MH-60L Black Hawk helicopter to crash during the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3, 1993. The helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade in the tail, which led to its crash about a mile southwest of the operation’s target. This is a raw and honest chat, an episode not to be missed! Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Mike Durant Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Dr Dan Cooper - Former 3RAR and Special Air Service Regiment SASR Veteran
08/10/2026
True Blue Conversations - Dr Dan Cooper - Former 3RAR and Special Air Service Regiment SASR Veteran
On todays episode of True-Blue Conversations, I am joined by former Australian Special Forces SASR veteran Dr Dan Cooper. After underperforming at school, Dan joined the Army and posted to 3 RAR, deploying to Timor in 1999. A short time later, Dan attempted SASR selection in 2001 and completed the selection course. After Reo and 9-11, Dan (qualifying as a water operator) deployed straight away on the 2nd rotation to Afghanistan in 2002. Dan served in all 3 Sabre SQNs and OSS during his career. Between 2002 and 2016, Dan conducted dozens of operations in Afghanistan and other parts of the world. In 2008, Dan started what would grow into the SASR Human Performance program and the foundation program for SOCOMD and the Army to develop their Human Performance and gained an undergrad degree in Sports Science a double masters in Strength and Conditioning and conducted research into cognitive and physiological performance. After qualifying for a research scholarship, Dan has gone on to further studies and has completed a PhD on the Human Factors to improve transfer of training and performance in high-threat combat environments. On leaving SASR, Dan spent 2 years working with the QLD Reds high-performance program. Dan now uses his experience and research to develop a Critical response performance and innovation initiative to provide free education, training, and development to front-line performers/organisations. Between 2010 and 2022 Dan completed a range of activities including a 250km multi day ultra in the Aussie desert, several 100km ultra’s, coveted at the Cross-fit regionals and masters games, the Yukon Arctic Ultra 750km foot race, a 24hr obstacle course race, the Iditarod trail invitational 550km and 1600km foot race and currently looking into an attempt at a solo South Polo expedition. This is a raw, powerful and deeply honest conversation about sacrifice, resilience and the realities of life as an elite Australian Special Forces operator. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Dr Dan Cooper Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Adam Smith - Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment & Victoria Police Special Operations Group Veteran
08/03/2026
True Blue Conversations - Adam Smith - Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment & Victoria Police Special Operations Group Veteran
On today episode of True-Blue Conversations, I am joined by Adam Smith, a veteran of the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Victoria Police Special Operations Group. Adam joined the Australian Army in 2005 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR). During his time with 2RAR, he deployed twice to East Timor before successfully attempting and completing selection for the 2nd Commando Regiment in 2008. After completing the demanding Reinforcement Cycle, he earned the coveted Sherwood Green beret. Throughout his Special Forces career, Adam deployed on multiple Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) rotations to Afghanistan and Iraq and served on Tactical Assault Group EAST ( TAG- EAST). He shares his firsthand experiences of modern warfare, including being on the ground in Afghanistan in 2011 when his mentor and friend, Brett Wood, MG DSM, was killed in action. Adam opens up about the raw emotion of losing a close mate in combat and reflects on the deaths of fellow Special Forces operators Todd Langley and Sapper Rowan Robinson, and the lasting impact those losses have had on him and those who served alongside them. Adam also speaks candidly about the tragic training accident in 2014 during an extreme Alpine climate exercise that claimed the life of one of his fellow commandos. He discusses the invisible wounds of service, his battle with PTSD, and the true cost that war and military service can have on those who answer the call. Following his military career, Adam laterally transferred to Victoria Police and, after graduating from the academy, went directly into the elite Special Operations Group. Even after discharging from full-time service, he continued serving Australia as a member of the 1st Commando Regiment, Australia Army Reserve Special Forces capability, based in Melbourne. This is a raw, powerful and deeply honest conversation about sacrifice, resilience, grief, mateship, and the realities of life as an elite Australian Special Forces & Victoria Police Special Operations Group Operator. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Adam Smith Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Henry Young - WW2 Spitfire Pilot
07/28/2026
True Blue Conversations - Henry Young - WW2 Spitfire Pilot
Welcome back to True Blue Conversations, where we preserve the stories of the men and women who have shaped Australias history through service, sacrifice, and resilience. Todays guest is nothing short of extraordinary. Henry Young is one of the last living links to the Greatest Generation. At an incredible 102 years of age, Henry served as a Royal Air Force Spitfire pilot during the Second World War, taking to the skies at a time when courage was measured not in words, but in actions. He belonged to a generation of young men who answered the call without hesitation, knowing every mission could be their last. But Henrys remarkable life didnt end when the war was over. Returning home, he forged an outstanding career as a professional tennis player, proving that the determination and discipline that carried him through combat also drove him to excel in sport. His life has spanned more than a century of extraordinary change, from the darkest days of World War II to the modern world we know today. In this conversation, well explore Henrys childhood, his decision to become a fighter pilot, the realities of flying the legendary Spitfire in wartime, the mateship and sacrifices of those who never returned, and how he rebuilt his life after the war through professional tennis. Well also reflect on the lessons hes learned across more than 100 years of life—lessons on resilience, purpose, gratitude, and what it truly means to serve something greater than yourself. It is an absolute privilege and honour to welcome one of the last surviving World War II Spitfire pilots. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Henry Young Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Fred Campbell O.A.M - Royal Australian Navy Veteran
07/21/2026
True Blue Conversations - Fred Campbell O.A.M - Royal Australian Navy Veteran
Today on True Blue Conversations, I sit down with an extraordinary Royal Australian Navy veteran whose career spans more than 35 years of service, multiple operational deployments, and a lifetime of leadership—Fred Campbell OAM. Fred joined the Royal Australian Navy on 8 January 1982 through the Naval Apprentice Scheme as an Air Technical Aircraft fitter. From the flight lines at HMAS Albatross to serving aboard some of Australia's most iconic warships, Fred built an exceptional career supporting the Fleet Air Arm and mentoring generations of sailors. His operational service took him to some of the defining conflicts of the modern era, including Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Kuwait, Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, the Solomon Islands, and Iraq in 2004 aboard HMAS Stuart. During that deployment, Fred was involved in one of the most significant naval incidents of the Iraq War—the USS Firebolt incident—a dramatic and little-known event that tested leadership, courage, and decision-making under extreme pressure. In this conversation, Fred takes us behind the headlines to share what really happened, what he witnessed, and the lessons that have stayed with him ever since. Throughout his distinguished career, Fred served as Command Warrant Officer at HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Creswell, HMAS Melbourne, and HMAS Parramatta, becoming one of the Navy's most respected senior leaders. His outstanding service was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2013 Queen's Birthday Honours, along with numerous Australian and international operational medals and commendations. But service didn't end when Fred hung up the uniform in 2017. Today, he continues to fight for those who have served as the President of the Keith Payne VC AM Veterans Benefit Group, working alongside Australia's only living Victoria Cross recipient from the Vietnam War to support veterans and their families. His commitment to the veteran community, advocacy, and ensuring no veteran is left behind has become his new mission. Beyond service, Fred is a proud husband to a fellow Navy veteran, a father, grandfather, rugby tragic, Harley rider, knife maker, guitarist, barbecue enthusiast, and someone who believes in giving back to the mateship that shaped his life. This is a conversation about leadership, combat, resilience, transition, and continuing to serve long after the uniform comes off. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Fred Campbell OAM Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Lucas Atkins - Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer
07/13/2026
True Blue Conversations - Lucas Atkins - Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer
G'day, and welcome back to True Blue Conversations. Today's guest is Lucas Atkins, a former Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer whose 12-year career placed him at the very centre of some of Australia's most significant security operations. Lucas began his policing career protecting high-profile dignitaries, including the United States and Israeli Ambassadors, as well as international VIPs such as the Dalai Lama. His professionalism and dedication soon earned him a position within one of the AFP's most elite close protection teams, where he became responsible for the full-time security of Australian Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd. Lucas was on the ground during the dramatic events of Australia Day 2012, when protests marking the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy escalated into a major security incident. As the threat rapidly intensified, Lucas played a key role in the emergency evacuation of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition from a Canberra venue surrounded by hostile protesters. After leaving the Australian Federal Police, Lucas continued working in close personal protection operations across the globe, protecting clients in some of the world's most demanding environments. Today, he has taken that wealth of experience and founded his own business. But this conversation goes far beyond protective operations and high-profile missions. It's a raw and honest discussion about identity, purpose, and the challenges that so many veterans and first responders face when the uniform comes off. We talk about transition, rebuilding life after service, and finding a new mission beyond the job. This is an episode filled with stories from behind the security cordon, lessons forged under pressure, and a powerful reminder that the toughest battles often begin after the career ends. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the True-Blue Conversations of former Australian Federal Police Close Protection Officer, Lucas Atkins. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Lucas Atkins Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Ryan Wilson - Former Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) Veteran
07/06/2026
True Blue Conversations - Ryan Wilson - Former Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) Veteran
G'day, and welcome back to True Blue Conversations. Today's guest is a man who has lived a life of service, resilience, and excellence. Ryan Wilson began his military career in the Australian Army Reserve before taking on one of the toughest challenges in the world—Special Air Service Regiment selection. After successfully earning his place in the SASR, Ryan went on to serve on multiple operational deployments around the globe as a specialist dog handler, operating alongside some of Australia's most elite soldiers. But this conversation goes far beyond medals and missions. Ryan opens up about the reality of life inside Special Forces—the relentless standards, the pressure of operating at the highest level, the unbreakable bonds forged between teammates, and the devastating pain of losing mates along the way. It's a raw, honest, and deeply personal insight into a world very few Australians ever get to see. Today, Ryan has taken that same commitment and discipline into business as the owner of Whipper Snap Distillery, proving that the values forged in military service can continue to shape success long after the uniform comes off. This is an episode about sacrifice, mateship, resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to serve. Ladies and gentlemen, this is Ryan Wilson. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Ryan Wilson Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Eva Clarke - Australian Army & Royal Australian Air Force Physical Training Instructor & Guinness World Record holder
06/29/2026
True Blue Conversations - Eva Clarke - Australian Army & Royal Australian Air Force Physical Training Instructor & Guinness World Record holder
Today on True Blue Conversations, we sit down with an extraordinary woman whose story is built on resilience, service, family, and an unbreakable mindset. Eva Clarke is a former Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force Physical Training Instructor, a mother, a wife to a serving military member, and one of Australia’s most accomplished fitness endurance athletes. A multiple Guinness World Record holder, Eva has built a reputation for achieving what many would consider impossible through grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Throughout her military career, Eva dedicated herself to helping others achieve their best, but it was her own battles with injury, adversity, and personal hardship that forged the resilience that would define the next chapter of her life. From serving in uniform to breaking world records in push-ups, burpees, pull-ups, endurance events, and fitness challenges across the globe, Eva has continually redefined what is possible. Despite battling serious wrist injuries and significant medical setbacks, she refused to let limitations dictate her future, instead turning obstacles into fuel and proving that the human spirit is capable of far more than most people imagine. As a mother, military spouse, veteran, educator, coach, and elite athlete, Eva’s story is not simply about physical strength. It is about discipline, sacrifice, perseverance, and finding purpose through challenge. Her achievements have inspired countless people around the world and helped raise significant funds for charitable causes through her record-breaking efforts. This is a conversation about service, family, resilience, mental toughness, and what it truly means to keep moving forward when life throws everything it has at you. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the remarkable story of Eva Clarke. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Eva Clarke Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Damien Silva - Distinguished Service Medal - Australian Army Combat Medic
06/20/2026
True Blue Conversations - Damien Silva - Distinguished Service Medal - Australian Army Combat Medic
On this special episode of True Blue Conversations, we sit down with Australian Army Combat Medic veteran and Distinguished Service Medal recipient Damien Silva. This man has faced some of the most confronting moments of Australia’s war in Afghanistan.From the chaos of the battlefield to the split-second decisions that mean life or death, Damien opens up about serving as a combat medic alongside some of Australia’s elite soldiers. He reflects on the night in 2009 when he fought to save Mason Edwards from the 2nd Commando Regiment after he was critically wounded in an MRE pre-deployment in Cultana, South Australia — a moment that would stay with him forever. Damien also takes us inside one of the darkest chapters of the Afghanistan war: the 2010 Black Hawk helicopter crash that claimed the lives of three Australian soldiers and seriously injured many others. He speaks candidly about treating the fallen, the emotional toll carried by medics, and the burden of being the person trying to hold everything together when tragedy strikes. This is a raw and powerful conversation about service, sacrifice, trauma, mateship, and what happens after the battlefield goes quiet. It’s the story of a man who stood shoulder to shoulder with Australia’s finest in their darkest hours — and carried those memories home and found purpose long after the dust settles from the battlefields. This is raw; it's in your face and a must-listen for all veterans and first responders. This is True Blue Conversations, honouring those who serve and remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, LEST WE FORGET. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Damien Silva Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Damo Batty - Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Veteran
06/08/2026
True Blue Conversations - Damo Batty - Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Veteran
G’day and welcome back to True Blue Conversations — where we sit down with Australians who’ve dedicated their lives to service, leadership, and shaping the nation we’re proud to call home. Today’s guest is Major Damien Batty, a retired Australian Army Officer who served with distinction for more than 26 years in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and broader Defence organisation. Appointed in 1996 and commissioned in 1997, he built a career defined by leadership, professionalism, operational service, and unwavering dedication to the soldiers and units under his command. Throughout his career, Major Batty served across a broad range of operational, instructional, logistical, and Special Operations appointments, including postings to 1st Field Hospital, 1st Health Support Battalion, Special Operations Headquarters, Army School of Health, Army School of Logistic Operations, and Headquarters 17th Sustainment Brigade. His service reflected a rare blend of operational experience, strategic capability, and commitment to mentoring and developing others. Major Batty deployed on multiple operations, including Operation BEL ISI, Operation ANODE, Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan, and Operation COVID ASSIST. His honours and awards include the Afghanistan Medal, Australian Active Service Medal, Australian Service Medal, Army Combat Badge, NATO ISAF Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Citation for service with Special Operations Task Groups. Widely respected for his integrity, loyalty, and devotion to duty, Major Batty’s career stands firmly in the finest traditions of the Australian Army. It’s a raw and honest conversation about service, sacrifice, and the bonds that are forged when people rely on each other in life-and-death moments and finding purpose after service. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Damo Batty Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Special 150th Episode - Sam Mostyn AC - Governor-General of Australia
05/25/2026
True Blue Conversations - Special 150th Episode - Sam Mostyn AC - Governor-General of Australia
G’day and welcome back to True Blue Conversations — where we sit down with Australians who’ve dedicated their lives to service, leadership, and shaping the nation we’re proud to call home. Today’s guest represents the very heart of Australian values — integrity, service, and a deep commitment to community. We’re honoured to be joined in the special 150th episode by Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, the 28th Governor-General of Australia. With a career spanning business, sport, climate advocacy, and social justice, Sam Mostyn has long been a powerful voice for fairness, inclusion, and national progress. From boardrooms to grassroots initiatives, she’s championed the idea that leadership is about lifting others and leaving things better than you found them. Now, as the King’s representative in Australia, she carries forward a proud tradition — supporting our communities, recognising extraordinary Australians, and reflecting the spirit of a modern nation. In this conversation, we go beyond the title — into the person, the purpose, and the passion behind the role. This is a yarn about service at the highest level… about what it means to represent a nation… and about staying grounded while carrying great responsibility. So, settle in — for this special 150th episode. This is True Blue Conversations with Her Excellency, Sam Mostyn AC.
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True Blue Conversations - Sue Osborn - Australian Army Combat Medic / UAV Operator Veteran
05/24/2026
True Blue Conversations - Sue Osborn - Australian Army Combat Medic / UAV Operator Veteran
G’day and welcome back to True Blue Conversations — where we share the stories of those who’ve stood the line, served their country's communities, and carried the weight of responsibility most will never truly understand. In this episode, we sit down with Sue Osborn, whose career is anything but ordinary. Sue spent 27 and a half years in the Australian Army, operating in some of the most demanding environments you can imagine. She started as a Combat Medic, spending 15 years at the pointy end—where decisions are immediate, the stakes are life and death, and there’s no room for hesitation. She then made a hard pivot into a completely different battlefield, spending the next 12 and a half years as an Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle Operator—a drone pilot—working in the evolving space of modern aviation warfare, where pressure doesn’t disappear, it just changes form. Across her career, Sue deployed to the Solomon Islands, East Timor, and completed two tours of Afghanistan. She’s seen conflict up close, and from a distance—but always with real consequences attached to every decision. What stands out about Sue isn’t just the length of her service, it’s the range. She’s operated on the ground, under pressure, treating casualties… and later, from the air, where the responsibility shifts but never gets lighter. This is someone who understands what it means to perform when it matters—again and again, over nearly three decades. But wait until the end when you hear what she’s doing now, this is a raw and honest chat about service and the toll that service has both physically and mentally. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Sue Osborn Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Geoff Stewart - Western Australian Police Superintendent Ret.
05/11/2026
True Blue Conversations - Geoff Stewart - Western Australian Police Superintendent Ret.
G’day and welcome back to True Blue Conversations — where we share the stories of those who’ve stood the line, served their communities, and carried the weight of responsibility most will never truly understand. Today’s guest represents something rare — not just service, but endurance at the highest level. Forty-eight years in policing. Nearly five decades of showing up, day in and day out, through the good, the bad, and everything in between. Joining us is Superintendent (Retired) Geoff Stewart of the Western Australian Police — a man who built a career on leadership, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the job and the people beside him. From walking the beat in the early days to making the tough calls at senior command, he’s seen policing evolve, faced moments that test character, and led from the front when it mattered most. This is more than a career — it’s a lifetime of service. A story of mateship, pressure, sacrifice, and what it truly means to wear the badge for nearly half a century. So, settle in — because this is True Blue Conversations, and today, you’re hearing from a man who’s given 48 years to the job, and has the stories to prove it. This is a raw and honest chat about how much policing has changed from the late 1970s to the modern day. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Geoff Stewart Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Barry Randall - Victorian Police Officer / Operation Soul Surfer Founder
05/04/2026
True Blue Conversations - Barry Randall - Victorian Police Officer / Operation Soul Surfer Founder
G’day and welcome back to True Blue Conversations—where we sit down with the people who’ve served, sacrificed, and continue to give back long after the uniform comes off. Today’s guest is a man who has taken a life of service and turned it into something truly special. Barry Randall is a current serving Victoria Police Officer with over 32 years of service, having seen the job from the frontline. Barry knows exactly what it means to carry the weight that comes with it—the pressure, the trauma, and the quiet battles that follow you home. But instead of walking away from it, Barry leaned in. He’s the driving force behind the program Operation Soul Surf —a grassroots movement using the power of the ocean to help veterans, first responders, and anyone doing it tough find a bit of peace again. It’s about saltwater therapy, connection, and reminding people they’re not alone. This is a chat about service beyond the badge, about healing, and about finding purpose in helping others stand back up. Last year, in 2025, Barry won the Rotary Emergency Services Officer of the Year award. This is a raw and honest chat about serving on the frontline and the cost of protecting the community. Barry, welcome to True Blue Conversations. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Barry Randall Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Jared Purcell - Australian Army 2 RAR Veteran and Podcaster Broken Fathers
04/27/2026
True Blue Conversations - Jared Purcell - Australian Army 2 RAR Veteran and Podcaster Broken Fathers
Service doesn’t end when you hang up the uniform—it evolves. And for some, the next mission becomes even more personal. Today on True Blue Conversations, we sit down with Jared Purcell—Australian Army veteran, former 2RAR soldier, and the voice behind the Broken Fathers podcast. Jared has lived the highs and the hardships of military life, but it’s what came after service that shaped his next chapter. Through Broken Fathers, he has created a space for raw, honest conversations about fatherhood, identity, struggle, and rebuilding—topics that often go unaddressed but matter more than most. In this episode, we dive into Jared’s time in 2RAR, the experiences that defined his service, and the transition out of the military. We explore the challenges of finding purpose beyond the uniform, the realities of fatherhood, and why telling the hard stories can be the most important mission of all. This is a conversation about resilience, responsibility, and redefining what it means to show up—not just as a veteran, but as a man and a father. It’s a raw and powerful honest chat. This is True Blue Conversations—let’s get into it. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Jared Purcell Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Mandy Hickson Royal Air Force Fast Jet Pilot Tornado GR4 Combat Pilot / Author
04/20/2026
True Blue Conversations - Mandy Hickson Royal Air Force Fast Jet Pilot Tornado GR4 Combat Pilot / Author
Welcome back to True Blue Conversations, where we sit down with those who’ve lived extraordinary lives in service, leadership, and beyond. Today’s guest is someone who has quite literally operated at the edge of human performance. Mandy Hickson is a former Royal Air Force fast jet pilot who flew the Tornado GR4 on combat and operational missions around the world. In an environment where precision, resilience, and split-second decision-making can mean the difference between success and failure, Mandy carved out a career in one of the most demanding roles in military aviation. Since leaving the RAF, she’s become a highly sought-after keynote speaker and author, sharing powerful insights into leadership, teamwork, and performing under pressure—lessons forged at 40,000 feet and in some of the most high-stakes situations imaginable. In this episode, we dive into Mandy’s journey into the RAF, what it takes to fly fast jets in combat, the realities behind the cockpit, and how those experiences translate into leadership and life beyond the military. This is a conversation about courage, discipline, and thriving in high-performance environments. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Mandy Hickson Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Lana Boland - Canadian Police Officer / Author
04/13/2026
True Blue Conversations - Lana Boland - Canadian Police Officer / Author
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Lana Boland, a dedicated Canadian police officer who has served her community with courage and compassion. From navigating high-stress investigations to mentoring young officers, Lana has seen it all. But beyond the badge, she’s a voice for mental health in policing, shining a light on the human side of law enforcement. Join us as we explore her journey, the challenges she’s faced, and the hope she’s bringing to a profession that demands so much. This is a raw and insightful conversation about resilience, mental health, and the unseen weight carried by those who serve. Lana shares the lessons she’s learned, the challenges she’s faced, and the tools she now uses to help others heal, grow, and take back control of their lives. Whether you’re in emergency services, supporting someone who is, or just looking to better understand trauma and recovery—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Lana Boland Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Meg Jarvis - Western Australia Police Detective / Trauma Coach
04/06/2026
True Blue Conversations - Meg Jarvis - Western Australia Police Detective / Trauma Coach
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Western Australia WA Police Detective Meg Jarvis, who has spent years on the front line of some of the most confronting and complex cases imaginable. Meg’s career in policing exposed her to the realities most people never see—trauma, crisis, and the human side of crime. But what sets her apart is what came next. Drawing on her lived experience, she’s transitioned into a trauma coach, helping others navigate the psychological toll that comes with high-pressure roles and life- altering events. This is a raw and insightful conversation about resilience, mental health, and the unseen weight carried by those who serve. Meg shares the lessons she’s learned, the challenges she’s faced, and the tools she now uses to help others heal, grow, and take back control of their lives. Whether you’re in emergency services, supporting someone who is, or just looking to better understand trauma and recovery—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Meg Jarvis Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Michael “Smokey” Dawson BM EW Operator / Military Police Dog Handler Part 2
03/31/2026
True Blue Conversations - Michael “Smokey” Dawson BM EW Operator / Military Police Dog Handler Part 2
Welcome back to part 2 of our chat with Michal Dawson, BM. A man who has lived a life defined by service—both in uniform and beyond. Michael is an Australian Army veteran serving as an EW operator and in the Military police as a dog handler. He is a recipient of the Bravery Medal—an honour awarded to those who display extraordinary courage in the face of real danger. From his time in the Army to the moment that would ultimately see him recognised for bravery, Michael’s story is one of instinct, selflessness, and stepping forward when others might hesitate. In this episode, we unpack that defining moment—what happened, what drove him to act, and the aftermath of carrying that experience. But more than that, we explore the man behind the medal: the lessons from military life, the transition beyond service, and what courage really looks like when no one’s watching. This is a raw and grounded conversation about service, sacrifice, and the quiet professionals who walk among us, as well as the true cost of service and the struggles that every veteran and first responder face in transitioning back to civilian life after service. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Michael “Smokey” Dawson BM Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Michael “Smokey” Dawson BM EW Operator / Military Police Dog Handler Part 1
03/30/2026
True Blue Conversations - Michael “Smokey” Dawson BM EW Operator / Military Police Dog Handler Part 1
Today’s guest is a man who has lived a life defined by service—both in uniform and beyond. Michael “Smokey” Dawson BM is an Australian Army veteran serving as an EW operator and in the Military police as a dog handler. He is a recipient of the Bravery Medal—an honour awarded to those who display extraordinary courage in the face of real danger. From his time in the Army to the moment that would ultimately see him recognised for bravery, Michael’s story is one of instinct, selflessness, and stepping forward when others might hesitate. In this episode, we unpack that defining moment—what happened, what drove him to act, and the aftermath of carrying that experience. But more than that, we explore the man behind the medal: the lessons from military life, the transition beyond service, and what courage really looks like when no one’s watching. This is a raw and grounded conversation about service, sacrifice, and the quiet professionals who walk among us, as well as the true cost of service and the struggles that every veteran and first responder face in transitioning back to civilian life after service. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Michael “Smokey” Dawson BM Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Captain Jonathan “Finchy” Finch
03/23/2026
True Blue Conversations - Captain Jonathan “Finchy” Finch
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Captain Jonathan Finch, whose 27year journey in the Australian Defence Force reflects the evolution of a peacetime organisation into one operating at an intense operational tempo around the world. Finchy began his career in 1999, enlisting in the Army Reserve as a cook—just as the ADF was transitioning into an era marked by frequent deployments and complex missions abroad. Over the years, Finchy’s adaptability, professionalism, and appetite for challenge saw him rise through the Australian Army Catering Corps to the rank of Sergeant before commissioning as a logistics officer within the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. His career has carried him across the IndoPacific and throughout Australia on a wide variety of operations, humanitarian tasks, and training commitments. From remote community support to international deployments, his service has spanned nearly every corner of the Army’s contemporary mission set. Today, CAPT Finch continues to serve with enthusiasm, contributing his extensive experience to capability development, junior leader mentoring, and operational planning. Beyond Defence, he remains engaged in community organisations, bringing the same energy and dedication to local initiatives as he does to his military career. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Jonathan Finch Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Jody Tieche - Voodoo Combat Medic
03/16/2026
True Blue Conversations - Jody Tieche - Voodoo Combat Medic
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Australian Army Combat Medic Jody Tieche, a man whose story is built on service, resilience, and the experiences that come from operating in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Jody served as a combat medic with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, a role that puts you right in the thick of it. When soldiers are wounded and every second matters, the medic is the one running toward the danger — carrying the responsibility of keeping his mates alive. Jody served in Timor in 2006 and served two tours of Afghanistan, Rotation IV with Task Force 66 in 2007 and Rotation VII in 2008. In this episode, we’re going to talk about Jody’s journey into the military, what it’s really like serving as a combat medic, the realities of battlefield medicine, and how those experiences shape the person you become long after the uniform comes off. After Jody left the military and went into the mining industry, before moving into Oil and Gas as a Paramedic. In 2021, Jody applied and was successful in securing employment with the South Australian Ambulance Service through the Internship program. Shift work and juggling on-road workload, plus young toddlers, became too much for Jody and his wife. Jody put his family first and concluded his internship. Jody currently works for BHP as a Paramedic/Emergency Services Officer. It’s a raw and honest conversation about service, sacrifice, and the bonds that are forged when people rely on each other in life-and-death moments. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Jody Tieche Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Matt Nicholson Australian Army Reservist and NSW Police Officer
03/12/2026
True Blue Conversations - Matt Nicholson Australian Army Reservist and NSW Police Officer
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Australian Army Reservist and NSW Police Officer Matt Nicholson. Matt served in the NSW Police for 18 years. After leaving school, Matt joined the Army reserves and joined the Royal Australian Artillery Corps. In 2007, Matt was accepted into the NSW Police and headed to the academy in 2008. Matt spent his career as a general duties officer and later moved into the Raptor task force targeting bikie gangs and other organised crime groups. Matt was diagnosed with PTSD and was medically retired from the NSW Police after 18 years’ service, Matt suffered what every veteran and first responders face when they transition out of service and how to find purpose as a civilian, this is a raw and honest chat about life as a general duties police officer and what they face on a day to day basis protecting the community. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Matt Nicholson Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Arron Ferguson - NSW Police Detective Australian Army Special Forces 1st Commando Regiment Veteran.
03/02/2026
True Blue Conversations - Arron Ferguson - NSW Police Detective Australian Army Special Forces 1st Commando Regiment Veteran.
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Arron Ferguson, a former 23-year NSW Police Detective and 24-year Australian Army 1st Commando Regiment Special Forces Operator. Arron joined the army first as a commando, and two years later, he was offered a spot on a deployment to Timor. However, the NSW Police also offered a full-time policing position at the academy. Arron lived a double life as both a Detective and army Special Forces reserve soldier. Arron was involved in hundreds of domestic police investigations and then deployments to Timor and highly kinetic operations in Afghanistan as part of the special operations task force. He was forced into early retirement due to a genetic muscle disease, which took a toll on his mental health and, not to mention, his physical capabilities. In this podcast, Arron talks about the loss of mates while he was deployed in Afghanistan, how policing has changed from when he joined and the true mental cost of serving as a first responder and in the military. Arron also talks about the mental health aspect of loss of purpose and finding purpose again after being diagnosed with this genetic muscle disease, and what every veteran and first responder struggles with transition back to civilian life after living a high kinetic life that veterans and first responders live. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Arron Ferguson Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Ben O’Brien - NSW Police Officer
03/01/2026
True Blue Conversations - Ben O’Brien - NSW Police Officer
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former NSW General Duties Police Officer Ben O’Brien. Ben was born and raised in Sydney. Ben comes from a strong ADF family background. Ben’s grandfather was a World War II veteran. Ben had a Great uncle who landed on Gallipoli and an uncle who served in Vietnam. Ben’s path to the Police wasn’t the normal way. He was expelled from school; Ben went off the rails and into a bad lifestyle. He had been going down the wrong path, he cleaned up his act, turned his life around and joined the NSW Police in 2011. He graduated in 2012. He was stationed at Harbourside LAC, then over the next 14 years, serving right across Sydney. Ben served for 14 years across multiple units, working in plain clothes, attending everything from DV, MVA’s, suicides, critical incidents and a nursing home fire. Ben and two of his colleagues saved a few oldies from a nursing home on fire. Ben got smoke inhalation and was hospitalised. All over the news, radio and Ben and his colleagues were interviewed by Ben Fordham on 2GB. In 2025, after years of attending traumatic jobs, it took its toll on Ben until one night he got to breaking point. Ben had made peace that this shift was going to be his last. He went to Balmoral beach Mosman, sat in the car, pulled out his gun, and had it sitting on his lap. The darkest time in his life. He was so close to doing it until his best mate came into my head, who had previously killed himself. The pain and loss from his mistake changed Ben’s life and mind that night. Ben knew he needed help, Ben was diagnosed with PTSD and was medically retired from the NSW Police after 14 years’ service, Ben suffered what every veteran and first responders face when they transition out of service and how to find purpose as a civilian, this is a raw and honest chat about life as a general duties police officer and what they face on a day to day basis protecting the community. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Ben O’Brien Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Mark Tregellas - Victorian Police / Commando Regiment Author Veteran
02/16/2026
True Blue Conversations - Mark Tregellas - Victorian Police / Commando Regiment Author Veteran
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Mark ‘Trigger’ Tregellas. Mark is a former Victorian Police officer & Australian Army 1 st Commando Regiment Veteran & Author. From a teenage athlete, world adventurer, and martial artist, Mark’s thirst for adventure led him to serve in the Special Forces Reserves and with Victoria Police. Stationed in remote towns over 26 years, Trigger spent most of his policing career working closely with three other officers. Amongst his many honours is the Clarke Silver Medal, the Royal Humane Society of Australasia's highest award. He is one of only 3 Victoria Police officers to receive the award in its 150-year history. After retirement, Trigger and his family endured the devastating Black Summer fires, followed by COVID-19 lockdowns that almost broke their hometown apart. Using his expertise, Trigger set up a recovery website that funnelled nearly one million dollars for the victims of the fires and earned him a Resilient Australia Award. He continues to live in remote coastal Victoria today. Mark is a born storyteller, and wrote his autobiography, Back Up Is 3 Hours Away, which details his incredible career & shares amusing anecdotes as well as incidents that changed his life forever. This is a raw account of what remote policing is all about. Mark, like all veterans and first responders, struggled with the transition from service. He has found purpose again, now helping other veterans and first responders transition and find purpose after service. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Mark ‘Trigger’ Tregellas Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Brendan Haley BM - Queensland Police Service (QPS) Police Veteran
02/09/2026
True Blue Conversations - Brendan Haley BM - Queensland Police Service (QPS) Police Veteran
On this week’s podcast, I speak with former Queensland QPS Police veteran Brendan Haley BM. Joining the QUEENSLAND Police Service aged 18 years, Brendan spent 33 years serving the Queensland community in a variety of locations and roles. Starting his career in the shadow of Queensland’s Fitzgerald Commission into police corruption, this young rural kid was thrust into intense urban policing, and the violence and challenges of early 90s policing. His journey would see him move around the state through a variety of roles from general policing, dog squad, country and regional policing, crime squad, operational police leadership before ending his policing career in counter terrorism. His professional journey, in some of Queensland’s most notorious areas, left a permanent mark on his being, resulting in diagnosis of PTSD, broken marriages and questions on the fairness of life, particularly after the death of his youngest son. Despite these challenges, tough times drew out his resilience, strength of character and courage to repeatedly place his life on the line for the community he chose to service, with formal recognition of his fortitude culminating in him being recognised by the police service and the Australian community through the awarding of official meritorious certificates and medals, culminating in award of the Australian Bravery Medal. Although Brendan has left policing, he continues to serve his nation, moving into a defence role and taking these experiences and fortitude into a new domain. This is his story it is raw and honest and is a behind the scenes look at what police face on a day-to-day basis to protect our communities, and the cost of that service. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Brendan Haley BM Editor: Kyle Watkins
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True Blue Conversations - Talissa Papamau 'TJ' - Advanced Medical Technician Combat Medic
02/03/2026
True Blue Conversations - Talissa Papamau 'TJ' - Advanced Medical Technician Combat Medic
On this week’s podcast, I speak with Talissa Papamau (TJ), an Afghanistan veteran and former combat medic who served in the Australian Army. Her deployment as part of MTF5 spans the highest loss of Australian life in a 24hr period since the Vietnam War. In this podcast, TJ talks about trying to save the lives of 7 KIAs and 33 WIA Australian casualties in addition to scores of local national Afghani men, women and children. 2nd July 2012 - Sgt Blaine Diddams MG 29th August 2012 - Spr James Martin Pte Robert Poate, LCPL Ross Milosevic 30th August 2012 - LCPL Mervin McDonald & Pte Nathaniel Galagher 21st October - CPL Scot Smith TJ also treated double amputee Curtis McGrath, once he was aero medically evacuated to the resuscitation facility in Tarin Kowt who she met him in 2010 as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Program. Due to operational demands, TJ provided advanced life-saving treatment for 170 consecutive days, receiving 1.5 days of respite whilst deployed. TJ later instructed the pilot course to train and qualify medics of the PNG Defence helping to re-establish PNGDF Medical Corps, which she recalls as a career highlight. Since leaving the Australian Defence Force, TJ has worked as a consultant to the federal government in the Defence and Veteran Support Sectors and remains one of the only female former NCOs to be engaged in senior levels of Government. This is a raw and honest chat about the cost of war from the medics who are the forgotten heroes. This is a powerful journey of redemption and finding light at the end of the dark tunnel, and finding purpose again post-military. Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: Talissa Papamau (TJ), Editor: Kyle Watkins
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