In this explosive episode, Frankie sits down with Dave Saben — a military veteran and former platoon commander during Australia’s involvement in Vietnam — for a raw, firsthand account of one of the most defining moments in Aussie military history: the Battle of Long Tan. With bullets raining, brutal conditions, and the odds stacked against them, hear how a band of young Australian soldiers faced a force of thousands — and what it took to survive. Saben pulls no punches, sharing the chaos, courage, and comradeship forged in the crucible of war. If you think you know Long Tan — think again. This is war as it's rarely told: up close, personal, and unforgettable. Join us as we honour veterans and their astonishing stories of bravery.

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Podcast, Veterans, British Army, Veterans Stories

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Peter Watt, former Royal Navy Deckhand and a leading member of the Hebburn Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club. Peter takes us back to his roots in Jarrow, sharing stories of growing up in the North East before setting sail with the Navy.

He opens up about life at sea, the lessons learned, and the challenges faced — both during service and after. Peter also shares how the Veterans Breakfast Club became a lifeline for connection, support, and purpose, and why it’s more important now than ever.

A powerful conversation about service, identity, and the bonds that last long after the uniform comes off.

Don't forget you can help the channel by buying me a virtual coffee ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/frankiespod⁠Or support me via PayPal⁠https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Frank...⁠Closing music by Julie Cooper of The Last Post memorial bar/ museum & Hub. (Aka The Don Bar).⁠  / 125823604219204  ⁠

Podcast, Veterans, British Army, Veterans Stories

In this episode of Frankie’s Pod, Frankie sits down with Paul Shilling, a former soldier with the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment (PWRR) and the founder of Operation Jackdaw — a wild camping experience for veterans near Canterbury, Kent. Paul shares stories from his military career, the challenges of transitioning to civilian life, and how the outdoors became a lifeline for him and fellow veterans. Hear how a love for wild camping grew into a monthly retreat where ex-military and serving personnel find connection, peace, and purpose under the stars.https://www.operationjackdaw.co.uk/

Don't forget you can help the channel by buying me a virtual coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/frankiespodOr support me via PayPalhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/Frank...Closing music by Julie Cooper of The Last Post memorial bar/ museum & Hub. (Aka The Don Bar).  / 125823604219204  

Podcast, Veterans, British Army, Veterans Stories

Strap in for an unforgettable conversation with Gareth Jones—a man forged in the hills of Brecon, tested in the ranks of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC), and hardened in the prison service. But Gareth’s story doesn’t end there. Today, he's the driving force behind Bulldogs Boxing Community Wales, where he's turning blood, sweat, and years of frontline experience into real change for young people through the power of boxing. We talk military life, the raw reality of the prison system, and how he's now fighting a different kind of battle—one for community, mental health, and second chances. This episode is gritty, inspiring, and packed with heart. Don’t miss it.Learn more about the Bulldog Boxing Community

https://bulldogsboxingcommunity.wales/

Dont forget you can help the channel by buying me a virtual coffee

https://buymeacoffee.com/frankiespod

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Frankie sits down with Claire Aves — athlete, survivor, and winner of Who Dares Wins — to talk resilience, healing, and the life-changing role sport played in her recovery.

Claire opens up about the darkest chapter of her life: leaving home at 17, enduring nearly three years of mental and physical abuse, and the painful isolation that followed. She shares how escaping that relationship at 19 became the first step in rebuilding her life and self-worth — a journey that would eventually lead her to discover strength, purpose, and victory through sport.

Now a force to be reckoned with, Claire reflects on what it truly means to overcome and how pushing the limits of both body and mind helped her reclaim her identity.

This is an emotional and inspiring conversation you don’t want to miss.

In this episode, I sit down with Lewis Manalo and Matt Patak — military veterans turned AAA game developers and Co-Founders of an exciting new studio.

• Lewis Manalo served in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne, and has written for Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon, Dying Light 2, Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt, Exoborne, and more.

• Matt Patak served in Iraq with the Third Infantry Division, and has been a level designer on Tom Clancy’s The Division 1 & 2, Ryse: Son of Rome, Exoborne, and others.

We dive deep into their time in the military, the challenges and lessons from deployment, and how those real-world experiences inform their approach to storytelling, design, and leadership in game development.

They also share a first look into their upcoming video game project — a game shaped by personal history, creative fire, and battlefield authenticity.

Whether you're into military stories, behind-the-scenes game dev, or the human side of creativity — this one’s not to be missed.

Don't forget if you would like to support the channel, please head over to https://buymeacoffee.com/frankiespod

This week on Frankie's Pod, we dive deep with a man whose story redefines resilience. Steve joined the army at just 16, driven by a mission to make a difference. But nothing could prepare him for the moment he watched tragedy unfold before his eyes—powerless to stop it. That moment changed everything.

Haunted by the weight of inaction, Steve spiraled into a battle with his mental health. But instead of letting it define him, he chose to fight back. Now, he’s on a mission to help others do the same—whether you're an entrepreneur, a public servant, or simply someone searching for more.

In this powerful conversation, Steve shares how he turned pain into purpose, and why he believes the key to lasting motivation isn’t hype—but focus, grit, and believing you’re worth the fight. His signature talk, “Worth Fighting For,” has moved audiences across the country—and today, he’s bringing that raw, unfiltered truth to the pod.

If you’ve ever felt like giving up—or wondered how to keep going when everything around you is falling apart—this episode is your lifeline.

In this powerful episode of Frankie’s Pod, I sit down with Mark Ormrod – former Royal Marine, Invictus Games athlete, author, motivational speaker, and an incredible example of human resilience. Mark shares the raw and inspiring story of his journey: from growing up and choosing to join one of the world’s toughest military units, to enduring the unimaginable after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan — an explosion that cost him both legs and an arm.

We dive into what Royal Marines training was really like, relive the day that changed his life forever, and explore his mindset during the long road to recovery. Mark opens up about the physical and mental battles he faced, how he rebuilt his life, and the powerful purpose driving his future plans.

This is not just a story about survival — it’s about grit, courage, and the relentless pursuit of a meaningful life after trauma.

In this episode of Frankier’s Pod, we sit down with Roy Fitzgerald, a veteran whose military journey spans decades, continents, and disciplines. Roy takes us back to where it all began—joining the Royal Artillery in 1988 and training at Woolwich before serving in 4 RA. From working the guns to shifting into artillery intelligence, Roy recounts the realities of life in the regiment, including candid reflections on the culture, challenges, and the often-unspoken issue of bullying.

He shares his experience serving in remote locations like Benbecula and his transition to the Intelligence Corps, where he continued to serve in key postings around the world. Later, he returned to the Royal Artillery with 104 Regiment, spending 12 years in the Regular Reserve, before stepping into a transformative role at HQ Field Army. There, as Command Sergeant Major in the Transform Branch, Roy took on a powerful mandate: "Telling the Truth Under Power."

Post-military life saw him step into global security work, including a significant role at the British Consulate in Kiev.

This episode is a raw, honest, and insightful look at leadership, integrity, transformation—and what it means to serve with purpose at every stage.

In this powerful episode of PTSD Progress Through Scuba Diving, we sit down with Kevin James, a former British Army Physical Training Corps instructor whose groundbreaking work is helping people overcome PTSD—through scuba diving.

Kevin’s journey began in the Royal Military Police, later transitioning into the Army Physical Training Corps. Drawing from his military discipline, physical training expertise, and a deep passion for helping others, Kevin has developed a transformative scuba diving program that has guided 18 out of 18 participants to a life free from PTSD symptoms—one of whom has remained symptom-free for over six years.

His program has reached a diverse group of individuals, including American civilians, a former Navy SEAL, and women survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Through Kevin’s guidance and the healing depth of the ocean, they’ve found lasting peace and renewed purpose.

This episode explores Kevin’s story, his methods, and the lives forever changed by his work. If you’re looking for real, lasting PTSD recovery—or just need proof that hope is real—this conversation is for you.

One man’s mission. Eighteen changed lives. Healing, beneath the surface.