The Grey Man Podcast

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, I sit down with former Army Corporal, Muay Thai world champion, and now Queensland Police officer, Liam Badger.

From growing up in Logan to throwing hands in the Army combatives cell, Liam’s story is packed with raw moments—hilarious, humbling, and brutally honest. He shares what it was like being “folded in half” during his first sparring session, earning respect the hard way, and chasing an itch that still won’t quit.

We talk about the psychology of violence, standing your ground, and learning when it’s time to walk away. This one isn’t just about fighting—it’s about resilience, ego, purpose, and knowing your limits.

🎧 Available now
#LiamBadger #GreyManPodcast #VeteranVoices #MuayThai #Resilience #ArmyToPolice

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, comedian and ADF veteran Jarryd Goundrey pulls no punches. Jarryd opens up about the reality of hitting rock bottom, navigating the shadows of depression, and the gritty, often hilarious journey of personal reinvention.

From battlefield memories to the Australian stand-up comedy circuit, Jarryd explores what it really looks like to rebuild an identity after military service when your original path disappears. This conversation balances raw honesty regarding veteran mental health with the "wildly inappropriate" humor that only a mate who’s been there can provide.

Inside this episode:

• The Transition: Navigating life and identity after leaving the Australian Defence Force.

• The Mental Battle: A candid look at depression, resilience, and hitting rock bottom.

• The Reinvention: How Jarryd used comedy as a tool for survival and growth.

• Finding Purpose: Why sharing the dark stories is the best way to realize you aren't alone.

Whether you're an ADF veteran, a fan of Australian comedy, or someone fighting your own silent battles, Jarryd’s story is a powerful reminder that there is always a way back up.

🔗 Connect with the Community:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #JarrydGoundrey #VeteranMental Health #ADFVeteran #MilitaryTransition #ComedyLife

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, we sit down with Henry Swindon—a former Army officer, the founder of The Diggers Guild, and a federal political candidate for Moreton. Henry’s mission has evolved from leading soldiers to fighting for veteran rights and grassroots advocacy on a national stage.

Henry opens up about the systemic gaps he witnessed in veteran support and the personal drive that led him to launch The Diggers Guild. We dive deep into his shift from military service to the political arena, exploring how his lived experience in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) informs his vision for national policy and veteran welfare.

What we cover in this episode:

• The Transition: Moving from military leadership to grassroots political advocacy.

• The Diggers Guild: Why Henry founded the organization and the mission behind it.

• Veteran Support: Identifying the gaps in the system and how to fix them.

• Civic Duty: Why more veterans are stepping into Australian politics to demand accountability.

• Moreton 2025: Henry’s vision for his community and the country.

This is a raw, unfiltered look at a mission that didn't end with discharge papers. Whether you’re interested in Australian politics, military transition, or effective leadership, Henry’s story is a masterclass in continued service.

🔗 Join the Tribe:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #HenrySwindon #TheDiggersGuild #Moreton #AustralianPolitics #VeteranAdvocacy #ADF #MilitaryTransition

Dylan Conway: Bibliotherapy, Resilience, and the Story of Brothers N Books

From the battlefield to the bookshelf—Dylan Conway’s journey is a powerful testament to resilience, reinvention, and finding relentless purpose after the uniform. In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, the former Army Captain and founder of Brothers N Books opens up about his transition and the creation of a movement that is changing lives through the power of reading.

We dive deep into the mental toll of military service and the specific "spark" that transformed a simple book club into a national veteran charity. Dylan explains the concept of Bibliotherapy—using literature as a tool for healing—and why it has become his primary weapon in the fight for mental health awareness.

Key topics in this episode:

• The Transition: Navigating the shift from Army Captain to civilian founder.

• Brothers N Books: The origin story of the movement and its impact on the ADF community.

• Bibliotherapy: How reading can rewire the brain and provide a path through trauma.

• Relentless Purpose: Finding a new mission that serves others beyond military life.

This conversation is raw, real, and deeply human. Whether you’re a veteran, a book lover, or someone looking for new ways to manage mental health, Dylan’s insights offer a unique perspective on recovery and growth.

🔗 Connect with The Grey Man Podcast:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #DylanConway #BrothersNBooks #Bibliotherapy #VeteranMentalHealth #ADF #MilitaryTransition #Resilience

Tom Brown: Special Forces, Survival, and Finding Purpose Beyond the Elite Level

Tom Brown’s story is defined by extraordinary highs and devastating lows. In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, the former Special Forces operator opens up about a journey that took him from the pinnacle of military service to the darkest depths of personal struggle.

Tom speaks candidly about the "unseen" battles of military transition, the adrenaline of elite operations, and his personal experience with a suicide attempt. Now a father of two, Tom shares how he reshaped his life with intention, finding a new mission through Origin K9 and the Origin Initiative. This is a masterclass in resilience from a warrior who refused to quit.

Inside this episode:

• The Elite Toll: What it’s really like operating in the Special Forces and the cost of that lifestyle.

• The Breaking Point: A raw discussion on veteran mental health, rock bottom, and the fight to rebuild.

• Redefining Purpose: Transitioning from the battlefield to becoming a father and entrepreneur.

• Origin K9 & Origin Initiative: How Tom is continuing to serve by supporting working dogs and the veteran community.

• Fatherhood: The role of family in finding a "why" beyond the uniform.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human. Whether you are a veteran, a first responder, or someone facing your own internal battle, Tom’s perspective on redemption and grit is essential listening.

🔗 Join the Tribe:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #TomBrown #SpecialForces #OriginK9 #VeteranMentalHealth #Resilience #MilitaryTransition #ADF

Rainer: Artillery Antics, Iraq Service, and the Mission to Educate

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, we sit down with Rainer, a former Bombardier in the Royal Australian Artillery. This conversation captures the unique culture of the "Gunners"—from the hilarious, high-energy antics of life in an artillery unit to the serious realities of serving on the ground in Iraq.

Rainer doesn't shy away from the hard stuff, either. Using his first-hand experience with mental health struggles, he has turned his post-service life into a mission to educate and support young Australians. It’s a perfect blend of ADF humour and raw, valuable insights into veteran recovery and resilience.

What we cover in this episode:

• Life in the Artillery: The "comedic antics" and brotherhood of the Royal Australian Artillery.

• Service in Iraq: First-hand reflections on overseas deployment as a Bombardier.

• The Mental Health Battle: Navigating the transition and managing the toll of service.

• Paying it Forward: How Rainer is using his experiences to educate the next generation of Australians.

Whether you're a fellow Gunner, an Iraq veteran, or just love a good yarn with a deep purpose, Rainer’s story is a must-listen.

🔗 Connect with the Community:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #RoyalAustralian Artillery #IraqVeteran #VeteranMentalHealth #ADF #Gunners #MilitaryHumor #Resilience

Duane: Iranian Pirates and High-Stakes Stories from the Royal Australian Navy

Pull up a chair for one of the most entertaining episodes of The Grey Man Podcast yet. We sit down with Duane, a veteran of the Royal Australian Navy, for a deep dive into a career spent on the water—and the chaos that often followed in port.

From intense encounters with Iranian pirates on the high seas to the "bad choices" and wild misadventures during leave in Cambodia, Duane’s stories offer a raw, hilarious, and unfiltered look at life in the Navy. Beyond the sea stories, we explore the unique brotherhood of the fleet and the resilience required to navigate a life of service.

Inside this episode:

• Maritime Security: The reality of dealing with Iranian pirates and international waters.

• Navy Life: The culture, the deployments, and the stories they don't put in the recruitment brochures.

• Cambodian Chronicles: A look at the lighter (and more chaotic) side of international service and transition.

• The Veteran Perspective: Lessons learned from a life spent in the Royal Australian Navy.

Whether you’re a Navy veteran, a fan of wild travel stories, or interested in maritime history, Duane’s journey is a masterclass in storytelling and service.

🔗 Join the Tribe:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #RoyalAustralianNavy #NavyVeteran #SeaStories #MaritimeSecurity #VeteranVoices #MilitaryTransition #ADF

Joe Cazey: Tunnel Rescue, Mechanized Flamethrowers, and 25 Years in the Royal Australian Engineers

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, we sit down with Joe Cazey, a veteran who dedicated 25 years to the Royal Australian Engineers as a Field Engineering Officer. Joe’s career spans the globe—from Singapore and Papua New Guinea to the Middle East—but this conversation dives deep into his formative 12-month deployment to Vietnam.

Joe provides a rare, first-hand account of the technical and terrifying side of the Vietnam War. We explore his role leading a Tunnel Rescue team and the incredible experience of commanding an M132 Self-Propelled Flame Thrower—a devastating mechanized weapon built on the M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC).

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• The Royal Australian Engineers: A 25-year perspective on a career in military engineering.

• Tunnel Rescue in Vietnam: The intense reality of operations beneath the surface.

• The M132 "Zippo": Commanding the mechanized flame thrower and the role of the M113 APC in combat.

• Global Service: Insights from Joe’s time in Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and the Middle East.

• Leadership Under Fire: The lessons learned from commanding specialized units early in a career.

This is a masterclass in military history and engineering resilience. Whether you are a fan of armored warfare, a student of the Vietnam War, or a fellow ADF veteran, Joe’s technical and personal insights are not to be missed.

🔗 Join the Tribe:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #JoeCazey #VietnamWar #RoyalAustralianEngineers #CombatEngineer #M132 #M113 #MilitaryHistory #ADFVeteran #TunnelRescue

Jack: Reconnaissance, Resilience, and Reflections on Afghanistan

What does it take to operate at the tip of the spear? In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, we’re joined by Jack, a former Recon Sergeant in the Australian Army. With a career defined by the high-stakes world of reconnaissance and a deployment to Afghanistan, Jack brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the table.

This isn’t just a tactical breakdown; it’s a fun, raw, and insightful chat about the reality of life in a Recon platoon, the camaraderie of the "Long Walk," and the lessons learned from the battlefield that translate into everyday life.

Key topics in this episode:

• The Recon Role: The mindset, training, and discipline required to be a Recon Sergeant.

• Deployment to Afghanistan: Reflections on service, the environment, and the mission.

• Military Storytelling: The lighter side of service—fun yarns and behind-the-scenes moments from the ADF.

• The Transition: Navigating the shift from a high-tempo military role to the next chapter.

Whether you’re an active-duty member, a veteran, or someone fascinated by the reality of specialized military roles, Jack’s story is an authentic look at what happens behind the lines.

🔗 Join the Tribe:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #ReconSergeant #AfghanistanVeteran #ADF #MilitaryStories #VeteranVoices #ArmyRecon #Resilience

Ian: 20 Years in the RAAF and the Unfiltered Reality of the Vietnam War

In this episode of The Grey Man Podcast, we are honored to sit down with Ian, a veteran of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) who dedicated over 20 years to serving his country. Ian provides a rare and detailed look at his time in the service, including more than a year of full-time duty on the ground during the Vietnam War.

Ian’s stories go beyond the history books, offering personal insights into the daily life, challenges, and camaraderie of a RAAF member during one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century. With two decades of experience, he shares how the military shaped his worldview and what it truly means to serve through changing eras of Australian military history.

What we cover in this episode:

• The Long Haul: Reflecting on a 20-year career in the Royal Australian Air Force.

• Vietnam Service: First-hand accounts of a year-long deployment during the Vietnam War.

• RAAF Culture: The evolution of the Air Force and the unique bond between those who served.

• The Veteran Legacy: Ian’s insights for the younger generation of ADF members and the importance of sharing these stories.

Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a student of military history, or a fellow veteran, Ian’s wealth of knowledge and incredible storytelling make this an essential episode.

🔗 Join the Tribe:

• Website & Merch: www.thegreyman.au

• Instagram: @thegreymanpodcast

• Facebook: The Grey Man Podcast

• TikTok: @thegreymanpodcast

#TheGreyManPodcast #RAAF #VietnamVeteran #RoyalAustralianAirForce #MilitaryHistory #VeteranVoices #ADF #20YearsService