The Muster Point Podcast

The Muster Point Podcast

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The Muster Point Podcast episodes

  • A Day in the Life of a Squaddie: Banter, Boredom & Bullsh*t

    From stag duty to surprise inspections, welcome to a proper day in the life of a British squaddie, where the banter’s savage, the boredom’s deadly, and the bullsh*t never ends.

    In this no-holds-barred episode of The Muster Point Podcast, ex-forces hosts Stu Mendelson (Royal Engineers) and Steve Black (2RTR) take you through the highs, lows, and sheer weirdness of everyday military life. From Challenger 2 gunners to parade ground chaos, it’s all here, with brutal honesty and belly laughs.

    🔥 Expect:

    • Tank life and tales from the turret

    • The mind-numbing beauty of military routine

    • Beasting sessions, brew breaks, and blagging

    • Civvy street vs squaddie mentality

    • Mental health, remembrance, and keeping your mates upright

    • Listener shoutouts, community updates & competitions

      If you've ever ironed a pair of socks, this one's for you.

      🎧 The Muster Point – where banter meets backbone and bullshit is just part of the briefing.

      1 hr 56 min
    • Billy MacLeod MBE: From Royal Engineers to Veterans in Action – PTSD, Purpose & Post-Traumatic Growth

      In this powerful episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we speak with Billy MacLeod MBE, veteran, charity founder, and unapologetic champion of veteran mental health and post-traumatic growth.

      Billy joined the British Army at 16, serving with the Royal Engineers across Northern Ireland, Belize, and Germany. But after a career-ending knee injury and a turbulent transition to civilian life, Billy faced the same struggles many veterans do, anger, isolation, and undiagnosed PTSD.

      What followed is nothing short of inspiring.

      🎖️ In this episode, we cover:

      • Life in the Royal Engineers and the brutal brilliance of Army life

      • The raw reality of military transition—from purpose to pub fights

      • Why Billy walked out of Help for Heroes and built his own path

      • The birth of Veterans in Action (VIA)—a grassroots charity blending expeditions, Land Rover builds, and hands-on recovery

      • How post-traumatic growth became the guiding ethos of his work

      • His bold vision for a nationwide Veterans National Challenge to unite the armed forces community

        This is essential listening for veterans, military families, charity workers, and anyone trying to understand the real challenges behind the headlines.

        👊 Packed with military banter, brutal honesty, and a proper dash of dark humour—this episode proves that while PTSD might break you, purpose can rebuild you.

        📲 Listen, subscribe, and share with your muckers.

        #Veterans #PTSD #MilitaryPodcast #RoyalEngineers #VeteransInAction #MentalHealth #PostTraumaticGrowth #VeteransSupport #ArmedForces #CharityWork #MilitaryLife #CivvyStreet #VeteranStories #LandRovers #Expeditions #BritishArmy

        1 hr 8 min
      • Nikki Scott: Turning Grief into Purpose – The Story Behind Scotty’s Little Soldiers

        In this emotional and inspiring episode of The Muster Point Podcast Beyond the Wire, Stu and Steve are joined by Nikki Scott, founder of Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the charity supporting children who have lost a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.

        After the devastating loss of her husband, Cpl Lee Scott, Nikki set out to make sure no bereaved military child ever feels forgotten. From school support to special experiences, the charity has grown into a powerful force for good, built from lived experience, community strength, and a deep understanding of what loss truly means.

        💥 Episode Highlights:

        • Nikki’s personal journey after Lee’s death in Afghanistan.

        • The mission and growth of Scotty’s Little Soldiers.

        • Supporting children through grief with long-term care.

        • How the military community can better rally around bereaved families.

        • The role of awareness, funding, and public support.

        • Real stories that show the impact of the charity's work.

          Whether you're a veteran, a supporter of Armed Forces families, or just someone looking for hope after loss, this one hits deep.

          👉 Subscribe, share, and connect with us @themusterpoint

          🔗 Learn more about Scotty’s Little Soldiers: scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk

          1 hr
        • Red Arses & Rituals – The Mad Traditions of Military Life

          In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, Stu and Steve take a no-holds-barred march through the weird, wonderful, and downright mental traditions of British military life.

          From sailors crossing the equator dressed as sea monsters, to tankies turning APCs into pirate ships, and Fusiliers biting bums as a rite of passage—this episode proves that discipline and dignity don’t always go hand-in-hand.

          Expect:

          ✅ The truth behind regimental quirks and parade ground rituals
          ✅ Why tank crews wear black (and sometimes centre their berets like loons)
          ✅ The sticky horror of mixing beer and chocolate
          ✅ The story behind those salmon trousers and a very regrettable piercing
          ✅ What even the King must do when faced with a Victoria Cross holder

          Plus:

          ✅ Voice notes from listeners on their favourite (and most disturbing) unit traditions
          ✅ Muckers Remembered – Honouring Lee Scott
          ✅ Bravo Zulu – Shoutout to Scotty’s Little Soldiers and Nikki Scott’s incredible legacy

          Whether you served, suffered, or just enjoy stories of grown men pretending a tank is a pirate ship, this one’s for you.

          👉 Send us your wildest traditions and join the banter:

          @themusterpointveterans on Facebook | @themusterpoint on TikTok, X & YouTube

          1 hr 14 min
        • From Banter to Base Camp: Kev Godlington on Everest, Insults & Veteran Unity | The Muster Point Podcast Beyond the Wire

          In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we’re joined by Kev Godlington - ex-Special Forces, Everest summiteer, and passionate veterans’ charity advocate, for a raw and real conversation about life beyond the wire.

          From PTSD and mental health to altitude sickness and insults that leave a mark, Kev opens up about the challenges of military life, his work with Tickets for Troops and Scotty’s Little Soldiers, and the importance of unity within the veteran community.

          🎙️ What we cover:

          • Kev’s journey from Special Forces to Everest

          • Military banter that could breach the Geneva Convention

          • The role of Sherpas and surviving extreme physical tests

          • Psychedelics and their growing role in PTSD treatment

          • Veterans' addiction, recovery, and finding new purpose

          • Why we need more than 70 staff for 2 million UK veterans

            👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.

            🎧 Available On:

            YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
            Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
            Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast

            Subscribe, share and leave a review!

            👉 Follow us on social media:

            • X: @themusterpoint
            • TikTok: @themusterpoint
            • LinkedIn: The Muster Point
            • Website: www.themusterpoint.org.uk
            • #Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK

               

              50 min
            • Veterans in Crisis: From Trauma to Triumph with Ger Fowler

              In this powerful episode of Beyond the Wire, we sit down with Ger Fowler, veteran, survivor, and founder of Veterans in Crisis, to explore the raw realities of life after service. Ger opens up about the life-changing moment a terrorist attack shifted his entire outlook, the silent struggle of transitioning to civvy street, and the addiction battle that nearly claimed him.

              He shares how the suicide of a close friend forced him to confront his own mental health, eventually leading to a PTSD diagnosis and how that diagnosis became the spark to build something extraordinary for others. From battling painkiller addiction to building a community lifeline for veterans in Sunderland, Ger breaks down the model that’s getting veterans off the streets, into housing, and back into life.

              If you care about addiction recovery, mental health, homelessness, and real veteran-led change, this episode is a must-listen.

              🪖 Key Topics Covered:

              • Trauma and transition after military service

              • PTSD, addiction, and the road to recovery

              • The suicide that changed everything

              • Veterans in Crisis: A grassroots model that works

              • The power of housing-first and community-led care

              • Why veteran services need to start listening to veterans

              • Ger’s offer to share his model nationwide

                👉 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we shine a light on those making a real difference, on and Beyond the Wire.

                🎧 Available On:

                YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
                Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
                Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast

                Subscribe, share and leave a review!

                👉 Follow us on social media:

                • X: @themusterpoint
                • TikTok: @themusterpoint
                • LinkedIn: The Muster Point
                • Website: www.themusterpoint.org.uk
                • #Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK

                  48 min
                • Excuses, Crossed Wires & Camaraderie – Veterans, Parliament & the Art of Getting Away With It

                  In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, Stu and Steve explore the time-honoured tradition of military excuses, from dodging duties to blagging your way through an entire career. But it's not all piss-taking and parade ground flashbacks. The lads also reflect on their emotional trip to France, carrying standards and legacies alike, and share frustrations from recent run-ins with politicians over the state of veteran support in the UK.

                  Expect military banter, political beef, and a few choice words about how veterans are still being stitched up in 2025.

                  🪖 In this episode:

                  • Legendary excuses from military life (and the art of not getting caught)

                  • A powerful visit to Arras to honour the Royal Tank Regiment

                  • Carrying the standard at a mucker’s funeral

                  • Feeling like spare parts in Parliament—and why that needs to change

                  • The real-life failures of veteran housing and employment support

                  • Why cross-party cooperation is crucial for defence and veterans

                  • Listener SITREPs and tales from Afghanistan

                  • Writing, remembrance & mental health in the veteran community

                    BZ Shoutout Veterans in Crisis Sunderland

                    👉 Whether you're still serving, long since out, or just fascinated by squaddie logic—this one’s a mix of brutal truth and banter, with heart, humour, and a good bit of hell-raising honesty.

                    🎧 Available on:

                    YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
                    Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
                    Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast

                    👉 Follow us on social media:

                    X: @themusterpoint
                    TikTok: @themusterpoint

                    Facebook: @themusterpointveterans

                    LinkedIn: The Muster Point
                    🌐 Website: www.themusterpoint.org.uk

                    #MilitaryExcuses #VeteransUK #ForcesBanter #RoyalTankRegiment #MilitaryHumour #VeteranSupport #ArmedForcesCovenant #PTSD #MilitaryPodcast #BeyondTheWire #MilitaryMentalHealth #ServiceLeavers #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok

                    1 hr 51 min
                  • Military Versus Cancer – Supporting Veterans with Cancer

                     In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we dive into: Military Versus Cancer: how veterans support forces families battling cancer, raising awareness & providing vital support.

                    Join your hosts Stu Mendelson and Steve Black, both British Army veterans, as they share real-life stories, hilarious forces banter, and powerful conversations around life in and after the military.

                    🪖 In this episode:

                    • Veteran mental health, submariner stories & life after service

                    • Founding of Military Versus Cancer and its impact across the UK

                    • Cancer support for military families: gaps, struggles, and success stories

                    • Community fundraising, upcoming events & national recognition goals

                    • How to support, volunteer, or refer someone in need

                      👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.

                      🎧 Available On:

                      YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
                      Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
                      Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast

                      Subscribe, share and leave a review!

                      👉 Follow us on social media:

                      • X: @themusterpoint
                      • TikTok: @themusterpoint
                      • LinkedIn: The Muster Point
                      • Website: www.themusterpoint.org.uk
                      • #Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK

                         

                        1 hr 4 min
                      • D-Day Special – Block Life, Army Banter & Bunk Beds

                        🎙️ In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we dive into: D-Day special: British Army block life, banter, and veteran stories from the barracks to bunk beds.

                        Join your hosts Stu Mendelson and Steve Black, both British Army veterans, as they share real-life stories, hilarious forces banter, and powerful conversations around life in and after the military.

                        In This Military Podcast Episode:

                        • What life in the block really looked like

                        • D-Day: stories of courage and chaos from past to present

                        • Why military friendships hit different and last longer than most marriages

                        • The most legendary block-based banter you’ve ever heard

                          👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.

                          🎧 Available On:

                          YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
                          Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
                          Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast

                          Subscribe, share and leave a review!

                          👉 Follow us on social media:

                          • X: @themusterpoint
                          • TikTok: @themusterpoint
                          • LinkedIn: The Muster Point
                          • Website: www.themusterpoint.org.uk
                          • #Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK

                            1 hr 29 min
                          • Veterans & Mental Health – Match Days & Army Support with Military Veterans FC

                            🎙️ In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, we dive into: Exploring veterans' mental health, match days, support networks, and how ex-forces overcome civilian life challenges.

                            Join your hosts Stu Mendelson and Steve Black, both British Army veterans, as they share real-life stories, hilarious forces banter, and powerful conversations around life in and after the military.

                            🎖 Topics Covered:

                            • The impact of football on veterans’ mental health and wellbeing

                            • Overcoming addiction and finding purpose after the military

                            • Building a veteran-led community through the beautiful game

                            • Challenges faced by ex-forces personnel after discharge

                            • The importance of accessible mental health support for veterans

                              👉 Whether you're a veteran, serving, family member, or supporter — The Muster Point gives you real talk with honesty, humour and heart.

                              🎧 Available On:

                              YouTube: The Muster Point Podcast
                              Spotify: The Muster Point Podcast
                              Apple Podcasts: The Muster Point Podcast

                              Subscribe, share and leave a review!

                              👉 Follow us on social media:

                              • X: @themusterpoint
                              • TikTok: @themusterpoint
                              • LinkedIn: The Muster Point
                              • Website: www.themusterpoint.org.uk
                              • #Veterans #BritishArmy #MilitaryBanter #MilitaryHumour #ArmyLife #MilitaryPodcast #VeteranSupport #MentalHealth #PTSD #AddictionRecovery #ForcesStories #MilitaryPranks #SquaddieLife #ServiceLeavers #BeyondTheWire #TheMusterPoint #MilitaryTikTok #PodcastClips #ViralPodcast #VeteransUK

                                1 hr 8 min

                              About The Muster Point Podcast

                              From the publisher's feed

                              British Army veterans Stu Mendelson (Royal Engineers) & Steve Black (Royal Tank Regiment) share raw veterans’ stories, military banter, PTSD recovery, addiction, mental health, and life after…