True Blue Conversations Podcast

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment Commanding Officer Brigadier Ret Ian Langford DSC & Bars.

Ian served for 30 years as a senior officer in the Australian Defence Force, Ian had the challenge and opportunity of leading large and small teams in complex and ambiguous environments.

Ian held a range of appointments in the Army and Special Forces throughout his career.

commanded the 2nd Commando Regiment, as well as multiple Special Operations Task Groups in Afghanistan, Iraq, and on domestic counter-terrorism duties. Ian has also led at the strategic level, responsible for the Army's future strategic investments, future concepts and capabilities. His deployments include East Timor, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, and the South West Pacific. We spoke about commanding troops in battle the loss of mates in battle, and transition and what comes after service. For Ian's service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on three occasions the only person to date to receive that honour.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Ian Langford

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment operator John Dixon. John spent 16 years in the Australian Army. During his postings at 1RAR and 6RAR, he deployed to East Timor which gave him an introduction to military active deployments. After completing SF selection and the Commando reinforcement cycle, John was posted to Bravo Company 4RAR Commando now the 2CDO regiment. He was soon deployed as a special forces operator to Afghanistan on a SOTG (Special Operations Task Group) on his first combat deployment he was on ground the in 2007 the night when Luke Worsley was KIA. After this first deployment, John went on to further highly kinetic operations in Afghanistan in assault teams and as a sniper. He deployed to Iraq in 2015 and the Philippines before discharging the military in 2016. We spoke about the hard transition that all veterans and first responders face when they leave service and finding purpose again after service.

Presenter: Adam Blum Guest: John Dixon Editor: Kyle Watkins Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast, I sat down with Royal Australian Artillery Warrant Officer Class 2 Mark Henneberry. Mark served for 23 years in the RAA. Mark joined the Army at 17. We discussed his deployment to Cambodia in 1993 and the effects of deploying at a young age. Mark talked about what all veterans and first responders face when they discharge, finding purpose after service. Mark found that purpose and now works in defence industries.

Mark is a partner with other veterans and first responders for a whiskey company called Wet Canteen Bottling Company. Creating an authentic taste for veterans and first responders to come together and reflect on service and mateship. Head over to Wet Canteen to grab your copy of whiskey today.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Mark Henneberry

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

A momentous ANZAC Day 2024 with the launch of my interview with Matt Anderson PSM, an ADF veteran and the Director of the Australian War Memorial,

Matt discusses the current and future re-development of the war memorial, as well as what the memorial and the term 'remembrance" means him. I remain inspired to hear Matt speak about the essence of what makes the war memorial a humbling and meaningful space to learn, commemorate, reflect, and honour the 103,000 men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Matt Anderson PSM

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast, I sat down with Detective Superintendent (Ret) Deb Wallace NSW Police veteran serving for 36 years. Deb joined the NSW Police in 1983 and quickly found herself gaining notoriety early in her career when she was involved in the investigation into the murder of 26-year-old nurse Anita Cobby. From this, she was invited to undertake Detective training which led to an extensive career commanding various specialist squads, including the South East Asian Crime Squad, Middle Eastern Organised Crime, and Strike Force Raptor. In the 90s she was a detective at Cabramatta fighting Asian street gangs, including the infamous 5T. She has headed the Middle Eastern Crime Squad (MEOCS) which has been credited with dismantling the vicious Brothers for Life gang responsible for dozens of shootings in Sydney and then moving into Raptor, set up in 2009 targeting OMCG which disrupts bikie business with heavy-handed tactics.

In 2019 after a 36-year distinguished career, Deb retired from the NSW police. In retirement, Deb is now the host of Million Dollar Murders which Aires on the Nine Network Deb is also working with the parole board of NSW and working with Grace's Place the centre named in honour of Grace Lynch mother of Anita Cobby.

The primary purpose of Grace's Place is to provide a unique place of healing and restoration for children who have lost a loved one to homicide.

Deb's autobiography A Woman OF Force was published in 2020 and is available online and in bookstores.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Deborah Wallace

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast, I sat down with Detective Superintendent (Ret) Deb Wallace NSW Police veteran serving for 36 years. Deb joined the NSW Police in 1983 and quickly found herself gaining notoriety early in her career when she was involved in the investigation into the murder of 26-year-old nurse Anita Cobby. From this, she was invited to undertake Detective training which led to an extensive career commanding various specialist squads, including the South East Asian Crime Squad, Middle Eastern Organised Crime, and Strike Force Raptor. In the 90s she was a detective at Cabramatta fighting Asian street gangs, including the infamous 5T. She has headed the Middle Eastern Crime Squad (MEOCS) which has been credited with dismantling the vicious Brothers for Life gang responsible for dozens of shootings in Sydney and then moving into Raptor, set up in 2009 targeting OMCG which disrupts bikie business with heavy-handed tactics.

In 2019 after a 36-year distinguished career, Deb retired from the NSW police. In retirement, Deb is now the host of Million Dollar Murders which Aires on the Nine Network Deb is also working with the parole board of NSW and working with Grace's Place the centre named in honour of Grace Lynch mother of Anita Cobby.

The primary purpose of Grace's Place is to provide a unique place of healing and restoration for children who have lost a loved one to homicide.

Deb's autobiography A Woman OF Force was published in 2020 and is available online and in bookstores.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Deborah Wallace

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast I sat down with Television Personality Johanna Griggs AM

Before Johanna was on our television screens; she was a superstar Australian swimmer.

We spoke about Joh's life growing up, representing Australia, and winning a bronze medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. We spoke about Joh entering the world of television at such a young age and how hard it is in the media industry. The highs and lows that come with being in the public eye. We also spoke about Joh's passion the work she does as a director of Beyond Blue. Joh is a true professional, but what really sets Joh apart is her warmth and genuine interest in others what you see on TV is how she is in real life she is a star.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Johanna Griggs AM

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast I sat down with former NSW Police Officer Andrew "Panda" MacFarlane We spoke about his life and serving for 21 years in the NSW Police Force. The roller coaster ride in policing that stretched from being a general duties officer, then moving to undercover roles in various agencies including the NSW Crime Commission NSW Drug Enforcement Agency, Being a tactical operator (high risk policing operations) CT Command and Australian Federal Police then finishing up in Dignitary Protection. We also spoke about the loss of colleges the toll of serving at the sharp end of policing. Andy faced what every first responder and veteran face when they transition from service finding purpose again after service. Andy has found purpose again and currently works in the mining industry. Thank you for your service Andy and to all your fellow brother and sisters who walk the thin blue line.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Andrew MacFarlane

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast speak with former Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Warrant Officer from the 2nd Commando Regiment Michael "Slatts" Slattery. Slatt's enlisted in 1986 as a medic in the Australian Army serving 26years with multiple postings to different units. At the age of 36 Slatt's attempted and passed the Commando Selection Training Course then completing the demanding Commando reinforcement cycle earning his beret qualifying as a special force's operator. During his career he deployed on multiple operations including Iraq working alongside US medical doctors, nurses, and medics inside a role 2 medical facility. He also deployed to Afghanistan as the Special Operations Task Group CSM however found his way onto a US AME helicopter providing over 75 air medical evacuations. After 26 years Slatt's discharged from the army and now works as a nurse and also currently training director with SOTER International @soterinternational, Where he teaches all the experience he learnt in combat.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Michael Slattery

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway

On this week's podcast, I speak to 3 RAR / Current Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Station Officer Matthew Connelly Cavanagh. Matt was posted into 3 RAR and deployed to East Timor in 1999. In 2000, Matt then transferred to Army Fire Service. In 2004, Matt discharged from the Army and joined the ACT Fire Brigade until 2008. In that same year, Matt went on to join the Queensland Fire Department. Matt is currently a station officer and a recruit instructor passing on his knowledge and over 20 years. Fire experience to new recruits.

Presenter: Adam Blum

Guest: Matthew Connelly Cavanagh

Editor: Kyle Watkins

Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway