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At the age of 22, Chance Eaton was the youngest serving captain in the British Army, later serving with UK Special Forces.

Today, Chance brings together military service, creativity, leadership and personal development through his work as The Warrior Artist.

Chance is the founder of HEARTH™️, a movement bringing people together around the fire through conversation, creativity and shared experience. He also founded Brannock & Co., a high trust capability group delivering strategic advisory, protective services and complex project support.

In this episode, Chance joins Geraint Jones to discuss his military career, leading soldiers at a young age, his experiences on UK Special Forces selection, and how those lessons now shape his work as an entrepreneur, artist and founder.

HEARTH™️: www.hearth.now

Brannock & Co.: www.brannockandco.com

Instagram: @chance.eaton.official

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Brad Knight is a former British Army Royal Engineer and Afghanistan veteran who served as a High-Threat Searcher. He is the author of Brimstone: A Searcher’s War – Hunting the Taliban’s Silent Killers, an acclaimed memoir detailing the relentless tension and danger faced by bomb disposal and route search teams in Helmand.

Brad's links:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brimstone_42

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/brimstone_bradk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GReZCiAEe/

Book: https://amzn.eu/d/0ag2egqz

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

Gez's new books: 

Voices of Victory (World War 2 oral history): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Victory-Powerful-eye-witness-accounts/dp/1035070049/

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Hi guys. Tomorrow there is a very special event going on in Handforth (right by Manchester Airport). I'll be swinging by myself so hope to see you there. Details below. Much love, Gez

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The NAAFI Break C.I.C., in collaboration with the Handforth Town Council, is hosting a major local Armed Forces Day celebration on Saturday, 20th June 2026, from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Handforth Community and Youth Centre (Old Road, Handforth, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 3AZ).

The free, family-friendly community event includes:

• Kids Zone: A massive inflatable play area and all-day games.
• Live Entertainment: Singers, stand-up comedy, DJs, and a licensed bar.
• Street Food & Stalls: Artisan market crafts and a wide variety of food vendors.
• Military Presence: Serving personnel and Cadet units.
• VIP Area: A dedicated space specifically for currently serving military members
• A Bar - nuff said!!

Connect with the Naafi Break: 

https://www.facebook.com/p/The-NAAFI-BREAK-CIC-100086378936599/

Instagram: @thenaafibreakcic

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Lawrence 'Loz' Kayser served in Iraq on Op Telic 4, 6, and 8. He then went on to serve three tours in Afghanistan, taking part in such operations as Sond Chara in support of 42 Commando. On his sixth and final tour Loz was awarded a Military Cross. Incredibly, he was later medically discharged from the army for 'combat addiction.'

We talk about Loz's time at war, and after - particularly how Living History has not only given him a focus after leaving the army, but a way to Remember the generations of warriors that went before us.

Connect with Loz on Instagram: @loz_historical

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

Gez's new books: 

Voices of Victory (World War 2 oral history): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Victory-Powerful-eye-witness-accounts/dp/1035070049/

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On 6 June 1944, Keith Whiting was serving aboard HMS Ramillies, a British battleship supporting the Normandy landings. Keith helped fire the massive 15-inch guns that bombarded German defences ahead of the Allied assault on the beaches, and then supported them as they fought their way inland. HMS Ramillies fired so many shells during the invasion that her gun barrels later had to be replaced.

Keith reflects on his wartime experiences, the comrades he served alongside, and the sacrifices made by a generation that changed the course of history. He also shares his memories of the 80th anniversary commemorations and what it means to carry those memories into the present day.

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"Jonny Whitmore MBE — known to many as Shed — was born in Hinckley, Leicestershire and joined the Royal Corps of Signals, completing P Company early in his career. He deployed to Afghanistan with 22 Signal Regiment and 2 Signal Regiment, before returning to the UK to serve as aSection Commander at ATC Pirbright, training and leading recruits.

He later completed the Special Communications Course and joined 299 Signal Squadron (Special Communications), providing global support to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Over a 21‑year career, he finished his service as Squadron Sergeant Major of the Queen’s last squadron — the final group of service personnel to swear allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Jonny was appointed a Member of the British Empire for services to British foreign policy while seconded as a diplomat to the FCDO, working at the intersection of defence, intelligence, and diplomacy.

Medically discharged with CPTSD, he moved into trauma‑informed veteran advocacy. Jonny now serves as Veterans Ambassador for Emerald Clinic, championing safe, stigma‑free access to prescribed medicinal cannabis and pushing for more humane, evidence‑based support for veterans.

He is also the founder of The Campfire Collective, a veteran‑led woodland initiative built around community, honesty, and reconnection after service. Jonny speaks openly about trauma, identity, and rebuilding a life with purpose — with a focus on truth, service, and helping veterans find their way home."

Jonny's links:

The UK's Best Value Medical Cannabis Clinic | Emerald Medicinals

Facebook (Campfire Collective)

Instagram

Guest links are shared as a courtesy to help listeners find the people, businesses, products, or services discussed in each episode. The podcast and host are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by these third parties unless explicitly stated.

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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Ash McGraw served for 16 years in the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of The Mercian Regiment. During that time he lead soldiers all over the world, including on two tours of Afghanistan.

Since leaving the forces Ash has built a new mission focussing on leadership, resilience, and performance. He is an online coach and property developer helping everyday people rebuild discipline, transform their mindset and take on challenges they never thought possible. 

Instagram: @ash_battle_born

Website: www.battlebornhq.com

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

Gez's new books: 

Voices of Victory (World War 2 oral history): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Victory-Powerful-eye-witness-accounts/dp/1035070049/

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Stuart Smalldridge served in Afghanistan with 42 Commando, Royal Marines on Operation Herrick 9

This episode contains descriptions that some listeners may find upsetting.

Note: Stuart served alongside Ben (War Story Episode 002), and crossed paths with Scott Ryder, 2nd Commando Regiment (War Story Episode 022) on a joint operation in Uruzgan Province.

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

Gez's new books: 

Voices of Victory (World War 2 oral history): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Voices-Victory-Powerful-eye-witness-accounts/dp/1035070049/

Warrior (Roman historical fiction): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/geraintjones/warrior-by-geraint-jones

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Ethan Nagel is a Marine Corps Infantrymen and Scout Sniper that served during the height of Iraq and Afghanistan war. He deployed to the Haditha Triad and Fallujah Provinces in Iraq and volunteered for a third deployment to Afghanistan as a Combat Advisor on Embedded Training Team 1-11. While attached to 10th Special Forces group and on patrol deep in the Mountains of Uzbin Valley, the team would be ambushed and then surrounded by Taliban fighters. Ethan would be wounded twice in the battle and would go on to recieve the Silver Star for protecting the body of Chief Warrant Officer Vose from being taken by the enemy. After his service the Marine Corps Ethan would deploy multiple times into combat zones with various roles included Advanced Static Secuirtty for CIA black sites and mobile protection for VIP’s in Kabul. After earning his Bachelors Degree in Intelligence Studies , he would go onto study Cinematography in Film school and go into film, direct and edit project for various companies and brands to include Netflix, Redbull, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Nine Line Apparel and Vet Tv. Ethan hosts his own show called Into The Breach, focusing on sit down interviews with veterans and a weekly OSINT show that keeps
up with current conflicts around the world.

Ethan's podcast, Into The Breach: https://www.youtube.com/@INTOTHEBREACHSHOW

Ethan's socials: @ethan.nagel.films

Veteran State Of Mind Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@veteranstateofmind

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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In October 2009, Corporal Andy Reid MBE was blown up by a Taliban improvised explosive device while on patrol in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Injured so badly that it was thought he would not survive, he defied the odds to the extent that, within a month, he was able to meet up with members of his patrol again. What he has achieved since then is little short of unbelievable.

The winner of The Sun's Millie award in 2010, and awarded an MBE in 2019, Andy has continuously supported veterans and people with disabilities. This year he will walk the London Marathon to raise money for The Army Benevolent Fund, who Andy credits with giving him great support in his own time of need. 

You can support it here: https://events.armybenevolentfund.org/fundraisers/andyreidmbe/londonmarathon2026

And you can find Andy on Instagram @andyreid2506

His website is: https://www.standingtall.co.uk/

If you are interested in being a guest on the podcast, please email us at [email protected], or follow us on social media: @veteranstateofmind

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