#153 Scott Ryder

Alex Lloyd interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Scott Ryder, author of FORGED IN FIRE.

Scott Ryder served for 22 years with the Australian Army, including 16 years as an operator with the 2nd Commando Regiment. He served in East Timor and multiple tours of Afghanistan and Iraq. He holds numerous commendations and a Masters of Business, and he works in veteran charities to improve the lives of veterans and their families. He is the author of a newly published book, FORGED IN FIRE, a memoir that takes us inside the secretive world of the Australian commandos. 

This episode was edited by Sophie Hu.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include: 

• #92 Dean Parkinson Vol II

• #100 Gary Wilson

• The Partners - Rene Wilson

• Life After Service: Gary & Renee Wilson

• #152 Peter Rudland

The Commissioner - Nick Kaldas

Alex Lloyd speaks with the Chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Nick Kaldas.

On 8 July 2021, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide was established by the Governor-General. After years of receiving testimony from veterans and other relevant witnesses, the Commission’s work is nearly over. An Interim Report was delivered in August 2022, and a Final Report is due this September, in 2024. Meanwhile, they have also released a book, Shining a Light: Stories of Trauma & Tragedy, Hope & Healing, a publication to honour the lived experience of serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families.

Nick Kaldas APM is one of the three Royal Commissioners for this inquiry, and is the Chair of the Commissioners. Nick has an extensive background of public service, including with the NSW Police Force and United Nations. The role of the Commissioners was to listen, investigate and recommend actions or changes to address systemic issues contributing to suicide and suicidal behaviours by serving and ex-serving ADF members. To say that Nick’s immersion and exposure to the written and oral testimony of veterans is extensive is an understatement. In this special podcast, Nick Kaldas shared with Alex Lloyd over Zoom some of his insights into what our veterans had to say.

#28 Mark Wales Vol III

Alex Lloyd interviews SAS veteran Mark Wales for a third time.

Mark Wales is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment, and this is the SASR veteran's third appearance on the podcast. Alex Lloyd first interviewed Mark in 2018, Season 2, about his life in the military and life after service. In 2021, Season 5, Mark came back on the show to discuss his memoir, SURVIVOR: LIFE IN THE SAS and share new stories from his time in uniform.

Since then, Mark has continued to achieve new goals - from going back on the reality TV show Australian Survivor, and do what he should have done the first time - win - and star in George Miller's epic film FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA. He has also released his debut fiction novel, OUTRIDER, which draws heavily on his time in the SASR, fighting in Afghanistan and more. This interview was recorded in the Pan Macmillan studio. Mark is published by Macmillan, and Alex is his publisher. 

#152 Peter Rudland

Alex Lloyd interviews SASR and 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Peter Rudland.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Peter Rudland is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment and the Commandos, 4RAR(Commando) and when they became the 2nd Commando Regiment. Over a long career in Special Forces, Peter deployed to Cambodia, Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan. He was seriously injured in the June 2010 Black Hawk helicopter crash in Afghanistan. In his post-service life, Peter is heavily involved in the veteran community, as a passionate advocate for physical health to create mental health, he started a company counselling soldiers, he has competed in three Invictus Games and is an ambassador for RSL Australia. Alex Lloyd spoke with Peter over Zoom in February 2024.

This episode was edited by Sophie Hu.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #1 Sandy MacGregor

• #47 Bram Connolly

• #100 Gary Wilson

• The Partners - Renee Wilson

• Life After Service - Gary & Renee Wilson

#151 Peter Whitehead

Tony Park interviews World War II veteran Peter Whitehead.

Guest interviewer Tony Park.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Peter Whitehead, born in 1923, is a veteran of World War II. He tried to join the Royal Australian Navy when war broke out but was rejected, instead becoming a ‘rough rider’ with the 2nd Remount Unit based at Holsworthy, in Sydney. After breaking in thousands of horses to support domestic war operations, he managed to join the Royal Australian Air Force, qualifying as a gunner. Peter was sent to one of the first B24 Liberator squadrons, in New Guinea and then flying bombing missions in the Pacific War from Darwin to Morotai. Today, Peter lives in New Zealand, and turned 100 years old on Christmas Day 2023.

He co-wrote his memoir, Bwana, There’s a Body in the Bath! with international bestselling Australian author Tony Park. Tony – an army veteran and previous guest on this podcast – interviewed Peter over an international Zoom call for Life on the Line. 

This episode was edited by Sophie Hu. The B24 image is courtesy of the Australian War Memorial, image number AC0074.

Referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #4 Guy Griffiths

• #7 Tom Hughes

• #11 Andrew Robertson Vol I & Vol II

• #14 Hugh Kelly

• #20 Doug Gilling

• #27 Victor Power

• #34 Antony Greatrex

• #40 Rothesay Swan

• #42 Jack Bell

• #55 Avis Quarrell

• #59 Arthur Atkins

• #71 Bob Semple

• #81 Tony Park

• Christmas on the Line Vol III

• Life After Service - Tony Park

• #127 Reg Chard (also a video podcast)

• For School and Country

• Barney Greatrex

Additionally, you can hear Norton Duckmanton, Bevan Harris, Doug Symes Snr from the Life on the Sea miniseries, Holocaust survivor Phillip Maisel, and Alex Lloyd's interviews with two German World War II veterans: Eugen Pichurra and Horst Haase. 

Season 8

Since 2017, we’ve released 279 podcasts, including 17 video episodes, with 204 military veterans, told over 7 seasons and 2 miniseries. With over 2 million downloads, streams and watches, we’re honoured to continue telling the stories of Australian military veterans. Our first four seasons are also part of the Australian War Memorial national archive, and our later seasons are gradually making their way there, too.  

Tomorrow’s episode with World War II veteran Peter Whitehead kicks off our eighth year of podcasting. This is the start of Season 8, which will be an ongoing season with no end date in sight. Episodes will drop when they’re ready, so stay subscribed to us through social media, your favourite podcast app or our website to never miss a veteran’s story.

The veterans of FOR SCHOOL AND COUNTRY, BARNEY GREATREX, LIFE ON THE LINE Seasons 1-7, LIFE ON THE SEA and LIFE AFTER SERVICE.

Christmas on the Line Vol VI

Veterans of Season 7 share their stories of a Christmas in uniform.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Veterans of Season 7 share with the Thistle Productions team their experiences of Christmas in uniform, from deployments overseas and back home in Australia. Featured guests include John White, Rod Henderson, Mark Direen, Rebecca and Ashley Semmens, Ray James and Doug Sheridan.

This episode was edited by Sophie Hu and Alex Lloyd.

The episodes these veterans were featured in earlier this season include:

• #137 John White

• #138 Rod Henderson

• #142 Mark Direen

• #143 Rebecca and Ashley Semmens

• #147 Ray James

• #150 Doug Sheridan

#150 Doug Sheridan

Alex Lloyd interviews SASR veteran Doug Sheridan in the Season 7 finale. 

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Doug Sheridan is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment. He served for 33 years in the Australian Army, full-time and reserve. This included various deployments with the United Nations, the SASR and the Australian Federal Police to the Western Sahara, East Timor, the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. He also served for 10 years in the AFP as a Federal Agent and was one of the original Air Security Officers following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Today he volunteers for Wandering Warriors, plays cricket and is studying an MBA at the University of Queensland and Harvard Business School. Doug spoke with Alex Lloyd at the Gaythorne RSL, Brisbane, in March 2023.

This episode was edited by Sophie Hu.

For another podcast about Matthew Locke, listen to #28 Mark Wales.

#149 Doug Langrehr

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Namibia, Iraq and Timor veteran Doug Langrehr.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Doug Langrehr began his career, now spanning close to four decades, as an engineer in the Australian Army. He served on operations in Namibia, Iraq and Timor. His military career culminated in moving to New York to work with the United Nations. Today he is the chief of the mission support and planning section for the United Nations office to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. While visiting Australia, Doug spoke to Sharon Mascall-Dare about his varied career.

#148 Steve Moharic

Thomas Kaye interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran and dog handler Steve Moharic.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Steve Moharic is an Australian Army veteran. He was a paratrooper, a shooter in the 2nd Commando Regiment, and then a dog handler within the Commandos. He and his four-legged best mate Guge saw a lot together. Steve spoke with Thomas Kaye over Zoom about his difficult pre-military past, his career in uniform, his life today still with Guge and gives great insight into how our war dogs work hand in paw with those in uniform.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• The Commando's Father with Doug Baird

• #36 Mark Donaldson VC

• #51 Mark Noble

• #92 Dean Parkinson Vol I

• #92 Dean Parkinson Vol II

#147 Ray James

Angus Hordern interviews Vietnam veteran and RSL NSW President Ray James.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Ray James is a veteran of the Vietnam War and is currently the President of NSW RSL. He served in the Royal Australian Navy on HMAS Sydney, the Vung Tau ferry. He was also on HMAS Melbourne when it collided with the USS Frank E. Evans in 1969. Ray spoke with Angus Hordern about his life of service – in the military, in the police force and now in the veteran community.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• LIFE ON THE SEA Episode IV 'Collision'

• For School and Country

Working Spirit with Karyn Hinder

Alex Lloyd speaks with founder of the veterans charity Working Spirit, Army and RAAF veteran Karyn Hinder.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and tells their story. This is a bonus episode focused on the veterans-run charity Working Spirit, in a conversation with its founder. Karyn Hinder is an army and air force veteran with over 25 years of service. She has deployed to Timor and the Middle East. Her passion today is assisting military veterans to find employment in their life after service. She launched Working Spirit in 2016, a registered not-for-profit charity. Karyn spoke with Alex Lloyd over Zoom.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #101 Bob Hunter

• Life After Service

• #128 Ryan Wilson

To see photos related to today's interview, visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - or follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.

#146 Joel Sardi

Thomas Kaye interviews Afghanistan veteran Joel Sardi.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Joel Sardi is a veteran of the Australian Army. He served for 5 years and deployed to Afghanistan as a rifleman at 7 RAR. Shortly after coming home, Joel had an accident, leaving him as a C-5 quadriplegic. Joel spoke to Thomas Kaye over Zoom about his time in the army, and adjusting to a new life after the accident.

This episode was edited by Sophie Hu

During the interview, Joel Sardi mentioned Damien Thomlinson. Angus Hordern interviewed Damien in a video podcast in Season 5.

#145 Lily Mulholland

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Timor and Bougainville veteran, Lily Mulholland.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Lily Mulholland served in the Australian Defence Force for 24 years as a public affairs officer. She has deployed to Timor, Bougainville and the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games on Operation Gold. During her time in the army, she also undertook an ADF expedition to Mount Everest. Lily shared her story with Sharon Mascall-Dare.

#144 Phillip Thompson

Angus Hordern interviews Afghanistan veteran and Federal MP Phillip Thompson.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Phillip Thompson is the Federal Member for Herbert and an Australian Army veteran. He deployed to Timor and Afghanistan, and was blown up by an improvised explosive device. He represented Australia at the Invictus Games in 2014 and now represents Townsville in Canberra. This is his conversation with Angus Hordern.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #102 Heston Russell

• #109 Keith Wolahan

#143 Rebecca and Ashley Semmens

Alex Lloyd interviews navy veterans Rebecca and Ashley Semmens.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Rebecca Semmens served in the Royal Australian Navy for 18 years, and was medically discharged in 2020 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Bec was a medic, and deployed to Timor and Afghanistan. Her husband, Ashley Semmens, was a Clearance Diver, also serving in the navy for 18 years. Ash had multiple deployments, including to Afghanistan. He was a Clearance Diver, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert and was in Kabul during the evacuation as the Taliban retook the country in 2021. He medically discharged in 2022 as a Chief Petty Officer. Bec and Ash spoke jointly with Alex Lloyd at the Gaythorne RSL in Brisbane.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #17 Dave Stafford Finney

• #25 Paul de Gelder

• #64 Jodi Farmer

#142 Mark Direen

Thomas Kaye interviews Special Air Service Regiment veteran Mark Direen. 

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Mark Direen deployed multiple times to Afghanistan as a member of the SASR. He experienced long range reconnaissance missions, more kinetic operations and was injured by an improvised explosive device. He also worked at the Australian Embassy in Kabul. Today he runs his company Point Assist, its goal to assist people to evolve through experience. This is his conversation with Thomas Kaye.

This episode was edited by Sophie Hu.

#141 Rob Manton

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews army veteran Rob Manton.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Rob Manton served in the Australian Army for 30 years. His time in uniform saw multiple command appointments, an operational deployment to Iraq, and advisory and peacekeeping roles with the United Nations. Today, he’s the Chair of the Veterans Advisory Council in South Australia. He spoke to Sharon Mascall-Dare in Adelaide.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #82 John Cantwell Vol I

• #82 John Cantwell Vol II

#140 Mike Armstrong

Angus Hordern interviews Afghanistan veteran and artist Mike Armstrong.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Michael Armstrong joined the Australian Defence Force in 1998 as an aircraft technician. He went on to serve as a signals officer, deploying with 2 RAR to Timor and with the 2nd Commando Regiment to Afghanistan. He was on the last plane out of Afghanistan in Rotation XX. Throughout his time in the army Mike also taught as a hand-to-hand combat instructor, drawing on his martial arts background. He moved to work in Cyber before medically discharging. Today he keeps connected with the veteran community through his VOICES OF VETERANS artwork. 

The episode referenced at the end of the podcast is #97 Paul Cale.

#139 Ryan Shaw

Alex Lloyd interviews former sniper team leader Ryan Shaw.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Ryan Shaw joined the Australian Defence Force in 2006. During his 14-year career in the military he was a sniper team leader, deployed to Timor and Afghanistan, and worked in border protection. Today he’s the Director of Gaythorne RSL, in Brisbane, where he spoke with Alex Lloyd.