#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

#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

#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

#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.

#31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol III

Alex Lloyd interviews former special forces combat doctor Dan Pronk about his new memoir, THE COMBAT DOCTOR.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Dr Dan Pronk is a former special forces combat doctor. He deployed 4 times to Afghanistan and went on over 100 combat missions. In his 7th appearance on the show, Dan spoke to Alex Lloyd about his new book, his life story, called THE COMBAT DOCTOR. The book is out now in print, audiobook and ebook, and Alex is Dan's publisher at Pan Macmillan.

They returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol V.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol I

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol II

• #36 Mark Donaldson VC

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten

• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk

• #51 Mark Noble

• #107 Brett Wood

• SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

#125 Ant Plater

Alex Lloyd interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Ant Plater.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Former Special Forces operator Ant Plater served in the Australian Defence Force for 27 years, 17 of which were with the Commandos. He deployed to Somalia, Bougainville, East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, served in the Tactical Assault Group-East, and was the counter-terrorism advisor to the Australian Federal Police. Today, he’s a high-performance consultant for the Canberra Raiders and an advocate for the Commando Welfare Trust. The 2nd Commando Regiment veteran spoke with Alex Lloyd about his journey to the army and Special Forces, some of his deployments, the idea of ‘tribe’, and being a leader at the tip of the spear. 

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #47 Bram Connolly

• #54 ‘H’ Vol I

• #97 Paul Cale

• #105 Damien Thomlinson

• #106 Greg Hopgood

Christmas on the Line Vol IV

Veterans of Season 5 share their stories of a Christmas in uniform.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Veterans of Season 5 share with the Thistle Productions team their experiences of Christmas in uniform, from deployments overseas and back home in Australia. Featured guests include Chris Oxenbould, Greg Hopgood, Mark Wales, Wes 'H' Hennessey, Commando Jamie, Keith Wolahan, Sir Peter Cosgrove and Wayne Bemet. This episode is hosted by Thomas Kaye.

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

• #104 Chris Oxenbould

• #106 Greg Hopgood

• #107 Brett Wood

• #28 Mark Wales Vol II

• #109 Keith Wolahan

• #117 Sir Peter Cosgrove

• #120 Wayne Bemet

#119 Craig Ball

Alex Lloyd interviews former commando Craig Ball.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Craig Ball passed Commando selection in 2000 as a reservist and went full-time in 2006. He deployed to Afghanistan as a signaller in the 2nd Commando Regiment in 2010 and 2012. Today, he’s a men’s mental health speaker.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #100 Gary Wilson

• The Partners - Renee Wilson

• Life After Service - Gary & Renee Wilson

Life After Service: Gary & Renee Wilson

Gary Wilson was a signaller attached to the 2nd Commando Regiment. On the 21st of June, 2010, Gary and then-fiancé Renee’s lives were changed forever when Gary was severely injured in a Black Hawk helicopter crash.

In this episode of Life After Service, Thomas Kaye speaks to the now-married couple, Gary and Renee, about the accident, the challenges they overcame and how they are helping pave the way to support others, both veterans and the families of those veterans.

Want to join the Wilsons and support veterans, their families and give back? Check out The Wilson Initiative. https://thewilsoninitiative.com.au/ Looking to have more energy, manage pain and optimise your health? Gary runs Bare Coaching, his personal coaching service. Find out more at: https://www.barecoaching.com/

Watch the episode on YouTube above, or listen to the audio-only version below.

SAS Resilience with Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

Alex Lloyd interviews three Australian Special Forces veterans about the secrets to unlock greater personal resilience.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk DSC and Tim Curtis return to the show in this special podcast to talk about their new book, THE RESILIENCE SHIELD. From lessons learned in Afghanistan to Sierra Leone, the board room to the hospital, the SAS veterans have demystified and defined resilience and unlocked how anyone can better equip themselves to overcome adversity in life. Alex Lloyd, the publisher of their book at Pan Macmillan, spoke with the trio more about how the book came about and what readers can expect.

For previous episodes featuring these guests, listen to:

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol I

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk Vol II

• Voodoo Medics with Mark Donaldson VC, Dr Dan Pronk and Kristin Shorten

• Lessons of a Combat Doctor with Dr Dan Pronk

• SAS Leadership with Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

• SAS Leadership Vol II with Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

• Christmas on the Line Vol III

• #107 Brett Wood

#107 Brett Wood

2nd Commando Regiment veterans, friends and family share their memories of the late Sergeant Brett Wood MG, DSM.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Brett Wood joined the Australian Army in 1996. He completed Selection and joined 4 RAR (Commando) in November 1998, which later became the 2nd Commando Regiment. Brett deployed to Malaysia in 1996, Bougainville in 2000, Timor in 2001, Iraq in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2006. During that deployment, for his leadership in action as a team commander, he was awarded the Medal for Gallantry. He received a Commendation for service with the Tactical Assault Group - East in 2007. He deployed again to Afghanistan in 2009 and 2011.

Brett was tragically killed in action by an Improvised Explosive Device on 23 May 2011. As the 10-year anniversary of Brett’s passing approached, Life on the Line was asked by one of Brett's close friends and fellow commandos to commemorate the day. We have done so by creating this special podcast, a celebration of his life. Alex Lloyd spoke with family, friends and colleagues of Brett - from those who knew him personally to those who served alongside him and marvelled at his professionalism.

This podcast shares just a few of many great stories about Brett Wood. We would like to thank the following previous Life on the Line guests for coming back on the show to remember Brett:

• #31 Dr Dan Pronk

• #54 Wes ‘H’ Hennessey

• #77 Adrian Humphries

• #87 Jeremy Holder

• #97 Paul Cale

• #102 Heston Russell

• #105 Damien Thomlinson

Life on the Line would also like to thank for participating 2nd Commando Regiment veterans Jamie and Tom, Brett’s sister Sharlene, Brett’s friend Iain and Brett’s wife Elvi. These are their memories of the late Sergeant Brett Wood MG, DSM. At the end of the podcast, Alex closes out the episode by reading part of the citation for Brett’s Medal for Gallantry.

Brett Wood’s mother, Alison, has written a post-release contribution to our #107 Brett Wood tribute episode, about his Medal for Gallantry:

 “After returning from Afghanistan in 2006, Brett drove down to Victoria to see us. We lived in Shepparton and he also went to South Gippsland to debrief with his friend Iain McLaren. Later, I received a phone call from the army, wanting to talk to Brett. He wasn’t with me at the time. They apologised for the mix up and I rang Brett and told him about the call. After the army got a hold of him, he called me back and said, “They want to give me the Gallantry Medal – should I take it?”

My response was “Yes – why wouldn’t you?” To which he replied that he doesn’t work on his own. Despite his initial hesitation, he accepted the award. On the day of the ceremony we travelled to the base – my two daughters and their partners, and my mother as well. Two commandos were awarded that day. The other medal recipient had the first seat, then Brett, Elvi, myself and the rest of my family, and Iain.

Straight after the citations were read out and awards presented, both men were photographed from behind, to protect their identities. The photograph and article made the news on 27 November 2006. The next working day Brett was actually instructing cadets at Dookie and he commented that one day he was awarded this honour and the next he was instructing, and they had no idea.”

#103 Monika Georgieva

Alex Lloyd interviews army veteran Monika Georgieva.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Monika Georgieva was the first female to attempt selection for the 2nd Commando Regiment and the Special Air Service Regiment. She made two attempts at SAS selection, then went on to be Australia’s first female infantry officer, having commanded a rifle platoon and a reconnaissance/sniper platoon. In her conversation with Alex Lloyd, Monika talks about her childhood in Bulgaria, joining the Australian Army, details her various Special Forces selection attempts and her career beyond.

Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:

• #36 Mark Donaldson VC

• SAS Leadership with Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

• #68 Harry Moffitt

• SAS Leadership Vol II with Ben Pronk and Tim Curtis

• #102 Heston Russell

#102 Heston Russell

Alex Lloyd interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, Heston Russell.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. This is the first episode of Season 5. Since 2017, Life on the Line has brought you the stories of Australian military veterans. This is our 207th podcast, and our 102nd veteran conversation on our particular episode numbering system. In all that time we’ve brought you stories from World War II to the modern era. Today’s chat is with a Special Forces veteran of the 21st century conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, Heston Russell. 

We recorded this episode on the outdoor balcony of Heston’s Sydney apartment, so if you hear any background noise or ambience, that’s why. We recorded outdoors because we also videoed this interview, which is a first for us. If you’re listening, you can jump onto our YouTube channel (just search for “Life on the Line podcast”) and watch this chat with Heston. If you are watching this on YouTube, you can listen to this and all our other episodes on your favourite podcast app, Spotify and our website. We will be doing a select number of video podcasts like this as the year goes on. 

Heston Russell was an officer in the 2nd Commando Regiment. He already had a profile in the Australian community through his post-military career in the fitness world. He rose to further national prominence in 2020, when an unnamed US soldier accused Heston’s platoon of unlawfully killing a prisoner in Afghanistan. Heston counterattacked, speaking out on national media to strongly refute the claims. Since then, he’s remained in the public spotlight, becoming a spokesman for the veteran community in the lead-up to and wake of the Brereton report into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. 

Alex Lloyd spoke to Heston in February 2021 to learn more about the man behind the headlines.

Follow Heston @hestonrussell on Instagram and Facebook. You can also find "Voice of a Veteran" on social media, YouTube, your favourite podcast app and www.voiceofaveteran.org​.

Christmas on the Line Vol III

Veterans of Season 4 share their stories of a Christmas in uniform.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Veterans and other guests of Season 4 share with the Thistle Productions team their experiences of Christmas in uniform, from deployments overseas and back home in Australia. These stories have not been previously featured on the podcast. Featured guests include Sarah Watson, Adrian Humphries, Ben Pronk, Tim Curtis, Bill Fitzgerald, Tony Park, John Cantwell, Tim Reynolds, David McCourt, Crystal Callender, Garth Callender, Glenn Azar, Alyssa Azar, Ian Roberts, Dan Keighran VC, Paul Cale, Renee Wilson and Bob Hunter. This episode is hosted by Angus Hordern.

The Partners - Renee Wilson

Thomas Kaye speaks with Renee Wilson about being the partner of a military helicopter crash survivor.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. This is the third ‘partners’ episode of Life on the Line. Today’s conversation is with Renee Wilson. Renee was engaged to Gary Wilson, a signaller attached to the 2nd Commando Regiment, when Gary was injured in a Black Hawk helicopter crash on 21 June 2010, where four Coalition soldiers were killed. In this moving conversation with Thomas Kaye, Renee details her memories of the day of the crash, Gary’s long road to recovery and how she put her own feelings to the side to be a pillar of strength for others. She also shares not just the challenges, but the inspiring story of all they have achieved and overcome in the ten years since that fateful night in Afghanistan.

Renee returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol III. Gary and Renee were also featured in Life After Service - Gary & Renee Wilson.

For photos of Gary recovering after the crash, see #100 Gary Wilson.

#100 Gary Wilson

Thomas Kaye interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran and Black Hawk crash survivor, Gary Wilson.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Gary Wilson was a signaller attached to the 2nd Commando Regiment. Gary survived a catastrophic helicopter crash in Afghanistan, on 21 June 2010. Gary was severely injured, including a traumatic brain injury. Three Australians lost their lives in this crash: Ben Chuck, Tim Aplin and Scott Palmer; as well as a US serviceman. In this conversation with Thomas Kaye, Gary shares his story of military service, the Black Hawk crash and his recovery afterwards.

Gary’s wife, Renee Wilson, also spoke to Thomas Kaye. Gary and Renee were also featured in Life After Service - Gary & Renee Wilson.

#97 Paul Cale

Alex Lloyd interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran and renowned martial artist Paul Cale.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Paul Cale is a veteran of the 2nd Commando Regiment and a black belt in eight different styles of martial arts. He has been involved with the Australian Army for 30 years, either as a soldier or a preferred contractor, as he is today. As a commando, he was deployed five times on combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, and at home served as a team leader in Tactical Assault Group East. Paul’s personal hand-to-hand combat experiences in theatres of war, and those of his fellow commandos, have guided his development of the Kinetic Fighting system. Today he is the CEO of Kinetic Fighting Pty Ltd. Paul is a world leader in close-combat and personal protection training. Alex Lloyd spoke with Paul over Zoom about his military service and martial arts career.

Paul returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line Vol III.

Mosul with Ben Mckelvey

Alex Lloyd speaks with Ben Mckelvey about his new book, Mosul, and the 2nd Commando Regiment.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Ben Mckelvey, author of Cameron Baird’s posthumous biography, has released a new book, “Mosul: Australia’s secret war inside the ISIS caliphate”. The book tells the stories of the late Ian Turner of the 2nd Commando Regiment, Australia’s role in the Battle for Mosul and Australian ISIS fighters. Ben speaks to Alex Lloyd about his new book and the 2nd Commando Regiment, public perceptions of Australian military operations in the Middle East and the impending IGADF inquiry into alleged war crimes.

#92 Dean Parkinson Vol II

Alex Lloyd continues his interview with 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Dean Parkinson.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Today's episode is the second instalment of the conversation with Dean Parkinson, picking up after Dean's first combat tour in Afghanistan in 2009. In this episode, Dean talks to Alex Lloyd about his 2010 combat deployment, losing mates in battle and the impact of his military service.

Make sure you listen to Volume I before listening to this episode.

#92 Dean Parkinson Vol I

Alex Lloyd interviews former Commando and Afghanistan veteran Dean Parkinson.

Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Dean Parkinson is a veteran of the 2nd Commando Regiment. Despite significant injuries in an aircraft accident in training, Dean eventually became a commando and deployed twice to Afghanistan. He’s also competed at the highest professional level of speed skydiving. This is Alex Lloyd's conversation with Dean about how he went from Qantas flight attendant to Australian Special Forces.

Listen to the rest of Dean's story in Volume II of this conversation.