Life on the Line

Angus Hordern hosts a panel on the Vietnam war, with Sandy MacGregor, David Buckwalter, David Leafe and Ron Aitken. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's panel conversation is on the topic of the Vietnam war, both experiences in-country and life after. Angus Hordern moderated a discussion between previous podcast guests Sandy MacGregor, David Buckwalter, David Leafe and Ron Aitken.

Angus Hordern speaks with veteran Adrian Talbot about the Invictus Games. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. This bonus episode is with Adrian Talbot, a veteran of the British Royal Marine Commandos, twice-gold medallist at the 2014 Invictus Games, and now Ambassador for the upcoming Sydney Invictus Games of 2018.

Adrian returned to the podcast in Season 3 to share his story of service, as an Australian in the British Royal Marine Commandos.

Angus Hordern hosts a panel on what it means to be a modern veteran with Garth Callender, Michael Wright and Glenn Kolomeitz. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's panel conversation is on the topic of what it means to be a veteran in the modern era, public perception, support systems and transitioning to the workforce. Angus Hordern moderated a discussion between previous podcast guests Garth Callender, Michael Wright and Glenn Kolomeitz.

Alex Lloyd interviews World War II veteran and POW Jack Bell. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with a World War II air force veteran, and a survivor of Fascist Italian and Nazi Germany prisoner of war camps. This is the last episode of Season 2.

Alex Lloyd speaks with German World War II veteran Horst Haase. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with a German World War II veteran, Horst Haase. Horst spoke to Alex Lloyd about events he witnessed, the terror he felt and the silence he had to maintain to save his life during the war. Thanks go to Oliver Heuthe and Martin Luther Homes for helping to arrange this episode.

Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews 28-year Australian Defence Force veteran Dr Kerry Summerscales. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Dr Kerry Summerscales. Kerry shared with Sharon Mascall-Dare stories from her incredible 28-year-career in the Australian Defence Force, including five operational deployments.

Alex Lloyd speaks with a Cold War veteran from East Germany, Jens Milbret. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with a Cold War veteran from East Germany, Jens Milbret. Jens spoke of growing up in a communist regime, the propaganda, his military service, the lies that shaped his life and the escape he made from life in East Germany. Thanks go to Oliver Heuthe for helping to arrange this episode.

These photos are of the military academy Jens served at in Dresden, created by Lysippos and shared here (and on our social media) under a Creative Commons license.

Angus Hordern interviews World War II and Vietnam veteran Rothesay Swan. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with World War II and Vietnam veteran Rothesay Swan. Rothesay fought in the largest naval battle in history, and went on to have a distinguished career as a Rear Admiral in the Royal Australian Navy.

Rothesay returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line.

Alex Lloyd speaks with German World War II veteran Eugen Pichurra. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with a German World War II veteran, Eugen Pichurra. Eugen spoke to Alex about Germany in the 1930s, why he joined the army, his incredible wartime stories, atrocities he witnessed, and his reflections on the war. Eugen also served in the West German military for a time, during the Cold War, before migrating to Australia. Thanks go to Oliver Heuthe and Martin Luther Homes for helping to arrange this episode.

Alex Lloyd interviews Afghanistan and Iraq veteran, formerly of the 2nd Commando Regiment, Rhys Dowden. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, Rhys Dowden. A former member of the 2nd Commando regiment, Rhys saw multiple deployments to the Middle East as an elite soldier. Alex Lloyd spoke to Rhys about training to be a Commando, contact stories and the power of purpose.

Angus Hordern speaks with Rev Dr Gareth Clayton OAM, formerly a chaplain of the Royal Australian Navy. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Today's bonus episode is with Rev Dr Gareth Clayton OAM. A man of the cloth, Gareth sought to serve his faith by providing guidance to the sailors of Australia's navy. Gareth reminisces on his time in the navy, his role as chaplain, and beyond.

Gareth returned to the podcast in Christmas on the Line.

Alex Lloyd interviews former Australian Army photographer and videographer Janine Fabre. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Today's conversation is with Janine Fabre, formerly of the Australian Army. Janine shared stories of her life behind the camera lens and the lessons she's learned from documenting our troops at home and abroad. Our thanks go to Defence Media for organising the interview.

Alex Lloyd speaks with Bram Connolly, former Special Forces officer, author and founder of WarriorU. Life on the Line tracks down Australian war veterans and records their stories. Every week we also have a bonus episode, where we speak to historians, authors and others in the veterans community. Alex Lloyd spoke with Bram Connolly, a former Special Forces officer. Bram is now an author, founder of WarriorU, podcaster at the WarriorU Podcast, and a mentor. Alex spoke with Bram about his pursuits in life after service, and all things human optimisation. 

Bram returned to the podcast in Season 3 in #47 Bram Connolly to discuss his military service with the Australian Army and 2nd Commando Regiment.