Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories.
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Tuesday Jun 08, 2021
Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews a RAEME veteran of the Middle East, Ken Whitton.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Ken Whitton joined the Army Reserves as a gunner in 1988. He then went full time, serving as an Electronics Technician in the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, known as RAEME. He deployed on border protection operations, and to Afghanistan and Iraq. Today, he is transitioning into a civilian career at Babcock, in Defence Industries. He spoke with Sharon Mascall-Dare, who also works at Babcock.
The episode referenced at the end of the podcast is #45 Dr Sharon Mascall-Dare.
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.
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Tuesday Jun 01, 2021
Alex Lloyd interviews SAS veteran Mark Wales for a second time.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Mark Wales is a veteran of the Special Air Service Regiment. He served in the Australian Army for 16 years, 6 of those with the SAS. Alex Lloyd first spoke with Mark about his military service and highlights of his post-army career in Season 2, #28 Mark Wales. Since then, Mark has written his memoir, SURVIVOR: LIFE IN THE SAS. This is a deeply revealing memoir, action-packed and a considered reflection on events in Afghanistan. It’s an important book for the soldier’s perspective it gives into Special Operations in Australia’s longest war, a response to the 2020 Brereton Report into alleged war crimes. Alex - Mark’s publisher and editor of the book - invited him to the Pan Macmillan audio studio to talk more about Mark’s time in the military.
To buy the book in print, ebook or audiobook (narrated by Mark), visit either the publisher’s website, Mark’s website or directly to your retailer of choice.
Mark returned to the podcast in 2024 to promote his debut novel OUTRIDER.
Tuesday May 25, 2021
Tuesday May 25, 2021
This is the audio-only version of our Life After Service episode with Don Barnby. Watch the video documentary episode now on YouTube!
Former SAS trooper and Australian Federal Police officer Don Barnby is the third veteran featured in our Life After Service series. Don served in the Vietnam war as a special forces soldier, and at Cyprus, Bougainville and East Timor with the AFP. On a volunteer basis, Don has also been interviewing veterans for the Australian War Memorial.
CLOSING CREDITS:
Guest: Don Barnby
Special Thanks: Australian War Memorial
Brought to you by Thistle Productions: Thomas Kaye, Alex Lloyd, Rohan Viswalingam
Intro Music: THREE METRES by Stephen Keech
Episode Soundtrack: THE HELL BEYOND: The Ballad of of Old Mate Joe 'Rowdy' Sloan by The Externals
Closing Scene Music: HOPE ENDURES by Third Age & THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD by Caleb Etheridge
Fuelled by Striker Coffe Co.
Copyright Thistle Productions 2021
THISTLE PRODUCTIONS, LIFE ON THE LINE and TECI
Tuesday May 11, 2021
Tuesday May 11, 2021
2nd Commando Regiment veterans, friends and family share their memories of the late Sergeant Brett Wood MG, DSM.
Brett Wood 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. The list of those interviewed is available on our website.
To see photos related to today's episode, 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.
Wednesday May 05, 2021
Wednesday May 05, 2021
Alex Lloyd speaks with Mark 'Billy' Billingham, veteran of the British SAS.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. In this special bonus podcast, we feature a veteran of the British SAS who is currently in Australia, here for the filming of ‘SAS Australia’ Season 2 as well as his live tour of talks. Mark 'Billy' Billingham served for nearly two decades in the British Army’s Special Air Service - the SAS, serving in countless war zones, winning the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery and being awarded the MBE by HM the Queen. Upon leaving the SAS, he became a bodyguard to Hollywood stars such as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Sir Michael Caine, Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe. He is now a DS and advisor on the hit TV shows SAS: Who Dares Wins in the UK and SAS Australia.
Follow @billingham22b on Instagram for more information about his live events in Sydney (Friday 7 May), Brisbane (Sunday 9 May) and Melbourne (Monday 10 May).
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.
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Tuesday May 04, 2021
Alex Lloyd interviews Somalia veteran Greg Hopgood.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Greg Hopgood is a veteran of the Australian Army. He deployed to Somalia with 1 RAR as part of Operation Solace in the 1990s, our first battalion-sized deployment overseas since the Vietnam War. Greg spoke with Alex Lloyd about his experiences on patrols, the mate he lost and the confronting humanitarian crisis at the time, and how he still carries his experiences in Somalia with him today.
Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:
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.
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
This is the audio-only version of our Life After Service episode with Glenn Kolomeitz. Watch the video documentary episode now on YouTube!
Former aircraft technician, military policeman and legal officer, Glenn Kolomeitz is the next veteran in the Life After Service series. In our podcast interview with Glenn (#22), we covered his early life, military career, and ongoing work in the veteran community. Glenn returned to the podcast in the special episodes Panel - Returning Home and Christmas on the Line. He was also featured in #44 Mick Bainbridge.
CLOSING CREDITS:
Guest: Glenn Kolomeitz
Brought to you by Thistle Productions: Thomas Kaye, Alex Lloyd, Angus Hordern
Intro Music: THREE METRES by Stephen Keech
Episode Soundtrack: THE HELL JUST BEYOND: The Ballad of of Old Mate Joe 'Rowdy' Sloan by The Externals
Fuelled by Striker Coffe Co.
Copyright Thistle Productions 2021
THISTLE PRODUCTIONS, LIFE ON THE LINE and TECI
Visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - and follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Tuesday Apr 13, 2021
Angus Hordern interviews 2nd Commando Regiment veteran and IED survivor, Damien Thomlinson.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. This is our second video podcast - you can watch the whole conversation between Damien Thomlinson and Angus Hordern now on YouTube. Damien deployed to Fiji, Timor and Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment. He lost both his legs in Afghanistan, due to an Improvised Explosive Device, in 2009. He’s gone on to become a motivational speaker, author, actor, golfer, and more. This is an inspiring conversation about Damien’s military career, his life after the blast and how he turned that fateful day into the best thing that ever happened to him.
Episodes referenced at the end of the podcast include:
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.
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Tuesday Apr 06, 2021
Angus Hordern interviews Gulf War veteran Chris Oxenbould.
Life on the Line tracks down Australian military veterans and records their stories. Chris Oxenbould was a Rear Admiral in the Royal Australian Navy. Among other deployments, Chris was the Commander of the Royal Australian Navy Task Group both during and after the First Gulf War. There, his task group became part of the largest grouping of warships seen since the end of World War II. It’s been said that it was probably the most powerful and complex naval force ever assembled.
The episode referenced at the end of the podcast is #82 John Cantwell Vol I.
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.
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
Tuesday Mar 30, 2021
This is the audio-only version of our Life After Service episode with Sarah Watson. Watch the video documentary episode now on YouTube!
An intelligence officer to Iron Man athlete to veterans advocate. Sarah Watson is the first veteran we feature in our series Life After Service.
In our podcast interview with her (#76), we discussed her time in the Australian Defence Force. In this documentary, we cover her challenges and successes in her time adapting to life after the military.
CLOSING CREDITS:
Guest: Sarah Watson
Also Featuring: George Watson, David Watson, Kevin the French Mastiff
Special Thanks: Striker Coffee Co., Valour Coffee Co.
Brought to you by Thistle Productions: Thomas Kaye, Alex Lloyd, Rohan Viswalingam, Angus Hordern
Intro Music: THREE METRES by Stephen Keech
Episode Soundtrack: THE HELL JUST BEYOND: The Ballad of of Old Mate Joe 'Rowdy' Sloan by The Externals
Workout Soundtrack: RED STRIPES by Hunter Parks
Copyright Thistle Productions 2021
THISTLE PRODUCTIONS, LIFE ON THE LINE and TECI
Visit our website - www.lifeonthelinepodcast.com - and follow us on social media: @lifeonthelinepodcast on Facebook and Instagram, @LOTLpod on Twitter and 'Thistle Productions' on LinkedIn.
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Tuesday Mar 16, 2021
Watch the trailer for our new video documentary series on YouTube!
From World War II to modern-day conflicts and everything in-between, LIFE ON THE LINE has been bringing you the stories from veterans far and wide that have done their part for their friends, family and nation.
Covering their reasons to join, who they are behind the uniform and focus on their time in service.
LIFE AFTER SERVICE is a special series where we focus on their lives after the military and how they adapted to civilian life. Catch our first episode as we release it on the 23rd of March.
This podcast is the audio version of the trailer. Listen to discover our episode release schedule.
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
Tuesday Mar 09, 2021
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
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.
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
Tuesday Mar 02, 2021
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, our 207th podcast, and our 102nd veteran conversation. 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 filmed this interview, which is a first for our podcasts. You can jump onto our YouTube channel to watch this chat with Heston. We will be doing a select number of video podcasts 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 with Barry's Bootcamp. 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 spokesperson for the veteran community in the lead-up to and in the 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.
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.