5 With A Digger Podcast

Episode 115 and I’m joined by Tarsh. Tarsh is an Army Reserve veteran who’ll tell you she “just did bits and pieces” during her service but what she’s done after taking the uniform off is something pretty special. After volunteering with the Sleepbus helping people doing it tough, Tarsh and seven others refused to let the mission die when the organisation folded. No experience running a charity. N...

Episode 113 and I’m joined by Paul Seils Jnr. Paul Seils Jnr is an Aussie music artist, podcaster, speaker and former Army Reservist who served with the 2nd Transport Squadron out of Brisbane. From his time in service to building a platform in media and music, Paul’s all about standing up for what you believe in and not being afraid to question the narrative. He is the host of Between the Lines an...

Episode 112 and Crowy’s back in the chair and we’re diving straight into the controversy surrounding Ben Roberts-Smith. A Victoria Cross recipient now facing five war crime charges relating to alleged incidents in Afghanistan, allegations he denies. After years in the spotlight and a massive defamation case, this now moves into a criminal trial where the standard is beyond reasonable doubt. But th...

Episode 111 and we’re linking up with the legends from 2 Pissed Kent’s podcast. We rolled through and jumped on with the boys while we were over in Sydney on a podcast tour, and let’s just say things got loose real quick. Now we’ll be honest, things have been absolutely flat out lately. Between getting the It’ll Take A Tribe Food Bank up and running and gearing up for the Jimmy Judge Tour of Tortu...

Episode 110 and we have a SPECIAL GUEST EPISODE — LIVE FROM THE POST HOUSE, EUDLO We set up base for the Tour of Torture to the Post House in Eudlo and this one is absolute chaos in the best way possible. This isn’t your average episode, this is a full house, big personalities, plenty of laughs, and some seriously good yarns from an unreal lineup of guests. Jimmy Judge, the man in the hot seat for...

Episode 109 and I’m joined by Jerard. Jerard enlisted back in 2012, but this isn’t your standard service story. Just 3 months in, a serious injury changed everything. What followed was years of setbacks—spinal surgery, re-injuries, being pushed beyond medical advice… and constantly fighting to be heard. And still—he showed up. Training others as an ADI, completing heavy vehicle quals, even support...

Episode 108 and I’m joined by my old mate Bryze from the Deadass Podcast! Everytime I pass through Rockhampton I make sure to drop in and catch up over a cold beer or 10. We chat about how the podcast is going, our new community food bank opening at the 5 With A Digger Studio in Gympie. And the crazy challenge we have set for Jimmy Judge. Food Hub opening soon.   (7) it'll take a tribe - sear...

Episode 107 and I’m joined by Taula Daure, better known as Franckiie. Born in Papua New Guinea and raised through hardship after losing his mum at just 4, Franckiie grew up without his dad, before reconnecting with him later in life, a powerful full-circle moment. Moving to Australia in 2005, he faced setbacks and tough moments, but he didn’t let them define him. He reset, he refocused and he foun...

Episode 106 and I’m joined by Brenden ‘Chuck’ Berry. Brenden Berry is a former Australian soldier, instructor, and Australian Border Force firearms and defensive tactics trainer, with nearly 40 years of service behind him. A third-generation cavalryman, Brenden enlisted in 1989 and served across multiple units including 3/4 Cavalry Regiment, 2RAR, and 3RAR. His deployments include Rwanda during th...

Episode 105 and I’m joined by Tod. Tod is a former Australian Army Combat Engineer who served 12 years in the Corps from 2009–2021. Starting his career as a young Sapper, Tod spent his early years on the tools as a Combat Engineer before transitioning into the civil construction side of the trade, eventually rising through the ranks to Corporal. Across his time in service he was involved in a huge...

Episode 104 and I’m joined by Keegsy. Keegsy signed up to the Australian Army in 2009 at just 17 years old, joining the Infantry and posting to 8/9 RAR. In 2010, he deployed to Timor — a young digger getting his first taste of operational service early in his career. By 2012, Keegsy was heading to Malaysia alongside 6RAR, continuing to build experience, strengthen his skills, and forge the kind of...

Episode 103 and I’m joined by Michael Lappin. Michael is a Newcastle-based speaker and advocate whose journey is raw, real, and powerful. Raised in a military household, Michael grew up witnessing the long-term effects of service firsthand. His father served 35 years in the Australian Army, also being as a Vietnam veteran. Like many defence families, the impact of untreated PTSD shaped life at hom...

Episode 102 and I’m joined by Matthew French. Matthew is an Australian Army veteran, Infantry Paratrooper, former leader in Veteran Mentors, and now the CEO of The Youth Regiment. After serving his country on deployment, Matthew transitioned his passion for leadership and mentorship into the civilian space — co-founding Veteran Mentors and delivering impactful programs for young people facing real...

Episode 101 and I’m joined by Ryan. Ryan enlisted in 2009, marched out of Kapooka in 2010 and posted to 3RAR. He completed Basic Parachute Course, Assault Pioneer Course, deployed to Afghanistan with MTF-5, later qualified as a Combat Engineer before transferring to become an ADF Firefighter with 6 Aviation Regiment. Medically discharged in 2017 with physical and mental injuries, Ryan did what man...

Episode and I’m joined by Jarchy. Jarch never wore the uniform himself, but his respect for the Defence community runs deep. That respect was forged through his family, particularly his grandfather’s service, which gave him a grounded understanding of what it truly means to serve: the sacrifice, the mateship, and the quiet strength of the families who stand behind every digger. Jarch is a natural...

Episode 99 and I’m joined by Tooney. Tooney originally applied to join the RAAF as an Airfield Defence Guard, he instead enlisted into the Australian Army as a Rifleman in 2007. While at Kapooka, he trade-transferred into Air Dispatch, marching out with the Royal Australian Corps of Transport and posting to 176 Air Dispatch Squadron after training at Puckapunyal. In 2008, an injury cut his Basic P...

Episode 98 and I’m joined by Chad. Chad served as an Army Infantry Soldier from 2017–2021, earning his DFSW qualification and stepping up as a Fitness Leader during his time in uniform. Known for his relentless work ethic and high standards, he capped it off by taking out Best at Physical Training at Singleton, a massive achievement in any soldier’s career. Life after Defence hasn’t slowed him dow...

Episode 97 and I’m joined by Grant from Rippys Clothing. Grant might not be a veteran, but the values behind Rippy’s align strongly with what this podcast stands for: resilience, mental health, accountability, and backing your mates. Built from the ground up, Rippy’s isn’t just a clothing brand. It’s a platform for real conversations and real stories, especially the ones that often go unheard. Thi...

As we roll into the New Year, we’re dropping a few “best of” episodes, The biggest laughs, the hardest conversations, and the moments that reminded us why this podcast exists. These episodes are a look back at the year that was: Real stories Real people Real conversations Plenty of laughs and plenty of heart Perfect listening whether you’re on leave, on duty, on the road, or just stealing five qui...

As we roll into the Christmas break, we’re dropping a few “best of” episodes, The biggest laughs, the hardest conversations, and the moments that reminded us why this podcast exists. These episodes are a look back at the year that was: Real stories Real people Real conversations Plenty of laughs and plenty of heart Perfect listening whether you’re on leave, on duty, on the road, or just stealing f...

As we roll into the Christmas break, we’re dropping a few “best of” episodes, The biggest laughs, the hardest conversations, and the moments that reminded us why this podcast exists. These episodes are a look back at the year that was: Real stories Real people Real conversations Plenty of laughs and plenty of heart Perfect listening whether you’re on leave, on duty, on the road, or just stealing f...

Episode 93 and I’m joined by Crowy. This is our final guest episode for the year, and we’re closing it out with Crowy, returning for the third time. This one’s about Christmas on deployment, the highs, the lows, missing home, and the mateship that fills the gaps when you’re in cams instead of boardies. The toll it takes on our servicemen and women, and the amazing families at home holding everythi...

Episode 92 and I’m joined by Colleen. Colleen is a former RAAF Aeronautical Life Support Fitter turned professional natural bodybuilder, mindset coach, and founder of The Adventurous Muse. After a decade holding her own in a hyper-masculine military environment, Colleen now teaches high-performance discipline through a feminine lens, blending strength, strategy, and deep self-awareness. She’s...

Episode 91 and I’m joined by Josh. Josh has packed plenty into both service and civvy life. He enlisted in 2009, smashed out IETs as a Steward at HMAS Cerberus, posted to 5RAR, then back to Cerberus to play footy and re-trade as a Cook before heading to 7CSSB. He discharged in 2015, but kicked off his own business within 3 months and has been very successful in the PT and the sports science field!...

Episode 90 and I’m joined by Zian. Zian enlisted in 2010 at just 17, kicked off her paperwork at 16, and hit the ground running. She was thrown into Artillery straight out of Kapooka, hated it, got sick, and fought her way back to clerks where she felt she belonged. From 2CER to HQ 1 DIV/DJFHQ, she found her passion for policy and keeping the Army machine moving. A deployment on Op Hawick in 2014,...