HEROES AMONG US: PODCAST

For the first time on the podcast, we welcome two extraordinary guests whose lives are stitched together by courage, brotherhood, and the wild call of adventure. 🎙️ Meet John Bathgate and Ian Roberts, both former Royal Marines who’ve taken everything they learned in service and channelled it into a bold mission—one that spans continents, challenges danger, and speaks to the power of purpose. 🔥 Fr...

This week, we sit down with a true game-changer in football and social advocacy—Troy Townsend MBE Hon. D.Sc. For over a decade, Troy led the charge against discrimination in football as Head of Player Engagement at Kick It Out. He worked tirelessly with players, clubs, and governing bodies to tackle racism, promote equality, and create lasting change in the sport. Now, with his own consultancy, Tr...

In this episode of Heroes Among Us, we sit down with David Keane, a local leader whose deep-rooted passion for Huntingdonshire has shaped a career of service, advocacy, and action. Born in Huntingdon and raised in St Ives, David's journey took him across the UK and Europe in a successful marketing career before returning home to make a difference where it matters most. Since 2016, he’s been a Pari...

In this episode of "Heroes Among Us: Sharing Personal Stories of Life and Work." We’re joined by a man who has quite literally talked people out of life-or-death situations. With over 300 high-stakes cases under his belt, from kidnap-for-ransom to cyber-attacks, hijackings, and extortion, Scott Walker is one of the world’s most experienced crisis and hostage negotiators. Scott’s journey began as a...

Step into the vibrant world of live entertainment, hospitality, and London’s cultural heartbeat with Ray Jones; a man known by many as Mr. London. In this episode of Heroes Among Us, we sit down with the legendary Ray Jones, a man whose career has shaped the way people experience London’s vibrant cultural scene. From his early days as Head Concierge at some of the capital’s finest hotels to foundi...

In this powerful episode of Heroes Among Us, we sit down with Tip Cullen, a former Royal Marine Mountain Leader whose journey from the battlefield to the stage is nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in Belfast during turbulent times of the 70s and 80s, Tip sought adventure and challenge in the Royal Marines, where he spent over three decades mastering mountain warfare, reconnaissance, and c...

In this episode of Heroes Among Us, we sit down with Festus Akinbusoye, a true trailblazer who has shattered barriers and led with purpose in business, community leadership, and policing. From arriving in England at 13 and playing professional basketball to building a thriving business from his dad’s council flat, Festus' journey is a testament to resilience and ambition. Inspired by his mother’s...

This week on Heroes Among Us, we welcome the brilliant Dave Attree, a man whose life has been shaped by creativity, resilience, and an unrelenting passion for storytelling and poetry. From crafting heartfelt, spontaneous poetry with The Poetry Takeaway—a mobile poetry “snack-van” that brought laughter, tears, and amazement to strangers—to raising over £1 million for Prostate Cancer UK through his...

This week on Heroes Among Us, we are honoured to welcome Mark Lloyd, a leader whose career has been defined by service, innovation, and a deep commitment to improving communities. From his decade as Chief Executive of two councils to leading the Local Government Association for eight years, Mark has been at the forefront of driving change in public services. Now an Executive Director at IMPOWER, h...

This week on Heroes Among Us, we are honoured to feature Garrath Williams, a man whose life is defined by service, leadership, and a steadfast dedication to helping others. A fourth-generation military professional, Garrath’s career began in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment after graduating from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. From commanding troops in Kosovo and Afghanistan to transferring...

In this compelling episode of Heroes Among Us, we sit down with Andrea Quinton, a former police officer whose extraordinary 34-year career has left an indelible mark on the world of policing. Born and raised in Sale, Cheshire, Andrea discovered her passion for public service as a volunteer Special Constable during the Strangeways riots. That pivotal moment set her on a path to an inspiring and tra...

In this episode of “Heroes Among Us”, we are privileged to share the extraordinary story of Jonathan Bell, a man whose courage, resilience, and determination have defined his remarkable journey. Born into a military family, Jonathan’s life was shaped by discipline and service from an early age. Attending a military boarding school at just 11 years old and later joining the 1st Battalion the Green...

This week, in our final Episode of Series 1 we bring you the incredible story of Gary Pearson, a man whose life exemplifies courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to public service. Born in post-war Manchester, Gary’s journey took him from humble beginnings to an extraordinary career in Greater Manchester Police. Serving with the elite Tactical Aid Group (TAG), Firearms training of interna...

In this enlightening episode, we’re joined by the extraordinary Samuel Reddy, whose journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of embracing one’s identity. Born in Mauritius and deeply rooted in his South Asian heritage, Samuel’s life story spans continents, cultures, and careers. From his beginnings on a vibrant and diverse island shaped by a legacy of indentured laborers,...

In this episode of Heroes Among Us, we welcome Mick Hawkes QCB MSc, a decorated security expert and former SAS operative, who shares his extraordinary journey from military service to becoming a leading voice in the security industry. Mick opens up about his remarkable 24-year military career, including 14 years with the elite 22 SAS. He recounts his covert operations, a harrowing capture in Bosni...

In this compelling episode of Heroes Among Us, we sit down with Jonny Huntington, a former GB para-athlete and British Army officer, as he prepares for one of the most challenging journeys of his life: a solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole. Just eight weeks after commissioning as an Army officer, Jonny’s career and life took an unexpected turn when he suffered a massive stroke, leaving...

In this heartfelt episode of Heroes Among Us, we welcome Rev. Becky Dyball, whose story is as inspiring as it is powerful. Becky’s journey began in Sheffield, where she was raised by a family who taught her the true meaning of compassion and generosity. Growing up in a home filled with kindness and open doors, Becky learned early on the power of giving back. Becky shares how her life’s path has be...

In this episode of Heroes Among Us, we’re honored to welcome Rob Hinton, founder of the Hold Fast Challenge and former Royal Navy Mine Clearance Diver and Bomb Disposal expert. Rob’s journey is one of grit, courage, and an unwavering commitment to service. He opens up about his experiences in the high-stakes world of underwater bomb disposal, where each mission demanded a steady mind, extreme prec...

In this powerful episode of Heroes Among Us, host Simon Bywater welcomes the remarkable Alan Chambers MBE, a former Royal Marine, polar explorer, and celebrated leadership coach whose life story is as inspiring as it is extraordinary. With 16 years of dedicated service in the Royal Marines, Alan forged a path of resilience, grit, and determination, culminating in leading the first British unsuppor...

In this powerful episode of Heroes Among Us, we are honored to feature Tracy Lee Tombides, a remarkable woman whose life has been shaped by resilience, strength, and an unwavering mission to make a difference. Tracy shares her journey from growing up in Perth, Australia, to a successful career as a Senior Casino Manager in global hotspots like the Virgin Islands, Macau, and London. But her story g...

In this compelling episode of Heroes Among Us, host Simon Bywater sits down with Tom Curry, a former police officer whose years of service reveal an inspiring story of resilience, bravery, and unrelenting dedication to justice. Tom Curry embodies the spirit of an old-school cop, tough, dedicated, and unflinchingly loyal to the badge. With over two decades of service, he’s the kind of officer who b...

In this episode of Heroes Among Us, we sit down with Paul Fullwood a seasoned leader with a remarkable 33-year career spanning both the HM Armed Forces and UK Police Service. Paul retired as Assistant Chief Constable of Specialist Policing Services, where he led teams in areas such as major crime, counter terrorism, and armed policing. Notably, he spearheaded the investigation into the 1994 murder...

We’re honored to bring you the story of a truly remarkable individual, Ricky Miller, a man whose life is a testament to resilience, courage, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Ricky’s journey began in Rainham, Essex, where he grew up in a loving yet challenging environment. The son of Caribbean immigrants, Ricky’s early years were marked by the warmth of his mother, a dedicated nurse, and t...

We’re thrilled to welcome Ken Delve to the podcast, a true aviation history legend! With 20 years of service in the RAF as a Navigator on the Canberra and Tornado, Ken’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. He is an aviation historian and a trustee of the RAF Heraldry Trust and also a guide at the RAF Marham Aviation Heritage Centre. After leaving the military, Ken was the editor of Flypast...

Join us for an extraordinary conversation with Angela Glynn, a true force of passion, purpose, and resilience. Angela's journey begins in Hastings, where she started fundraising as a young girl, and takes us through her brief yet impactful time in the police, which gave her invaluable insights into service and dedication to others. In this episode, Angela talks about how her time in the police dee...