The Great Guns Podcast

What happens when your partner serves — and you have to serve in your own way? In this episode, Nic Galbraith-Conlan cracks open the hidden side of military life: the partners who hold the line at home, the emotional toll of deployments, the constant recalibration of identity, and what happens when the mission ends but the mental load doesn’t. From the loneliness of service life to the messy trans...

From dismantling explosives to dismantling limiting beliefs, Gabriel von Knorring joins James to unpack the explosive journey from Swedish military bomb tech to mental resilience mentor. With raw honesty and a hint of dark humour, Gabriel dives into the mental mechanics behind thriving in chaos — whether you're facing a war zone, an ultra-marathon, or your own damn inbox. He reveals how mental tou...

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast , host James Scott speaks with Christian Albrecht , a former military officer turned aerospace professional. Christian shares his journey from growing up in Eastern Germany, joining the army, and transitioning to a civilian career in the aerospace industry. He discusses the challenges of adapting to new roles, the importance of networking, and finding purp...

In this episode James sits down with the author of " The Warfighter's Lounge ", Jeff Bodell , a veteran whose journey through the forces and beyond is all about resilience, leadership, and the lessons that carry over long after the uniform comes off. Jeff opens up about what service taught him, the challenges of stepping into civilian life, and the importance of brotherhood, honesty, and purpose....

In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast , James sits down with Craig Mayville , a veteran whose journey through service, struggle, and self-discovery shines a brutal light on what it means to fight battles long after the uniform comes off. Craig opens up about the challenges of transition, the weight of mental health, and the process of finding purpose again when the old mission ends. With raw h...

In this raw and fearless conversation, James sits down with Si Hearn – a former police officer who turned personal collapse into an extraordinary new chapter. Si doesn’t sugarcoat his story. From a tough childhood and years of bullying, to climbing the ranks in the police force and facing the darkest toll of the job, he opens up about the breaking point that forced him to stop, reset, and rebuild....

In this raw and unfiltered episode, James sits down with Isaac , a veteran who’s lived the highs of service and the lows of what comes after. From frontline missions to personal battles, Isaac lays bare the reality of life in uniform and the messy, uncertain road of transition into civilian life. This isn’t a story of pity — it’s about grit, growth, and the power of brotherhood. Isaac speaks with...

In this episode of The Great Guns Podcast , host James Scott sits down with Jo-Anne Karlsson — psychotherapist, equine-facilitated practitioner, and director of LEAP Equine — to explore the remarkable intersection of horses, healing, and human connection. Jo-Anne shares her journey from traditional therapy rooms to working in open fields alongside her herd, explaining how horses’ non-judgmental pr...

In this hard-hitting episode, James sits down with Ben Edwards , a former Royal Navy serviceman, ex-Met Police detective, and now Head of Global Physical Security. But Ben’s not just navigating the world of global corporate security — he’s changing the game for UK veterans trying to reintegrate into civilian life . Ben shares his brutally honest take on what’s going wrong with the current resettle...

Gary Hayes has seen it from both sides — the frontline and the fallout. As a former soldier turned mental health professional, Gary brings a rare and powerful perspective to this episode of the Great Guns Podcast. He knows what it means to serve. He knows what it means to break. And more importantly — he knows what it takes to rebuild. In this raw, honest conversation, Gary talks about the deep me...

This episode hits different. Claire Lilly, founder of The Forcer Protocol , is the ex-wife of a British Army veteran who died by suicide. What she brings to the mic isn’t a lesson—it’s a lived experience. It's not about medals or mission reports. It's about what happens to the people left behind. In this raw and brave conversation, Claire opens up about the impact of suicide, what it’s like to car...

He was a U.S. Green Beret.🪖 Then a Night Stalker, Special Forces Black Hawk pilot.🚁 Two of the most demanding jobs in the world—and Nick wore both uniforms with pride.💪 But behind the elite training, the high-stakes missions, and the badges of honour… He was suffering. While still serving. In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast , Nick rips the silence off a truth far too many hide: even warr...

After leaving the military, 26 year Navy Seal veteran, William didn’t just hang up the uniform—he stripped away the expectations, the identity, and the pressure to “just move on.” What came next? A raw, honest rebuild. In this episode of the Great Guns Podcast, we sit down with William to unpack the truth about transition—the emotional weight of starting again, the real fear behind reinvention, an...

What happens when a 20-stone, booze-soaked hospitality veteran hits the lockdown wall and decides, "F**k this—I want more"? Adam Smith, co-founder of A-Game, joins us for a brutally honest and fiercely uplifting conversation about what it really means to bring your best self to the table (hint: it’s not kale smoothies and forced gratitude). We talk alcohol-free living—not from a preachy mountainto...

He’s a veteran, a clinical psychologist, a former head of military mental health, and a man who’s spent decades helping others navigate the aftermath of war. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Professor Jamie Hacker Hughes —former RAF officer turned leading voice in military psychology —to dig into the deep end of trauma, transition, and what it really takes to come home from the battlefie...

From Commando raids to Caribbean sails, cliff faces to corporate mindset shifts—Jim Oakley’s career has been anything but ordinary. With 23 years in the Royal Marines , Jim didn’t just survive elite military life—he thrived. But what happens when the green lid comes off? For Jim, it meant replacing combat zones with climbing ropes , swapping battle briefs for leadership expeditions , and turning “...

In this episode, James interviews David Watson, who shares his diverse experiences from serving in the army to working in the Metropolitan Police and fostering children. David discusses the challenges he faced in each role, including a near-fatal encounter while on duty, the emotional toll of fostering, and the importance of seeking help and support in high-stress environments. He emphasizes the n...

7 years ago Adam Faulkner quit his £47k job in London and cycled to Japan The truth is when he quit, he wasn't burned out or in a bad place, was just uninspired about the future & needed to go on adventure. In this episode of the Great Guns podcast, host James speaks with Adam Faulkner about his incredible journey cycling from London to Japan. Adam shares the motivations behind his decision to...

After 16 years in the RAF , Tim Peakman made a bold move—he walked away from the structure of military life to build a business on his own terms. Today, he runs a one-person online business, enjoys location freedom, and spends his time snowboarding in Banff while still making a living. In this episode of The Great Guns Podcast , Tim breaks down exactly how he made the transition from the military...

In this episode of The Great Guns podcast, host James Scott interviews David MacCrimmon, a retired police officer who shares his journey through 25 years of policing, the impact it had on his mental health, and his diagnosis of PTSD. David discusses the traumatic experiences he faced on the job, the importance of recognizing mental health issues, and the steps he took towards recovery. He emphasiz...

In this episode, Emile Ghessen shares his remarkable journey from being a commando in the military to becoming a filmmaker. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from military life to civilian life, the importance of storytelling in documenting conflicts, and the emotional impact of capturing human experiences in war zones. Emile emphasizes the need for veterans to have a plan when leaving...

In this episode of The Great Guns Podcast , host James Scott speaks with Kenny Brown, a man whose life journey is marked by resilience and grit. From facing severe injuries and PTSD to transforming his pain into purpose through mentorship with the Army Cadet Force, Kenny shares his story of overcoming adversity. He discusses the importance of seeking help, rebuilding identity after a military care...

In this episode of The Great Guns Podcast , host James Scott interviews Tony Lewis, a seasoned chef turned recruitment consultant. Tony shares his journey from the kitchen to the recruitment industry, emphasizing the importance of resilience, communication, and mindset in high-pressure environments. He draws parallels between the military and the culinary world, highlighting the significance of di...

From our Season One Podcasts: From flying helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan to coaching executives on resilience and high performance, Sarah Furness has spent her life mastering the art of staying cool under pressure. In this episode, Sarah sits down with Great Guns to share her incredible journey—from the RAF to keynote speaking, battling setbacks, and finding strength in mindfulness. She opens...

From our Season One Podcasts: Some people wait for life to happen. Others make the choice to go after it. Sarah Sandman is a swim coach, free diver, adventure-seeker, and entrepreneur who has built a life based on freedom, purpose, and saying YES to experiences that push her beyond her comfort zone. In this episode, Sarah opens up about: Surviving a car crash in high school & how it reshaped h...