True Blue Conversations Podcast

On this week's podcast, I speak with Lana Boland, a dedicated Canadian police officer who has served her community with courage and compassion. From navigating high-stress investigations to mentoring young officers, Lana has seen it all. But beyond the badge, she's a voice for mental health in policing, shining a light on the human side of law enforcement. Join us as we explore her journey, the ch...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Western Australia WA Police Detective Meg Jarvis, who has spent years on the front line of some of the most confronting and complex cases imaginable. Meg's career in policing exposed her to the realities most people never see—trauma, crisis, and the human side of crime. But what sets her apart is what came next. Drawing on her lived experience, she's tra...

Welcome back to part 2 of our chat with Michal Dawson, BM. A man who has lived a life defined by service—both in uniform and beyond. Michael is an Australian Army veteran serving as an EW operator and in the Military police as a dog handler. He is a recipient of the Bravery Medal—an honour awarded to those who display extraordinary courage in the face of real danger. From his time in the Army to t...

Today's guest is a man who has lived a life defined by service—both in uniform and beyond. Michael "Smokey" Dawson BM is an Australian Army veteran serving as an EW operator and in the Military police as a dog handler. He is a recipient of the Bravery Medal—an honour awarded to those who display extraordinary courage in the face of real danger. From his time in the Army to the moment that would ul...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Captain Jonathan Finch, whose 27year journey in the Australian Defence Force reflects the evolution of a peacetime organisation into one operating at an intense operational tempo around the world. Finchy began his career in 1999, enlisting in the Army Reserve as a cook—just as the ADF was transitioning into an era marked by frequent deployments and complex miss...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Australian Army Combat Medic Jody Tieche, a man whose story is built on service, resilience, and the experiences that come from operating in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. Jody served as a combat medic with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, a role that puts you right in the thick of it. When soldiers are wounded and every...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Australian Army Reservist and NSW Police Officer Matt Nicholson. Matt served in the NSW Police for 18 years. After leaving school, Matt joined the Army reserves and joined the Royal Australian Artillery Corps. In 2007, Matt was accepted into the NSW Police and headed to the academy in 2008. Matt spent his career as a general duties officer and later move...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Arron Ferguson, a former 23-year NSW Police Detective and 24-year Australian Army 1st Commando Regiment Special Forces Operator. Arron joined the army first as a commando, and two years later, he was offered a spot on a deployment to Timor. However, the NSW Police also offered a full-time policing position at the academy. Arron lived a double life as both a Det...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former NSW General Duties Police Officer Ben O'Brien. Ben was born and raised in Sydney. Ben comes from a strong ADF family background. Ben's grandfather was a World War II veteran. Ben had a Great uncle who landed on Gallipoli and an uncle who served in Vietnam. Ben's path to the Police wasn't the normal way. He was expelled from school; Ben went off the rails...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Mark 'Trigger' Tregellas. Mark is a former Victorian Police officer & Australian Army 1 st Commando Regiment Veteran & Author. From a teenage athlete, world adventurer, and martial artist, Mark's thirst for adventure led him to serve in the Special Forces Reserves and with Victoria Police. Stationed in remote towns over 26 years, Trigger spent most of his polic...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Queensland QPS Police veteran Brendan Haley BM. Joining the QUEENSLAND Police Service aged 18 years, Brendan spent 33 years serving the Queensland community in a variety of locations and roles. Starting his career in the shadow of Queensland's Fitzgerald Commission into police corruption, this young rural kid was thrust into intense urban policing, and t...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Talissa Papamau (TJ), an Afghanistan veteran and former combat medic who served in the Australian Army.  Her deployment as part of MTF5 spans the highest loss of Australian life in a 24hr period since the Vietnam War. In this podcast, TJ talks about trying to save the lives of 7 KIAs and 33 WIA Australian casualties in addition to scores of local national Afgha...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment veteran Kurt Ludke. Kurt was born in Invercargill, NZ, and later moved to Western Australia. Kurt joined the army in 1998. After basic training, he was posted to 1 RAR in Townsville. Kurt faced adversity early in his career looisng his Mum to an aneurysm. Kurt took a compassionate posting for a few months b...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Robert Kilsby, a former Australian Special Forces Special Air Services Regiment Vietnam combat veteran. Born on Boxing Day in 1951 in the small coal-mining town of Leigh Creek, South Australia, Robert's early years were steeped in the spirit of adventure—bushland escapades, go-kart races, and the kind of rugged independence that would come to define his life. B...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Australian Special Forces Special Air Services Regiment Commanding Officer Colonel ret Paul Burns DSC & Bar. Paul served as both a soldier and an officer in the Australian Defence Force for 25 years, with operational tours to Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq. During his service, he commanded 1 SAS Squadron in the Western Desert during the invasion of Iraq an...

On this weeks podcast, I speak with Ironwoman and world record holder, Bonnie Hancock. Bonnie spent 254 days, travelled 12,700 kilometres, battled sea sickness, sharks, crocodiles, and the ocean. Bonnie broke numerous records on her fastest ever circumnavigation by paddle around Australia, but that wasn't the achievement she is most proud of. Testing the limits of her mental and physical toughness...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former Marine Specialist Chris Ghalayini. Chris joined the Australian Army in transport before transferring to a specialist role as a Marine Specialist. He served across East Timor, Iraq, and within a Special Operations Unit, living a career built on discipline, purpose, and service. Chris thought he would wear the uniform for life, but everything changed the d...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Former Victorian Police Officer Charlie Bezzina. Charlie was one of Victoria's top Homicide detectives. In his 17 years in the Homicide Squad, he investigated more than 300 suspicious deaths, including 150 murders - among them the crimes of serial killer Paul Denyer, better known as the Frankson Serial Killer. Charlie also talks about the killing of Melbourne g...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs) veteran Emma Donaldson. Emma served for 20 years, both full-time and as a reservist. Emma served in several units throughout Australia. Emma served at 152 Signal Squadron attached to the Special Air Service Regiment in Perth. Emma excelled in her role and would later meet her future husband while serving at 152 Squadr...

On this week's podcast, I speak with former US Marine / Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Officer / DEA Agent Bret Hamilton. Bret served in the US Marine Corps as a commissioned Officer. Bret deployed in the 1 st Gulf War. Bret left the Marines and, still having a willingness to serve, he joined the Charlotte–Mecklenburg Police Department as a Patrol Officer. After a couple of years, Bret applied and w...

On this week's podcast, I speak with Special Air Service Regiment & Australian Federal Police veteran Doug Sheridan, Doug enlisted in the regular army in 1991, posting to 5/7 RAR. In 1997, Doug attempted and completed SASR selection. He served 33 years in the Australian Army and Special Operations in both full-time and reserve capacities. During his service, he deployed to various locations, inclu...

On this weeks podcast, I'm joined by Victorian Police Sergeant Mark Thomas and the founder of the Code 9 Foundation. Mark joined the Victorian Police in 1996 and has spent over 29 years in the force. However, over the course of his career with the Victorian Police Force, Mark had attended many distressing scenes and usually recovered well, that is, until he was called out to a suicide.  Nearly a d...

True Blue Conversations is inclusive of all stories. On this podcast, I speak with Zach Rolfe BM. Zach is a former infantry soldier from the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and Northern Territory Police Officer. In 2010, Zach enlisted in the Australian Army, serving in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Zach discharged from the Army in 2015. Zach applied to be a...

On todays podcast, I speak with Keith Payne VC, AM, the oldest living recipient of the Victoria Cross in the world. From the battlefields of Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam to the struggle for veterans welfare, Keith Payne has never shied away from a fight. More than 50 years ago, this bravery saw him receive the Commonwealths highest military honour - the Victoria Cross. Keith grew up one of thirteen...

On todays podcast, I speak with Australian Royal Navy Veteran Karney Armstrong. With over 11 years of service as a medic, Karney's journey is one of resilience, courage, and transformation. During her career, she faced extraordinary challenges—including a life-saving rescue when she treated a civilian attacked by a shark off Garden Island, WA, just shy of completing her Advanced Medics Assistant C...