Episodes
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What happens when your “office” is a helicopter and your job is to bring an emergency room to the streets of London in under seven minutes? In this episode I sit down with Adele Dobler, a helicopter air ambulance pilot with London’s Air Ambulance, to unpack what it really takes to fly lifesaving missions over one of the world’s busiest cities.
We get into how Adele went from dreaming about helicopters to strapping into the left‑hand seat, what it’s like to land on tower blocks and motorways, and how the aircraft becomes a mobile resus room when someone is having the worst day of their life. We talk decision‑making under pressure, managing fear, and the reality of carrying a team and a patient’s chances on your shoulders at 1,000 feet.
Adele also shares lessons from her book “Free to Fly: Lessons in Managing Workplace Fear From an Air Ambulance Pilot” – how to lead when everyone’s looking at you, why “imposter syndrome” can become an unhelpful identity, and practical ways to show up as yourself in high‑consequence environments.
If you enjoy this conversation and want to support H‑Hour and help me keep these episodes coming, you can back the show on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/hkpodcasts. Patrons get access to bonus Q&As (including the Adele icebreaker episode), early releases, and the chance to submit questions for future guests.
Follow and support Adele:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adele_the_heli_pilot/
Book – “Free to Fly: Lessons in Managing Workplace Fear From an Air Ambulance Pilot”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Fly-Managing-Workplace-Ambulance/dp/B0B5PYSWLN/
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This episode is sponsored by Sin Eaters Guild - sineatersguild.co.uk
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts***** For this Icebreaker with helicopter pilot and author Adele Dobler, I put patron questions to her about arriving on people’s worst days, fear, and decision-making under pressure before rolling into the full episode. She explains how she compartmentalises trauma on London’s highest-priority trauma jobs, separating “keeping the aircraft and crew safe” from the emotional weight of what’s happened on the ground, and why she sees that as protective but possibly “not the healthiest” long term. We talk near‑death experiences and “bonus time,” how almost dying in a car roll at 19 changed her attitude to regret, and why she thinks the key is committing fully rather than half‑stepping decisions. Adele compares confidence to building calluses, argues against imposter syndrome, breaks down when to act fast versus when to slow down in the cockpit, and gets into how fear should be managed rather than removed, from diving boards and public speaking to skydiving. She also tackles gendered reactions to a “lady pilot,” lack of default trust, and why women’s negative comments often reflect their own constrained sense of what’s possible, before we sign off and roll straight into the long‑form conversation.
Adele's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/adele_the_heli_pilot/
Adele's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Fly-Managing-Workplace-Ambulance/dp/B0B5PYSWLN/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.G_wIYgzGcR7dhCvsBJvBvT8aUANnqWODWx9tUlfiRALGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.DEWUPd4ANKLA8d30-J18CgttBr5ad04JcTGgC57iJD0&dib_tag=se&keywords=adele+dobler&qid=1782069703&sr=8-1Send us Fan Mail
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In this powerful follow-up conversation, Frank returns to share the extraordinary story of how he survived a life-threatening accident on the M3, lost his leg, and fought his way back from the edge of death. He speaks candidly about the split-second decisions, the long road through recovery, and the sheer force of mindset, training, and instinct that kept him alive.
The discussion also goes far beyond the accident itself. Frank reflects on the challenge of leaving the military, the loss of identity that can come with stepping outside that world, and the importance of purpose, standards, and accountability in civilian life. He and Hugh also explore the psychology of high-pressure decision-making, the value of military training, and why having a clear “why” matters so much after service.
Frank also talks about his remarkable achievements after injury, including rowing across the Atlantic and setting records as part of the world’s first all-amputee crew, before going on to row solo to South America. Throughout the episode, he offers honest, insightful reflections on resilience, recovery, and the responsibility to keep wounded service personnel in the nation’s conscience.
You can follow Frank here: https://leespencer.co.uk/
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Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For H-Hour #286, I welcome Jacob Lockwood, Coldstream Guards and founder of Lockwood Smocks, for a wide-ranging conversation on military life, entrepreneurship, and the challenge of building something real in an increasingly fake-feeling world. We talk about how his time sat in cold, wet OPs drove him to design better waterproof kit, why he insisted on British manufacturing, and how a jet-washer video helped turn a pre-order gamble into rapid growth. Jacob explains the story behind the brand’s different smock names, how founder-led businesses build emotional connection, and why authenticity matters more than ever in an age where AI can manufacture stories, faces, and even entire brands. We also get into social media, personal branding, the risks of being too visible in civilian life, and why real-world community, events, and lived experience are becoming the thing people trust most.
https://lockwoodsmocks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lockwood_smocks/
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Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For this Icebreaker with Jacob Lockwood, I welcome him for a punchy patron Q&A ahead of the full episode, where we get into the attitudes, scars, and humour that sit behind the man and the brand. We talk about his feelings about missing Afghanistan, the old-school Para culture of calling people “crap hats,” his biggest military highlight delivering 556 individually named Christmas presents to orphanages in Kenya, and the chaos of gate-crashing the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee parade in full blues. Jacob also opens up on mental health in the Army — the good of mess culture and mates looking after mates, but also how welfare systems can be gamed — and finishes by explaining why content, story, and authenticity are what separate veteran brands that succeed from those that don’t. https://lockwoodsmocks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lockwood_smocks/
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Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For H-Hour #285, I welcome Pasha Munro, ex Royal Marine and Special Forces operator, for a wide-ranging conversation on military culture, transition, social class divides, and navigating civilian life after elite service. We discuss Marines vs Paras social backgrounds — I pose my theory that Marines generally come from middle-class stock and whether that drives smoother post-service careers — and Pasha's deliberate two-year transition plan using LinkedIn to build a civilian network before leaving. He explains balancing a high-profile social media presence with security work ("I can't have clients hearing someone shout 'I saw you on YouTube' on Kensington High Street"), the infamous Marines "99.9% need not apply" ad that never matched reality, and why leaving wasn't difficult when he knew his luck was up. We cover the Lad Bible Red vs Blue game show we did together, cross-service cultures, and why all cap badges share the same pamphlets — it's just how you interpret them. https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/pasha-munro https://www.instagram.com/munro6141/
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Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts/ ***** For this Icebreaker with ex Royal Marine and Special Forces operator Pasha Munro, answering patron-submitted questions he tackles UK special forces whistleblowers — arguing operators should be left to do their job within ROE and law, but wrongdoing must be called out — and defends UKSF as a moral organization where "bad apples" should be reprimanded. He contrasts Marines with Paras as more mature, less extrovert, citing his 2000 mortar course at Warminster, and reflects on Ukraine's staggering draft-dodging stats (up to 6 million avoiding registration) while admitting he wouldn't want his son to join the Marines but won't stop him if he chooses. Pasha shares his most difficult combat moment — a chemical reaction burning his dry suit latex underwater, forcing him to stay calm at depth — and his most rewarding: neutralizing a wanted enemy who'd harmed UK forces, before rolling into the full episode. https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/pasha-munro https://www.instagram.com/munro6141/
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For H-Hour #284, I welcome Rohan Byfield, former Paratrooper with 24 years in 1 Para and SFSG, now founder of R2Bean2 coffee (try his signature Dark Lord Reserve blend), for a wide-ranging conversation on military life, mindset, leadership, and transitioning to civilian success. We discuss SFSG's origins from ad-hoc support ops like Exercise Chameleon to formalizing after Iraq rescues (including smashing a Warrior through a police wall), his 2005 deployment overlaps, and how Paras' aggressive ethos — "close with" — made Taliban avoid them while fostering battalion rivalries that sharpen skills. Rohan explains cultural clashes with Marines (less NCO autonomy in O-groups) and RAF Regt, why Paras formed SFSG's core amid defense cuts, and the treadmill of service that RAF Brize Norton breaks; he shares on owning mistakes vs excuses, elitism's necessity for shock troops, and adapting leadership — "autonomy, accountability, treat people with respect you'd expect." We cover coffee's origins, rage-mode Paras struggling post-service, and end with patron Q&A. https://r2bean2.com/
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For this Icebreaker with former paratrooper Rohan Byfield, founder of R2Bean2 coffee, answering patron-submitted questions he defines cowardice as not owning your mistakes — like Paras making excuses for getting caught with drugs — and shares when he's taken the "cowardly route" by holding back harsh truths to spare feelings. He defends the Paras' elitist mindset as essential for shock troops who must outlast enemies, citing Taliban chatter avoiding them and how it sharpens edges without going too far if you separate uniform from identity. The chat covers battalion rivalries fuelling excellence, leadership lessons from toxic and stellar NCOs — emphasizing autonomy, accountability, and adapting to personalities — before rolling into the full episode. https://r2bean2.com/
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For H-Hour #283, I welcome martial artist Joe Brooks for a wide-ranging conversation on his path in combat sports, his recent Total Kombat world title, and what makes the promotion feel different from the usual MMA startup. We dig into the fight itself — the range battle, the clinch exchanges, the scoring system, and what he felt he did well or could sharpen next time — before moving into his broader philosophy on combat, coaching, and staying dangerous across multiple disciplines.Joe explains why he likes Total Kombat’s format, where clean, committed strikes and takedowns are rewarded, and why he thinks that kind of rule set gives kickboxers, Taekwondo fighters, Muay Thai athletes, and other stand-up specialists a real platform. We also get into the MMA question: whether it’s better to come up through one traditional martial art first or train MMA from the start, and Joe gives a balanced view on how mastery, adaptability, and solid fundamentals all matter.We cover his enormous competition experience, including back-to-back fights at a major Italian tournament, the demands of coaching while competing, and the reality of staying sharp across hundreds of bouts. Joe also shares some great stories about knockouts, damaged toes, hard training, and the constant mindset of chasing improvement — even after winning a world title. https://www.instagram.com/joebrooks30/
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For this Icebreaker with martial artist Joe Brooks, answering patron-submitted questions he reflects on how being a trained fighter makes him far less likely to get into street fights, because competition gives him the confidence not to “prove yourself” outside the gym. He talks about the mindset behind combat, including how he visualized becoming Total Combat world champion for weeks before the bout, and why he thinks hard work can ultimately beat raw talent. The chat also covers how he sizes people up by body language and eye contact, why he believes calm confidence is a bigger tell than loud bravado, and why kickboxing is his pick as the best single martial art for real-world self-defense.https://www.instagram.com/joebrooks30/ @joebrooks30
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For H-Hour #282 I welcome Monique Etienne, a Muay Thai fighter and dominatrix, for a wide-ranging conversation on masculinity, relationships, censorship, and national identity. We discuss the rise of figures like Andrew Tate - does it reflect young men feeling attacked or undervalued? We debate chivalry and evolutionary sex differences, and discuss modern dating, porn, the “orgasm gap,” and whether married men using sex workers or porn can be morally acceptable. Monique explains her path from stripping to fetish wrestling/BDSM sessions, her Sex & Rage project bridging sex workers and non–sex workers, and her Substack on “sex, morality, censorship and fighting,” including opposition to the UK porn “choking ban” (“I’m just against censorship in general”). We cover men’s mental health, self-criticism, fear and capability, Total Kombat - a booming new fight promotion, self-defence, and end on immigration/patriotism, ideology, and trans people in sport. https://link.me/ladyblackvenus https://www.instagram.com/ladyblackvenus.x/
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For this Icebreaker with Muay Thai fighter Monique Etienne, answering patron-submitted questions she breaks down the hardest part of Muay Thai—its brutally full-contact nature—contrasting it with junior karate where you had to pull strikes and she was once disqualified for making contact. She reflects on her two losses, including a 2024 bout against European champion Sigrid Kanan and an earlier amateur fight soon after her dad died that helped prompt a gym change, insisting “losses are lessons.” The chat hits fighter reputations, her own style as calm but confident, and a sharp take on the manosphere—calling Andrew Tate “a dick” while arguing the trend is “symptomatic” of wider male disenfranchisement—before rolling into the full episode. https://link.me/ladyblackvenus https://www.instagram.com/ladyblackvenus.x/
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** In this episode I welcome Annasley Park - a British adventurer and former elite cyclist who, after overcoming career-ending injuries and an eclectic journey through sports and global exploration, became one of only nine women ever to row solo and unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean. https://annasleypark.com/ We discuss Park stumbling into elite cycling after overtraining as a runner (Osgood-Schlatter’s and back pain), joining Team GB at 17–18, learning the brutal technicality and team tactics of track/road racing, and racing at the Doha World Championships alongside Lizzie Armitstead, while managing chronic pain, weight scrutiny, WADA/UKAD restrictions, and internal politics. We talked about the end of her pro cycling due to EILO (exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction) and unaffordable surgery, triggering an identity crash and jobs from cleaning to running a solo chalet in the French Alps, then four years in superyachting. After burnout and glandular fever in 2023, she did a 10-day silent Vipassana course, trauma-informed somatic training, and set out independently to row the Atlantic solo; after capsizing 10 hours in, she decided, “I was either gonna die out there or make it,” completed 54 days, and now builds a resilience framework around solitude, magnitude, and attitude, emphasizing authentic reputation, clear “why,” and support during reintegration.
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** Live-streamed to H-Hour patrons, this Icebreaker introduces Annasley Park - a British adventurer and former elite cyclist who, after overcoming career-ending injuries and an eclectic journey through sports and global exploration, became one of only nine women ever to row solo and unsupported across the Atlantic Ocean. https://annasleypark.com/ I run through patron questions submitted for Annasley, discussing the hardships of her ocean row and the last two years changing her perspective on life. Discussing cheating in sport, Annasley says cheaters “are only cheating themselves” and steal moments from those who sacrificed, while noting anti-doping scrutiny in cycling (2015–2019) and recounting a shocking claim that “certain countries would get their females pregnant” to gain hormonal advantages. She describes her most scared moment: capsizing 10 hours into her row amid strong winds and a mis-set centreboard. She shares loving six months in Auburn, USA, living outdoors, and says the outdoors improves her mental health through flow and testing conditions. She briefly addresses discrimination as a woman, and says she’d refuse support that violates her moral compass. This is a short episode, leading into the full podcast - H-Hour #281
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** In this H-Hour episode, I chat with actor and ex-Queen’s Royal Hussars Officer Alex Brockdorff about breaking into film/TV via commercial crew work—starting as a runner and becoming a location manager to “keep a roof over my head” while pursuing acting—and why set life suits ex-military planning, teamwork, and initiative. Brockdorff praises the technical craft of production, contrasts commercials with long-form drama, and describes his unconventional audition for Warfare, the film’s memory-based scripting, long takes, tight hours, and why it felt special, calling it “fucking grim” with “no sweeping strings” or “American Eagle” heroics. He recounts leaving the Army, bottoming out in 2015, seeking help through Combat Stress and HorseBack UK, and urges veterans to ask for help. ----Alex Brockdorff Is an actor and former soldier. He joined the Army in 2008 with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan - in 2014 he left the military to pursue a career in film. He as appeared in a slate of films, network and streaming television dramas, and most recently he played Mikey in the critically acclaimed WARFARE (A24). https://www.alexbrockdorff.com/
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** Live-streamed to H-Hour patrons, this Icebreaker introduces returning guest Alex Brockdorff and runs through patron questions about his Army career and acting work. Alex explains that Sandhurst is designed as a training course—selection should mean candidates can pass—though passing out isn’t proof of “excellence,” and new officers should “keep your mouth shut and listen.” He recalls finishing Sandhurst in 2008 and being sent rapidly to Iraq with QRH in Basra, initially stuck on watchkeeper duties until he pushed to go into the city, and later doing a full Afghanistan tour on Herrick 15. Now freelancing in film, he says insecurity drives stress but he’s learned to “roll with the punches.” He describes pivoting into acting after watching Rafe Spall direct non-professional actors, and praises Warfare’s immersion—real radios and live comms—saying, “Shit’s going fully fucking sideways,” and arguing it should be heard loud in Dolby Atmos.Alex Brockdorff Is an actor and former soldier. He joined the Army in 2008 with deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan - in 2014 he left the military to pursue a career in film. He as appeared in a slate of films, network and streaming television dramas, and most recently he played Mikey in the critically acclaimed WARFARE (A24). https://www.alexbrockdorff.com/
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For H-Hour #279 I welcome back “Bags,” a former Royal Tank Regiment officer and military advisor for film, TV, and theatre, where we discuss reviving TV/film episodes—starting with a tank-film theme—and how cavalry and tank regiments evolved from WWI to today. Bags discusses his ongoing advisory role on Rogue Heroes (including season three’s production challenges, schedule compression, and historical-accuracy debates), the mixed military reaction to season one, and his views on the portrayal of Paddy Mayne while balancing authenticity against storytelling, budget, and time. The conversation ranges through theater work at the Globe, the appeal of live performance and improvisation, ticket pricing and ways to find cheaper seats, and how streaming has reshaped pay—especially the loss of residuals and disputes like Scarlett Johansson’s—alongside Netflix’s “second screening” influence and attention spans. We trade film recommendations and reflections and then address patron questions about how much productions act on military advice and whether media shapes public perceptions of war. The episode ends with a discussion of UK defence readiness, reliance on allies, and Bags’ new role at a British engineering firm building UGVs (uncrewed ground vehicles), plus thoughts on future instability, potential reserve service, and legacy prosecutions related to Northern Ireland.
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** In this H-Hour Icebreaker, I welcome back Bags Simmons after roughly 18 months since his last appearance on the show. Answering questions submitted by H-Hour Patrons, Bags explains that the British didn’t deploy tanks to Afghanistan, but used heavily protected armoured vehicles like Mastiff/Cougar variants, describing restricted visibility, the need to get out and speak with locals, and the major IED risk posed by predictable routes—especially canals—plus his fear of drowning if a vehicle rolled due to welded front doors and heavy rear exits. He argues the Afghanistan campaign’s aims shifted from al-Qaeda to the Taliban, lacked coherent long-term strategy, and misunderstood Afghanistan’s tribal “donut” dynamic and the Durand Line, concluding there wasn’t a clear “win” and the withdrawal was rushed on a US timeline, leaving allies behind despite strong on-the-ground performance. He also discusses pledging allegiance to the Crown and his views on the Royal Family, praising the Queen’s 70-year reign and saying Charles has transitioned well while criticizing controversies around Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, before previewing the full podcast.
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Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** Freddie Kemp returns to the H-Hour studio after three years to dive into his latest endeavors in the film industry. Kemp talks about his advisory role in the upcoming film 'Fuze,' the increasing dominance of streaming platforms in content creation, and the resilience required in acting careers. He recounts gripping untold military stories and reflects on notable war films and the evolving nature of storytelling. The discussion also touches upon the psychological impacts of military life and the intricate challenges faced by submariners.Freddie Kemp is the CEO and founder of MFS Casting Ltd, a UK-based company specializing in providing military, police, and emergency services personnel for film and television productions. https://www.mfscasting.co.uk/
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