Episódios
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On this week’s podcast, I sat down with Detective Superintendent (Ret) Deb Wallace NSW Police veteran serving for 36 years. Deb joined the NSW Police in 1983 and quickly found herself gaining notoriety early in her career when she was involved in the investigation into the murder of 26-year-old nurse Anita Cobby. From this, she was invited to undertake Detective training which led to an extensive career commanding various specialist squads, including the South East Asian Crime Squad, Middle Eastern Organised Crime, and Strike Force Raptor. In the 90s she was a detective at Cabramatta fighting Asian street gangs, including the infamous 5T. She has headed the Middle Eastern Crime Squad (MEOCS) which has been credited with dismantling the vicious Brothers for Life gang responsible for dozens of shootings in Sydney and then moving into Raptor, set up in 2009 targeting OMCG which disrupts bikie business with heavy-handed tactics.
In 2019 after a 36-year distinguished career, Deb retired from the NSW police. In retirement, Deb is now the host of Million Dollar Murders which Aires on the Nine Network Deb is also working with the parole board of NSW and working with Grace’s Place the centre named in honour of Grace Lynch mother of Anita Cobby.
The primary purpose of Grace’s Place is to provide a unique place of healing and restoration for children who have lost a loved one to homicide.
Deb’s autobiography A Woman OF Force was published in 2020 and is available online and in bookstores.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Deborah Wallace
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast I sat down with Television Personality Johanna Griggs AM
Before Johanna was on our television screens; she was a superstar Australian swimmer.
We spoke about Joh’s life growing up, representing Australia, and winning a bronze medal at the 1990 Commonwealth Games. We spoke about Joh entering the world of television at such a young age and how hard it is in the media industry. The highs and lows that come with being in the public eye. We also spoke about Joh’s passion the work she does as a director of Beyond Blue. Joh is a true professional, but what really sets Joh apart is her warmth and genuine interest in others what you see on TV is how she is in real life she is a star.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Johanna Griggs AM
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast I sat down with former NSW Police Officer Andrew “Panda” MacFarlane We spoke about his life and serving for 21 years in the NSW Police Force. The roller coaster ride in policing that stretched from being a general duties officer, then moving to undercover roles in various agencies including the NSW Crime Commission NSW Drug Enforcement Agency, Being a tactical operator (high risk policing operations) CT Command and Australian Federal Police then finishing up in Dignitary Protection. We also spoke about the loss of colleges the toll of serving at the sharp end of policing. Andy faced what every first responder and veteran face when they transition from service finding purpose again after service. Andy has found purpose again and currently works in the mining industry. Thank you for your service Andy and to all your fellow brother and sisters who walk the thin blue line.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Andrew MacFarlane
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast speak with former Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Warrant Officer from the 2nd Commando Regiment Michael "Slatts" Slattery.
Slatt’s enlisted in 1986 as a medic in the Australian Army serving 26years with multiple postings to different units. At the age of 36 Slatt’s attempted and passed the Commando Selection Training Course then completing the demanding Commando reinforcement cycle earning his beret qualifying as a special force’s operator. During his career he deployed on multiple operations including Iraq working alongside US medical doctors, nurses, and medics inside a role 2 medical facility. He also deployed to Afghanistan as the Special Operations Task Group CSM however found his way onto a US AME helicopter providing over 75 air medical evacuations. After 26 years Slatt’s discharged from the army and now works as a nurse and also currently training director with SOTER International @soterinternational, Where he teaches all the experience he learnt in combat.Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Michael Slattery
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast, I speak to 3 RAR / Current Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Station Officer Matthew Connelly Cavanagh. Matt was posted into 3 RAR and deployed to East Timor in 1999. In 2000, Matt then transferred to Army Fire Service. In 2004, Matt discharged from the Army and joined the ACT Fire Brigade until 2008. In that same year, Matt went on to join the Queensland Fire Department. Matt is currently a station officer and a recruit instructor passing on his knowledge and over 20 years. Fire experience to new recruits.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Matthew Connelly Cavanagh
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast I speak to Mitch Parker former NSW Police officer former Superintendent NSW SES Command of the New England and Retained Fire Fighter with Fire and Rescue NSW. Mitch spent 17 years within the NSW police and 17 years and counting as a retained fire fighter with NSW Fire and Rescue. During his time within both roles Mitch has many stories from incidents that even led to receiving commendations for bravery as both police officer and firefighter. After an extensive career serving the community on the front lines he moved onto the role as Superintendent NSW SES Command of the New England and North West of Western Zone within the NSW State Emergency Service better know as the SES. Mitch now works for the NSW Reconstruction Authority working to rebuild after natural disasters.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Mitch Parker
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On part two of our chat with Rachel Ingram we speak about coming back from deployments.
Being medically discharged from the Army after 19 year’s service and facing what every veteran faces when they leave the ADF, Transition, finding purpose after service and finding a new identity away from Defence the highs and the lows faced by all veterans and first responders when they leave service.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Rachel Ingram
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast, I speak with Army veteran Rachel Ingram.
Rache served for 19 years in the Australian Army deployed on multiple deployments, including East Timor, Afghanistan, Iraq, Solomon Islands, and multiple deployments in Australia. Rache was a photographer in the Army and covered many official events throughout her service. Rache was serving with 1RAR as part of the Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force (MRTF – 2) in 2009 where Private Ben Ranaudo was killed by an anti-personnel explosive device and seriously wounded private Paul Warren on the 18th of July 2009. After 19 years in the Army, Rachel was medically discharged in 2014 and faced what all veterans face, what life is like after service, and finding purpose again. This is a raw and honest 2-part chat.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Rachel Ingram
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast I speak with Australian Special Forces 2nd Commando Regiment Veteran / Police Officer Murray Turner. A friend submitted an application on behalf of Murray to become a NSW Police Officer. After a short two-year career as a Police Officer, Murray was looking to further his career in which he decided to join the Royal Australian Army. Upon being accepted into the military post training he was posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. He then completed selection for then 4RAR Commando which now is the 2nd Commando Regiment. He spent a total of 16 years as a Commando deploying to East Timor and multiple highly kinetic Afghanistan operations as part of Special Operations Task Group, also working in Tactical Assault Group (TAG- EAST). Murray spoke of his deployments the cost of war service losing mates in combat and transiting from the Special Forces and finding purpose again after service a raw and honest chat.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Murray Turner
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast I speak with Western Australian Police Officer / Army veteran Senior Constable Stephanie Bochorsky SC, who had a willingness to serve and her dream was to join the police from a young age. This dream was achieved in 2008 when Stephanie was accepted into the WA Police academy, Steph had to overcome adversity and also sat the police entrance exam on the day her Mother passed away.
All of her training could not prepare her for what she would face In the early morning of 28 August 2015, Senior Constable (then First Class Constable) Stephanie Bochorsky rescued two young children who had been covered with fuel and set alight at a house in Doubleview, Western Australia. At approximately 12:30am, Constable Bochorsky was off-duty and at home when she heard a female neighbour screaming in the street. She opened her door and saw a woman in her dressing gown. Steph yelled out to her if she needed help to which she responded, “He’s setting my kids on fire”. Constable Bochorsky immediately left her own home and approached the property. As she entered the home, she smelt a strong odour of petrol. She made her way to a bedroom and on entering the room. She was confronted with a 3 year old child standing in her cot with her head engulfed in flames. Constable Bochorsky grabbed a nearby blanket and began to extinguish the flames on the small child. After extinguishing the flames, Steph felt a presence behind her within the room, as she turned around, Steph saw a naked man standing next to a small bed - the father of the children - armed with a fuel can. He was in the process of pouring petrol onto the second child who was lying in bed. Despite the presence of the violent man, the offender continued to pour petrol onto the young girl's face who was struggling to breathe. Constable Bochorsky, without regard for her own safety, removed the young child from the cot and grabbed the girl from the bed and quickly left the house. She took the youngest girl to her own home where she placed the child in the bathtub and began to administer first aid to the child's burns. By her actions, Senior Constable Bochorsky displayed conspicuous courage,
For her Actions on that night Steph was awarded the Inaugural National Police Bravery Award, the Commissioner's Award for Bravery and in 2019 Steph was awarded the Star of Courage.
Steph is now studying to be a psychologist.
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On this week’s podcast I speak with Damien Thomlinson former 2nd Commando Regiment Operator, Author, Actor, Motivational Speaker , Golfer, Double Amputee IED Survivor. Inspired by the military service of his grandfather, Damien joined the Australian Defence Force and at the age of just 24 achieved his dream of becoming a Commando. This elite group is tasked with the most physically demanding, mentally challenging and dangerous roles in the armed forces. He joined the Australian Army in 2005, It was while serving in Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment that Thomlinson’s life was changed forever. In April 2009, whilst on night patrol in Southern Afghanistan, Damien’s unit drove over an improvised explosive device planted by the Taliban. Damien suffered horrendous injuries in the explosion, which resulted in both of his legs being amputated. The damage to his body was so severe his medical team claim it is a miracle he wasn’t killed, and there were many times throughout his immediate treatment and beyond that medical staff did not think he would pull through. This is an inspiring conversation about Damien’s military career, his life after the blast and how he turned that fateful day into the best thing that ever happened to him.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Damien Thomlinson
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast we speak with former 4RAR Commando / SASR Veteran Jordan McCallum. Jordan served 19 years within the Australian Army, starting as an infantryman and first deploying to East Timor in 2003 with the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. Shortly after returning he passed the Special Forces (SF) barrier test for 2nd Commando Regiment (originally 4RAR) getting his first taste of SF.
Jordan spent six years at the 2nd Commando Regt (2 Cdo) and deployed twice to Afghanistan within Special Operations Task Group (SOTG). Both trips were life changing for Jordan in many ways and only grew his appetite for Special Operations.
He also served two rotations of TAG-East on Domestic Counter Terrorism Duties (DCT). During this time, he conducted numerous Personal Security Detachments (PSD) to the Middle East providing protection for the Minister for Defence, CJOPS, and CDF. This experience gained was pivotal, and his time spent at 2Cdo was cherished, and it was extremely hard to leave the unit behind in 2009.
In 2009, Jordan attempted and passed the elite Special Air Service Regiments (SASR) Selection Course and was chosen to begin training. Over the following 18 months he qualified to become a member of the elite SASR, earning his Sandy Beret. He spent 6 years within the unit, deploying another two times to Afghanistan and another rotation within DCT, this time within TAG-West.
Jordan’s time serving within the SASR was unfortunately, cut short due to burnout and physical injuries. It was at this point that was the hardest decision to date to leave the SASR after so much blood, sweat and tears.
Jordan spent two years posted to the 16th Royal Western Australian Regiment (RWAR) on a low tempo posting, teaching Army Reserves basic soldering skills and running short courses for their development.
His final three years within Defence was with the 1st Intelligence Battalion involved within some specialist roles. This is where he discharged in 2020
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Jordan McCallum
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week's episode we speak with current serving Queensland Police Officer (QPS) Detective Senior Constable / Author Sonya Leeding,
Born in New Zealand, Sonya relocated to Australia with her parents and three siblings in 1987. Sonya grew up in Logan and relocated to the Gold Coast in 2001. After completing a double degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies and a Bachelor of Laws Sonya practiced law for a short time and found her true passion in policing in 2003. She has been a Queensland Police Officer ever since, working at Southport, Runaway Bay, and eventually finding her passion, and fulfilling a lifelong dream becoming a detective with the Child Protection and Investigation Unit. Sonya was widowed at 32 years old and has had to adjust to life on her own, as a single mother since. Losing her husband Police Officer Damian Leeding who was killed in 2011 trying to stop an armed hold up at the Pacific Pines Tavern has taught Sonya many valuable lessons, but most importantly has allowed her resilience to shine through, which is also evident in her work in the Child Protection Unit. Sonya’s debut book, ‘Blue Widow’ is the journey of how she navigated life as a police officer after love and loss. It is a journey of resilience and the discovery that trusting in yourself can be the very thing that saves you. This story will introduce you to the humans behind the badge. When Sonya is not protecting vulnerable victim’s, you will find her in mum mode with her two children Hudson and Grace. Sonya has a passion for baking, it soothes her soul. Sonya’s downtime is spent at her local F45 gym or out walking with Labradoodles Elliot and Amalie. Sonya is also a keen camper and with the assistance of her 1968 Viscount vintage caravan, ‘Felicia’ manages to find peace and quiet at new locations around Southeast Queensland.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Sonya Leeding
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast we speak with 2 x Olympian kayaker & QFS Queensland Fire Service firefighter Aly Bull. Born and raised in Queensland Aly’s love for the water came at a young age.
Unable to go to the Olympic Games in her chosen sport of surf lifesaving, Alyssa ‘Aly’ Bull started kayaking to fulfil an Olympic dream. Bull was inspired to try kayaking when she watched her surf lifesaving idol Naomi Flood compete at London 2012.
When Aly is not working as a firefighter or training in her kayak, you will find her giving back to the community as a Surf Lifesaver and competing in the
Nurti-Grain Ironwoman Series.
Bull started ski paddling at the age of 16 for surf lifesaving and was the Under 17 Australian Ironwoman Champion in 2012.
In 2016 Aly represented Australia at the Rio Olympics and again in Tokyo in 2021.
In 2019 Aly was crowned the Single Ski World Champion.
With a willingness to serve Aly joined the Queensland Fire Service (QFS) in 2017, we spoke about all thing’s mindset competing at the elite level and dealing with the trauma that first responders see on the front line. Aly has just qualified to represent Australia again in 2024 in Paris Go Aly Australia is right behind you as you chase Gold.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Aly Bull
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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RAAF Wing Commander (Ret’d) Sharon Bown
“One Woman's War and Peace: a nurse's journey in the Royal Australian Air Force”.
On this week’s podcast we speak with former Wing Commander Sharon Bown (Ret'd) completed her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Tasmania in 1995. In 1999 wanting more of a challenge Sharon joined the Air Force RAAF. Born and raised in Hobart, Tasmania, Sharon served as a Nursing Officer in the
Royal Australian Air Force for 16 years. She deployed to Timor-Leste in 2000 and again in 2004, where she narrowly escaped death twice – first in a near-fatal helicopter crash and again during the surgery that followed. Having fought for her
life, Sharon took on the colossus of the Australian Defence Force to overcome her injuries and to fight to save her career. She exceeded all expectations and in 2008 was appointed to command in a theatre of war – Afghanistan. A Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Psychological Science, Sharon translates the
contemporary research surrounding resilience, mindset, and posttraumatic growth, and explores the strategies that can transform personal trauma into personal
growth.
Sharon is the award-winning author of One Woman's War and Peace: a nurse's journey in the Royal Australian Air Force and this humble Registered Nurse from Tasmania now serves as a Member of the Council of the Australian War Memorial and as an Ambassador for Phoenix Australia – Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Sharon Bown
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway -
On this week’s podcast we speak with RAF Chinook Aircrewman Liz McConaghy. Liz grew up in a small country town and at 17 joined the RAF, to follow her dream of becoming a chinook Aircrewman serving for 17 years a job she loved. At 21 Liz was the youngest aircrew member to deploy to Iraq and was the only female ‘crewman’ on the Chinook wing for four years. Liz completed another deployment to Iraq and would deploy 10 times to Helmand province in Afghanistan in support of the enduring Operation Herrick Campaign.
Liz’s inspiringly honest story reveals the highs and lows that she witnessed at war, and the cost that came with both, physically and mentally for those involved. During her deployments, she survived not only a near fatal wire strike onboard her CH47, but numerous emery fire ‘Contacts’ defending her crew by returning fire from both the M134 ‘Minigun’ and M60 weapons entrusted to her to operate. Liz’sgreatest honour of all her duties was serving on the Medical Emergency Response Team or “MERT”, flying ambulance as it was commonly known. This involved recovering wounded soldiers from the battlefield, often under fire, and witnessing them both die and come back to life at her feet in the cabin of her Chinook. Liz saw Camp bastion grow from a barbed wire fence surrounding an area of tents in the sand to a huge Operating Base it became. Very few Chinook crew members if any spanned the length of time as Liz did.
After all these years of seeing trauma and tragedy Liz battled her own war within and took her to the point of suicide once she had left the service, her survival from both the battles in foreign lands and in her own head led her to tell her story publishing her book Chinook Crew “Chick” published in 2022 in the hope she can help others win their wars.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Liz McConaghy
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast we speak with Former Special Forces Operator Warrant Officer Ant Plater served in the Australian Defence Force for 27 years, 17 of which were with formally 4RAR Commando now the 2nd Commando Regiment.
He deployed to Somalia, Bougainville, East Timor, Iraq, and Afghanistan, served in the Tactical Assault Group-East, and was the counter-terrorism advisor to the Australian Federal Police. Today, he’s a high-performance consultant for the Canberra Raiders and an advocate for Veterans and First Responders. Ant spoke to Adam about his journey to the army and Special Forces, some of his deployments, the idea of “brotherhood” and the cost of being a leader at the tip of the spear of a Special Forces Unit both personally and professionally.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Ant Plater
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast Adam sits down with Cameron Hardiman former Victorian and AFP Police Officer.
Cameron joined the Victoria Police at eighteen years old and served over 35 years in policing. Firstly, with Victoria Police and then with the Australian Federal Police. Most of his time with Victoria Police was as an air observer with the Police Air Wing. In 2006 Cameron joined the Australian Federal Police and served on overseas missions with the International Deployment Group that included the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste. He then transferred into an investigation’s role, beginning with general crime, then people smuggling operations and eventually counter terrorism. Cameron has written a book about his time in the Victoria Police & the AFP. The book is called Ten Feet Tall and Not Quite Bulletproof: Drug Busts and Helicopter Rescues One Cop’s Extraordinary True Story. It is also a book which will give the public some insight into the life of a Policeman and how they have to deal with PTSD.Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Cameron Hardiman
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s podcast Adam sits down with Cameron Hardiman former Victorian and AFP Police Officer.
Cameron joined the Victoria Police at eighteen years old and served over 35 years in policing. Firstly, with Victoria Police and then with the Australian Federal Police. Most of his time with Victoria Police was as an air observer with the Police Air Wing. In 2006 Cameron joined the Australian Federal Police and served on overseas missions with the International Deployment Group that included the Solomon Islands and Timor Leste. He then transferred into an investigation’s role, beginning with general crime, then people smuggling operations and eventually counter terrorism. Cameron has written a book about his time in the Victoria Police & the AFP. The book is called Ten Feet Tall and Not Quite Bulletproof: Drug Busts and Helicopter Rescues One Cop’s Extraordinary True Story. It is also a book which will give the public some insight into the life of a Policeman and how they have to deal with PTSD.Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Cameron Hardiman
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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On this week’s Podcast Adam chats to Australian Army Veteran Nathan Tolman CSM. Better known by his nickname “Tolly" reached the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2 both serving as a Paratrooper in the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and Infantryman in the 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment. Nathan deployed on multiple deployments including two to Iraq, East Timor, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan twice. However, during his first deployment to Afghanistan as a Platoon Sergeant with the famous Delta company in 6RAR they were involved in a battle that has been etched into Australian history, the battle of Derapet in which the battalion had one Australian soldier Jared “crash” Mackinney Killed in Action KIA and due to the efforts of the team multiple honours were awarded for actions on the battlefield. One of those honours awarded was the highest in the Australian Honours and Awards system being the Victoria Cross awarded to Daniel Keighran, the first one awarded to a regular infantry soldier since the Vietnam War. After an extensive career as a soldier Nathan noticed signs and symptoms of declining mental health and physical injuries sustained during service near the end of his tenure within the Defence Force which ultimately assisted in his decision to end his career within the Defence Force after 22 years of service.
Presenter: Adam Blum
Guest: Nathan “Tolly” Tolman
Editor: Kyle Watkins
Investigative Consultant: Adam Holloway
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