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The Unconventional Soldier

theunconventionalsoldier
British Army
Northern Ireland
World War II
Afghanistan
Falklands War
Cold War
PTSD
MI9
Military Training
Mental Health
Transition To Civilian Life
Ukraine Conflict
Iraq
Veterans
Improvised Explosive Devices
Irish Republican Army
Rhodesian War
Operation BANNER
Mount Longdon
Leadership

"Letting the Guest Tell the Story"

The Unconventional Soldier Podcast explores conflicts from the Second World War, the Cold War, Northern Ireland and the Global War on Terror. Hosted by veterans, it blends personal experience, regimental history, and in-depth analysis of battles, leadership, and military transformation. Episodes feature former soldiers, historians, and defence experts discussing ... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes117Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & CultureHistory

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Artwork for The Unconventional Soldier

Latest Episodes

CONTENT

My guests today are Neale Smiles and Ian Garnett. Regular listener will know Neale from previous podcasts where we have discussed defence and technology issues. 

Ian, is a former New Zealand Army officer who transitioned from a career in th... more

CONTENT

My guest is retired Lt Col Derek Plews, a man whose career has spanned journalism, the MOD press office, and 37 years of military service as a reservist including operations in Afghanistan 

Now, he has turned his focus to a critical chapter... more

CONTENT

The guest on this episode is Chris Oldfield, a former Royal Engineer.  We discuss his military career and high-intensity operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he witnessed significant casualties whilst dealing with the persistent ... more

CONTENT

This pod was originally recorded in the discussion I had with Brad Knight on episode 111 when we discussed his involvement in Royal Engineer Search Teams operations in Afghanistan. I decided to cut it as a separate episode as a subject in it... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Derek Plews
Retired Lieutenant Colonel with 30 years of military service, former MOD press officer, journalist
Royal Irish Regiment (historical subject of his work) and author
Episode: A Bloody Siege: Musa Qal'eh - Afghanistan 2006
Chris Oldfield
Former Royal Engineer, PTSD survivor, trauma educator
Former British Army / trauma educator
Episode: The True Cost Of Combat Operations In Afghanistan & Iraq
Brad Knight
Veteran sharing personal experience with housing instability after military service
Ex-military, civilian advocate
Episode: The Homeless Veteran Problem
Stu Douglas
Royal Navy clearance diver veteran
Royal Navy
Episode: Into The Minefields: Navy Clearance Divers - Operation GRANBY
Terry Powell
Former SBS Marine recounting his experiences in the Falklands War.
SBS
Episode: Terry Powell DCM: SBS In The Falklands War - Part 5
Jonny Ball
Former soldier, co-founder of the UK Afghanistan Veterans Community, and an advocate for veterans affairs.
Episode: The Afghanistan Veterans Community
James Lee
Former Royal Logistics Corps soldier and author
Episode: Achtung Pig: Life In BAOR & Northern Ireland
Wilf Owen
A former soldier, military technology writer, and the author of 'Euclid's Army, Preparing Land Forces for Warfare Today.'
Episode: Challenging Conventional Wisdom On Land Warfare
Rob McAllister
Former British Army officer, served in the Royal Logistics Corps, deployed to Afghanistan
Episode: Sustaining The War: Combat Logistic Patrols In Afghanistan

Host

Colin
Host focused on providing a platform for the stories of veterans and military experts.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 819 ratings
  • Fantastic show

    I’ve enjoyed this show since the first episode I listened to. I enjoyed it enough to go back and listen to all the old episodes. As an American it’s great to a different perspective and hear in depth episodes from those that were there and did that. I’ve also bought several of the books recommended by the show and they have been excellent.

    If you’re looking for something different, or a different perspective on things you already think you know about, or just an interest in the British mil... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aclark79
    United Statesa month ago
  • Stellar stuff

    The lads give excellent insight into the military world even us civilians can appreciate, the Falklands episodes are crucial if you want to understand the concept and the book reccos have kept me going for years!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Don Adan Barerra
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Great listening, well presented, brilliant guests.

    Gives insights into a wide variety of operations, conflicts and topics involving mostly what those that wore or wear green would find interesting.

    Love the range of topics, the knowledge levels of guests and presenters.

    Keep on keeping on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RioMagnum
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Great

    Good listen. Gives you an idea of units and people that you never knew of From training to missions to selection. Great stories Good quality content.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Davesdogmax
    United States4 months ago
  • Always a great conversation!

    This podcast always seems to have guests who you don’t hear on every other podcast! Always great conversations and super show I listen to regularly!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cheatdayrocks
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the authenticity and depth of discussions, often remarking on the insightful stories shared by guests.
There's a strong satisfaction with the selection and quality of guests, many of whom have direct experience in military operations or historical events.
Reflective of the title, many enjoy the unconventional approach to storytelling, showcasing perspectives often overlooked in mainstream military discussions.
The podcast is praised for its ability to engage both veterans and civilians with compelling narratives that provide a better understanding of military life.
Audience members value the podcast for its unique angle on military history, making complex subjects accessible and enjoyable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The True Cost Of Combat Operations In Afghanistan & Iraq
Q: What sparked your interest in joining the Army and choosing the Royal Engineers?
A mix of early influences from World War II family stories, the glamour of the paras, and a recruitment leaflet that highlighted the Engineers' diverse tours drew me toward engineering rather than infantry.
The True Cost Of Combat Operations In Afghanistan & Iraq
Q: Tell us about your background before you joined the Army.
Growing up in a mining town in Barnsley, I was shaped by a working-class upbringing and the pull of military service; family influences, embassy-era broadcasts, and the example of friends' fathers steered me toward the Royal Engineers.
Royal Engineers: Defeating The Taliban Bomb Makers
Q: Would you do it again?
Absolutely, every soldier dreams of deploying on operations, and despite the chaos, the camaraderie and purpose were invaluable.
Royal Engineers: Defeating The Taliban Bomb Makers
Q: How did you cope with the stress of potentially dying in the field?
I coped by shutting everything off emotionally and making peace with the possibility of death, which was especially stark after losing search teams before deployment. This allowed me to function under pressure.
Terry Powell DCM: SBS Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Ops - Part 4
Q: How important was it to the SBS that you returned to the SDVs and not a conventional warfare team?
Terry emphasized the significance of his return for continuity and the advancement of the SDV, being one of its forefathers.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Unconventional Soldier

What is The Unconventional Soldier about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Rich narratives focusing on military conflicts from World War II to contemporary engagements characterize the content. The discussions often feature personal stories interwoven with analyses of battles, leadership challenges, and the evolution of military tactics. Noteworthy is an emphasis on not just iconic conflicts but also lesser-known operations and the roles of individual soldiers in these histories, allowing for a diverse range of perspectives. This podcast stands out for its authenticity, offering firsthand accounts from veterans alongside expert insights, making it appealing to history enthusiasts and those interested in military affairs alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Unconventional Soldier?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Unconventional Soldier. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Unconventional Soldier and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Unconventional Soldier get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Unconventional Soldier, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Unconventional Soldier?

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How many subscribers and views does The Unconventional Soldier have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Unconventional Soldier has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Unconventional Soldier?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Unconventional Soldier:

1. Cold War Conversations - "vivid & compelling" The NY Times
2. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
3. Battleground
4. The General & the Journalist
5. The Troubles Podcast

How many episodes of The Unconventional Soldier are there?

The Unconventional Soldier launched 6 years ago and published 117 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Unconventional Soldier?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Unconventional Soldier?

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What guests have appeared on The Unconventional Soldier?

Recent guests on The Unconventional Soldier include:

1. Derek Plews
2. Chris Oldfield
3. Brad Knight
4. Stu Douglas
5. Terry Powell
6. Jonny Ball
7. James Lee
8. Wilf Owen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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