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The Unconventional Soldier

theunconventionalsoldier
British Army
Northern Ireland
World War II
Afghanistan
Falklands War
Cold War
PTSD
MI9
Mental Health
Military Training
Transition To Civilian Life
Veterans
Iraq
Ukraine Conflict
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 monthlyEpisodes119Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Unconventional Soldier

Latest Episodes

CONTENT

The guest today is Rupert Hague-Holmes and we discuss the life of Lieutenant General Sir George Lea, a pivotal figure in British military history who played a central role in the survival of the SAS. The conversation explores Lea’s transitio... more

CONTENT

The guest today is Graham Goulden a much sought after international speaker, leadership and violence prevention trainer. For thirty years he was a Scottish police officer specialising in criminal investigation, drug investigation, training, ... more

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

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Recent Guests

Graham Goulden
Former police officer and violence-prevention expert
Episode: When Loyalty Goes Wrong: Inside Toxic Police & Military Culture
Ian Garnett
Former Royal New Zealand Artillery Major; CEO of Hertenberger Defense Technology (HINC)
Hertenberger Defense Technology (HINC)
Episode: Digital Fires Revolution: How Software Is Speeding Up The Battlespace
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
Stu Douglas
Royal Navy clearance diver veteran
Royal Navy
Episode: Into The Minefields: Navy Clearance Divers - Operation GRANBY
Brad Knight
Former Royal Engineer and IED search team member in Afghanistan
Royal Engineers
Episode: Royal Engineers: Defeating The Taliban Bomb Makers
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
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

Host

Colin
Host of The Unconventional Soldier

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 States2 months 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom4 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 States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Episodes are praised for being informative, well-produced, and respectful to complex military histories.
The show is valued for its diverse guest mix, including veterans, historians, and defense-tech voices.
Listeners appreciate the authenticity and first-hand storytelling from guests with lived military experience.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Unconventional Soldier

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

A focused, veteran-led program that brings on-storytelling from people with lived military experience, from special forces to defense-tech founders. Episodes often center on real-world operations, leadership under pressure, and the human cost of conflict, with guests ranging from frontline soldiers and engineers to historians and advocates. It stands out for its emphasis on personal narratives, first-hand accounts, and practical lessons drawn from diverse theatres (World War II, Cold War, Northern Ireland, and modern conflicts). Listeners can expect candid reflections, nuanced discussions of strategy and technology, and a loyal audience of military history enthusiasts, veterans, and defense professionals seeking authentic voices over polish... more

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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. Dodge Woodall Network
3. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
4. Battleground
5. The Old Front Line

How many episodes of The Unconventional Soldier are there?

The Unconventional Soldier launched 6 years ago and published 119 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Unconventional Soldier?

Recent guests on The Unconventional Soldier include:

1. Graham Goulden
2. Ian Garnett
3. Derek Plews
4. Chris Oldfield
5. Stu Douglas
6. Brad Knight
7. Terry Powell
8. Jonny Ball

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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