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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
Iraq
Ukraine Conflict
Veterans
Improvised Explosive Devices
Irish Republican Army
Royal Navy
Rhodesian War
Operation BANNER
Mount Longdon

"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 monthlyEpisodes126Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Unconventional Soldier

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CONTENT

The guest today is Dr Johan Wennstrom an intelligence historian and writer on statecraft, from the Cold War underground to today’s crises. He is the author of “The Stay Behinds: Sweden’s Cold War Guardians” a national bestseller in Sweden re... more

CONTENT

Listener information - On this episode we discuss the realities of life in a war zone and suicide. My guest is Graham Paul Roberts, a former Welsh Guardsman and private military contractor who served in numerous global conflict zones in the ... more

CONTENT

The guest today is Dr. Gary Buck, a psychologist and military historian, who uses psychological frameworks to analyze the planning failures of Operation Market Garden. Gary applies the OODA loop and Myers-Briggs personality types to examine ... more

CONTENT

I was saddened to hear this week of the death of Major General Tony Stone CB. The Unconventional Soldier Podcast was created to preserve the history of the Special OP Troop, now known as 4/73 (Special Observation Post) Battery, the British A... more

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Recent Guests

Graham Paul Roberts
Former Welsh Guards soldier, private military contractor, author of Echoes in the Silence
Welsh Guards (former); Private military contracting (former)
Episode: The Brutal Reality Of A Private Military Contractor's War In Syria
Gary Buck
Psychologist, military historian, and Army Reserve officer; author of A Risk Too Far, A Psychological Autopsy of the Planning for Arnhem
Pembroke College Oxford; King's College
Episode: Operation Market Garden: The Psychological Failures Behind Montgomery’s Biggest Gamble
Steve Thomas (Tommo)
Former Royal Navy sailor and commando operator, later with 148 Commando FORA and 473 Special OP Battery
Royal Navy, 148 Commando FORA, 473 Special OP Battery
Episode: Fire Mission Falklands: A 148 Battery Commando's War
Rupert Hague-Holmes
Author of The Soldiers' General, Traces of the Remarkable Life of Lieutenant General Sir George Lea
Author, Historian
Episode: Commanding The SAS During The Malayan Emergency
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
Neale Smiles
Defence technology entrepreneur with background in military fires and tech systems
Independent/Entrepreneur
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

Host

Colin
Main interviewer with deep background in military history and operations, often guiding interviews and drawing out guest expertise.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 833 ratings
  • “A jelly doughnut”

    Having no military experience unless you include the cub scouts, I do pick and choose episodes. The Northern Ireland episodes are an absolute gem and insight from a military POV, welcome back anytime. Audio quality has improved from earlier episodes but still sometimes feels abit off.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mikeypikey23
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Insights

    This original podcast provides in-depth insights from a couple of knowledgeable and experienced soldiers and their various guests (one per episode).

    The guests come from a variety of backgrounds and each one brings interesting information or real life experiences.

    I particularly enjoy hearing about training, preparation and operations from “those who were there”. A brilliant production, highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SpeedySapper
    New Zealand2 months ago
  • Top Soldier Content

    “Licking the Taliban’s Flip Flop” episode got me hooked. After that I haven’t missed an episode. Cutting edge military history and soldiering content - one of the best podcasts out there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Phil-57
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Very recommendable

    Lovely guests and great chats. A very good listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lilian v M
    Netherlands3 months ago
  • 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 States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise deep, honest conversations and a focus on firsthand experiences.
Production quality and guest variety are highlighted as strengths.
Guests are described as knowledgeable with varied backgrounds in military history and practice.
Show is valued for unique perspectives on Northern Ireland, Falklands, and covert warfare topics.
Many find the storytelling engaging and respectful of veterans' perspectives.

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 Brutal Reality Of A Private Military Contractor's War In Syria
Q: Writing the book seems to have been a turning point. How did the act of writing influence your healing process?
Writing allowed me to emotionally detach from each traumatic memory, reframe the experiences, and transform raw experiences into a coherent narrative, which reduced vividness over time and helped me move forward.
The Brutal Reality Of A Private Military Contractor's War In Syria
Q: What ultimately helped you confront the trauma and rebuild after returning home, and what message would you share with others in similar situations?
Support from my wife and family, access to medical and psychological care, and a commitment to some form of meaningful work helped me rebuild. My message is to reach out, seek help, and know that healing is possible with the right support network.
The Brutal Reality Of A Private Military Contractor's War In Syria
Q: After the Kenya incident and the setback in your career progression, what changed for you personally and professionally?
The incident forced a reckoning; I redirected my path, pursued roles that offered broader responsibility, and eventually found purpose in civilian life through teaching and advocacy, while still carrying the lessons of combat with me.
The Brutal Reality Of A Private Military Contractor's War In Syria
Q: There's a point where you talked about the risk and you describe blue-on-blue dynamics. How did you navigate that environment and maintain trust when cultural and tactical differences could lead to miscommunication?
I built rapport by showing consistency and respect, leveraging the Britons' and our partners' trust, staying mindful of cultural dynamics, and ensuring open, careful communication to avoid missteps that could jeopardize the mission or safety of the team.
The Brutal Reality Of A Private Military Contractor's War In Syria
Q: And if I'm right in thinking then, the role that you had was probably more like the operational mentoring liaison teams that you got in Afghanistan. Is that what your role was out there?
The role started with training a new battalion in Syria modeled on infantry tactics, but over time it evolved into a mentoring function where we supported frontline forces while continuing to train and advise them against ISIS, which included observing and adapting to high-threat operations.

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 well-established show that centers first-person military storytelling, strategic decision-making, and historical analysis across WWII, the Cold War, Northern Ireland, and modern conflicts. Episodes feature veterans, historians, and defence experts who unpack leadership, courage, and the human dimensions of conflict, often blending personal experience with rigorous context. The format tends to favor in-depth conversations where guests tell their stories with the hosts guiding the themes, resulting in authentic, ground-level perspectives on operations, transformation, and the legacies of British and allied campaigns. Noteworthy are the consistent emphasis on lived experience, the exploration of military culture, and a willingness to tackle ... more

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How many listeners does The Unconventional Soldier get?

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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. WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk
3. Battleground
4. BFBS Sitrep
5. The Rest Is Classified

How many episodes of The Unconventional Soldier are there?

The Unconventional Soldier launched 6 years ago and published 126 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Unconventional Soldier?

Recent guests on The Unconventional Soldier include:

1. Graham Paul Roberts
2. Gary Buck
3. Steve Thomas (Tommo)
4. Rupert Hague-Holmes
5. Graham Goulden
6. Ian Garnett
7. Neale Smiles
8. Derek Plews

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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