Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As we roll into the New Year, we’re dropping a few “best of” episodes,
The biggest laughs, the hardest conversations, and the moments that reminded us why this podcast exists.
These episodes are a look back at the year that was:
Real stories
Real people
Real conversations
Plenty of laughs and plenty of heart
Perfect listening whether you’re on leave, on duty, on the road, or just stealing five quiet minutes over the break.
A massive thank you to everyone who’s listened, shared, supported, and backed 5 With A Digger this year, and to our sponsors Minority Influences Clothing, Elite Boxing Club Adelaide, Gravel Empire Hervey Bay, Cuzkell Contractors Sunshine Coast, Crew Apparel Print, and Savvy Touch. We couldn’t do this without you legends.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl @MinorityInfluencesClothing
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As we roll into the Christmas break, we’re dropping a few “best of” episodes,
The biggest laughs, the hardest conversations, and the moments that reminded us why this podcast exists.
These episodes are a look back at the year that was:
Real stories
Real people
Real conversations
Plenty of laughs and plenty of heart
Perfect listening whether you’re on leave, on duty, on the road, or just stealing five quiet minutes over the break.
A massive thank you to everyone who’s listened, shared, supported, and backed 5 With A Digger this year, and to our sponsors Minority Influences Clothing, Elite Boxing Club Adelaide, Gravel Empire Hervey Bay, Cuzkell Contractors Sunshine Coast, Crew Apparel Print, and Savvy Touch. We couldn’t do this without you legends.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl @MinorityInfluencesClothing
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As we roll into the Christmas break, we’re dropping a few “best of” episodes,
The biggest laughs, the hardest conversations, and the moments that reminded us why this podcast exists.
These episodes are a look back at the year that was:
Real stories
Real people
Real conversations
Plenty of laughs and plenty of heart
Perfect listening whether you’re on leave, on duty, on the road, or just stealing five quiet minutes over the break.
A massive thank you to everyone who’s listened, shared, supported, and backed 5 With A Digger this year, and to our sponsors Minority Influences Clothing, Elite Boxing Club Adelaide, Gravel Empire Hervey Bay, Cuzkell Contractors Sunshine Coast, Crew Apparel Print, and Savvy Touch. We couldn’t do this without you legends.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl @MinorityInfluencesClothing
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 93 and I’m joined by Crowy.
This is our final guest episode for the year, and we’re closing it out with Crowy, returning for the third time. This one’s about Christmas on deployment, the highs, the lows, missing home, and the mateship that fills the gaps when you’re in cams instead of boardies. The toll it takes on our servicemen and women, and the amazing families at home holding everything down while waiting for their loved ones to come home.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl @MinorityInfluencesClothing
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 92 and I’m joined by Colleen. Colleen is a former RAAF Aeronautical Life Support Fitter turned professional natural bodybuilder, mindset coach, and founder of The Adventurous Muse.
After a decade holding her own in a hyper-masculine military environment, Colleen now teaches high-performance discipline through a feminine lens, blending strength, strategy, and deep self-awareness.
She’s the creator of the DIR Method (Discipline. Integrity. Resilience.) A framework now used by veterans, athletes, and high-achievers stepping out of rigid systems and into self-led excellence.
Colleen has become a powerful voice in the veteran community, running workshops, advocacy, and real conversations that help men and women navigate life after service. And now she’s taking that mission global through storytelling, coaching, and elite athletic performance.
@the_adventurous_muse
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl @MinorityInfluencesClothing
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 91 and I’m joined by Josh. Josh has packed plenty into both service and civvy life. He enlisted in 2009, smashed out IETs as a Steward at HMAS Cerberus, posted to 5RAR, then back to Cerberus to play footy and re-trade as a Cook before heading to 7CSSB.
He discharged in 2015, but kicked off his own business within 3 months and has been very successful in the PT and the sports science field! In 2021 he launched Weight of War, raising $52k+ across four events and already on track to add another $16k in 2025, pushing the total close to $70,000 raised for a bloody good cause.
https://www.weightofwarrun.com/weight-of-war
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by @Gravelempireholdings @Cuzkell_pty_ltd @Eliteboxingclubadl @MinorityInfluencesClothing
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 90 and I’m joined by Zian. Zian enlisted in 2010 at just 17, kicked off her paperwork at 16, and hit the ground running.
She was thrown into Artillery straight out of Kapooka, hated it, got sick, and fought her way back to clerks where she felt she belonged. From 2CER to HQ 1 DIV/DJFHQ, she found her passion for policy and keeping the Army machine moving. A deployment on Op Hawick in 2014, a promo posting to 6 RAR in 2015, and key admin roles right across the battalion, she smashed every job put in front of her.
From Kapooka to SOI during the COVID chaos, she balanced huge workloads as a single mum before separating in 2021 after more than a decade of service. Zian’s story is raw, honest, and full of grit.
https://forjlete.com/
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Minority Influences Clothing.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 89 and I’m joined by Blake. Blake is the son of a veteran who served 13 years in the Australian Army, and a young bloke already showing the same strength and character.
He’s a premiership-winning Maroochydore Swans under-12s footballer who lives and breathes the game, but what really sets him apart is what he stands for off the field.
Blake is passionate about raising awareness around teen suicide and using his voice to make a real impact. For someone his age, that level of compassion, purpose, and awareness is rare, and it says everything about the young man he’s becoming.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Minority Influences,
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 88 and I’m joined by Pete. Pete kicked off his Army journey back in July 2002 and went on to serve right through to 2019, a massive 17-year career that took him across some of the most specialised and demanding roles in the ADF. Pete started out in the Royal Australian Artillery with 108 Battery, working as a gun number before stepping forward into the FO world. In 2007 he completed a Clerk course to help fill a growing admin gap, then pushed himself even further becoming a JTAC in 2008, serving across 4 RAR and 2 Div until 2011. He then chased the next challenge with Selection West (2011–12) before moving into the intelligence space. From 2012 to 2017 Pete worked deep inside HUMINT and later stepped into an expanded HUMINT role with 1 INT in 2018, deploying into the South China Sea. From artillery to special operations pathways and intelligence collection, Pete’s career touches almost every corner of modern Army operations. An awesome chat with a bloke who’s seen the job from multiple angles.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Minority Influences,
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products. www.@savvytouch.com
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 87 and I’m joined by Chris. Chris enlisted in January 2001 at just 19 years old. After finishing school and trying a few different jobs, he joined the Army as an Infantryman with 5/7 RAR in Darwin. Soon after, he was part of Operation Relex following the Tampa boat incident, right around the time of 9/11. He went on to deploy to East Timor in 2002 as an assault gunner, then to Iraq in 2004 with SECDET V, where his team faced regular contact and attacks.
In 2006, he deployed to Afghanistan with 1RTF as part of the Company Signals Detachment and returned again in 2008 as a Section Commander with 1MRTF under 7RAR, during one of the battalion’s toughest tours. After returning home, Chris became an instructor at 1RTB Kapooka, shaping the next generation of soldiers, before a back injury led him to transfer to the Military Police, serving in Darwin, DFCE, and Brisbane.
After almost 20 years of dedicated service, he discharged in 2020 — a career defined by leadership, loyalty, and resilience.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Minority Influences Clothing. Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 86 and I’m joined by Matt. Matt served with 7RAR as a grunt, and like a lot of veterans, his time in the Army came with a few bumps along the way. Matt faced some pretty serious disciplinary issues during his service, challenges that ended up shaping the man he’s become today.
After leaving Defence, he completely rebuilt his life from scratch. That journey led him to create Skol Beard Co, a brand that’s grown into an incredible post-service success story, one built on resilience, ownership, and a drive to make something meaningful after the uniform came off.
Huge shoutout to Elite Boxing Club for letting us record there and Last Laugh Apparel for helping us get here.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 85 and I’m joined by Tim. Tim took a bit of an unconventional path through the Defence Force. He went through the Accelerated Training Option, which meant months of back-to-back courses, starting with a stint at Edinburgh Airbase, then on to Kapooka, Simpson Barracks, and Puckapunyal.
He served a couple of years before deciding to step away to focus on what really drove him, his passion for fighting and coaching.
Tim was a full-time fighter and coach, juggling training, weekends away, and the realities of army life. We dive into how he balanced it all, what he learned from it, and where that journey’s taken him since.
Huge shoutout to Elite Boxing Club for letting us record there and Last Laugh Apparel for helping us get here.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 84 and I’m Joined by Ryan. Ryan is a retired professional fighter who’s turned his own battles into a mission to help others. Ryan used fighting and martial arts to keep his mental health in check, and that journey gave him the confidence to speak up about the struggles he once kept silent. It also inspired him to create One Round Wars, a movement for men’s mental health built around the power of training, discipline, and community.
Ryan’s story is raw and powerful, from growing up with a father who carried deep trauma from his time in the Army, to finding his own path through sport after his dad walked out when he was just ten. While his brother’s life spiralled into addiction and crime, Ryan channelled his pain into the ring, learning to fight not just opponents, but the battles within.
oneroundwars.com/category/all-products
instagram.com/oneroundwars
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 83 and I’m Joined by Locky. Locky served in the Australian Army from 2008 to 2019. He deployed to Timor in 2009 with 2RAR, and later to Afghanistan in 2013 with 7RAR. After years in the infantry, he spent time at CTC in training and support roles before finishing his service with 7RAR and discharging medically in 2019.
Locky calls his career “pretty average” — but that’s exactly what we love to explore here: the real, unfiltered stories of everyday service and the people behind the uniform.
Since hanging up the boots, Locky’s been putting his energy into something incredible — “The Last Post”, a project where he and a crew of veterans are riding postie bikes around Australia to raise awareness for veterans and mental health.
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgofund.me%2F42de3772%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExcndxemlDSm51V0cyNUlUNwEempEbFAE08KDKrCJQUHYk5n5pMO-mqVahl6bcOA24JX3R86XCk1g-21jbuTM_aem_f6KEi-ZgXDDUxcIaDjMzMw&h=AT1k0FEKzueI4FgXzPFQu5JK6xtm2tB3ebkhZ3ftfjTGYWGrrbMRCsyu01Ek0NebrODgtSYeWguDKeYj4Qucs1Y_D7cqOloLb96skQKa777xsOpr__deEJyyhhabySh85yW37BLSh5ZpcnWUQhgkcA
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs. Last Laugh Incorporated.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 82 and Im joined by Andrew “Tenno” Tennant, who began his Army journey back in ’95 with 41RNSWR in Port Macquarie. Over two decades of service, Tenno took on roles from Mortarman to Assault Pioneer, serving on major operations including Op Gold (Sydney 2000 Olympics), Rifle Company Butterworth, and Op Acolyte (Melbourne Commonwealth Games).
From NSW to QLD, Tenno built a career defined by versatility, professionalism, and resilience — a true soldier’s soldier.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 81 and I’m joined by Kara Robinson. Kara served as a truckie in the Australian Army from 2006 to 2010. While her service record might read “no deployments, no promotions, no honours,” Kara’s story is far from uneventful. After leaving Defence, she carved out a career in civil aviation doing a variety of jobs including simulation instructor, all while balancing the demands of motherhood.
These days, Kara’s swapped the uniform for the microphone, pursuing her passion for stand-up comedy, sharing stories from both Army life and the real world with honesty and humour. Tune in as we chat about her journey from the military to the comedy stage, a story of resilience, reinvention, and a good laugh along the way.
Link to the Shellshocked show:
https://felonsbrewingco.com.au/blogs/whats-on/shellshocked
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 80 and I’m joined by J. At just 19, he joined the Cavalry and served four years in the Australian Army, with postings in Adelaide and Puckapunyal. Even before enlisting, he had a passion for helping others traveling to Papua New Guinea with a church group to help build vital infrastructure. After his time in uniform, he spent several years in construction while raising a young family. Determined to continue serving in new ways, he undertook medic and close protection training before self-deploying to Burma. There, he spent months on the ground in 2024, taking on multiple roles in challenging conditions. Since returning, he has founded a charity dedicated to supporting the Burmese people including delivering much-needed ambulances and medical aid.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide. Northlakes Signs.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
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Episode 79 and I’m joined by Brodie. Brodie enlisted in the Australian Army in September 2008. Following initial training he was posted to B Squadron, 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment, B Squadron and deployed to Afghanistan as part of MTF-3. During the deployment, he operated in various roles including driver, rear gunner, and support within HQ MSS and 2 Troop MSS across multiple FOBs. Post-deployment, he was posted to the 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment (QMI) in Brisbane, serving in both C and B Squadrons until 2015. He then transferred to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and undertook 18–21 months of combat medic training at Latchford Barracks. Upon qualification, he was posted to the 2nd General Health Battalion, 1 Surgical Company, working in the nursing department and later in the Emergency Department as an evacuation medic. In 2018, he deployed on TAJI 8 as an ED medic, evacuation medic, and PMV driver. Following this, he supported domestic operations during the bushfire crisis and COVID-19 pandemic as part of Operation Corona, including deployments to Christmas Island and Howard Springs.
He later discharged from the Army in 2021. He has worked for various paramedic companies, DVA and Open Arms as a mental health intake clinician. He is now an actor and stay at home Dad.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 78 and I’m joined by Jessica. Jess has been married to a veteran for 8 years. I met Jess’s husband Matt when he appeared on the show in episode 38. We talk about life married to a veteran, and the highs and lows she has experienced. It was a really eye opening conversation and I’m hoping to add some more veterans partners to my episodes so we can learn more about this side of the veteran journey.
Find us on Instagram and Facebook. @5withadiggerpodcast
This podcast proudly sponsored by Gravel Empire. Cuzkell Contractors. Elite Boxing Club Adelaide.
Use "5WITHADIGGER" at checkout for 15% off on Savvy Touch Products.
Merch available at www.crewapparelprint.com.au
Like. Subscribe. Tell your mates.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.