Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Hidden in Plain Sight

This week I’m joined by Jason Perry, aka Pez.

Pez and I took a pretty similar path through the Army. We both became searchers, both worked on the Olympics and both deployed to Afghanistan as searchers.

The difference is we went at very different points in the war.

I was out earlier, while Pez deployed on Herrick 18 as the war was starting to wind down. I’ll be honest, I had always had a bit of a pre-conceived idea that the later tours didn’t do as much as we did.

Turns out I was wrong.

The way they operated was massively different to what I experienced, with smaller 3 man search teams, much more intelligence-led operations and a completely different tempo to the work.

So this one is less about telling the same old war stories and more about comparing what we actually experienced, what changed between our tours and how different the job had become by the time Pez got out there.

There’s some good stories along the way as well.

What happens when veterans who've struggled themselves decide to help others?In this episode, I sit down with Jody Samways, founder of Pull Up A Sandbag, to talk about how a simple idea has grown into something that's changing lives.We discuss what Pull Up A Sandbag is, why Jody started it, and the impact it's already having on veterans. We also look at his ambitions for the future, where he wants to take the organisation, and how he hopes to continue supporting the veteran community through retreats, shared experiences and rebuilding purpose.This isn't just a conversation about mental health. It's about belonging, connection, purpose, and creating opportunities for veterans to step away from the daily grind, reset, and surround themselves with people who understand.If you've ever wondered what Pull Up A Sandbag is all about, this is the perfect place to start.👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.👍 Like the video💬 Comment below🔔 Subscribe for more military stories, veteran conversations and real life experiencesFollow Jody & Pull Up A Sandbag: Instagram: pullupasandbagveteranretreatsFacebook: pull up a sandbag veteran retreatsYoutube: http://www.youtube.com/@UCAREF_Ortubn5Y4YIDm2bHw Donate here: https://ko-fi.com/pullupasandbagFollow Me: Instagram: @brimstone_bradkTikTok: @brimstone_42Facebook: Bradley Knight - BrimstoneWebsite: Brimstone-Media.co.uk#Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #PullUpASandbag #BritishArmy #VeteranCommunity #MentalHealth #RoyalEngineers #MilitaryLife #AfghanistanVeteran #BrimstoneMedia

Connor Postles joined the British Army in 2014 as a Royal Engineer. During his career he deployed to Somalia and Belize, taking part in exercises and overseas operations before leaving the Regular Army in 2022.

In this episode we talk about what it was like joining the Army after the height of Iraq and Afghanistan, when many of the big operational deployments had come to an end. Connor shares what that meant for his generation of soldiers, how deployments like Somalia were often viewed by veterans who had served during the Global War on Terror, and what Army life looked like during a very different period of service.

We also talk about the transition into civilian life, struggles with mental health, his time working in the Prison Service and why he decided to set up a veterans breakfast club in Stoke on Trent. Built on the idea that nobody should have to face life after the military alone, the breakfast club gives veterans a place to meet, have a brew, share experiences and rebuild the sense of community that many miss after leaving the Armed Forces.

It's an honest conversation about service, transition, mental health and finding purpose after the Army.

In this episode, I sit down with Jody Samways and go through his journey in the military, his time in Afghanistan, and what made him start Pull Up A Sandbag

We talk about his career, the experiences that shaped him, and the struggles he faced after leaving the military, including his battle with PTSD.

An honest conversation about the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

I've spent a lot of time telling my own story... now I want to help tell other people's. 🎙️

Since releasing my book, I've shared a lot about my own experiences, but one thing I've realised is there are so many people out there with incredible stories that never get heard.

That's what Hidden In Plain Sight is all about.

Every couple of weeks I'll be sitting down with different people to hear their stories. No matter who they are or what they've done, if they've got a story worth telling, I want people to hear it.

The first episode drops this Sunday at 9am with Jody Samways.

We talk about his time as an infanteer in Afghanistan, what happened after leaving the Army, being diagnosed with PTSD, and how that journey led him to set up Pull Up A Sandbag, which now runs retreats supporting veterans.

I've really enjoyed making these and I've got some brilliant guests lined up.

Hope you enjoy them.