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!



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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

Instagram

Instagram

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!

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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!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.