Frankie’s Pod: Uncorking the unforgettable

Frankie Dunn

Frankie’s Pod is a podcast built on real stories and honest conversations. While rooted in military and service life, this channel goes far beyond borders, uniforms. Episodes feature veterans, civilians, first responders, creatives, and everyday people from around the world sharing powerful life experiences. Mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of every conversation. We talk openly about resilience, life after service, identity, loss, humour, recovery, and growth — without stigma or judgement. These are unfiltered, human discussions that balance hard truths with warmth and laughter.

  1. FEB 6

    Episode 112: "Peacekeeping Patrols: A Cop's Journey in Post-War Kosovo"

    Andy returns for a powerful and eye-opening conversation. Step into the boots of a police officer thrust into one of the world's most complex peacekeeping missions: Kosovo after the war. Fresh from his experiences with the IUC, Andy shares his unexpected deployment with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). Hear firsthand about the daunting challenge of building law and order from the ground up in a society scarred by conflict. Frankie and Andy delve into the delicate dance of policing amidst deep ethnic tensions, navigating cultural divides, and working alongside a mosaic of international forces. This episode is more than a war story; it's a lesson in humanity, resilience, and the raw reality of peacekeeping. Andy shares moments of unexpected camaraderie, moral dilemmas, and the profound personal impact of serving a community struggling to heal. Listen to discover: The surreal experience of patrolling a war-torn region as a police officer, not a soldier. What it’s like to work within the UN's unique "Four Pillars" structure in Kosovo. The surprising alliances and friendships formed with Gurkhas, Jordanians, and other international units. The cultural nuances and communication hurdles of policing in a fractured society. Andy's personal reflections on duty, adaptation, and the weight of wearing the UN's blue beret. Did You Know? (UN Policing in Kosovo Facts): The UNMIK police, established in 1999, was the first international police mission granted executive authority, meaning they had the full power to arrest, detain, and investigate—not just advise. At its peak, the mission comprised over 4,500 police officers from more than 50 countries, creating a massive multinational law enforcement experiment. A core task was "co-location," pairing international officers with locally recruited Kosovo Police Service officers to mentor and build a sustainable, multi-ethnic police force from scratch. The mission faced the immense challenge of policing in a place where the judicial system was often non-existent, leading to the UN setting up temporary detention centers and court systems. Get ready for a gripping, human-level look at the complexities of global peacekeeping. This is the untold story behind the headlines

    1h 47m
  2. JAN 30

    Episode 111: Stuart Wright on Supporting Veterans | From Military Service to Community Impact

    In this compelling conversation, Frankie sits down with Stu Wright, founder of Operation Cairngorms CIC, to explore his transformative journey from military service into building meaningful community support for veterans and serving personnel. After his time in the Royal Artillery and years of reflection on the challenges many face when leaving the forces, Stu shares how he turned personal experience into purposeful action — creating outdoor, skills‑based programmes and networks that help veterans reconnect, build confidence, and transition into civilian life with a sense of belonging and capability. Throughout the episode, Stu opens up about: His military background and what inspired him to start Operation Cairngorms — a community‑centred initiative focused on resilience, adventure and peer‑led support. How veteran community projects can bridge the gap between life in uniform and life afterwards — offering purpose, camaraderie and practical skills as part of everyday reintegration. The importance of connection, shared challenge and support networks in helping fellow veterans thrive beyond service. Frankie and Stu dive deep into the reality of transitioning from military structure to civilian life, unpacking both the struggles and the opportunities that emerge when veterans find new ways to serve — this time by lifting each other up. This episode is not only a story of personal transformation, but a powerful reminder of the impact of community‑building and shared purpose. #CommunityBuilding #Veterans #Podcast

    1h 41m
  3. JAN 9

    Episode 108: War Took His Sight — Not His Future | Simon Brown

    Join host Andrew Dunn (or Frankie Dunn if this is for Frankie’s Pod) as he sits down with Simon Brown, a British Army veteran whose life changed forever during the Iraq War. What began as a promising military career became a fight for survival, resilience, and ultimately, transformation.Simon enlisted in the Army at 18, following in his father’s footsteps and joining the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, where he served in Germany, Kosovo, Poland, Canada, and on two tours of Iraq. On his second tour in Basra in 2006, while leading a successful mission to rescue six stranded comrades, Simon was shot in the face by a sniper. The injury was catastrophic — his cheekbones and jaw shattered and both eyes hit. He lost all sight in his left eye and has only around 20% vision in his right, meaning he is effectively blind. Waking up 17 days later in a Birmingham hospital, Simon faced the devastating news that his military career was over and his future uncertain. Soon after, he discovered Blind Veterans UK, the national charity supporting ex-service people with sight loss. Through rehabilitation, training, and peer support, Simon rebuilt his confidence and independence — relearning skills many of us take for granted like using email or cooking for himself. But Simon’s story didn’t stop there. Driven by purpose and community, he became deeply involved with veteran support work. He went on to coach and play Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) with the Leeds Rhinos, became a Communications and Engagement Officer, raising awareness of support for blind veterans, and used his own experience to help others navigate life after service. In a remarkable turn, Simon went into public service — being elected Leeds City Councillor for Morley North and later appointed Mayor of Morley. In his mayoral year, he chose to champion Blind Veterans UK and the Leeds Rhinos Foundation as his supported charities, bringing his story full circle from soldier to community leader. This episode is more than a war story — it’s a testament to resilience, community support, humour, and the relentless pursuit of purpose even after life-changing loss

    1h 20m

About

Frankie’s Pod is a podcast built on real stories and honest conversations. While rooted in military and service life, this channel goes far beyond borders, uniforms. Episodes feature veterans, civilians, first responders, creatives, and everyday people from around the world sharing powerful life experiences. Mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of every conversation. We talk openly about resilience, life after service, identity, loss, humour, recovery, and growth — without stigma or judgement. These are unfiltered, human discussions that balance hard truths with warmth and laughter.