Coffin Dodgers

Simon Carkeek
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Coffin Dodgers

Host Simon Carkeek uncovers exceptional and unique experiences, in this NZ made podcast. Stories of overcoming obstacles, mitigating problems and sometimes simply rolling the sleeves up, gritting your teeth and getting on with the job in some of the most hectic situations around the world.  Many podcasts begin as chest-beating war-story fests (don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of those), but for us, there’s a method to the madness and our purpose is three fold. To share accounts and perspectives of the past, present and future those involved in dodging the coffin. To record untold perspectives of historical events, for learning and reflection.  To give hope to those who feel hopeless via parallel or non parallel relatable experiences. The world can be and is a hard and harsh place and there is a lot of evil, and this podcast will take you on an an emotional rollercoaster. Some will come with distressing content warnings - we make no apologies for this. Coffin Dodgers is a purpose driven tool to help mitigate and overcome that evil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 12/16/2024

    Against All Odds

    From Soldier to Coach: The Journey of Shaun Kober In this episode of Coffin Dodgers, Simon welcomes Shaun Kober, an Australian military veteran with a commendation for gallantry, to discuss his life and career. Sean shares experiences from his deployments in Iraq, East Timor, and Afghanistan, highlighting intense combat situations and missions. Post-service, Sean transitioned to personal training and strength conditioning, eventually moving to Thailand to train athletes. Despite business challenges, Sean continues to build his fitness programs, aiming to make a positive impact. The episode encapsulates Sean's resilience, dedication, and the lessons learned from his diverse experiences. Find Shaun at https://www.coachedbykobes.com/about, and his podcast Live Train Perform at https://livetrainperform.buzzsprout.com. 02:05 School Days and Early Life 03:53 Joining the Military 07:21 Military Career and Deployments 11:33 Transition to Civilian Life and PT Career 16:55 Life in Thailand and Professional Growth 20:02 Memorable Military Stories 35:54 Reflections on Proactive vs. Reactive Engagements 36:17 Rules of Engagement and Moral Dilemmas 37:47 Becoming a Sniper: Challenges and Achievements 39:31 Broader Reflections on Afghanistan and Iraq 42:58 Comparing Conflicts: Afghanistan vs. Ukraine 48:00 Post-Military Career and Current Endeavours Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 12m

  2. 11/26/2024

    Root Cause

    Being the Change for the Next Generation with Ray Everest In this episode of the Coffin Dodgers podcast, Simon interviews Ray Everest, a transformative figure who has transitioned from being a teenage father, to a teacher, and then to a successful entrepreneur and advocate for early childhood education reform. The conversation spans Ray's early life in Tokoroa, his experiences in the educational sector, and ultimately, his shift to founding and running Future Focus, a chain of high-quality childcare centres. The discussion also delves into Ray's personal battles, including surviving childhood sexual abuse, and how these experiences have fuelled his mission to innovate and create environments where children can thrive. We focus on Ray's vision for Oro Focus and Oro Tech, technologies aimed at identifying and preventing early childhood trauma through better data collection and analysis, aiming to revolutionise the early childhood education sector. The episode highlights Ray's relentless drive, the importance of addressing underlying issues in education, and the power of innovation in creating lasting societal change. 00:48 Meet Ray Everest: Teacher, Family Man, Visionary 02:06 Ray's Upbringing in Tokoroa 04:07 Teenage Fatherhood and Life-Changing Decisions 12:48 The Role of Mentors and Teachers 17:15 Becoming a Principal: Challenges and Realisations 42:25 Journey to London and Beyond 45:41 Whirlwind Romance and New Beginnings 51:56 Life in Doha: A Cultural Shift 53:21 The Booze Baron of Qatar 59:57 Return to New Zealand and Teaching in Manurewa 01:15:49 Challenges of Traditional Education 01:25:17 Transition to CrossFit and Business 01:50:27 Entering Early Childhood Education 01:57:16 Challenges in Daycare 01:59:23 Building a Better Company 02:01:32 Future Focus 02:05:15 Addressing Child Abuse 02:11:27 Innovations in Early Childhood Education 02:26:26 Engaging with Policymakers 02:35:12 Final Thoughts Find Ray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-everest-0a6 Future Focus: @futurefocus_earlylearning Podcast: @futurefocusedpodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 39m

  3. 11/12/2024

    Shield of the Children

    Unmasking the Shadows: Combating Child Trafficking In this compelling and hard-hitting episode, Simon interviews Leigh from Shield of the Children, an NGO dedicated to combating child trafficking and exploitation. Leigh recounts the pivotal moment in Vietnam that drove him to establish his organisation and discusses the systemic issues behind trafficking, the importance of undercover operations, and the need for stringent laws. The conversation spans Leigh's personal experiences from growing up in Indonesia to his strategic goals for his organisation and the practical steps communities and law enforcement can take to fight trafficking. The discussion underscores the urgent need for awareness and policy changes, especially in New Zealand, where current laws fall short in addressing these heinous crimes. Contact Leigh: leigh@shieldofthechildren.com Donate here: https://globaldevelopmentgroup.org/Projects/Details?id=90&projectName=Operation%20Aegis&projectNum=J... 01:21 Meet Lee: The Mission and Background 03:46 Experiences in Refugee Camps 13:25 Joining the Military: A New Chapter 30:50 Deployments and Intelligence Work 35:57 A Shocking Encounter in Vietnam 40:52 The Birth of Shield of the Children 45:21 Challenges and Realities of Anti-Trafficking Work 01:01:21 The Importance of Effective Aftercare 01:05:56 Piracy in the Gulf of Aden 01:15:30 Recruitment and Training Process 01:30:29 Psychological Impact and Support 01:37:36 A Grim Reality: The Fate of Trafficking Victims 01:42:14 The Challenges of Human Trafficking Operations 01:53:58 Legal Hurdles and Policy Issues in NZ 02:19:57 Recognising the Signs of Trafficking 02:21:10 Labor Trafficking in New Zealand 02:24:14 Challenges in Victim Reporting 02:29:39 Global Perspective on Trafficking 02:30:38 Shield of the Children's Mission and Vision 02:51:43 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 56m

  4. 10/29/2024

    The Multi-Role Medic

    From Combat Medic to Civilian Educator This episode of Coffin Dodger's features Steve O, a former combat medic with extensive experience in both military and civilian medical fields. Steve shares his journey from childhood in New Zealand, through his military service in East Timor and Afghanistan, to working as a contractor in Somalia. Highlighting critical incidents like a massive 400-plus casualty event, Steve details the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, finding new tribes and purpose in education and sports. Join Steve as he discusses the importance of team culture, mental health, and his commitment to improving emergency medical training. 01:08 Introducing Steve O 01:36 Childhood 15:27 Joining the Army 21:12 Army Medic Training 35:07 Surgical Mishaps & Smells 37:18 Field Hospital Realities 40:11 Bizarre Military Exercises 53:02 Deployment Stories: East Timor & Afghanistan 01:09:09 PDT Training and Initial Incidents 01:12:22 Leaving the Military 01:14:30 Transition to Nursing 01:22:37 First Experiences in Somalia 01:25:10 Navigating Chaos in Mogadishu 01:36:50 First Gunshot Wound and Realisations 01:41:58 IED Threats & Road Hazards 01:43:34 FOB Security Concerns 01:47:11 Mass Casualty Incident in Mogadishu 01:57:31 Combat Fatigue and Harassment Fire 01:58:37 First KIA Encounter 02:03:10 Ammo State Black: A Desperate Situation 02:18:14 Reflecting on the Mission 02:28:55 COVID & Deployment Challenges 02:31:45 Transitioning Back to Civilian Life 02:36:01 Finding New Purpose and Brotherhood 02:45:40 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 54m

  5. 10/15/2024

    Taken by the Taliban

    Tea with the Taliban While coordinating security for a civilian project in Northern Afghanistan, Mark Te Hira faced one of the gravest challenges of his life—capture by the Haqqani Network, a Taliban-affiliated group notorious for its brutality. The day began as a routine survey mission but quickly unraveled into a dire situation as Taliban forces surrounded and captured his team. The narrative of his captivity is marked by tension and an eventual miraculous release, facilitated by the quick thinking and invaluable connections of his Afghan security officers. This experience profoundly influenced Mark, both professionally and personally, underpinning his understanding of security and survival. Mark's story didn't end with his escape; instead, it propelled him toward advocating for mental health and safety. Understanding the psychological toll of high-stress environments, he emphasises the importance of seeking help and the power of resilience. His journey is a reminder that experiencing trauma requires professional support and community connection to heal and thrive. Contact Mark at https://www.pscglobal.co.nz/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@pscglobal-global?si=T_5-04q8vu7imnie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/psc-global-physical-security-consultancy/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 27m

  6. 10/01/2024

    Not Just a Dumb Grunt

    1980s Houston to the Battlefield and Beyond Episode 2 of Coffin Dodgers follows on from E01, a deep dive into the co-hosts of Coffin Dodgers. This time it's Ed's backstory. Ed Eastham recounts his journey growing up in 1980s Houston amidst economic challenges and rising crime, his early passion for sports and music, and the pivotal moment at Olive Garden that led him to join the Army. He shares stories from his military career, including deployments to Korea and Iraq, and the impact of those experiences on his life. The episode also explores Ed's transition from the military to a career in medicine, his deployments to Afghanistan, and his eventual move to New Zealand to join PracMed NZ's mission, highlighting the challenges and growth throughout his journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    2h 8m

  7. 10/01/2024

    Just a Dumb Grunt

    The inaugural episode of 'Coffin Dodgers' is a dive into the background of host Simon Carkeek. In the introduction to Simon's story, we delve into his upbringing in regional New Zealand, through military service, post-service contracting and through to the present day as founder and Director of PracMed NZ. With co-host Ed Eastham, Simon shares the motivations behind the podcast, aiming to illuminate stories of adversity and hope. Reflecting on his life, Simon discusses his foster care experiences, discovering his biological father, and his military service's rewarding yet tumultuous moments. He narrates his transition from military to civilian life, the emotional toll of losing comrades, and the decisions that led to leaving service. Simon's career shift to private contracting and founding his own training company underscores themes of adaptability, resilience, and finding the good from the bad that aided his successful transition to civilian life and business, and is a key theme of the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 18m
  • 7 Episodes

About

Host Simon Carkeek uncovers exceptional and unique experiences, in this NZ made podcast. Stories of overcoming obstacles, mitigating problems and sometimes simply rolling the sleeves up, gritting your teeth and getting on with the job in some of the most hectic situations around the world.  Many podcasts begin as chest-beating war-story fests (don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of those), but for us, there’s a method to the madness and our purpose is three fold. To share accounts and perspectives of the past, present and future those involved in dodging the coffin. To record untold perspectives of historical events, for learning and reflection.  To give hope to those who feel hopeless via parallel or non parallel relatable experiences. The world can be and is a hard and harsh place and there is a lot of evil, and this podcast will take you on an an emotional rollercoaster. Some will come with distressing content warnings - we make no apologies for this. Coffin Dodgers is a purpose driven tool to help mitigate and overcome that evil. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Simon Carkeek
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Simon Carkeek
  • Show Website
    Coffin Dodgers

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