Behind the Badge

Behind The Badge
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Hosted by Australian firefighters Josh Alpen and Jason Anderson, Behind the Badge is a podcast about life in service — beyond the uniform, beyond the job, and beyond what most people see. While the conversations are grounded in frontline experience, the themes are universal — pressure, identity, adversity, and growth. Whether you’re in the job or not, the goal is the same: To provide honest perspectives and real-world insights that help people perform better, think clearer, and navigate challenges more effectively — both on and off the job.

  1. Sep 6

    039: Becoming Donny - Todd Maguire

    Todd Maguire never planned on becoming a police officer. A conversation over a few schooners changed that — and began a career that would eventually take him deep into Queensland's undercover policing world. But Todd's story is about much more than police work. After the sudden death of his partner Karen, Todd found himself struggling with grief, guilt and a pain he didn't know how to process. Not long afterwards, he stepped into a new identity as undercover operative “Donny” — a world of crooks, drugs, weapons and high-risk operations that offered an escape from everything Todd was carrying. In this episode, Todd joins us for a raw, funny and remarkably open conversation about policing, undercover work, loss, reckless behaviour, PTSD, nervous-system regulation, vulnerability and what he has learnt about himself along the way. We also explore why lived experience matters, the conversations men often struggle to have, and Todd's simple idea of talking shoulder to shoulder rather than face to face. This is a conversation about what happens when the job gives you somewhere to run — and what it takes to eventually stop running. You can find out more about Todd and his book here:Donny - A raw Australian memoir by Todd Maguire Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Improve sleep, performance and wellbeing with GOAT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    039: Becoming Donny - Todd Maguire

  2. Aug 22

    038: What the Job Takes - Keith Banks

    What does a career spent running towards danger eventually take from you? Keith Banks spent decades in policing, including some of the most demanding and dangerous roles imaginable. In this episode of Behind the Badge, Keith takes us from the experiences that first drew him towards policing through a career that would include tactical operations, undercover work, violence, adrenaline and years spent operating in a heightened state of awareness. But beneath the extraordinary stories is a much bigger conversation about what prolonged exposure to the job can do to the person wearing the uniform. Keith speaks openly about identity, hypervigilance, PTSD, policing culture, the difficulty of recognising when something isn't right, and the process of eventually understanding the impact his career had on him. It's also a conversation about purpose — why people are drawn to service, what keeps them there, and the importance of building the awareness and tools to look after yourself along the way. An honest conversation about service, trauma, identity, recovery — and what the job takes. Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Improve sleep, performance and wellbeing with GOAT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    038: What the Job Takes - Keith Banks

  3. Aug 7

    037: Two Years Behind the Badge - Jase and Josh

    Two years. Thirty-six episodes. Countless conversations. In this special anniversary episode, Josh and Jase take a step back to reflect on the journey so far—why they started Behind the Badge, the lessons that have stayed with them, and how those conversations have shaped not only the podcast, but their own lives. From practical tools and proactive wellbeing to identity, purpose and life beyond the uniform, this episode revisits the themes that continue to surface across conversations with frontline workers, veterans, psychologists, athletes and leaders. Whether you've been listening from the beginning or have only recently joined the journey, this episode is a reminder that meaningful conversations—and the small actions that follow them—have the power to change lives. Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Improve sleep, performance and wellbeing with GOAT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    037: Two Years Behind the Badge - Jase and Josh

  4. Jul 11

    036: Laughter Isn't a Luxury - Mark Mcconville

    Laughter is often dismissed as entertainment. Mark McConville argues it's much more than that. Mark is Australia's only comedian and suicidologist, combining nearly three decades in stand-up comedy with postgraduate research into mental health, suicide prevention and the science of humour. In this conversation, we explore why laughter is more than a reaction—it's a tool. From frontline culture and dark humour to leadership, resilience and connection, Mark explains how humour can help people navigate some of life's most challenging moments without diminishing their seriousness. Whether you're a first responder, veteran, healthcare worker or simply someone trying to look after your own wellbeing, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on why making time to laugh isn't avoiding reality—it's one of the ways we cope with it. In this episode we discuss: • How one conversation with a veteran changed Mark's life. • Why humour plays such an important role in mental health. • The science behind laughter and resilience. • Dark humour in emergency services and why context matters • Leadership, workplace culture and psychological safety. • Practical ways to bring more laughter and connection into everyday life. You can get in touch with Mark here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Home - The Laughter Clinic Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Improve sleep, performance and wellbeing with GOAT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    036: Laughter Isn't a Luxury - Mark Mcconville

  5. Jun 27

    035: Getting back on the horse with Tommy Archer

    From lying awake at Kapooka convinced he'd made a huge mistake, to serving in Afghanistan, policing Australian communities and pursuing a lifelong passion for acting, Tommy Archer's story is a reminder that growth often begins where comfort ends. In this episode, Tommy reflects on the self-doubt that followed him through military training, the lessons learned under pressure, the reality of deployment, losing mates, and the mentors who helped shape his career. We also explore the identity challenges that can come with life after service, and how reconnecting with interests outside the uniform became an important part of Tommy's journey. This is a conversation about resilience, leadership, purpose, and the importance of remembering that there is more to you than the role you perform. • Growing up in Brisbane and finding direction through military service• Kapooka, Infantry training and overcoming self-doubt• Leadership lessons from Afghanistan and operational service• Losing mates and the impact of deployment• Confidence, competence and learning through experience• Transitioning from the Army into policing• Identity beyond the uniform • Acting, creativity and reconnecting with life outside the job You can get in touch with Tommy here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BADGE10' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    035: Getting back on the horse with Tommy Archer

  6. May 7

    034: It’s What You Do, Not Who You Are - Geoff Cameron

    In this episode, we sit down with Geoff Cameron — paramedic and counsellor — to talk about the realities of the job, the impact it can have over time, and what comes next. From years on the road to navigating PTSD, Geoff shares an honest perspective on identity, trauma, and the importance of planning for life beyond the uniform. This is a conversation about: The risk of tying your identity solely to the jobWhy “it’s what you do, not who you are” Managing trauma and learning that not everything you see belongs to you The role of conversation, connection, and actually talking about itPost-traumatic growth and asking the question: what’s next? And why planning for life after the job matters more than most people realiseBecause the reality is — whether it’s through injury, time, or choice… The job ends. This episode is about making sure you’re ready for what comes after. You can check out Geoff and Frontline Mental Health here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Frontline Mental Health Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BADGE10' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    034: It’s What You Do, Not Who You Are - Geoff Cameron

  7. Apr 23

    033: Finding a way forward - Scott May

    In this episode, we sit down with Scott May — former Army and Police — to unpack a journey shaped by service, trauma, and what happens when the job is taken away. After years of chasing adrenaline and building a career in policing, Scott found himself facing injury, identity loss, and the reality of life beyond the uniform. This is a raw and honest conversation about: Critical incidents and cumulative trauma The impact of losing the role you’ve built your identity around The anger, frustration, and uncertainty that follow The role ego can play in avoiding help And what it takes to rebuild with purpose Because when the job is gone, you’re left with a simple question: Who are you without it? This episode is about finding that answer — and building a way forward. You can check out what Scott is Doing with Real Steel Rescue here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Real Steel Rescue - YouTube Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BADGE10' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    033: Finding a way forward - Scott May

  8. Mar 26

    032: When Identity, Trauma & Purpose Collide - Marissa Rose

    In this episode, we sit down with a paramedic who opens up about the realities behind the uniform — from a challenging childhood to the cumulative weight of trauma, and what happens when identity becomes tied to the job. This is a raw and honest conversation about suicidality, PTSD, and the pressure of emergency service work, but more importantly, it’s about what comes next. We dive into: The danger of tying your entire identity to the job Why “redundancy” outside of work isn’t optional — it’s essential The reality of post-traumatic stress vs post-traumatic growth What recovery actually looks like while still in the job The importance of connection, vulnerability, and having people in your corner This episode isn’t about fear — it’s about awareness, ownership, and building a life that can withstand the job, not be defined by it. Because at the end of the day, the job will go on without you. The question is — what are you building outside of it? You can get in touch with Marissa here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Marissa Rose Music thanks to: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠These Four Walls - Hard Rock Band Gold Coast QLD⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thanks to our sponsor: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SmokeSoap – Australian Firefighter Decontamination Soap⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BADGE10' ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Greatest of All Tapes - Sleep Better. Perform Better. – The Greatest of all Tapes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount code 'BTB15' You can keep up to date by following us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We hope you enjoy the show, please subscribe & leave a rating.

    032: When Identity, Trauma & Purpose Collide - Marissa Rose
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About

Hosted by Australian firefighters Josh Alpen and Jason Anderson, Behind the Badge is a podcast about life in service — beyond the uniform, beyond the job, and beyond what most people see. While the conversations are grounded in frontline experience, the themes are universal — pressure, identity, adversity, and growth. Whether you’re in the job or not, the goal is the same: To provide honest perspectives and real-world insights that help people perform better, think clearer, and navigate challenges more effectively — both on and off the job.

Information

  • Creator
    Behind The Badge
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Behind The Badge
  • Show Website
    Behind the Badge

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