H-Hour

Hugh Keir

A former sniper interviewing fascinating human beings. 

  1. “We are literally flying the emergency room to street level” Air Ambulance pilot Adele Dobler

    3d ago ·  Video

    “We are literally flying the emergency room to street level” Air Ambulance pilot Adele Dobler

    What happens when your “office” is a helicopter and your job is to bring an emergency room to the streets of London in under seven minutes? In this episode I sit down with Adele Dobler, a helicopter air ambulance pilot with London’s Air Ambulance, to unpack what it really takes to fly lifesaving missions over one of the world’s busiest cities. We get into how Adele went from dreaming about helicopters to strapping into the left‑hand seat, what it’s like to land on tower blocks and motorways, and how the aircraft becomes a mobile resus room when someone is having the worst day of their life. We talk decision‑making under pressure, managing fear, and the reality of carrying a team and a patient’s chances on your shoulders at 1,000 feet. Adele also shares lessons from her book “Free to Fly: Lessons in Managing Workplace Fear From an Air Ambulance Pilot” – how to lead when everyone’s looking at you, why “imposter syndrome” can become an unhelpful identity, and practical ways to show up as yourself in high‑consequence environments. If you enjoy this conversation and want to support H‑Hour and help me keep these episodes coming, you can back the show on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/cw/hkpodcasts. Patrons get access to bonus Q&As (including the Adele icebreaker episode), early releases, and the chance to submit questions for future guests. Follow and support Adele: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adele_the_heli_pilot/ Book – “Free to Fly: Lessons in Managing Workplace Fear From an Air Ambulance Pilot”: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Fly-Managing-Workplace-Ambulance/dp/B0B5PYSWLN/ Send us Fan Mail This episode is sponsored by Sin Eaters Guild - sineatersguild.co.uk Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    1h 28m
  2. "Confidence is like a callus – you have to wear the skin." Adele Dobler's H-Hour Icebreaker

    3d ago ·  Video

    "Confidence is like a callus – you have to wear the skin." Adele Dobler's H-Hour Icebreaker

    Join the H-Hour Patron Community at patreon.com/hkpodcasts***** For this Icebreaker with helicopter pilot and author Adele Dobler, I put patron questions to her about arriving on people’s worst days, fear, and decision-making under pressure before rolling into the full episode. She explains how she compartmentalises trauma on London’s highest-priority trauma jobs, separating “keeping the aircraft and crew safe” from the emotional weight of what’s happened on the ground, and why she sees that as protective but possibly “not the healthiest” long term. We talk near‑death experiences and “bonus time,” how almost dying in a car roll at 19 changed her attitude to regret, and why she thinks the key is committing fully rather than half‑stepping decisions. Adele compares confidence to building calluses, argues against imposter syndrome, breaks down when to act fast versus when to slow down in the cockpit, and gets into how fear should be managed rather than removed, from diving boards and public speaking to skydiving. She also tackles gendered reactions to a “lady pilot,” lack of default trust, and why women’s negative comments often reflect their own constrained sense of what’s possible, before we sign off and roll straight into the long‑form conversation. Adele's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/adele_the_heli_pilot/ Adele's Book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-Fly-Managing-Workplace-Ambulance/dp/B0B5PYSWLN/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.G_wIYgzGcR7dhCvsBJvBvT8aUANnqWODWx9tUlfiRALGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.DEWUPd4ANKLA8d30-J18CgttBr5ad04JcTGgC57iJD0&dib_tag=se&keywords=adele+dobler&qid=1782069703&sr=8-1 Send us Fan Mail Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    19 min
  3. Commando Lee Spencer - "Training, instinct, and mindset kept me alive."

    Jun 21 ·  Video

    Commando Lee Spencer - "Training, instinct, and mindset kept me alive."

    In this powerful follow-up conversation, Frank returns to share the extraordinary story of how he survived a life-threatening accident on the M3, lost his leg, and fought his way back from the edge of death. He speaks candidly about the split-second decisions, the long road through recovery, and the sheer force of mindset, training, and instinct that kept him alive. The discussion also goes far beyond the accident itself. Frank reflects on the challenge of leaving the military, the loss of identity that can come with stepping outside that world, and the importance of purpose, standards, and accountability in civilian life. He and Hugh also explore the psychology of high-pressure decision-making, the value of military training, and why having a clear “why” matters so much after service. Frank also talks about his remarkable achievements after injury, including rowing across the Atlantic and setting records as part of the world’s first all-amputee crew, before going on to row solo to South America. Throughout the episode, he offers honest, insightful reflections on resilience, recovery, and the responsibility to keep wounded service personnel in the nation’s conscience. You can follow Frank here: https://leespencer.co.uk/ Send us Fan Mail This episode is sponsored by Sin Eaters Guild - sineatersguild.co.uk Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    1h 47m
  4. “My time was up. My luck was up.” H-Hour with Jacob Lockwood (Lockwood Smocks)

    May 25 ·  Video

    “My time was up. My luck was up.” H-Hour with Jacob Lockwood (Lockwood Smocks)

    Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For H-Hour #286, I welcome Jacob Lockwood, Coldstream Guards and founder of Lockwood Smocks, for a wide-ranging conversation on military life, entrepreneurship, and the challenge of building something real in an increasingly fake-feeling world. We talk about how his time sat in cold, wet OPs drove him to design better waterproof kit, why he insisted on British manufacturing, and how a jet-washer video helped turn a pre-order gamble into rapid growth. Jacob explains the story behind the brand’s different smock names, how founder-led businesses build emotional connection, and why authenticity matters more than ever in an age where AI can manufacture stories, faces, and even entire brands. We also get into social media, personal branding, the risks of being too visible in civilian life, and why real-world community, events, and lived experience are becoming the thing people trust most. https://lockwoodsmocks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lockwood_smocks/ Send us Fan Mail This episode is sponsored by Sin Eaters Guild - sineatersguild.co.uk Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    2h 4m
  5. H-Hour Icebreaker - Jacob Lockwood

    May 25 ·  Video

    H-Hour Icebreaker - Jacob Lockwood

    Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For this Icebreaker with Jacob Lockwood, I welcome him for a punchy patron Q&A ahead of the full episode, where we get into the attitudes, scars, and humour that sit behind the man and the brand. We talk about his feelings about missing Afghanistan, the old-school Para culture of calling people “crap hats,” his biggest military highlight delivering 556 individually named Christmas presents to orphanages in Kenya, and the chaos of gate-crashing the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee parade in full blues. Jacob also opens up on mental health in the Army — the good of mess culture and mates looking after mates, but also how welfare systems can be gamed — and finishes by explaining why content, story, and authenticity are what separate veteran brands that succeed from those that don’t. https://lockwoodsmocks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lockwood_smocks/ Send us Fan Mail This episode is sponsored by Sin Eaters Guild - sineatersguild.co.uk Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    27 min
  6. UKSF Operator: "I needed to pass [Royal Marines training] because I had nothing to go back to."

    May 4 ·  Video

    UKSF Operator: "I needed to pass [Royal Marines training] because I had nothing to go back to."

    Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts ***** For H-Hour #285, I welcome Pasha Munro, ex Royal Marine and Special Forces operator, for a wide-ranging conversation on military culture, transition, social class divides, and navigating civilian life after elite service. We discuss Marines vs Paras social backgrounds — I pose my theory that Marines generally come from middle-class stock and whether that drives smoother post-service careers — and Pasha's deliberate two-year transition plan using LinkedIn to build a civilian network before leaving. He explains balancing a high-profile social media presence with security work ("I can't have clients hearing someone shout 'I saw you on YouTube' on Kensington High Street"), the infamous Marines "99.9% need not apply" ad that never matched reality, and why leaving wasn't difficult when he knew his luck was up. We cover the Lad Bible Red vs Blue game show we did together, cross-service cultures, and why all cap badges share the same pamphlets — it's just how you interpret them.  https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/pasha-munro https://www.instagram.com/munro6141/ Send us Fan Mail This episode is sponsored by Sin Eaters Guild - sineatersguild.co.uk Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    2h 5m
  7. UKSF Pasha Munro's H-Hour Icebreaker

    May 4 ·  Video

    UKSF Pasha Munro's H-Hour Icebreaker

    Join the H-Hour community at https://patreon.com/hkpodcasts/ ***** For this Icebreaker with ex Royal Marine and Special Forces operator Pasha Munro, answering patron-submitted questions he tackles UK special forces whistleblowers — arguing operators should be left to do their job within ROE and law, but wrongdoing must be called out — and defends UKSF as a moral organization where "bad apples" should be reprimanded. He contrasts Marines with Paras as more mature, less extrovert, citing his 2000 mortar course at Warminster, and reflects on Ukraine's staggering draft-dodging stats (up to 6 million avoiding registration) while admitting he wouldn't want his son to join the Marines but won't stop him if he chooses. Pasha shares his most difficult combat moment — a chemical reaction burning his dry suit latex underwater, forcing him to stay calm at depth — and his most rewarding: neutralizing a wanted enemy who'd harmed UK forces, before rolling into the full episode.  https://champions-speakers.co.uk/speaker-agent/pasha-munro  https://www.instagram.com/munro6141/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    21 min
  8. Special Forces Support Group guest: “When talent doesn’t work hard, hard work always beats talent.”

    Apr 26 ·  Video

    Special Forces Support Group guest: “When talent doesn’t work hard, hard work always beats talent.”

    For H-Hour #284, I welcome Rohan Byfield, former Paratrooper with 24 years in 1 Para and SFSG, now founder of R2Bean2 coffee (try his signature Dark Lord Reserve blend), for a wide-ranging conversation on military life, mindset, leadership, and transitioning to civilian success. We discuss SFSG's origins from ad-hoc support ops like Exercise Chameleon to formalizing after Iraq rescues (including smashing a Warrior through a police wall), his 2005 deployment overlaps, and how Paras' aggressive ethos — "close with" — made Taliban avoid them while fostering battalion rivalries that sharpen skills. Rohan explains cultural clashes with Marines (less NCO autonomy in O-groups) and RAF Regt, why Paras formed SFSG's core amid defense cuts, and the treadmill of service that RAF Brize Norton breaks; he shares on owning mistakes vs excuses, elitism's necessity for shock troops, and adapting leadership — "autonomy, accountability, treat people with respect you'd expect." We cover coffee's origins, rage-mode Paras struggling post-service, and end with patron Q&A. https://r2bean2.com/ Send us Fan Mail This episode is sponsored by Sin Eaters Guild - sineatersguild.co.uk Support the show   Free H-Hour giveaways and exclusive access to guests. https://patreon.com/hkpodcastsH-Hour on Substack: https://hughkeir.substack.comH-Hour on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWSj4p05MUbVlHmFu3yH-Hour on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HHourPodcast

    1h 59m
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

A former sniper interviewing fascinating human beings. 

Information

  • Creator
    Hugh Keir
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    337
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 H-Hour
  • Show Website
    H-Hour

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