The Culture Colonel

• The Fight Beyond the Frontline - with Baz Melia

  ⚠️️ Trigger Warning ⚠️️ This episode contains discussion of suicide. If you're affected by the themes and need support - resources are listed below or available on our website.After a 40-year career in the British Army, Baz Melia MBE has taken on one of the most urgent and emotionally complex missions of his life: tackling veteran suicide.Now leading The Always a Rifleman Programme (AARP), Baz combines military discipline with trauma-informed, community-based support to confront the realities of suicide among former service personnel.In this episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, sits down with Baz for an unflinching, compassionate conversation about the mental health crisis facing veterans. Together, they explore the deep-rooted challenges of transitioning to civilian life, the silent weight of male loneliness, and the importance of belonging and identity after military service.Baz shares personal stories that drive his work, including the tragic loss of a close friend, and reflects on the emotional toll of his role. He also introduces the innovative strategies behind AARP, and why early intervention, peer support and cultural understanding are key to saving lives.This episode is a powerful reminder that leadership doesn’t end with rank - and that compassion, connection and action are essential tools in the battle many veterans face after service.If you or someone you know is a veteran in crisis, please know that help is available. You can access resources via our website at www.bfbs.com/audience-support.Below are some UK-based resources - the helplines included are available to call (or text) 24/7, 365 days a year.Always a Rifleman Programme (AARP)📞 0800 470 0941Combat Stress📞 0800 138 1619📱 07537 173683Samaritans Veterans Helpline📞 0808 175 3075Op COURAGEYou can follow Baz Melia on LinkedIn - and follow our host, Lindsay, on LinkedIn & InstagramWe’d love to hear your thoughts on this conversation. Email us at [email protected] Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency, specialising in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us - visit our website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Be Excellent to Each Other - with Adrian Bird

  As the first non-military Chief of Defence Intelligence, Adrian Bird is bringing a fresh perspective to one of the UK’s most high-stakes organisations. Appointed in September 2022, he draws on decades of experience in the intelligence community, including his time as Director-General at GCHQ. At the heart of his leadership? A commitment to fostering collaboration, valuing diversity, and creating a culture of psychological safety. In this episode, Adrian joins Lindsay MacDuff to talk about leadership, managing energy over time, and the importance of recognition and gratitude. He reflects on the challenges of maintaining operational effectiveness, the power of trust in intelligence work, and why leadership is never one-size-fits-all. With courage, candour, creativity, and community as his guiding principles, Adrian shares a fascinating take on what it means to lead in an unpredictable world. And in a lighter moment, he reveals his admiration for Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, which also happens to be a bit of a driving force - because, as the film’s mantra goes, “Be excellent to each other.” We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected] Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Quotations: “Be excellent to each other.” (Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure) “Manage your energy, not your time.” (Tony Schwartz and Jim Loehr) "Power is a relationship, not a possession.” (Professor Emeritus Keith Grint) Follow Lindsay: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaymacduff/ BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: https://creative.bfbs.com/ Please feel free to email The Culture Colonel at: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Leadership That Listens - with Caitlin Hayden

  From the Situation Room to the boardroom, Caitlin Hayden’s career has been nothing short of remarkable. With a background that spans the U.S. Department of State, the National Security Council under President Obama, and now a senior leadership role at BAE Systems, Caitlin brings a wealth of experience in public affairs, international relations, and strategic communications.In this episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, speaks with Caitlin about the values and lessons that have guided her through a high-stakes career in government and defence. They discuss the power of kindness in leadership, why resilience and self-awareness matter more than ever, and how Caitlin has learned to balance mission-focus with personal growth.Caitlin reflects on her time advising the President, her experiences in conflict zones like Afghanistan, and how she’s continuing to shape culture and communication in the private sector. She also shares honest insights into the challenge of work-life balance, the importance of mentorship, and why listening is one of the most underrated leadership tools.This conversation is a thoughtful look at what it means to lead with both strength and compassion—and how staying grounded in your values can drive meaningful change, even in the most complex environments.We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected] Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Follow Caitlin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caitlinhayden/ Follow Lindsay: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaymacduff/BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: www.creative.bfbs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  34:28
• Command, Culture & Curiosity - with Paul Carney

  For the past four years, Paul Carney has served as the British Army’s Command Sergeant Major, acting as the critical link between senior leadership and soldiers on the ground. Thoughtful, passionate, and deeply committed to the people he represents, Paul has worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of those often unheard, shaping a culture of learning, honesty, and continuous improvement within the Army. In this episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, sits down with Paul for an insightful conversation about leadership, mentorship, and the evolving culture of the military. Paul reflects on his own journey - from his early aspirations to the experiences that have shaped his approach to leadership. He shares why curiosity, self-awareness, and tackling blind spots are essential to personal and professional growth and discusses the challenges of balancing tradition with progress in Army culture. Paul also opens up about his decision not to pursue commissioning, the lessons he’s learned from soldiers at every level, and why he believes we’re all part of one team, working toward a shared goal. As he looks ahead to life after his tenure, he talks about his plans to step back and focus more on family, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy and cultural progress.A compelling and heartfelt conversation about leadership, human connection, and why the best teams never stop learning from one another. We’d love to hear your thoughts at [email protected] Thank you for listening and take care until next time! Follow Paul: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paul-carney-35135929a/ Follow Lindsay: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff Instagram: instagram.com/lindsaymacduff/ BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. If you want to learn more about us – visit our website: https://creative.bfbs.com/ Please feel free to email The Culture Colonel at:  [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• The Culture Colonel Returns for Series 2!

  The Culture Colonel is back. And we’re still asking the questions that matter.What makes a leader?What shapes a culture?And what happens when we stop pretending everything’s fine?In Series 2, our podcast host Lindsay MacDuff returns with more honest, powerful conversations about leadership, identity, and the culture we create around us.This time, we go even deeper.From stories of people who’ve had to hide who they really are, to those tackling suicide prevention head-on… From the corridors of power to the heart of the battlefield… These conversations explore the resilience it takes to lead, and the vulnerability it takes to change.Expect reflection. Expect discomfort. Expect courage.At The Culture Colonel, we choose to speak, we choose to listen, we choose to learn.Series 2 launches Wednesday 23rd April. Follow now, wherever you get your podcasts.📧 Get in touch: [email protected]🔗 Follow LindsayLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduffX: twitter.com/Scruff4284 BFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit, creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Learn more about us: creative.bfbs.comFollow us: linkedin.com/company/bfbscreative Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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