The Culture Colonel

• Still Fighting: Racism, Service & Speaking Out - with Kerry Ann Knight & Richard Stokes

  Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of racism and trauma from the start. Please listen with care. Support resources are available on our website at bfbs.com/audience support.Racism doesn’t disappear with time - it disappears with action.In this deeply important and courageous episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, speaks with Richard Stokes, the British Army’s first Black Guardsman, and Kerry Ann Knight, who joined the Army 25 years later. Together, they share their experiences of overt racism, systemic exclusion, and the long-lasting emotional and professional impact of serving in a culture that didn’t always see or support them.Richard and Kerry Ann reflect on the isolation of being 'the first' or 'the only', and the culture of silence that allowed discriminatory behaviours to go unchallenged. They speak honestly about the toll this has taken on their mental health and careers, and what it means to keep showing up in the face of institutional barriers.But this conversation is also about resilience, truth, and the potential for real change. They share what gives them hope - genuine leadership, external support, and the power of speaking up, not just for themselves, but for those who follow.What did you take away from this episode? Email us at [email protected] LindsayLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduffInstagram: @lindsaymacduffBFBS Creative is an award-winning, non-profit creative agency. We specialise in helping the Armed Forces, Defence and government tell their story. Want to learn more? Visit https://creative.bfbs.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Leading with Lived Experience - with Tabitha Smith-Lawrence

  What happens when you realise that success, as it’s traditionally defined, isn’t serving you?In this episode, Tabitha Smith-Lawrence, Defence Psychologist & Endometriosis Champion, shares how she redefined success on her own terms; choosing purpose, authenticity, and well-being over performance-driven burnout. In a bold act of self-reflection, she stepped away from the expectations placed upon her and into a version of leadership rooted in honesty and humanity.In this episode of The Culture Colonel, Tabitha also opens up about living with endometriosis, an often misunderstood and under-diagnosed condition that affects 1 in 10 women. She describes the emotional toll of delayed diagnosis, the difficulty of managing an invisible illness in a high-pressure environment, and the stigma that still surrounds women’s health in the workplace.This conversation is both practical and powerful. Tabitha offers clear guidance for line managers, teams, and leaders on how to better support colleagues navigating chronic health conditions. She challenges us to reconsider how we define strength - and advocates for a workplace culture where listening, flexibility, and compassion are considered core leadership qualities.We would love to hear your leadership tips that create room for compassion. Email us at [email protected] 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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Rowing and Rising Together - with Force Atlantic

  Forty-six days. Over 3,000 miles. One ocean. Four extraordinary women.In this episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, sits down with the incredible Force Atlantic team - the first all-female British Army team to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Captain Imogen ‘Imy‘ O'Brien, Captain Sheridan Lucas MBE, Major Rebecca Glover and Corporal Emma Gibb share the raw, honest story of their record-breaking journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean... 3,000 miles of relentless rowing, completed in 46 days and 55 minutes.With no previous rowing experience for some of the crew, and only two hours of rest at a time, the women navigated storms, sleep deprivation, and the emotional toll of the Atlantic, all with grit, humour, and unshakeable trust in each other. They talk about the gruelling selection process, the terrifying night shifts, the power of music, and the unexpected moments of joy that got them through.But this wasn’t just about crossing an ocean. It was about showing what’s possible when women work together, support each other, and push through the limits of what they thought they could do. Along the way, they championed a cause close to their hearts: The Girls’ Network, whose mission to help girls believe in themselves felt deeply aligned with their own.This is a story of resilience, sisterhood, and believing you belong - on boats, in leadership, and far beyond.You can learn more about The Girls' Network here.And watch some of the highlights from the row itself here.What did you take away from this episode? Email us at [email protected] Lindsay: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduffInstagram: www.instagram.com/lindsaymacduffBFBS 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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Hiding in Uniform - with Dougie Morgan

  Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of homophobia and discrimination, which some may find offensive. Listener discretion is advised.For 38 years, Dougie Morgan served in the British Army; respected on operations, but haunted by a secret he couldn’t share. Behind the discipline and duty was a man forced to hide his identity in an institution where being gay once meant risking everything.In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Lindsay MacDuff, the Culture Colonel, speaks with Dougie about life under the military’s pre-2000 ban on homosexuality. Dougie opens up about the toll of living a double life, the behavioural challenges that masked his inner turmoil, and the long journey toward self-acceptance. He reflects on the emotional cost of secrecy, the impact of systemic discrimination, and the liberation - albeit late - that came with being honest about who he is.Until recently (April 2025), through his work with Fighting With Pride, Dougie supported other LGBTQ+ veterans and helped build a more inclusive Armed Forces. His story is a reminder that authenticity is a human right, and that healing is possible, even after decades of silence.A brave, compassionate conversation about identity, belonging, and the ongoing work to ensure that no one in uniform has to hide who they are.We know there are more stories to be told, like Dougie's. If you're willing to share - email us at [email protected] out more about Fighting with Pride by visiting https://www.fightingwithpride.org.uk/And you can follow Dougie on Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougie-morgan-4803a6331/?originalSubdomain=ukFollow the Culture Colonel himself, Lindsay on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-macduff and on 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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Turning Pain into Purpose - with Jacqui Wilkinson

  Trigger Warning - This episode contains discussion of childhood abuse, neglect, and trauma. Please take care while listening, or consider skipping this episode. If you're affected by the themes and need support, resources are available on our website.For years, Wing Commander Jacqui Wilkinson kept her past hidden - masking a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and trauma behind the uniform of a successful Royal Air Force officer. But today, she’s using that painful history as a force for good.In this moving episode of The Culture Colonel, Jacqui shares her powerful journey from survival to strength, and how confronting her trauma has not only transformed her own life, but helped shape a new kind of leadership in the Armed Forces.Jacqui opens up about the turning point that came when she began therapy, and how reclaiming her story became the start of true healing. She speaks candidly about the years she spent carrying her experiences alone, and how that silence began to shift once she chose vulnerability over shame.Now a champion for mental health and wellbeing within Defence, Jacqui reflects on how her past has made her a more empathetic, authentic, and human leader. She discusses the impact of her book Turning the Tables on Trauma, the response from within the military, and her work with the Defence Mental Health and Wellbeing Network.This is a courageous conversation about breaking the cycle, finding strength in truth, and turning personal pain into lasting legacy.We’d love to hear your thoughts on this conversation. Email us at [email protected] Jacqui on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn. Her book, Turning the Tables on Trauma is available here. BFBS 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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