Coffin Dodgers

From Soldier to Coach: The Journey of Shaun KoberIn 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 Life03:53 Joining the Military07:21 Military Career and Deployments11:33 Transition to Civilian Life and PT Career16:55 Life in Thailand and Professional Growth20:02 Memorable Military Stories35:54 Reflections on Proactive vs. Reactive Engagements36:17 Rules of Engagement and Moral Dilemmas37:47 Becoming a Sniper: Challenges and Achievements39:31 Broader Reflections on Afghanistan and Iraq42:58 Comparing Conflicts: Afghanistan vs. Ukraine48:00 Post-Military Career and Current Endeavours

Being the Change for the Next Generation with Ray EverestIn 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, Visionary02:06 Ray's Upbringing in Tokoroa04:07 Teenage Fatherhood and Life-Changing Decisions12:48 The Role of Mentors and Teachers17:15 Becoming a Principal: Challenges and Realisations42:25 Journey to London and Beyond45:41 Whirlwind Romance and New Beginnings51:56 Life in Doha: A Cultural Shift53:21 The Booze Baron of Qatar59:57 Return to New Zealand and Teaching in Manurewa01:15:49 Challenges of Traditional Education01:25:17 Transition to CrossFit and Business01:50:27 Entering Early Childhood Education01:57:16 Challenges in Daycare01:59:23 Building a Better Company02:01:32 Future Focus02:05:15 Addressing Child Abuse02:11:27 Innovations in Early Childhood Education02:26:26 Engaging with Policymakers02:35:12 Final ThoughtsFind Ray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-everest-0a6Future Focus: @futurefocus_earlylearningPodcast: @futurefocusedpodcast

Unmasking the Shadows: Combating Child TraffickingIn 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.comDonate here: https://globaldevelopmentgroup.org/Projects/Details?id=90&projectName=Operation%20Aegis&projectNum=J...01:21 Meet Lee: The Mission and Background03:46 Experiences in Refugee Camps13:25 Joining the Military: A New Chapter30:50 Deployments and Intelligence Work35:57 A Shocking Encounter in Vietnam40:52 The Birth of Shield of the Children45:21 Challenges and Realities of Anti-Trafficking Work01:01:21 The Importance of Effective Aftercare01:05:56 Piracy in the Gulf of Aden01:15:30 Recruitment and Training Process01:30:29 Psychological Impact and Support01:37:36 A Grim Reality: The Fate of Trafficking Victims01:42:14 The Challenges of Human Trafficking Operations01:53:58 Legal Hurdles and Policy Issues in NZ02:19:57 Recognising the Signs of Trafficking02:21:10 Labor Trafficking in New Zealand02:24:14 Challenges in Victim Reporting02:29:39 Global Perspective on Trafficking02:30:38 Shield of the Children's Mission and Vision02:51:43 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

From Combat Medic to Civilian EducatorThis 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 O01:36 Childhood15:27 Joining the Army21:12 Army Medic Training35:07 Surgical Mishaps & Smells37:18 Field Hospital Realities40:11 Bizarre Military Exercises53:02 Deployment Stories: East Timor & Afghanistan01:09:09 PDT Training and Initial Incidents01:12:22 Leaving the Military01:14:30 Transition to Nursing01:22:37 First Experiences in Somalia01:25:10 Navigating Chaos in Mogadishu01:36:50 First Gunshot Wound and Realisations01:41:58 IED Threats & Road Hazards01:43:34 FOB Security Concerns01:47:11 Mass Casualty Incident in Mogadishu01:57:31 Combat Fatigue and Harassment Fire01:58:37 First KIA Encounter02:03:10 Ammo State Black: A Desperate Situation02:18:14 Reflecting on the Mission02:28:55 COVID & Deployment Challenges02:31:45 Transitioning Back to Civilian Life02:36:01 Finding New Purpose and Brotherhood02:45:40 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts

Tea with the TalibanWhile 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_5-04q8vu7imnieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/psc-global-physical-security-consultancy/

1980s Houston to the Battlefield and BeyondEpisode 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.