The Muster Point Podcast

In this reflective end-of-year episode, Stu and Steve look back on an incredible year at The Muster Point. They highlight the growth of the community, the impact of launching the podcast, and the vital role of support networks for veterans. From powerful moments of remembrance to events that brought people together, they share the stories that shaped 2025 — with plenty of laughter along the way.As they look ahead to the future, they celebrate the strength found in unity and encourage listeners to keep checking in on one another as the new year begins.

This week, The Muster Point lads are back with a proper sit-rep from the front line of veteran life.Stu and Steve pick up where they left off after the At Ease Festival, covering everything from Armed Forces T-Shirt Day, which raised over £10,000 for the Forces Employment Charity, to visits at Chicksands Intelligence Corps Museum, the Skill-at-Arms day in Sawbridgeworth, and updates from Stevenage Borough Council and the Hertfordshire Armed Forces Covenant Board.There’s news, banter, and a few hard truths — including stories of courage, scandal, and service. The team also share Remembrance reflections from the community, including the upcoming Guard of Honour, Remembrance Sunday, The Muster Point Ball, and the Christmas get-together at Toby Carvery.Expect laughs, honesty, and the usual squaddie sense of humour — as we remember those who served, celebrate those still standing, and take the mick out of each other along the way.🎧 Tune in, share it, and stand to attention — it’s time for The Muster Point Podcast.

Grenadier Guard. Afghan veteran. One-eyed wonder.In this explosive episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond the Wire, Stu sits down with Alex Harrison, who survived being shot in the head during Herrick 6 and lived to tell the tale with raw honesty and brutal humour.From the parade square to Iraq and Kajaki, through the chaos of Mazdarak where his life changed forever, Alex shares the reality of combat, recovery, and the battles with booze, PTSD and identity that followed. We talk survivor’s guilt, the grind of mental health, the power of therapy, and how he rebuilt himself into a content creator, podcaster and stand-up comic.Alex will also be live at our Remembrance Ball this November with the Veterans Comedy Club, bringing that trademark squaddie banter to a night that mixes reflection with laughter.This one’s raw, graphic and darkly funny – exactly how veterans tell it. Brew in hand, buckle up: it’s a proper eye-opener.

Ordered to play rugby, three ruptured discs later – cheers for your service, off you pop. That’s how Dean, a former Royal Engineer, was medically launched into civvy street. But this sapper didn’t sulk. He went on to serve with the police, fight illness, harness his ADHD superpower and build SquaddieBox – a simple but game-changing solution giving homeless veterans and blue-light workers a secure postal address.Why does an address change everything? How do you get one set up in your town? And what happens when military humour meets hard reality?In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond The Wire, Stu Mendelson sits down with Dean to unpack a story that mixes dark squaddie banter with a serious mission: tackling homelessness, restoring dignity, and proving that one grey box on a wall can change lives.

In this powerful episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond the Wire, host Stu Mendelson sits down with Claire Lilly – veteran advocate, equestrian specialist with the Household Cavalry, and founder of the Forcer Protocol, a policing strategy now saving veteran lives across the UK.From the parade grounds of Knightsbridge to the painful realities of PTSD, addiction, and suicide, Claire shares her deeply personal journey alongside her late husband Alan, a Coldstream Guard. Together, they faced the hidden battles too many veterans endure – trauma, dishonourable discharge, prison, and loss.Out of tragedy came purpose: the Forcer Protocol, now embedded in police forces nationwide, ensuring missing veterans get trauma-informed responses and vital support.Expect raw honesty, hard truths, and a glimmer of hope – proving that even in the darkest hours, change is possible.

After months of mystery, the “Phantom Bearskin” finally lifts the lid on his true identity. In this raw and unfiltered episode, Mike – ex-Grenadier Guard – shares his journey from the parade square to the front line, witnessing the darkest sides of military life, the brutal cost of integrity at a court martial, and his battles with PTSD, suicide attempts, and recovery.Recorded at the Red Lion in Cricklade, this is a powerful conversation about loyalty, betrayal, survival, and the long road back. Expect brutal honesty, gallows humour, and hard-earned lessons that every veteran, squaddie, and supporter needs to hear.https://www.theredlioncricklade.co.uk/👉 If you’ve ever wondered what happens when the uniform comes off but the scars remain, this episode delivers the truth – uncut and unforgettable.

In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast: Beyond the Wire, Stu Mendelson sits down with Chad Maskell – a man who’s lived more lives than a squaddie’s had brews. Surviving Deepcut Barracks, thrown out by the Army with no duty of care, facing homelessness, betrayal, and a string of knockbacks that would flatten most – Chad’s story is one of grit, resilience and getting back up, every single time.From RLC soldier to car salesman, banker, close protection in Afghanistan, Middle East logistics, lorry driver, labourer and more, Chad’s journey has been a rollercoaster of highs and brutal lows. Today, he’s channelled that experience into building solutions through Veteran Housing Group, tackling homelessness, mental health, employment and the broken system that too often fails our Armed Forces community.Expect no-nonsense honesty, gallows humour, and hard-earned wisdom as Chad shares how he turned his own battles into a mission to change lives – and why the system needs lived experience at the helm.👉 Whether you’re a veteran, a family member, or someone who wants to understand the fight behind the headlines – this episode pulls no punches.#TheMusterPoint #BeyondTheWire #VeteranHousing #MilitaryPodcast #Veterans

It’s Day 2 at the At Ease Festival and the sore heads are in full parade. 🍻 From veterans’ banter over brews to the wives’ choir belting out tunes that could march a regiment into battle, the camaraderie is alive and kicking.Stu and Steve are joined by a very special guest – Sleachy himself – bringing stories, laughs, and a healthy dose of squaddie mischief. Expect raw honesty, parade square humour, and the kind of community spirit you only get when veterans rally together under the same tent.👉 Whether you’re a veteran, family member, or just love a bit of military banter, this episode is packed with music, laughs, and plenty of “you had to be there” moments.🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Podbean.#TheMusterPoint #AtEaseFestival #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #ForcesBanter

The Muster Point Podcast from the At Ease Festival! 🎪 On this Friday night special, Stu and Steve fire up the mics under the festival lights to set the tone for a weekend of music, laughter and military camaraderie.Expect raw veteran stories, unfiltered forces banter, and a proper warm-up for the weekend ahead. From life in and after the military to the humour that keeps us all marching on, nothing is off-limits.👉 Whether you’re a veteran, serving, family or civilian supporter, join us for the Friday night kick-off that brings the community together — pint in one hand, mic in the other.🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts.....#AtEaseFestival #Veterans #MilitaryPodcast #TheMusterPoint

From winning Best Recruit to drunken disgrace, we share your proudest and most shameful military moments. Forces news, Muckers remembered, and car park confessions from Steve. Featuring Models for Heroes & Fighting With Pride. In this episode of The Muster Point Podcast, Stu and Steve dive into your proudest and most shameful moments in military life. From smashing it on parade to smashing pints and making a public mess, it’s all here. We talk: ✅ Best Recruit pride and night-out disasters ✅ A new friendship with the Royal Artillery Association ✅ Steve’s new car park hobby (yes, really) ✅ Forces news, laughs, banter, and serious moments ✅ Shout outs to Models for Heroes and Fighting With Pride ✅ Listener voice notes, wild stories, and remembering our fallen Muckers 💥 Charities and organisations mentioned: 🔹 Models for Heroes – www.modelsforheroes.org.uk 🔹 Fighting With Pride – www.fightingwithpride.org.uk 🎙️ Get in touch and join the conversation: 📲 @themusterpointveterans on Facebook 📲 @themusterpoint on TikTok, X & YouTube