Host Simon Carkeek uncovers exceptional and unique experiences, in this NZ made podcast. Stories of overcoming obstacles, mitigating problems and sometimes simply rolling the sleeves up, gritting your teeth and getting on with the job in some of the most hectic situations around the world.
Many podcasts begin as chest-beating war-story fests (don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of those), but for us, there’s a method to the madness and our purpose is three fold.
To share accounts and perspectives of the past, present and future those involved in dodging the coffin.
To record untold perspectives of historical events, for learning and reflection.
To give hope to those who feel hopeless via parallel or non parallel relatable experiences.
The world can be and is a hard and harsh place and there is a lot of evil, and this podcast will take you on an an emotional rollercoaster. Some will come with distressing content warnings - we make no apologies for this. Coffin Dodgers is a purpose driven tool to help mitigate and overcome that evil.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Simon Carkeek uncovers exceptional and unique experiences, in this NZ made podcast. Stories of overcoming obstacles, mitigating problems and sometimes simply rolling the sleeves up, gritting your teeth and getting on with the job in some of the most hectic situations around the world.
Many podcasts begin as chest-beating war-story fests (don’t worry, we’ve got plenty of those), but for us, there’s a method to the madness and our purpose is three fold.
To share accounts and perspectives of the past, present and future those involved in dodging the coffin.
To record untold perspectives of historical events, for learning and reflection.
To give hope to those who feel hopeless via parallel or non parallel relatable experiences.
The world can be and is a hard and harsh place and there is a lot of evil, and this podcast will take you on an an emotional rollercoaster. Some will come with distressing content warnings - we make no apologies for this. Coffin Dodgers is a purpose driven tool to help mitigate and overcome that evil.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From Soldier to Coach: The Journey of Shaun Kober
In 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 Life
03:53 Joining the Military
07:21 Military Career and Deployments
11:33 Transition to Civilian Life and PT Career
16:55 Life in Thailand and Professional Growth
20:02 Memorable Military Stories
35:54 Reflections on Proactive vs. Reactive Engagements
36:17 Rules of Engagement and Moral Dilemmas
37:47 Becoming a Sniper: Challenges and Achievements
39:31 Broader Reflections on Afghanistan and Iraq
42:58 Comparing Conflicts: Afghanistan vs. Ukraine
48:00 Post-Military Career and Current Endeavours
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Being the Change for the Next Generation with Ray Everest
In 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, Visionary
02:06 Ray's Upbringing in Tokoroa
04:07 Teenage Fatherhood and Life-Changing Decisions
12:48 The Role of Mentors and Teachers
17:15 Becoming a Principal: Challenges and Realisations
42:25 Journey to London and Beyond
45:41 Whirlwind Romance and New Beginnings
51:56 Life in Doha: A Cultural Shift
53:21 The Booze Baron of Qatar
59:57 Return to New Zealand and Teaching in Manurewa
01:15:49 Challenges of Traditional Education
01:25:17 Transition to CrossFit and Business
01:50:27 Entering Early Childhood Education
01:57:16 Challenges in Daycare
01:59:23 Building a Better Company
02:01:32 Future Focus
02:05:15 Addressing Child Abuse
02:11:27 Innovations in Early Childhood Education
02:26:26 Engaging with Policymakers
02:35:12 Final Thoughts
Find Ray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-everest-0a6
Future Focus: @futurefocus_earlylearning
Podcast: @futurefocusedpodcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Unmasking the Shadows: Combating Child Trafficking
In 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.com
Donate here: https://globaldevelopmentgroup.org/Projects/Details?id=90&projectName=Operation%20Aegis&projectNum=J...
01:21 Meet Lee: The Mission and Background
03:46 Experiences in Refugee Camps
13:25 Joining the Military: A New Chapter
30:50 Deployments and Intelligence Work
35:57 A Shocking Encounter in Vietnam
40:52 The Birth of Shield of the Children
45:21 Challenges and Realities of Anti-Trafficking Work
01:01:21 The Importance of Effective Aftercare
01:05:56 Piracy in the Gulf of Aden
01:15:30 Recruitment and Training Process
01:30:29 Psychological Impact and Support
01:37:36 A Grim Reality: The Fate of Trafficking Victims
01:42:14 The Challenges of Human Trafficking Operations
01:53:58 Legal Hurdles and Policy Issues in NZ
02:19:57 Recognising the Signs of Trafficking
02:21:10 Labor Trafficking in New Zealand
02:24:14 Challenges in Victim Reporting
02:29:39 Global Perspective on Trafficking
02:30:38 Shield of the Children's Mission and Vision
02:51:43 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From Combat Medic to Civilian Educator
This 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 O
01:36 Childhood
15:27 Joining the Army
21:12 Army Medic Training
35:07 Surgical Mishaps & Smells
37:18 Field Hospital Realities
40:11 Bizarre Military Exercises
53:02 Deployment Stories: East Timor & Afghanistan
01:09:09 PDT Training and Initial Incidents
01:12:22 Leaving the Military
01:14:30 Transition to Nursing
01:22:37 First Experiences in Somalia
01:25:10 Navigating Chaos in Mogadishu
01:36:50 First Gunshot Wound and Realisations
01:41:58 IED Threats & Road Hazards
01:43:34 FOB Security Concerns
01:47:11 Mass Casualty Incident in Mogadishu
01:57:31 Combat Fatigue and Harassment Fire
01:58:37 First KIA Encounter
02:03:10 Ammo State Black: A Desperate Situation
02:18:14 Reflecting on the Mission
02:28:55 COVID & Deployment Challenges
02:31:45 Transitioning Back to Civilian Life
02:36:01 Finding New Purpose and Brotherhood
02:45:40 Final Thoughts and Shoutouts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tea with the Taliban
While 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_5-04q8vu7imnie
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/psc-global-physical-security-consultancy/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1980s Houston to the Battlefield and Beyond
Episode 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The inaugural episode of 'Coffin Dodgers' is a dive into the background of host Simon Carkeek. In the introduction to Simon's story, we delve into his upbringing in regional New Zealand, through military service, post-service contracting and through to the present day as founder and Director of PracMed NZ.
With co-host Ed Eastham, Simon shares the motivations behind the podcast, aiming to illuminate stories of adversity and hope. Reflecting on his life, Simon discusses his foster care experiences, discovering his biological father, and his military service's rewarding yet tumultuous moments. He narrates his transition from military to civilian life, the emotional toll of losing comrades, and the decisions that led to leaving service. Simon's career shift to private contracting and founding his own training company underscores themes of adaptability, resilience, and finding the good from the bad that aided his successful transition to civilian life and business, and is a key theme of the podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
