We're kicking off an exciting new chapter for the Centre for Army Leadership podcast with a fresh rebrand, featuring more diverse and interesting guests and a bold new look!

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome John Volanthen, a world record holding British cave diver and expert in underground exploration and rescue. John is best known for his pivotal role in the 2018 Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand, where he was the first to locate the trapped youth soccer team, ultimately leading their rescue.

John’s career in cave diving has seen him break records, including setting a British cave diving depth record in 2004 and being part of the team that set a world record for the longest cave penetration in Spain. But it was his involvement in the Tham Luang rescue that truly brought him international acclaim. John, alongside his dive partner Rick Stanton, was instrumental in locating and rescuing the trapped boys, navigating dangerous conditions, and leading their safe extraction.

Beyond his diving accomplishments, John is also a passionate speaker on teamwork, resilience, and leadership, sharing lessons from his high-stakes experiences. He’s an avid runner, participating in marathons and ultra-marathons, and volunteers as a scout leader, teaching young people about caving and the importance of perseverance. He’s received numerous prestigious awards, including the George Medal for bravery, the World Humane Society’s bronze, silver, and stampede medals, and the Pride of Britain Award for Outstanding Bravery. John is also the author of Thirteen Lessons That Saved Thirteen Lives: The Thai Cave Rescue, which recounts his experience and the lessons learned, and was adapted into the film Thirteen Lives.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Lt Col Rob Swan, a leader with a diverse career in the British Army. We explore the intersection of leadership, technical expertise, and the development of teams through Rob's unique perspective.

Col Swan's journey began when he commissioned into the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC) in 2004. His first experience in leadership came when he served as a transport troop commander during Operation TELIC 6 in Iraq, where he led combat logistics patrols. This was a defining period that set him on a path towards becoming an Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) and, eventually, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator. His leadership experience in EOD is particularly notable, where he balanced technical proficiency with the command of highly specialised, intelligent, and experienced teams.

Throughout the episode, He discusses the challenges of earning credibility when transitioning into leadership roles, particularly when managing teams of individuals with more experience in their technical trades. He shares how trust, both in his team's expertise and his own leadership, was crucial to his success. He also highlights the importance of building a culture where psychological safety is paramount, ensuring that team members feel safe to challenge their leader when necessary, especially in high stakes environments like EOD operations.

This episode provides a deep dive into leadership from the unique perspective of an officer who has navigated both the technical and command challenges within the Army. His insights on developing trust, the value of continual professional development, and adapting leadership styles based on individual team members’ needs offer valuable lessons for all leaders.

Join us as we explore how leadership is about more than just knowledge: it’s about experience, trust, and building strong, capable teams through the right balance of challenge, support, and understanding.

In this episode, our host Ash Bhardwaj speaks with Major Russ Archer of the Army Air Corps. With a wealth of experience in leadership and command, Russ shares his perspective on what it truly means to lead in complex environments.

Russ discusses the challenges of preparing soldiers for the realities of modern warfare, highlighting the balance between discipline, adaptability, and trust. He reflects on the importance of developing leaders who can think independently, make sound decisions under pressure, and empower their teams to operate effectively. Drawing from his own experiences, he emphasises that leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about creating the conditions for others to succeed.

He also explores the evolving nature of leadership, particularly in the context of Mission Command. Russ explains how leaders must build strong, cohesive teams that can take initiative, make sense of ambiguity, and operate with confidence when guidance is limited.

Join us as we unpack the key principles of leadership with Major Russ Archer - covering trust, autonomy, and the vital role of junior leaders in shaping operational success.