Best Ollie Osborne Podcasts (2025)

1
“Speaking of Violence” with Leyla Hussein 1:00:16

43m ago1:00:16

1:00:16

This week we were joined by psychotherapist and activist Leyla Hussein. In the session we explored how reporters and researchers can make survivors of sexual violence feel safe, supported and heard, and at the same time ensure they make an impact with their work. TW: The talk contains extensive discussion of sexual violence particularly FGM. This t…

1
"Detecting Stolen Art" with Arthur Brand 56:48

14d ago56:48

56:48

This week we were joined by Art Detective Arthur Brand. Arthur Brand has recovered over 200 stolen artworks throughout his career, these include famous paintings once thought lost, from Dali’s to Picasso’s. Within the talk he explains how open sources are crucial to his work and he shares valuable resources for those who are curious about the world…

1
HMS to HMP: 33 Years of Gambling Addiction 1:12:00

25d ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Andy Gallie shares his raw, unfiltered story of living with a 33-year gambling addiction that began at age 9 and eventually led to prison. A former Royal Navy serviceman, Andy speaks openly about how military culture fuelled his destructive habits, the emotional toll on his family, and his powerful journey through addiction recovery. Now a leading …

1
"Monitoring US Immigration Raids" with Bellingcat, Evident and CalMatters 1:03:53

28d ago1:03:53

1:03:53

This week we were joined by Bellingcat researcher Kolina Koltai and our long-standing publishing partners Kevin Clancy, cofounder of Evident Media and Sergio Olmos, an investigator from CalMatters. The conversation centered around the reliance on bystander videos for accountability of these arrests and the scale advice for other researchers on what…

1
"Investigating Cold Cases" with Peter Barth 57:28

1M ago57:28

57:28

This week we were joined by Bellingcat's Peter Barth. Peter has been researching a cold case murder from Corpus Christi, Texas, 1971. As part of his research , he's uncovered links to multiple murders and high profile criminal networks, and learnt some invaluable research tips along the way. This talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursday the 3…

1
39 Years in Uniform | Service, Sacrifice & Brotherhood 1:03:39

1M ago1:03:39

1:03:39

What does it cost to give your entire life to service? In Episode 15 of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Dai Charles — a man who dedicated nearly 40 years to protecting his country. Dai joined the Royal Navy in 1978 before transferring to the Royal Marines Commandos in the thick of the Falklands War. From there, he deployed to nearly every m…

1
"Mapping Shootings" with Cecília Olliveira 1:01:06

2M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

This week we were joined by Fogocruzado founder and journalist Cecília Olliveira. Cecília launched Fogocruzado after working on a story and discovering that data on armed violence in Rio and elsewhere in Brazil, something she was seeking at the time for the investigation, was not being robustly collected. She came in to our Server to discuss the po…

1
From Close Protection to Commando Expeditions – CS22's Mission to Save Veterans 58:48

2M ago58:48

58:48

In Episode 14 of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Steve Martindale — a former Royal Marine Commando and Close Protection Officer in Iraq and Afghanistan — who’s now co-founded CS22 Veteran Expeditions CIC (Cockleshell22) to help veterans rediscover purpose. Formed in 2022, CS22 takes inspiration from historic Commando raids—like Operation Fr…

1
"Monitoring Wagner Mercenaries in Africa" with Lou Osborn 52:52

2M ago52:52

52:52

This week we were joined by Swiss-based NGO Inpact’s Lou Osborn. Lou is one of the lead researchers in their flagship All Eyes ON Wagner project team. Within the conversation she broadened our knowledge on the current economic and political status of Russian PMCs in Africa and raised the difficulties in reporting on these types of groups. This talk…

1
Submarines & Self Destruction to Buddhism & Peace 59:56

2M ago59:56

59:56

What happens when the silence of the deep becomes the noise in your head? In Episode 13 of Beyond the Battlefield, we sit down with Danny Keating, a former Royal Navy Submariner whose story is unlike anything we’ve heard so far. Danny spent months at a time submerged underwater—confined, claustrophobic, and disconnected from daylight and the outsid…

1
"Protecting the people within your research" with Eliza Anyangwe 1:03:34

3M ago1:03:34

1:03:34

This week we spoke to The Fuller Project's Eliza Anyangwe about the steps her newsroom takes to protect their sources. We highlighted the basic precautions you should consider when speaking to those with lived experience of the topic you're reporting on and the differences between traditional investigations and open source research when it comes to…

1
Mental health, military life, trauma & leadership under fire: How a Royal Marine became an Actor 1:09:52

3M ago1:09:52

1:09:52

Mental health, military life, trauma, and leadership under fire — this is the untold reality of life in the Royal Marines. In this powerful episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Tip Cullen, a man who’s spent 30 years in service with the Royal Marines, from the harshest frontlines to the highest levels of leadership. A battle-hardened v…

1
How Sailing Saved My Life | Royal Marine Veteran 1:06:30

3M ago1:06:30

1:06:30

From the battlefield to rock bottom—and back again. In Episode 12 of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Dan Fielding, a former Royal Marine Commando who shares his raw, honest story of mental health collapse, addiction, and recovery after leaving the military. Like many veterans, Dan was hit hard by the silence that follows discharge. He lost …

1
Would you fight to have your leg CUT OFF … just to end the pain? 1:09:22

3M ago1:09:22

1:09:22

Pain. Perseverance. Amputation. And the power of choice. In this episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Ray Lowrie, a former Royal Marine Commando, world-record-holding athlete, and above all—an unbreakable force of resilience. Ray’s story is one of freak misfortune, brutal pain, and ultimately, incredible triumph. What began as a slip …

1
Surviving Afghanistan: A Decade of War | Royal Marines Commando tells his story 1:07:32

3M ago1:07:32

1:07:32

Combat. Chaos. Survival. What does a decade of war really do to the mind and body? In this jaw-dropping episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Adz Lison, former Royal Marine Commando and Physical Training Instructor, to uncover the brutal, unfiltered truth behind life on the front lines of one of the longest and bloodiest campaigns in m…

1
"Chinese influence operations and disinformation campaigns" with Jasper Hewitt 56:42

3M ago56:42

56:42

This week we spoke with DoubleThink Lab’s Jasper Hewitt as we explored the new forms of digital propaganda. We discussed spamouflage operations in the US elections to AI influencers pushing state lines on TikTok. The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursday May 8th 2025. Music featured is courtesy of Artlist. Recorded live in the Bellingcat D…

1
"Tracing a Drug Cartel" with John Mooney and Connor Plunkett 1:00:27

4M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

This week we spoke to John Mooney and Connor Plunkett about their investigation into the Kinahan cartel. We discussed the considerations you need to make when reporting on large scale operations and how they found a hidden side to one of Irelands most notorious cartel bosses. The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursday April 24th 2025. Music…

1
"Monitoring the environment from Space" with Lisa Broekhuizen 56:08

4M ago56:08

56:08

This week we spoke to Lisa Broekhuizen from Space4Good, looking at how satellite imagery can help show large scale impacts on our environment from deforestation to the growth of trees. The talk was hosted by Giancarlo Fiorella on Thursday April 10th 2025. Music featured is courtesy of Artlist. Recorded live in the Bellingcat Discord Server: https:/…

1
"Identifying Explosive Ordnance in Social Media Imagery" with Andro Mathewson 51:08

5M ago51:08

51:08

This week we spoke to Andro Mathewson from Centre for Information Resilience on identifying explosive ordnance seen in imagery on social media. Explosive ordnance are munitions that contain explosives, and can detonate without warning, killing or injuring civilians long after conflicts have ended. Andro wrote a guide to easily identify the most com…

1
"Using the Open Source Munitions Portal" with The OSMP Team 59:13

5M ago59:13

59:13

This week we spoke to Joe Dyke and Joe Emmett from AirWars and Nick R. Jenzen-Jones from Armament Research Services (ARES). Together they work on the Open Source Munitions Portal, a database of different munition types for open source research analysis. The team walked us through the uses of the OSMP, the many exciting features they've added over t…

1
The Truth About Health & Wellness: What You’re Getting Wrong (and How to Fix It!) 58:59

5M ago58:59

58:59

In this episode, we dive deep into optimal health, wellness, and functional fitness with expert Meg Jones from ThreeSixty Rehab. Meg is a powerhouse when it comes to nutrition, movement, injury rehabilitation, and holistic health, and today, she’s giving us an expert’s perspective on what it really takes to achieve sustainable results in life. We t…

1
From Rising Star to Rock Bottom – The Brutal Truth of Drug Addiction 59:59

5M ago59:59

59:59

In the 90s, Sy Tuk (Simon Hemingway) was on the verge of a promising acting career in London. But behind the scenes, a much darker story was unfolding. The allure of addiction pulled him into a relentless downward spiral—one that cost him everything. His career. His relationships. His dignity. Almost his life. This episode isn’t just a story—it’s a…

1
"Covering Gender Based Violence" with Alexa Koenig 1:01:58

6M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

This week we spoke to Dr. Alexa Koenig from UC Berkeley. Alexa has spent much of her recent career looking into how digital investigations could aid accountability for war crimes and gender based violence. Within this discussion we focused on her work covering gender based violence and what lessons she’s learnt from the various groups she’s spoken …

1
"Funding Open Source Research" with Mareike Vitt 1:05:04

6M ago1:05:04

1:05:04

This week we're joined by Bellingcat Senior Fundraiser Mareike Vitt. Mareike is here to share invaluable tips on sourcing sustainable funding for open source research and journalism efforts. In the discussion we spoke about the current funding trends and how you as an individual or as an organisation can stand out in grant applications and when rea…

1
Why Success Isn’t About the Stage You Stand On: The Fight Beyond Bodybuilding 57:05

6M ago57:05

57:05

In this episode, I’m joined by someone who embodies what it means to fight beyond the obvious battlegrounds—IFBB Pro Karly Pearce. At 44 years old, Karly has carved out an incredible career in professional bodybuilding, but now she’s stepping away from the stage to focus on a new mission: inspiring and empowering others through health, fitness, and…

1
"Building Open Source Research into a Newsroom" with Mike Yambo 52:06

7M ago52:06

52:06

This week we're joined by Mike Yambo, open source investigator from the popular African news outlet Nation. Mike explains how he managed to establish open source research practices in his traditional newsroom and how he taught himself those skillsets. The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursday January 30th 2025. Music featured is courtesy o…

1
The Truth About Nutrition: Gut Health, Longevity, and Social Media Myths 1:00:44

7M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Episode 5: Nutrition, Longevity, and Busting Myths with Hazel Davies In this eye-opening episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I’m joined by Hazel Davies, Warrior Wellness Movement’s expert nutritionist and specialist in women’s health. Hazel brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as we dive deep into the fundamentals of nutrition, gut health, the …

1
"Investigating Art Crime" with Lynda Albertson 1:01:42

7M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

This week, we're back for the new year with a new topic, exploring the nexus of art theft, trafficking, and intelligence. We spoke with Lynda Albertson from the Association for Research into Crimes Against Art about the process of collecting and analysing information related to art crimes. How can open source research help tackle the world's cultur…

1
From Warzone to Wilderness: How a Commando Overcame PTSD and Found Healing Through Nature 1:13:44

7M ago1:13:44

1:13:44

Episode 4: From the Front Line to the Healing Line with Nick In this gripping episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I’m joined by Nick, a former Royal Marines Commando and Afghanistan veteran, who shares his raw and unfiltered journey through the devastating impact of PTSD. Nick takes us into the relentless realities of operating on the front line dur…

1
Brothers in Arms: Life, Loss, and the Fight for Purpose as an ex Paratrooper 1:00:10

8M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

In this deeply personal episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I’m joined by my brother, Toby Osborne, former Parachute Regiment sergeant and the founder of Optimal First Aid. With a wealth of combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan, Toby has transitioned to delivering top-tier outdoor first aid training, equipping others with essential lifesaving …

1
"We are Bellingcat" Q&A session with Eliot Higgins 58:30

8M ago58:30

58:30

This week, we decided to change the format a little to mark the final stage talk of the year. We were joined by founder of Bellingcat, Eliot Higgins to discuss how he feels about the last 10 years of open source research as Bellingcat celebrates its decade anniversary. The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursday December 12th 2024. Music fea…

1
From Navy Pilot to CBT Coach after Mental Health Struggles 1:00:28

8M ago1:00:28

1:00:28

In this episode of Beyond the Battlefield, I sit down with Will Petty, a former Navy pilot turned Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and mindset coach for Warrior Wellness Movement. Will brings a unique perspective, blending his military background with his expertise in mental health and behavioural change. We dive into the challenges of Royal Marines…

1
“Monitoring Damage to Cultural Heritage in Volatile Regions” with Caucasus Heritage Watch 59:29

8M ago59:29

59:29

This week, we spoke to Dr Adam Thomas Smith, Distinguished Professor of Arts & Sciences, Department of Anthropology, Cornell University and Dr Lori Khatchadourian, Associate Professor, Department of Near Eastern Studies, Cornell University about their work at Caucasus Heritage Watch. CHW focuses on monitoring at-risk heritage caught in the cross-fi…

1
From Battlefield Injuries to Peak Performance: The Secrets of Rehab Revealed 1:02:31

8M ago1:02:31

1:02:31

Episode 1: Rehabilitation and the Pathway Back to Health, Fitness, and Performance with Mark Jones of Threesixty Rehab In this premiere episode of Beyond The Battlefield, we explore the relentless journeys of resilience, recovery, and comeback, focusing on the individuals who defy the odds to rebuild and redefine themselves. Our guest is Mark Jones…

1
"Studying Russia's Digital Grasp" with Dr Mariëlle Wijermars 1:01:30

9M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

This week, we spoke to Dr Mariëlle Wijermars about internet governance in authoritarian states like Russia. We discussed the current strategies of the Russian government in internet crackdowns both at home and abroad and the trend of bots, online propaganda and banned media outlets in attempts at ongoing censorship. The talk was hosted by Charlotte…

1
"Researching Central Asia: Strategic Insights and Defence Data" with Michael Hilliard 59:54

10M ago59:54

59:54

This week, we talk to Michael Hilliard. He and his colleagues at the Oxus Society for Central Asian Affairs recently released their report titled "The Armed Forces of Central Asia". We discuss the complex geopolitical landscape in Central Asia, and what defence capacity the countries have to tackle their strategic challenges. The talk was hosted by…

1
"Researching Online Extremism and Terrorism" with Elizabeth Pearson 58:30

10M ago58:30

58:30

This week we talk to Elizabeth Pearson. Together with her colleagues she recently worked on the REASSURE report (https://voxpol.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Online-Extremism-and-Terrorism-Researchers-Security-Safety-Resilience.pdf )- which is published with the online extremism and terrorism research network VOX-Pol. The report describes experienc…

1
"Revealing the Bellingcat Toolkit" with the Bellingcat Team 57:32

11M ago57:32

57:32

This week's stage talk is focused on our new and updated toolkit! We've packed every useful open source research tool into one place to help assist new and old researchers, journalists and NGOs. Johanna Wild, who lead the project, joined us on stage to talk through the new developments. The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursday September 2…

1
“Investigating a Massacre in Burkina Faso" with The Bellingcat Team 59:32

11M ago59:32

59:32

This week's stage talk is about a militant attack in Burkina Faso that happened in late August, in which over 100 unarmed civilians died. We explore how Bellingcat investigators went to work trying to locate and verify graphic imagery claiming to be associated with the massacre. Content warning: Discussion of civilian harm, abuse and death. The tal…

1
“Tracking Deforestation with Open Data” with Luiz Toledo 56:57

12M ago56:57

56:57

This week's stage talk is about using open sources in environmental focused investigations. We spoke to freelance journalist Luiz Toledo about his recent work covering deforestation policy gaps. He uncovered his stories using open databases and FOIA requests. Note that Luiz's mic has some distortion in the recording. The talk was hosted by Charlott…

1
"Investigating protest movements and the police response using open sources" with the Bellingcat team 59:50

12M ago59:50

59:50

In this week's stage talk we discuss open source research methods of covering protest movements and any corresponding violent action. Using the example of recent clashes in Bangladesh, our team unpack how they go about reporting on this topic, sharing their favourite resources, techniques and advice. The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on Thursd…

1
"A Collaborative Model For Big Impact With Local Investigations" with Sam Stecklow 55:54

1y ago55:54

55:54

This week we were joined on stage by Sam Stecklow, from the not-for-profit newsroom The Invisible Institute. Within the talk we discussed their work on making police complaint data publicly accessible and explored their collaborative models, funding and large data projects. The talk was hosted by Giancarlo Fiorella on Thursday August 1 2024. Music …

1
“Tracking Wildfires Using Open Sources” with Aram Shabanian 53:08

1y ago53:08

53:08

This week we were joined on stage by Aram Shabanian, the Open-Source Information Gathering Manager at the New Lines Institute and long time Bellingcat contributor. Aram shared a long list of interesting open source tools that citizens and journalists alike can use to help monitor wildfires. Find the full list of tools shared by Aram here: https://d…

1
"Mapping the destruction of cultural heritage sites in Gaza"- with the Bellingcat and Scripps News team 57:27

1y ago57:27

57:27

This Stage Talk is about the impact of conflict on cultural heritage sites and how, as open source researchers, we can monitor the scale of destruction. The discussion was based around our latest documentary with Scripps News, which you can watch in full here Tools: Planet Sentinel Hub Google Earth Ollie Ballinger's damage probability map tool of G…

1
"Extremism in Gaming Spaces" with Rachel Kowert and Linda Schlegel 56:37

1y ago56:37

56:37

In this Stage Talk we discuss extremism on digital gaming platforms with experts Rachel Kowert and Linda Schlegel. We talk about how and why extremists are using digital gaming spaces for radicalisation and mobilisation efforts, but also about prevention efforts to stop extremists from exploiting these gaming communities. You can find Linda and Rac…

1
“Getting Started In Open Source Research” with Sofia Santos 1:00:00

1y ago1:00:00

1:00:00

In this week's Stage Talk we were joined by Centre For Information Resilience's Sofia Santos. Sofia also runs a website called Gralhix.com which provides exercises and guides for those needing to practice their open source research skillsets. The discussion on stage was all about how to get into our industry, Sofia provided invaluable tips and reso…

1
"Exploring the Digital Profiles of Human Smugglers” with Carlos Gonzales 57:58

1y ago57:58

57:58

In this week's Stage Talk we were joined by Bellingcat' Research Lead, Carlos Gonzales. Carlos unpacked a series of recent investigations, delivered by Bellingcat and partners into human smuggler operations across South America and into the US. You can find a link to Bellingcat's investigation into the digital coyote here: https://www.bellingcat.co…

1
"Publishing on closed messaging platforms” with Sipho Kings 57:24

1+ y ago57:24

57:24

In this week's episode, co-founder and director of The Continent, Sipho Kings joined us. The Continent is an award winning journal, distributed weekly to audiences, covering 54 countries. It's published as an old fashioned newspaper of sorts, on a beautifully designed PDF, and distributed via word of mouth, on closed messaging platforms. In the tal…

1
"Justice and Accountability with Open Source Research" with Natasha Pereverzina 58:25

1+ y ago58:25

58:25

This week we spoke to a representative from Bellingcat's Justice and Accountability Unit, Consultant Natasha Pereverzina. Bellingcat’s Justice and Accountability Unit is a joint project with the Global Legal Action Network. Through years of collaboration, we have developed and tested a step-by-step methodology for investigators to follow, hopefully…

1
"Researching the Troubled Teen Industry" with Bellingcat Discord community member Allison Jenkins 59:38

1+ y ago59:38

59:38

This week's live Stage Talk was slightly different, we were joined by a Discord community member/open source researcher, Allison Jenkins. Allison was speaking on an ongoing project that she was looking for support on. Allison has lived experience of the Troubled Teen Industry and realised there was a lack of comprehensive and easy to access informa…

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Ollie Osborne Podcasts

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