Paul Maleary's Ex-Job Downloaded Podcast

About Paul Maleary's Ex-Job Downloaded Podcast

I served with Essex Police for 30 years, a chapter of my life filled with both haunting memories and exhilarating moments. Throughout my career, I had the privilege of interviewing a number of high-profile suspects—each encounter a vivid snapshot of human nature, revealing both darkness and resilience. The aim of this podcast is to delve deeper into the lives of former members of the Police and Military from across the globe. This is not just a collection of stories; it's a tribute to the extraordinary journeys of these remarkable individuals, often overlooked but never forgotten. Our contributors hail from diverse backgrounds, each with a unique story etched into the fabric of history. Picture this: a soldier landing on the Normandy beaches, adrenaline pumping in a chaotic backdrop, recounting the camaraderie that emerged amidst the chaos. Or a military operative sharing a heart-stopping tale of survival after being shot by the Taliban, offering insights into not just the battles fought but the battles within. We’ll hear from the man who carried the radio at the 1966 World Cup Final, a moment that united a nation, and the manager of the mortuary following the devastating 7/7 bombings, who witnessed humanity at its most fragile. These men and women are heroes of our time, and their stories are committed to this podcast for eternity! But there is also a narrative of transition—stories that weave through the fabric of public service into new realms of entrepreneurship and creativity. From authors penning the tales of their experiences to innovators launching successful businesses, the contributions of Police and Military personnel extend far beyond their uniforms. They are not one-dimensional figures; they are multifaceted individuals, and you will be amazed at the diverse lives they lead following their honorable careers. With each episode, we aim to illuminate the profound impact these experiences have had on their paths. If you have a Police or Military background and would like to take part in this enriching journey, I invite you to connect with us. Please email admin@ex-job.co.uk. Your story, like so many others, deserves a platform to be shared and celebrated. Join us as we explore courage, resilience, and the unbreakable human spirit, one story at a time. Together, we will honor these incredible journeys that shape not just the individuals but the very essence of our society. If you have a Police or Military background and would like to take part in my podcast please email admin@ex-job.co.uk (mailto:admin@ex-job.co.uk) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Paul Maleary

Category

history · society & culture · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Oct 2022

Latest episode

1 May 2026

Latest episodes

134 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 May 2026

   Graham Paul Roberts - The Echoes in the Silence:

   This podcast summary features the experiences of Graham Roberts, a former member of the Welsh Guards, whose service record and subsequent transition to civilian life offer a raw look at the realities of modern military duty. Military Service and Transition Graham Paul Roberts served as a soldier in the Welsh Guards. His transition to civilian life was marked by extreme psychological distress, leading him to the brink of suicide. He recounts a harrowing moment where he planned to take his own life in the woods, only to be stopped by a sudden, overwhelming emotional breakdown that resulted in him seeking help instead. He eventually found support through North Wales Veterans and a dedicated medical team, which he credits with saving his life. Candor Regarding Service in Kenya Roberts speaks with significant candor about the trauma he carried from his deployments, specifically highlighting the moral and emotional toll of his time in Kenya. Environmental Trauma: He describes vivid, recurring nightmares involving the faces and bodies and events he witnessed or dealt with during his service. The Weight of Silence: He explains that for years, he "bottled up" the things he had seen, including the smuggling of goods and other "stuff" that he felt unable to discuss with his family or peers. Emotional Detachment: He admits to purposely detaching himself emotionally from his experiences to survive the scenarios he was placed in, a tactic that later contributed to his mental health struggles. The "Bravado" Myth: Roberts is critical of the military "bravado" that prevents soldiers from seeking help, noting that he initially refused medication and support because he wanted to handle it alone. Recovery and Reflection To process his trauma, Roberts turned to writing as a form of therapy. His book, "Echoes in the Silence," was written over several months as a way to "explore" the elements of his past that he had previously blocked out. He emphasizes that while medication (such as quetiapine and anti-depressants) helped stabilize him, the act of documenting his experiences was vital to his recovery. #WelshGuards #VeteranMentalHealth #PTSDAwareness #EchoesInTheSilence #MilitaryTransition #KenyaService #VeteransSupport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   13 Apr 2026

   Alka Mistry - What life was like in Leicestershire Police for a girl from Kenya

   Early Life and Cultural Background Born in Kenya in 1969, Alka moved to Leicester as a toddler. Raised in a strict Hindu household, she grew up with defined gender expectations: girls were encouraged to pursue education only as a precursor to arranged marriages within their caste. Despite an early interest in crime and pathology sparked by Agatha Christie novels, Alka initially followed a conventional path, working in insurance for nine years. The Turning Point: Defiance and Duty Alka’s entry into the police was a profound act of personal rebellion and courage. Facing an unwanted arranged marriage to a man living abroad, she chose to break the engagement. This decision, coupled with her desire to join the police—a profession her family deemed unsuitable for a woman—resulted in her being asked to leave her family home and a long-term estrangement from her father, who was himself a traffic warden. In 1997, without knowing where she would live, Alka posted her acceptance to Leicestershire Police. Career Highlights and Challenges Alka joined the service in 1998, training at Ashford during a time when Asian female officers were a "rarity". Her career spanned several diverse roles: Frontline Policing: She served in rural areas like Ashby and Coalville, where she faced significant racial abuse from the community. Specialized Units: She spent time in the Youth Offending Team, which allowed her to balance work with raising her children. Detective Work: Alka eventually became a detective, working in child abuse investigation, serious and complex crime, and a secondment in Counter Corruption, which she described as her toughest role due to the emotional weight of investigating colleagues. Mutual Aid: Near the end of her career, she assisted in Merseyside following the tragic murders of three children. Legacy and Retirement Throughout her 27-year career, Alka balanced the "heavy lifting" of being a mother, wife, and professional. She remains a staunch believer in meritocracy, refusing to join identity-specific police associations and instead focusing on her skills as an investigator. Upon retiring, she transitioned into her "second vocation": sports safeguarding. She currently works with the Leicester City Football Club Academy, aligning her professional expertise with her lifelong passion for sport. Despite the personal sacrifices, Alka maintains that she would do it all again "100%" The Story & Inspiration #BreakingBarriers #CulturalIdentity #ResilienceStory #WomenWhoInspire #PersonalGrowth #OvercomingObstacles #CourageousConversations #Trailblazer Police & Detective Life #PolicePodcast #ThinBlueLineUK #DetectiveWork #WomenInPolicing #LeicestershirePolice #LawEnforcement #TrueCrimeCommunity #BehindTheBadge Culture & Representation #SouthAsianExcellence #BritishAsian #RepresentationMatters #Leicester #ShatteringGlassCeilings #EmpoweredWomen Career & Transition #CareerPivot #SportsSafeguarding #LCFC #SecondAct #ProfessionalDevelopment #WorkingMoms Niche & Catchy #FromPatrolToPitch #DefyingExpectations #DetectiveAlka #PodcastSpotlight Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   10 Oct 2025

   Janet Percival - Who is Alex Belfield? Part 2

   Alex Belfield is a former radio presenter for BBC Radio Leeds (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_Radio_Leeds) who was dismissed for misconduct. He was convicted of stalking (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalking) charges in September 2022 and imprisoned. Belfield worked at Mansfield 103.2 FM (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mansfield_103.2_FM) in the early 2000s. He presented the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Leeds. In 2010 he made lewd comments about weather presenter Keeley Donovan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeley_Donovan)'s broadcasts at home that resulted in complaints from listeners. As punishment, Belfield was suspended from the station for a day and strongly reprimanded by BBC bosses. On 18 June 2021 Belfield was summonsed to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham_Magistrates%27_Court), where he was charged with 12 counts of stalking "involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress" on 1 July.On 29 July 2021, Belfield appeared at Nottingham Crown Court (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nottingham_Crown_Court) accused of stalking eight people between November 2012 and March 2021, including BBC staff members Stephanie Hirst (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Hirst) and Jeremy Vine (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Vine). Belfield was convicted in September 2022 for four of eight stalking charges at Nottingham Crown Court. He was sentenced to five and a half years in prison; before sentencing "he was allowed to deliver a closing speech deriding the case as a 'BBC and police witch-hunt' based on five arrests and 3 invasions of his home, without a warrant and any evidence of any crime, and describing himself as 'the No 1 anti-BBC journalist'". He told the jury "I am offensive... My human right allows me to speak words that are not to everyone's taste". The judge said that while Belfield acknowledged the distress he caused the victims, he showed more concern during the proceedings about being treated unfairly and how the process impacted him (Belfield) personally. A bid for leave to appeal was refused in February 2023. In May 2024, the Nottinghamshire police detective who had led the stalking investigation into Belfield won a libel case against him. Belfield had falsely accused the detective of being corrupt, lying in court and colluding with the BBC in a witch hunt against him. Belfield was released from prison in June 2025, after 2 years and 9 months. He will serve the remainder of his sentence on licence. Janet has her own channel on Ticktok (https://www.tiktok.com/@costaricandream) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Paul Maleary's Ex-Job Downloaded Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Richard Keil
• Tony Long
• Steve Reynolds

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

123,790

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

18 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 65 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

66

Social presence

0

YouTube

82

Engagement

77

Contact Paul Maleary's Ex-Job Downloaded Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Paul Maleary's Ex-Job Downloaded Podcast