Welcome to Sereis 2 SQUAD – the podcast brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers.
The amazing young people who took part in Series 1 of SQUAD told us they felt worried that growing up in a military family could impact their career options, grades and ultimately the ability to achieve their dreams. Here at SQUAD we took this seriously and have been busy finding adults who, just like you, grew up in military families but have gone on to do brilliant things in their careers.
Our presenter for this series is Blue Peter presenter and magician Joel M. He chats to Michelin Star chef Adam Handling MBE, actor Shelley Conn, drummer and musician Jas Kayser, professional rugby player Thom Smith and ex-RAF serviceman turned production planner Karl Barnes.
We will hear how growing in a military family has shaped their career and lives, what they have learnt along the way and what they wish they knew as teenagers.
Expect lots of laughs, honest conversation and good advice about how to make the most of Armed Forces life.
Like what you hear? Make sure you click follow or subscribe wherever you usually get your podcasts.
To find about more about the work Little Troopers do, visit www.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/)
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media (https://tbimedia.co.uk).
In this episode Joel M speaks to ex-RAF Serviceman, Karl Barnes. Karl grew up in a military family before embarking on a career in the Forces himself. He has now transitioned into a civilian role and works as a Senior Production Planner on a unique aircraft project.
Karl shares his insights on the benefits & challenges of growing up in a military family - from frequent moves to the sense of community. He also shares with Joel how this impacted his decision to join the RAF and how it has his impacted his career outside of the military.
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find out more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://wwww.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
18 Feb 2026
S2 Ep4: Jas Kayser
In this episode, SQUAD presenter Joel M speaks to Drummer extraordinaire Jas Kayser. Both of Jas’ parents served in the military leading to frequent home and school moves for Jas & her twin brother.
Speaking to Joel, Jas shares her journey from starting to learn the drums aged nine to touring with the legendary Lenny Kravitz. She touches on the challenges and rewards of being constantly on the move due to her parents' military careers, which helped her adapt quickly to new environments - a skill that now serves her well!
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find out more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://wwww.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
11 Feb 2026
S2 Ep3: Thom Smith
In this episode, SQUAD presenter Joel M speaks to professional rugby player and Little Troopers ambassador Thom Smith. Thom’s Dad served in both the Army & RAF and was deployed multiple times including tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Thom shares his journey to becoming a professional athlete - highlighting the impact his Dad's military career had on him. He reflects on the uncertainty and anxiety that came with having a parent deployed and how this shaped his perspective on life.
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://wwww.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
4 Feb 2026
S2 Ep2: Shelley Conn
In this episode, SQUAD presenter Joel M speaks to Actor & Bridgerton star, Shelley Conn. Shelley’s Dad was in the army and her family moved frequently, living in Germany & Gibraltar before returning to the UK where Shelley attended drama school.
Shelley shares how her experiences growing up in a military family have helped shape her career and tells us all about life on stage and screen before answering some amazing questions from the Little Troopers
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://wwww.littletroopers.net).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
28 Jan 2026
S2 Ep1: Adam Handling
SQUAD is back for Series 2! After series 1 you told us there were some worries about how growing up in a military family could impact your options, your grades and ultimately the ability to achieve your dreams. And here at squad we took this seriously so have spent a long-time finding adults, who just like you, grew up in military families and have gone on to do amazing things.
In this episode, our presenter Joel Mawhinney chats to Michelin Star Chef & Restaurateur Adam Handling MBE. Adam's dad was in the military and he spent time living in Scotland and Germany before starting a career in the food industry aged 16!
Adam shares his experiences of growing up in a military family, his food memories and what life was like in Germany before answering your questions!
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://wwww.littletroopers.net).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
1 Nov 2021
8: SQUAD: The Debrief
Lock in for the grand finale of SQUAD!
In the final instalment of this series, we look back at lots of the amazing military teens we’ve met from the last 7 episodes.
With the help of 2 experts – Louise Fetigan, the Founder of Little Troopers and Tamzin Messeter, Educational Psychologist - we recap the chat, explore recurring themes and unpack some of the experiences shared by SQUAD’s military teens.
From school-work struggles to trauma triggers, we’ll listen back to key moments from the series and offer up some helpful advice and expert insight.
It’s the perfect way to end - a celebration of the realities of your teenage military life; the highs, the lows and everything in between. Thank you for listening to SQUAD – continue to be amazing.
----
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
25 Oct 2021
7: Forces Life to Freshers Life
Ready for the seventh episode of SQUAD?!
Join our presenters Katie Thistleton and Thom Smith as they meet Madison and Ella; two teens who have finished their A Levels and are getting ready to adult.
Despite being besties, the pair have one big difference – Madison has grown-up in a forces family whereas Ella’s a total civvie! Together they explore how this has changed their teenage years– from school and A Levels, to UCAS applications and gap year goals.
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
18 Oct 2021
6: Everyday's a School Day
SQUAD is back and this time we’re talking about school!
We all have to go to school, but it can be particularly hard if you have parents serving in the British Armed Forces. It might mean you’ve been to lots of different schools – maybe even in a different country! – or you might attend a boarding school or go to a civilian school where there aren’t many other military children.
Listen as our presenters Katie Thistleton and Thom Smith chat to this episode’s special guests – military teens Cloe, Kieran, and Cadence.
Together they discuss their very different schooling circumstances, explore how being from a military family impacts their academic experience and share lots of advice on surviving term-time.
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
11 Oct 2021
5: A Day in the Life of Dominic
We’re back for the fifth episode of SQUAD and this time we’re doing something a little different…
Military life can be something of a mystery to civilians, with lots of burning questions and curiosities often unanswered - how many times have you moved, what’s your military house like and what does your serving parent do at work?
Our presenters Katie Thistleton and Thom Smith scoured the country to find a military teenager who was willing to record an audio diary and share their life with us, giving listeners a taste of Forces life and answering these questions and more.
In this episode we meet Dominic, a teenager from an RAF family who was only too happy to help. Listen as we step into his life in Scotland - visiting his home, his school and his favourite hang-out spots.
We’ll be back in the studio like normal for the next episode, so follow and subscribe to SQUAD on your usual platform so you don’t miss it!
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
4 Oct 2021
4: Let’s Be Friends
Welcome to forth episode of SQUAD! This time we’re chatting about mates, buddies and BFFLs – whatever you want to call them, friendships can be a wonderful but tricky thing when you’re from a military family.
Joining our presenters Katie Thistleton and Thom Smith are three military teens - Alfie, Daisy and Charlotte. Together they chat about having to make new mates, leaving friends behind and keeping in touch.
The group share their own experiences, give great advice and as always have a good old giggle.
If you’re not already subscribed to SQUAD, today is the day – just hit follow on your usual platform!
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
27 Sept 2021
3: Eat. Sleep. Exams. Repeat.
NEW EPISODE ALERT!
Welcome to another episode of SQUAD! This time we’re chatting about EXAMS - from Common Entrance and SATs, to GCSEs and A Levels.
Presenters Katie Thistleton and Thom Smith meet military teens Brooke and Emily who chat about their recent experiences of school tests and results, what it’s like to go through school as a military child and how having parents in the British Armed Forces impacts how they prepare for and cope with exams.
Expect great revision tips, honest and open conversation, and all the usual LOLs.
To make sure you never miss an episode of the series, remember to follow or subscribe on your usual platform.
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
20 Sept 2021
2: We Are Family
SQUAD is back for another new weekly episode!
This time, presenters Katie Thistleton and Thom Smith chat to 3 teenage guests about their experience of military family life.
Who’s got the strictest parents? How many times have their families moved? What makes yet another new house a home? How important are sibling bonds? What is it like to have dual-serving parents? This episode covers all aspects of military family and home life.
As always, you can expect good vibes, candid chat and top tips for teens with loved ones in the British Armed Forces.
Loving the series so far? New episodes are released on Mondays - click follow or subscribe on your usual platform so you never miss one.
SQUAD is brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers. To find about more about the work they do, visit wwww.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/).
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media.
13 Sept 2021
1: Expect the Unexpected
Welcome to SQUAD – a brand new podcast brought to you by the military children’s charity Little Troopers.
Hosted by TV and radio presenter, Katie Thistleton, and Leicester Tigers rugby player, Thom Smith, this series is the first of its kind to shine a light on the life of teenagers who have loved ones serving in the British Armed Forces.
Across the series, we speak to 15 teens who share their stories of deployment, schools, moving home, living abroad and forming friendships. Expect lots of laughs, honest chat and good advice about how to make the most of Armed Forces life.
In this first episode, we meet four military teens who share their weird, wonderful and most memorable moments of their military journey so far; from hurricane evacuations to receiving scorpions in the post, we learn what a wild ride this really can be.
Like what you hear? Make sure you click follow or subscribe wherever you usually get your podcasts.
To find about more about the work Little Troopers do, visit www.littletroopers.net (http://www.littletroopers.net/)
SQUAD is produced by TBI Media (https://tbimedia.co.uk).
Contact SQUAD by Little Troopers
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of SQUAD by Little Troopers?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
