Heston Russell on Politics, Service & The Current State Of Australia

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:34:22 +0000

🎙 In This Episode of the 2 Worlds Collide Podcast, I sit down with Heston Russell for a direct and wide-ranging conversation on leadership, Australian politics, and what it truly means to stand for veterans.

Heston is a former 2nd Commando Regiment officer, founder of VETS for Change, and one of the most recognisable veteran voices in the country. He joins me to speak openly about the current political climate in Australia, his desire to run for Parliament, and why he believes veterans need stronger representation in public life.

We unpack what motivated Heston to step into the political arena, the challenges facing returned service members, and the broader cultural and policy debates shaping Australia right now.

This episode isn’t slogans.
It isn’t spin.
It’s service, experience, and straight talk.

🧭 In This Episode We Cover:
🎖️ Heston’s service with 2 Commando Regiment
🏛️ The current state of Australian politics
🗳️ Why Heston wants to run for Parliament
🇦🇺 Standing up for veterans and military families
⚖️ Accountability, leadership, and public service
🗣️ The realities of transitioning from Defence to civilian life
📢 What real representation for veterans could look like

📌 Timestamps for Easy Navigation:
0:00 – Intro
07:20 – Heston’s military background & transition
23:10 – Australian politics today
39:30 – Why Heston is considering Parliament
58:45 – Veterans’ issues & representation
1:17:00 – Leadership, service & final thoughts

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