Podcasts

28/09/2026

The Old Paratrooper Podcast

Tim Spicer joins The Old Paratrooper Podcast to discuss his new book, The Axe and the Balloon, exploring the remarkable life and legacy of Brian Franks one of the founding fathers of the SAS. In this episode, Tim takes us into the world of the early Special Air Service and the man behind a story that deserves to be far better known. From wartime service and the formative years of the SAS to the character, leadership and experiences that shaped Brian Franks, Tim reveals the research and stories behind the book and explains why he wanted to bring Franks' life to a new generation. It's a conversation about soldiering, leadership, history, sacrifice and the origins of one of the world's most famous special forces units.

21/09/2026

Spycraft 101: Brian Franks: The Man Who Saved the SAS with Tim Spicer

Justin welcomes back Tim Spicer to discuss the story of Brian Franks, one of the original officers of the Special Air Service who served behind enemy lines during World War II and who continued to support British covert operations long after the war ended

08/09/2026

History Book Club

Oliver Webb-Carter speaks to Tim Spicer about Brian Franks, the subject of Tim's latest book An Axe and Four Balloons, and to speculate as to whether the SAS, again under threat, has people like Franks in the corridors of power today?

08/09/2026

Battleground

Patrick Bishop and Tim Spicer discuss Tim’s latest book, An Axe and Four Balloons, which tells the story of Brian Franks - the man credited with saving the SAS from extinction after the Second World War. The discussion broadens into big-picture concepts of military philosophy and modern society. Tim reflects on the nature of leadership and shares his definition of courage as "the management of fear." They also examine the qualities of historical mavericks, whether modern political leadership is lacking, and whether the youth of today would step up to defend their country if called upon.

01/09/2026

Military History Club Podcast

Tim Spicer discusses An Axe and Four Balloons

28/07/2025

Spycraft 101: Behind the Lines from Belfast to Sierra Leone

Justin is joined once more by Tim Spicer, back to discuss his own life and career, which has been full of danger and adventure as well. Tim wrote about it all in his autobiography which covers his service all over the world, as well as his work as the founder of a private military company not long after he left the British Army.

09/06/2025

Spycraft 101: From Biffy to Bond

Justin is joined by Tim Spicer to discuss his latest book 'A Suspicion of Spies' - the story of Biffy Dunderdale's decades long career with British intelligence, which put him at the center of some of the most significant events in Europe between the Russian Revolution and the heights of the Cold War.

25/05/2025

The New Forum

Tim Spicer joins Charlie Day at The New Forum to discuss war, rebellion, and the real-life spy who inspired James Bond.

16/03/2025

The Old Paratrooper Podcast

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer OBE speaks to The Old Paratrooper about a life filled with action and adventure. During his twenty years in the British Army he saw active service in Northern Ireland, the Falklands campaign, the Gulf War and the Balkans, as well as serving in the Far East, Cyprus and Germany.