Beyond Battlefields: Intelligence to Crisis Leadership with the Hive | RiCE Podcast Episode 7

In this episode, hosts Colin Howe and Aaron Edwards converse with John Hall - British Army veteran, intelligence expert, and founder of the The Hive. Hall’s remarkable journey, from his early days shaped through challenging deployments in Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan, charts his evolution from soldier to intelligence innovator. He offers candid insights into the demands of military life, the complexity of modern conflict, and the vital importance of adaptability, critical thinking, and structured decision-making.

Drawing on real-world case studies, Hall recounts how the lessons learned from years in military intelligence inform his approach to crisis management and humanitarian action. His organisation, The Hive, was born from the chaos of the Afghanistan withdrawal and now delivers intelligence and resilience training to humanitarian efforts in global hotspots. Throughout the discussion, Hall critiques and seeks to inspire improvement in the UK’s crisis management culture, championing continual learning and adaptability as essential virtues for leaders in any sphere.

Whether one is interested in military history, leadership under pressure, or the mechanics of decision-making in extreme situations, this episode offers a rare, practical insight into what it means to lead—transforming adversity into capability on the world's toughest frontlines.

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