Introducing The Survival Debrief Podcast with Steven Kelly

Steven Kelly
Nov 30
3 min read

At South West Survival, everything we do is built around real experience.

From teaching families to light their first fire on Dartmoor, to putting veterans through demanding commando-style expeditions, the goal is always the same:

Real skills. Real mindset. Real-world survival.

That’s why our founder, Steven Kelly – British Commando, TV survivalist and head instructor at South West Survival – launched The Survival Debrief Podcast.

🎧 Listen here:👉 The Survival Debrief Podcast with Steven Kelly on Spotify

What Is The Survival Debrief Podcast?

The Survival Debrief is a long-form podcast where Steven sits down with:

Survivalists from shows like Naked and Afraid and Naked and Afraid: Apocalypse
Adventurers, bushcraft instructors and expedition leaders
Veterans and everyday people who’ve been through serious challenges

Each episode is a proper debrief – the kind you’d expect in the military or after a tough training day in the woods.

Instead of a polished TV edit, you get:

Honest stories from the field
What really went right – and wrong
Lessons you can apply whether you’re in a jungle, on Dartmoor, or just dealing with life at home

How The Podcast Connects To South West Survival

South West Survival isn’t just about learning knots and fire lighting. Our courses, expeditions and events are built on the same principles you’ll hear on the podcast:

1. Survival Skills With Purpose

On the show, Steven and his guests talk through:

Shelter building, fire, water, navigation
How they adapted when plans fell apart
The simple basics that kept them alive

Those are the same fundamentals we teach on our bushcraft days, family camps and survival weekends.

2. The Survival Mindset

You’ll hear guests talk about:

Fear, doubt and that urge to quit
How they made decisions under pressure
Dealing with hunger, cold and discomfort

This “mental kit list” is a core part of every South West Survival course, whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned veteran looking to push your limits.

3. Community & Shared Experience

Around the campfire or on the mic, something powerful happens when people share their stories.

The podcast extends that campfire feel:

Listeners hear from survivalists all over the world
Former students hear familiar values and lessons reinforced
New people discover South West Survival and what we stand for

Why Our Students And Followers Love The Show

People who’ve trained with us often say the same thing:

“I don’t just want a one-off course – I want to stay in the mindset.”

The podcast is a simple way to do that.

You can:

Listen on your commute
Stick an episode on while you’re training
Put it on in the background while you plan your next adventure

You’ll pick up:

Practical tips you can bring to your next South West Survival day
New perspectives from people who’ve pushed further than most
Motivation to keep stepping outside your comfort zone

How To Use The Podcast Alongside Our Courses

If you’re already booked onto, or thinking about, a South West Survival course, here’s how to get the most from the podcast:

Before Your Course

Listen to an episode about mindset and preparation
Notice how guests talk about fear, planning and teamwork
Ask yourself: “What do I want to get out of my time in the woods?”

After Your Course

Revisit an episode and see what you understand differently now
Think about moments on the course where you used the same ideas
Use it to keep your skills and mindset sharp between adventures

If You Haven’t Trained With Us (Yet)

The podcast is a no-pressure way to get to know:

Who Steven is
What South West Survival stands for
The kind of people we surround ourselves with

By the time you step into the woods with us, you’ll feel like you already know the team.

Where To Listen

You can find The Survival Debrief Podcast with Steven Kelly on all major platforms, including:

Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
And more…

Start here:

🎧 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEywXoYZsNr3De4cdLQ1U

Hit follow so you don’t miss new episodes – and if you enjoy an episode, leaving a quick rating or review is one of the best ways to support both the podcast and South West Survival.