On the 15th of December 2014, the usually bustling Martin Place in Sydney's CBD became the epicentre of chaos, as a terrorist held 18 people hostage inside the Lindt Cafe. 

Ben Besant was the Tactical Operations Unit officer that brought the 16 hour ordeal to a close by eliminating the terrorist. 

In the decade since that day he's been known as 'Officer A', but as of November 2024, Ben is stepping into the limelight to share his account of what happened across those brutal 16 hours. 

He speaks to Ant about his role and mindset during the siege, and the 'high price' he's paid for his service as a result. 

This episode contains Ben Besant’s first-hand experience of the Lindt Café Siege and includes discussions of terrorism, violence, death and PTSD. If any of these topics are triggering for you, please give this episode a miss or seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at https://www.lifeline.org.au/ or by calling 13 11 14.

LINKS
Ben's book, Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! is available to purchase at tigertigertigerbook.com 
Follow Ant on Instagram, X, and Facebook
Learn more about Ant on his website antmiddleton.com
Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial.

CREDITS
Host: Ant Middleton
Editor: Adrian Walton
Executive Producer: Anna Henvest 
Managing Producer: Elle Beattie

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. 

On the 15th of December 2014, the usually bustling Martin Place in Sydney's CBD became the epicentre of chaos, as a terrorist held 18 people hostage inside the Lindt Cafe.&nbsp;
Ben Besant was the Tactical Operations Unit officer that brought the 16 hour ordeal to a close by eliminating the terrorist.&nbsp;
In the decade since that day he's been known as 'Officer A', but as of November 2024, Ben is stepping into the limelight to share his account of what happened across those brutal 16 hours.&nbsp;
He speaks to Ant about his role and mindset during the siege, and the 'high price' he's paid for his service as a result.&nbsp;
This episode contains Ben Besant&rsquo;s first-hand experience of the Lindt Caf&eacute; Siege and includes discussions of terrorism, violence, death and PTSD. If any of these topics are triggering for you, please give this episode a miss or seek help by visiting Lifeline's website at <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" data-outlook-id="a452c5d6-5de6-4557-8858-08d19e05fbb1">https://www.lifeline.org.au/</a> or by calling 13 11 14.
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Ben's book, Tiger! Tiger! Tiger! is available to purchase at <a href="https://tigertigertigerbook.com/">tigertigertigerbook.com</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Follow Ant on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/antmiddleton/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/antmiddleton">X</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/antmiddletonsas/">Facebook</a></li>
<li>Learn more about Ant on his website <a href="https://www.antmiddleton.com/">antmiddleton.com</a></li>
<li>Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind the scenes content &ndash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/novapodcastsofficial/">@novapodcastsofficial</a>.</li>
</ul>
CREDITS Host: Ant Middleton Editor: Adrian Walton Executive Producer: Anna Henvest&nbsp; Managing Producer: Elle Beattie
Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respect to Elders past and present.&nbsp;

Join Ant Middleton as he speaks with people that have beaten the odds and achieved the unthinkable by getting their head in the game. You’ll hear extraordinary stories of survival, relive heroic moments, unpack the details of life-changing decisions, and celebrate the achievement of seemingly impossible goals. This podcast series highlights what we’re capable of when we harness the power of the mind.

Join Ant Middleton as he speaks with people that have beaten the odds and achieved the unthinkable by getting their head in the game. You’ll hear extraordinary stories of survival, relive heroic moments, unpack the details of life-changing decisions, and celebrate the achievement of seemingly impossible goals. This podcast series highlights what we’re capable of when we harness the power of the mind.

Join Ant Middleton as he speaks with people that have beaten the odds and achieved the unthinkable by getting their head in the game.

Head Game

Inside the 16 Hour Lindt Cafe Siege

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/80d5f5cd-8684-4e90-899e-b279018a0be2/transcript